by Nicole Fox
Chapter Two
Huddling on her bed, Tatum watched her acolyte sisters hurrying around their enormous chamber that covered an entire floor of the temple. Rows of beds organized in simple rows, vanity and chair separated each bed for a sense of privacy. Soft pink and white drapes decorated wide windows that touched the ceiling and floor. Her sisters’ feet padded along the floors as they raced to find colorful tunics to impress Lord Keir. Tatum wanted to warn them about his wicked tongue and inappropriate touching, but she couldn’t spoil their fun. Being Silke’s representative would be a wonderful coup for any of them. Yet, she didn’t want to spend another moment near him, memorizing the planes of his face. Or how the tiny lines showed near his eyes when his lips twisted into a mocking grin.
Tatum examined her toenails as a dark shadow crept along her bed, stopping near her knees. Resisting an urge to giggle, Tatum snapped her fingers rapidly, startling the wiggling dark shadow.
“It doesn’t scare me any longer, Ruby.”
Chuckling, Ruby’s shadow formed and morphed into golden colors on Tatum’s bed. “I miss your screaming and shouting. My brothers and sisters control the elements. I’m the shadow, the least interesting of my parent’s children.”
“Being able to fade into a shadow isn’t goat cheese.”
“Why aren’t you selecting a gown for the ritual sacrifice?” Ruby joked.
“Because, I don’t want to want warm anyone’s bed for a night.”
“Everybody is supposed to go. I’m the exception. He would alert Cormac to my presence. It would create a tidal wave or something.”
“You’ve met the dark lord?”
“Oh, yes, he visited with my parents. He just happens to be close friends with the man that I married by accident. He’s handsome. He makes you look twice at handsome, if you like dark and brooding. Cormac is sunny, warm, and calm.”
“I thought you didn’t like your husband.”
“Why so many questions about Keir? Do you fancy him?”
Ruby ducked as a pillow swiped the air near her head, “Watch the head, my father will burn you like a piece of cheese in a burning hot desert in the height of summer, if you damage a curl on my beloved head.”
Ruby was the youngest child of Chan, God of the Sun and Luna, Goddess of the Moon. She fled her parents’ temple after her wedding to Cormac, the God of the Sea. Ruby didn’t explain her abandonment of her husband, and Tatum didn’t press her for details. With her smooth golden skin and long shiny black hair paired with dark eyes, Ruby resembled a miniature porcelain doll. It was hard to resist her sweet charm and kind ways.
“You would have to tell your father that you are here.”
Ruby scrunched her nose. “He would give me a lecture about my grandmother spinning thread for hours as a spider. Spinning silk thread to create traditional dress of the East for pure maidens. Then, my mother would show up and rant about being one with nature like my grandmother, all humans came from her. I would gurgle on my vomit.” Ruby tapped her head thoughtfully. “So, I’ll take a pillow to the head.”
Tatum’s bed dipped when Ruby crawled along her bed until she rested her head on Tatum’s thigh. Idly, Tatum curled a loose strand of hair around her finger to calm her nerves.
“What troubles you, Tatum?”
Shaking her head, Tatum attempted to clear her mind. She thought her future was planned for her. She had spent hours as a child dreaming of being Silke’s high priestess. Yet, part of her wanted to yank a tunic from her closet and parade before the dark lord. She didn’t want to lose her dreams like her mother had done.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I thought I knew everything about my life. Yet, I’m questioning everything.”
Ruby snuggled in deeper. “My mom stroked my hair when she was worried; usually it meant a moonless night or famine. You can’t change fate. Why fight it?”
“Because you don’t want to lose yourself… that’s why you ran away.”
“He tricked me… I thought he loved me. He loved a shadow of the past.”
“A shadow of the past?”
“He loved another, and his heart hasn’t let go. I deserve to be loved by one who has a free heart. I need to stay away from him until my love dies.”
“So, is that love dying?”
“Not quite. I long to see him.”
“What if he is your fate?”
“Then, we will find a way to be together.”
“What if your fate is seductive?’
