Sylfic

by Kenna Bardot

  Standing at the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest as he glared around the room, stood the last person on the planet I could ever need to speak with.

  When his black eyes found mine, he straightened to his full height with a dark smile that made my skin crawl. I stopped moving; my feet grinding to a halt in the middle of the room. At first I thought he might approach me, torment me, despite the other Gods lingering in the room. Instead, he stalked to the fountain at the center of the room. My eyes widened in horror as I realized his intent.

  "No!" I hissed, stepping up to grab his arm and stop him mid-step. "Don't you dare."

  "You think to command me, Mireyah?" His tipped lips spoke of all the cruelty in him, and he glanced down at my hand on his arm with a tilt to his head. "I assume your misplaced sense of independence comes from being untamed. That is something we will need to correct. But all in due time."

  "Don't do this. Others have already Declared for me. It will be more effort than I'm worth," I argued. I could feel eyes on us, studying our interaction.

  "Taking you from them will be worth every effort imaginable. Finally making you scream? That will be an incredible bonus." He tugged his arm away so harshly that it fell from my grip as he walked up to the fountain.

  I felt Theo walk up beside me and look towards the fountain. He looked down, and I knew that he’d witnessed enough of Ashric to worry for me. "Is he-?"

  "I formally declare for the Sylfe, Mireyah! Before all the Gods present, the Head of Sylfeshire, and Mireyah. I announce my intent to be her Sire." Ashric's voice rang loud and true, and silence filled the rooms as others didn't even dare to whisper. Given our altercation, there could be no doubt that I did not want him as my Sire.

  But it wouldn't matter. He'd slid his name in just before the deadline.

  Colm swallowed, glaring at Ashric. His voice sounded like he'd swallowed something purely toxic when he spoke. "That makes seven Declarations for our Mireyah. Do any Gods present wish to add to it? Today is the last opportunity to do so before the deadline passes."

  No one spoke, and I let Theo tug my hand to retreat into the building. Before I passed under the overhang and through the door, I heard him call out to me, "I'll see you soon, wife!" It was a final torment that echoed just before the doors closed behind us, and we were finally in the safety of the inner hallways.

  Colm strode through them quickly after us, and I swivelled around to face him. "Please-"

  "I cannot interfere. You'll have no choice but to do as is expected of you through the process."

  "But Colm!" I shuddered visibly as I thought of what that would happen.

  "Do you think it is easy for me? To watch the system fail to protect you from him? I am as trapped as you in this decision, Mireyah." He ran a hand through his hair, watching as I snatched my hand back from Theo.

  "Funny that it isn't you he will make scream then. Since you're as trapped as I am," I hissed, turning away and striding for my rooms. I was determined to never emerge again, should have merely locked myself away and not been so arrogant as to think no one would dare to compete with Lathyn and the other five.

  It was his fault for his determination to torment me, but I was not entirely blameless in the entire thing. I could very well spend an eternal life suffering the consequences of that arrogance.

  ✽✽✽

  I ignored the knock at my door, still holding to my determination to never leave my room again. It would be quite the limited life, being quarantined, but at least I would be alive.

  At least I would be unharmed.

  I couldn't say the same should I ever set eyes on Ashric Tovenaar again. He would either attempt to harm me, or I might attempt to maim him. The latter seemed more probable at the current juncture. Even Sylfes weren't protected against the consequences if they harmed a God. Perhaps it would be a mercy.

  "Mireyah, unlock the fucking door," Lysandra ordered, but there was a nearly comical musical note to her voice as she forced the pleasantness into the command. No doubt at Astraea's insistence.

  "It only works if you don't swear at her, for Zeevar’s sake, Lys," Aes whispered on the other side, and they entertained me enough to have me standing from my bed. Truth be told, I’d read it so many times in the two days I’d holed up in my room in protest.

  "I brought cookies!" Lys bribed, and that sealed my cooperation.

  "Did you bring milk?" I asked instead, but the smile in my voice was unmistakable.

