Heat climbed Lily's neck, the bite of her temper rushing through her chest. “Fine, tell me what you think I need to know, and be quick about it. I don't want to hear any more about who beget who, and whose cousin had a million babies.”
The two women stared, neither breaking eye contact. Finally the archivist rolled her eyes and turned back to her presentation. She moved through a few screens and pulled up an artist rendition of the Great War. Lily sucked in her breath at the heartbreaking scene. Blood ran in a river at the bottom of the painting. Humans and Demi in various positions of death littered the ground, while the gods turning their backs were scattered throughout the darkening sky. Something not quite black, but dark enough hovered on the edge of the scene, sinister and waiting, almost happy at the destruction playing out. The artist captured the devastation in a way that brought tears to her eyes.
“Doesn’t it break your heart,” Mistress Yuru whispered. Clearing her throat she carried on. “The Divine were the first humans the gods and goddesses created. They were made from the soil of the earth and given the breath of life. They were beautiful to look at and it wasn't long before the gods that made them started to lust after them. As it always is with lust,” she gave Liliana a pointed look, “the gods were unable to keep their hands to themselves. That’s where the Demi come in. Born from gods and humans. Demi-gods.”
Liliana sat up. This wasn't the same history they were taught. They were told they were made by the gods.
“History tells us the death of the first Divine started the unrest among them. They were made by the gods, but not of them, so they were mortal. It was then they noticed the slow aging of the Demis. Jealousy started the first fights and the war soon after.”
“The war between us was started because the Divine realized they were mortal?” Liliana sat stunned amazed at the disparity between the histories she was taught as a child.
“The fear of death is a powerful motivator, as Prince Leonalph knows. They did everything in their power, and it was remarkable power, to prolong their life. Experimenting with magic darker than anything belonging on earth. In doing so they unleashed the ultimate evil.” Metalie sighed and shook her head. “Soon the earth ran with the blood from both races, gods and goddesses fought on both sides, driving up the body count until Adro herself cried out for an end. The primal source pulled the gods from the war, leaving to two races to fight for themselves. Except, the Divine didn't play fair.”
“Ofeeree.” Lily whispered. Stories of the evil villain were whispered among the children at sleep overs. Used by nannies to keep wayward charges in order.
Metalie cleared her throat. “Yes. He was formed from pure black magic, no soul resides in that being, nothing to tie him to any type of humanity. He turned the tide of the war towards the Divine, and soon the Demi went into hiding. Adro created realms for each race to give them shelter. But Ofeeree was not content to just rule the Earth dimension, he wanted everything, every dimension to belong to him. To stop him from encroaching, the most powerful families of each realm got together, each giving a portion of their power. A binding spell was created from the magic, and after more deaths, more chaos, Ofeeree was finally bound.”
“Why did the Demi not come out of hiding then?” Lily sat forward propping her elbows on her knees.
“You've seen the realms we were given, you've spent time on Adro, would you give this up for that?”
“But the primal source. We need it more than the humans.” Every year families traveled to Adro to access the primal source, to soak up the sun as it were. Though the realms were made for the Demi, their dimensions did not hold the true power of the sun or the cosmic energy Earth held on its surface. Only an echo of that power.
“It was decided that to keep the peace, we would remain where we were. We would keep our magic, and our technological advances to ourselves. Only venturing out once a year to pull in power from the primal source. It was why the Havens were created. To give us a safe place to pass through to Adro and to give the Amanda a way to keep track and accounting of who was where.”
Lily frowned. “Why did it matter? Why keep track of who's going to sunbath for a week?”
Metalie crossed her arms over her chest in a rare showing of temper. “Would you want an Apophi demon roaming Adro unsupervised, randomly taking souls? Or shall we send a pair of un-mated Benu to seduce half the population of any city they enter, leaving the poor women enthralled and near death?”
Lily shuddered, neither sounded like a good idea. But, since she'd snuck onto Adro, she knew there were ways around the Havens. “So since I'm going to be marrying into the Amanda, tell me about them.”
