Beautiful Salvation

by Jennifer Blackstream

  “Thank you for giving me my life back.” Tenoch bowed deeply to Aiyana.

  “I am so very grateful I could,” Aiyana said sincerely. “But it wasn’t truly me, it was the land. That magic came from me, but I didn’t know what to do with it. I simply poured it into the earth.”

  “Then perhaps you are already wiser than your predecessor. Perhaps the land knows what is best for it.” Tenoch faced Saamal, his face calm and expressionless, empty of the previous ire that had always accompanied his interaction with the god. “You are not the deity you were when I lived my first life. Whether you choose to follow this new path or return to your old one will determine who you are now.” He contemplated Saamal for a moment, brown eyes serious, reflective. “Your wife has a good heart. The land responds to her in powerful, compassionate ways. She will be a good influence on you, I think, if you will let her.” He crossed his arms. “What will you do now, Black God?”

  Saamal didn’t have to ask to know he was referring to the human sacrifices. Strangely enough, part of him wanted to lie, to offer Tenoch assurances that what happened to him would never happen again, that no other man would ever go through the ritual that had taken his life. But no matter how he had changed, how he wanted to change, he couldn’t allow the past to repeat itself. Cipactli could not be ignored. “Tenoch—”

  “There will be a different kind of sacrifice,” Aiyana interrupted. “A greater, but less deadly one.”

  Unease rolled through Saamal’s stomach as he faced his bride. “Aiyana, you saw what happened to the land after the sacrifices were halted.”

  “Yes, and I’ve also been one with the earth, felt Cipactli’s mind against my own. You were right, it’s not merely the flesh, it’s the sacrifice, the gratitude. Cipactli wants to be remembered, wants to be honored as she deserves to be.” Aiyana looked out over the land, paying particular attention to the people streaming out of the castle.

  “From now on, there will be a festival in Cipactli’s honor. Everyone in the kingdom, man, woman, and child will offer a drop of blood in remembrance of Cipactli’s sacrifice.”

  Saamal shifted on his feet, faint creases around his eyes betraying his doubt. “And you think that will be enough?”

  “It is a lot of blood, and it’s even more honor. It should not be up to one subject to sacrifice for the greater good, one person to give up everything. All who benefit from the bounty Cipactli provides should take the time to honor her, to thank her. A drop of blood is very little to ask for, but it will be a strong reminder of the one who made all of this possible. And perhaps, this sacrifice will shift our people’s view of Cipactli as well. Perhaps there will be less fear with their honor.” Aiyana put her hand on his chest, a gentle, loving gesture. “As with you, perhaps they will find that their benefactors are not the unapproachable, terrifying gods they once were.”

  “You make it sound like a lovely idea,” Saamal admitted. He brushed a lock of hair back behind Aiyana’s ear. “I trust your judgment. Let it be so.”

  “If I may, I would be honored to oversee such a festival,” Tenoch offered, squaring his shoulders. He met Saamal’s eyes. “I will make certain that no…misunderstandings, mar the festivities.”

  Despite the seriousness of his words, there was no malice, no accusation. It was an honest, sincere offer, and Saamal accepted it in the same spirit. Saamal bowed his head. “We would be most grateful for your diligence. If you’ll wait for a moment, we have people to greet and arrangements to make for a proper, formal wedding. Then I would be honored to see you to a place in the palace.”

  “Thank you. I think I would like to spend some time in your forest, to reacquaint myself with the physical plane as a flesh and blood man again. I will come to the palace at sundown.”

  “I will be waiting for you,” Saamal agreed.

  Tenoch proceeded in the direction of the forest, his gait calm and leisurely, as if today were any other day. After a few feet, he paused and glanced over his shoulder. Saamal met his eyes calmly, standing tall and proud beside his wife. The time for guilt was over, today was a new beginning. Some of the tension in Tenoch’s shoulders eased. Without another word, he continued on his way to the forest.

  Saamal pulled Aiyana into his arms and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth.

  “I love you, my Briar Rose,” he said softly.

  “Thorns and all?” she teased.

  Saamal held her a little tighter, wishing the rest of the castle was still sleeping, if only for another year or so. “Especially the thorns.”

  Epilogue

  “So you didn’t know this was going to happen?”

  Eurydice gaped at Tenoch, eyes wide and lips parted. The ghost was a ghost no longer. He stood in front of her tree, a living, breathing young man, with all the vibrancy of youth and all the warmth of the living. She had to try twice before she could speak.

  “No, Tenoch. I had no idea.” She crossed her arms to avoid the urge to reach out and touch him, to see if he was truly as real as he appeared. “I knew that Saamal’s union would be powerful—he’s a god. But I had no idea…”

  “It was his wife,” Tenoch mused. “Aiyana has become the new Spring Maiden. I believe they are calling her ‘Briar Rose.’” He contemplated Eurydice for a long moment. “I thought you could see the future?”

  “No. I have no prophetic powers. However, as part of the World Tree, I can see many, many places. I am privy to enough information that I’m able to plan for the future better than most.”

  “So you are striving to meet your goal through manipulation, not prophecy.”

