The Unveiling (D'Shar Men)

Chapter Twenty-Two



“Whoa…” She clutched her chest with one hand as the knowledge she’d gained settled. Residual quivers shook her body. They were the souls of Selia and Ralston! This was the man willing to forsake everything for the woman he loved. He'd stepped down from an empire, fought what seemed like the entire world, and died by her side. Bile threatened to climb up the back of her throat, and she choked it down. So many questions raced around in her head on a circular track, looping over and over again at breakneck speed.

Was now their time? They were back in the same position, the priestess, the warrior, and the insane man. A twinge of guilt stabbed her in the gut like a blade. Millions of people had died in war because of her. Did they deserve to be happy? Years of pain, waiting, and heartache flashed through her mind. Yes. God knew how many times they'd done this dance and failed. It was time to set things right. She glanced at Bastien. The love she and Ralston shared was so vibrant! A splash of vivid color painted across a dark sky, it humbled her. A soul didn’t forget that kind of thing, it was still there hidden deep inside, waiting to be accessed. The thought warmed her heart and healed the parts that had been broken over the years. She closed her eyes, basked in the emotions and truth. His hand wrapped around hers. She'd been forcing herself to hold back, fighting against the very thing her heart cried out for, to love Bastien with her whole self. Surrender to the emotions that had made him a part of who she was at her very core.

Love poured from him. His earth scent filled her nostrils. All the things she'd wanted to say but couldn't danced on the tip of her tongue. Pure joy flooded her like a river. She threw her head back and laughed. It was like being a child on Christmas morning and finding the present you always wanted beneath the tree. She opened her eyes and saw that happiness reflected in his warm, brown-eyed gaze. A smile stretched his lips wide, and she saw the whites of his teeth. His deep chuckle joined hers. Laughter mingled to become the most beautiful song she'd ever had the privilege of hearing. She moved her hands to cup his face between the palms of her hands. "It was you all along," she whispered.

"It was me." His voice was husky, and his eyes were glassy. "Hello, my love, it's been a long time."

Overwhelmed she leaned down to taste his lips and express herself the only way she could, pouring every ounce of emotion she felt into the movement of their lips. He lifted her onto his lap, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

“Hold on.” He got to his feet.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in the crook of his neck, content to simply be held by the amazing soul mate gifted back to her by the universe. The sun began to sink in the horizon behind them, turning the sky into a mass of peaches and pinks. The rays shone through the windows, turning the house into the palette of a dreamscape. It was a moment she knew she'd treasure for the rest of her lives and perhaps beyond. After a few minutes they entered a room made of glass that made her gasp.

“This is amazing.” They’d just stepped into a magnificent garden that overlooked the side of the mansion. Reminiscent of Ralston and Selia's special place it made the new memories seem fresher.

“It’s our way to remember home. I think we all come here whenever we’re feeling particularly homesick. It’s a recreation of the royal gardens. I want to make love to you here and start over. Begin again the way we should've been from the start." He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Yes." She was ready to cement the bonds they’d entered into earlier. There was no rush, or greedy need, simply the desire to connect and worship the man who’d carved his name onto her soul. He moved them behind a cluster of pink rose bushes and sent out a mental warning to the others in the house, making a circle of protective energy around them that wavered between invisible and iridescent. He sank down to his knees, lowered her onto her back, and caressed the hair from her face with his fingers. The feather-soft touch of calloused fingers sent a shiver skittering down her body. She studied his face. For the first time I really see him. Pieces of light brown hair fell over his forehead, escaping from the ponytail he'd pulled it back into for training. She reached up to tuck the stray strands behind his ear. He bent down and brushed her lips with his, and her eyes drifted close.


The floral scent of the flowers, the soft grass beneath her body, and his muscular frame pressed against her sent her into sensory overload. Bastien peppered her collarbone with kisses. She reached up, freed his hair from its leather band and buried her fingers in the thick tresses, massaging his scalp. This was the experience she'd always wanted with Bastien but never dared. It would've been the end of the resistance she clung to like a lifeline.

"Let me love you." His words were whispered against his skin. The double meaning not lost on her.

"Only if it’s for forever."

“And beyond.”

She lifted her arms, helping him remove her bulky sweater and the thin cotton shirt underneath. He kissed the swell of her breasts, moving his hand beneath her back to undo the clasp of her bra and slide the straps down her arms.

"Do you know why I'm not using my powers to remove your clothes?”

She shook her head no.

“Because you're a present I've waited a long time to unwrap. Today when I remembered the truth about our past, everything change—I changed.” He kissed her belly and pushed her pants down, nipping her left hip as he removed them along with her underwear.

"From this day on, I won't accept anything less than all of you, and in return I offer you myself. I'm not perfect by any means, but I will continue to love you more than life itself. I have carried you in my heart, across space and time, seeking you out in some shape or form in each life I've ever lived. I don't want to waste a minute now that I have you in my arms again." Bastien skimmed her body with his hands as he made his way back up her nude body. He propped himself up on one arm as he lay beside her and trailed his hand down her body to the moist treasure that awaited him.

"I love the way your hands feel over my body."

He leaned his head down as he eased one long digit inside her.

"Oh." Her eyes fluttered down.

"Keep those beautiful purple eyes open for me, Rivka."

She fought against the heavy weight of her lids to meet his intense stare. He continued to make circles. She squirmed. He hooked his finger and hit her spot. Her legs shook, her breath came in pants. She pushed her hips up, easily catching his rhythm.

"Is that the only thing you love?"

Her body stilled, her tongue grew heavy, and her mouth dried out. This was the moment. She licked her lips, swallowed, and shook her head from side to side. His clothes melded away. She felt the sensation of skin against skin. He removed his fingers and thrust home in one smooth stroke. Filled to the brim with love and cock she felt complete. “I love you too, Bastien."

"And I love you." He pulled out and eased back in, lifting her hips so he bottomed out. Their eyes locked in an embrace as he took them higher and higher. They jumped over the edge together, bodies trembling as he exploded and she milked him dry. They lay together in the grass, trembling as twilight gave way to darkness and the stars came out to celebrate their newfound happiness.

****

Two days had passed since the cold symptoms began, and he hadn’t improved. Something’s wrong. His condition had worsened. His skin was even paler. The whites of his eyes remained red, and his temperature stayed higher than normal. He could go to a hospital and wipe the staff’s memory. But what would be the use? What he had, they couldn’t cure. He sat in a chair, awaiting the read outs from his latest test. He’d botched the Elixir somehow; it was the only answer. Am I becoming more human? The thought filled him with horror. Beep. It was done. He forced his stiff muscles out of the chair and stumbled over to the printer. He blinked to clear his hazy vision, propped himself up against the desk and began to read. His T cells were through the roof, and his D.N.A. was … new. I did it! I finally did. Whatever I am isn’t human or Shar! He coughed. I’m like a caterpillar spinning a cocoon. Once this passes I’ll see what I’ve truly become. I’ll treat this like a human and a Shar sickness, more vitamin C, hydration, rest, and some of the Grisna herb heated up in hot water for tea. This ailment was a small price to pay for glory.