“Victoria, you have claimed my son’s heart, now I ask of you what can you offer him to ensure a happy future?”
“I offer him my heart, my love, and my body.”
“And what do you offer in prosperity?”
“A place at my side as Prince of the British Empire.”
Sorcha nodded. It was a fitting position for a Prince of the Fae. “Then you have my permission to claim my son.”
She turned to face her son “You have been offered a wife and a position at her side, do you accept?”
“I do.”
“You are and always will be a Prince of the Fae, now you will be the Prince of an Empire, but what do you offer in return?”
“I offer my heart, my love, and my body.”
“Do you Victoria accept these gifts?”
“I do.”
A green chord grew around their entwined hands. The Fae part of the ceremony was complete. In the eyes of the Fae, they were wife and husband.
“Do you, Cathair Avalon, take Victoria Windsor to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forth, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health until death do you part?” she couldn’t hide her disdain when she said for poorer.
“I, Cathair Avalon, take you, Victoria Windsor, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forth, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”
“And do you, Victoria Windsor, take Cathair Avalon to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forth, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health until death do you part?”
“I, Victoria Windsor, take you, Cathair Avalon, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”
Cathair turned to her “with this ring I pledge my love and commitment” he slipped the gold and ava ring onto her finger. She repeated the same and slipped his ring onto his finger. Wedding rings were a very Human thing.
“By the power invested in me by the Goddess, the Seelie Court and the British Empire, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
He smiled as he kissed her, being respectful that Humans did not expect a huge display. Fae couples were notorious for their lack of inhibitions.
“I present to the world, Empress Victoria and her husband, Prince Cathair.”
The people cheered and above fireworks erupted. The start of many celebrations had begun.
Aisling watched her brother walk back down the aisle with his wife, both of them regularly stopped to chat with people. Gods and Angels, Sorcerers and Fae, Atlanteans and Daemons, generals and politicians. She watched him go with more than a little envy.
The Fae Royals were strictly bound by tradition and service to their people. They so often lived long lives with only brief spells of happiness. Her mother had been lucky, she had been allowed to marry for love, their father had carried strong bloodlines being born of a Nymph and Elder Angel. But he had been killed.
Her brother had lived a lonely life, hers had been less so. Princesses were fawned over because they would be queen, princes were assets. And he had proven to be so, his marriage had united Humans and Fae as never before. But he was also escaping the strict confines of the Seelie Court, oh, he would always be bound by the Court, once in you were never free. Those that did flee suffered a terrible backlash. But he now danced to a different rhythm. As Prince Consort, he had great freedoms, and he actually loved Victoria. She had not seen that coming.
She, on the other hand, was still bound to the Court, and her mother was on the hunt for a mate. There was something about her increased fervour that worried her. She felt sure her mother was privy to some prophecy that she and the rest of the court were not. But her intentions were clear, she would have a grandchild by any means. She had opened up to the nobles to put forward their best candidates. It worried her, what had her mother seen?
“So where is the reception being held?” Cathair asked his wife. He had had very little input in the wedding, most of it falling to the wedding planner and his mother’s demands.
“I don’t actually know, they wouldn’t let me know.” She grumbled as they stepped out of the abbey.
Sariel turned back to smile at them “oh don’t worry it is in a most wondrous location.”
“What do you know, Sariel?”
“Wait and all shall be revealed.”
They waited as Sorcha, Brigid, and the Guardians joined her. “We present to you, from the British public, the Fae and the Atlanteans, your new home. The Palace of Avalon.” She waved her hands and the glamour burned up. Dominating the skyline of London was a massive hovering palace, connected to the dozens of Atlantean towers they had seen going up since her coronation. Magic flared up the towers and the bridges connecting them to the palace. Its base was a blazing swirl of the Lifestream, drifting down across London
The palace itself was a grand construction of ava, hydralgia, gold, silver and a variety of stones. The metals glinted brightly in the winter sun. Trailing down from the palace grounds were metres of vines and creepers. Even from this distance it was clear the palace grounds were ablaze with plant life. Phoenixes could be seen flying between the towers and trees. Rising from the forest gardens was something out of a fairytale. A palace that combined Fae, Atlantean and Human architecture, blending in seamless and smooth transition. Some parts were distinctly one, others were mixtures. It was a truly beautiful monument to Britain’s future and magical unity.
She stared wide eyed at her new home, it was beyond comprehension. There was a floating palace above London, a palace she and her husband were to live in alongside Gods and Angels. Her life had changed so much.
As if to emphasise the fact the Lifestream flared like a blossoming flower around the palace.
Hours later Lucifer watched gloomily as the wedding reception was in full swing. The speeches had finished, and the desserts were being served. Cathair was leading Victoria out onto the dance floor for the traditional dance. They were all smiles, with eyes only for each other. It was clear to all that while the marriage had been politically motivated there was real love there. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his hands around her waist.