“The Amanda were created by Rugaba. He initially was given responsibility of the Demi, it’s said as punishment from the primal source. During the war, because of the primal source's edict, he had to step back from both us and the humans. He created the Eminzu to govern us, and the Amanda to police. Along with policing the Demi, the Amanda are responsible for protecting the humans from us, and our magic. Your new brother-in-law is current leader of the Amanda and has been in his position for close to three centuries. He took over for his father Ranolph Tegan, who had served for close to a millennium. According to tradition, Prince Leonalph will be asked to step from his position as Death's Messenger and take a less dangerous job.”
Lily's heart dropped, and remorse filled her.
“Regardless, he will be known as Death's messenger for the rest of his life and you will need to act according to that station.”
She rolled her eyes. And they were back to how she was supposed to act. “What else will I need to know? Can we wrap this up?”
“Goddess, but you are a rude female. We cannot just 'wrap this up'. Your lessons will take place every day until the day you’re bonded. So you may as well get used to it.” Metalie started to pack away the gear she'd brought for her presentation, her movements jerky broadcasting her aggravation.
“So I'm not the only one you drive crazy?” Leo's deep voice broke through the tension.
She didn't hear or see him come in. Her heart thudded at the sight of him leaning against the door frame. He wore a black V-neck shirt with a pair of khaki colored linen pants, looking impossibly handsome. Her fingers itched to touch him. The fatigue and boredom she'd felt with the etiquette lessons dissipated and were replaced with anticipation. The smile on his face sent heat through her body.
Metalie bowed her head. “Your majesty.”
A look of surprise darted across his face before he hid it. “That's a first.”
Leo's dry tone brought a barely there smile to the archivist's face.
She grabbed her bag. “If you'll excuse me.” She turned to Liliana. “We will resume tomorrow.” With that threat she left them alone.
Lily stood, wiping her hands along her jean shorts. “Hi.” Shyness left her voice a whisper as she approached him. Despite last night she was unsure of his reception of her.
“Hi,” he said softly. He pulled her the remaining distance into his arms.
He dropped a whisper of a kiss on her lips, sending her heart into a tailspin. She melted at his sweet greeting.
“How did you sleep last night?” A mischievous grin converted his face from the stern handsomeness she’d grown accustomed to, into gorgeous.
She smiled, and looked up from under her lashes, “I slept wonderful for some reason.”
He chuckled, the sound sending a thrill to her lady parts. He trailed kisses along her neck. “We should get out for a bit,” he whispered.
LEO CUDDLED HIS MATE closer. Aggravation from her etiquette lesson seeped through their connection. Getting out would be a perfect way to relax her. He sniffed right where her hair met her neck, inhaling against the warm spot, her smell turning him on like nothing he'd ever experienced.
“Maybe we can visit the market place, I’ve missed our pastries so much since my time on Adro.”
He loved the smile on her face and wondered if he'd ever be able
to tell her no for anything when she smiled at him. The oversize t-shirt she wore slipped off her shoulder and he couldn’t resist a nibble. She tilted her head to the side, tightened her grip on his waist and moaned.
He hardened, pressing his body into hers. “You know what that sound does to me, ina.” He reveled in the feel of her and wondered where they could escape her mother’s prying eyes. Some place they could sequester themselves so he would have her to himself.
Grinding into her a little more, he groaned. He didn’t want a quickie with her. He wanted something slow…drawn out. He wanted space to devour her. “Go get dressed, before we get in trouble.”
Reluctantly he stepped back.
“Let me change into something proper and we can leave.” She kissed his cheek and slipped past him.
He eyed her retreating figure in the short denim that hugged her ass, giving him all types of ideas. The shorts showed off her shapely legs and damn if he didn’t want to chase her down the hallway. He pushed down the predator within him and turned his back. If they didn’t get the di êjê finished soon, he was going to explode.
***
“You're meddling Rue.”
