The Light Within Her - Book Nine

Ch. 27- Trust is Earned

"Half gods are worshiped in wine and flowers. Real gods require blood."

***

I held Erebus's hand tightly as we slowly walked down the stairs, all eyes on us. From the corner stood Amias and Lyssa, who was seething from anger at the sight of me. More specifically, the bruises on my neck from the God. From his kisses. I ignored the duo, leaning close to Erebus as I whispered, "I might have forgotten to put on something important."

He stilled for a second, then bending down to my ear while he held the other Gods gaze. No doubt they saw our closeness. Our flirting. "Hm, what could it possibly be?"

While Erebus was in the bathroom styling his hair, like the pompous God he was, I put on my dress only. Since the bastard had to tear my panties, I decided to go to the party without wearing one. I did not care that much, for no one was going to notice. Except him. And Amias, who heard exactly what I said from a distance. He was angry, I could tell. Did he really think Erebus was going to fall in love with me without touching me? "You just had to rip off my panties earlier, so be happy with your hard-on all night."

"What if I take you right here, in front of everyone? In front of him?" he ground out. Erebus was talking about Amias, about fucking me in front of him. No, I couldn't do that to him. I held my head high, acknowledging everyone God in the room. Though I did not know their names or what they held power over, it was best to sort out who was on the right side. In the middle of the crowd, there stood a dark skinned man with long black hair scanning me head to toe. My sunlight murmured excitedly within my bones, making me curl my lips into a smile at him. Him and I shared similar powers and it was like finding a friend in a bloodied war.

I almost forgot to reply to Erebus's questions. Almost. "Then you would not be able to order them to find your dear old brother." I whispered back. "For that little gift you promised me, remember? It would be best to announce it to everyone before fucking me." I felt Erebus try his best to hide his grin. So cocky, that God. But why did I love it so much?

"Very well, Lianna," he said. My gaze lifted to his face as his gray eyes stared at the other Gods. So powerful. So intimidating. I felt the other God staring at me again, which made me turn to look his way. What if he is trying to speak to me, to give me a message? My sunlight seemed to think so, since it buzzed repeatedly against my skin. "Welcome to the celebration of our engagement. In two months, Lianna and I will be married. As you may know by now, my brother Moros has protected this world for years. But he is long gone as he is caged in darkness like he caged me. So, it is time for a new reign. New protectors," he turned his attention toward me now. "At our wedding, Soari Lianna Breevort will become a Goddess of Light. She will overthrow my cowardly brother Aether and be reborn into one of us for eternity. It is your job to find where he is hiding and bring him to me."

Whispers raged the ball room, most frowning at me. The others grinning in joy of my new title, while my gaze locked into the unknown God again. He just raised an eyebrow, placing his arms over his chest as though he waited to speak to me. Before I could think about it more, the whole crowd kneeled for me. All powerful Gods surrounded me and yet, they bowed down for a halfling. If only my family could see this, they would be rolling with laughter. "Goddess Soari," they praised like a prayer.

My eyes widened at the sight, making me utterly silent. This is not who I am nor what I deserve. For many years, I was the forgotten child with way too much trouble in her veins. I was just a girl with sunlight in her body, not a Goddess for people to worship over. If there was one person who should be, it was my mother. Elora. She is the one that fought bravely to save her world, who died and came back to life. Not me. Did the Fates know about what is happening? Or did they lose interest in our lives and leave?