Cosmos' Promise Read online

  “I declare,” Ava said glaring up at the huge warrior. “I can come and go as I please, thank you very much!”

  Cosmos bit back a smile as he watched his normally placid mother turn and glare up at the man towering over her slightly plump frame. She was beginning to blossom again. Tilly and Angus both said they had seen a difference since his mom had met the huge warrior almost four months ago.

  “You are mine, Ava Raines,” Lal growled out in a low voice. “I cannot protect you on your world.”

  Ava’s eyes widened when she saw the silver flames burning deep in his eyes. Her hand rose to cover her heart that was fluttering as if she had just run a mile. Her hand fell to her side when he suddenly reached out and touched her cheek with the tips of his fingers.

  “You are my bond mate,” he said quietly. “I will wait for you until you are ready. All I ask is that you stay here where I can see and protect you.”

  “I …,” she turned to look at Cosmos, her eyes pleading. “I think it would be better if I stay here … for a little while.”

  “I think that is a wonderful idea, mom,” Cosmos said. “I think that dad would feel better if you were to stay here too.”

  Ava looked at her son, tears glistening in her eyes as she thought about her late husband. “Do you really think so?” She asked in a voice filled with hope.

  “I know so,” Cosmos responded gently. “He wouldn’t want you to be alone. He would want you to live life to the fullest.”

  Ava’s lips trembled for a moment before a small smile blossomed and her whole face glowed. She looked up at Lal again and this time he saw the hope, curiosity, and – something else shining in the depths of her beautiful brown eyes. He held his hand out waiting to see if she was ready to finally take the first step toward healing and accepting him. His expression softened as she tentatively reached out and placed her trembling hand in his.

  “We’ll see you both at dinner,” Lal said respectfully.

  “Or not,” Ava said under her breath as Lal pulled her away toward a small group of woods.

  Terra grinned as she watched Lal help Ava over a small dip in the trail away from the house. She leaned back against Cosmos and let out a tired sigh. She was suddenly very sleepy. That was not uncommon since she became pregnant.

  “Sleepy again?” Cosmos asked, drawing her down beside him in the tall grass. “I know something that will help you sleep better,” he whispered sliding his hand over her fuller breast.

  Terra rolled her eyes. “We are out in the middle of a field. Someone might see us,” she chuckled.

  “No one is going to see us,” Cosmos murmured persuasively right before a large shadow covered them.

  “I owe you an apple pie, J’kar. You were right. They are getting frisky in the grass,” Tilly sighed.

  “I told you, Tilly,” J’kar said with a grin. “It is the chemicals. I could not keep my hands off Tink when she was pregnant.”

  Cosmos groaned as he buried his face in Terra’s neck. “Please tell me the whole family isn’t standing there watching us.”

  Terra peeked over Cosmos shoulder. Sure enough, everyone except for Ava and Lal were standing over them grinning. She giggled when Cosmos let out a muffled curse when he heard the squeals of the babies. Turning her head, she brushed a kiss against his ear.

  “They are all there,” she whispered. “Including…”

  “Hi Cosmos! Guess what I can do now?” RITA said cheerfully. “I thought I’d come visit my sis for a while!”

  To be continued with Merrick’s Maiden…

  Characters’ Relationships:

  Teriff, Prime Leader of Baade - mated to Tresa: four sons, J’kar, Borj, Mak, and Derik and one daughter, Terra

  Angus and Tilly Bell, humans – married: three daughters, Hannah, Tansy and Tink

  Warriors of Baade:

  J’kar ‘Tag Krell Manok mated to Jasmine ‘Tinker’ Bell: twin daughters, Wendy and Tessa

  Borj ‘Tag Krell Manok mated to Hannah Bell: twin boy & girl, Sky and Ocean

  Mak ‘Tag Krell Manok mated to Tansy Bell: twin daughters, Sonya and Mackenzie

  Terra ‘Tag Krell Manok mated to Cosmos Raines

  Derik ‘Tag Krell Manok mated to Runt

  Members of Cosmos’ security team:

  Garrett Avery

  Trudy Rose

  Rico Maria

  Prime Warriors of Bade:

  Merrick, Eastern Clan Leader, mated to… (Look for Merrick’s Maiden coming soon)

  Core mated to Avery

  Lan mated to Natasha

  Brock mated to Helene

  Lal mated to Ava Raines

  Gant, Western Plains Clan Leader

  Brawn, Desert Clan Leader

  Bullet, Southern Clan Leader, mated to Maria

  Hendrik, Northern Clan Leader

  RITA (Earth) zapped by FRED

  RITA2 (Baade) zapped by DAR

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Susan Smith has always been a romantic and a dreamer. An avid writer, she has spent years writing, although it has usually been technical papers for college. Now, she spends her evenings and weekends writing and her nights dreaming up new stories. An affirmed “geek,” she spends her days working on computers and other peripherals. She enjoys camping and traveling when she is not out on a date with her favorite romantic guy. Fans can reach her at [email protected] or visit her web site at: http://sesmithfl.com. Join me for additional information about the books at http://pinterest.com/sesmithfl/s-e-smith/, http://twitter.com/sesmithfl, http://facebook.com/se.smith.5?fref=ts and at my new book discussion forum at http://www.sesmithromance.com

  Additional Books:

  Abducting Abby (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 1)

  Capturing Cara (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 2)

  Tracking Trisha (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 3)

  Ambushing Ariel (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 4)

  For the Love of Tia (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 4.1)

  Cornering Carmen (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 5)

  Paul’s Pursuit (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 6)

  Choosing Riley (Sarafin Warriors: Book 1)

  Lily’s Cowboys (Heaven Sent: Book 1)

  Indiana Wild (Spirit Pass: Book 1)

  River’s Run (Lords of Kassis: Book 1)

  Star’s Storm (Lords of Kassis: Book 2)

  Jo’s Journey (Lords of Kassis: Book 3) Sept. 2013

  Tink’s Neverland (Cosmo’s Gateway: Book 1)

  Hannah’s Warrior (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 2)

  Tansy’s Titan (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 3)

  Cosmos’ Promise (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 4)

  Gracie’s Touch (Zion Warriors: Book 1)