In the Nyx of Time

by Amy Sumida

  “I suppose gold can be considered yellow,” Re mused. “And there is a jewel city at the end of it, but it isn't just emerald. The City of the Dead is far more magnificent than any solid green town could be; its homes are adorned with precious jewels and metals held together by the shifting sands.”

  “Shifting sands?” I asked.

  “The city is ever expanding and changing,” he explained. “As new souls arrive or the old ones decide they want a change, the city caters to them. The sand that forms the mortar between the gems and metals can solidify or disperse depending on intent; allowing buildings to transform at the whims of the souls who inhabit them.”

  “It looks amazing from here,” I noted. “So, if that's where the souls live, who lives in those other palaces, outside the city?”

  “The Gods; my family,” Re said, and then he grinned. “They like their homes a bit flashier than I do. I prefer a more classic look.”

  “In other words; you don't want your palace to be more glorious than yourself.” I lifted a brow at him.

  “You know me so well.” Re sighed. Then he added, “I have one more surprise for you.”

  Re took my hand and led me to an upper platform. There were silk carpets strewn across the deck and a thick mattress set atop them. White cotton sheets covered the mattress, along with a mound of fluffy pillows. A low table sat beside the bed with a pitcher of wine, two glasses, and a bowl of fruit upon it. Re led me toward the mattress.

  “I want to see you standing naked in the sun,” Re said as he slid his hands over my dress.

  “You first,” I teased him.

  Re had no problem with that; he smiled broadly as he shucked off his jacket. Shoes, socks, vest, shirt, belt, pants, and finally, his boxers were removed. I was getting impatient by the time he stood before me in all of his golden glory. But then I began to wish that I'd gone first, after all; Re was especially beautiful in the sunlight. His body gleamed; bringing the curves of his muscles into sharp relief. He looked every inch the Sun God, which made my curvy inches feel unworthy.

  But Re didn't give me long to consider this; he was instantly lifting my gown and then sighing with appreciation over what he revealed. His hands skimmed my body as he lowered me to the mattress while I was still in my underwear.

  “I thought you wanted me naked?” I asked with a teasing grin.

  “I also want to appreciate the unwrapping,” Re said as he helped me down onto the warm cotton. “Lie back, La-la; let me look at you.”

  I stared down the length of Re's body as he admired me. The heat in our stares rivaled the sun above us, and when Re finally reached for me, I was already reaching back. Our two fires met and burned even brighter together; exploding into ecstasy. As the boat glided over the water, Re and I were swept up in a different kind of current; one that we rode until we lay trembling with satisfied exhaustion in each other's arms.

  “I love you, my sweet wife,” Re murmured into my hair. “Now, I can face tomorrow without regret.”

  “I love you too, Re,” I whispered and held him tighter.

  I didn't want to face tomorrow; I didn't want to ever leave this beautiful boat or the arms of my new husband. I just wanted to sail down Heaven's river and bask in the sunshine with him forever. But Time cannot be denied, and our allotted two hours flew by. We were soon circling back to the dock, and heading home to Re's palace. Still, I knew that I would always remember our brief honeymoon; whether or not history was repaired.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  After our brief but glorious trip down the river, Re and I returned to his palace to spend the rest of the night with Trevor. There was a lot of pleasure, of course, but most of our time was spent simply talking and enjoying each other's company. In the morning, Blue showed up, as promised, and we let him know about the quick wedding we'd had the night before.

  “I leave you alone for one night, and you get married?” Blue asked with amazement.

  “You're upset,” I said.

  “Wouldn't you be?” He asked me. “You didn't think to at least invite me?”

  “Trevor and I planned the ceremony,” Re said. “And no; we didn't think about it. Frankly; I didn't want to argue with you over the marriage.”

  “I knew you were engaged,” Blue said. “I wouldn't have protested.”

  “No?” Re asked dubiously.

  “No,” Blue affirmed. “But I would have said exactly what I'm about to say now; I want the same thing.”

