Immortal Essence Box Set: Aligned, Exiled, Beguiled (39 page)

Zaren took another step inside.

“You can put me down now, Formytian.”

He did as she asked.

A blue light formed above their heads, like a halo. Small, but letting off enough of a glow so that they could make out their surroundings. Zaren started walking again,
straight forward
. He could see further ahead than she could. As they continued in, the light grew larger, making the cave more visible. Stalactites and stalagmites were everywhere, hovering above them and growing from the floor, next to them. The floor looked like ice, but it wasn’t cold. On the contrary, a warm wind blew from the direction they headed, bringing along different smells—the frothy sea and a garden full of flowers.

Venus raised a brow in question. Zaren nodded, and they continued on the only path available. Crystals sparkled and twinkled at her from every side. A green hue emanated from the pillars, as though they were walking into a giant mouth full of razor-sharp, emerald teeth. By the time they reached the next opening, their room shone bright as noonday.

She and Zaren both paused. There wasn’t a door, but they still couldn’t see inside because it was pitch black. At least that’s how it looked to her. 

The moment of truth.
The Gods were on the other side. Venus sensed them. It dawned on her that Zaren had made this trip once before, when he’d been changed. Did he regret having been her Formytian?
And her friend?
She’d caused him so much trouble.

“Come in, children. It’s rude to loiter in one’s doorway,” a musical, female said.

Her legs felt stronger, but they shook. It was a combination of feelings. Fear, sure. But they shook in anticipation as well. At last, she could end this, whatever the end would be.

Zaren gave her hand a quick squeeze. She refused to hold her breath, and stepped into the room.

All around them blue lights popped on. With her eyes, she followed them and searched the room for its secrets.

The home of the Gods.

There were glittering rocks all around them and she could hear waves smashing against a rocky shore. The floor rose and dipped, uneven. Small ridges curved underfoot, making the way treacherous. It still looked icy clear.
Little rainbows refracted onto the walls and ceiling.
Venus took a tentative step and then another. The floor was made of thousands of diamonds.

She searched for openings or windows, but there weren’t any. Green vines covered many sections of the ceiling and walls. She was curious as to how they grew inside the cave. 

Where did the wind come from?
It kept brushing against her hair, pushing it off her face. She heard a
drip, drip, drip,
but she couldn’t find the source.

Directly across from her were two enormous chairs. They appeared to have been made out of glass (or diamonds). Seated in them were two of the most glorious kels she’d ever seen.

The Gods of Kelari.
Ith and Aetha. 

Aetha had on a white dress, which looked like silk. On her feet were the immortal’s boots. The First Boots. She couldn’t help but wonder what sorts of weaknesses were symbolized in the heels. Did Aetha have any? Her stark white hair had been braided long. She had it draped over her shoulder. Within the braid, she had a blue ribbon, the color of irrihunter blood. Every tiny movement caused the color to change—darken and then lighten.

On her head sat a simple crown. The tallest peak had a large blue stone captured at the top, surrounded by smaller, light-blue stones. On either side were two slightly smaller peaks, each holding a large clear stone.
Probably a diamond.
All of the remaining peaks were small and held diamonds as well. Her eyes were a light violet and her skin shone almost as white as her hair.

Venus found Aetha’s crown spectacular.

Ith looked as stunning.
Black hair, short and wavy.
His skin mahogany.
Eyes gleaming,
a spring grass
green. He had on a pair of black pants, the bottoms tucked into his Kelvieri’s Boots and a white tunic. On his head rested a crown, the same blue gem in the center, with diamonds setting in each of the lesser peaks, but his was thicker and more elaborate.

“Come closer, child,” Ith said. His words rang deep and clear.

Venus took a few uncertain steps forward, looking down. At that moment she realized what she still had on—only the awful hospital gown and Michael’s coat. She wanted to die of humiliation.

