Page 94 of Above Cursed Winds

Weighing the honesty of her words, Jeremiah nodded, and the trio filtered into the sunshine. The Elemental friends hadn’t been together like this in some time, and it alleviated some of the anxiety Jeremiah had felt in being away.

It wasn’t long before Gideon asked Jeremiah, “Do you still believe going to the Accords was a mistake?”

“How could I? If we hadn’t gone, I’d never have met Zia or Myko.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Jeremiah saw the relief overtake his best friend.

Rukia linked her arms through theirs, squeezing them together on the sidewalk. “Maybe there’s hope for you yet, Jer. Maybe Zia will keep you from floating away when your head fills with nonsense.”

“If only,” Gideon said dreamily. “But I have a feeling she’s worth floating away for.”

The mischievous grin on Jeremiah’s face spoke volumes. “Who’d have thought I’d have a mate? Or Gideon would marry a vampire?”

“I think the most shocking thing here is that anyone would put up with Rukia.” Gideon grinned roguishly, and that earned him a halfhearted slap on his shoulder from the woman in question.

“But seriously, though, is she good to you?”

Jeremiah gave pause at Rukia’s earnest question. “Yeah. Zia’s amazing. Unafraid to take any of my sarcasm and dish it out when need be. Strong in a way that defines logic. Loyal and self-sacrificial. ”

“She’d better treat you right.” Rukia wagged her eyebrows. “I can’t have another person in Paracel who needs a leash, Aidan notwithstanding.”

The heaviness that’d once tarnished their bonds had cleared, and the trio once again had returned to their easy-going camaraderie. As Jeremiah’s tension ebbed, he spoke once more.

“I’m sorry. To both of you.” He rolled his shoulders in agitation, angry at himself. “I’ve said some cruel things, done worse. It wasn’t your fault.”

In the second rare showing of affection that day, Rukia stopped him and cinched her arms so tight around him that he let out a strangled breath. “Fortunately for you, Gideon and I are saints, and we won’t hold it against you.”

“Ha, glad to hear it, water.”

As they continued, Rukia’s arms capturing both of theirs once more, Jeremiah’s lips curled happily. He’d never before been so happy, so content. And it’d be the perfect moment, except for one thing.

Zia. Even though the distance between them was small, he had a pang in his heart to find her. Through that, he finally understood what Gideon and Rukia had found.

It wasn’t more than half an hour later before they returned to the compound, and Myko’s excited chatter met his ears far before he’d even gotten indoors.

“Jeremiah! Isaiah said he can help me with my gift!”

Myko launched himself at Jeremiah, and the Elemental immediately caught him before hoisting him up on his shoulders. “That right, little man?”

“Yeah! And Nero said that since I’m the first one with the ability, I get to name it!”

“And what have you decided?”

Myko’s little hands clasped under his chin, and his laughter vibrated against his shoulders. “I haven’t yet. I’m thinking Phobia Flash! Or Fear Monger. Or what about Spooky Vision? Or … or … I dunno. I have to think very hard about it.”

“Well, I’m sure it’ll be spectacular, little man.” Drawing close to Zia, his lips found hers as if by instinct. From above them, Myko’s mock gag sounded.

“Yuck. At least put me down before you kiss my mom.”

Snickering, Jeremiah did as he bid. “It’s good to be home.”

“Yeah, but Jeremiah, you have two homes now.” Myko tugged on his jeans. “Here and on clan lands. Right?”

“Right, little man. Don’t know what I did to deserve it, but you’re right.” Smiling softly, he looked around at where Rona had appeared by Gideon’s side, and where Isaiah and Rukia held Isaak between them. “Two homes.”

Epilogue

Excitement pooled in Zia’s gut. Today, she and Jeremiah would do a fly-over of the clan together, and it would be the first time they would take Myko with them.

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