Epilogue
THE MOTHER, THE MAIDEN, & THE CRONE
“Stop this madness,” Cliona snapped. “You would poison the world to see your goals realized?”
“I would do much worse,” the ancient goddess responded. “Don’t act so high and mighty. We all know what you did for your daughter. How is this any different?”
Cliona stared in horror. “I did not kill anyone. Protecting my daughter is what a mother should do. You poison their world to prove a point!”
“I poison their world to let them know who really rules, Banshee Queen. If they decide not to listen, their deaths will be on their heads.”
“Mortals and Lords do not play the games of gods,” said the younger goddess who lounged on a chaise lounge made of pure gold. “They’re too stupid to realize this is a lesson. They’ll mobilize and stand against us.”
The ancient goddess let out a snort of derision. “And they will lose once more.”
But Cliona’s eyes narrowed. “Are you truly foolish enough to think my daughter would stand with gods who indiscriminately murder her people?”
“We are her people!” the ancient one roared. “This is your fault, Cliona. You coddled her and allowed humans to raise her instead of bringing her up to realize her full power.”
The younger goddess slid her golden legs off the lounge and sat up. She slid a wary glance toward the ancient crone. “Times are different. Perhaps we should find a way to work together instead of—”
“SILENCE!” the ancient one thundered.
Cliona was not so easily deterred. “You can stop this at any time. Withdraw your power.”
“It’s not my power,” the crone chortled. “A witch helps me, keeping the spell going through the blood I send her.”
Cliona shook her head. “You give your power away with no heed to the danger it will bring down around our heads. I think, sister, you will find Evie not so easily swayed to your cause. If you harm anyone she cares about, she will rise up and become the force none of us are ready to deal with.”
The ancient one was too far gone in her ideals to listen to the warning. Her rheumy eyes lit up. “Embracing her power is her destiny. She will be the ruler we all need and take our lands back from those who’ve stolen them!”
The younger goddess edged away from the crone.
Cliona stepped back, away from the poisonous goddess who might bring ruin to their people. “I will stand with my daughter no matter which way she decides to go.”
The ancient crone gasped at Cliona’s perceived betrayal and lifted a gnarled, crooked finger at the goddess. “Then you too shall perish at my hand.”
Cliona’s smile is a terrible thing to behold. “You underestimate my daughter. I look forward to the day when she rises and shows you exactly who she is meant to be.”
The ancient lunged for the queen, but Cliona had known for years how treacherous her many sisters were. With a laugh like bells, the Banshee Queen disappeared into a mist of power, there and gone in an instant, leaving the vengeful goddess and her meek and wavering accomplice behind.