From her experience so far, everything Andria had seen and heard was internally consistent with the values the Valkyrie espoused. Andria was not a philosophical genius, but still, she had a lot of experience with politics and with diplomacy, and every group she had to interact within, had their own subtle and sometimes not so subtle differences.
To effectively protect Karolita while within those differences, she had to quickly recognize lies, hypocrisy, and deception. Andria was thinking heavily about the things Elizabeth had just said. They seemed perfectly consistent with her current understanding of Valkyrie ethics. She thought of Nazz General Vazkri and her transformation into Valkyrie Officer Akriel. Right now, such a transformation did not seem so strange.
Andria’s heart hurt as she reflected on her discussion last night with Akriel. It was intellectually clear how Vazkri could miss ‘Her Kuko’. Would Andria miss Karolita? Sadly, after so many long years of loyal service, she would have to answer that question with a clear and resounding ‘NO’. After everything she had just witnessed, was it even possible for Andria to think of Karolita as ‘Her Karolita’? Again, no. Andria felt a sense of loss and wondered if anything could ever fill the hole she felt growing in her heart.
The outside door opened. Captain Brigettie Sachiel, still in black leathers and still armed, entered, carrying Karolita’s purse. Commander Odinero approached Brigettie but said nothing. Brigettie raised her arm and handed the purse to Odinero. Aniel started walking toward Parvarti.
“Commander Odinero,” Andria said without thinking.
Aniel looked over to her as he continued to walk.
“Commander Odinero,” Andria repeated a bit louder. “A word please.”
Andria subtly gestured toward the back wall. She had to warn him about the weapons in the purse. Aniel stopped, turned around, and joined her there.
Andria did not see Josephine and David glance at each other and the smile they exchanged. She also did not notice the tear that came to the tough old master sergeant’s eyes. Andria did not realize how much happiness she had just created in the room, nor did she realize at that very moment, she had been included in what the Valkyrie knew as friend.
Chapter 64
The New Boss; Not the Same as the Old Boss
Many on Eden thought I would be just another Rahu. They were wrong.
—Lilith, Eden’s Planetary Princess
Elysium
Kuko was just about to walk to the reception hall dressed as she was when Smigyl stopped her. They walked back to the dressing room, where Salecia had already laid out her next uniform for the day. Castor Mayhew and Daresiel Dranz were waiting for her. Kuko glanced back and forth between Indra and Smigyl. Both had mischievous little smirks on their faces.
“Let’s drill it home, shall we? I’ll see you upstairs,” Smigyl said.
Indra and Castor turned to leave.
“No, please stay,” Kuko called out.
Kuko knew exactly what Smigyl meant when she saw her black formal uniform laying on the bed. Salecia quickly removed the rainbow from the lapel on her gown and pinned it to the crisply pressed black shirt, and then did the same for the twisted cross. Castor and Indra turned their heads as Salecia and Daresiel helped Kuko out of her rainbow-colored gown. Kuko was about to put on the black shirt when Salecia shook her head no. “Lord Indra and Lord Smigyl want you to wash the colors off your skin, too.”
A quick shower later, Kuko’s skin was glowing a bright rich green. Salecia helped her into the black uniform and jackboots. She strapped on her battle belt, complete with knife, shuriken, darts, and her ceremonial swords. Kuko noticed Castor and Indra had also put on their own weapons belt.
“From now on, everyone who looks upon Eden’s Planetary Princess will see a Nazz warrior,” Indra said.
“And they will see the sword that their treachery will garner — a missing head,” Castor added casually, his face now resuming its normal, stoic appearance.
Kuko decided not to make a grand entrance, but rather stroll in after Indra and Castor and begin speaking casually with whomever she encountered. She paused at the entrance to The Grand Reception Hall, taking in the magnificence of the enormous pyramid-shaped hall.
High Exhaulted Pundit Bramrishi Devarat bowed low as Smigyl and Indra strolled past. When he saw Castor, he gave a small, polite bow but did not recognize Kuko.
“It was a most remarkable puja, wasn’t it, High Exhaulted Pundit Bramrishi Devarat?” Castor asked.
“Oh, yes, Castor Mayhew. Most remarkable indeed,” Devarat replied politely, pleased with Mayhew’s courtesy while also careful with his own selection of words, as he well knew there was a high probability one of Lord Smigyl’s KGB spies was listening to his every word.
