Read 1304 The Harbinger (The 13th Floor) Online
Authors: Christine Rains
“I don’t like you.” Hera began, but there were very few people she did like. “But you’ve impressed me. A woman of your strength, and good fashion sense, is to be admired. Accept my mark and your husband will never break his vows. He will worship you as all husbands should their wives.” She didn’t look at Zeus and neither did Meira. The Thunder God had to be furious, but the sky was still silent.
Hera was offering her a mark. Meira wanted to pinch herself.
The goddess smiled and squeezed Meira’s hand until Meira winced. She spoke through her mind to Meira alone.
Accept my mark and you will be protected from my husband and son
.
But you must do your part and stay away from them
.
Neither one is the type to give up
.
They’ll try to find a way to have you, and they might even convince the other goddesses to give in to their will, but I will not give in
.
“Yes, Mother. I accept.” Meira surprised herself in not stumbling over the words. Some might think she accepted out of fear, but it was not for fear of Hera’s wrath. Perhaps a little, but Hera was right that Ares and Zeus would not give up. The protection of the Mother Goddess was invaluable.
Hera helped Meira to rise and embraced her. Over the goddess’ shoulder, Meira noted that Ares was gone and Zeus was smiling. Was he pleased or planning something awful?
As Hera returned to the platform, Zeus met her and offered a hand to help her up. Perhaps it was both. He kept their hands locked together and held them up.
“Let the celebration begin!”
Chaos erupted as the festivities began. Meira’s gaze locked on Sam and the rest of the world faded. A celebration in his honor was being held and no one was paying him any attention.
Meira approached the dais and laid her open hands on the edge. “Thank you. You saved me. I can’t ever repay you—”
“You don’t need to repay me.” Sam hopped down to stand beside her. “I wish I could’ve done more. You’re still marked.”
“But not like before.” Meira turned to him, wanting to touch him and kiss those gorgeous full lips. “Nothing’s like before.”
“No, it’s not.” Sam’s gaze turned to the ground and he fell silent.
“Did you want me to take you home? You don’t need to stay for the celebration.” Meira offered and then added, “It’s probably a good idea if you don’t.”
“Yes, I should get home. Find out what happened in Carmine. I wasn’t sure who to ask or even if I should.” Sam scratched the back of his neck. “Are you staying?”
Many would likely want to celebrate with her, but Meira’s mood was far from jovial. “No.”
Another ten-second fragment of awkward silence wiggled between them.
“I could drop you off at your apartment. On the balcony.” Everything she wanted to say crowded her mouth, and only the wooden meaningless words came forth.
“You could come in, to my place, have a drink. If you’d like. I had a bottle of wine for …” Sam squeezed his eyes shut, and when he opened then, he placed his hands on her arms. “Meira. Please say you’ll come home with me. Say you’ll stay. With me.”
Her heart hammered so fast, she couldn’t tell one beat from another. “But I’m not what you want. I don’t fit in your version of a perfect life. I don’t want to hurt you or cause any more trouble for you. My life will never be simple.”
“I had a perfect image in my head of what I wanted life to be like. I wanted it so badly, and I felt so close.” Sam drew her nearer. “But the only image I see for my future is you. I love you like I’ve never loved anyone else before. I thought maybe I could give you up, but after you nearly died in the labyrinth, I realized it’s you I want. You and your complicated, supernatural, frightening, amazing life.”
A tear ran down. “I love you. I love you so much.”
“Is that a yes?” Sam smiled as he wiped at her cheek.
“Yes.” Meira cupped the back of his head, bringing him down so that she could kiss him most thoroughly. Her lips parted, teeth clicking against his. Dizziness threatened to topple her, but she smiled through the whole kiss.
“Take us home, beautiful.” Sam nudged her nose with his. He kissed her again, mouth lingering on her.
All Meira wanted to do was fly off with the man she loved and don her Valentinos. She gripped his hands, twining their fingers, and took a deep breath. At the very least, she had to ask permission to leave with him.
When she turned to the gods, Zeus faced them with an arm around Hera’s shoulders. He waved them off. “Go celebrate before someone else gets another idea.”
“Thank you, Father, Mother.” Meira bowed, unable to stop smiling.
