See Chapter One (A) for Disclaimers
"So, brother mine . . . your travels bring you back to our lands once more," Mira observed as she walked around the ancient temple with her younger brother. Her hand had been slipped through the crook of his elbow, and now rested lightly on his forearm.
"Actually, the Terrons have . . . Aveta's mother was an escaped Terron slave. She died just before we reached her, and just after she gave birth to Aveta," Dar replied. He was silent for several moments, then added in a low voice, "I saw it through Sharak's eyes."
Mira flinched. Both siblings were silent for several moments, then the queen said softly, "You named her after our aunt." Dar nodded and Mira continued in a dreamy voice, "I remember her, you know. I remember the way she would laugh, the way she could make Mama laugh. I remember the way her hair smelled. Odd little things."
"I wondered how well you remembered her . . . I know from what she told me that she left after I was born. She truly believed that Father blamed her for our mother's death," Dar observed and Mira nodded. Now was the time for the young BeastMaster to ask the question. He knew he had to ask it, for his own sanity, and murmured, "My question to you, sister, is if you ever blamed me for Mother's death?"
Mira stopped in her tracks, turning to stare at him. There was total shock in her dark hazel eyes, and Mira finally blurted out, "NO! Not even for a second! Dar, before you were born, Mama took me aside one day, and told me there was a chance . . . she told me that she might die when you were born."
Dar's blood ran cold as he imagined this conversation. His sister was only seven years old when their mother had told her this. He could only imagine how it had made her feel. Mira went on, "She wanted me to know that sometimes, things like that happened. It wasn't anyone's fault, it just was. And, she told me that if the worst happened, I would have to be very brave, and very strong."
"And you were . . . she would have been very proud of you, Mira. I know Father was, even though he never said so. He had such a hard time, speaking your name, but Aunt Aveta always told me that he was proud of you. And she never lied, to either of us," Dar said softly.
"No, she didn't," Mira agreed in an equally soft voice. The brother and sister began walking again, and after several moments, Mira asked, "Has that truly been concerning you, Dar? That I might have blamed you for Mama's death?" Dar didn't know exactly how to answer.
And so, he responded by not answering at all, since he didn't know what to say. He changed the subject, observing, "So, you've officially become 'Mira' again, instead of 'Carrin.' Mind you, I'm not complaining, since this will cut down on the confusion. But what . . . why did you decide to become 'Mira' again?"
Mira smiled ruefully and answered, "Because a demigoddess explained to me that I never really stopped being Mira. And that it was time for me to take back my Sula name, since the Sula are being reborn into the Varoni. That's how Maya explained it, at least."
Dar knew whom Maya was . . . she was Curupira's identical twin sister, and the guardian spirit of children. Well, almost identical twin. The greatest difference in appearance between the two were Maya's feet. She had feet like ordinary humans. Dar had encountered the free-spirited, saucy young demigoddess in the past. He could only imagine the conversation between her and his older sister. Or maybe, he really didn't want to.
Mira sighed, leaned her cheek against his arm, and said, "I'll tell you everything, but first, we should go inside. There are a few other things you need to know, things that happened while you were away. No, don't look worried . . . everything is under control. At least for the moment."
~*~*~*~
Well, everything was under control with those two children. Pelagia peered into her scrying fire, seeking the other children. Aveta and Arduinna had both fallen asleep, and Atalla would soon follow, she was sure. Marinde was even now tucking her into bed, gently covering her with a blanket.
Gereon had excused himself from Tao's storytelling to hear a report from one of his patrols. That left the scholar. . .alone. A mischievous smile lit Pelagia's face. Tao would be quite alone for the next several hours, as the goddess knew Dar and Mira had a lot of issues to discuss yet.
"Mother . . . what will Uncle Math say about mating with yet another human?" a soft voice asked, materializing at Pelagia's side. The goddess of mothers looked up with a smile at her first-born child, Esmere. The goddess of witches, seers, and non-users of sorcery, Esmere was also the only of her children who had no father.
In another time, in another place, in another plane of existence, that would be called 'immaculate conception,' but to Pelagia, it had been simple. There were only her brothers and nephews in existence at the time, and none of them had particularly appealed to her . . . nor was she very keen on the idea of fornicating with those of her own blood.
The solution was self-impregnation, and the result had been the lovely, graceful young woman now at her side. Pelagia answered with a fond smile as she smoothed back a wayward lock of her daughter's red hair, "I believe, my darling, that my response to such a remark would be 'mind your own business.' What brings you here, pet?"
"Curiosity, mainly. I heard the Presence speaking to Grandfather, and wondered what kind of havoc my youngest sisters are creating this time," Esmere answered and Pelagia laughed. The red-haired goddess added more seriously, "And, I wanted to see you. Mother, you spoke of a war with my uncle. Do you believe such a war is coming?" Pelagia looked away from her daughter, sighing.
How to answer the girl? Pelagia had never lied to any of her children, and she didn't want to start now. However, at the same time . . . The decision was taken from her hands when Esmere said softly, "I see. Your silence says more than any words ever could, Mother."
