Fates and Thrones

Vows

A blinding rage kept me from sleeping last night. Every time I would close my eyes, I would hear the echoes of my sister's gut-wrenching sobs. A piece of my heart shattered every single time Aleesia emptied her stomach. Finally, around the witching hour, I got her to hold down some herbal tea laced with valerian root. I held her while she fell asleep, rocking her slowly and singing our old lullaby.

After I was certain that my missing presence would not be noticed, I slid out of the bed. I quickly grabbed my jacket and scarf before turning and getting one last look at Aleesia. I will make him pay for this, Twin. I would give my life for you, no matter what mother says. I could not speak aloud for fear of waking her, but the words were an unspoken echo of the vow from earlier in the night.

A soft wind tickled my face as I called to it to blow out the hallway candles, I would not allow my shadows to betray me to my mother. The smoke signaled it was safe to depart. One last glance at the fitful sleeper, and I threw my hood over my head and walked out. I looked around to see if any of the guards were around, but I was only met with the vast darkness. I took a breath and felt guilty as I smiled. This was my element; I thrived in the black night. Nothing could scare me.

It took me exactly five minutes to reach the back door, which had one guard stationed by it. Good thing he was too busy flirting with the devil's handmaiden herself. Kiya. My lips twitched in a snarl. What the hell is wrong with me? I do not snarl. I am a lady. I forced my face blank as I watched the duo leave the room.

Watching Kiya seduce the guard aggravated me and brought back my earlier anger. Kiya had come up to my room earlier that day, as mother promised. However, the moment she tried to kick Aleesia out, I lost it. I pushed her out and told her I would meet Athenrún on my own terms, and she could butt the hell out. As I was right this moment. I looked down and saw my bunny slippers, accented by matching booty shorts and a tank top, I cringed. Mother would be so displeased.

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The shadows playing on the trees caught my eye. Nighttime was always strange in this forest. Mother would tell us stories of Fae that would steal children and replace the babies with their own. Of course, that was just her trying to keep us out of the forest at night. No, the shadows did not belong to any Fae, but rather to the beasts that just loved the serenity Night has to offer. Insects called out their greetings in their strange song, silencing only after I passed.

"Glad to see that you have decided to return." The voice that was mixed called out to me as soon as I entered the circle of trees. "Took you long enough, child." I glanced around to find the same mocking owl from last night. Its knowing eyes stared back at me before it called out. This time the sound was a pure screech. Wincing, I kept looking around.

Finally at the center of the grove, sat an armored Goddess. Her hair floating around her, the color reminding me of a blazing fire. She looked so much different from the last time that I saw her. She sat on a log whittling some wood in the shape of horses, setting each down on the forest floor to make a herd.

I watched her expression go from the most serene and gentle expression to a stern scowl as she looked up at me. "Come child, we have much to discuss if you are wanting to come and work with me. Becoming my champion."

I crossed the field and sat across from the ginger Goddess careful to avoid touching her herd. "You knew. You knew what was going to happen to Aleesia." My voice was barely above a whisper. My strength escaped me as I stared at the ground before me.

"I did." Her answer should have enraged me. I should have been screaming and fighting but all I could do was sob.

"Why?"

"Child, some things even I cannot change no matter how hard I try. Hence you." Her voice softened as she reached out and patted my cheek. "Champion, you are needed. Let us make a deal and we both win."

"What do you want from me and my sister?"

"Two parts of the same soul, two sides of the same coin. One cannot be without the other. Rules of the universe."

"I want to torture that male." I spit the word out like the poison that it was. "I want to make sure he can never hurt anyone again, but mostly I want him to pay for what he did to Aleesia."

"Your wish is my command, Champion. The only thing I ask is three not-so-simple tasks, and then he is all yours."

"Three?" The mind-numbness of the situation cleared for just a second. Three seemed too easy. To be her so-called Champion. I thought we would be chained to her for life.

"Yes, Ajita. Three tasks. You cannot refuse or know until it is time for the tasks. But if you make it through the first two, I will give you what I promised you. Also, you will be forever known as Ajita the Champion of Athenrún. Or whatever name they decide to use. Your mother will be proud."

I swallowed glancing back towards our manor before nodding. "Deal."