He gave a tiny nod to the woman who strolled in just behind Castor, simply assuming by her uniform that she was just another Nazz. Being the diplomat he was, he quickly scanned across the woman’s lapel to see her rank. If she was a general, he should probably include her in the conversation. If not, she was just another female and not worthy of his attention. He saw no rank insignia. Moreover, her skin was green, so he returned his full attention to Castor.
“It’s quite clear. My Lord Smigyl has full faith in Madame Kiena. And she is already a remarkable leader, isn’t she? So of course, my only wish is…”
He stopped. There was a rainbow on her lapel. He was relieved he had chosen the correct words when speaking to Castor.
“Why, Lilith,” he smiled and gave a full and polite bow, relieved Kuko’s new name had spontaneously come from his lips. “Please forgive me for being so dull as to not have recognized you.”
“High Exhaulted Pundit Bramrishi Devarat,” Kuko began. “I was so delighted you could be here to share my shock. I hope I didn’t appear too startled.”
Devarat relaxed. He was comfortable with this type of diplomatic talk. This was someone speaking to him as an equal in this endeavor. The fact was, Madame Kiena was now Eden’s Planetary Princess. Beyond that, today his God had made many things perfectly clear. His God had spoken words and performed a puja that elevated Kuko to a sister-level God. As far as Devarat was concerned, Lilith was not just a Planetary Princess, she was an Overlord. Diplomatically, it was an honor for her to address him, a son-level God, as an equal.
“So they didn’t tell you anything about their plans?” Devarat asked with a disarming grin.
“Not a thing,” Kuko said, shaking her head.
“Well, leave it to the gods to keep us on our toes.”
They exchanged a few more niceties, and then Devarat said, “Madame Kiena. I look forward to our next meeting with great eagerness. But now, Goddess Lakshmi approaches. It’s time for me to bow out.” He gave a deep bow, at an angle Kuko appreciated as being perfectly within Dek customs.
“My dearest Lilith.” Lakshmi held out both her hands. Kuko held out her own, and they grasped each other. Lakshmi kissed her on each cheek. “That Smigyl. What a rascal he is. I could see he didn’t tell you anything in advance, did he?”
This was exactly what Kuko needed — a powerful female to address her with such friendliness. Not only was Lakshmi the most powerful female on Eden, she was also the most powerful female within Satania, although Kuko well knew Smigyl would say that his bride was the most powerful female in the Creation, and right now, if the subject came up, Kuko would be the first to agree.
“Not a thing. I was so shocked, I didn’t know what to do,” Kuko replied. Lakshmi continued to grasp her hands, so Kuko continued to grasp hers back with just a touch less tightness, responding, but allowing Lakshmi to always be in control.
“Well, you did beautifully. So elegant. So lovely,” Lakshmi continued, her eyes sparkling.
Kuko became mesmerized by Lakshmi’s eyes. Just like her skin, her eyes were a warm rich blue — pools of blue light sparkling like fires made of sapphire. Kuko’s sense of self faded. She lost herself, while not being aware she was lost. It seemed those wonderful eyes ran to the dep
ths of infinity.
“Oh Lilith, you do honor me,” Lakshmi blushed. She had often seen this response to her eyes, when a loved one looked at her in such a way. But never had this happened with a member of the Nazz. “I didn’t know you had such strong feelings for me.”
Lakshmi blinked her eyes causing Kuko to shake her head and return to the moment. “What? Uh, where was I?” Kuko said with a smile, realizing what had happened. Many, many times she had lost herself in her God, Indra’s brilliant yellow eyes. However, this had been a very different experience. Kuko leaned forward. “We have never spent much time together, my Goddess. This is the first time I’ve ever had the opportunity to see so deeply. Thank you.”
Lakshmi’s face filled with delight.
“I have always deeply admired you,” Kuko said truthfully.
“Then I will see to it that we spend more time together.” Lakshmi looked resolute. She was testing this new Lilith. Had the ceremony gone to Kuko’s head? Did she comprehend Lakshmi was a real Goddess? Did the new Lilith still understand her relative position, while at the same time not insulting Lakshmi’s own strength by groveling and abasing herself? Kuko had passed the test, and Lakshmi was now a guardian.