Rugaba stopped his pacing and stared at the intruder. Azra, the god of death sauntered across the courtyard, his steps insolent and leisurely. Rue came to his solarium to think, he had no need for company.
“What are you doing in Alafia?” The god rarely left his realm.
“I came to see what you were up to. There are rumors floating around, I thought I'd come to the source.” Azra folded his arms over his lean chest and eyed his brother. “Something you want to tell me?”
“What could I have to tell you that you don't already know?”
“I'm to understand you're doing favors for an old friend…again.”
Rue grimaced. To say Azra and Oya didn't get along was an understatement. “What has that to do with anything?”
Azra sighed. “Rue you know what happens when we meddle with the creatures on Adro. Not to mention, what happens to you when that viper is involved. Leave it be.”
“They are not creatures, brother. Besides, they’re our creation. You would allow them to die knowing we could help?” He cringed as he recognized the words Oya used with him when she defended her tribe.
“They are ours no longer, let the primal source deal with whatever it is.”
“So you imagine when Ofeeree destroys the earth, he'll not be looking for another place to take?”
Azra scoffed. “Please, he and what army?”
“Oya's tribe is the only thing standing between Ofeeree's followers and the army of souls he's going to try and take back. So scoff at my favor all you want.”
Azra frowned and uncrossed his arms. “They’re locked away, bound tighter than Ofeeree himself. Or don’t you trust the magic your Oya so preciously covets?”
Rugaba ignored his brother’s barb. “It's part of the prophecy. Ofeeree will search for a way to rebuild his army, most of whom were sent into the deepest reaches of this realm. Guarded by the very same woman you openly mock. Do you not think he’ll come after those souls?”
“What prophecy?”
“The Mina…”
“The Mina have a prophecy every be-damned day. Why is this prophecy any different?” Azra cut him off.
“This prophecy concerns the Kokoro souls.”
“The same souls Oya keeps guard over?”
Rugaba nodded. “She released them.
Azra frowned. “When?”
“I track time no better than you do. It doesn’t matter, what matters is they’ve been released and we both know they’re the only ones who can free Ofeere.”
“Which begs the question, why did she release them?”
“I didn’t ask.” Rue lowered his head.
“Is that right?” The scorn in Azra’s voice was easy to discern. “So she just decided one day to release three of the most powerful souls in the universe, and you didn’t ask any questions.”
Rugaba shrugged. “The prophecy…”
“You know how I feel about prophecy, Rue. By the time you’re done chasing your tail, and playing with riddles, Adro will still be fucked.”
“Even still, we can't ignore it. The Ajo are trying to get into Oya's temple, presumably to get access to Ofeere’s banished army. The only souls able to free him are out in the world and there is magic darkening Earth. When is the last time you've tried to see beyond the veil?”
“I haven't. Your messenger brings my worshippers to me. I need not look to Adro for them.”
Rugaba stopped pacing and stared at his brother. Unless invoked for vengeance, his brother was lazy, and did the least amount of work he could get away with. “Really, Az? By the gods how do you manage to keep Azrael in line?”
Azra gave him a wolfish smile. “Oh but, brother, I make the most spectacular examples out of Demis who don't cooperate. Eternity with me can be hell, or hellish, their choice.” His smile disappeared. “Speaking of hellish, there is another reason I came to see you. Your messenger has been mated.”
“What!”
“Yep, and I'm here to tell you, I'm not breaking in another messenger. Talk to your council, they can't bench him.”
“Az, he can't take trips to Azrael with a mate. The Eminzu will throw a fit, if he dies in your realm…”
“I'll strengthen my wards over him, but nothing has happened to him in two centuries.”
Rugaba growled."Azra,"
“No, Rue. Three messengers died before the ink was dry on their assignments, two more died simply trying to cross the veil into Azrael. I'm not going through that shit again. Talk to your whiny ancestors.”
“Fine, I'll see what I can do.” There was no use arguing with Azra. His brother saluted him and disappeared, ending any argument he would have anyway.