  Eurydice stiffened a little at his word choice, but Tenoch’s face betrayed no sign of judgment or condemnation. She relaxed a bit, smoothing her hands down her trunk. “It has been a long waiting game.” She glanced around, noticing that the darkness was growing, the sun well and truly set. Her boughs swayed with excitement. “It’s nearly time.” Her voice came out hoarse, stretched thin with her growing anticipation.

  “Well then I’d better leave. I do not want to interrupt what has obviously been a long time coming.”

  “Thank you for your help,” Eurydice said sincerely.

  Tenoch bowed. “Thank you.”

  The young man disappeared into the forest and Eurydice wrung her hands in excitement, her heart beating hard enough she could scarcely hear anything over the thundering of her pulse. It was done. It was time. Everything was in place. She was so nervous she put a hand to her stomach, willing herself not to be sick.

  “I wish there were a way for me to thank you properly.”

  Eurydice squeaked and jerked her head to the side to see Saamal leaving the cover of the forest to approach her in the clearing. The difference in the god was palpable. He stood taller, his gait was more confident, purposeful. His eyes shone like the moonlight off obsidian and the air around him seethed with wild energy. He stopped beside her and tears burned in Eurydice’s eyes even as she offered him a smile. “I’m so happy I could help.”

  “You did more than help me unite with my bride. My land is green for the first time in nearly a century, Cipactli is more content than she’s ever been, and the human sacrifices that were necessary at one time are now a thing of the past. In more ways than one, you saved my entire kingdom.”

  “And the Kingdom of Nysa as well.”

  Eurydice and Saamal both turned at the sound of Adonis’ voice. The demon appeared as he usually did, thick upper body, hazel eyes, a mop of permanently windblown brown hair. But the energy roiling off of him was much stronger. Even from a distance, Eurydice could feel the power, like the strongest rays of the sun on a cool day. He gave Eurydice a cheeky wink and she blushed as she realized he’d caught her ogling.

  “Is it true then, Adonis?” Eurydice asked. “Did Briar Rose really bring the prince of Nysa back from the dead?”

  “Yes. I’m pleased to say he’s once again home with his mum and dad, and I am free to take whatever form I choose without expending the energy to animate s
omeone else’s body.” He paused. “While we’re on the subject of your delightful bride, I have a message from our vampire friend, vis a vis, your wife’s recent…show of power.”

  Saamal raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

  “Yes. Kirill wanted me to inform you that he isn’t coming into the clearing until you swear on your bride’s soul that you won’t bring him back to life. He wants to stay a vampire.” Adonis’ mouth twitched. “Also, he’s rather irate that Aiyana flooded the earth with that sort of regenerative magic without warning him. He considers it an egregious oversight on your part that you didn’t warn him.”

  Saamal chuckled. “I won’t bring him back from the dead. Even if I wanted to—even if Aiyana wanted to—I’m afraid that sort of power is rare. I believe it was only Aiyana coming into her godhood that made such resurrections possible.”

  Adonis rubbed the back of his head. “Would you mind swearing on Aiyana’s soul that you will not directly or indirectly cure Kirill’s vampirism?”

  “He wants my oath?”

  Adonis gave up the battle and a grin split his face. “He’s in a tree right now. He won’t even touch the ground near you until you swear.”

  Eurydice hid her mouth with her hand, smothering her amusement.

  Saamal rolled his eyes, but gamely repeated the oath. Adonis inclined his head in thanks and retreated back into the forest, returning a few minutes later with a wary vampire. For the first time since he’d started showing up at the World Tree, Kirill’s face was not the blank, unreadable mask Eurydice was so used to. Though his eyes remained crystal blue, there were a few glittering cinnamon flecks in their depths that betrayed his ire. Eurydice tensed but tried to remind herself that of all the princes, Kirill was the least likely to abandon their project based on hurt feelings.

  “In the future,” Kirill said stiffly. “I would appreciate a warning if Aiyana intends to flood the land with the energy of creation. Not all of us wish to be…invigorated.”

  “If I’d had any idea that was possible, I would have warned you,” Saamal assured him. “But as I told Adonis, it is unlikely that amount of power will ever be repeated.”

  “Unlikely is not as reassuring as you seem to think.” Kirill paused, tilting his head in consideration. “Though, if it does happen again, I would appreciate advance notice. It would be quite agreeable for my father to be the recipient of such energy.”

  Kirill’s lip quirked up at the corner, his eyes glazing over as if thinking of his father losing his immortality. Eurydice drummed her fingers along her trunk. Ever the planner, that boy.

  A shadow glided over the clearing as Patricio circled above. The angel started his descent, and as he grew closer, Eurydice couldn’t help but notice the prince of Meropis appeared…bigger.

  “As if you didn’t tower over us enough as you were,” Adonis muttered.

  Patricio landed next to the demon and furrowed his brows, his head tilting to the side. “What?”

  Adonis gestured at the angel’s increased height and the extra bulk in his upper body. Though the angel had always been large, he’d surpassed his seven foot height and was at least a few inches broader. The robe he wore didn’t move as freely as it once had, now clinging to the angel’s form like a second skin around his chest.

