The Goddess Returns

Chapter 6: New Lodgings

They found themselves in a cave system with smoothed walls—albeit covered in a layer of moss and dust—and numerous passages radiating off the main hallways like a network of veins. A few more twists and turns deposited the three of them before a heavy wooden door studded with iron bolts.

"This is the grand priestess's residence," Sephila said, moving to one side. "You will find everything you could need for a comfortable existence. Serve me well, and I will look after you better than the highest human lords of the land."

"Hasn't this been unused for the last century?" Sui said, and grasped the heavy iron handle.

"No need to fret!" Sephila said. She snapped her fingers. Nothing happened. "Hmm. It would appear that physical fingers are needed to make a sound. How interesting." She shrugged her spectral shoulders. "It's merely a showmanship thing, unnecessary to actually get the job done."

A variety of sounds filled the air—thumps, bangs, scrapes—as something took place on the other side of the door. After a few minutes of this, the sounds ceased, leaving an eerie silence.

"Is it safe?" Sui asked, still grasping the handle.

"See for yourself," Sephila said.

Opening the door, Sui stepped across the threshold with Levana and they took in the scene; a room approximately half the size of the Carval's hold, big enough for a queen-sized bed, several polished oak wardrobes and dressers, and a table and two chairs in the centre. To the right, a smaller door led through to an en-suite bathroom with the latest in ablutionary science, meaning a flushing toilet and a hot water bath.

"Not even the Guild has en-suites!" Sui muttered, eyes sparkling with bathroom lust. The very idea of being able to soak in a hot bath with her beloved was enough to know they had made the right choice in sticking around.

At several points around the walls in both the bedroom and its en-suite were crystals similar to those in the main caverns, only a soft yellow-orange colour to provide more natural lighting.

"This is spectacular...!" Levana breathed.

"Only thing it's missing is windows," Sui said.

"You're inside a mountain!" Sephila said, exasperated.

Sui waved her hands back and forth. "Ah, I don't mean I don't like it! It's amazing, thank you, m-my lady."

Again, Sephila melted at Sui's use of the term 'my lady'. "I'm beginning to think that having you use that term to refer to me is not in my best interests."

"It's not?" Sui said, an eyebrow raised.

"No, because you're too adorable when you do!" Sephila wailed, floating forward to hug Sui, only to fly straight through her.

Spinning around, Sui jumped back and shuddered. "Eurgh! That was creepy!"

"I miss having a mortal body," Sephila mumbled, and floated out of the room, her entire posture radiating an air of defeat with her arms and legs dangling down to show a complete lack of energy.

Pulling her girlfriend into a tight hug, Levana giggled. "She doesn't give off much of a godly feel, does she?"

"No, but I think that's why I like her," Sui said. "Most gods are arrogant and self-important from what I've heard, but Sephila seems... almost like a regular person?"

"I suppose being the goddess for people who have historically not been treated very well gave her a humility most gods lack?" Levana suggested.

"Maybe. Though to be fair, having a fun personality is a great way to get someone into bed," Sui said. "And she seems the type to want multiple partners, hah."