“If it involves a man, it’s always seductive. So, what about your golden tunic?’
“Not going, resisting fate as long as I can.”
“Me too.”
~~~
“You could at least try, Keir,” Silke grumbled. “They went through a lot of trouble to prepare for this.”
Keir rolled his eyes at his sister as he stepped around her to examine another row of young girls. She didn’t show. The little mouse had the nerve to defy a direct order from Silke. Now, I’m dealing with blushing little foolish girls, too many of them.
“Rolling of one’s eyes is classless, Brother. It’s beneath even you.”
“You wound me.”
Keir felt robbed of his hobby. It was his favorite time of the year; he could mar the purity of Silke’s temple and one of her maidens.
One day, perhaps, I’ll inform Silke that for the last twenty years, I have never taken any of them to my bed. I just marry them off to one of my minions. Nothing worse than a pair of young eyes gushing with love and adoration.
This year, they reeked of mother’s milk. Their teeth were much too big as they smiled at him. He questioned a few, and their answers were downright ridiculous. He wanted more than someone with a shapely figure and exquisite face to challenge over the next few days. His eyes searched for Tatum, and she wasn’t there.
I thought she might be late or standing behind a friend. Truly, she doesn’t wish to partake in the contest. No matter, she is the one.
“Sister, I stand by my original choice.”
Lowering her eyes, Silke’s shoulders slumped in defeat as she accepted that she couldn’t protect Tatum from being tested by Keir. She hated when her plans were derailed by Keir or their father. She didn’t want to think about her husband, always waiting to drop in without an invite.
“Perhaps, this will be your final festival. It will serve you right, Brother.”
“Perhaps, your husband would like to share your company.”
“Once again, do not be vulgar and say mean things. You know nothing of my relationship with that man. How is it that you have such pity for my husband, your friend? None for your sister, your first friend, and we shared a womb for nine months! A long nine months! Was I given a choice of husband? I think not. You think nothing of the despair that he causes in my life. You merely picked one of our fiends. You didn’t even try. How he disrupts the scales of good. Do not speak of my husband.”
Keir patted his chest as he feigned hurt, sniffling as his mouth curved into a sad smile. “You said fiend, instead of friend. You had a childhood crush on him. You followed him around like a duck. So, you were secretly happy to marry Blane. You’re just afraid that he will leave dirt smudges on your walls.”
Silke glared at her brother. “I meant fiend, and I hope Tatum wins, and she sends your life into a tailspin, Keir. I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Do you want me to invite Blane?”
“No, I’ve seen too much of Blane in recent days!”
~~~
Tatum closed her eyes in delight as she munched on her scrumptious dinner. The food was sublime; her nightly meal of fresh vegetables with a few chunks of chicken and bread couldn’t compare to the lush meats, crisp vegetables, ripe fruits, and delicately frosted sweets presented artfully on Silke’s table. Keir observed Tatum enjoying her meal with such relish; her eyes closing in pleasure when she tasted a new food. His eyes lingered over her fingers clutching the table linens when she was introduced to rich delica
cies. He imagined introducing her to the delights between a man and a woman. Her pink tongue wiped a morsel of frosting from her lips.
Keir carelessly held a goblet of wine in his hand. He signaled his sister to inform Tatum of her destiny. Keir frowned when his sister directed a hostile gaze in his direction. Silke placed her goblet of wine on the table.
“Tatum.”
Tatum smiled at her lady. “Yes, Lady Silke.”
“Did you enjoy your dinner?”
“It was the most delicious meal, ever, Lady Silke,” Tatum replied gratefully. “Thank you for inviting me.” Silke placed a cool pale hand over Tatum’s delicate one. She smiled weakly. “Tatum, every year, there is a… contest to select a high priestess for my temples on Oceanus. My high priestess would have great powers on Oceanus. It would be her responsibility to maintain the ways of light and goodness on Oceanus. I would become a sister to the high priestess.”
Tatum’s brows knitted together. Oh, no, I’m going to be a servant to the new high priestess. They are just fattening the lamb before slaughter. Tatum nodded in understanding.