Pelagia looked at her daughter ruefully . . . how well her first-born knew her. In some ways, some terrifying ways, Esmere behaved more like Pelagia's younger sister than her daughter. Pelagia wanted to believe she was a good mother, but when she found herself confiding in her eldest daughter, she began to doubt that.
Esmere continued, taking her hand, "Know this then, Mother . . . I will stand at your side. I know you're sending some of the Varoni to speak with my Seer in the Downs. That was how I knew you were truly preparing for war. And fear not. I chose to become your confidant, Mother. You have always been there for me. Now it is my turn."
Pelagia hugged her daughter impulsively, murmuring, "Then perhaps you can help me make this most difficult decision, about Tao." Esmere returned the embrace tightly, then pulled back to look at her mother. She gazed into Pelagia's eyes, then smiled impishly. That was her answer.
~*~*~*~
"And where have you been?" Curupira demanded as her twin sister joined her in their mother's dwelling. Curupira had seen their older sister Esmere as the latter had dematerialized from the scrying room of their mother, and a half second, Maya joined her twin.
Maya stuck her tongue out, and replied, "I was talking with Sula, sister dear. Why? Are you anxious to see someone in particular?" She waggled her eyebrows suggestively, and Curupira sighed in exasperation. She should have never admitted to her twin how she felt about Dar.
But keeping a secret from her identical twin sister, her other half (some of Curupira's elder siblings would have argued that Maya was the better half), was unthinkable. However, that didn't prevent the queen of the forest from sniping, "NO! I just want to make sure Mother is all right, Maya, this has nothing to do with Dar."
"Of course not. You just get snippy to stay in practice," Maya answered, her blue eyes dancing merrily. Curupira glared at her, and Maya continued, "Very well, then, let me see what I can find out about Mother. Although, why you're worried about her, I'm not entirely sure. She's millions of years old, she can take care of herself."
Maya grew serious, then added, "Unless you're worried about our dear uncle Math causing harm to her, which is entirely possible. But if that were the case, then I think Esmere would have waited for us." Curupira blinked at her twin, who answered a mite impatiently, "Curi! I can sense when one of our family has been here, just as you can!"
In spite of herself, Curupira blushed and Maya shook her head. Not that the forest goddess was truly concerned her sister was actually angry with her, or would remain so for long. Maya was incapable of staying angry. Maya shook her head again, adding, "Now, let's see . . ."
She muttered an incantation under her breath, waving her hand over her mother's scrying bowl. The fire leapt up to meet Maya's hand, and Curupira stifled her gasp. Her animals hated fire. The fire settled, and in the flame, both girls could see their mother. She was not alone. Curupira gasped in horror, "MOTHER!" What was she DOING with that human????????? And why that human?
~*~*~*~
Tao was at odds. Gereon was tucking the little princess into bed . . . an offer he had made during dinner. Tao had no doubt whatsoever that Gereon knew Mira and Dar had a lot of things to discuss, and guessed that it was a result of knowing his wife for nearly twenty years.
Marinde was choosing several of her scouts to accompany her to the Downs. Tao had learned from Gereon during dinner that Marinde was going to the Downs to speak with a Seer. He didn't specify their mission, and Tao didn't ask. He hadn't yet learned the way Marinde's mind worked, and he wasn't sure he was ready to know that yet.
Before going off with Dar, Mira had shown Atalla to her new quarters within the old temple. They would decide in the morning what Mira would teach Atalla. There was talk, after seeing how Atalla interacted with baby Aveta, that Atalla would learn midwifery.
Which left Tao alone. It wasn't that he really minded being alone. Certainly, it wasn't his favorite thing, but he could handle it. If all else failed, he could talk to himself. He preferred to have someone else around, to at least have the illusion of having a conversation. But it wasn't totally necessary.
"You're rambling, scholar," a familiar voice noted wryly, and Tao nearly fell when he spun around to face the owner of the voice. Of course, it was Pelagia. Who else would it be? Pelagia grinned at his discomfiture, and continued in the same teasing voice, "You ramble even when you think. Your thoughts jump around like a hare."
"Yes, well, that's why I sometimes talk to myself. I can think through a problem more rapidly if I can hear the words aloud. What brings you to the Varoni lands, goddess?" Tao asked, then winced. How often had he put his foot in his mouth while talking to this goddess?
Pelagia laughed softly, answering, "Yes, you do think before you speak, scholar, but that can be a good thing. Among the elder gods, such as my father, my brothers and sisters, we value someone who speaks their mind. Even if it is incoherent at times." Tao found himself blushing. . .and his face grew even hotter when Pelagia added, "And you bring me here, scholar."
Tao gulped and answered in a small voice, "Oh." He found himself looking around, trying to find an escape. The scholar was relatively inexperienced with women, but even Tao knew the meaning of the light in the eyes of the goddess. He continued, "Uh, well, I . . ."
"At a loss for words, scholar? That's not like you. Do I frighten you?" Pelagia asked. Now Tao's face was on fire, and the goddess said, "You know, that shade of red really isn't becoming to you. There is no need for you to be afraid of me, Tao. I would never harm you, or Dar, or anyone else under my protection. I know what you're thinking. You want to know why I've chosen you."
