Morpheus Read online

  He moved his arm around his mate and as she moved forward to pick up her cup of coffee, he slid his hand down her back and rubbed circles there. He felt her shiver from his touch and could hardly wait until they were alone again. He felt eyes on him and noticed most of those at the table were watching him and his mate. It was not surprising since she had just been freed from their enemies and most of them wondered what torture she had visited upon her but were too worried to ask. Nothing they could say would make it go away and truly in many ways they didn’t want to know. These were all war hardened individuals with enough horrors to carry without adding more. Luckily, she hadn’t been sexually tortured. She said she wasn’t and he thought he would know if she tried to shelter him. He just would!

  They finished eating and returned to the hotel where everyone packed, loaded up, and checked out. Morpheus felt excited because his new life was about to begin. They all headed back to El’s home where they would meet her brother Slay to discuss the outcome of her abduction. Hades said Slay was fit to be tied throughout this whole thing. He had only stayed home because Hades had suggested that he could hunt down those Origin goons that might remain nearby that had helped abduct his sister. Hades also suggested Slay’s presence with the team who went to find El and Morpheus might cause the abductors to hide. Was what Hades had told Slay true? Who could be sure when dealing with illogical rogue Origin agents? The important thing was that they had taken out all those committed to capturing Morpheus or his family. That was what would make things safe for them.

  They were tired and ready to get out of the SUV by the time they made it to El’s house. It had the look of a family home from the front. It was big enough for an average size family and everything was well kept up. The front porch covered the whole front of the house and a swing was on one side with what looked like an old formica topped table, the kind people used in their kitchens years ago, on the other. He wondered if they used the table to eat on, so he asked her.

  “Yes, Morpheus, and I also used it when I harvest food from the garden. When I was a kid, we used to can most of the food from the garden ourselves to eat all year long, but now I freeze most of it and give away anything extra. The local food pantry gives it to those who don’t have enough to eat. I dry spices, like dill and parsley, and I still can the pickles and stuff like that.”

  “It’s fun to help,” Cassie added. It sounded like a lot of work to Morpheus but the kids were still young and probably felt proud that they were trusted to help.

  Slay’s truck was parked by the house alerting them that he was here. Morpheus knew because El pointed it out. He tensed, he was prepared to fight for his right to be here and to claim El as his mate. Not even her family would stand between them. She and the kids were his and his alone. He remembered that they had a father, but he had proven to be unworthy so Morpheus had no qualms with taking them and claiming them all. He would never let them down or fail to do whatever was needed to keep them safe and provide for them. El called him the dumb bastard and Morpheus agreed. His loss would be Morpheus’s gain.

  They went in the door which Slay had left opened for them. He was sitting in the kitchen with a pot of coffee already on. It wouldn’t be enough if everyone wanted a cup. Slay had anticipated that and he set a decanter already full of coffee on the table with cream, sugar, and other sweeteners. Maybe being prepared came along with being a politician. Slay went to the fridge and pulled out plates of subs cut into four inch sections and put a box of donuts on the table.

  Morpheus watched as Slay set everything up to be hospitable and El seemed to approve as she sent Slay a nearly imperceptible nod. Everyone got something to eat and drink before the serious discussion started.

  “What are your intentions with my sister?” Slay asked directing it at Morpheus.

  “We are mated which means forever. I will marry her if she is willing and these two children will be mine. They really are already. We will live wherever she desires, she and the kids are the only thing I need in life.”

  “Wow,” Doc said.

  “That answers my question. Welcome to the family, Morpheus. We will have to alter your name slightly or everyone will recognize what you are. That would be dangerous to everyone,” Slay advised.

  “Any suggestions?” Morpheus asked. What did he know about human names?

  “Morrey will do,” Slay suggested.

  “Didn’t you know a guy in the military named Morrey?” El asked.

  “I did, that’s why I thought of it.”

  “Are you sure you want to stay?” Hades asked. This wasn’t the way he had expected things to go. He wouldn’t let it bother him. He was already thinking of the many benefits of having gods ensconced in communities outside of Olympus. They would be close at hand if they were needed in the retrieval efforts. No, he wouldn’t discourage him, he would do the opposite.

  “Yes, I am positive.”

  “If you need anything, any help at all, we will do anything we can. Don’t forget the door is always open if you change your mind or just want to visit, we are your family too,” Hades emphasized. All gods were brothers and they would miss Morpheus, but this might work out for the best.

  Morpheus was surprised they had let him go so easily but he was glad too. El was what he wanted and needed. That would never change and it was best for the kids to stay here where they were happy. El looked a little shocked. Things were moving quickly but he would die if she didn’t want him. He was a strong male but he wasn’t that strong.

  The gods and the human team that now seemed to be working with them, excused themselves. They had a lead to follow on another god and needed to move on. They were traveling west to Indiana. Once they had all left, only Slay was left with the small family.

  “Are you ready for this, El? I know you went through a lot and Morpheus can stay with me while you date, if that’s what you want,” Slay offered.