  "Did I bring milk?" Lysandra whispered. "Who the fuck do you think I am? Of course I brought you fucking milk. Now open the damn door." I snorted a laugh, stepping forward to unlock the door. “What happened to not swearing?”

  “I tired of it.” Lys immediately charged through, setting the cookies and milk on my nightstand and flopping onto my bed unceremoniously. Aes was more polite as she slipped in, perching on the edge and looking at me with a face full of hope. Hope that I might rejoin the world of the living, no doubt.

  I hated to think there may come a day when that hopefulness inside her finally couldn't stand up against all the brutal bullshit in our world. "How are you holding up?" she asked.

  I closed the door and snatched a cookie off my nightstand, shoving it into my mouth so my only answer was to grunt. "That good, huh?" Lys asked, tossing my pillow into the air above her head. With all her pink hair spread over my silk sheets, she looked angelic in the mid-morning sun.

  It was almost a shame she was far closer to a demon than an angel. Better suited to the dark than the light.

  "Can I just go to the Unwanted Lands now?" I asked, swallowing the cookie and taking an unladylike swig of milk.

  "I am fairly certain that a Sylfe with seven Gods lined up has no chance of that," Astraea said, grimacing as she realized how negative she was being.

  "What did you do to Colm? He's been dreadful. Sulking around like he got kicked in the overactive Svadeni nuts and can't get it up," Lys grunted although she laughed as she dunked one of the cookies in the milk.

  I ran forward and stole the milk from her, annoyed that it now had crumbs. “Dammit Lys! Wait, Colm’s been worried?” I winced, feeling slightly guilty for the way I'd treated him. But in my defense, the man had said the worst thing at that moment. Like he suffered along with me.

  Psh.

  I went to my window seat, looking out the window to the trees that surrounded the base of the mountain. "I blamed him for not interfering."

  "Mireyah," Astraea scolded.

  Lysandra was far more supportive."Sounds fair to me."

  "What am I supposed to do? How do I make sure that he fails? At this point, I think I would be pleased that Lathyn won, if only because it means Ashric would have lost. I don't want to go through the next phase constantly worrying about what happens if he wins. Will they really force me to accept a Sire bond from someone who means to hurt me?" I whispered the words. Maybe if I barely spoke them out loud, none of it would come true.

  We sat in silence for a while. "We don't know," Astraea responded finally, throwing me a sympathetic look. "Neither of us have experienced the next phase of being Declarable. I think it's different for each person, and all the Sylfes I've known who Ascended were very hush about it."

  "But it makes little sense that the Gods would want me to Ascend to an unhappy marriage, does it? I would think they'd want good matches. Happy marriages make more kids." The argument sounded desperate even as it left my lips.

  "Rape creates kids too, Mireyah," Lysandra said darkly, echoing the darkest thoughts lingering at the back corner of my mind. "But what really matters is that you are you. I'd like to see the fucker try to hurt you. I didn’t know you as a human, but stories really show how formidable you were then. Just imagine what you’ll be once you're a Goddess? He wouldn't stand a chance, and the Gods, even the Core Gods, seem partial to you. They see something in you they want among their ranks. Perhaps they care about you and your fate more than we think."

  "I think they do," Astraea agreed. "
You're different. Even the way he treats you like his child shows how different your path is. That’s always been apparent from the first moment we met you.”

  "I won't rely on them. I can't trust anyone but myself to get me out of this." I gritted my teeth and braced my shoulders.

  "That's my girl," Lysandra said in support, snatching a cookie off my nightstand. I glared at her, taking the last one and shoving it into my mouth.

  All was fair in love and war.

  Except cookies.

  Chapter 12

  Mireyah

  "You good?" Theo asked me, and besides Astraea and Lysandra it was apparent I had worried him with my self-isolation.

  "Yeah, I'm good. I won't be seeing the guys, because they've Declared for me but that also means I won't be seeing Lathyn or," I paused as I shivered, "Ashric." I reached up to tuck some hair behind my left ear, cursing when it got stuck in the cuff that had been transferred there on the night that Ashric had Declared for me.

