Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,32

the heavy stone table at the center of the room.

The gods’ home was warm, despite being created deep beneath the mountain range known as the Peaks of Angels. Celestria had softened the hardness of the rock walls with many elegant touches, and like the Temple of the Gods, the light filling their home originated from within the rock, but only in key locations.

Lasidious grinned. “If I know Bassorine, he’s thinking my actions are nothing more than a minor inconvenience. But I would wager he’s happy. The crystal’s disappearance will start wars, and you know how he loves to battle. I’m sure he’ll confront me in front of the others to appease his ego, but I’m ready for him. As planned, I’ll crawl under his skin to kindle his anger before I strike. He won’t know what hit that thick, scarred-up face of his when I’m done with him.”

Celestria circled the table toward Lasidious. She was the definition of elegance. Her eyes could have stolen the blue reflected from the clearest ocean and made it her own. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders and swayed across her back as she walked. If an imperfection was to be found anywhere on this woman, it would not be found on the outside. Every curve and gesture was flawless. Even her voice, an angel’s voice, was sweet and soft to the ears. She was worthy of being called goddess.

Lasidious continued to speak as he watched her move. “I have everything under control.”

“Do you?” Celestria replied. “I worry we’ll be discovered, my pet.”

The Mischievous One frowned. “You worry too much. We only used the opportunity the others provided to find a mortal who craved power and brought him to Grayham. You know the Book of Immortality wasn’t created yet when I snatched George from Earth. How could we be expected to obey a rule that didn’t exist?”

Lasidious sighed. “Be assured, I won’t break the laws on its pages. I’ll handle the mortal as required. I won’t do anything other than give George a reason to seek the power he desires.”

Celestria smiled. “You’re a clever god,” she purred.

Lasidious enjoyed the verbal pat on his back and then returned Celestria’s smile. His eyes turned bright red, and his teeth elongated to sharpened points.

“Stop that!” Celestria snapped. “You know I hate it when you make that face. You’re not handsome when you do that. I like my cute, little devil-god when he looks striking.” She stroked his face. “You’re not kissable when you look so mean.”

Lasidious shifted from one foot to the other as his appearance returned to normal. When his eyes were not glowing red and his teeth were not pointed, his appearance was debonair. With short, sandy-brown hair, blue eyes, and a chiseled chin, he was a tad less than six feet tall. His athletic build pleased his goddess and Celestria loved every inch of him.

The Mischievous One pulled Celestria closer, a frown creasing his brow. “I’m sorry. You know I love you. I won’t do it again. Well … not while you’re looking anyway.” Replacing the frown with another smile, he added, “I hate the story we told the people on the worlds. Why the Collective ever agreed to glorify Bassorine is beyond me.”

Celestria cupped Lasidious’ face with her hands, and gave him a long, soft kiss. Looking him in the eyes, she placed his hand on her belly. “Like it or not, he has the power to destroy us, my pet. I, for one, have no death wish ... nor does our baby.”

The goddess pulled away and adjusted a decorative setting on the table. “It’s too bad that exalting Bassorine was one of his conditions before he agreed to the creation of the Book. Fortunately for us, you masterfully manipulated him, my love.”

Lasidious sighed. “But he still has the sword, and we both know what will happen if he figures it out. He would take it all back.”

“But he’s afraid to risk it. That’s why you’re going to provoke his rage. You’re the only one who can make him angry enough to try to reclaim the power he lost.”

The goddess returned to Lasidious and touched her mischievous partner with a seductive playfulness. She leaned in and whispered as she pressed her body against his. “Have I told you today, I find you amazingly handsome? What a delicious couple we make.” She smacked her lips and tickled his ear with her tongue.

Lasidious trembled as Celestria continued. “I’m glad you’re unable to lie to me. We’ve