Rayna's Sacrifice (The Katori Chronicles Book 3) A. Lombardo (best smutty novels txt) 📖

Ryker stopped. “I have my own place in the hills. You need not worry about me. Spend time with your family, Rayna. I am happy that you are alright. Kai, congratulations on becoming a dragon. If you want help practicing, let me know.”

The two men shook hands. Smoke hopped between them, eager to get Kai’s attention. “Smoke, I’ve missed you.” Kai knelt and let his wolf come in close. Then he stood to catch up with Rayna.

Imani led them up into her tree home. “Aunt Mina, Uncle Taner. I have someone I would like you to meet.”

The couple stood to greet Rayna. Her Aunt Mina had long brown hair braided down her back. Her soft expression verged on tears. Uncle Taner towered over Mina. With one hand on her shoulder, he stroked his auburn beard with the other. Rayna felt their eyes on her. “They are your aunt and uncle? These are not…” She stopped and took a breath.

Imani didn’t seem to hear. “Can they stay with us, Aunt Mina?” Imani’s eyes dance with anticipation.

Mina approached Rayna. “You look so much like your mother, Rayna.”

Rayna looked between Imani and Mina, confused. “So you are not my mother, not Imani’s mother?”

“No, honey, I wish I were. I am sorry my sister is not a better person.” Mina stepped out of their hug to look at Rayna. “When I received word she’d dumped you on a ship, I wanted to kill my sister. Her letter said her travels with Keegan were not conducive for a baby. You were meant to end up here. When you did not arrive, I am sorry to say, we did not search for you. We had no idea where to look. A baby lost at sea. I figured you…” Tears ran down Mina’s already damp face. Again, she wrapped her arms around Rayna. “Dear Rayna, you are always welcome in this home.”

Kai saw fresh tears spill down Rayna’s cheeks. She returned the hug. Imani joined them and squeezed Rayna tight. “I always wanted a sister,” Imani whispered.

Kai was happy to see the three women bond, and he was glad that Rayna had found family. People who wanted her even if her parents did not.

“I was four when my parents left,” Imani shared. “Our parents decided to join Keegan, chase after him, and his ‘rule the world’ cause. Our parents are from the Gemidi Tribe, and we hail from the Mystic Islands.”

“How did you come to live here?” Rayna interrupted.

Imani's lips quivered. “They did not bring me here. After about six months, aunt Mina received word I was alone and came for me. I’ve not the heart to go back, to claim our home as my own.” She paused to swallow the pain welling into her eyes.

“When I was seven, my…our parents,” Imani corrected herself, “returned but did not stay more than a day. I have lived among the Matoku tribe ever since. This is uncle Taner’s tribe. That was twenty years ago.” Saddened, Imani fell silent.

Mina smoothed Imani’s long hair. “Your parents wanted adventure, and Keegan was inspiring at first. But like I said, my sister was not a good parent. She was selfish, as was your father. They had no business having children. If they dumped you on a ship, without the care to know if you made it safely here, means they are no different than when they abandoned Imani.”

Taner leaned into the conversation. “We are sorry, Rayna. Enough talk of the past. We have two beautiful girls now,” he beamed. “And if I am not mistaken, a soon to be son-in-law.”

A warm hand sank onto Kai’s shoulder. He looked at Taner. The man eyed his white crystal and leaned a little closer. “The rumors are true. You are Keegan’s son?”

With a bit of pride, Kai puffed up his chest. “I am Iver and Mariana’s son.”

“Mariana, I have heard the name. Iver? King of Diu?”

Kai nodded. “King Iver raised me as his own. It is with him I learned honor, respect, and accountability. My mother, as you may know, loved all life. She was a good woman.”

Taner glared at Kai and furrowed his brow. “Still, you are Keegan’s son.”

“If I am unwelcome, I will leave,” Kai said, “but do not judge me for a man I have never met. His blood may run through my veins, but my heart is my own. I am my own man, and I love Rayna very much.”

The tension mounted, and Kai felt compelled to leave. Rayna wrapped her hand around his. “Please,” she begged. “Do not make me choose. Like Kai, my parents did not raise me, so I am not them, but I love Kai and I will stand with him. Consider getting to know him before you decide what makes a man.”

Everyone looked at Rayna. Kai felt the passion in her words and a smile lit up his face. Taner leaned back and looked to his wife, Mina. “It is up to you. She was your sister. I never cared for Keegan, and it is hard to separate the pain he has caused my heart.”

Kai nodded. “I do not mean to spoil your reunion.”

Taner seemed like a man who was slow to trust, but he no longer seemed inclined to throw Kai out of the house. “It is late,” Rayna’s uncle said curtly. “We should turn in for the night. Morning meditation will be here before we know it. Kai, we have an extra pod where you can sleep. Rayna, you can sleep with your sister.” He led everyone up the winding staircase of their tree.

Kai watched the word sister brighten Rayna’s eyes. She had a family. “Goodnight…Aunt Mina, Uncle Taner.”

Like all the other homes, this one was nested high inside the canopy of a Bodhima tree strengthened by the Cosmos vine. Kai ran his fingers over the vine tendrils. All the flowers along the vine bloomed brighter.

“Goodnight, dear.” Mina stopped and kissed Rayna on the cheek.

◆◆◆

Sunshine danced through the