  The position of it told Gods that I was already on my way to a Sire Trial, no longer Declarable.

  "Not used to it there yet?" Theo chuckled as we walked down the hallway. Thankfully, most of the first and second levels were in classes and most of those who could join Visitations and Mingle were already in the public spaces or hiding in their own quarters.

  "I don't think I ever will. First off, they put it in my bloody right ear and now it's in my fucking left. It's annoying and bulky and my hair just keeps getting caught in it." I huffed out a sigh at the way he looked down at me - bewildered and a little amused.

  "Ugh, sorry. I’m complaining about it being inconvenient when I know you’d want one because of what it means. I’m an insensitive twat rather than being a good friend, huh?” I shot him a sheepish smile.

  He laughed and shook his head. "Not much, but I'm used to it. Besides, we know what it is you really want anyway and being a Goddess doesn't appear to be it. I don't blame you for whining like a petulant little child about it, really. I'd be more surprised if you just sat back and accepted it easily, actually." He rubbed a hand through his teal hair and shrugged. "But, you know, you aren't wrong. I'd want mine soon enough. But there's more than enough time. We can't all speed through the entire process like you're doing, Mireyah. It's all so tiring. Don't you just sometimes want to lay back and sleep?"

  "Oh, don't remind me. Why do you think I just hid in my room for two straight days without going out? I feel like I'm a hundred, and I'm not even thirty." I chuckled and reached up to pinch his cheek. "You'll get yours soon enough, Theo. How could the Goddesses resist you, really? You're the best male Sylfe here in Sylfeshire."

  "But not the best male, I'm sure. It appears Colm Svadeni occupies that very peculiar and oddly flattering space in your heart." He shot me an arched eyebrow look that had me hunching my shoulders.

  "Well, you're not wrong. But also, he just reminds me of an uncle. Mind you, I didn't really have uncles given that my mom and dad were both only children, but," I broke off as the thought entered my mind. "He reminds me of my best friend's dad. That's right. Serenity's dad was just as protective and gruff and just innately someone I wanted to squish. He was so adorable."

  "Okay, okay. No need to get so defensive, Mireyah. I believe you. And even if I didn’t, I’ve been around the two of you enough to see there’s nothing sexual about it. However," he stopped and let out a huge breath. "Know that some other Sylfes are talking about it. Especially since you call him by his first name, unlike everyone else in Sylfeshire." He pulled the door open for me as he usually did and bowed me in with a silly little bow. I rolled my eyes at his shenanigans but gave him a curtsy as I did so. He was just too cute. Just another one I would miss once I left.

  "Oh, are they talking about it?” I stopped to think about it and realized that it made sense they would. I shrugged. “I don't care since I've never really cared much about what everyone thinks of me. He just cares so deeply for us in a way that you wouldn't expect from a Svadeni, you know? I adore that. But then again, I have a soft spot for Svadenis." I pulled my book from under my arm just as Theo gave my shoulder a squeeze.

  "And that's what makes you so fascinating. I'd have enjoyed meeting you as a human, Mireyah. But I'm glad I met you as a Sylfe. I hope I’ll see you again as a God. Anyway, I'm off. Mingle, mingle." He pointed at my book. "Enjoy your book. I'll see you soon enough."

  I shook my head and smiled as he walked away and scurried hurriedly towards the private nook I enjoyed most of all. I really hoped Oryn would be there. He was the reason I had gone out that day, and I’d be disappointed if he weren’t.

  I rounded the corner and my eyes lit up because he was there, bronze hair and nose buried in a book just as it had been when I'd first met him. "Hi, Oryn."

  His head snapped up, those lazy eyes twinkling at me as he met mine. "Hey, Mireyah. Heard the news. Seven in total. Congratulations." He held out to shake mine, but I pushed it away and, going with my gut instinct, just wrapped my arms around his neck.

  "Thanks." I plopped down on the seat in front of him and sighed, long and deep. "Should I celebrate?"

