Elemental's Heart

by Ciara Lake

  Gaia smiled at the woman. “Thank you.”

  “The food’s wonderful. I’ve always enjoyed meals I’ve shared with the goddess.” Aetius started to eat.

  “I do appreciate your hospitality.” Terra took a bite of the fruit.

  “I’m glad.” The goddess sat back in her chair.

  “But I have to say, I’ve lived a lonely, unhappy childhood. I mistakenly used my abilities in front of the mortals, not knowing better. The mortals feared me and got rid of me. They cast me aside. There was no one to guide me. I was abandoned and have learned everything the hard way and on my own.” She took a bite of her bread and chewed it softly. “I guess I’m feeling sorry for myself.”

  “I’m sorry for any discomfort I may have caused. I meant you no pain. I hope I can make it up to you.”

  “I was abandoned by my mother and grandmother to be raised by strangers. You left me too. I’m not sure how I feel about any of this.” Tears threatened to roll down her face. She bit her lip to keep from crying.

  “I never left you. Not really.” Glasses of wine appeared in front of all of them. The goddess held her glass up to her nose and inhaled the wine’s sweet aroma. “This wine is made from the finest of grapes. Drink some, it’ll relax you.” The goddess sipped hers.

  “I doubt wine will cure the way I feel.” Terra took a sip of her wine. She tasted her tears mixed with the flavorful wine.

  “My child, I know the wine won’t cure anything. But it is enjoyable. Just know, you’re blessed with so many gifts I’ve given you. Try not to be sad. In all, there is bad with the good.”

  “I’m trying. I know sometimes gods and goddesses don’t feel the same as mortals and immortals do about things.” Terra hiccupped.

  “I understand what you mean, and that is true.” The goddess nodded. “However, I couldn’t have raised you like a mortal or immortal mother could have. You wouldn’t have gotten what you needed while you were growing up. As Mother Earth, I wasn’t equipped. Also, there are reasons your grandmother Genevieve couldn’t raise you either. Don’t judge her harshly. She sacrificed much to save you from Crexan and Aife. She’s a good immortal, and she loved you immediately. She’s cried many tears because she had to give you up. If Aife or Crexan had raised and molded you, it would have been disastrous.” Goddess Gaia glanced at Aetius.

  “What she says is true. They are wicked wiccans, despised by many.”

  “Being hidden from them and everyone as you grew up saved you from all those who might have hurt you because they thought you were their daughter. Aife and Crexan have made many enemies.”

  “The earth itself is their enemy,” Aetius added.

  “I do want to meet Genevieve.” Terra could barely see out of her tear-filled eyes.

  “I can take you to meet her,” Aetius offered. “In fact, she’s having a grand Beltane celebration. I will take you. If you like? God Dionysus will be there.”

  “Sure, I’d like to go with you.” Terra smiled.

  “Excellent.” Aetius helped himself to more fruit.

  Terra finished her wine. “I’m glad to hear you have this plan.” Her glass refilled itself. “It sounds like a fine idea.”

  “I think so.” Aetius finished his glass of wine. “This was excellent wine.” His glass re-filled.

  “Drink your fill,” the goddess advised.

  “I will.” Aetius drank some more.

  I have a present for you, my child.” The goddess held out her open hand. A ring with a vibrant green stone lay in her palm. The stone was very large for a ring, and it sparkled with amazing iridescence in the firelight. “This is an emerald of great value. I found it in the depths of the earth in Columbia near the Andes Mountains.”

  “It’s absolutely incredible. I’ve never seen a gem so gorgeous.”

  “Yes, it is. Emeralds are more valuable than diamonds. Many young people don’t realize this. The diamonds on our dresses are lovely, but they’re common and easy to find. An emerald like this is beyond any measurable value. And they’re rare. This particular gem has been endowed with magical properties that only you can control. When you wear it, or are close to it, it’ll enhance your powers and help keep you safe.”

  “Thank you. It’s an incredible gift. I appreciate it very much.”