“I missed seeing Karolita. Is she here? I would love to say hello,” Kuko said.
“I’m not sure where that delinquent daughter of mine is. Truth be told, I’m starting to get a little worried,” Lakshmi confessed.
“I’m sure she’ll turn up soon,” Kuko replied. “But if she doesn’t, please let me know if I can be of assistance.”
“I see others desire to speak with you,” Lakshmi interrupted. “In the mean time, let me find Caiaphas’ fat head. I think you’ll see he can be made to see reason.” Lakshmi slowly and elegantly turned and walked away.
Zohar met Kuko’s eyes. His daughter, Gonzagaz was standing behind him and off to the side. Clearly, Zohar was itching to get out of the hall. The continuous talk espousing the great and wonderful Kuko made him sick. Because he lived within Elysium, he knew he should at least say ‘hello’ and get it over with.
He forced a smile and gave a small bow. In Dek fashion, Zohar kept his eyes fixed on hers, and in Dek fashion, Kuko kept her eyes fixed on his. She waited to see at what angle Zohar would stop his bow. She stopped her bow quite a bit shy of his, which meant she hardly bowed at all.
To Zohar, if anyone should have been Planetary Prince other than Rahu, it should have been him. After enduring hours of her inauguration ceremony, what he really wanted to say was ‘screw you’.
Kuko’s gestures delivered an equally hostile message: ‘I don’t care if you are an Overlord, I’m in charge of this planet, not you. So you just watch your ass because I haven’t a single qualm in kicking it again.’
“General Kiena, the Lilith of Eden. I am eager to watch you crush the Azakamani. I wish you all success.” Zohar gave the smallest of smiles, followed by a little twist of his nose that converted the smile into a smirk. He promptly turned and walked toward the exit. She knew he would do nothing to help her. At least he used her new formal name, something that actually surprised her. Perhaps, if Indra put a short leash on him, he would not interfere or work against her. At least not yet.
As soon as Zohar walked away, Gonzagaz bounced up to Kuko giving her a big hug and a kiss on each cheek. Although she had no military force, Gonzagaz was a Demigoddess who had quite a large cultural following on Eden.
“Oh, pay no mind to that old bastard,” she whispered in neither a subtle nor soft voice. “Unless it has something to do with his own power, he just doesn’t give a shit.” Gonzagaz projected her voice to Zohar’s fading back. Zohar paused, fighting the urge to turn around and face his defiant daughter. Then he stiffly left the room.
Gonzagaz’s brother, Gandharva was so disgusted with the entire inaugural affair, he did not even look at Kuko. Rather, he met his father at the exit. When he heard Gonzagaz all but shout at his wonderful, beloved father, he turned and glared at her. Gonzagaz instantly presented him with an offensive hand gesture.
“Oh dear, I see that everything is still going smoothly in Zohar’s household,” Goddess Isis, Zohar’s sister, said light-heartedly as she joined Kuko and Gonzagaz. Isis gently took Kuko’s hand and softly kissed it. Gandharvi was right at her mother’s side, and kissed Kuko in exactly the same way.
“Do you know what Little Willie, that heinous, randy son-of-a-bastard did?” Gonzagaz said. Kuko, Isis, and Gandharvi shook their heads, eager to hear what made Gonzagaz glow.
“There I was, just minding my own business, taking a nice hot bath. Heinous picked the lock, walked in with not a stitch of clothes on, and then gets in the bath with me. Like there isn’t plenty of stupid women who would screw him in an instant.”
Kuko, Isis, and Gandharvi all wrinkled their noses.
“Can’t my brother do anything about that?” Isis offered to no one in particular. “My niece should not have to put up with this from her own brother.” Isis had been personally exposed to some of Gandharva’s pleasures, with him making more than one advance against her, his own aunt.
“Zohar has told him to stop and has even punished him, but he just forgets, or doesn’t care,” Gonzagaz replied.
“Why don’t you move in with me?” Isis said without thinking. “My heaven above San Berklar isn’t anywhere near as nice as Elysium, but I promise, my guards will keep Gandharva out.”
“That would be great,” Gandharvi said, instantly agreeing with her mother. “You can share my room. I would love to have someone to go shopping with. I’ve been planning a trip to Glamoria. I think you would look lovely…”
Kuko and Isis stood together and watched the two girls wander away, completely absorbed in each other.