“You look beautiful, child,” Aetha said. So she could read minds. In a way, Venus was glad. Her thoughts would confirm Venus hadn’t done any of the crimes she’d been accused of.

Venus nodded. “Thank you, Goddess.” She knelt before them both. Strange enough, after she kneeled, the diamond substance didn’t feel hard anymore, but gave slightly under the pressure. It was as though her knees rested on an invisible pillow.

“It’s my pleasure.”

Venus waited for more from her or him—either of them—but no one spoke. The room so quiet she heard only the whistling wind, and the
drip-dripping
coming from somewhere on the right. Taking a deep breath to settle her nerves, she recognized a new scent on the breeze. A twinge of happiness ran from her fingers to her toes.

Home.

The impossible had happened. Venus wanted to live! The smell wafting around her was sweet
hyath
, her favorite flower.

Had the Gods brought the beautiful smell in for me?
Highly unlikely, but she gladly drew another deep breath. The scent enveloped her. She’d always loved sweet
hyath
, kept it in her rooms. The aroma got rid of her anxieties. She breathed in again, more deeply, and slowly blew out the wretched air from Earth, along with her feelings of anger, hate, stress and sadness. Some of the weight she’d been carrying around the past week lifted. 

“Ith. Aetha. I’m so sorry . . . for so many things. I’m a stubborn girl who does things I shouldn’t.” Venus raised her head, to look at them. “With all that I am, I love and respect both of you very much. I never said anything blasphemous against either of you. That’s a promise.”

Aetha spoke, “We’ve seen your heart, child. Searched your memories. We know you didn’t do that which you’ve been accused.”

“Oh, I’m so glad,” she began, but Ith held up a hand.

He said, “What doesn’t change, is that a punishment must be given to those who did.”

Venus nodded. That was high on her list—to bring revenge down upon those who’d harmed her family, killed her irrihunter.

Aetha spoke. “We understand your need for vengeance. But first things first.”

Nervousness pierced her heart.
Cret
!
She nodded, preparing for whatever the consequences would be—even death. She’d known that was a probability—had accepted it. A part of her still wanted to fight. 

“We gave you a task. Help the boy, Michael, find his soul mate. Did you accomplish this?” Ith asked.

Biting her lip, she lowered her head. In a whisper, she said, “If you know I didn’t do the things I’ve been accused of, why must the task still matter?”

“It matters because we are Gods and we’ve commanded the oath and promise be fulfilled. That has not changed,” Aetha said.

Venus raised her head, a flash of rebellion. “But you’ve searched my mind. You know I didn’t accomplish it. The human, he loved a girl, but she wasn’t his true love . . .” She worked to hold back the burning tears. Now that she’d returned, she should’ve been able to better control her emotions. That wasn’t the case.

“Didn’t you?” Ith asked.

Zaren stepped next to her and kneeled. “My Gods, that she failed is my fault. I take full responsibility. Any punishment you demand, I’ll make the payment. I give my promise.” He pressed his right fist to his chest—the sign of the Formytian’s Pledge.

Venus wouldn’t have it.

“No.” She glared at him. “Don’t even say that. You aren’t my Formytian anymore.”

Tinkling laughter, like beautiful music, echoed throughout the room. Venus looked over and saw Ith and Aetha laughing. Their smiles and joy were a magical balm, filling the air.

Ith said, “It must feel good to know you have someone like Zaren by your side.”

“It does,” she responded, clenching her fists. And there was no way she would let him suffer for her. 

“Venus, you are a lady of honor, and Zaren, you are a Formytian far superior to any I’ve met, save one.” Aetha glanced over at Ith. “The First Formytian would’ve laid down his life for me. He tried, even.”

Venus remembered their story.

“I’m sorry Zaren, but you cannot accept the child’s consequences. She must do that alone,” Ith said, kindly.

“Please.” Zaren bowed his head. 

“Let’s see if there is a need for punishment.” Ith and Aetha looked toward the entrance they’d come through.

