Chapter 22
“All along,” Jasper said, resting his hand atop his bouncing knee, “it was a goddess who meddled between our peoples? Not a sorceress?”
Elios inclined his head. “It was never intended to become public knowledge. You can understand the uproar it would cause if the factions found out it was one of the gods who intervened, not the witches. But the lies told were not terribly far from the truth, for it was, in fact, the goddess of witchcraft who could not bear to see the world crumble.”
“Niandra?” Sloane asked.
Elios smiled at the mention of the goddess. “The very same. My mother is a primordial goddess, controlling far more than witchcraft, though that is the only name she bears. Even today, her power is one of the strongest and oldest among the gods. It knows no bounds and bows to no rules of nature as many others do.”
“That is how she created the curse,” I mused. “The sun and moon fell to her as their patron, and she alone controlled their blessing.”
“Niandra never intended for the curse to be standing long term. In fact, she hoped that the first match would see to its end, given the longevity of their relationship. Despite how they began, the chosen seemed to care for one another. More than that, their love was abundantly clear to everyone they met. How miraculous it would have been to see their unification give birth to a line of newfound peace. Of course, they were not so lucky.” He paused, undoubtedly stuck in another time as he stared into space. “However, I cannot help but selfishly be thankful for the turmoil created in my mother’s wake—regardless of the lives it cost. If the curse had ended there, the world as we now know it would be entirely different, and circumstances would not have placed Calia’s mother at my doorstep.”
The room was silent, letting the information Elios had supplied settle in all our minds. There was too much to take in, more than I ever thought possible. How was it that so much of our history was lost? And likely, knowing the transgressions of our ancestors, that it had been omitted on purpose? I turned to my wife, desperate for some sort of reaction, but she appeared unaffected. I was uncomfortable with the isolation I felt on her behalf, knowing she had borne this knowledge alone until now.
Calia was the key to everything, having ties to each significant player in this game. She was fae in nature, but held the natural divinity of the gods in her blood. “How did Leonora know about Calia?” I asked, running my hand over the sharp scruff along my jaw. “Her lineage has been a well-kept secret, one I assume has been partly hidden by the Vail.” I gestured toward Calix, who nodded in answer. “So, how did she find out?”
Ballard stepped up, clearing his throat. “Regrettably, that is where I come in. The covens, specifically the elders who lead them, have known the truth of our history for millennia. Niandra is sacred amongst our kind, having bestowed our powers unto us. We are her soldiers—her protectors—just as the Vail is. Our talents simply lie in protecting information rather than brute strength.” He paused, choosing his following words carefully. “There is much you don’t know about your mother, much your father never had a chance to tell you before he died, but let me say this: her crusade for power began centuries ago, well before you were born or imagined, and she has stopped at nothing to achieve it.”
Jasper leveled Ballard with a lethal gaze. “Rion knows more than most what his mother is capable of. Don’t presume to think we don’t realize what that cunt can do.”
Ballard slid his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels. “Aptly called. As for how she obtained the knowledge?” His eyes darkened, recalling a distant memory. “She dug her talons into a vulnerable young mind, twisting and molding it until they spilled long lost secrets which were never meant to reach the ears of anyone outside the covens.”
I grew up familiar with my mother’s greed and vicious nature, the quiet wrath that snaked through her veins, readying to strike. There were moments I looked back and wondered why I allowed myself to be manipulated so easily. How I thought doing her bidding would win me favor with a woman who would look upon the world in disdain.
“Makes sense why everything has been kept secret,” Jasper mumbled. “Though it would’ve been nice to know the gods came down for visits. What’re the odds I’ve met any of them?”
“If you had, I’m sure you would know,” Sloane said, settling back into the couch.
“Why do you say that?” he asked, turning toward her and plastering a smile upon his face. “Because I would have dazzled them with my wit and charm?”
She rolled her eyes. “No, because they would’ve likely found you insufferable and turned you into a toad.”
Elios studied Jasper, humming softly to himself. “A toad would be lost on him, I think. It seems like he would make a fine canine companion instead.”
Jasper gaped as the room filled with soft chuckles at his expense. Even Castor, the immovable prick, laughed. Though, it was quickly covered up with a cough.
Suddenly, Calia gasped, piercing me with her radiant gaze as she sat up suddenly, hands pressed to her cheeks. “Has Poppy had her pups yet? Please tell me I haven’t missed it.”
In truth, I felt horrible that I did not know. Anya and I had not spoken since our altercation, for which I could only blame myself. I did not think she would have sought me out to tell me the news, even if our circumstances differed. She hated me, hated the part I played in Calia’s death.
The death that was now inconsequential.
For all the excitement, I saw the change of topic for what it was—a distraction. Uncomfortable words had been spoken, words that could not be taken back, and words that would change the trajectory of our lives.
While Elios had been the one to tell his tale, Calia’s own was at the forefront of it all. It revolved around her as though she were the sun holding the pieces in orbit.
“I have been preoccupied of late, so I am not sure, but I know Anya would both welcome the company and to know you are safe,” I said, giving a brittle smile.
Once, I would have considered Anya a well-known acquaintance. I did not have friends other than Jasper and had never allowed myself to view anyone else in that light should my darkness bring them down beside me, but it was enough that I was ashamed of my actions toward her. And given how highly Calia regarded her, it caused my stomach to sink further.
I had not seen Anya since the incident, but Rowena assured me she had checked on her. “Everything’s fine,” she had said. “She may hate your guts for the rest of her life, but otherwise, she’s fine!”
It had not been reassuring.
Calia’s smile faltered, as though she sensed discord between us, yet she said nothing. Rowena, however, spoke to fill the awkward tension. “She hasn’t yet! I’ve been checking in with Anya daily. If you’re up for it, perhaps we could visit her? And it would be nice to get some fresh air, with how dense these conversations have become.”
“Dogs? You’ve had dogs this entire time, and this is the first I’ve heard of it?” Sloane asked, standing and pulling Rowena to her feet. “I can’t believe you’ve held out on me! What’re we waiting for?”
“Ooh, I want to go, too!” Brielle echoed, looping her arm through Calia’s.
None of the women hesitated before rushing out of the room. Their laughter trailed behind them, leaving the rest of us in stilted silence.