The Goddesses Throne

by A. Kingsley

  Clare knew Cisily didn’t like silence, so while she ate, she answered her questions for her. She told her how she could see spirits, how she saw her father and Antoine and how she was ashamed that she hadn’t told her mum and Sage about Wade, but how there hadn’t been a good time. She finally explained that Cassius had told her about Theo and that she hadn’t seen his spirit yet. She explained that this could be because his spirit had already entered heaven or because he was stuck at the castle in Excidium.

  She noticed Cisily’s shoulders relax, the girl took comfort in knowing that her brother might already be resting peacefully in the land above. She knew well in her heart that he would be with Evangeline for he had never hurt a soul.

  After dinner, Cisily explained that she would love to talk more, but she hadn’t been sleeping and needed some rest. While this was partially true, she could tell that Cassius and Clare needed to talk. The two girls embraced one more time before Clare left the room and promised to say goodbye to her in the morning.

  On her way back to her bedroom, Clare ran into Sage. As the two collided, Sage gently pushed her sister off. “Hey, watch where you are going clumsy,” she teased. “I’m not ganging up against you by the way, I just care about you. I know your life has gotten carried away with boys, but I hope I’m still prevalent enough to listen to,” Sage said.

  “I know you care about me. I’m so sorry that is how all of this has made you feel. Trust me, if I could step away from boys and just hang out with you all day, I would. I’d drop it all in a heartbeat, but I’m engaged to one.”

  “And if you want to make yourself happy, you have to spend time with him.” Sage finished her sentence for her.

  “Right. I promise you when the war calms down, then we can finally hang out just with one another. I could really really use that,” she said almost desperately.

  “I could use it too,” Sage said as she embraced her sister in a hug and whispered the words, “I miss you and I love you.”

  “I miss you and I love you too,” Clare whispered back. “And I’m happy for you, I heard about the wedding, Julius let it slip.”

  “Right,” Sage blushed. “Thank you. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you. I wanted to be the one to tell you, but there wasn’t a good time. Now go ahead and go talk to Mr. Grump,” Sage teased, smiling brighter when Clare rolled her eyes.

  “Don’t apologize, just know that I’m happy for you. Goodnight Sage.”

  “Goodnight Clare.”

  Clare kept walking until she got to Cassius’s bedroom, where he was waiting for her. He was sitting on the floor with a blanket sprawled out in front of him and two sketchbooks. “I thought we could do this again, it seemed to relieve a lot of our worries,” his voice was soft and sincere. He picked up a paint brush and dipped it in paint, sending messy strokes onto his page.

  Clare melted instantly. She practically ran towards the sketchbook, the door slamming behind her. She sat and crossed her legs. She picked up a brush and dipped it in green paint, her hand started moving. “You have great ideas,” she told him happily. “What are you going to paint?” She peaked over at his canvas and this time he let her look.

  “Some flowers, it’s the only thing that I can paint well,” he admitted as he continued moving his brush. “How do you feel about going away tomorrow?”

  “I’d prefer to stay here, but if it’s for our safety, then of course I will go with no complaints.”

  “I think it could be a nice get away,” he admitted. “I’ll be sure to set up little things like this.”

  “Well then I look forward to it,” she said honestly. “You’re not mad at me are you?”

  “No, no. I just got mad that his family would expect that from you. I can tell that you're drained.”

  “And I can tell you are too, you don’t tell me, but I sense it. You are grieving too and that’s okay. You know I think you need to loosen up a little and I think I do too.”

  “So what’s your grand plan?” he asked her.

  She didn’t think about it much before she did it. She dipped a large glob of paint onto her brush and hurled it at his face. He gasped as the paint hit him square in the forehead, his shocked mouth twisting into a smile.

  He dipped his paint in red and flicked it at her neck, it splattered messily against her skin.

  Neither of them cared very much for the black funeral clothes that they were wearing, in fact neither of them wanted to fully remember this day.

