Page 53 of Finding Embers and Stars (Twin Flames Duet #1)

Chapter fifty-three

T his is the life.

Floating in the hot springs, I take a sip of my drink as everyone laughs at something Rhoda said. It’s not really ladies’ night since we started at noon, but it’s still been an amazing day.

I watch Walker come into the cavern, his eyes sweeping past everyone until he spies Piper. The way he lights up when he sees her fills me with so much happiness for my best friend.

He walks to her side of the pool and kneels down to whisper in her ear. The way she instantly turns beet red makes me snicker. Anyone can blush, but her pale white skin from her Viking heritage makes it so she is much more prone to turning red.

She nods in agreement, smiling shyly at whatever he said. Once she’s out of the water, she looks around for me. Grinning, I wave her away, returning the wink Walker sends me from behind her.

I was touched when Walker came to me earlier and asked if I would be okay with him stealing Piper away for some one-on- one time. I love how each of our mates check in with us about things. While I don’t see either myself or Piper getting bent out of shape over one of us getting private time with our mates, the guys are preventing the chance of that happening by talking to us.

Welcome to the insecurities and reassurances club. Navigating our strange relationship hasn’t been easy, but the way everyone goes out of their way to check in ensures that no one feels left out. Piper and I do our best to make sure that all the guys get equal attention from us.

“Earth to Sage!!” Ashley’s shout from right in front of my face startles me so badly that I slide in the water. I feel like I’ve swallowed half the hot springs by the time I manage to get my feet back under me.

Coughing and sputtering, I rub the water out of my eyes and glare at her. “First, rude! Second, what?”

The laughter of all the ladies echoes off the rock walls, no doubt making its way through the tunnels and back to the surface. I hope it makes the guys wonder what we are up to down here.

Ash grins at me, not looking the slightest bit sorry. “I was asking if you’ve given any flying fucks yet.”

Mom and Hera immediately get up from their perch on the rocks at the edge of the pool and head upstairs. Pausing at the doorway, they call back that they don’t want to hear about my sexual exploits.

Rolling my eyes at them, I turn back to Ash. “No flying fucks, that’s all you, but I have been playing with the tail.”

Deciding that I need to check in on the guys, I swim to the edge of the pool and climb out. “I’ll be back. I’m just going to make sure that they are still in one piece after being with the family this long.”

More giggles follow me up the tunnel and into the garage. Milo and Luc are talking by the open door, each man standing with his hands on his hip watching the kids take turns riding Finn, Maverick, and Hunter.

I cuddle into Milo’s chest, kissing his chin as he wraps his arms around me. It’s the end of April and still a bit chilly up here on the mountain. The way the wind blows through this valley has goosebumps popping up all over my arms. “Pip and Walker headed home. I wasn’t sure if you saw them leave.”

Milo nods. “Piper made the rounds and told all of us she was headed out with him. It seemed like she felt guilty about leaving.”

Luc steps up to my other side to help shield me from the wind. “Thanks, Luc.” I stand on my tip toes, and he leans down so I can kiss his cheek.

After another shiver rolls through me, and I brush my lips across Milo’s and head inside to warm up.

Liam is in the kitchen having an animated conversation about gaming with Nox and Sam. I sneak over to give him a kiss and head into the living room where I overhear Jasper talking with Hera.

“Honestly, it’s been lonely. I loved Sasha so much, and there is a part of me that always will, but now that I know she’s gone and what happened to her, I feel like I could move on. I just don't want Piper and Atlas to hate me for it.”

“Papa Jasper, no.” He jumps slightly as I take a seat next to him, leaning into his shoulder. “Pip would never be upset about you finding happiness. She was miserable for so long while we were with the pack. I know she would never begrudge anyone the chance at a mate. The only problem would be if your new mate made it so her and Atlas lost you. Now that she’s found you, I think it would break her if you were to disappear.”

He sniffs, a single tear rolling down his cheek. “When I saw you both in the interview, I was in so much shock. I was hopeful but terrified that I’d get here and find out she was a stranger or some distant relative of Sasha’s and not my daughter.”

He scrubs at the additional tears that keep sneaking out. “Then when I got here, I found out that not only do I have a daughter, I have a son and a second adoptive daughter. On top of that, five sons-in-law that would make any parent proud. I’ve watched the way they take care of both of you and it’s really amazing to watch. It seems as if they aren’t even trying, but they always find a balance with you and Piper. Never leaving one of you out of anything.”

Hera is watching him with a tiny smile on her face. I’m not sure what she is seeing in him, or hearing in his thoughts, but I can tell it’s impressing the hell out of Mother Universe.

I lean into Papa Jasper, laying my head on his shoulder. I don’t know much about his life since he lost his mate, but I know he’s been alone for a long time. The longer he’s with our crazy family the more he seems to flourish.

“I’ve been alone for so long.” When he starts to speak, I’m surprised to find his words echoing my thoughts. “I’d forgotten what it was like to be part of a pack. Not that this group is like any pack I’ve ever seen. Never have I seen this many types of supernaturals living together in harmony.”

I can’t hide my snort. “We are a unique bunch.”

My father’s laughter joins ours as he sits down across from us. He’s been a bit reserved around Jasper so far, but I know it’s from his need to protect Piper and myself. He takes a deep breath, and meets Jasper’s eyes without flinching. “When I realized you were Piper’s father, I had mixed feelings. She’s been my girl since she was five. I don’t care what blood runs through her veins, she became a second daughter to me and Rose.”