Rue growled and continued his pacing. Unlike his brother's nonchalance regarding Adro's fate, Rugaba couldn't stand back and allow a war he knew would end the world to take place. Most of the gods' power came from their worshipers. If they were gone…
They would be weakened. Who knew what would happen then.
Chapter 11
THE RINGING OF HIS communicator interrupted the naughty thoughts racing through Leo’s head. He saw his brother’s I.D. and connected the line immediately.
“We looked through the Oras for the last time Kita visited Haven.” Xavier wasted no time on pleasantries.
His heartbeat picked up its rhythm. “What did you find?”
“It’s more what we didn’t find that has me worried for you. Magic corrupted the Oras.”
“How is that possible?”
“Exactly my question.” Xavier growled. “One for which I will enjoy getting the answer. We have her last movements coming into Haven during a fight night, she wanders around a bit, does some quite frankly questionable things and then the feed dies.”
Leo’s gut churned, a bad feeling drying his mouth. “It takes an inordinate amount of dark magic to slightly interrupt the feed, I can’t imagine what it would take to erase it all together. That’s magic over Adro itself.”
He mentally went through creatures who would have powers over the Earth, and only one came to mind. Except, the Gu were the last to mess with dark magic. They used their magic to form weapons, armor. The iron giants mined the Earth for its precious metals and minerals, they would never manipulate the magnetic fields in order to tamper with the Oras. Doing so could affect their metallurgy. But who if not them.
“Listen to me Leo.” Xavier’s voice broke into his musings.
“I’m listening.”
“Kita came in with Prince Kedric, and the last images were of her with the prince. If ever there was a person with the influence and perhaps the money to get the Oras erased…”
Leo cursed. Instincts that kept him alive in his post as Death’s messenger flared to life. Fear for Liliana bloomed in his chest.
“On another note, Fallon spoke to Rue, he’s giving you an
audience after your ceremony.”
A sharp exhale was the only answer he could give his brother. Gods, he needed his meeting with Rugaba to go well. “Thank you, X.”
“I know how important your job is to you, Leo.”
“I gotta go.” Leo snapped closed his communicator cutting off his brother, and the emotion threatening to swamp him. Just the thought of losing his job was carving a deep hole in his soul. He had no memories of wanting to be anything other than in the Amanda. His whole life he’d watched the soldiers, his life’s goal to join their ranks. There had to be a way to keep both his job and his mate, and he would find it.
Liliana walked carefully down the stairs. He turned his attention to her. Dressed in a long flowing gown tied around her exposed neck, she was beautiful. The soft peach color made her brown skin glow, and the sleek, loosely draped fabric clung to her curves. Her hair was piled high atop her head, leaving her neck and shoulders bare. His body tightened, heat pooled low in his belly at the sight of her. How the in hells of Azreal did he get so lucky? She smiled as she made her way over to his.
“Will you be able to walk around in those?” He took in her dainty feet in the gold sandals she wore.
She curtsied and laughed. “Of course. Ladies the world over are trained to walk around in uncomfortable shoes. All for the sake of looking pretty.”
He shook his head and smiled, grabbing her elbow. “I’ll never understand females.” He escorted her out to the family’s lift pad.
Liliana typed in a code and they stood waiting on a travel pod. “You’re not meant to.” She lifted on her toes and kissed his cheek as their ride pulled up.
They entered the travel airlift laughing. It wasn’t long before they were zipping through skies of Legba. Liliana spent the trip pointing out her favorite places as they backtracked towards the city. The multi-colored stone towers of the temple she and her family attended. The white washed building with arched windows where she’d spent hours reading. The whole realm was a show of colors as they got closer to the city center. Bright colored brick buildings seemingly floating in the air. Stained glass windows from floor to ceiling in some, flags of other realms waved from atop many of the roofs. They passed through the business districts where dark colored windows separated the bank buildings from the other commerce buildings.
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