Venus turned to see what had caught their attention.

“Michael,” she exclaimed, rising. He didn’t look very good. Eyes sunk deep, black shadows in crescents beneath. Leaves stuck in his hair. 

How did he find us?

A pant leg was soaked with blood. He had his hands stuffed in his front pockets.

“W-What happened to you?”

“Come in, son,” Ith commanded.

Michael limped forward.

She watched him in frenzied silence. Then ran to his side, stuck her shoulder under his left arm and helped him walk. “What are you doing?” she whispered, fiercely.

When they reached Zaren, Michael gently pushed her away and knelt, letting out a grunt when his knees hit the floor.

“Thank you, your highness.”

Aetha rose from her chair and moved toward Michael. “Let me ease your pain, my son.” She lifted him easily.

Venus wasn’t sure who to focus on, worried about how Michael’s presence would affect the situation. A human meeting their Gods couldn’t be good. Yet, they seemed happy he was here, like they knew him. How was it possible? 

Aetha touched his forehead and his grimace softened. “Michael, you’ve done a great service. We are eternally grateful you brought Venus home. Why son, would you do such a thing? You’ve put your life in mortal danger.” The look on her face revealed she already knew the answer, but wanted Michael to say it. She brushed a leaf out of his hair and then walked back to her chair, sitting.

Michael reached down, felt his leg and raised an eyebrow. “It seemed like the right thing to do,” he responded. “And, thank you. Whatever you did, my leg is much better.”

She inclined her head. “Of course, Michael.” Then she glanced at Ith, touching his arm. Her movements tender, loving.

“Is that the only reason?” Ith asked, reaching over, stroking Aetha’s hand. 

“No. It isn’t. The biggest reason was that I wanted to keep Venus safe.” He turned and looked at her, his eyes filled with—she couldn’t place it. She’d kneeled next to him so he remained between her and Zaren. 

Venus quickly glanced at Zaren and noticed the straightness of his back. He seemed to be working to keep his mind clear. A part of her wanted to laugh at him, poke fun—ask how it felt to have his thoughts read like an open book. Of course she didn’t. Their situation was too serious. His face remained blank, unreadable to probably everyone else. She knew it was an illusion. After years of spending so much time with him, it’d become easy to recognize his different tells.  At the moment, his jaw clenched and unclenched. He stared down. What troubled him? She wondered what the Gods must think of whatever he was working so hard to keep hidden. 

He’s not upset I helped Michael?
Maybe he knew where the conversation was headed.
Should I be worried?

“You’ve no reason for concern, daughter. All will be revealed in time.” Aetha’s beautiful eyes danced back and forth between Zaren and Venus.

“You wanted Venus safe? You’ve accomplished that. She
is
safe. I believe there’s another reason,” Ith said.

Michael lowered his head, giving Venus a sideways glance. “Yes, that’s true,” he whispered.

“Michael?” Venus cleared her throat.

He lifted his head. Clearly, he answered, “I’m in love with Venus.”

“Aw, there’s the truth of it,” Aetha said, clapping her hands softly.

“What?” Venus asked, surprised. That didn’t seem possible. Surely his feelings were twisted because of their bond. “It can’t be true. You love Cheverly. Anything you feel for me isn’t real.” She searched his face and then nervously peered at Zaren. He hadn’t moved. Facing Ith and Aetha, she said, “Please remove the connection between us and allow him to return to his world. Michael can’t understand what he’s saying.”

Michael shook his head and turned. Taking her hand, he laced his fingers with hers. “Whether the Gods release our connection or not, it won’t matter. What I feel for you is more than some bond.” He reached out and grasped her other hand. Warmth spread through her fingers and up her arm. Nervously, she watched him, searching for a sign that the words he spoke were anything but the truth. He continued, “Having you in my life has mended my soul, helped me to believe I’m more . . . that I matter. Knowing you has made me whole.”