by Jana LaPelle
“Shhh. LJ, we need to listen.” I gently kiss her temple as Luc continues.
“I will allow one to leave this realm and alert Alaric and Ashlinn as to the goings-on here but no more. Send the sprite. All else will have to stay. I have no choice in this matter now! Only I will be able to come and go from the realm.”
“Luc …”
“I’m sorry Seraphina, it cannot be helped. If Daxell has rescued Lillie then the two will have to work together … here in The Underworld to discover what is amiss and what was brought into this realm unawares. The welfare of The Underworld is my primary priority. I will say this, I’m very wary of Mammon’s consort, Nyx. She is not what she appears to be, I believe that she is the one that has been portaling in and out of The Underworld, but that is just my suspicion at this point. Her power rivals a demigods and more. She is … unnatural. She needs to be investigated, but she has been denied access to this realm, for now. Mammon is most unhappy. He is now trapped here, leaving his consort to her own devices in The Mortal Realm.”
“How is it that Luc knows that the whip is here?” LJ whispers in my ear, she has all but melted into my arms.
“Daxell and Lillie will need to find the whip and bring it to me. If they can do that then all charges against her will be dropped. She will be considered as cooperating with the powers that be.” He states, almost as if he heard her question.
Poppy speaks up for the first time since Luc’s declaration that she should go back to Faerie, “I will not leave her here, Lucifer. She needs me. I’ve already proven myself useful here in this dreadful place.”
“My dear sprite, who do you suggest we send in your stead?” Luc bristles at her obvious disregard of his instructions.
“Cara. You will hand-deliver her to Ashlinn and Alaric and explain the situation. You owe them that much.” The little sprite has dragon-sized balls. I can only imagine the look on his face. Luc is quiet as she continues and I hear LJ giggle softly against my chest, the sound is quietly muffled, “Do you understand where I’m coming from? You and I both know that LJ is not responsible for the problems in this godforsaken realm. She is here by default and if my intuition is correct, this Nyx is the responsible party. We will find Morríganna’s whip and we will bring it to you, and you will allow us to leave this realm. Or at least come and go as we see fit. Lillie Joanna is not the problem here and you know it.”
The silence is deafening before Luc responds, “As you will, Lady Poppy. You have my utmost respect. Not many have what it takes to go against my wishes. Do take care on your new journey. You will need every advantage that you can find. I will do as you have asked. I will take Cara to The Otherworld and make sure that she is back where she belongs. You, my dear sprite, have chosen an arduous path, you have chosen to stay by your friend’s side in a most unseemly place for a water sprite such as yourself.”
With that, I hear Luc march across the floor. Cara whimpers and LJ stiffens, she relaxes for a moment and appears to be concentrating before she looks back up at me. She smiles and murmurs, “Cara is okay. I feel better that she will not be here.”
“How do you communicate with her?” I whisper.
“I think that you have earned the right to understand our bond.” Her voice is soft, barely above a whisper.
“I would advise young Daxell and his new mate that they need to brush up on their ninja skills. They are about as quiet as a herd of minotaurs in a glass factory.” Luc sounds put out with the farce of trying to overlook the fact that we are hidden from view, his tone softens, “Come, little one. Let me see you safely home. You will be reunited with your spirit companion soon enough.” Cara whines softly as mother talks to her and transfers the cuddly little fox over to Luc’s safekeeping. His heavy footfalls pause, “Daxell and Lillie must not fail in this endeavor.” Then he’s gone.
30
The Primordials
(Lillie Joanna)
Where do we go from here? Luc’s instructions held an ominous meaning. If we cannot complete the task at hand there will be serious consequences. I can’t allow those I love most to be caught up in this assignment. Looking up at Dax, I whisper, “I can’t allow you to go down with me. You know as well as I do that this mission is doomed before we even set out. You can’t be seen with me, much less be found guilty of treason.”