  “My pleasure. No one will ever be able to take it from you. It’s bespelled to locate you. It will be able to find you, no matter what, and it will always come back to you.”

  “I can’t express how beautiful the ring is. Why have you given this to me?”

  “I’m glad you like it. I’ve given it to you because you’re my daughter. I need no other reason. I had this ring crafted by a superior craftsman, a gifted artisan, a troll named Axel Venrick.”

  “God Dionysus has mentioned him before.”

  “I’m indebted to God Dionysus for teaching you so much over the years and caring for you.” She touched Terra’s arm. “I commissioned Axel Venrick on the day you were born to create this ring. I’ve kept it until this moment in anticipation of giving it to you. Please accept it, my beloved child.” She handed it to Terra. “This emerald will enhance your healing powers. It’ll enhance the clarity you have in all things.”

  Terra put the ring on her finger. “It’s truly lovely beyond words.” A rush of heat raced from her ring finger up her arm. The sensation moved through her whole body. “I can feel its power. I don’t know how to thank you for such a valuable gift. I really don’t know what to say about anything I’ve learned tonight.”

  “I realize it’s difficult to process all I’ve shared with you.”

  “Yes, to say the least, I’m stunned.”

  “All I ask is for you to forgive me. Also, I hope you find it in your heart to forgive Genevieve. Listen to everyone with an open heart of understanding.”

  “I’ll try my best.” She looked sideways at Aetius, wondering more about him. He knew my parents and my maternal grandmother. What else does he know?

  “I will leave you two now. I have matters to attend to. I suggest you take Terra to the Lake of Desire. It’s a gorgeous body of water, especially on a night with a full moon. A powerful water nymph lives there, you should meet her.”

  “Okay, I will.” Aetius nodded.

  Terra looked up. The sky was so different from what she was used to. The stars were like jewels, clear and bright. The moon was snow white in the black sky, and it seemed much closer than it usually did.

  “There are no city lights to pollute our view here.” Aetius leaned back in his chair and looked up too. “The sky here is like it was when the world was new and I was much younger. I do miss those days.” His expression was as if he was thinking of a time far removed. He turned to look directly at her. “Would you like to go to the lake with me? I think it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth. But in truth, there are many beautiful places on this earth’s mortal realm.”

  “Yes, I’ll go.” Terra finished her wine.

  The goddess motioned in Terra’s direction, and her white dress was replaced with a colorful sarong. “I think you’ll be needing a swimming suit, unless you wish to be free of clothing?” She winked.

  “No.” Terra shook her head. “Clothes are good.”

  “Okay, so you’ll find a swimming suit under the sarong. I’ve put your gown in the last hut. Please take it with you. The diamonds have great value.”

  “Thank you for all of your gifts. Can I hug you?”

  Goddess Gaia stood up and moved closer to Terra. “Of course. You are my daughter.” She hugged Terra. “You are a demi-goddess.”

  Terra embraced the goddess. “Thank you for your gifts and for being kind to me.”

  “I will always be kind to you, and you may call on me anytime. Also, I plan to tell Zeus you’re my child. Everyone should know the truth. It’s time for it to finally be celebrated.” The goddess hugged her again. “You should be recognized as my child and enjoy the status of a demi-goddess.”

  “Okay, that’s good,
right?”

  “It is. I’m very proud of you.” She kissed Terra’s cheek. “I look forward to spending time with you in the future.”

  “I feel the same.”

  “Make yourselves at home here.” She gestured toward the huts. “In my village of Tellus, all the huts are yours to use. They’re all very comfortable. If you need something, ask any of my servants.” She stepped away from the table. “Also, my child, be careful of Crexan Clancey. Be cautious of Aife too. She has a dark heart and has always been void of the ability to love.”

  “I’ll be careful. Thank you, Mother.”

  “Good.” Goddess Gaia bowed her head to Terra. “May the energies of this earth be with you always.” The wind began to twirl around her form.

  “Thank you again.” Terra watched as the goddess’s body dissipated into a dust and returned to the earth.