  There were tears in her eyes which filled his gut with dread. He had never feared an answer more in his life as he waited for her to speak. “No, Slay. He’s the one for me too. I don’t want to let him go.”

  Slay nodded and got up leaving so they would be together. It was late afternoon but there was a lot of food and drink left over so supper was ready whenever they were hungry. El decided they needed to do laundry but there was a lot of waiting between loads. They decided to play a card game with fish. Morrey, as he was now to be called, decided he liked this game.

  A knock on the door disturbed them and he was sure Slay had forgotten something so he let El answer the door. It wasn’t Slay. He heard loud angry voices and saw the kids looked frightened. “Who is it?” Morrey asked.

  Cassie had tears in her eyes, “It’s our father. He’s come to take us away,” she said her voice cracking.

  “That, won’t happen with me here,” Morrey swore. He stood then made his way to the living room where El and a man nearly six feet tall were engaged in an angry confrontation.

  “Who is this, El?” Morrey asked even though he already knew.

  “This is my ex-husband,” El confirmed.

  “I’m the children’s father and I’ve come for them,” he said with a nasty smile.

  “You only have supervised visitation,” Morrey commented remembering that much.

  “They are mine!” he insisted.

  “You’ve not paid a dime of child support since you left,” El added.

  “Call Slay, El, while I wait with him,” Morrey suggested. “We’ll figure this out.”

  El looked like she might argue but in the end, she did as he asked.

  “What do you really want?” Morrey asked.

  The sniveling man who looked much older than he should be, sneered. “What are you willing to give me to go away?”

  “Nothing, but if you aren’t paying child support, she can have you thrown in jail. Is that where you want to be?”

  “She’ll have to find me first.”

  “I guarantee that I can find you. Let the kids go and w
e can make all the back child support go away. She doesn’t want you around and neither do they.”

  “It’s not about what they want, it’s about what I can do. I make a nuisance of myself and she’ll pay me off.”

  “You bother her enough, and you’ll disappear, never to be seen again.” Morrey could see him swallow convulsively. His face was pale with fright and his eyes big as saucers. This guy was bad news, but Morrey wouldn’t allow him to keep causing problems. It just wasn’t happening.

  “Maybe we can make a deal,” he said as El walked into the room.

  “What kind of deal are you talking about?” she asked suspiciously.

  “Larry, here, is thinking about giving up his rights to the kids if you sign away the child support, both past and future. Isn’t that right, Larry.” Larry nodded enthusiastically.

  “When did this happen?”

  “I’ve thought about it before. If you throw in a little extra, we can do it right away,” Larry tried to negotiate.

  “We’ve already discussed that, Larry. You’ve got all you’re getting out of her. Am I clear?” Morrey said with a disapproving look on his face.

  “Just get the papers to my lawyer.”

  “I thought you lost your lawyer when you forgot to pay him?” El asked.

  “I have a new lawyer, but you’ll have to pay him a standard fee.”

  Morrey nodded. The worthless deadbeat probably couldn’t afford to pay anything. Morrey was relieved but he noticed El was even more relieved when Larry left. He finally figured out what was wrong with her. She was embarrassed. Maybe she thought he would think less of her based on Larry. Origin often involved them in missions with and against drug lords. He recognized the signs of an addict, probably crack. It didn’t take long to tear down a person and change their looks and their way of life. He watched her as she called Slay to tell him he didn’t need to come. He waited until she was done to speak to her. “He wasn’t like that when we met,” she whispered.

  “I know, Baby. He’s got himself messed up and odds are against him. Getting him away from our kids is the best thing we can do for them. He’ll only try to use them and hurt them.”

  It was time for bed and they both needed sleep. They lay down together naked but he just held her. Sex was an amazing journey with her, but it was only part of what they shared. Tonight she needed a protector to comfort her, just show her his love, and nothing else. They snuggled up together and he kissed her goodnight.

  The next week the papers were drawn up and he hunted Larry down and took him to his lawyer. The lawyer didn’t look much better than the client. The papers were signed in front of the lawyer and his secretary who notarized them. Morrey paid from his account. Zeus had told him every god was given a small amount of money monthly so they never had to do without. He returned the papers to El’s lawyer who would file them with the court. El and the kids were completely free of Larry, priceless!

  Epilogue

  They sat at in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. El had set up the appointment while the kids were in school. He had insisted in accompanying her because she’d not felt well after she was freed and it just kept getting worse. Now, a month later and she was tired all the time and nauseous after she ate. The nurse called her name and he rose refusing to stay behind.

  Except for his worries about her health, it had been a good month. He had found out he had a talent for fixing and building things. El tried to pay him but he refused saying he was working for his keep. He fell in love with her more everyday and they planned to get married in the summer so the kids could go on the honeymoon to Hawaii with them.

  El sat on the table while he sat in the extra chair. The doctor came in after about five minutes. El assured him that was very quick. The nurse had already taken her vitals so the doctor checked a few more things and ordered a blood and urine sample. The doctor went on to the next patient while he escorted El to the lab. She went to the bathroom but wouldn’t let him go in with her. She was out quickly with the necessary sample.