  Globs and globs of paint were wasted as their brushes dipped into the liquid and were flicked at the other person. At one point they began to dodge each other’s attempts and the paint splattered against the furniture and the cold floor.

  Within a few minutes, they were both covered in a rainbow of paint, the paint stained their clothes and clung to their skin and hair.

  When Clare first met Cassius, she would have never guessed that he could be so silly, so free, but she was glad that he had changed in this way.

  Eventually they had used up a good amount of the paint and Clare collapsed onto his lap, laughing as she reached up to touch his paint stained face. He was smiling down at her, locks of his black hair now pink and yellow.

  “I could fall asleep like this,” Clare hummed as she shut her eyes.

  “You could, but I think a bath might be beneficial,” he kissed the top of her forehead, blue paint stained his lips.

  “Will you take a bath with me?” she asked him.

  His eyes lit up and for a second he almost refused her, but his heart compelled him to say yes, “Of course I will.”

  ‘Why did this have to be a vulnerable experience? He had slept with his fair share of people before Clare came into the picture. Why was stepping into a tub without clothing suddenly so nerve-racking? Was it because there were feelings involved and he actually cared about what she thought of him and his body?’

  Clare was also not as confident as she should’ve been. The two of them helped each other undress, their eyes lingered for just a moment before they both got into the bath and began to wash off all of the paint.

  There was no need for words, their gazes were enough. The simple touches when they handed off the bar of soap or when their knees bumped together was enough.

  Once they were out of the bath, they both dried off and changed. Cassius, who slept hot, was just in his boxers and a shirt despite the cold air. Clare who preferred a bit more fabric, dressed in a white long sleeve nightgown and white knee-high socks. The two of them climbed into bed and he held her silently against his chest, his arms wrapped protectively around her.

  Sleep came quickly for the both of them, neither of them had nightmares for the first time in a few days.

  When the morning came, Clare was still wrapped up in his arms, she had barely moved from her original position. She gently tapped him and since he was already stirring, he woke up. “Can I go into the carriage like this?” she asked sleepily as she kissed the base of his neck.

  “I don’t see anything wrong with that,” he admitted. “I will put on an outfit of course.”

  Cassius dressed in his normal black attire and the two of them made their way downstairs, not bothering to pack as the royal territory palace was stocked with clothes and food.

  Cassius hugged Gracielle and Cisily goodbye and waved to Sage.

  Clare hugged them all and took a plate of food for them to share on the ride there.

  The carriage rolled away before the clock struck nine.

  Unbreakable bond

  It was the day of Sage’s wedding with Julius. A cold afternoon during the first week of March. Though the trees were beginning to grow back their leaves, the ground was covered in a thin layer of snow on this particular day. Sage wasn’t a romantic or a dreamer so the scenery didn’t bother her, it just hadn’t been what she was expecting for her wedding. She always envisioned it in the summer, warm, but not too hot, with a clear and bright sky. But this was an arranged marriage and of course things were subject to change,
especially in times of war. Their marriage needed to be solidified so the people could see that the Demetrias’s and the Pax’s were united and that they would be both a powerful and united force.

  “I wasn’t expecting this day to come so soon,” Sage said, squinting at herself in the mirror.

  They were in the palace at the royal territory where Clare and Cassius had been staying. The territory was hidden away from the ordinary citizens, this land belonged to all three kingdoms, but Erebus made it clear he would not be in attendance. They could have their little show to themselves.

  Clare stood behind her sister and rubbed her shoulders. “I wasn’t expecting you to be wed so soon either, but you’re ready to be married to him aren’t you? You have been in love with Julius for years, though you both still don’t like to say the words,” she laughed. Clare stepped back from her sister and clapped her hands together in excitement. “You look so gorgeous!” she squealed.

  Sage smiled, “yes of course I’m ready to marry him, I'm chuffed to bits actually because this means that he will get to come to live with us. It’ll be an odd change, but an exciting one. Though I don’t want to rip him away from Maximus, I don’t want him to get lonely,” she frowned. “And thank you for the compliment, I do feel rather pretty.”