  “What does that mean?” I asked.

  “I think he's saying that he wants us to call an officiant so he can marry you right now,” Trevor said.

  “No.” Blue rolled his eyes. “I'm not an infant; I don't need immediate gratification. I merely want a promise that we shall marry as well. I want to start the plans for it as soon as we return from the Underworld.”

  “Was that a proposal?” I asked with narrowed eyes.

  Blue sighed deeply. “It was not said as I would have wished it, but you've surprised me with your news.”

  “Touché,” I muttered.

  “But that is no excuse. Give us a moment, gentlemen,” Blue said as he took my hand and led me out of Re's dining room.

  Blue found an empty sitting room and escorted me inside. He took my hands; rubbing them gently as he stared at them a moment. Then he lifted his jade gaze to mine.

  “I've started to remember more,” he said softly.

  “Oh?” My heartbeat picked up nervously.

  “We weren't married, Vervain,” Blue said. “We misinterpreted the visions.”

  I sighed deeply and hung my head.

  “But that doesn't change the way that I feel about you,” he went on.

  I looked up at him in surprise.

  “I loved you then, and I love you now,” Blue said as he lifted his chin. “I remembered what you did for me, and how your heart already belonged to another. But we had something too, and if you hadn't been with Thor, I believe we would have been amazing together. Look at how wonderful things are between us now. And in this time, there is no relationship with Thor to hinder us. You have other men, and I don't like that, but I'm willing to work around them to be with you.”

  “Okay,” I whispered.

  “I'm not finished,” Blue said gently. “I've had memories that don't involve you. I saw Eztli; the woman I changed into a vampire.”

  “You did?” I asked in surprise.

  “I love her too, Vervain,” he said. “And if I can get her back, I want her; desperately.”

  “Then we shouldn't get married,” I said reasonably.

  “Why not?” Blue asked. “If you can marry more than one man, why can't I marry more than one woman?”

  “Fair enough,” I whispered. “But, as fair as that sounds, I don't—”

  This could all be irrelevant in a few hours, Alaric interrupted me. Throw the guy a damn bone, Vervain. You're the one who was so intent on keeping this sham going.

  “Yes?” Blue asked.

  “I don't know how Eztli will feel about it, and I don't want you to lose someone who may become even more important to you than I,” I covered.

  Oh, nice save.

  “I'm willing to take that risk,” Blue said with a soft smile. “I felt my love for Eztli, but I couldn't have felt it without you. I don't know if love can be quantified—if I can say that I love you more than her or vice versa—but I know that I don't want to lose either of you. You can understand that, can't you?”

  “Better than most, I'd wager.” I took a deep breath and then nodded. “Okay.”

  “Wait,” Blue said as he got down on one knee. “Let's do this right, this time, Vervain.”

  I just nodded.

  “You washed my world free of pain and cleared my vision,” Blue said as he stared up at me with a soft smile. “You touched my soul and my magic, and brought both of them back to life. I cannot imagine living without you, little witch. You are more important to me than blood or sun; you are life for me. I am only truly
living when I'm with you. Will you marry me, Vervain Lavine?”

  “Yes,” I said firmly.

  Blue smiled brightly and stood up; clutching me to him as he did. We shared a tender kiss, and then pulled away to stare at each other.

  “This time, it will be better,” he promised me.

  I didn't point out that we were heading into Tartarus with the intent to put time back to the way it had been.

  “Now, let's go handle these gods so we can come back and start planning our wedding,” Blue said.

  Is he totally in denial, or what? Alaric asked.

  I think he assumes that Time can't be fixed, even if we do kill these gods.

  Well, in that case; he may be right, Alaric said grimly. But here's to hoping that he isn't.

  We rejoined the others and then headed to the Greek Underworld together. Re, Trevor, Blue, and I stepped out of Hades' palace and into a flurry of activity.