As a matter of fact, that had been exactly what Tao had been thinking, and the goddess said, "Because you make me laugh, because you question. The fact that you are Eiron, rather than Sula, helps." Tao frowned, and Pelagia explained, "Most of the Sula who were killed in the massacre were of my blood. Therefore, I do not mate with the Sula."
For the second time in the last few moments, Tao found himself at a loss for words, and the goddess took full advantage of his silence. She stepped closer and brushed his lips with her own, with her hands on his shoulders. Tao was so stunned by the feel of her lips, he didn't process that he was moving backward . . . until his back hit the wall. Pelagia's hands moved from his shoulders to the wall, and leaned in to kiss him full on the mouth.
Her tongue teased his, sending Tao's senses spinning. When she pulled away, Tao could barely focus on her. He felt like he had just been struck with a Terron mace, only he didn't have the resulting headache. Pelagia smiled at him and said, "Now this kind of silence, I like. Now I wonder. Should I undress you myself, or should I use magic?"
Tao blinked at her, and in that same amount of time, Pelagia had made her decision. She murmured, "There's always a second time, and I can undress you myself. For now, that tunic must go." Half a second after that, the cool night air caressed Tao's body. Just like that, his tunic was gone. Pelagia smiled approvingly, "Much better!"
Tao gaped at the goddess, and Pelagia used that opportunity to kiss him once more. Tao's knees turned to water, and it was only the arms of the goddess wrapping around his waist which kept him upright. Then again, that also put her hands on his bare skin, which wasn't exactly conducive to thinking clearly.
She pulled back and lightly kissed his shoulder, then the hollow of his throat. Pelagia murmured, "You have two choices, Tao. Either you can go to the pallet on your own, or I can put you there with my power. Your choice." Tao blinked. He really didn't know what to say.
When he found the words, it was to say weakly, "I cannot move, goddess, if I'm pinned to the wall." The goddess looked him over, a mischievous smile lighting her face, and Tao's heart dropped to his toes. For the first time, he realized he was in a great deal of trouble. This beautiful woman, this goddess, meant to have him. Now.
He had said in the past that women didn't take to him, and that was true. And in the past, Tao had envied Dar for the way women of all ages reacted to him. But tonight, confronted with a beautiful woman who wanted him . . .
Well, it was just a little overwhelming, to say the least. At last, the goddess said, "Very well . . . as you wish." She released him and backed away, and Tao promptly slid to the ground, his legs unable to hold him. Pelagia rolled her eyes and murmured, "I should have seen this coming." She held her hand out to the young man.
Once Tao took the proffered hand, he found himself lying on his back, facing the goddess. She smiled down at him, that mischievous light once more in her eyes, and said in a soft, seductive voice, "I have you where I want you, scholar. Now . . . what shall I do with you?"
She stroked his hair back from his face, weaving her fingers through the dark locks. Hard to believe such a gesture could be so seductive, but even that light caress had every part of Tao's body stiffening. The scholar found that even drawing breath was difficult. Perhaps that was why he found himself unable to speak. Which was just as well. What exactly did one say to a goddess intent on seducing you?
Pelagia looked down at one particularly stiff muscle, observing mildly, "Oh my. We should do something about that." With just a touch, his pants were gone . . . and then they did do something about the stiffness between his legs. Eventually. But for the moment, Pelagia was content to further torture him with her fingers, her lips, her hair. And such sweet, sweet torture it was, too.
She lightly stroked the pads of her thumbs along the defined ridges of his hipbones, silencing his gasps and moans with her mouth. Her hair caressed his cheeks, his forehead, the sides of his neck. From the way Tao's body was reacting to her, one would have thought she was the goddess of desire, rather than mothers.
However . . . Tao lost his train of thought as Pelagia slid her hands under his body, cupping first his buttocks, then the backs of his thighs. It wouldn't have been so bad if she hadn't then circled her hands around until her fingers touched his male organ. Tao almost came off the bed, his eyes widening at the contact.
Pelagia pulled away just long enough to smile at him, a smile that left him wondering if she was a goddess or a . . . well, he wasn't sure what she was. Of if he even cared. He had never felt like this before. And again, Tao lost his train of thought, moaning as she dipped her head to kiss his chest, her hair teasing his skin.
But she didn't stop with a kiss . . . rather, with a single kiss. Instead, she caressed his upper torso and shoulders with her lips, her breath soft and warm against his skin. At this point, Tao could barely remember his own name.
She had a terrible habit of doing that . . . allow him just enough time to start thinking again, and then . . . Well, it was rather disconcerting for Tao to feel as he did at this moment, and it was even more disconcerting when he stopped to consider that . . . Oh. Oh, by the gods. He lifted his head to stare at Pelagia, who smiled sweetly and said, "Time to do something about that, scholar."
Tao's head was spinning from the last contact . . . he hadn't thought about being kissed there. And so, until he felt the warm skin of the goddess against his own, Tao hadn't even realized that Pelagia had pulled away long enough to disrobe. And the goddess carried out her promise to him.
Epilogue
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