by Amy Sumida
“Except all we've come up with so far is sending her off with Banning,” Declan said.
“And Banning had his own agenda.” I narrowed my eyes at Banning.
“I said exactly what she needed to hear.” Banning held up his hands to ward off my anger. “Faenestra was feeling alone; she needed someone on her side.”
“We knew what he was doing,” Torin said. “Banning would never choose her over you.”
“You said that you were adaptable.” I considered Ban. “It sounded genuine, and your actions were... eager.”
“It was meant to seem genuine, Ellie,” Banning whispered. “I was trying to reach her softer nature. But, as it turns out, you are her softer nature.”
“If I'm the softer part of Faenestra, we can't ever let her free,” I huffed.
The men agreed; even Darcraxis.
“You're really okay with this?” I asked Darc.
“As I told her; you are two halves of the same woman,” he said. “You just happen to hold all the pieces that I love best.”
I smiled softly. “I love you too.”
“What about the way her body is becoming a goddess?” Declan asked. “Will that give Faenestra more power?”
“It may,” Darc murmured. “But it will also eliminate the possibility of Elaria dying when we use the soul-severing dagger on her. A goddess body will be able to recover from nearly any injury.”
“You do have the dagger,” I whispered.
“I do,” Darc confirmed.
“Why haven't you used it on her already?” Gage growled.
“As I said; using that dagger now means jeopardizing Elaria's body,” Darc explained. “She would be reincarnated if she died, but we'd have to find her and then wait for her to mature. It would be many years before we saw her again. Nothing compared to what I've endured for her, but I'd rather not go without my wife again.”
“None of us want to lose her,” Torin said as he cast a heavy look my way. “So, it's decided; we wait until the magic has changed her body completely and removes the risk from the soul-severing.”
“That scares me a bit,” I admitted.
“Your body will change but you will not,” Darc assured me. “Your soul won't be affected.”
“How long do you think we have before she's completely changed?” Declan asked.
“I have no idea.” Darcraxis shrugged. “There's no precedent for this.”
“Where would Faenestra go?” I asked. “When we cut her away from me; what happens to her?”
“I'll have to create another orb,” Darc said. “The Fey siphoned some of my magic from me to make the first one.”
“They took your magic and used it to imprison your wife?” Banning asked. “That's cold.”
“The only thing that can imprison the Light is the Dark,” Darcraxis said. “And vice-versa.”
“Maybe you should make one of those orbs now so we have it ready,” I suggested. “We don't know when the opportunity to sever my soul will present itself, and we can't afford to wait a second longer than we have to.”
“You're right,” Darc agreed. “But it doesn't take long for me to form one. It's my magic after all.”
Darcraxis held out his hands and a black orb appeared in his palms; identical to the original.
“Okay then.” I chuckled. “Orb; check.”
“Now, we wait.” Darc narrowed his stare at my body as if he could see my cells changing.
“And we hope that I can keep Faenestra under my control for long enough to cut her away from me,” I added.
Chapter Forty-Eight
“Where did you find the soul-severing dagger?” Torin asked Darc later that evening.
“Yeah; we looked everywhere.” Banning grimaced. “We even went to Ireland.”
“And that's where it was.” Darc chuckled and shook his head. “Elaria, I told you that I would retrieve the dagger. Why would you bother looking for it?”
“It's kind of important.” I rolled my eyes at him. “We didn't want to leave anything to chance.”
“You should have trusted me,” Darcraxis said softly. “I'm a god; when I tell you that I can do something, I can.”
“Fair enough,” I huffed. “Well, at least we freed the dragon.”
“You freed the dragon?” Darc asked in surprise. “Why?”
“He wanted to be with his family,” I said as if it were obvious.
“Then I'm glad you were able to help him,” Darc said and then stared at me oddly.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Faenestra would never have bothered to help an animal, not when she was busy trying to help herself,” Darc said. “It wouldn't have even occurred to her to ask after its comfort. It didn't occur to me.”
“You're not curious of how she was able to converse with the dragon in the first place?” Declan asked him.
“Not at all; we know the languages of all creatures,” Darcraxis said.
“All creatures?” Torin asked.
“From bird to barracuda.” Darcraxis smirked. “And human to harpy.”
“You can speak to fish?” Banning asked in surprise.
“It's not a spoken language, but we can communicate with them,” Darc said with a nod.
“That must come in handy,” Gage noted. “There's been several times when I've wished that I could speak to the monsters of Torr-Chathair.”
“That's right; your people look after the more deadly animals,” Darc murmured. “Admirable.”
“It's a privilege,” Gage said. “Torr-Chathair is a wondrous place to live, filled with amazing creatures.”
“We considered creating more exotic predators for Ildathach, but we wanted it to be a haven of peace.” Darc looked from me to the window. “Especially for Faenestra; it's her nature to bluster and burn so it's best to keep her environment calm.”
“While your nature is to be steady and go with the flow,” I countered.
“Quite.” Darc nodded. “We balance each other.”