“LJ, you seem to think that you have a say in my actions. I will not allow you to do this alone. I will be by your side and we will clear you of the accusations that Mammon has made. Now, come, we have much to do to prepare. Soon we must leave the safety of this place, and when we do all hell is likely to break loose.”
Daxell slides the hidden door panel open and we step out. His mother is the first to address us, “Well, you two, I agree with Luc. You really must work on subterfuge. I’m not sure that you could have been any louder behind that wall.” Her voice is stern and forgiving all at the same time as she smiles at the two of us. Her face giving her away.
I smile back at her. She is so loving and caring. I can easily see her as a prominent figure in my life. “Sera, thank you. You, Levi, and Dez. I appreciate all you have done to conceal my appearance here, but … Well, I think that I need to move on.” I swallow thickly. “I think that I need to ensure that none of you are targeted because of me.”
Seraphina moves forward to clasp my hands in her own, “My dear, you are a part of this house now. We will never forsake you and your cause. That being said, I think that it is time that you take your place with us. You need to bind with Daxell, and he with you.”
“But …”
“I know what you are going to say. You want your family here, but desperate times call for desperate measures. We can have a second ceremony when this is all said and done, topside. I know that’s where you would prefer this to take place, but trust me, the two of you need to be connected as only true mates can before you head out into the wilds of The Underworld.”
Both Dax and I still at the implication of her words. I look up at him, and he looks down at me and addresses his mother, “As nice as that sounds, Mother, it is not the right time or place. This is not something that I want either of us to rush into, as much as my demon may be pushing for that, I’m not a total bastard. I want Lillie to have the perfect day with her family and friends. No … we will wait, and we will do this right.”
My heart explodes with an all-consuming warmth. “Thank you, Dax. I know you’re right, waiting is the right thing to do. Just so you know, I would have agreed to the binding tonight.” I smile back up at him, my emotions all over the place when I see the tender look in his eyes.
Seraphina steps up to us both, “Are you sure about this? Your binding connection could be helpful in the days to come. I don’t mean to rush either of you, but …” she trails off as she places her hand over our own clasped hands. “I’m just worried about what is to come for you both. I think that you will be stronger as a united front. That and, I just want you to know, Lillie, I already think of you as a daughter.”
“I get it, Mother, but I think that we are a united front. We may not see eye to eye on everything and she deserves so much better than me for a kindred mate-”
My gaze jerks up to his and I place my fingertips against his soft warm lips, “Shhh, never.” The heat of his breath washes over my fingers, “Never say that, Dax.”
“It’s true. I’ve tried so hard to keep my distance from you this whole time, but I knew from the moment that I saw you that I wanted you …” He inhales deeply before continuing, “Hell, I needed you. I had no idea just how much until I met you. I have no idea what I have done to deserve you, but I thank whatever force that brought us together. I meant it before when I said that I’m no good for you. I’m stubborn, bullheaded, and as obstinate as they come. My demon can be downright unbearable, but damn if we don’t want you as our mate, our kindred soul.”
The breath that I was holding got caught in my throat and I can hardly breathe past the huge lump of emotion that is threatening to o
vercome me, so I just nod like a mute freak as I try not to cry. This is not the super obnoxious Daxell that I met not that long ago and I pull him into a tight hug and whisper thickly, “I feel the same way.”
“I would walk the fields for you for an eternity. You were an unexpected complication in my life, but damn if you haven’t weaseled your way under my skin. Lillie, I love you, my demon is head over heels for you. We want to bind with you and all that entails, but it will have to wait until we have found and returned that damned whip that Mammon claims that you have stolen from him.”
That warm fuzzy feeling inside is threatening to turn me into a pile of mush. Before I can respond, Poppy squeals, fluttering about everyone, “I can’t believe it! Hottie McHotstuffins is a romantic at heart. Who knew? I’m so happy for you two.” She squeals again and does a complicated barrel roll in midflight, before continuing in a gush, “I so wish I could morph to my faerie size. I would hug you both to pieces. I get to be your maiden of honor at your binding ceremony. You know Timbra will so fight me on this, but we’re besties, so she will just have to deal.”
