Raine used her plant mister to spray the fern’s feathery leaves. The plant took up much of the space on her front porch, but she didn’t care. She could sit in her rocking chair at the end of a busy day, look out over her fields, watch Beck play, and remember.

She ran her fingers along the delicate leaves. A new leaf had just begun to unfurl. The tips had turned a dense shade of teal, while the rest of the plant was still a purplish green. She set the watering can down and studied the tightly coiled leaf.

“I wonder if you will flower, little ones.”

“When it’s cold enough, she will grow tiny purple and gold flowers.”

Raine whirled so fast she almost knocked over the plant stand. “You’re here.” She grabbed the porch railing, not sure whether to trust her eyes. “But Lacey told me you were sentenced to death.”

“Let’s say family connections, a friend, and the truth saved me. The Elite council wasn’t pleased to discover the scientists were experimenting on other races. I’ve been cleared of most of the charges.”

She slowly rounded the wooden pillars and descended the wooden steps. “Most?”

“I promised I would never abandon you.” Myka walked into the light of the porch.

“You did promise, and I had hope, but circumstances change.”

“Well, you no longer have to hope.”

She touched his face. “You came back to me.”

He leaned into her hand. She sucked in a short breath. “Your gills. They’re gone.”

His smile was slow but full. “A cosmetic change to help me blend in.”

Thrill tingled through her limbs. “You’re staying?” She looked out over the New Mexico fields. “But there is no water here.”

“True, there is no water, but you and our son are here.”

“Our son? You mean Beck?”

“He has my blood. If you don’t mind, I’d like to think of him as mine.”

She didn’t believe she could love anyone more than her son, but Myka had just proved her wrong. This man. This strong, capable, man had given her so much. He made her feel loved, and that was no small gift.

She ignored the rustling of corn at the edge of her garden, assuming Beck was playing with the twins, until a large male wearing battle dress stepped out of the rows. She might have been impressed with his regal stature if he didn’t appear intent on war. Her eyes narrowed, and she stepped around Myka.

Screw the magic headache.

She concentrated her energy toward the ground. Weeds from her garden gathered and crept in the intruder’s direction.

Myka placed a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t think binding your father-in-law on your first meeting is a good idea.”

The humor hugging each word made her question her instincts. “Father-in-law? He’s your dad? You mean he isn’t here to take you back?”

Myka slung an arm around her shoulders and nudged her forward. “No. He’s here to meet my mate and give his blessing.”

“Oh.” Well, crap. She dusted a hand down her summer gardening dress and tucked her out-of-control curls behind her ear.

“Father, may I have the pleasure of introducing my mate, Raine?”

The way he said her name reminded her of a bubbling spa fountain. When he spoke it, her name sounded feminine and soft, and for the first time in too long, she felt pretty.

“Raine. This is my father, First Councilor and Protector Wetryn.”

She didn’t know whether to bow or greet him, so she stared. A most impolite thing to do.

“Raine?” Myka placed his hand on her lower back.

“A…hmmm…yes…my apologies, First Councilor. I’m not familiar with your greetings or traditions, but my hope is that over time I will learn them all.”

Wetryn’s azure and cobalt eyes softened. “I can see why my son is fascinated. I only ask that when you learn our traditions, if you would please teach them to my son. He seems to have forgotten most of them.”

Was he serious? No. There was that little lip twitch he couldn’t quite keep contained.

“It will be my pleasure, First Councilor.”

She didn’t realize how handsome her father-in-law was until a full-blown smile burst across his face like sunrise. Like father like son.

“You are truly a female of worth. My son is blessed by your acceptance.”

She wasn’t about to tell her new family member she hadn’t accepted squat, especially since he was taller and broader and more significant than anyone she’d ever seen, plus he could rip her in half if he wanted to.

“I believe I’m the one who is blessed, Councilor. Your son saved my life, and my son’s.” She bowed her head to acknowledge him and his position. “Would you like to come in? Your journey must have been long.”

“We must go.” A strange look passed between Wetryn and his son.

Her hand tightened on Myka’s arm. “So soon? But you just got here.”

Myka cleared his throat. “I think you misunderstood. My father is leaving. I will not be going back with him.” Hearing the way his words were weighted with profound sadness, she knew she’d missed critical elements of the conversation, but she couldn’t figure out what.

“You won’t be going back today? Or you aren’t going back ever?”

“Ever. It was part of my plea to the Elite council.”

Her hand flew to her chest. “You’ve been banished. Because of me, you can’t go back home.” Her breaths became short and burdened. “I’m sorry.”

“My little thundercloud, always looking at the negative. It was my choice. I promised I would not abandon you, and I keep my promises.”

“But if you stay, you won’t be able to rejuvenate.”

He folded her hand inside his, a callused thumb gently rubbing against her skin. “Again, my choice.”

“No. No. You can’t stay.” She rushed over to Myka’s father. “Tell him he’s not allowed to stay. He told me he loves your world and wants to go home.”

Wetryn assessed his son. “He has already made his decision.”

She pivoted and turned on Myka. “You did it again. You made a decision without me. Do you mean to tell me I have no say? You need to undo whatever it is you have agreed to.”