“You calm her while she excites you,” I said and then looked at Banning. “That sounds familiar.”
“I guess you and Darc are more alike now that Faenestra has been silenced,” Banning said softly.
“Elaria is definitely calmer than Faene,” Darc said. “But as far as us being alike; I don't think so. Elaria has experienced things that I thought I'd never be able to comprehend, but she's helped me to understand them. I value our differences; they make me stronger.”
“She's done that for all of us,” Declan said softly.
“All I do is love you guys, and that's easy.” I shrugged.
“It's easy for you to love me; yes,” Declan slipped into his arrogant king persona. “But with the others, it must be a nightmare.”
We all laughed and the weight of our situation lifted a bit. That's what we did for each other; we lessened the load. If you can find one person to do that for you, it's a damn miracle. But somehow, I had found five. Five! It must have had something to do with my soul. Kyanite had sensed that I was special; perhaps the others had been drawn to me because they could too. I looked around at the men and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
It's good to be a goddess.
Chapter Forty-Nine
I took the day to decompress with my men and then slept alone. It was the first time I'd had a bed to myself for awhile, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I was simply too tired for bedsport, and I didn't want to go through the awkwardness of picking one of the men to sleep with. I was much happier to put off that whole discussion and sleep by myself.
In the morning, I found the men eating together in the dining room. I smiled at the comfortable scene as I walked in. It was nice to see them bonding; not just putting up with Darc but actually enjoying his company. And, for his part, Darc fit in with my witty, honorable, and caring consorts.
“Here she is,” Declan declared as I took a seat beside him. “How did you sleep, sweetheart?”
“Good.”
I nodded as I searched for the coffee pot.
“Pass this to her,” Torin said after he poured me a cup of coffee. “We've been discussing things, little bird.”
“Which things?” I asked before I took a sip.
“Fairy things,” Banning said. He saw the looks the fairies were giving him and amended, “Shining One things.”
“The unrest,” I concluded.
“Yes,” Darcraxis confirmed. “They believe that we should abandon the temple and leave it as a place of voluntary worship. If our children wish to visit, they may, but they won't be required to bring tribute.”
“I think that's a good idea,” I said hesitantly. “But how do you feel about it, Darc?”
“I don't need a tribute.” Darc grimaced. “I can make whatever I wish. The tributes were Faenestra's idea. She said that the offering itself wasn't important, it was the fact that a sacrifice was made. It showed loyalty.”
“Loyalty can be shown in many ways; most of them far more honest than a tribute,” I said. “I'd rather win someone's loyalty than force it from them.”
Torin chuckled and cast a side look at Darc.
“What?” I asked.
“That's precisely what Torin said you'd say,” Darc admitted with a grin. “Well, not precisely, but close enough.”
“I told him that you wouldn't give a fuck about tributes; you'd see them more as a badge of slavery than loyalty,” Torin said.
“Humph,” I snorted. “I like your way of putting it better.”
“Should we head over to Tír na nÓg and make an announcement today?” Gage asked.
“Let me finish breakfast and then we can go,” I said. “We should get it handled as soon as possible.”
“Before we leave, I'd like to examine you,” Darc said to me.
“Excuse me?” I asked with a piece of toast halfway to my mouth.
“To see how close you are to completing the change,” Darc explained. “I can feel from here that you're still partially mortal.”
“Okay. Although, it's strange to hear someone refer to me as mortal,” I muttered.
“We've all had to get used to that,” Torin muttered. “Immortality has been redefined.”
I thought about it and then asked, “What will happen to me when you cut Faenestra away? Won't that make me mortal again?”
“It will, but it won't be immediate,” Darc said. “Just as it's taken time to change your cells to immortal, it will take time to make them mortal again. You will have enough of a window to heal the wound.”
“What kind of wound are we talking about?” Banning asked.
“An otherwise fatal one,” Darcraxis said cryptically. “I will have to stab Elaria in the heart with the dagger.”
The other men sucked in startled breaths, but I just nodded. I was remembering the first time it had been done to me. The Shining Ones had stabbed me and used the blade to suck up the magical part of me. Then they transferred it to an orb made from Darc's magic. After my magic was locked away, they had worked another spell to remove what was left of my soul from my body and send it into a mortal fetus. Without a soul inhabiting it, my old form couldn't live; it had simply faded away.
“I think you should start carrying the dagger and the orb around,” I said softly. “Just in case.”
“Just in case of what?” Gage growled.
“In case I'm not able to hold Faenestra back, and she takes control again,” I said firmly. “We can't let that happen.”
“I can handle Faene,” Darc said. “I'll keep her from hurting anyone until your body is strong enough to survive the severing.”
“Darc, I think we both know who the dominant one is in your relationship,” I said gently. “You can't control her.”
“Elaria”—Darc chuckled and shook his head—“don't confuse love with weakness. I've let Faene have her way out of affection for her, but just because I love, it doesn't mean that I can't fight. In fact, I believe it means that I have more to fight for.”
Darcraxis gave me a meaningful look.