  He chuckled as I heard him put his book down on his lap. "Well, I don't know. Were any of those seven Gods someone you like?" Surprised by his question, I opened one eye to get a look at his face and there wasn't anything in his expression to show that he wasn't being serious. I shut my eyes again. "I don't deny that I do but I'm also scared if it's smart. Some days, I'm so scared to trust my heart, but I'm also sure that going by only my head would mean the breaking of me. How do I know?"

  "Well, following your heart is always a good idea. Although using your head isn't something you should discount. We have to live with decisions that we ultimately make so we have to make sure that the ones we make are ones that we wouldn't completely regret. Not to say that we should spend all our time just thinking since that could impede living. But there should be a balance between impulse and planning." He reached over and gave my knee a gentle pat. "I'm sure, what with seven Gods who will fight for you, you'll find who you truly want to be with. And be happy with it."

  I opened my eyes and grabbed his hand before he could pull it away. "And you? Is that what you're doing when you sit there? You look like you’re waiting, but I also know that none of the Sylfes approach you. This place is rather hidden, more an afterthought in design rather than a place for Sylfes and Gods to spend time in.”

  He pulled his hand back and pulled at his top, clearing his throat as he did so. "Well, you're not entirely wrong. I truly am waiting. For someone and for a very long time.”

  I nodded at him. "I'll be honest, I thought you wanted to Declare for me too since you were so fucking nice to me. And I know that sounds so arrogant, but I just don't trust kindness in Gods." I stood from my seat and walked over, scooted him over to sit next to him in the alcove, peering at the book he had open on his lap as I did so.

  "Oh, Zeevar, no. Not that you aren't a beautiful woman, Mireyah. Or obviously a smart and interesting one, but there's only one Sylfe I would ever Declare for." He flushed, something I found so cute and adorable in a God from a House that was known for being cold.

  "Oh? And who is it? I’m not very popular with the Sylfes but maybe they just don’t know and if I tell them you guys can’t reunite or talk or whatever." I poked him in the bicep, unsurprised to note that his arms were rock hard. The Gods were built to be strong and physically superior. That's just how things normally were.

  "Oh, Mireyah, she knows. Trust me, she knows. I know she knows because she was a Descendant before, but she didn't Ascend to Godhood. We were in Godsvail together, and she's been here at least forty years." He sighed out and snapped his book shut, resting his head against the wall at his back as he did so.

  "So you've been pining for the same female for what, a century?" I goggled at him, wondering if it was something I would have done for my guys. Would I have been content to pine and mourn for them for a century?

  "Well, yes. She
was all I ever wanted, even if she'd been a Tovenaar. Well, I don't mean to judge Houses but for a Tovenaar, she was sweet and full of life. I knew she didn't want to Ascend, because she didn't want to spend all her life in that House where she didn't feel as though she belonged. I told her I'd wait for her, but I don't think she believed me because I've rarely seen her out here. Anytime I'm able to talk to her, she just insists that I should live my life before running off. Preferably without her in it."

  The story struck me as familiar so I had to ask him, "It's not Astraea, is it? The Tovenaar who didn't want to be Tovenaar?"

  "Aes, yes. We were in Godsvail Academy together. I told her I wanted to marry her once we both graduated and Ascended but she didn't, apparently, want to be in a marriage as a Tovenaar. No worries, really, I want to wait for her." He laughed. "Who knew that a Kald could be such a sap. It's embarrassing."

  "I think it's adorable. I've always had this perception of what Gods are. This idea that Gods, as a whole, don't have genuine emotions. And meeting you now, I can see that isn't true."

  "Well, I'm not as common but, yes, we exist." He paused fixing his hair as he turned towards me, eyes wide. "Wait. I completely didn’t realize it at first, but you know Astraea."

  I laughed as I nodded. "I do, yes. What gave it away?" I laughed harder at the look on his face, those wide eyes and the mouth gaping in surprise. "And I can't imagine someone who deserves the love of someone quite as thoroughly as you do her more. She's the best of us."

  "She is. I'm content to wait for her, but the hope is that I won't have to go down to the Unwanted Lands to get her back. Although even that isn't likely to stop me." He beamed at me. "How is she?"