“I had two choices.” Myka lifted her hand to his lips. “Alcon prison, or Earth. Which would you have me choose? Besides, an important person once told me home is a state of mind. It’s where you feel safe. Where you can be yourself without judgment.”

“Oh, well...since you put it that way.” Her anger faded into a quiet despair. “I’m glad you chose Earth.” She searched his face. “I’ve come to realize you were right.”

“Well, that’s a first,” His eyes twinkled with a bit of humor. “What was I right about?”

“That earth and water, while separated, are parts of a whole. I need you, Myka. You complete me. I needed help, and you were there by my side. You risked your life. You gave life to my son. You are my beloved, for however long our lives last.” She touched her fingers to his face. “I am your mate.”

A rumble of laughter and shouts and giggles came crashing through the field. A second later three naughty boys and a dog dashed into the yard. Jonah, being in the lead stopped first, then Joseph. Beck and Mandy brought up the rear, and slammed into the first two, pushing them into a heaving, wiggling pile on the ground. Beck was first to roll to his feet. Still laughing, he reached for the ball Mandy held securely gripped in her mouth.

When Beck glanced up, he froze mid-chuckle.

“Beck, come here. I’d like you to meet our friends.”

Her son ambled forward, kicking up dirt with his sneakers. “Are you the dude who save my life?”

Myka waited for Beck to get closer. “Yes, I gave you my blood.”

“Dude, you gave me more than that. Check this out.” Beck let his second eyelids drop, then lifted them again. “Cool, huh?”

Myka gave Raine a startled look, then his father.

Wetryn came to stand with the group.

“Beck, this is Myka’s father. Your grandfather,” Raine amended.

The instant warmth and acceptance in Myka’s expression was a bit overwhelming. “Have there been any other changes?”

“Just his freckles,” Raine said.

“Will he not be an outcast?” Wetryn's face was a map of concern.

“We are all different. Unique,” Lacey rounded the corner of the house with Frost, her sisters, and several other townsfolk following close behind. “No one is an outcast. Not here.” The others stopped, but Lacey and Frost joined the rest of the group. “We saw your ship land and worried you were here to take Raine and Beck.”

Wetryn glanced over his shoulder, then scanned the perimeter of the backyard, confirming he was surrounded. If he was nervous, he didn’t show any signs. “No human will be taken from your planet again. The space station violated our laws and has been decommissioned. All personnel have been ordered to return to our planet. Those responsible will stand trial.”

“And Tila?” Raine asked. “What is to become of her?”

“I’m glad you asked.” Tila stepped out of the shadows.

“Tila.” Raine rushed to greet her with a hug. After several seconds, Raine touched Tila’s forehead. “Where are your antennae?”

The young scientist bit her lip. “I hope you are not angry, but I used your blood to transform my body. It has always been my wish to become more…human.”

“Mind? Of course, I don’t mind. Not if it’s what you want.” Raine stepped back, a question zooming in, demanding an answer. “How will you regenerate without a base sample? You can have mine, but it won’t be the same as having your own.”

“I have also made my choice.”

Raine glared at Myka.

Myka held up his hands. “Don’t look at me. She's been cleared of all charges. It was her decision.”

“Are you staying?”

“I do not want to be a burden to anyone, but yes, I would like to stay. Myka told me about how you are working to heal the earth. My hope is to heal the water enough to allow my people to return. I’ve been granted leave, if you will be my sponsor.”

“A real-life alien Waterwoman,” Beck breathed, eyes huge.

Tila blushed and clasped her hands.

“Beck! Mind your manners.” Raine tucked Beck to her side to get his attention, and to release a flustered breath “Beck, this is Tila. She’s the woman I told you about. She and Myka, together, saved your life.”

“Like I said Waterwoman—you know, like the cartoon.”

“That’s Wonder Woman…never mind.” Raine rolled her eyes and again clasped Tila’s hands in hers. “If you can accept my weirdo son, who’s forgotten where he put his manners, you are welcome to stay with us.”

The newest Magic resident’s expression eased as she joined the circle of new friends.

“Welcome to Magic,” Lacey rested her hand on Tila’s shoulder.

Raine tipped her head back. Myka was tall, but Wetryn stood a foot and half above her. “Are you positive you can’t stay, just for a little while? I was thinking of having a seahorse fern salad and pumpkin soup for dinner. And if the gnomes haven’t stolen the bread I made this afternoon, there will be bread as well.”

Vincent and Connor came rushing forward. They pushed past Lacey to stand almost on her feet. “We didn’t steal anything. That was Tanner. He got greedy. Can we stay for bread and soup? Huh. Can we? We’ll supply the butter.”

“Only if you behave, and keep Tanner from stealing any more of my bread.”

She looked up at Wetryn. “It’s not a fancy dinner, but I would love for my son to get to know his grandfather.”

The older man’s eyes brightened. “A seahorse salad, you say?”

Myka lowered to whisper. “Seahorse ferns are a great delicacy, and my father’s favorite.”

The heated intimacy created a swarm of goose bumps, but now was not the time to indulge.

Raine turned to her beloved. “It will be a celebration of our life, our mating, our new friends, and a new partnership between our races.”

“How can I decline your kind invitation?” Wetryn straightened into an even more regal stance. “It is my son’s mating celebration, and I have been appointed Earth’s ambassador, after all.”