34. Pure Magic
34
Pure Magic
ISSA
T he departure from Dunia was a battle for Issa, for she was reluctant to leave her family.
However, duty called, and the Perseus Prime required them back in a few days.
Also, she made a choice, with her parent’s blessing, to explore her growing relationship with one sensual-as- fokk Rider, now the love of her life.
Weeping blurred Issa’s vision as she embraced her mother one last time, Raquel’s arms tightening with a fierceness that spoke of her unrelenting affection.
Iyanda hugged her next, whispering, while Safiyya clung to her waist, muttering a furious farewell between tears.
Following came her father, Zephyr, the once-mighty Ssigis warrior, now a man reborn.
He held her, forehead pressed to hers, his quivering hand cupping the back of her head as though anchoring her to this life.
‘Until we see each other again, my loves,’ she whispered, voice cracking as they pulled apart. ‘I promise it won’t be long. A few weeks max.’
Ki’Remi stood nearby, respectfully quiet, til she dashed away toward him, wiping moisture from her eyes.
He let her melt into him as he slid a hand around her waist.
He led her into the Alatyr while the family gathered to wave from the fields below.
The stealth gunship lifted in a silent shimmer of light, and Issa pressed her hand to the window as Dunia receded beneath them, lush, green, and tender.
Her heart ached with every mile as they ascended into the velvet sprawl of stars.
Much later, as the Alatyr soared toward Eden II, Issa curled into the warmth of Ki’Remi’s embrace.
The ship’s engines were a distant murmur against the slow, languid exploration of his mouth over hers.
The kiss was deep and unhurried, like the languid pull of celestial tides.
His hand gripped her neck as if he never wanted to let go.
She melted into him, her fingers outlining absentminded patterns over the ridges of his metanoid tattoos, tracing the pulse of his life beneath her touch.
Between kisses and breathless sighs, he rasped, ‘Move in with me.’
Issa stilled, pulling back, blinking at him. ‘What?’
Ki’Remi’s lips twitched, his voice warm with amusement. ‘You heard me, Elaris.’
She arched a brow, tilting her head as if studying him. ‘I did. The problem is that it sounded suspiciously like a command.’
His deep chuckle rumbled through her. ‘What, so you don’t want to?’
Issa huffed out a breath, shaking her head in mock exasperation. ‘Perhaps if you asked nicely.’
‘Please,’ he growled into her neck, nipping the sensitive skin of her ear lobe, melting her defenses.
Secretly, she hated her tiny studio apartment and was glad to be done with it.
She didn’t miss the ostentatiousness of the grand palaces in the heavens she and her family had once inhabited.
That said, her furnished bedsit on Eden II, with its former motel glory, was dismal. She was more than happy to envision the end of her time in it.
Also, living with her dream man was the ultimate icing on the sweetness of life.
‘I’ll bring a suitcase.’
‘One valise?’ His brows lifted. ‘That’s it?’
She grinned, leaning in to whisper against his lips, ‘Maybe two.’
He smirked, hands tightening on her waist. ‘Good.’
Then, in a burred timbre, he added, ‘Your father already gave me his blessing for your hand.’
Issa blinked, pulling back hard. ‘Wait, what?’
Ki’Remi tilted his head, a gleam of pure mischief in his dark eyes. ‘You think I’d just take you without asking?’
A warm flush spread over her skin, equal parts shock and pleasure. ‘Zephyr approved?’
‘I believe his exact words were,’ Ki’Remi’s voice deepened, mimicking her father’s measured, timbred tone, ‘We Sacrans mate for eternity, mind.’
She laughed out loud. ‘You imitate him so well.’
Yet as she spoke, Issa’s stomach flipped.
Eternity .
The idea sent a tangle of emotions curling through her.
She exhaled. ‘Let’s discuss commitment someday soon, Sableman.’
Her man arched one brow. ‘That train has long left the station, kidaya .’
‘ Nada . I get to have a say on how and when. While I love the notion, having two Alpha men decide my future is not my jam, kinai .’
His mouth quirked even as his eyes raked over her stubborn jaw and the flames threatening in her eyes. ‘ Sawa , have it your way for now.’
She simmered down, then planted a lingering, sensual kiss on his mouth. ‘First things first. Let me move in, then we can discuss marriage soon.’
Ki’Remi arched a brow, unimpressed. ‘You know the first part of that sentence makes our eternal union a foregone conclusion, at least for me? Regardless, woman, do you promise?’
‘I promise.’
His smirk deepened, voice turning husky. ‘Because we Sablemen like to wife our women.’