  “Of course! You deserve it. And Maximus will be alright, he has a lover now and Julius isn’t imprisoned, so he can leave the palace whenever he wants to go see him,” Clare said.

  “I suppose that’s true,” Sage responded.

  Sage wasn’t one to wear frills or lace. Her wedding gown was a solid white with no jewels or beads, except for one emerald brooch, clipped to the middle of the cropped, white suit jacket on top of her dress. The brooch had been her mother’s, Gracielle had worn it on her wedding day and now, Sage would wear it on hers. The material of the dress was made out of shiny, thick cloth that was suitable for the chilly weather. The dress was long and fit tight around her hips, but became loose at her thighs and then descended into a long train that stretched out a few feet behind her. Underneath her dress was a pair of white boots. Her hair was too short to style, but it was brushed out to perfection. On the top of her head, she wore her regular silver crown and clipped to the crown, was a sheer veil. Tucked underneath the collar of her dress, she wore her elephant necklace that she had refused to part with. Her sword was sitting across the room.

  “You may not wear your sword to the ceremony,” Gracielle said from the chair in the corner. Gracielle and Clare were gathered in a room to get Sage ready and hide her from Julius’s eyes.

  “I think it would be rather on brand if I wore my sword and since it’s my wedding,” Sage beamed, “I think I should be allowed to.” She glanced to Clare for support.

  “I also think that she should be allowed to wear her sword,” Clare said.

  Gracielle sighed and moved across the room. She picked up a new olive green weapons belt and clipped it around her daughters waist.

  “I had this made for the occasion. I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to give it to you until after the wedding, but … you are the bride and the bride should always get her way.” Once the belt was fastened around Sage’s hips, Gracielle handed Amicus to her daughter.

  Sage happily clipped the sword on to her belt and kissed her mother on the cheek.

  “Thank you, I love it mum, but enough about me. You two look gorgeous.”

  Clare shook her head with a smile on her face, her sister couldn’t stand all of the attention.

  The colors of the wedding were royal blue and emerald green. Sage had convinced her mother to tweak their family colors just a bit. Those on Sage’s side of the wedding party wore emerald green while those on Julius’s side of the wedding party wore royal blue.

  Clare wore a loose emerald green dress. The fabric was made of soft cotton and had no lace or extra material. The neckline was cut in a v and the sleeves were puffy, long and flowing. The dress itself went past her ankles, so the smallest bit of fabric dragged on the floor. Along with her dress, Clare wore her rose quartz necklace, her crown and her engagement ring. She also wore emerald green boots dyed just for the occasion. Her hair was twisted into a crown braid on the back of her head, two pieces of wavy ginger hair framed her face. Her makeup was light and natural, while her sisters was more pronounced.

  “It will be funny to see Cassius in emerald green, considering he usually picks black,” Clare laughed.

  Sage rolled her eyes, “I still don’t know how I feel about him being on my side of the wedding party, but I suppose he’s grown on me.” She looked over to her mother who was putting the last bobby pin in Clare’s hair.

  “He’s family now,” Gracielle reminded Sage.

  Gracielle’s dress was simple. She wore an emerald green dress with long sleeves that clung to her skin, the neckline was high and covered her entire neck. The dress itself was long and straight, spilling to her ankles and then stopping, her emerald green boots that were identical to Clare’s were exposed. She had put her hair in a bun on the top of her head and had finished her outfit with silver jewelry, emerald green gloves and a white jacket for the cold. The queen wouldn’t sacrifice her comfort for fashion. Clare had done her mother's makeup just as lightly as her own.

  “It’s almost time isn’t it,” Gracielle said. “I’ll be right back, take some deep breaths, I’m going to gather the rest of your wedding party.”