  Chapter 5

  Aetius reclined in his chair. He watched Terra as she continued to eat her meal. He wondered what her reaction was going to be now that the goddess had left. For certain, she would expect him to explain some things. Like how he knew Aife and Genevieve. She would never believe it was a coincidence he’d been at the coven meeting.

  Oddly, he was nervous regarding her feelings toward him. He never worried what others thought of him, but Terra was different. In a short period of time, she’d gotten under his thick, callous skin. It was as if they’d been friends forever.

  After he’d met Terra, the urge to bring her to the goddess had been irresistible. So, he had seized the opportunity. Everything about Terra, even her voice, reminded him of the goddess. He knew it had to be for a reason, and he wasn’t at all surprised by what the goddess revealed.

  No matter what happened now, he was glad Terra knew the truth. As they say, the truth will set you free. In this case, it would set Terra free from the unknown regarding her birth parents. It would also free her of the deal her grandmother and Aife had made with him. For Aife, it would set her free from her prison...for now.

  If he could help it, he would never tell Terra that her grandmother had agreed to give her to him in exchange for her rotten daughter. That knowledge would hurt Terra too much. Genevieve would also suffer from that revelation. She had already spent more than twenty-eight years regretting the arrangement she’d made.

  Terra sat next to him, watching the musicians and eating the diverse foods the goddess had provided. They sat in silence. She occasionally hummed or tapped her feet to the Peruvian music. The musicians played at a perfect volume. The music was soothing yet entertaining.

  “Do you dance?” she asked as she swayed to the music. “The music’s perfect for dancing.” She picked up her wine glass and gazed at him as she finished her wine.

  “There’s nothing better than a Latin beat. And yes, I can dance. I just haven’t in ages. I’ve had no reason to.” He picked up a cookie.

  “Does one really need a reason to dance?” She smiled.

  “I suppose not. Fey love to dance.”

  “I’ve heard.” She nibbled on a cookie. “I suppose wiccan like to dance too. Especially when there’s something to celebrate. And we always find something to celebrate.”

  “Same with the Fey. I used to dance often with my family and friends. I was always going to a celebration of some sort.” He looked off into the distance as he remembered times long past. “I was a very good dancer. I used to be carefree.” He offered her the tray of cookies. “Have another cookie, these are delicious.”

  “That’s right, Elementals are Fey?” She took another cookie off the tray. “I think of a Fey as small and dainty.” She grinned. “You know, like Tinkerbelle.”

  “Elementals are usually Fey. I’m hardly small or dainty. And Tinkerbelle is the wrong image altogether. Trust me, Fey aren’t nearly as nice as that little children’s character.” He smiled. “I know I’m not.”

  “No. I stand corrected. I was caught up in a popular stereotype. My apologies.” She lightly touched his arm.

  “No apology is necessary.” He watched her blush again. “You’re sweet when you blush.”

  “I never blush, but you seem to cause me too repeatedly.” Her face reddened more.

  “I’m flattered.” He enjoyed watching the rose color spread and deepen in her cheeks. “I’m surprised I can make a beautiful, young witch blush. I must not have lost my charm.”

  “No, I guess not.” She played with the food on her plate.

  Realizing she was embarrassed, he changed the subject. “Goddess Gaia always feeds her guests well. The food is one reason I enjoy visiting her.”

  “Yes, the food’s wonderful. It’s a taste of the local culture. I’m really enjoying it. Why haven’t you danced in a long time? How can a person not dance anymore?”

  He offered her the cookie tray again. “I don’t socialize much anymore, and dancing alone is no fun.”

  “Why don’t you socialize anymore?” She took another cookie.

  “For many reasons.” He gazed down at his hands. “The main one is my sister was killed by Amuliana and Hecate. They struck her down after a celebration where we had danced all night. That’s the last time I danced.”

  “That’s awful. No wonder you hate Hecate.”

  “I hate Amuliana more. She’s the one who held the sword that took off my sister’s head. She killed my sister out of jealousy. She wanted my sister’s husband for herself. I’d like to end her. I’d end them both if I could. The world and all its realms would be a far better and safer place. But killing them isn’t allowed, according to Zeus and his council. He tells us that justice will be served. I’ve been waiting a long time.”