‘ Nada , I’d have never guessed it.’
Her mocking tone turned to whimpers of pleasure as he took her mouth, his thick fingers sliding between her legs and her waiting wetness.
After they landed on Eden II, they swung by her suite of rooms in his skimmer to pick her clothes up.
While he waited in her tiny living area, she dashed into her bed area behind a curtain and threw things together into the appropriate storage containment.
Then she rolled out.
That was when Issa saw the realization set in Ki‘Remi’s eyes.
‘Sorry, not sorry, but I lied.’
‘Woman, you told a bald-faced whopper,’ he groaned.
Because she did not just have two suitcases.
She’d packed a dozen.
Somehow, every single one of them was overflowing.
‘This isn’t packing, Elaris,’ Ki’Remi muttered as he hauled the last trunk into his sleek, modern flyer. ‘This is a takeover.’
He growled and huffed all the way back to Sable HQ and his penthouse, where a few pieces of hover luggage settled in his living space. ‘Tis a blatant colonization of my space.’
Issa, unbothered, rolled in a few more valises. ‘You wanted me to move in,’ she reminded him.
Ki’Remi shot her a dry look as he kicked shut the door, arms flexing under the weight of her things. ‘You have too much shit.’
Issa feigned offense, clutching her chest. ‘It’s called fashion, Sableman.’
He breathed out, raking his fingers through his locs as he stared at the mountain of suitcases now occupying half his living room.
Then, he spotted two massive haul bags dedicated to shoes.
He tilted his head. ‘Elaris.’
‘Hmm?’
‘Why,’ he exhaled, crouching down to unzip it, ‘do you need twenty pairs of footwear, my love?’
Issa, completely straight-faced, answered, ‘Twenty-six.’
Ki’Remi deadpanned.
She grinned wider.
‘You realize,’ he said, dragging a palm down his face, ‘you only have two feet, right?’
Issa gasped, placing a hand on her forehead like she was on the verge of fainting. ‘Blasphemy.’
Ki’Remi pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘I call on my ancestors to give me patience.’
His gaze narrowed as he stalked into his primary, eyes sweeping over his bedroom closet, where his folded and color-coordinated T-shirts, joggers, and uniforms sat in neat, military-perfect stacks.
Issa followed his line of sight, then turned to grin at him.
‘You tuck your shirts like an autobot.’
Ki’Remi gave her a flat look. ‘I put my clothing away like a disciplined soldier.’
Issa smirked. ‘Same thing.’
He groaned, pressing a hand to his forehead. ‘We’re going to kill each other.’
She laughed, padding toward him, lifting onto her toes to press a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. ‘ Nada . You love it.’
Ki’Remi sighed.
She wasn’t wrong.
They proceeded into a session of chaotic unpacking, which led to a few playful arguments.
Most times twas Ki’Remi acting horrified at how she just stuffed her clothes into drawers without folding them.
He decided to distract her in one of the ways he knew how.
With food.
He pulled together a simple yet delicious dinner.
Grilled spiced fish, a side of sautéed greens, and warm, buttered chapati were served with a bottle of aged Dunian rum he had been saving for an exceptional occasion.
Issa curled up in the velvet banquette that half circled his dining table, watching him with affectionate eyes as he set the plate before her.
‘A meal to welcome you to your second home,’ Ki’Remi murmured.
Issa’s chest tightened, and she lifted her gaze, meeting his with infinite adoration.
Then, he leaned close, fingers trailing up his forearm, bicep, and jaw. ‘ Sante , lover.’
The Rider sucked in a slow breath, his body already responding to her touch.
‘I think I like the sound of that,’ he growled, bending to give her a deep, soul-stealing, bone-melting kiss.
One that left no room for space, for hesitation, for anything except the raw, unspoken need crackling between them.
Moments later, he groaned, his arms snaking around her waist, lifting her clean off the ground as he carried her toward the bedroom.
‘Food,’ Issa gasped.
Ki’Remi smirked. ‘Later. Now, no more talking. Only fokkin ’ you until you beg me to stop.’
The elevator doors whispered open, revealing the breathtaking expanse of the Sable 517 rooftop, a floating sanctuary above the city.
Issa’s breath caught as her gaze swept across the skyline, where Eden II stretched beneath a canopy of starlit wonder.
The jagged silhouette of the skyscrapers gleamed in contrast to the dazzling nebula-painted sky, with Alphetraz casting its celestial glow over the sprawling metropolis.
