Page 241 of Scorching the Alien Empire
“Divine Mother isn’tFrosty the Snowwoman,”I snort, amused. “She’sliquid mercury,” I purr, lowering my gaze with reverent mischief. “Want to see for yourself?”
I reach back carefully, untangling Todd’s plumpness from my shoulder. He stirs, blinking one groggy black eye open. His gaze flicks between me and Big Belly. His spindly legs twitch, clearly gearing up for a mad, chunky dash across the room.
“Don’t youdare, mister!” I hiss, tightening my grip around his rubbery body. “He’s a guest. So. No. Pooping.” His mandibles clack in response. The meaning is clear:You’re the best mother ever.
He’s the sweetest.
I clear my throat and thrust Todd forward like he’s the Crown Jewels. “Behold! The Divine Cherub.”
Big Belly leans in, not with awe—but with wary suspicion. “I remember this... cyloillar... from the summit,” he rumbles. “Where it glowed. Did it not?”
“He’s not just a fashionable nightlight,” I grin, tracing the faint silver rune engraved on Todd’s plump back. “This word:Mirror.Etched by Goddess Aenarael’s own hands.”
Okay, maybe not literally her hands. But close enough for sales purposes.
Big Belly snatches the fluttering Todd, wide green eyes locking onto Chug Bug’s enormous oblivious orb. “It cannot be,” he mutters, flipping Todd upside down to inspect the softly pulsing rune.
“You remember when Rocks tried to silence me?” I roll my eyes dramatically. “And then she couldn’t speak? Yeah, that washer powerbeing reflected by Divine Mother’s blessing through Todd. Told me herself.” I nod sagely, vindicated.
“Aenarael,” Big Belly breathes, voice gone hollow, like a zombie mumbling brains. He strokes the rune reverently, like he’s half-expecting Aenarael to reach through and give him a fist bump. “Unbelievable.” He stares at Todd like he’s a winning lottery ticket bundled inside a supermodel.
“You... you havespokento Aenarael?” he asks, finally dragging his eyes away from Todd.
“Oh yes!” I giggle, scooping my Chug Bug back protectively. “Crazy story, really. First, she pretended to be my basic mother—ugh, that part sucked. Then she turned me into a Lexie-Moth—kinda fun until Dracoth showed up.” I frown, remembering. “He was a big red dragon who ate me. Then we fought Aenarael after she turned into a silver dragon...”
I trail off, noticing Big Belly blinking at me like I’m speaking ancient dolphin.
“Anyway!” I plow ahead. “She told me we would stop the Voidbringer. That I was her daughter. That she was proud of me,” I mutter, biting my lip, blinking fast. The memory still brings tears to my eyes.
Big Belly’s deep voice cuts through with barely contained desperation. “And what of us? The Virennix—her most devoted children?”
She didn’t mention them. But I can’t say that! That’s like telling little Timmy there’s no Santa, then lighting his Christmas tree on fire.
“She said you are each her beloved children. That onlytogethercan the cycle continue,” I reply smoothly, heart pounding, impressed by quick thinking.
“The Gods walk among us...” He nods slowly, his eyes glistening. Then, quieter. “I see now. Krogoth and Rocks mustbe blessed by the other Gods. But who is correct?” His gaze falls downward.
He looks lost. Small. I lean in, voice soft, deadly sweet. “Really? Do the Godsspeakto them? Do theybearthe runes upon divine flesh?” I lift my chin, drawing his gaze back to my glowing runes. “Aenarael loves you,” I whisper. “Sheneedsyour devotion. Sheneeds yourfaith. I’m her Divine Daughter, brought here to guide your people back to her grace.”
I wrap my arms around his broad frame, feeling him stiffen under the weight of hope and overdue recognition. “You’ve all fought so hard. Suffered so long. Just a little more faith, and it’ll all be better. You’ll see. I promise. We love you. Aenarael loves you with all her heart.”
Gently, I dip into my pouch and smear a circle of ash over his bowed head. “Scourge the weak,” I murmur, the words flowing out like molten silver. “Embrace strength. Let the vanquished be reborn in her divine image.”
A little ad-lib never hurt anyone.
Big Belly shudders with quiet, gut-wrenching sobs. “Leave me, Divine Daughter,” he sniffles wetly, wiping tears on the back of his massive hand. “I cannot bear the shame.”
“You bear no shame, Chieftain,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to his forehead, cementing the blessing.
Then I turn, steps light and bouncy, practically skipping with triumph.
“To think,” I call breezily over my shoulder, “that I met such a devoted son of the Divine Mother. Itwarmsmy heart.”
One down and one to go. I skip away, victorious.
And if my chest aches a little, well. That’s between me, Todd, and the Gods.
Chapter 45
