He didn’t hesitate to answer all of her questions about what she’d witnessed. She’d been fascinated by the story.

  When he’d first arrived through the portal, he’d been known as Enki. Enlil was his brother and Ninmah his brother’s young, troubled bride, for whom Enki had always harbored a protective, brotherly affection.

  Enlil had abused his power in unspeakable ways, determined to destroy any member of the human race who would not bow to him. Messing with the natural evolution of mankind and even utilizing the darker forces of Magick in an attempt to rule over the other Archons. Once that line had been crossed, Enki had been chosen to imprison him.

  Guilty over his brother’s actions and his own arrogance in believing it was right to play with the fate of another race, Enki had gone to Danu and her people for guidance and enlightenment.

  They helped him a great deal, offering him solace and privacy, but he couldn’t completely accept their road of isolation, either. He couldn’t stop thinking about the vulnerable mortals that dwelt in this dimension.

  In order to help them, he had become Myrddin. Eschewing his name and the power it evoked, he chose instead to educate, aid and even live among the race that his family had tried to destroy.

  He’d tried to teach the lost Ninmah as well, but she had been poisoned by Enlil’s hatred and he’d had been too blind to see it. In the end, she had grown so jealous of Myrddin’s attention to the “inferior race”, she’d snapped. She had hurt a lot of people before she too was incarcerated.

  Damon had been just as amazed by the tale as she. He guiltily told Meru that he had been caught up in his own struggles for so many years, it hadn’t even occurred to him that Myrddin had suffered as well.

  After he’d satisfied Meru’s curiosity, Damon asked Myrddin about Nyctimus. The older man looked sheepish. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about him. I knew Zeus used his abilities to heal the child, he was half Archon after all, but I wasn’t sure how you’d react to the knowledge at first. After a few thousand years, you still didn’t look ready to discuss the past, so I held my tongue.” Myrddin chuckled.

  “I should’ve known Nyc would come to you. He didn’t speak to his father for centuries after finding out all the facts of that night. As far as he was concerned, Zeus should have found a way to save you and your mother…his as well, instead of reacting first and thinking later. Come to think of it,” Myrddin lowered his voice with a smirk, “Nyc still barely tolerates that pompous old bolt thrower.”

  Realizing it was confession time, she flushed guiltily as she caught Myrddin’s eye. “I failed. Áine’s Cup shattered. I didn’t ask how to stop what was coming. All I could think of was finding a way to stop Ninmah from killing Damon.”

  Damon’s shocked eyes fell on her, a moment before he drew her tenderly backward into his arms. Myrddin took her hand. “Meru.” She looked up slowly.

  “Do you regret your decision?”

  “No.” Meru didn’t hesitate.

  “Neither would Áine. For all you know, you did exactly what she knew you would. You used the Cup for love instead of for greed or power. It sounds just like something she would do.”

  Shortly after their conversation, Myrddin left. He promised he would keep everyone away for as long as he could.

  The entourage had come flashing in after four days of blissful, sex-filled solitude. A sort of mini-honeymoon before the in-laws descended, she’d jokingly told the scowling Damon.

  Fletcher had arrived with Raj and Lily. Her aunt was over the moon about her “marriage” to Damon. Although she was already making noise about a full Druid wedding ceremony, just to make it official.

  Lily thought Myrddin could perform the rites, though she insisted, looking at Meru with a conspirator’s grin, she was going to have to go into town to purchase him a cowboy hat for the occasion. Meru laughed and Damon just looked confused as Fletcher informed her without expression that she’d be wiser to purchase one online, seeing as they were back in civilized Ireland and not the Wild West. Her eyes sparkled at the memory.

  Beautiful, bookish Raj, that wonderful man, had brought her all the texts from Myrddin’s library that she’d not had the time to look through. As a mating gift, he’d said with a gentle smile.

  Sheridan, Finn and Val hadn’t been far behind. Much to Kyle’s regret, Sheridan had taken an extended leave of absence after all the negative press the family had received around the fire and the death of Lily’s friend.

  Thanks to Finn’s “powers of persuasion”, no charges had been filed against any of the women. The case was kept open, though Meru knew it would never be solved, and Sheridan was in no danger of losing her position. But she still felt she needed some time to sort through all the changes the last month had wrought in her life. Plus, she added, she’d never be able to stand being away from her mother or Meru for very long.

  It was surprising to say the least. Sheridan loved her job. She loved being a cop. But when she’d arrived, her eyes suspiciously moist as she embraced Meru, threatening her with rug burns, swirlies and worse if she ever put herself in harm’s way again, Meru decided not press her.