“One of the girls was chosen this afternoon to serve as a balance in the darkness of your brother’s temple?” Thank the heavens! “So, you want me to prepare the room for her arrival, and tend to her needs? You know that you can trust me, milady. I will see to her every need.”
Silke’s laughter filled her dining room. “No, my dear, you have been chosen to participate in a series of Trials to become my high priestess.”
A smile formed on Tatum’s face. Her brown eyes glistened with tears. She looked at Silke’s concerned face and Keir’s smug one. Tatum resisted the urge to jump up and down.
“So, I could be your high priestess.”
“Yes, my dear,” Silke replied sadly. “You have to pass the Trials.”
Tatum bit her lip as her eyebrows lowered. “What are the Trials about?”
“Tatum, you don’t know about the Trials?”
Tatum shook he head in denial. “My village was terrorized by the last dark lord. We learned nothing about him in school. We were told to cower in fear as girls, and never draw attention to ourselves. Everyone was in a fuss to attract someone’s attention,” Tatum replied as her lips turned down. Her words drew a loud snort from Keir; Silke sent her brother a withering look to silence his indignation. Tapping her fingers on the table, Silke pondered a plan of action to explain the purpose of the high priestess honor.
“Well, darling, three Trials: fear, intelligence, and temptation.”
Tatum leaned back in her chair. “What is temptation? I can figure out fear and intelligence,” Tatum asked hesitantly. “Am I offered something that I can’t resist like whipped sweet cream and berries?”
Keir brushed a strand of hair away from Tatum’s’ eyes. “I will tempt you to succumb to my seduction; if you like I can dip berries in cream and offer them to you.”
Tatum knocked his hand away. “That should be easy enough. Who would want to touch you?” Tatum tossed back saucily. “The berries would turn sour from your touch. Wait a minute, what does this have to do with him?”
“Every girl has failed the test of temptation.”
“You’re that good?”
Keir nodded; his smiling eyes mocked Tatum’s indignation.
“Tatum,” Silke continued, “if you pass the Trials, you become my high priestess and Keir’s bride for an eternity.”
Tatum’s mouth dropped open like a drawbridge. “Excuse me.”
Tatum waved a hand signaling her surrendering, “I’m not interested in becoming his plaything thing. So, I respectfully pass, milady.”
No wonder he looks like he ate a mouse. I can’t marry him; miserable for all of eternity. Who could stand him?
“Yes, my favored high priestess marries my brother, Keir. She becomes the balance to his darkness. The winner marries him and surrenders her virginity on their wedding night. Her virgin blood seals the pact.”
Tatum folded her arms across her chest. “If I fail? You have to slice my arm or something to get my blood? That’s a bit much.”
“You become my lover until I chose a fate for you,” Keir whispered huskily. “There is an enjoyable way to find your virgin blood.”
Dishes rattled when Tatum jumped from the table, her arms flying above her head. “I’m stuck with him! He’s the prize. Maybe, that’s why … nobody wants to win. At least, he gets rid of you after a while … on stomachache and head pains. That’s why everyone was pushed in front of him…. I thought he was going to select a maiden for the night, not for life. This is awful…. Why didn’t I pay attention to the idle gossip floating around me today?” Tatum pointed a fork at Keir, “You won’t be sampling anything with blood, mine, and virgin in the same sentence.”
Tatum’s passionate outburst intrigued Keir. He could wait a few days to have her. He could feel her tender skin under his hardened palms as she trembled with desire.
“You protest too much, Tatum," Keir observed.
“No, thanks, I’ll rather herd cats.” Tatum decided to ignore Keir’s rich laughter as it coated her warm flesh.
Silke shook her head sadly. “Sorry, my dear, when you entered my service, you promised to accept my wishes, and honor them.”
Tatum grimaced. “So, this was my last meal.”
Smiling in triumph, Keir passed a bowl of rainbow caviar to his sister, “I brought these for you, Silke.”
Silke covered her mouth and raced from the table without saying a word.
“See you turn your own sister’s stomach.”
“You know you like me.”
