The Lost Soul Trilogy (Primani Book 5) (111 page)

Damn it. How could he scold me and compliment me in the same breath? The man was impossible to argue with. Taking a calming breath, I agreed and headed to the kitchen sending out an SOS along the way.

“Raphael? We found Aisling. Can you come?” I called my favorite doctor and crossed my fingers. He could heal anyone.

While we waited for him, the Primani went into a familiar rhythm that proved they’d done this before. I wondered vaguely if they’d been around during the Black Death. Dec was busy scanning each of them to find the cause of their problems. Alexandyr knelt next to Aisling and spoke softly to her while holding her hand, her expression hopeless.

I warmed up soup and cut up bread for Aisling. Dimitri poured a small glass of milk for little Sean.

Watching from the kitchen doorway, I gripped the edge of the counter while that tiny little boy tried so hard to breathe through racking coughs that shook his whole body. With every cough, he spit up a little blood. Every maternal instinct in my body wanted to run to him and make it all better.

Oh, hurry Raphael! Please hurry!

Dec held him in his arms and wrapped him inside his
saol
while we waited for help. I’d seen the look on Dec’s face before; he was doing his best to give the boy comfort and ease the pressure on his lungs.

Killian sighed with relief when Raphael made it. He materialized next to me and gave my belly a light pat before striding into the living room.

“Is this her, Killian?” he asked immediately. His eyes missed nothing as he crossed over to Aisling and Alexandyr.

He looked surprised to see the Primani here and studied him briefly before addressing Aisling. “I am Raphael. Are you Aisling, the Gabrielian Primani?”

She lowered her eyes respectfully and whispered, “Yes, the archangel Gabriel is my maker. He is not coming?” Her voice was dull as though she knew the answer and wasn’t surprised.

Completely focused on her, he picked up her wrist to check her pulse, saying, “Not right now. I did not take the time to find him. Let me see to you first and then I will call him for you.”

She clutched weakly at his hand and begged, “Please see to my son. He is close to death and I would ask you to save him. He is innocent and pure.”

The finely drawn brows lifted to his hairline as her words broke through his concentration. “Your son?”

Dec tenderly lifted the boy for Raphael to see. His little head hung limply over Dec’s strong arm. His thin chest barely lifted with each breath.

There wasn’t much time.

He looked stunned when he spotted the tiny child. With a single glance he understood the pain and suffering and overwhelming fear the two of them had been through. His aristocratic features hardened with anger and I felt the wave of cold fury that he tried hard to suppress. In the blink of an eye, his face went from kind healer to mighty archangel capable of destroying with a single thought. He was way, way angry.

The boy coughed weakly and Raphael quickly put his features back together and calmly took him from Dec. He closed his eyes and placed his palm over the boy’s chest.

Smiling faintly, he said, “Ah. Now I see. It makes perfect sense.” He rubbed a sweaty little cheek with the backs of his fingers and murmured a healing prayer before adding, “Sean Michael, you’re a fighter, aren’t you, my son? Breathe easy now; you have big shoes to fill. You will grow strong and powerful like your father. This is my blessing on you.”

My heart warmed at both the prophetic words and the depth of love in his voice. This angel never ceased to amaze me. This little boy had no idea how lucky he was. To have such a blessing...Sean must be doing something right.

As he spoke, golden light poured from his fingertips and surrounded the boy’s body. After a moment, the light faded and the boy’s breathing was slow, deep, and comfortable. The color came flooding into his cheeks making them pink with good health. His eyes fluttered open and he immediately began to cry, great lusty wails that sent all four Primani scrambling for an exit. Aisling sobbed with relief and held out her hands for him. He raised his thin arms to her and howled to be picked up.

Raphael laid a strong hand on her shoulder saying, “A moment, Aisling. Let me heal you first.”  Turning to me, he winked and said, “Mica, child, will you comfort the baby so I can heal his mother?”

Was he kidding? I’d walk through fire if he asked me to.

