Page 19 of Oaths & Vengeance
The temple where we worshiped the nameless gods was at the rear corner of the keep. It sat in a secluded area surrounded by tall frost trees with creamy white leaves and mysteria bushes with their delicate pale-blue flowers that bloomed all year except in winter. I had to pass the rear stables, blacksmith shops, and servants' quarters to reach the place. Most of my family rarely visited, but they were wise enough to maintain it. Angering the gods was a bad idea because they could be rather vindictive.
As I entered the serene garden before the temple, I stepped past an altar where one could sacrifice animals if they were especially desperate to get their prayers answered. I tried it once, using a green Topper bird. Many people thought they brought good luck and could often be seen perching on the tops of trees, singing loudly. I was sixteen at the time, and it was right after my uncle’s brutal punishment against me for trying to escape. I had beseeched the gods to lift the curse he’d placed on me.
One showed up that day, so I’d apparently got his attention. Unfortunately, he refused to help and said to have faith in the path set before me. I had no idea why he’d bothered to show up only to tell me that.
There would be no sacrifices today or probably ever again. I came about once a month, knowing full well no god would show up like that first time, but sometimes praying here gave me clarity—or at least the strength and resolve I needed to face my problems. My marriage prospects counted as worthy of a visit.
Shortly past the altar was a small pool of crystal-clear water. I removed my slippers, pulled up the bottom hem of my dress, and stepped into the cool depths. While one could choose not to make a sacrifice, one alwayshad to cleanse one's feet before entering the main temple. All it required was taking three steps until reaching the other side.
After that, I found myself at the stairs of the white marble temple with four columns at the front. A wide entrance lay open in the middle, glowing from within. My wet feet slapped on the floor as I went inside. It was a reasonably large space with a square blue cushion directly in the middle and an empty throne at the back on a raised dais. Like the temple, it was constructed of white marble. If a god chose to visit, they always appeared in that seat, perched high above the person who called upon them.
I kneeled on the cushion and arranged my skirts before bowing my head. The priest who oversaw the temple had special chants for ceremonies, but at other times, we could speak our minds as long as we showed proper reverence.
“Please, nameless ones,” I beseeched, my whispered voice seeming loud in the empty room. “Guide me about my marriage prospects and what to do.”
Of course, nothing happened, but I continued to repeat the words and add more about my misery and worries. Was I doing the right thing by betraying my uncle and people to save my cousin? I closed my eyes, despairing over the impossible choices that overwhelmed me and kept me awake at night.
A loud sigh came from the direction of the throne. “Do you honestly think it’s a choice?”
It was an ageless voice no fae could mimic.
“What?” I jerked my head up, shocked.
Sitting in the carved marble seat was the god I saw half my lifetime ago. He had short, black hair and almond skin, presenting a strong figure in his pristine white tunic and linen pants. There was bored amusement in his silver eyes that I didn’t recall from last time.
He lifted an imperious brow. “I don’t know why you are asking us for the answer. Your choices are to allow your cousin to die and marry a horrible man who will make the rest of your life miserable or to save your cousin and marry someone who isn’t hard to look at and will bring adventure to your life. Doesn’t seem like a difficult decision to me.”
“It’s not that simple,” I said, my nails digging into my palms. “Our families have been killing each other for centuries, and he’s my enemy. Plus, he’s an arrogant ass. I’d be tying myself to someone who hates me.”
He cocked his head. “So you think he’s worse than Baron Elgord?”
“Well…no,” I stuttered. “It’s just that I wanted more for myself than either of these choices. Why are they my only two options?”
Was it so terrible to be upset about it? I’d received two horrible choices when I’d really hoped to settle down with someone who respected and loved me. Neither Elgord nor Darrow would ever care about me or see me as anything more than a pawn in their power games.
The nameless god shook his head slowly. “So what if he hates you now? Many successful marriages have started that way, but it doesn’t mean they end the same.”
“Yeah, it worked out so well for Darrow’s parents,” I said sarcastically.
He laughed. “Yes, well, I didn’t say it always worked out perfectly. But there was this one time I joined with a rival goddess, and let me tell you, the sex is always good when you hate each other. It took three days before we could peel ourselves from each other’s bodies.”
Raunchy images flittered through my mind. Imagining two gods having sex was like thinking of your parents together in a similar manner—more than a little unsettling. “I could have slept better tonightnotknowing that.”
“Don’t pretend you’re a prude. We both know you’re not the inexperienced girl I met last time.”
Was he keeping track of my private life?
“So, what is my best option?” I asked. If anyone knew, it would be someone with all-knowing powers. He clearly understood how carnal aspects could play into my decision as well.
He rose from his seat and moved toward me, crouching low and tipping up my chin. “Which man caused your heart to race when he kissed you?”
Looking into his eyes was like seeing the whole universe inside them. I sighed, “Darrow.”
He gave me a broad smile and stood. “We both know he’s the better choice. Sure, he’ll be an ass and likely frustrate you in many ways, but you’llalways feel alive with him. Elgord will slowly extinguish the life from you until you’re nothing more than a shell of yourself like your aunt. I can’t have my favorite fae follow that path.”
I barked out a laugh. “I am most definitely not your favorite. This is only the second time I’ve ever seen you, and you weren’t exactly friendly the last time we met.”
“You didn’t need friendly last time, but cold hard truth.” He settled back into his throne. “And just because you don’t see me doesn’t mean I’m not watching. It’s not like anyone else in this realm can sneak out on adventures as often as you, and I enjoy your quiet strength. Perhaps you’re not brazen and certainly avoid confrontation as much as possible—Darrow being the intriguing exception—but you’ve proven resilient. It’s the reason I chose to come today.”
