Man Destroyer

Part 3

Chapter 5: That Night

The cavern was a wide open mouth full of rainbow-hued crystal teeth, opening into a stunning room with a bed of moss on a slate slab taking center stage, a thick, deep green shock of colour against the muted hues the light reflected across the crystals surrounding the room, thousand year old stalactites dripped down from the ceiling to form a sort of headboard. A small sparkling waterfall tumbled gracefully from the corner of the room and flowed across it, a thin sliver of movement glittering against the dark rock. A family of bats blinked at them from another corner, wrapping their wings around their sweet faces to block out the light as the fae lit a fire at the foot of the bed in a ring of stones. The sylphs, air fairies, blew in a blanket of ferns and pillows made of flowers, to lay on the moss-bed.

Danu glided in behind them and waved her hand, a gust of wind picked up and blew open two trunks that were resting against the far cave wall, each inscribed with a witch's name. Lilith's trunk was full of leather leggings, knee-high leather boots, and fur tunics; a thick and opulent fur hood with small goat horns attached rested on top. In Zelda's trunk were soft moccasins, an array of floor length, long sleeved dresses with hoods attached, and a leather belt with crystals adorning its strap. Both trunks had similarly styled outfits in tiny-demon-sizes for Deianeira so she could match either of her parents on any given day and a variety of blankets to swaddle her in.

"I trust you are pleased with the accommodations?" The Fairy Queen asked.

Placing the babe on the moss bed, Zelda pulled a rich cyan-coloured dress from her trunk and snapped her fingers, in that instant, she was dressed in it. The long sleeves hugged her arms as the dress pulled in at the waist and flowed out around her hips to the floor; "Indeed we are, m'lady, thank you." Looking at Lilith through her thick dark lashes, she smiled teasingly and pulled the hood up around her face, she grinned; "Do I look mysterious?"

With another snap of her fingers, Zelda transformed Lilith, clothing her in black leather leggings and a fitted fur tunic. Lilith laughed softly and grabbed Zelda's hand, pulling her close, "You look beautiful."

"I'm glad you're both enjoying our offerings. This clothing is made by our brother gnomes. They live in these caverns too but on another plane of existence. They hunt for sustenance and use the skins and furs to create garments. Zelda, your dresses are made from spider-spun silks they harvest over a year. It takes one entire year to gather enough silk for one dress." Danu smiled, proud of her connections with Earthen creatures.

"They're beautiful, thank you." Zelda felt compelled to curtsey which encouraged Lilith to bow, then both witches were giggling beneath the beaming smile of their hostess. It was the first time in many long months where they finally felt free to experience each moment for what it was without having to worry about any immediate danger.

"Enjoy...please." Danu excused herself leaving the witches alone at last.

Zelda felt youthful and it wasn't just her changed appearance from the consumption of the fairy feast, she felt glimmers of hope that had died within her ages ago. Down here in the depths of the Earth, she felt as if anything were possible. She felt giddy, excited, and optimistic. She reached down to grab her skirt and twirled with it, laughing. Looking at her surroundings, Lilith, and the baby, she suddenly realized why she felt so lighthearted - she felt safe. The horror and sadness of all that had occurred prior to this moment was a blurred memory, hard to retrieve, as if it had never happened at all. Tir na nOg, the Celtic Underworld, had entirely charmed her and if asked she would happily remain within its depths until the end of time.

Unaffected by the Tuatha de Danaan's glamour and allure, Lilith watched as her consort slipped further into the depths of her fantasy. Taking a deep breath, the Queen of Hell scooped down to pick up her daughter who was waking up. Moving to the light of the fire, Lilith gazed upon her creation with a critical eye for the first time. Having fed so deeply from Zelda, the lamia's hair was growing in a deep ocher but her eyes were entirely Lilith's. A button nose, rosy cheeks, and perfect ears without an extra hair on her body or any cloven hoofs; Deianeira looked nothing like her sire.