Killian scowled but the archangel held up his hand to halt the protest. “Killian, I’ve healed him. There is no danger to your family.”

Killian dipped his head in respect and said, “And I thank you, Raphael. Aisling, it’s all right. I’ll take Sean Michael.”

I had to stifle a smile as he straightened his shoulders as if he was bracing for combat. The toddler was still screaming and turning an interesting shade of purple. Huge tears streamed down his face and he’d gotten himself all sweaty. Dec, Dimitri, and Alexandyr were all pressed against the wall as far away from us as they could get.

Killian reached for the boy and picked him up under the arms. His face softened as he felt the pitifully light weight of the child and he held him gently against his broad chest. His hand spanned the width of the shaking shoulders as he patted him and murmured words against his sweaty little head. His eyes met mine and I melted at the emotion in them. He crushed the little body closer to comfort him.

Suddenly it was quiet.

When I pulled my eyes away from Killian’s, I was shocked to see Sean Michael sound asleep in my warrior’s arms.

The flash of a camera blinded me for a second and I blinked at Dec who shrugged happily. “Hey, no one would believe it without proof! It’s for Sean.”

Aisling had been lying quietly while Raphael healed her and now she sat up looking alarmed. “Sean? He’s alive? Where is he?”

Before anyone could answer her, she fixed me with a hard look and said bitterly, “I guess he found his way back to you, after all?” Her eyes lingered on my rounded stomach and she added, “We’ll get out of here in the morning.”

What? Was she crazy?

Killian handed her the sleeping toddler and came over to my side. With an arm around my waist, he kissed my temple and said, “You misunderstand, Aisling. These are
my
babies she’s carrying; Mica’s my wife.”

I warmed at the caress in his voice. The way he said the word ‘wife’ gave me chills--the good kind. It spoke of forever.

She said, “I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t he go back to her? He was devastated when he was trapped with me.”

He pulled me to his lap and said, “It’s a long story. The short version is Mica, Declan, and I used our combined powers to pull Sean back to us the day he left you. He’d been gone a year by then and we were desperate to find him. We had no idea where he was; we just wanted him back. The trip back scrambled Sean’s memories to the extent that he didn’t remember anything after he’d been scattered.”

Dec piped up, “That was Mica’s fault, by the way. Don’t make her angry!”

Raphael actually gave him a dirty look and snapped, “Declan, that’s not helpful.”

Dimitri smacked Dec in the chest and said, “You’re an idiot.”

I picked up the story from there. “Anyway, a lot happened after he came back. Most of it wasn’t good. We stopped seeing each other a long time ago.”

Leaning forward, Killian said seriously, “Aisling, I think it’s up to Sean to tell you how he feels. But I will tell you that he had no memory of you until we unlocked his memories one day. When he realized what had happened, he was horrified. But he couldn’t get back to you. There wasn’t any way to trace you. It really tore him up.”

She glanced at him and shook her head like she didn’t believe it. “Why would he care about me? He only knew me for a few months. I’m sure he was just happy to be out of there. To find you again.” She glanced at me.

“That’s not true! He was really worried about you! He was impossible to live with! And Killian’s been searching for you almost a year. He’s put himself in danger to track you and bring you home.” I was going to belt this woman if she didn’t get with the program and show some gratitude.

“Babe, take a breath. You’re glowing.” Killian rubbed my hand with the pad of his thumb and I took a calming breath. He said, “Mica’s right. We’ve been searching for months trying to find you. I’m shocked I was able to, if you want the honest truth. “

Raphael spoke up. “What plane did you finally find her on?”

“Astral plane number 130.” Killian smiled just a tiny bit. “Who the hell knew there were so many damn alternate universes out there?”

Alexandyr’s cold voice doused the humor like a fire hose. “So let me see if I’ve got this right. You disappeared without a trace, leaving me and Dimitri, your partners, to believe you dead, and somehow ended up screwing Sean O’Cahan, who was also scattered, and getting knocked up? Now miraculously, you and the magical brat are back?” His face was white as he looked down his nose at Aisling. “I can’t believe you.”