“All right.” I held up a hand in surrender. “But promise me that if Faenestra does take back my body, and you aren't able to control her, you will sever us even if my body isn't immortal.”
“I won't make that promise,” he said simply.
“Darc!” I growled as the other men laughed.
“I'm sorry, Elaria,” Darcraxis said. “I'm a god; we tend to be selfish. I love you, and I will do anything to ensure that I get to keep you.”
“You would get me back in a few years,” I reasoned.
“More like twenty,” Darc said. “Every life affects you, Ellie. You could be changed by the time we get you back. And I want you as you are.”
I smiled at his use of my nickname and at the romance in his words. But... “Your sentimentality could destroy thousands of lives.”
“If it comes to that, I will stop you,” he promised.
“I guess that's going to have to be good enough,” I muttered.
Chapter Fifty
“What the hell?” I growled as I looked around the demolished room.
We had all just arrived at the temple; in Darc and my bedroom to be exact. The place was a shambles; bed linens torn, furniture broken, and things generally tossed about.
“They've attacked the temple while we were gone,” Declan concluded grimly.
Darcraxis looked around the room with narrowed eyes and as he turned, things repaired and righted themselves. It was very Mary Poppins and it would have been nice to be able to enjoy it, but it wasn't the furniture that I was worried about.
“Sara!” I shouted and ran out the door.
The men followed me through a mess that looked as if some particularly violent burglars were after the world's largest diamond. Not only was there debris everywhere, nothing had been left intact; even the walls looked as if someone had taken a sledgehammer to them. So, there went the diamond analogy; they obviously weren't concerned with treasure.
“They hurt the jewels,” Torin snarled as he ran a hand sadly over a cracked panel of onyx. “I don't care how angry you are; you never take it out on the gems.”
Well said, Kyanite muttered in my head. Then he added, She's alive, my love, but she's been hurt.
“No,” I whispered as I put on speed. “Where is she?”
Her bedroom.
I was already headed to Sara's bedroom, and I would have been there in moments if I hadn't been stopped by some of the temple servants.
“Faenestra!” One of them declared. “Darcraxis! We were attacked by an army.”
“It's just Elaria now,” I said gently. “I want you to tell me all about it, but I need to see Sara first.”
I tried to push past him, but he grabbed my arm.
“Queen Elaria, you need to prepare yourself,” he whispered. “They...”
“They what?” I growled.
“Sara was sexually assaulted.” He withdrew his hand and shook his head as if he couldn't believe what he was saying. “The other women were left alone, but Sara was... a group of them... I don't understand why they targeted her. She fought—you know how she is—and it made it worse.” His eyes teared up as he whispered, “I can still hear her screams.”
My whole body started to shake; going hot and cold.
“Ellie, hold it together,” Declan said gently as he laid his hand on my arm.
I shrugged him off and ran into Sara's bedroom. A couple women were with her; fussing about her silently with sorrowful eyes. When I burst in, they all flinched—especially Sara—and they turned toward me with frightened expressions before they realized who I was and that they were safe. Then they bowed their heads and drew away from the bed.
Sara was a pale woman with platinum blonde hair and a creamy complexion. So, the numerous bruises and scabs showed up all the darker on her. She looked so frail beneath the puffy comforter; her arms lying listlessly like broken branches over the top. Her hair had been brushed until it gleamed and was draped
around her slim shoulders, but it only emphasized how unhealthy the rest of her appeared. I gave a startled gasp as I hurried over to Sara's side, and she focused her eyes—one nearly swollen shut—on me tiredly.
“I'm sorry, Your Divineness,” she whispered. “I can't get up right now; you're going to have to do your own hair.”
“Sara, it's me,” I said on a sob as I grabbed her hand. “I put that bitch in her place.”
“Thank the stones,” Sara whispered; her lips cracking and starting to bleed. “She was a cold one. Ironic; considering her magic.”
“I can heal her,” Darc said gently as he came up beside me. “Just move back, Ellie.”
I looked up at him and nodded.
“My body at least,” Sara whispered and shuddered. “The rest I have to heal on my own.”
“Sara, I'm so sorry that we weren't here to protect you,” Darc said as he laid a hand on her cheek.
Sara flinched at his touch and then held herself rigidly. She closed her eyes and a tear slipped down and melted into Darc's hand. It was that one tear that undid me. As Darcraxis worked his magic on Sara's body and healed all of her physical injuries, I stood back and cried. My consorts tried to comfort me, but I shrugged them off; I didn't want to be touched either. But I, unlike Sara, was able to refuse. My hands clenched as I imagined what they did to her; how hard they had hit to cause bruises like that on a rapidly-healing shining one. Rape was terrible enough, but to beat on a woman while you... I let out a shaky breath as my throat constricted and my teeth clenched had enough to make my jaw creak.
Sara was quickly changing from black and blue to peaches and cream again, but instead of calming me, it broke me. My control shattered and my agony turned to fiery fury. The tears turned to steam on my cheeks as I let out an enraged roar.
Everyone in the room went still.
“Who did this to you, Sara?” I growled.