  Though Finn and Val had been angry that they’d missed all the excitement, they were satisfied with hearing Meru and Damon tell their tale.

  Over and over again.

  She looked down at The Book of Veils, her hand caressing the soft texture in loving gratitude. She recalled the rune she’d drawn that last day at The Willow’s Knot, the rune of New Beginnings. It had certainly been that. A whole new world had been opened up for her.

  She felt a bit like she’d fallen down the rabbit hole, and indeed some of the losses were painful. But how could she regret a life full of adventure and Magick and love?

  She wasn’t sure if she’d have been able to overcome her challenges without the love and support of the women in her family. The strength and loyalty of Sheridan, the warmth and acceptance of Aunt Lily.

  She traced the outline of her wolf’s head torc, thinking of Áine and her mother Rose, whose love had come to aid her even from beyond the grave. And then, of course, there was Damon.

  Damon had made her happier than she ever dreamed she could be. She knew that, together, they could handle anything that might come their way. She felt him kneel beside her chair, his hand resting over the soft curve of her belly.

  Even another new beginning?

  She should have guessed he’d know about that even before she did. He was Lycan, after all. She nodded and covered his hand with her own. A new life.

  Opening the book, she looked at the partially finished prophecy before her. The last line of the verse related to her made her smile.

  Her heart must find its mate ‘neath a cursed moon

  If she is to be saved.

  Her mate. Her Lycan. He had saved her, his love had helped her to become stronger than she’d ever known she could be. Strong enough to save him in return. His hand squeezed her a bit tighter at her thoughts before he looked down at the book with startled eyes.

  “Meru? Your book is writing something.”

  She looked down, not at all surprised to see fresh ink forming the words of the next section of the prophecy. Raj had been right. Her part in Áine’s vision had to be fulfilled before the next could appear.

  The eyes of the hawk watch over

  The daughter of my spirit.

  A guardian of human born,

  Pure and innocent in her power,

  Will seek and find the light no other can behold.

  The hawk of gold torn in two, made whole again

  When the key is found.

  “What’s it say?”

  She jumped as she and Damon both turned toward the voice. She rolled her eyes. He just kept popping up. Like an irritating Archon penny. Damon laughed and, traitor that he was, repeated her thought aloud to Nyctimus.

  “Half Archon.” He corrected with a grin, undeterred. “What’s it say?” She couldn’t help smiling. He and Damon had grown quite close over the past few weeks. Once they’d put the past behind them.

  Nyctimus had sat Damon down and apologized formally for the unfair and thoughtless actions of his father. Damon told him that there was nothing to forgive. After all, he’d taken Meru’s hand as he’d continued, if it had never happened, he would never have found his heart’s true mate.

  Since then, the two had been thick as thieves. They were the closest thing to brothers and she truly couldn’t be happier at her growing, if unique, family unit.

  “It says…” She stood, stretching as she walked Nyctimus and Damon toward the laughter coming from the house. The distinct sounds of that crazy video game they all loved were blasting from the living room. Men.

  She would let them all have their fun for now. Soon enough she would have to share not only the newly revealed prophecy, but the information she’d received from Danu in her dream last night as well. It seemed their battle with Enlil and the Dark wasn’t finished, not by a long shot.

  “It says,” She offered Nyc a smile, though Damon’s gaze narrowed at the worried glimmer in her eyes. “That Val and Hawk are about to be two very busy Vikings.”

  About the Author

  Stolen away by a free-spirited gypsy as a child (though she still swears she’s my mother), I spent my childhood roaming the countryside, meeting fascinating characters and having amazing adventures. As the perpetual “new kid”, my friends more often than not were found between the pages of a book…and in my own imagination. I read everything I could get my hands on. At the age of 11, I read my first romance and I’ve been hooked ever since.

  I’ve been a nurse, a lead vocalist in several bands, a published lyricist and even a returning student at University majoring in Anthropology and Mythology. Throughout all of my varied careers I would sigh as I read one fantasy-filled story after another saying, “Someday I want to write one of those.” Until one day my husband said, “So do it.” And I did. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else.

  The author welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

  Tell Us What You Think

  We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email us at Comments@EllorasCave.com.

  Also by R.G. Alexander

  Who Wants to Date a Superhero?

  Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

  www.ellorascave.com

 

 

  Lifting the Veil (html), R G Alexander - [Temptation Unveiled 01]

 

 

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