  “Sometimes justice takes time. I can imagine that would be even more true among immortals. Time isn’t the same to them.”

  “You’re an immortal. You speak as if you’re not.”

  “I’m only twenty-eight. I guess if hasn’t sunk in for me.”

  “I can understand.” He nodded.

  “How long has your sister been gone?”

  “For over a thousand years she served Goddess Persephone. But the pain of her loss barely subsided for me. We were very close, and now that was another lifetime. My sister was full of life and happiness when it was taken from her. She was loved by all who knew her.”

  “Evil is cruel.” She touched his hand which rested on the table.

  “Yes, it is.”

  “That makes you really old.” She leaned closer to him. “But you’d never know. You look to be about thirty, if that.”

  “That’s true with most immortals. It’s one of the nice things about being immortal. But it sometimes means we’re lonely forever.”

  “That sounds sad.” She looked down at her plate. “I’ve not been around many immortals. Really only God Dionysus. He was the first I met. He told me what I was and about the immortal world. I’ve seen Hecate on occasion, fortunately only in passing.”

  “That’s good.”

  “There have been witches and the few other immortals I’ve run across. I have no idea how old they are. I don’t talk to them much.” She shrugged. “I’m a loner for the most part. My childhood taught me to be.”

  “I’m a loner as well. Over the last millennium, I’ve spent years, even decades, without interacting with anyone, except to do my job. On a good note, my sister is now alive. She was reborn and recently found her mate, Lykoan. I guess sometimes we can find happiness or a happy ending.”

  “I didn’t know someone could be reborn. That’s incredible.”

  “It’s the first and only time that I know of. It was a great miracle perpetrated by many of the gods, including Fenrir, Lykoan’s father. There’s a long story about what happened with my sister, Faelan, and her mate, Lykoan.”

  “I see. It seems I could learn a lot from you.” She smiled.

  “Yes, I’m a fountain of information.” It pleased him that her comment made it sound as if she wanted to have their relationship continue. Terra not only healed plants and trees around he
r, she was healing him too. His heart was lighter while with her.

  “I’d like to have some water.” She rubbed her forehead. “I can feel the wine going to my head.” She chuckled. “I’m not used to drinking wine, and I think I’m chattier than usual.” A glass materialized on the table, and it was filled with water.

  “There you go.” He picked up his own glass which had appeared at the same time as hers. “Enjoy the best water you can get. If you stick with me, you’ll always drink the cleanest water in the world.”

  “A perk of being a Master Elemental, huh?” She picked up the glass and took a drink.

  “Yes.”

  “When are you going to tell me your connection to my parents and grandmother? Also, how did you end up at the coven meeting in the middle of nowhere, Ohio?” She rested against the table as she studied him.

  “I was waiting for you to ask me. But before I tell you all about it, let’s dance, shall we?” He stood up and offered her his hand. “I think I can remember how to.” He smiled down at her.

  “All right, master of changing the subject. I’m used to waiting for some things, so I suppose I’ll wait for you to tell me.” She stood up and accepted his hand. “We should enjoy this evening.”

  Every time he took her hand, her special energy traveled up his arm. It was stimulating, and at the same time soothing. I could become addicted to her and the way she makes me feel.

  Aetius led her closer to the musicians. “Do you dance often?”

  “No, not really. But I like to.” She kicked off her shoes, and he did the same.

  He pulled her into his arms and placed his right hand on her lower back. Terra put her left hand on his shoulder, and they started to move to the music. They swayed together in perfect tempo. Terra inched closer to him. Aetius guided them around the bonfire. They circled it numerous times, keeping rhythm to the Peruvian beat. By the time they had danced to four songs, they were dancing very closely.

  Aetius whispered in her ear, “I’m glad you asked me to dance.”

  “I guess I did ask you. At least I initiated the possibility of dancing.” She laughed. “I couldn’t resist with delightful music under such a gorgeous, star-filled sky.”