Fates and Thrones

Enemy

The word "Aunt" bounced through my mind. Mother never told us of any long-lost relatives. She was the only child and Aleesia and I were always meant to be her only two. Yet, someone was claiming to be my aunt. Lies; no way Mother would not mention this to us.

"I can see the look on your face. Mother has always been so secretive with people who are not her sisters. I apologize for that. However, I would like to introduce myself. I am your Aunt Maiden."

She called our mother "Mother"? That makes no sense. Why not just call her by her name? This must be fake; I must still be in the Labyrinth, watching over Aleesia's body. "Shut up. This is fake. Not real. This can't be real."

"Shh, child. Let's go inside, and I will make us some tea. We will talk about everything." She turned a grey eye on Jax before raising her eyebrow. "Call Athenrún down here for me. I would like her to hear all of this as well."

Jax nodded before stepping away. I turned away from him, still annoyed that he did not follow Aleesia as he was supposed to. He was meant to protect her. Instead, he was off doing whatever Athenrún wanted of him.

Aleesia looped her arm around mine and guided me inside. Her words didn't reach my ears, but her tone was soothing as she sang along to our lullaby. I closed my eyes, letting her guide me. Silent tears rolled down my cheeks. She is not dead. She is here. I repeated this mantra to myself as we walked.

As we entered, the Gods sat on each arm of a chair where I assumed Aleesia would sit. Instead, she tugged the two of us down on a couch and rocked me back and forth. "Remember what Nekrosyl called you? He called you 'little darkness.' I know this darkness seems bleak, but you can do it, Ajita. You're stronger than anyone I know."

I nodded into her shoulder as the tears continued to fall. A choked sob wracked my body, emotions taking over my mind. "I can still feel the hate, Al. I hated you and Mother. I wanted you dead..."

"Shhh... Ajita, I know that is not how you really feel. You made it out, and so did I." Aleesia forced my head up and wiped away my tears.

"Enough crying, child. We need to talk. I am tired of you two not knowing the truth." Maiden walked out of the kitchen holding a tray of cups and a teapot. "Sit down, boys; you should know better than to insult me by offering to help."

I looked over at Solisdr and Veyrun to see they had not moved. Yet, Solisdr wore a sheepish look on his face. How did she know they were going to offer help?

"Darling niece, I have a question for you. What all do you know of the Fates?"

Aleesia froze, dropping her head. Her golden hair covered her face as she felt embarrassed. I looked at Maiden and shrugged. "The story of the Fates is simple. At least in Greek mythology. Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos all work together to set fate. Clotho spins the thread. Lachesis measures the length, and Atropos cuts the thread."

"That is correct. I am impressed. We have different names in each mythology, just as Apollo and Hermes over there." Her hand waved at the two males still perched on the arms of a chair.

"The Fates are known to know what is going to happen—the beginning, the middle, and the end. They are how 'Christians' got the idea of an omniscient God. Clotho works with Apollo to spin the stories into prophecies without giving any answers about what is to come." I was on a roll now; there was no stopping me when I got to talk about my studies.

Jax walked in and looked at the seating arrangements before sighing. There were two couches and a chair that the brothers had already taken. One look in my direction made his ears tinge pink before he moved to the couch across from ours. Heavy footsteps drew my attention from the direction he had just come from. Athenrún entered, but it looked as if she was walking heavily on purpose.

"Excuse me, Maiden. I just did not want to be accused of sneaking in. I wanted to make sure you heard me."

"As if you could sneak in with your Serve entering before you." The distaste in her voice was very familiar.

"Nekrosyl?" A whisper of hope filled the air as I tried to peer past Athenrún. I saw him dressed again in the black tux, holding a lantern.

"Hello, little darkness and little light. I have missed you both. As much as I could watch you grow, my job never gets a break."

"Yeah, well, that is why I have a helper, Grumpy." Athenrún's tone drew my eyes back to her. When they reached her, my jaw dropped. She wore a bright green dress and a golden necklace around her neck. Yet, she still had her golden sword at her waist. But the most shocking thing was the smile directed toward Nekrosyl.

"Enough! I called you two here so you can witness what Fate has decided."