  The lab tech, which El called a vampire, directed her into a chair with odd arms on it. She gave El something to squeeze as she placed a tourniquet on her arm before she got her sample. When El flinched as the needle struck, it was all he could do not to tear the head off the tech. The girl got two vials and released El’s arm before slapping a Band-Aid on it.

  “Morrey, this is my cousin, April,” El introduced the girl. Good thing he hadn’t harmed her. He nodded as the girl gave him a weak smile. She must have realized the danger she had been in.

  They returned to the room where the doctor had seen El and waited for him to return. It took longer since they waited for lab results. The results from the blood test might not be available today since one vial would be sent off if the results didn’t show anything the small clinic lab could test for. They waited for twenty minutes before the doctor returned.

  “Well, my girl,” the elderly doctor said. “We’ve figured out what ails you.”

  “What?” El asked completely anxious. Morrey hung on every word.

  “You are expecting a baby. You look to be about three months along give or take.”

  “That’s not possible…” El trailed off completely. She looked stunned and Morpheus was sure she was. Luckily he had talked to the other gods and they had told him his children would develop faster, twice as fast as regular human babies.

  “I’ll explain. Just go with it,” he whispered to her.

  “Congratulations my girl!” the doctor said happily.

  “Thanks, Uncle Gus. By the way, this is Morrey.”

  “Well, congratulations to you to, my boy. Take good care of both of them,” he instructed.

  “I intend to,” he replied. He planned to see to her every need. He was so excited, another child, he would love to have a dozen.

  “Hey there, mister. You have some explaining to do.”

  “Hades said god’s children develop in half the time. We may have to go to Olympus when you get closer to delivery. Thank you so much El. This baby is such a wonderful gift. I hope we have many more just like the two we already have. They’ll be the best big brother and sister ever!”

  She smiled at him like she didn’t want to but couldn’t help herself. “When you see how much having a baby involves, you may not want quite so many,” she teased.

  “You have two and you’re still having another one.”

  “I’m tougher than the average female.”

  “You’re more beautiful than any other female,” he said with a growl. “Let’s go home and celebrate. We’ll tell the kids when they get home. They’ll be so excited.”

  He hurried her home so they would have time to make sweet love to each other before their young ones had to be collected at the bus stop. He pulled her through the door and to the bed. He imagined she would soon be ripe with his child and his body shook with the thought. He tore her clothes from her body and then tore off his, literally. All that was left were shredded rags. He tossed them aside as he stalked closer to his lady. She slowly moved back to the bed but there was no fear in her eyes, only anticipation.

  Her legs hit the mattress and she fell back upon it. He pounced on her making sure to balance his weight on his hands. He would be even more careful now that their baby rested in her belly. He kissed her gently, so softly it was like a whisper. He caged her in yet left space between them so she only felt the heat of his body, the heat of his desire for her and only her. The kiss deepened as it communicated his need to her. His tongue slipped in and explored her mouth as he tasted her unique and sweet flavor. His cock grew hard as stone but he held back showing her his love for her in a way words could never compare to.

  He claimed her gently with his kiss and his touch, taking her heart and her soul before he took her body in a passionate flood of fire while he still could. She moaned and whispered encouragement to him. She wanted him hard and fast without delay. He smiled with masculine satisfaction, she felt the same way he did.
He could wait no longer. He slid down her body barely touching until his broad shoulders forced her legs further apart. One hand cupped her mound gently then his fingers moved lower spreading her folds as one finger dipped into her channel and she felt his hot breath on her skin. She jerked with need trying to arch toward him. He added a finger then he slid his tongue around her clit. She gasp catching her breath and he felt her shake. He hummed in satisfaction, something she seemed to enjoy a great deal.

  He settled in and got down to business. He thrust his fingers in and out as he circled her clit and vibrated his tongue. It was a gift the gods all seemed to have, that vibrating tongue, but it often caught females unaware. El let out a sound almost like a squeal. Her legs fell open further and she arched, pressing her hot pussy into his face. He liked it there as he lapped up her sweetness and sucked her clit into his mouth making her jerk again. She was so close but she was trying to stretch out her pleasure, something she often tried to do but failed once he was ready for her release. He sucked her nub into his mouth again but this time he nibbled lightly. She froze then she bucked and jerked as a flood of sweet honey filled his mouth as he lapped as quickly as he could. He then moved up and impaled her on his hard cock that dripped precum from the end.

  He slammed into her, riding her with all the need he felt. Her channel clenched and clutched him as he drove in and out on the edge barely holding on. His seed built in his shaft until her second orgasm caught him unaware and her muscles milked his seed out of him as he jerked and seized, his body out of his control. They were both covered with sweat and panting as they lay there side by side. His baby! He smiled at the thought.

  A little over an hour later they sat at the table with the kids eating a snack. He looked at El, she would be the one to tell them.