“Poppy, I think you’re putting the cart before the horse. We have one hell of a task to accomplish before we can get to all that.” I say, grinning at my tiny friend.
Daxell’s father Dez, chuckles and interjects, “Well, now that all that has been sorted. I think that we should still have a small celebration before the three of you set off on this little quest of yours, but before that, we have much to discuss. LJ, not to rush you or anything, but what do you remember? Anything?”
Sighing, I lean against Dax, “Bits and pieces are beginning to slowly come back to me. Probably in huge part to the pendant that you all gifted me with, so thank you for that. I vaguely remember a backpack and a daughter of a goddess named Nyx. The Morrígan’s daughter. I’m fairly certain that she is the one responsible for me ending up in this mess. I vaguely remember a conversation with her when Daxell and I were in the gardens. Dax was recounting what he knew of Nyx the goddess, prior to Luc’s unexpected visit. Are you aware of her story? Of course, you are, nevermind that. Is she still in existence? If so, how can she be the daughter of Morríganna?”
“My dear, Nyx was a goddess of the night, likened to a goddess of the shadows, the daughter of Chaos. Her presence in the universe predates most everything. Her essence has not been felt within our realms since before I can remember. Before my fall from The Overworld. Are you sure of what you speak?” Asmodeus looks concerned on a level that I had not expected.
Levi is quick to interject, “LJ, are you sure that Nyx was the name from your disjointed memories?”
“Yes. She was beautiful and powerful. I think … My memory is spotty, but I’m sure that she is the one that sent me here and landed me in the Fields of Punishment.”
Both princes of The Underworld pace back and forth, “This is not good. Tell us more about what you remember.”
“Not much, just the impression that Nyx is the daughter of Morríganna and although she is her daughter there are no warm and fuzzy feelings for her fallen mother. She …” I pause remembering our conversation. “She wants to raise Morríganna so that she can drain her of her power. Has Nyx somehow been reborn, do you think? What exactly are we dealing with?” Daxell’s hand holds mine firmly before pulling me into his hold.
“Nyx was powerful. She was one of the Primordials. So much more powerful than, well most of us.” Levi imparts.
Now I’m scared, “What do you mean?”
Dez sighs, “She was around at the beginning of creation.”
“Explain,” I demand.
Asmodeus continues to pace as Levi pulls Seraphina into his hold, gently caressing her as if to soothe his agitation. Dez stops and turns to address us, “The mortals have so many myths and legends born from the many different cultures. Most of them are remarkably similar because they all stem from the same deities. Are you following me?” He pauses to give me a chance to understand where he is going with all this and I nod waiting for him to continue. “If we are indeed, dealing with the reincarnation of Nyx then we are dealing with an entity that will be way more powerful than her birth mother from this day and age, that is once she is at full power.”
“Dax has said as much,” I say, eager to learn more.
“Good, then this little history lesson can be shortened a bit. You see, our creator, in the beginning, created original deities, Primordials. The originals were not angel born. They were fashioned to further creation, but he soon realized that they were flawed. These deities held no compassion, no sense of right or wrong. They simply existed to fulfill their baser tendencies. In the beginning, there was Chaos. She was alone in the universe, her dark majesty was left to build, to multiply and propagate her negative influence. Or so she thought. Our creator lead her to believe that she was alone. You see there had to be balance in the universe before creation took place.”
“So he created Chaos, and she created a realm that was the exact opposite of The Overworld?” I ask, trying to grasp the concept.
Levi speaks up, “Not really The Overworld. You see, in the beginning, well before the beginning, actually, our creator was full of light and he realized that he could create many worlds, but in order for his creation to experience free will, there had to be an opposite. Good versus evil, right versus wrong, yin and yang.”
