THE LAST SECRET KEEPER Secret Keeper series books 1-4

CHAPTER 20

"Is this what was percolating in your cranium?" Revna grinned as the two stood before an altar directly in front of long-abandoned thrones. "If so, it really is a wonderful surprise for the goddesses."

"It is, isn't it," Lanecea was breathless as she took in the majesty of a long-abandoned temple. "Simply glorious... Now that we have the documents I've been waiting for, your father will want to leave shortly, I'm certain, but I don't want to leave Italy without giving the gods an epic gift."

"This is epic," Revna agreed, reaching for the older woman's hand, "do they know your secret?"

"Of course not," Lanecea winked at her companion. "We don't have much time and there is so much I need to teach you."

Revna held Lanecea's hand as they stepped out of the temple, but not back through the tunnel. 

"There is something very special about you, Revna," Lanecea finally brought up the topic that was weighing on her mind as she led her stepdaughter into the gardens that overlooked the sea. "There is something within you right here..."

Lanecea attempted to point to her diaphram but her baby belly was in the way. 

Revna had no clue what Lanecea was trying to say as she sat on the grass beside Lanecea who was already plucking pale yellow flower petals before placing them in a shallow dish.

"You can't be a Secret Keeper as they have been wiped out and your mother is very common, so it must be from your father's side, although, I am not sure how that would be possible either unless somewhere along the way, there was an intermarriage..." Lanecea looked over at her companion as she watched Revna follow her lead, plucking yellow flower petals as well as she searched Revna's eyes as though she would be able to read the girl's family tree within their depths. "I think you need to spend more time with Mrs. Himmler even when we return to the farm. She is a wonderful lady but will know how to teach you the lost arts better than even I am able as she is...well, that doesn't matter."

Lanecea reached for a deep purple flower, adding those petals to the yellow ones before clasping a jagged stone in her hand. She didn't use much force as she ground the petals together, the barely crushed petals already releasing their sweet fragrance.

"What do you think, My Darling?"

Revna inhaled the contents Lanecea held just beneath the girl's nose.

"I love it!"

"As do I. Now, later I will show you how to make a simple massage oil, then you can add some of this mixture directly into the oil. I would let it sit for a few hours. The remainder of the flowers can be used in any way you wish, such as weaving into the goddesses' hair or sprinkling as an offering at her feet. Follow your heart. There really is no wrong way to show your love to the goddesses. You know I was raised Christian, but I have come to learn over the years that the gods and goddesses are very different from the God of the Bible. Although powerful in their own right, they are benevolent for the most part and enjoy being our companions and allies. Although there are many gods and goddesses, they have their own territories but mankind is free to worship all of their gods and goddesses or just bond with one in particular. Freya and I have always been very close, but I respect her brother very much. He's come to my aide more than once over the years. In fact, it was he who separated me from my body the very first time, carrying my soul to your father, so I will be eternally grateful to him. Tarvos is so horny but loveable and these Roman goddesses are just as wonderful as Freya although I haven't gotten to know them as well. 

Secret Keepers dedicate their lives to one male god for eternity - she is his. Once upon a time, there were many Secret Keepers, each god possessing his own but now, well we have been wiped out. There are far more Christians than pagans now as well, but there is still a remnant who worship the gods although I don't believe any remain in Italy, this place a Catholic stronghold. I intend to change that before I leave but I believe you may be a natural. You are able to see your siblings and..."

Revna was paying attention to the rambling woman who looked both sad and hopeful at the same time.

"Go ahead and be creative. I want you to prepare two more batches just as I showed you, but with flowers of your own choosing. All three must be different. I will enjoy observing your creativity, but I wish for all three to be unique. Prepare one for Deverra, and another for Minerva. Tap into your soul and you will know exactly what fragrance they will love best. It must come from your very being and they will know how much you love them when you offer your gift to them later."

Revna didn't need further instruction, smiling as she reached for a crimson rose.

"Now which goddess would that be for?" Lanecea leaned back against the temple wall as she tenderly stroked her bouncing babies. 

"It's a surprise."

"May I at least try to guess?"

"You may, but I won't tell you either way."

Lanecea laughed at the girl who was determined to keep a secret.

"I think you chose the crimson rose for Minerva. It would suit her better than Deverra, I believe. For Deverra, I would have gone with a cream-hued one, possibly the peach..."

"I'm not telling..." 

****

"You have no need to worry," Eva assured Lanecea as she reached for Revna's hand.

"Thank you. I need to leave you for a little while, Revna, but I want you to stay with Mrs. Himmler and the other ladies. Mrs. Himmler will give you instructions before you bring your gifts to the goddesses, and I need you to pay careful attention and follow what she says. Will you do that for me?"

"Of course," Revna agreed although she looked disappointed that her day alone with Lani had come to an end, Lanecea leaving her alone with Mrs. Himmler and the Italians, but Lanecea had informed her girls that pouting isn't lady-like so Revna wouldn't pout even when she watched Lanecea reach for Llia and Reagan's hands before stepping out in the evening breeze.

The goddesses were fully aware of where their temple and the tunnel were located although no one had passed through the portal for many years, abandoning the tunnel and the faith of their ancestors long ago.

"What are you up to, Lani?" Minerva frowned as her heart squeezed, but she still followed Lanecea through the tunnel, Deverra walking silently at her side.

"It's a surprise," Lanecea smiled at her companions before tapping into her goddess a second before she stepped within the temple once again.