Page 93 of Killian
“Hmm, there are so many options,” Fate said. “I could make an argument for several couples.”
“Death, what is your preference?” Justice asked.
Pleased that Justice had asked, Death shook her head. “I chose the year and the couple last. It is up to someone else to pick.”
“How will we choose among us?” Fate inquired.
Life laughed as they stared at each other, and Death shrugged. “Let us try this a different way. Does anyone have one couple in mind they want to see next, or is everyone stuck on a few choices?”
“Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we want any further twists in this world,” Eternity suggested after the silence stretched out for several moments.
“Without straying from the fundamental rules we started with, of course,” Fate reminded them.
“We are not dolts, Fate, the rules remain unchanged,” Death retorted.
“No reason to get testy, Death,” Fate complained.
“It would appear that this break comes at a timely spot,” Justice stated. “There is much to consider. Let us return to our duties and gather our thoughts. When we are together again, we can discuss options. It may take a vote to narrow it down, but that is fine. Death, since you have decided to allow someone else to have the next choice, you can break any stalemate with your vote.”
Stunned that Justice was granting her such power, Death blinked.
“Would you look at that?” Fate asked. “Is that our dear goddess of the dead and underworld with a blush upon her fair cheeks?”
“I know a goddess of matebonds and leadership who may wind up in theebirllobaif she continues to tease me,” Death growled, refusing to acknowledge her heated face.
“Normally I would grow quite irritated at the thought of languishing as a spirit, but now I must consider the advantages of staying in theebirlloba,” Fate mused. “I would have constant access to viewing mirrors without pesky unwanted goddesses figuring out this delightful experiment. As things go, there are worse fates.”
“I hate when she uses herself in a sentence,” Life said.
“She also wants us to lament about the poor people still missing matebonds to feed her ego about how special her assigned duties are,” Eternity added.
“In all the things that have been created since the dawn of magic, sisters were, by far, the worst idea,” Fate grumbled, her lips pursed.
“Enough bickering,” Justice declared. “Send word to Death as soon as you know which couple you want next and any twists you wish to add within the parameters of the rules we already decided on. Once Death has received responses from everyone, she will call a meeting here in theebirllobaand we can move to the next chapter of our experiment.”
“Work twice as hard while we are parted so fewer will notice how many people remain unmated, Fate,” Life teased.
“Go fix some of these tiny populations in danger of dying out, Life, and stay out of my business,” Fate retorted.
“You do have many populations on the verge of collapse or with so few it is nearly criminal,” Death said.
“Thank you for noticing,” Life replied. “Perhaps if Justice were not always creating warriors, we would have fewer wars decimating populations.”
“Courage is the one who prods them to pick up weapons,” Justice defended.
“At least it is not like our realms and planets prior to matebonds,” Eternity said. “Do you remember? Without Fate, Desire was running around filling leaders with lust. They were stealing people’s life partners and wars were breaking out so often, even Death was annoyed by the many souls crossing into theebirlloba.”
“At least Desire is not so calamitous as Folly,” Death remarked.
Justice bared her teeth. “If I ever find our dear sister, she will know pain.”
“I get to kill her,” Death stated firmly.
“I vote we take turns killing her,” Fate suggested. “Life can rebirth her so we all get a chance.”
“Not the worst idea,” Life said. “Folly has gone beyond what we believed possible. Although we believe in mischief and do not mind an experiment, Folly grew evil long ago. She delights in nothing but pain. Which is why she must be stopped before she crosses a line that unravels everything. Worlds will crumble. Realms will shatter. Goddesses themselves may become victims.”
“Unless she is found or Mother intervenes,” Eternity commented.