“Wow, I always thought that Lucifer and the Fallen, no offense, were the ones that … I don’t know …”
Dez laughs, a deep throaty laugh, “It’s okay Lillie, we played our own role but that was much later in the grand scheme of things after our Father created mankind and all the many Fae. We were jealous. So very jealous that they were gifted free will and we were created to serve our Father without question. As you know, there was a divide and a battle took place in The Overworld. Only then did we fall. That was many eons after Chaos was inserted into the universe, but still very early as far as creation was concerned.”
“Okay, let’s get on with this. Chaos was created, yadda, yadda, yadda … We need to know about Nyx. How does she play into all this?” Poppy quips.
“All right, little one, we’ll get on with it,” Levi and Dez both grin. “From Chaos was born Nyx the personification of night, along with Erebus, Gaea, and Tartarus. Nyx is the embodiment of night and she, in turn, bore several children, one of which was Nemesis, also known as Retribution.”
I suck in a breath, retribution is what I overheard Lachlan say to Daxell about me. That I’m supposed to become Retribution. I’m still not sold on that yet, but it’s looking more and more like that is entirely possible. Daxell, sensing my unease wraps his arms around me more tightly. I lean into him and whisper, “I’m okay, I think.”
“Lillie, Nemesis was before my time. All of the Primordials were, but I feel as if there is a reason why Nyx has come into play at this point in time, and I think it has something to do with you. You, my dear, may have been the catalyst that put all this into play many, many years ago.” Dez says quietly and the room goes utterly still.
Taking a deep breath, I ask, “What do you mean?”
“I believe that you are here to take Nemesis’ place in the grand scheme of things. Can you deny your pull to deliver souls to this realm? Can you deny your calling to the cycle of life? You are a Keeper of Souls and it would appear that the souls you keep, are destined to be delivered here for their retribution.” Levi says what everyone is thinking.
“No. I can’t deny my calling, that’s why I went to Tarron for answers.” My reply is quick. “But … I’m not certain of my path. I still need help to navigate and I have yet to embrace my role.” I hesitate before blurting out, “I’m scared. I’m scared of what it means. I don’t want to fall. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to offend, but …” I trail off not certain of how to proceed. I whisper uncertainly, “I’m sorry.”
Seraphina comes forward, “My dear child, you will not fall if you embrace your calling. Anyone can see that you are a child of the light, your so
ul shines bright for all to see. You are the perfect incarnation of what Retribution should be. You will never judge too harshly and you will not be too lenient when it is not deserved. Have no fear that you are perfectly suited for your roll.” She squeezes both my hands in her own.
“Besides,” Dez continues, “the Primordial deity that came before you, was nothing like you. This is our Father’s reset button. The Primorials fell out of existence a long time ago. They predated even the deities known as the Titans. Everyone thought that they simply ceased to be, but maybe there is more to it than that. I think we will need to speak with Luc. He should know more. So much more than any of us. He was the first angel born. He is a wealth of untapped knowledge. Regardless, all that matters right now is recovering that whip of Morríganna’s. It will need to be delivered to Luc as soon as possible. We can dig up information from Luc, we will leave on the morrow after you head out to the Fields of Punishment. We will wait for you there and then reconvene to share everything we discover.”
“I think that tonight, you too should enjoy your time together, but first, I would like for all of us to enjoy a meal together and some family bonding time before we retire. How does that sound?” Seraphina smiles warmly at us all.
I can’t help but smile back at her. She’s so wonderful and thoughtful. I know now why Daxell is the way he is, it’s because she grounds him and her mates. She is their anchor. I can only hope to do as well as she has. I nod, “That sounds perfect.”
31
Our Last Night
(Daxell)
Everything was wonderful that evening. Lillie and Poppy were delightful and laughed at my father’s antics. It was as if there was nothing wrong, and for an infinitesimal moment in time, I almost forgot that we were even in The Underworld. That all quickly changed as everyone went off to bed as it got late. LJ and I were left on our own. Thank the gods for that.
I hesitate before asking, “How are you holding up?”