“Precocious, so precocious!” Mother Earth smiled at Erebus as she spoke, embracing him gently and making it obvious that she liked the sun godling’s precociousness.
Kalona stood and bowed deeply, respectfully. “I greet you, Mother Earth, and thank you for the role you played in my conception.”
“You are welcome, Kalona.” She embraced him as well, but Kalona thought it was with much less warmth than she had embraced his brother. Mother Earth stepped back and addressed the three of them. “So you each acknowledge that I do have a maternal responsibility here,” said Mother Earth.
“Indeed you do, my friend,” Nyx responded readily. “And I shall eternally thank you for it.”
“Eternity is such a long, long time,” Mother Earth said, studying Kalona and Erebus in turn. “I suppose you will want to take them back to the Otherworld with you?”
Kalona’s gaze locked with Nyx’s. He saw that her cheeks had pinked alluringly, and though her gaze did not leave his, her voice softened, seeming almost shy. “Yes, I will.”
“Today?”
“Today!” Nyx said, nodding her head, still not looking away from Kalona.
“The Otherworld,” Kalona said, finding his voice. “Even the name sounds magickal.”
Nyx rewarded him with an intimate smile. “It is beautiful, much like this planet, only it is filled with ancient, Divine magick and powers that are sometimes difficult for even me to wield. Such powers can be exhausting,” she finished, suddenly sounding older and tired.
“My Goddess, I will help you wield the powers that exhaust you,” Kalona said, taking an eager step toward her.
“And yet it is not your place to wield the Old Magick of Nyx’s Otherworld,” Mother Earth said, also taking a step closer.
Kalona felt the heat of Mother Earth’s power, and of her displeasure. Their gazes met, hers even more unflinching than his. She would be a mighty enemy … The knowledge echoed through his mind.
Kalona backed down and bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment of Mother Earth’s might.
Erebus seemed not to notice Mother Earth’s intense displeasure. His voice was as light as his smile. “What would we want with Nyx’s magick? There is magick aplenty in the Divine Ether that created us. Should we need power, we have but to call on it. It must answer us, as that is our blood right as sons of the Divine. Great Mother, our matriarch, I assure you, my brother and I have no desires other than to serve Nyx.”
“Remember, Mother Earth, the winged immortals were created for me and not against me,” Nyx said, agreeing with the golden-winged immortal.
“Yes, I know. They were created by me.” Mother Earth was not so easily placated. She faced off against Kalona and Erebus. “You were created by me to serve Nyx; therefore, it is my responsibility to see you are willing and able to fulfill your twin destinies as warrior and lover, playmate and friend. Nyx, do you agree that this is my responsibility?”
“My gratitude is such that I will never debate responsibilities with you. Instead I freely acknowledge that you are Mother and Creator of all of this.” Nyx paused, sweeping her arm gracefully in a gesture that took in the whole of the earth, as well as the two winged immortals. “Simply tell me how you propose to fulfill your maternal responsibility. I shall not naysay you.”
Kalona felt his stomach tighten as Mother Earth continued to study them carefully, as if searching for flaws.
“I take you at your word, Nyx. This is what I propose,” Mother Earth said, sending Nyx a maternal and very satisfied-looking smile. “Under my supervision, your two winged immortals must complete three tasks each for you, proving that they are powerful and wise and loyal enough to be worthy of you.”
“That sounds delightful, doesn’t it?” Nyx said.
“Absolutely,” Erebus said.
“I look forward to proving my worth to you,” Kalona said.
“Delightful!” Nyx repeated, meeting Kalona’s gaze.
“Then we begin immediately,” Mother Earth said, cooling the heat that Nyx’s gaze had been building in Kalona’s blood.
“Immediately?” Nyx said, obviously less pleased than Mother Earth.
“Oh, child.” Mother Earth put her arm around the Goddess. “Savor these first, wondrous steps. The magick of discovery is always sweeter if it has been earned.”
Nyx brightened. “You have been right thus far. I trust you!” The Goddess turned back to Kalona and Erebus. “I ask that you follow Mother Earth’s edicts as if they were my own. She is my true, dear friend.” Nyx looked from them to Mother Earth. “What is it you would have them do?”
“There are to be three tasks. For each of them I would have Kalona and Erebus choose an element—three of the magickal five: Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and Spirit. Along with the element of their choosing, I gift them with a wisp of creation energy. Mix my gift with the power of the Divine that Erebus has so recently claimed as their birthright.” She paused and bowed her head slightly to Erebus in acknowledgment. “And they must each create something here”—her hand swept out, a gesture that mirrored Nyx’s—“that will delight you there.” Mother Earth lifted her arm, pointing up into the brilliant blue of the morning sky.
“What a wonderful idea!” Nyx said, clapping her hands together happily.