Following tradition, the bridesmaid and groomsmen took to the dance floor after them. Aisling and Sariel looked more amused than anything as they stepped out onto the dance floor together. It certainly drew a lot of the straight male attention. Two beautiful women dancing with each other.
As the dance opened up to others Brigid led Sorcha to the dance floor, both of them chatting animatedly. Hecate and Samael paired up, Chiron offered his hand to Medusa, who cautiously took it. The Prime Ministers of Britain and Canada took their spouses to the floor. Zelaris proved to be surprisingly nimble with Selarine. All the Guardians, nobles, and diplomats proved to be happy to dance with their partners or friends.
Lucifer sat at the table for the Divine watching them all laugh and dance. Everybody else from the table had left to enjoy themselves and here he was stuck behind. It seemed a common trend.
“Apparently we’re the singles table.”
Lucifer jumped as James suddenly spoke from across the table. He had forgotten about the First Sorcerer. He turned to study the young man dressed in Imperial Red. It still surprised him that the Royal Province of Australia was under the care of one so young, then again he was only a year older than Victoria herself. Why was so much of the empire in the hands of the mortal young?
“It would seem that way.”
“Still it is nice to sit back and watch sometimes, you see more.”
“And what might we be seeing?” where was this child going with this?
“The looks that people share between each other and the looks they have for each other. Like, take the bride and groom, clear love and a
doration. Take Sorcha and Brigid, nothing but friendship and humour there. Take Aisling she watches her brother with envy, I would hazard that she wants a marriage that also has love but doubts she would get it.”
“Oh?” he really wasn’t interested.
James smiled at him “And there are the looks that you give Sariel when you think no one is looking. You desire her.”
“No, I don't.”
He smirked, “please, you pine for her and yet you lie to yourself.”
“I have no attraction to Sariel whatsoever. You, boy, are much deluded.”
Still smirking he stood up “Then it will not annoy you in any way that I can so easily ask her for a dance while you hide in the corner.” He strutted off to intercept Sariel and Aisling, and he did easily cut in to dance with Sariel. Aisling was not alone for a second, Samael scooped her up and swung her around. She half shrieked and laughed as he swirled her around, there were very few people in the world who would dare treat a Fae Princess so. It was refreshing for her.
“Moping at your table doesn’t suit you, Lucifer. You used to be the life of the party.” Hecate’s sepulchral voice came from beside him.
“That was before my sister and friend cursed me and cast me out of Heaven, transforming me into a hideous beast that ruled Hell. I used to be a Lord of the Sky, and now I am the Prince of Darkness and the High Lord of Hell. I spent the last three months trapped in the realm of darkness. What is there for me to be thankful of?”
“That the rarest of all flowers floated into your life and lit up your world.”
“I do not want Sariel.”
She turned from watching Sariel to study him with those ancient, haunted, amethyst eyes. He had forgotten just how unnerving her gaze was. “I did not say that you did. I said you should be thankful for her presence in your life, as are the rest of us. We have all been trapped in the darkness of the Underworld until she freed us. She was a ray of sunlight that lit up the dark…and still does. Even in a room full of joy she manages to light it up.”
Her eyes had drifted back to where Sariel danced on the dance floor with Victoria and James, all the world a young woman having fun with her friends.
“But if that is where your thoughts instantly fly to then perhaps you need to come to terms with more than just your new powers and titles.” She turned back to look at him with eyes remarkably full of emotion “you’ve been given a hard road Lucifer, but as mortals say, what does not kill us makes us stronger. It is certainly true for you Lucifer, your powers have at least doubled, neither of us really knows how much currently. But time will tell, you just have to give it time Lucifer.” She rubbed his cheek “you are a truly remarkable person, and we remember what you were like before the Fall. Don’t let Hell taint you, you are what you make yourself be. Don’t shy away from the light because you don’t think you are worthy of it. You are.” She kissed him on the cheek as she stood up.
She smiled over her shoulder at him as she went to dance with Sariel.
As she left, Samael sat down next to him “It is not like you to sit in the shadows of a party.”
Was that all they were concerned about? “I’m not who I used to be.”
Samael studied him with those calculating violet eyes “You are and you are not. You are more than you used to be, but then so am I. You may have most of the Devil’s powers but remember I share some of it with you. Do not even for a minute think that you are alone Lucifer. You are still my Protégé even though you long ago finished your training. You shall always be welcome in my homes.”
“Is that an offer to assist in the war effort?”
He smiled “you know I would never turn down your help in any battle. However, no, that is not my concern. My concern is you.”
“I’m touched.”
“Don’t be an ass Lucifer. You are not well, you are weak inside, you are running from your powers, and you are smarter than that. You always told Michael that he would never be complete until he accepted all aspects of himself, now I will say the same to you Lucifer. Hell might be an unwelcome addition to your powers, but you are now its High Lord. Your powers have grown phenomenally and yet you shy away from them. That is not the Lucifer I know.”