“One favor, though,” Zeus said and everyone stiffened. “Your assignment at your building. Will you complete it?”
Meira let out a long breath and nodded. “Yes, of course. That favor I would be honored to fulfill.”
“Good.” Zeus nodded, adding nothing more. He snatched a goblet from a tray a servant was carrying and drank it empty before dipping Hera, kissing her as he did. “Come, my wife. We’ve a feast to attend.”
Hera laughed as she walked away with the Thunder God. Hebe rolled her eyes at her parents and followed them off the platform.
“One more favor?” Sam raised his brows.
“No worries. It’s a good one. I’ll explain later. But right now …” Meira stepped back and stretched out her arms as they shimmered. Her wings flapped once as she leaned in to kiss him, and her toes wiggled. “I have a private celebration to attend and I don’t want to be late.”
“My place is big, but we’re going to have to find a larger apartment with enough room for you, me, and all your shoes.” Sam surveyed the rows and rows of designer footwear.
“A house. Old Victorian style, but new. The market’s great for buying right now in Carmine.” Meira tried on another pair of pumps and scrutinized her appearance in the mirror. “I could have the whole third floor attic area done up as a shoe studio.”
“Sounds like you already have it all planned out.” Sam smiled. She could see him in his suit gazing at her from behind in the mirror. She knew that look. He wasn’t thinking about shoes at all nor about the charity event they were to attend.
“Does that turn you on?” Meira dropped her voice a few octaves to a purr. “Me, planning our life together?”
“Very much.” Sam walked up behind her and slid his arms around her waist. He kissed the side of her neck. “So is imagining you in those shoes sans the dress.”
She laughed and leaned back against him, luxuriating in his arms. It aroused her, too, to think of her life with Sam. One where there were no secrets. It might not be as simple as he once wanted, but it was better than she ever thought possible.
It was a bit sad to think of leaving her apartment. The place had once been her ideal getaway, but it wasn’t the right place to start her life with Sam. There was only one more thing she needed to do before she could move out, and that was why she was taking her time choosing her shoes tonight.
“I could lose the dress right now if you’d like.” She ran the heel of her shoe up his calf.
Sam groaned and skimmed his hands over her hips to her abdomen, pulling her flush against him. “If you keep this up, we’re not going to make it in time.”
“Being fashionably late is expected of me.” Meira twisted in his embrace and eased her hands into his jacket.
“Well, if it’s expected of you.” His mouth slanted over hers as her iPhone jingled.
Meira nipped at his lower lip and pushed him back.
“You seriously aren’t going to answer that, are you?” He tugged her back to him.
“I’m afraid I have to, love. One last favor.” Meira didn’t need to look at the text. She knew it was time. A weight had been lifted from the building.
She kicked off her shoes and kissed him once more. “Don’t worry. It won’t take but a few minutes.”
“Meira?” Sam held one of her hands as she started for the door. Naked emotion was plain on his face.
“I’m not leaving you.” She assured him with a squeeze. “You’re stuck with me now, hero. Best be prepared for the challenge of a lifetime living with me.” Meira winked and let go of his hand.
One last favor for Zeus. The end of her service to him and the beginning of her life with Sam.
Still smiling, she silently walked out the front door and into the hall of the thirteenth floor.
THE END
A big thank you to my critique partners, Cherie Reich and TF Walsh. I know the schedule has been tight, but you’ve been with me every step of the way. You guys are fabulous!
Cheers to my beta readers, Clare Dugmore and M Pepper Langlinais. You’ve helped so much with your unique insights.
Hugs and kisses to my husband who has brainstormed marketing with me and come up with some great ideas. More kisses to my son who puts up with a mommy who sometimes is lost in her own head.
Finally, thank you so very much to my readers. This wouldn’t be happening without you.
Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She lives in Southern Indiana with her husband and son. Their cozy little house is stuffed full of books and games. Christine has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on the Syfy Channel. She’s a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. She has twenty short stories and six novellas published.
The Harbinger
is the fourth book in the 13th Floor series. The fifth installment,
1305 & 1306 - The Oracle and the Vampire
, will be available on May 13, 2013.
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