  Clare was the maid of honor and Gracielle would walk Sage down the aisle. Her other bridesmaids were Cisily, who she had taken a liking to, Phoebe, Esmeralda and Julius’s cousin, Diana.

  Julius’s best man was Maximus and his groomsmen were Cassius, Stellan and Antoine, as Clare had told him that he had promised to be there in spirit.

  Both Julius and Sage had agreed that both the flower “girl” and ring bearer would be the same person, Italus.

  The wedding party gathered in the doorway in the back of the palace ready to exit to the garden where the wedding was going to be held. Sage took a deep breath and looked to Clare.

  “You can do this,” Clare assured as she took her sister's hand and guided her out of the room. “I know you don’t like attention, but it’s just one day and you know everyone here. There is no pressure.”

  The two sisters made their way down the stairs, a gasp came from the group of people gathered in the hallway when they saw the beauty of the bride.

  “Julius is going to faint!” Diana, his cousin squealed.

  Italus came running over to her and gave her calves a hug. “You look so pretty,” he said.

  A blush spread across her cheeks at all of the compliments. “Thank you,” she smiled. Her eyes turned to her mother, who was now frantically hustling around the hallway in order to make sure that everything and everyone was in the right place.

  “The music will begin shortly, everyone get into your places,” Gracielle commanded.

  A soothing instrumental melody on the harp began to play accompanied by a high and serene sound on the flute. The doors of the palace opened and Clare and Maximus were the first to walk out into the chilly air. Their arms were linked and their chins were up. They rounded the corner out into the gardens. Clare was shivering and Maximus looked over to her with a silly grin.

  “Should’ve worn a jacket,” he teased, plastering a smile on his face once the small crowd came into view. The crowd mostly consisted of the two kingdom’s staff and family.

  “Don’t worry, the ceremony won’t last that long. Do you know that our fiancé is giving me the death glare?” Maximus asked.

  “Oh hush, he knows I’m not your type,” she laughed.

  Upon reaching the long stretch of royal blue silk carpet, the two stopped talking. Once they got to the altar decorated in olive leaves, they split, Maximus on the left and Clare on the right.

  The rest of the wedding party followed them down the carpet. Stellan was paired with Cisily, Cassius was paired with Diana and Phoebe was paired with Esmeralda. Italus came down the carpet next, h
e was dressed in a royal blue suit with a pink rose attached to it, in his hands, he had a small woven basket filled with olive green and pink flowers. He skipped down the aisle and smiled at Julius who was nervously standing at the front of the altar. Julius was wearing a deep royal blue suit that was a velvet material, along with shiny black shoes and his metal leaf crown. He was wearing a soft blue and light brown eyeshadow look and his brown hair was neatly combed onto his forehead.

  He smiled at Italus and did his best to relax his shoulders. He was about to see one of the most beautiful girls in the world in one of the most beautiful settings, in front of people that he loved. He bit down on his lip and gazed nervously at Maximus who affirmed that he would be okay with a nod of his head.

  The music slowed to a soft and gentle pace and another girl joined the ensemble. She began to sing a song about everlasting love.

  Sage rounded the corner, her arms linked with her mother. Wade’s spirit was drifting a few inches away from her. He would have held her arm, but he was afraid the cold would startle her as she made her way down the aisle. Gracielle had her head tilted against her daughter's head as they walked. The guests of the wedding stood up at the sight of Sage and a few audible gasps could be heard.

  Sage met eyes with Julius and grinned. He was so handsome, so vulnerable. She could see the tears spilling out of his eyes and she wished that she could pick up the pace to wipe them for him. He always looked perfect to her, today didn’t change this, but it changed many other things.

  Her mother let go of her at the altar and Sage stepped up to where Julius stood. She took his shaking hands in her own and whispered something to him that only he could hear.

  “How did I get to marry someone so perfect?” he whispered back, laughing through his happy tears.

  She reached a hand up to wipe his tears and when she was done, she placed her hand back in his. “I’m wondering the same thing.”