  Hades had managed to gather a massive force to go into Tartarus with us; including an enormous, three-headed dog, a woman whose lower half was a dragon, and three giant men who had too many heads and arms to count. The last group made me stare the longest; with all of the arms and heads on each body, the men looked like those spiked-ball dog toys.

  “The Greeks are so bizarre,” Trevor murmured.

  “And people think Aztecs are weird,” Blue added.

  “Those aren't Greek Gods, are they?” I asked as I spotted a pride of lions.

  “No; those are the Intare,” Trevor said. “They were once men but were changed into shapeshifters by their goddess; Niyarvirezi.”

  A chill went through me when I heard her name, and I started walking toward the lions in a daze.

  “What are you doing, La-la?” Re asked.

  “I don't know,” I whispered. “Just go with it.”

  The men shrugged and followed me over to the Intare. The lions had been resting on the ground, but they got to their feet when I approached. I walked through them; looking at each one intently. I stopped before a black lion; my heart starting to race, but then I looked into his eyes and knew that he wasn't the one I was searching for.

  “Vervain, right?” A woman's voice caught my attention.

  I turned to see Demeter walk up to me. She glanced at Trevor and nodded.

  “Wolf Prince,” Demeter said in greeting.

  “Corn Goddess,” Trevor returned title for title.

  “You're still with her, I see,” Demeter noted casually.

  “She's my mate,” Trevor said simply.

  “Wolves.” Demeter shook her head as she turned back to me. “Is there some reason that you're strolling through the ranks of my allies, Vervain?”

  “I'm looking for... someone,” I said.

  “You're looking among lions for someone who you know?” Demeter asked skeptically.

  “Why not?” Trevor asked. “She found me among the wolves.”

  Demeter frowned thoughtfully. Then an African woman joined her. This woman was tall and gorgeous, with an athletic build that was still curvy.

  “Who's this?” The woman asked Demeter.

  “This is Vervain, she's a human witch,” Demeter said in a tone that was just shy of being scornful. “Vervain says that she knows one of your lions.”

  “I said that I was looking for someone,” I corrected. “These are your lions?” I asked the woman.

  The lions shifted around me; some of them sniffing at me with interest.

  “They are,” the woman confirmed. “I am Niyarvirezi, Goddess of Lions.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  Niyarvirezi nodded graciously. “Who are you looking for, Vervain?”

  “You're actually humoring the human?” Demeter laughed.

  “I suggest that you rethink the way you speak about my wife,” Re said calmly. “My immortal wife.”

  Demeter looked at me with more interest, lifted a brow, and then made an impressed sound.

  “Your doing, Sun God?” Demeter asked.

  “I couldn't leave my wife defenseless,” Re said with a shrug.

  “Fascinating,” Demeter said. “She's bewitched the eldest son of the Great Wolf and the Greatest God of the Egyptians. And you say that she's your wife now?”

  “Witchcraft has nothing to do with it,” Re said. “And yes; we were married last night.”

  “And she shall be my wife as well,” Blue said with more of an edge than Re had used. “My protection already extends to her.”

  Demeter gaped at Blue.

  “A woman after my own heart,” Niyarvirezi said approvingly. “Now, go on, Vervain; tell me who you're looking for. I have to admit, I'm dying of curiosity.”

  You should be dead already, Alaric muttered.

  What?

  Sorry; I shouldn't have said that. Just go with your gut on this one, V. That bitch deserves anything you want to dish out, and that goes for Demeter as well.

  Okay, then.

  “Do you have any other black lions?” I asked her. “One with blue eyes?”

  Niyarvirezi's whole demeanor changed. She went rigid and stared at me hard.

  “Why would you ask that?” She growled.

  The lions around me tensed.

  “Honestly, I don't know,” I said in confusion.

  Niyarvirezi relaxed as she considered me. “I have one who matches that description, but he has lost his sanity. We have to keep him chained.”

  “He went crazy?” I asked in surprise.

  “It's not uncommon.” Niyarvirezi shrugged. “Although, I was saddened when it happened to him. He was my favorite.”