“The Lucifer you knew is gone.”
“No, he isn’t, he is hiding behind a whimpering coward who is an annoying prick. Grow up Lucifer.” He got up and marched off leaving the sting of his words behind.
Why wouldn’t they leave him alone?
“Sitting all alone Lucifer? Oh, cake!” Sariel sat down next to him and turned her attention on the untouched plate of wedding cake. If only the others had been so easy to distract.
“This is delicious!”
“Did they not give you any on your table?”
“Oh, I ate mine.”
“How is it that you eat so much?”
“Because it tastes good,” the looks she gave him said she thought it was obvious. It was times like this her youth showed through. Gods and Angels did not get excited about things like cake, then again seeing the simple joy in her face perhaps it was their loss.
“You did a good thing today Lucifer, you gave a spirit and a young woman peace.”
“Well, it sure beats the alternative.”
She watched him with all seriousness “I know it is hard Lucifer, but give it time and give it a chance. I was terrified at my Chaos powers at first. I am still scared of what I wield, and yet no one would let me forget what my powers were. It was all push, push, push until I wanted to scream. You have got to find distractions.” She stood up and yanked him out of his chair “come dance with me” her steel like grip offered him no escape. And yet as she spun around all smiles he found he didn’t want to escape.
“She manages to do what none of the rest of us can.” Samael watched his daughter drag his Protégé onto the dance floor.
“That is because our dear Sariel is so very unlike the rest of us. She comes at the problem from a very different angle. She bounces between topics often enough to distract him from what she is saying. She exasperates him, just like she exasperates the rest of us. Yet she is ever endearing in her own way.” She turned back to face him “he is much changed for the worse and yet I think if anyone can drag him back to who he used to be it is Sariel. I think it might be best if we step back and leave her to the task.”
“But can we count on her? The world needs Lucifer to accept his duties as the High Lord of Hell and the Prince of Darkness. He shares the power of the Angels, he will be crucial in the fight against them.”
“Believe me, if anyone is up to the task it is Sariel, but we have to let go. If she feels us trying to manipulate the situation, she will feel betrayed once again. I will not lose her twice.”
Aisling knelt down on the cushions before the low dais. The lavender-skinned woman with long white hair watched her with amethyst eyes. The Oracle of the Lampades was an immensely powerful prophet who did not share her time lightly. Then again she had never had a Fae Princess ask for an audience. Usually, they used their Banshees for prophecy. She was most curious as to why the princess was here.
“Princess it is an unexpected honour to receive you.”
“It is an honour that you receive me, Oracle.”
“How may I help you, child?”
“My mother is suddenly obsessed with finding me a mate, I would like to know why.”
“Is it not common for Fae Queens to find consorts for their heirs?”
“Yes, but she seems more determined. Something has happened.”
“Why not use the Banshees at your disposal?”
“They answer to the Queen, and this seems to be beyond many of them.”
Curious Cassandra reached out and took Aisling’s hands in her own. Violet-blue flames traced up her arms as she stared into Aisling’s eyes. Her eyes slowly became glassy even as they flicked about it was clear she was no longer looking at Aisling.
“Many threads are twisted together. The Queen is darkened by the fate of de
stiny. Many things are not clear, but if you produce no child, then the Fae dynasty will crumble.” She zoned back in “you need to find a strong mate Aisling, your daughter will carry a heavy burden.”
So there was a reason behind the push. She had known it. Her mother would know more. Fae Queens saw much of their future when they ascended to the throne, much of which was never shown to others gifted in prophecy. “I thank you for your time Oracle. If ever I may return the favour, please ask.”
Cassandra watched the princess go. There was much she had not seen. The future was wildly unpredictable at the moment. But she had seen glimpses of many possibilities. The War of Heaven had many twists and turns ahead, even if only some of them occurred. But Britain would play a momentous role in determining the War’s direction. She had also seen many hands holding toxins. What it meant she would have to think on for a while.
The future was most uncertain.
Chapter 12
The tides were changing, he could feel the passing of midnight, of darkness reaching its zenith for the year. Today the sun would shine for its shortest duration. It was a perfect time to resurrect the ancient Labyrinth. It had been created as a dark prison to hold him, but Minos had not known the powers he had unleashed in building the Labyrinth. Nor had had he realised than throwing Athenians into the Labyrinth to sate Asterion’s hunger had been a ritualistic sacrifice which had only increased its power.
The original Labyrinth was long gone, destroyed by the passage of time and the collapse of the Minoan empire. What had not been destroyed by flames and the collapse of the palace had faded into ruin as the palace had been buried. But while the physical Labyrinth had ceased to exist, it had lived on in myth and the mortal psyche. It was a place that inspired great fear and had evolved beyond its original boundaries. It was a product within the mind and also in the underground mazes beneath every modern city.
If resurrected, it would grant him great power. Terrifying power that would be dangerous to wield, but great power nevertheless.
A Gluttony Of Faith Page 14