His voice trails off, and I know he’s working on finding the right words to convey what he feels. That’s one lesson of his that never stuck. I still just blurt shit out when it pops into my head.

“Seeing your love for not just Piper but Atlas as well, tells me everything I need to know about you as a person. That you are willing to accept my Sage as well tells me you fit with this family. I will gladly share my kids with you, Jasper.”

Jasper has to swallow and clear his throat a few times before he finds his voice. “Thank you. That means the world to me.”

Dad grins. “Rose and I’ve been talking. We have several empty guest rooms. Why don’t you come stay with us? These kids are newly mated, and there are some things fathers don’t need to know about. I’d like to go on believing that my girls are innocent little babies.”

Hera lets out a bark of laughter. “Innocent little babies, my ass.”

I gasp, playing up my outrage. “Hera! I will have you know that I am as pure as driven snow.”

She shakes her head at me, well used to my dramatics by now.

Her expression sobers as she looks at Jasper. “Jasper, whenever a mate dies, and the bond snaps, the living mate’s soul reaches out towards any other possible matches. Sometimes those bonds can connect and offer those that lost a loved one another chance at happiness.”

We are all hanging on every word. Not a lot is known about mate bonds and how they work outside of the fact that the Moon Goddess was always thought to be the one that blessed them. Which is true, but sometimes Hera helps.

“You have been lost to grief for years. As long as you mourned Sasha, your mate bond couldn’t connect to anyone else. It wouldn’t have been fair to that person. Now that you are processing your loss and moving on, there is a possible connection for you.”

I watch Jasper’s face light up with hope, but he quickly sobers when Hera raises her hand, asking him to wait.

“I can connect your mate threads, so you recognize each other when you meet. However, you need to understand that this will not be an easy relationship. It will take months, if not years, of patience before she trusts you. I can’t tell you what she’s been through, but it’s horrific. It may take time before she even lets you near her.”

Jasper looks slightly crushed, but I think it’s more from the thought of what his mate is going through that the idea he will have to be patient with her.

I reach over and take his hand in mine. “Love is harder to find the second time, but I guarantee that neither Piper nor Atlas would be upset with this.” I bite my lip, hesitating for a second. “I don’t want to interrupt Piper and Walker’s Bible study.”

Hera and my dad both start cackling.

Rolling my eyes at them, I continue. “But I can reach out to Atlas now if you want?”

Jasper nods at me. “Yes please. I appreciate that, Sage. We definitely don’t want to interrupt Bible study.”

It’s a challenge to keep my face straight. “Exactly! Sky daddy wouldn’t approve of us interrupting the gospel.”

Archer pokes his head around the corner. “Hey! Only Ash is allowed to call me that!”

Hera lets out a hoot of laughter. “Not you, the actual one. And Sage, I am absolutely telling my mate you called him sky daddy the next time I speak with him.”

Jasper is back to looking befuddled. “Do I dare ask who your mate is and who we are referring to as sky daddy?”

Hera’s laughter fades a bit, but she fights to keep her smile in place. “My mate, like me, has been known by many names. Odin, Zeus, or Father Time.” She raises an eyebrow at me. “Despite the jokes, he’s not actually God. At least in the sense of the one true God that many humans worship. He’s my other half.”

I reach over and gently press on Jasper’s chin until his mouth shuts. We may have finally broken him with that revelation.

I grin as I reach out along our mate bond. “Atlas, I have a question for you, my love.”

I hear him yawn and I instantly feel bad that I woke him up. No doubt he wanted to avoid Bible study. “Don’t feel bad, ást Mín, I always love hearing your voice. What is your question?”

His words make me smile and I have to fight back a happy tear. “Jasper has been alone for a very long time. Hera said he has a potential mate bond, but he’s worried that you or Piper would be upset if he were to bond with another woman that isn’t your mother.”

Atlas grunts, clearly unimpressed. “We would never begrudge him or his mate the happiness that can bloom from a mate bond. The only thing that would upset us is if he were to walk away from us because of the new bond.”

“Thank you, love. Now back to sleep.” He huffs at me in amusement, and I feel him fade back to sleep.

I look over at Jasper. “He said basically the same thing I did. They would only be upset if they lost you because of your new bond. They don’t want you to be alone and unhappy.”

Jasper’s whole face lights up with how happy he is. I can see where Piper inherited her beauty from. Sasha was stunning, but so is Jasper.

He really is a fine specimen of a man. He and Sasha were only nineteen when they had Piper. That would put him around forty-three now. Plenty young enough for a second chance at happiness. I can tell that just the thought of finding another mate is giving him a new lease on life.

He clears his throat, suddenly looking nervous. “Hera, I would love the opportunity to find love again. Even if I have to wait until I’m eighty for her.”

Hera smiles, closing her eyes, and then she begins to glow. She slowly reaches out and touches her fingertip to Jasper’s chest, just over his heart. The white light around her body flares, then fades completely.

“You will meet her soon.” Hera’s eyes narrow dangerously. “Listen to me carefully. When you meet her, you must bury your anger. You cannot show her, or it will scare her away from you.”

He gulps nervously but nods, a determined look coming over his face. “I’ll remember. Thank you, Hera, for giving me another chance at love.”