Stung, she jumped up and slapped him hard. “You watch your filthy mouth, Alexi! That’s my son lying there. Keep your viciousness to yourself!”

His face was lit up like a stop light with that brilliant handprint. He bowed mockingly and sneered in a deadly voice, “My apologies, my lady. I wouldn’t want to offend your delicate sensibilities. But the facts still stand, do they not? You had
sex
with another Primani and got pregnant. I seem to remember your morals differently.” His Russian accent thickened until I could barely make out the words.

Dimitri shoved them apart and grabbed his twin’s shoulder. “Alex, heel!” He didn’t smile at her, but he did touch her shoulder before adding, “We’re glad you’re back. It truly is a miracle. I’ll talk to you soon.”

With that, he grabbed his brother and dematerialized.

WTF?

Okaaaay. All eyes turned to Aisling.

Mortified but striving for dignity, she said, “Thank you, Raphael. I owe our lives to your kindness and mercy. I am very tired though. Would you mind if we went to bed?”

Raphael nodded and said, “Do not pay attention to words said in anger, child. Alexandyr is in great pain and only knows to lash out. He will come around in time. For now, get some rest and settle in. I will see that you have money and a place to stay until you’ve made your own plans.”

She yawned and said, “As you wish.”

I was about dead too. It was way past my bedtime and I was struggling to keep my eyes open. Yawning hugely, I peeled myself off of Killian’s shoulder and announced that I had to go to bed too.

“Mica, a moment,” Raphael murmured.

I sat back down.

“You’ll need to help her adjust and get settled. I’m counting on you to take her shopping and help her get what she and the boy need. She will not trust easily. You will have to give her time.”

“I’ll do everything I can to help her. Just let me know if I need to do anything specific.” I smothered another yawn and blinked hard.

“Come on, Princess. You need to rack out.” Killian scooped me into his arms and carried me to bed.

Setting me carefully on the soft mattress, he started to back away but I stopped him with a hand on his thigh. “Aren’t you coming to bed?”

His eyes smoldered in the darkness and he smiled wickedly. “I thought you were sleepy?”

That wicked smile turned my blood to gasoline and I heated up all over. Sleep? Who needs that?

“I can stay awake for ten more minutes.”

“Ten minutes? I think I’m insulted.”

“Come here,” I practically begged. Reaching out, I snagged the front of his jeans and purred when he sucked in his breath. I let my nails glide over the ridges of his hard abs and dip lower. He cupped the back of my head and dug his fingers into my hair. I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes while my fingers teased him.

“Mica, you need your rest.” His voice was strained, his body tense in front of me.

“You’re right, but right now I need you more.” I tugged him closer and batted my eyes at him.

With a murmur of agreement, he pushed me onto my back and knelt beside me, careful not to lean on my belly. He leaned down to kiss me before helping me strip off my clothes. Being pregnant with triplets meant my belly was a wee bit bigger than it used to be and finding a good position was a challenge. It also meant my adoring husband was more cautious and gentle than I wanted him to be. I was lucky to have sex at all since he saw the sonogram. He was worried about disturbing the babies...

He was all about holding back. Don’t break the pregnant lady...blah, blah, blah!

“Baby, if you don’t make love to me I’m going to die.”

He burst out laughing and sat up. His face lit up with a huge grin and my heart did a flip flop. He finally stopped laughing and said, “No one has ever died from not having sex.”

“But I want it,” I pouted with a grin of my own. “Don’t make me torture you!”

I dragged my fingers across his belly, enjoying the quivering of his muscles. He was breathing a little harder by the time I stopped playing. How much iron control can one person have? Grinning wickedly, I reached lower.

In one quick motion, he rolled under me and put me on top of him. Sitting face to face, he nuzzled my neck and whispered against my ear, “I’m all yours, love.”