“Kids,” Kuko said.
“Madame Lilith,” Isis said as she turned her full attention back to Kuko.
“Oh please, sweet Goddess. To you, I always want to be just Kuko.”
“Kuko,” Isis replied with a big smile. “You will always have my full support.” She kissed Kuko on the lips again.
“And you, mine,” Kuko said softly, returning the kiss, a kiss that lasted just a few seconds longer.
Suddenly, Isis’ smile faded. “Well, there’s my own guilty pleasure coming to give his regards.”
Kuko did not have to look to know exactly whom she was talking about. Isis walked toward Prince Beliar, stopped for a second, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. She whispered something in his ear, and exactly as Kuko expected, Beliar hardly acknowledged Isis.
“General Kiena,” he said, a self-confident, charming smile spread across his handsome, dark reddish-brown face. He took her hand, raised it, and kissed it softly. Kuko knew that Isis fell for this trick every time. “Hasn’t this been a remarkable day?”
“You don’t seem terribly damaged by being so close to The Children. However did you manage to survive?” Kuko said.
“Well, at least they weren’t shouting right in my freaking ears,” Beliar replied.
“And I’ll have to thank your father later for not making me sit on the stage the entire time,” Kuko replied.
“Whoever thought that ol’ Smigyl could be so compassionate,” Beliar said.
Beliar paused. He was just about to open his mouth to deliver some well-rehearsed speech to disarm her, but Kuko beat him to the punch. “Prince Beliar. We have both known each other long enough to know what’s coming. I just want you to know that I respect you as a warrior, and I look forward to our next fight.” Kuko gave him a subtle bow while maintaining eye contact.
“Thank you, Madame General. You honor me with your words and honesty. I, too, look forward to our next battle. And maybe one day we can figure out how to fight against each other and crush the Azakamani between us at the same time.”
Kuko deliberately paused, appearing to think deeply. “Yes, Prince Beliar. Quite a good suggestion. I will consider how we might accomplish that.”
Beliar was in a hurry for their conversatio
n to end. He bowed quickly and walked away, with Kuko happy to see that he returned to Isis to give her a big hug. Beliar’s back was to Kuko so she could see Isis’ face beaming.
“Lilith.” Unexpectedly hearing her new name sent a shock through Kuko, but she did her best to remain graceful as she turned, recognizing Lakshmi’s elegant voice again. Standing right beside her was High Priest Caiaphas, a sour expression on his face.
“I’m sure you remember my little boy, Caiaphas,” Lakshmi said. Shock spread across Caiaphas’ proud face. “I was just struggling in an attempt to explain to Caiaphas how much his complete loyalty to you will bring profit to him. However, today, more than even most days, he seems a bit dull-witted.” Caiaphas’ jaw dropped.
Lakshmi smiled at Caiaphas. “I might not be on Eden the entire time to keep you thinking clearly. So, I think the best way to proceed is for you to prostrate yourself as an act of submission to Eden’s Planetary Princess. You know the position quite well I believe, considering how much you enjoy it when others do the same for you.” Caiaphas sucked in a breath, looking back and forth between his Goddess and Kuko.
Lakshmi’s expression slowly changed. Her smile faded. Her eyes became intense. “Son? I’m beginning to wonder who it is you worship.”
At hearing that, Caiaphas fell on his stomach, his arms and legs outstretched in an X-shape. “Mother, please forgive your stupid son. In my ignorance, I had a particular scenario planned. It is now clear that those plans came from an undeveloped mind. Of course, you are the only one I worship.” Lakshmi gave Kuko a subtle nod. “You shall be the only one I ever worship. And, of course, your son pledges all allegiance…ugh…”
Caiaphas grunted as Kuko stood on his back. “Yes, High Priest Caiaphas. I am eager to hear your council on how our financial arrangements should proceed,” Kuko said, as if she had not interrupted him with her weight. For some, this might have prevented them from speaking, but Caiaphas clearly understood. His mother had told Kuko to stand on him in an attempt to put him in his place. Kuko’s response was quite easy to interpret. ‘High Priest’ and ‘Hear your council’ were both expressions of respect.
Lilith: Eden's Planetary Princess (The Michael Archives Book 1) Page 52