  “You seem taller.”

  Patricio blinked as if startled by Adonis’ observation. He peered down at himself as though he hadn’t noticed the change, then tilted his head. “Hmm. I suppose I am.” He grinned, a faraway haze coming over his cobalt eyes. “I’d never slain an evil immortal before. I’ve never fed so deeply in my life.”

  “Do you remember how you got home?” Adonis asked, an exaggerated innocent tone to his voice.

  Eurydice pursed her lips. “Adonis,” she chastised him.

  Patricio glanced from Adonis to Eurydice and back. “No. But I did have an odd dream about a dragon.”

  “That was no dream.” Adonis stepped back and let his form shimmer and shift. A much smaller version of the dragon he had become yesterday rose from his body, enveloping his human form until only the draconic being stood there blinking at Patricio, its head even with the angel’s.

  “The dragon dream was real?” Patricio narrowed his eyes. “You?”

  Adonis beamed. “You’re welcome.”

  “Yes, you’re welcome.” Etienne’s gruff voice drew everyone’s attention back to the woods where the werewolf was ambling out, still fastening his trousers. He eyed Patricio, the sparkle in his brown eyes belying the disapproving slant of his mouth. “You almost fell off twice. Those wings are a nuisance in small quarters.”

  Patricio blinked. “Nuisance?”

  “He was the one in charge of holding you on my back,” Adonis supplied helpfully. “You were too busy giggling to hold on and you were so drunk we were afraid you’d fall off.”

  “Damn near did,” Etienne muttered. “If Marcela hadn’t—”

  “You’re all here.”

  The words exploded from her, completely bypassing her brain, a pure expression of the anticipation that had built over centuries. Eurydice’s cheeks burned with a ferocious blush as all five princes faced her, startled expressions on their faces. Her body was trembling and she couldn’t help it, didn’t have the focus to concentrate, not at the moment everything she’d been working for was about to happen. They all stared at her like she’d gone mad, and all she could do was wring her hands, trying to hold herself together a little longer.

  “You’re all here,” she repeated, her voice barely audible.

  One by one, understanding dawned on each of their faces. A sudden weight fell over the clearing, the eerie calm preceding a suspenseful revelation. All traces of amusement vanished. Saamal was the first to step forward, drawing his dagger from its sheath at his side as he did so. He drew it over his palm and pressed it to the tree. Power lashed through the clearing, a sharp sizzling crack of energy followed by a thunderous boom that shook the skies.

  Kirill produced a thin silver blade from the depths of his cloak and glided up to the tree. A flash of silver later, dark scarlet blood welled from his hand, leaving a slick trail over the rough bark as the vampire slid his hand over the tree. The crisp scent of winter’s deepest frost bit the air, raising gooseflesh on the princes with bared skin.

  Etienne’s skin twitched and when he exhaled, there was a thick cloud of vapor. He glanced at Kirill, but the vampire lifted a shoulder, a silent acknowledgment that he’d done nothing intentionally. The werewolf shivered as if ridding himself of the chill and stalked over to the tree, biting his own hand and smearing his hot blood on the bark. A howl rolled through the clearing, not a sound, but a vibration in the air. Etienne lifted his face to the sky and closed his eyes, bathing in the sound. Kirill tilted his head, listening, and the others shared considering looks.

  Patricio drew his sword over his palm, paused, and offered the blade to Adonis. Eurydice’s heart fluttered with joy as the demon accepted the offer, drawing his own hand over the blade. Together they put their palm to the bark. A blaze of fiery heat followed by a gust of wind so strong it blew Patricio’s wings back from his body, sending them into the air like a ship’s sails on the horizon.

  The wind continued to tear through the clearing, followed by the singe of unholy heat and then the bitter sting of frost. All the while the vibration continued to reverberate around them, making Eurydice’s branches tremble and the very bark around her body quiver. Thunder rumbled overhead and bright flashes of lightening broke up the night sky. Eurydice’s breath caught in her throat and she lifted her face to the heavens.

  Please, she thought, closing her eyes. Please.

  For several seconds, she held her dream in her mind’s eye, thought of everything she’d done to get to this point, all the promises that had been made to her. She’d done all she could, everything she’d been told. She opened her eyes.

  A massive fog rolled toward the clearing, oozing through the forest and swallowing everything in its path until th
ere was nothing as far as the eye could see except billowing gray clouds. The mist stopped short of the princes and Eurydice, leaving the clearing untouched. Kirill shifted uncomfortably, eyes shimmering with cinnamon sparks as he took in his new surroundings with budding distrust.

  A loud crack shattered the silence, not the boom of thunder, but something more earthy, wooden. Eurydice’s lips parted, her head falling back as the energy building inside her trunk, seeping into her from the blood coating her tree, rushed through her body and into her branches. Another sharp crack sounded and Adonis shouted. One by one, the princes’ hands vanished from her trunk, leaving the bark of the tree to splinter around Eurydice’s body. Sensation flowed down her form, air brushing against new skin through the cracks in the shell around her. Groping around, Eurydice grasped the branches closest to her and held on as the trunk of the tree split open.