Far above, a meteor streaked past, carving a luminous arc through the darkness, its dying embers scattering like shattered gemstones.
Ki’Remi’s voice rumbled behind her, a hushed, heated murmur against the shell of her ear. ‘It isn’t heaven, but it’s close.’
A delicious shiver raced down her spine as his warm, solid presence pressed on her back, his breath brushing against her neck like an unspoken promise.
She tilted her head toward him, lips curving. ‘Did I say how stunning you look tonight?’
Her gown, a slinky, jewel-studded sheath of deep sapphire, hugged her like a second skin, the fabric shimmering in the rooftop’s soft golden light.
She turned, letting her gaze roam over him.
Taking in the way his embellished vest framed his inked, muscled chest, the swirls of meta-infused tattoos shifting over his skin like restless spirits.
He now towered over her petite frame, his sheer presence commanding focus.
She exhaled, the corner of her mouth lifting. ‘ Sante . Not so bad yourself, Sableman.’
His lips twitched, amusement flickering in his dark eyes.
She redirected her attention back to the rooftop, sweeping her view over the stunning oasis that stretched before them.
The resort-style infinity-edge pool mirrored the sky’s brilliance, a sheet of liquid sapphire reflecting the city’s neon glow.
Surrounding it, cabana lounges, cozy nooks, and hot tubs steamed invitingly.
At the same time, the elevated clubhouse, a sleek, glass-paneled retreat, offered a bar, an open kitchen, and a game room tucked at the rear of a stand of towering palm fronds.
‘It’s amazing, hey?’ Ki’Remi rasped, encircling her from behind as if anchoring her to this moment. ‘It’s not a celestial palace but home to me.’
‘It’s fascinating,’ she admitted, her eyes blinking in awe.
‘I’ve learned a little about your past,’ she murmured, ‘but if this is the result, I’m sure it was worth it.’
She let her fingers skim over the railing, absorbing the peaceful drone of tranquility, success, and a dream realized. ‘It’s so beautiful; I can’t wait to explore it.’
His grip on her hips tightened as he nibbled on her lobe. ‘You’ll love it.’
Her attention drifted to a group gathered at the clubhouse’s far end: tall, confident figures, their laughter carrying over the space like a shared melody.
‘The Riders,’ Ki’Remi said, his voice laced with warmth. ‘Whom you’ve met already. Those you haven’t are their women. Come meet them, kidaya .’
He led her toward the Sablemen and their partners.
Kainan, the formidable boss khan , and Selene, his elegant, quick-witted wife, also the Prime of Dunia, which Issa hid her surprise about.
Kage and Harlow, the enigmatic ship designer turned chef, and his firebrand with fierce eyes.
Zane and Illanna, the intense tactician warrior and the wildfire woman who, heated his ice core.
Xion and Katya were a beautiful duo who exuded effortless power and smoldering sensuality, deep in love.
Every one of them was stunning, potent, radiating confidence and strength, yet there was an ease among them, a bond forged through devotion and loyalty.
She fell in like with them all at once.
‘They’re family to me, as are you now,’ Ki’Remi murmured as he placed a crystal-rimmed cocktail in her hand.
He pulled her into an embrace, hands stroking over her spine in a sweet, claiming caress.
The night unfolded with laughter and shared stories between bites of delicious grilled and charred meats, fragrant rice, and platters of exotic fruits and spiced pastries.
At some point, Issa sprawled across Ki’Remi’s lap on a spacious, cushioned divan perched on the terrace, a luxurious space adorned with plush silk throws and warm, lantern-lit ambiance.
The atmosphere carried the soft buzz of Eden II’s nightlife.
From the distant thrum of sky lanes to the pulse of music from the terrace of The BirdKage lounge one building over.
Ki’Remi’s fingers idly traced the curve of her bare shoulder, a small, almost absentminded motion, yet undeniably possessive.
Issa, who’d spent a lifetime on battlefields or living in the shadow of her hunters, rarely allowing herself the company of friends, leaned into him sheltered, safe, loved, encircled by love.
Ki’REMI
Ki’Remi’s eyes tracked Issa as she disappeared into one of the rooftop alcoves with the other Sable women. Her golden curls bouncing, her laughter a clear, melodic chime.
She was bonding with them like she’d always belonged.
His gaze lingered on her, his chest tightening with an undeniable, fierce love.
‘She’s good for you.’
Kainan’s voice pulled him from his trance.
The Sable leader stepped in beside him at the rooftop’s sleek bar, swirling a tumbler of dark whiskey, his aureate flame-tipped eyes assessing as he followed Ki’Remi’s line of sight.
