Page 13 of Celestial Shadows

“I wonder if this place was always so peaceful?” I ask.

“Not according to Bombri.”

“Who?”

“The infuriating little hobgoblin that follows Noni like a shadow. He considers himself an expert on the ancient humans. Always spouting nonsense no one but Pyre can understand and even he just shrugs it off sometimes,” she laughs.

“Bombri… is he that ugly little creature who yaps uncontrollably?”

Eilish laughs. “I find him charming.”

“Charming? Do we have competition where your heart is concerned?”

She shoves me a little, not finding my teasing as funny as I do. “Enough. Have your laugh, but you’re wrong. I’m quite content with the lovers I have. Our connections are what make it special.”

“Even Variant?”

Eilish slows down and stares out at the water. “I don’t know what to do about Variant. I’m not sure anyone truly knows himanymore. All our memories of Variant are tainted by Morrigan’s treachery.”

“That’s true.” I sigh. “What do you think is to be done about him?”

She swallows and remains quiet for a few more seconds. “I need to learn who Variant really is before I make a decision as to what to do with him.”

“Well, you may want to make that decision sooner rather than later. No one trusts Variant, obviously. The people are still adjusting to Theren. I worry there may be a revolt if they hear you’ve accepted Variant, as well.”

***

ABEDON

The Tomb of The Gods

There are times when my eyes deceive me, moments when the past and the present merge and I stand at the center of my prison with a frown on my face. The shadows in the corners seem to grow as my mind plays tricks on me. I can still hear Morrigan’s laughter ringing out between the white marble walls. Cracks as long as I am tall have ravaged the once pristine stone. Moss and mildew creep along the edges. The ground is still sticky with the preserved blood of my foes as I walk over their bones.

I cast an orb of light towards the chandelier and bathe the decrepit hall in a scarlet glow.

Tattered curtains still drape from the ceiling, thin and spattered with holes like enormous spiderwebs. Beetles, maggots, and other insects have made the carcasses on the ground their homes as they scramble across the ground to avoid my thunderous footfalls.

I shrug my robes from my shoulders and stand at the heart of the tomb, bare as the day I was born. My hands trail along theridges of my protruding ribs and my skeletal form left behind by centuries of starvation. But as my touch moves along the leathery flesh that covers my bones, the skin, muscle and bone heal along the way. Muscle replaces the sharp dips and creases, restoring my figure to its former glory. Sweat glistens in the crimson light as I finish the spell.

No longer are my teeth broken, crooked shards, but a flash of white framed by plush lips that once made females drape themselves across my lap like whores. The angles of my face are now regal and the arch of my brows prominent. Eyes of liquid gold that see beyond worlds and hair as black as the Chasm itself. Yes, I am beyond handsome. I am a god Eilish would be a fool to deny.

“Elioth,” I whisper to the shadows. “Come to me.”

A moment later, the flickering image of the dark sorcerer appears.

“My priests?” I ask.

“Awakened,” Elioth replies. “They are much stronger than before. The darkness Morrigan and her pawns spread has been feeding them wonderfully.”

“What of the followers? Has the Cockatrice been successful in his convergence?”

“He commands the Unseelie Kingdom, my lord. A loyal servant.”

“Take over the Unseelie forces. Let the people know the true king has risen. Take back your home, Elioth, and see to it we’ve enough followers for the ritual.”

“What should I do about the Vindication? We still haven’t found them and my own heir protects the filthy hybrid queen,” he sneers.

“She will soon beyourfilthy hybrid queen.”

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