  “Mine too.” Demeter smiled wickedly.

  My blood went cold.

  See what I mean? The two of them are monsters, V; true monsters.

  Got it.

  What are you going to do?

  We'll see what kind of opportunities present themselves, I said. War can be a confusing thing.

  Alaric laughed wickedly.

  “Well, thank you for bringing them here to help us,” I said breezily. “I look forward to fighting beside you both.”

  Demeter sighed and grimaced. “I should have thanked you first, Vervain. My apologies for my behavior. You're here to help get justice for my baby's murder, and I do appreciate that; as well as the powerful gods you've brought to add to our numbers.”

  “You're welcome,” I said.

  “Everyone!” Hades shouted.

  The army went quiet and turned toward Hades.

  “I am deeply honored that you've come to fight for Persephone today,” Hades said. “I wish she could have seen the type of force that has assembled to avenge her.” He paused and looked down for a moment to collect himself. “But a part of her will always live in my heart, and so she is with us. Now, let's make her proud, shall we?”

  The army roared, and Hades strode to the front of it. He started leading us down a wide, packed-earth road.

  “It looks as if it's time to march,” I said.

  “Let's go, La-la,” Re took my hand. “We need to find my grandson and his friends.”

  Re, Trevor, Blue, and I hurried along the ranks and then settled in with the God Squad; marching into Hell to avenge a goddess and hopefully get back to the right timeline.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  The path through Tartarus was rough, and I don't mean that in the physical sense. It was difficult to witness souls being tortured. You'd think that a soul couldn't be hurt, but in the God Realm, the Gods were in charge. They could change the scenery, transform items from one thing into another, and give souls solid forms. They weren't exactly physical bodies, but they were substantial enough for the soul to translate physical sensation into something it could truly feel. In other words; souls could suffer just as much as a living person. Possibly more.

  We eventually made it past the torture zones and into the more habitable parts of the region. Nyx lived with her husband, Erebus, in one of the more remote locations in Tartarus. Their home was actually a castle wi
th an imposing curtain wall guarding it. I suppose when you lived in Tartarus, that was necessary. But it was especially coming in handy for them today.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” A woman with an impressive pair of black wings stood atop the castle wall; screeching at her companion.

  The man who was with her was young and handsome, but as I drew closer, he cast a venomous glance at me that made him look like a weasel.

  Guess who that is, Alaric said.

  “Aion, I presume,” I muttered.

  “It appears so,” Re said before Alaric could confirm it. “Let's not waste any time.”

  Re shot a searing ray of sunshine from his palm and directed it at Aion; knocking him on his ass.

  “Re!” Hades shouted. “You were supposed to wait for my command.”

  Re just ignored Hades as the rest of the gods launched their own magic at the couple on the walls. That was what you got when you assembled an army of gods; none of them were used to taking orders.

  “This is for Persephone, Nyx!” Hades shouted at the woman on the wall.

  “Yeah, yeah; I know,” Nyx huffed as she waved a hand at Hades. “And, frankly, I'm done with you, Hades. I've had enough of watching you suffer. Now, it's time to finish this.”

  Nyx waved a hand and a black mist enveloped Hades. Sparks of red flared in the mist as Hades fought whatever Nyx was doing to him. The gods around him tried to help, but whoever touched the darkness wound up flying backward through the air. Thor and his friends started attacking Nyx instead; shooting waves of energy at the goddess. She blocked them all with waves of her hand; her gaze remaining on Hades.

  Meanwhile, gods and monsters poured out of the gate below Nyx; shouting, screeching, and roaring. Nyx appeared to have her own army, and it included creatures who I'd only seen in my nightmares. There were women with wings and the lower halves of birds, goddesses dripping goo, and gods with skin the color of old bruises. Our army met them head-on; shouting Persephone's name as their battle cry.

  I saw the lions run forward and my gaze strayed to Niyarvirezi. She was striding alone in their wake. Now, would be the perfect time to—