Ki’Remi huffed, running a hand over his jaw. ‘She’s something else.’
Kainan smirked. ‘That’s an understatement.’
Ki’Remi sipped his rum as the pair drank in comfortable silence.
When Ki’Remi spoke, his tone was introspective, laced with unfolding wonder. ‘She makes me believe anything, and fokk , everything is possible. Now, I have faith in concepts greater than science.’
Kainan’s brow arched, the rim of his tumbler pausing at his lips. ‘That so?’
Ki’Remi nodded, his grip tightening around his drink. ‘I used to think the universe was just probabilities, equations, matter in motion. That logic and reason could explain my world. It wasn’t real to me if it was not measured, recorded, or studied.’
Kainan listened, waiting.
‘For so long, I ignored the power in me that the crats awakened by injecting us with noids. I avoided the truth of the Witchmen,’ Ki’Remi murmured, his voice almost reverent.
Kainan twisted toward him now, fascinated. ‘Tell me.’
Ki’Remi rolled his shoulders, unease flickering in his dark gaze. ‘My ancestors live inside me. Not in some metaphorical way, but ancient warriors, wizards, and warlocks, their spirits bound to me through blood and metanoids. When I need them, they come.’
He took a break, sipping from his tumbler, searching for the right words.
‘When they do, kaka .’ His rasp dropped lower. ‘It’s like witnessing centuries of power resurrect through me.’
Kainan’s brow arched, intrigued yet not surprised. ‘You’ve always been more than just a meta and a fokkin ’ superb medic, brother.’ He tilted his glass, observing the liquid swirl. ‘I’m pleased you’re embracing all that you are.’
Ki’Remi huffed. ‘You say that like it’s a good thing.’
‘Tis,’ Kainan countered. ‘Ancient wisdom is eternal, and we all would be better if we took the time to understand our past to determine our future.’
Ki’Remi leaned against the bar, staring at the city, his thoughts shifting between past and present. ‘I retreated into science because it was predictable. Cold. Logical. After I lost my family after we escaped Earth, and the freakin’ Technocracy -’
He swallowed, the memories slicing through him like a blade through soft flesh. ‘It was the only thing that made sense. Science didn’t change, it didn’t betray, nor did it die.’
Kainan was silent for a beat.
‘But faith and the love of a woman,’ Ki’Remi murmured, his voice raw.
His gaze drifted back to where Issa stood, radiant in the glow of the terrace lights, her smile bright, her presence magnetic. ‘Tis something else altogether.’
He took a slow breath. ‘She -.’
His growl caught before he pushed forward. ‘She’s pure magic, and I’m so caught up in her sometimes I can’t breathe.’
Kainan studied him for a long moment, then grinned. ‘Well, fokk me. The outstanding Ki’Remi Sable found love among the immortals, no less.’
Ki’Remi shook his head, chuckling. ‘Took a miracle, for I was one disbelieving bastard, about her people, her world, her freaking demi-god status and power.’
Kainan clinked his glass against Ki’Remi’s. ‘She’s a damn fine woman if I might say so.’
They drank to that.
Then, Kainan’s gaze darkened, his tone shifting. ‘But tell me, do you think the gods are done with us? Or is this just the beginning?’
Ki’Remi’s smirk faded. ‘I don’t think we’ve seen the last of them. If I had to guess? They’re fighting between themselves, and the losers will search for refuge here. Like you said, they already walk among us, and more are coming.’
He swirled the amber liquid in his tumbler. ‘The issue is that they might bring their wars with them.’
Kainan exhaled through his nose, thoughtful. ‘So we have to to be vigilant.’
‘We require more than that,’ Ki’Remi murmured.
He rotated his gaze back toward Issa, her presence pulling him in like gravity. ‘We may need more than what MIST offers, which is purely investigatory. We require a black ops unit dedicated to supernatural incursions from unknown dimensions.
Kainan grunted, intrigued. ‘Sounds like a good idea.’
They tossed concepts back and forth, their strategic minds aligning, even as Ki’Remi’s eyes never strayed too far from the woman who’d turned his entire world upside down.
Nada , also inside out.
Unraveling everything he thought he knew, rewriting the laws of his existence. She was a celestial force, luring him into her orbit with a gravity he couldn’t resist.
Each moment with her was like falling through an uncharted universe’s vast, endless expanse.
While in unison tumbling through starlit corridors of fate.
Drawn deeper into the radiant aura of her soul.
And fokk , he was helpless to stop it, shackled to her love for eternity.