“I like sweets, but too many make you sick.”
“I’ll always find a way to make you feel good.”
“Can you say anything without being fresh?”
“No.”
Chapter Three
“Can I find a chamber to rest my tired head for a night?” a deep voice rumbled form behind Keir.
He shrugged as Cormac, God of the Sea, entered the Great Hall of his temple. Cormac’s boots swooshed as he approached Keir, slumping in his chair like a petulant child sulking over the day’s events.
“What, you didn’t raid Silke’s temple like we did her room as children? It’s your favorite time of the year.”
Cormac paused, waiting for a reply. Nothing.
“Look, I have to locate my runaway bride, and I don’t have time to play mind games. It’s difficult trying to understand Ruby. Yet, I stopped searching the Cosmos to come here and hold your hand, to console you during your possible loss of freedom. After everything that weighs heavy on my mind, you can’t answer me. I give up.”
Cormac’s feet left a path of water as he stomped in the direction of the fireplace, warming his hands.
“Am I too old for this?”
Cormac never thought he would listen to Keir questioning his age. Keir simmered with confidence.
“No, it’s time for a life change. Time to create heirs… a time of legacy.”
“A few simple tests to find your wife, what will make her so different?”
“Perhaps, you will love her, Keir.”
“Do you love your wife, who raced away from her marital bed before you could join her?”
Cormac scratched his scruffy blonde beard as waves of emotions flowed in his sea green eyes.
“Not everything is about sex. Yes, I adore my wayward wife. Ruby is rare; she can calm my moodiness and she doesn’t she shy away when I’m being a jackass. I would do anything to protect, and anything to locate her.”
“Does she realize the depths of your affections?”
“I thought so. I expressed my feelings. Perhaps, I wasn't clear.”
“You don’t feel bad marrying a young virgin, not a woman with experience, or an opportunity to have time alone... independence.”
“When I saw her, she sucked the air out of my lungs.”
“Gills.”
“Shut up, it felt like water stood still when she smiled
at me. I knew Luna and Chan had a daughter, but she sparkles.”
“Such words from you… never thought you would ever utter such devotion for a female.”
“Sometimes, you lose your heart when you hold it tightly to yourself. I will find her, and we will chat until we reach an understanding.”
Frustrated, Keir waved a large hand in front of his face. I need to clear my mind. That girl rattled my mind this morning. I just need time to think. Focus on the tasks at hand. Making sure that I don’t have a wife in three days’ time.
“Just ignore me, too much wine with dinner.”
Cormac shrugged, “Have you informed Maya of her potential replacement?”
Scrunching his face, Keir shook his head wildly. “She doesn’t get that she lost the Trials. I need a new girl to shake her.”
“That will be a hard shake, my friend.”
Keir abruptly rose from his chair. Waving his hand, he opened a portal to transport him to any desired location on Oceanus.
“Keir, where are you going?”
“I need to focus, clear my mind.”
~~~
Tatum scowled in the moonlight on the balcony of new bedroom; in the morning, Silke would explain everything about the Trials. She was a little miffed when she arrived back to her room and was forbidden to enter the suites. Calmly, Dora, the attendant, stated she was no longer an unmarked maiden. She couldn’t taint the other girls of Silke’s temple. Tatum was directed to a luminous chamber overlooking Silke’s gardens. Her new room was draped in silver and blue silks with a huge bed. Everything about the room reeked loneliness. What would occur over three days and nights? Keir would spend every ounce of his energy trying to lure her into his dark web of desire. Tatum’s eyes rolled; his ego was amazingly big.
“Yes, it matches everything else about me.”
“Perhaps, one of your minions should write your utterings of sweet nothings because your words are a big turnoff.”
“You mock me?”
“Do you listen to yourself? You sound like an old drunk man.”
“Dear one, you protest too much like I told you over dinner.”
Tatum hated the way his eyes lingered across her body, causing warmth to spread across her firm breasts. Her image was embedded in his mind. She didn’t like when she felt heat flickering along her skin. Pulling her shawl across her shoulders, she moved towards the door leading to her room.
