Free Healing His Soul's Mate by Dominique Eastwick Page A

panes. Baby C had attuned itself with Rekkus, which cemented the thoughts forming in his head. “Rekkus, this babe is affected by you. Your sister had the powers of an EE, didn’t she?”
    “Eiriana was a very powerful EE.”
    “You were close?” Shade almost doubled over as pain so raw and close to the surface ripped through Rekkus. Taking a deep, cleansing breath, Shade put up a hand. “Easy, I believe your sister has chosen to return to you.”
    Shade explained in terms Dana could comprehend that some souls returned when their time had been cut too short. But all memories would be wiped away at their first breath. “I think you two have some information to process, and I’ll leave you to do so. But should you have any questions—”
    The door to the cabin flew open, and a soaking-wet Cyrus strode into the bedroom. The tiger would not let any other man into his mate’s bedroom. Cyrus’ presence played testament to the pair’s relationship. “Do you realize it’s raining over your cabin again? What the hell, Rekkus?”
    Shade excused himself, leaving it to the couple to share or not as they chose. But he did catch Rekkus saying in a tone befitting a king, “I believe it’s time to start the process of shutting the portal down if only temporarily.”
    A great plan. Rekkus couldn’t protect the Rowans while his mate labored, and her time approached. Word would have circled the gossip mills, and, even with no one knowing the gestational times for mixed breeds, people would guess she was growing close.
     

Chapter Six
     
    The deep-tissue massage had been what Ashlynn needed, but within five minutes of sitting at the lunch table with her mother, every one of her muscles locked right back up again.
    “Really, Ashlynn, those are the most hideous sunglasses I have ever seen. Do take them off. They are ruining my appetite.”
    “They help my head,” she said, refusing to remove them.
    “I don’t particularly care, dear. They make you look like a bag lady.”
    “I think they are rather cute,” Shade’s deep voice said from behind her. “May I join you?”
    “Please.” She indicated the empty seat across from them then closed her eyes and allowed the appearance of him last night to fill her senses. When she opened them, she saw a better image of him through the shimmer. Cyrus had been correct. Her brain would fill in the areas her optic nerve missed. “I understand I have you to thank for rescuing me last night.”
    “Last night?” her mother asked in a tone usually reserved for Dana alone, leaving Ashlynn to wonder how her sister had dealt with it for all those years.
    “Your daughter had an episode last night. I happened to get her help before it got too bad.” The calm strength in Shade’s voice eased something within her.
    “I see.”
    What did her mother see? Did she see things the same as others did? Ever since being hit on the head by the Fresnel light, the item which somehow managed to break not only its C clamp but also a safety strap, Ashlynn had seen life in a different manner. Her mother had never been a kind person, but she had never realized how rude, arrogant, and downright unlikable she was.
    Shade thanked the waiter before digging into the exquisite salad which had been brought out for him. “What I would do for some chicken. But I understand it’s off the menu for the foreseeable future. Your sessions this morning, were they helpful?”
    “Wonderful. Lakshmi is gifted in the art of massage.” And she had been. It wasn’t the young woman’s fault her mother ruined her mood.
    Shade faced her mother. “And you, Mrs. Stone? Did you have successful sessions this morning?”
    “I had meditation, a stupider thing I’ve never heard of. A complete waste of time, in my opinion. As are most things on this island. But, as I’m stuck here for six more days, I shall make the best of it.”
    “I find meditation centers me. Interesting you are unable to find the benefits from such a