make the transition over to our world, there’s no going back. Even if something were to happen between you and Herne, you will forever belong to the world of the gods.”
I licked my lips. “I know. That’s why I wanted to ask you what to expect. What challenges will I be facing? What’s the ritual like? And another matter has risen its double-necked wily head.” I told her what happened during the parley. “So, both Névé and Saílle intend to claim me as part of their courts. This will give a legitimacy to all tralaeths, but there’s bound to be backlash. I’m not sure what to think.”
Morgana laughed then, her concerned expression fading away. “Oh, they are wily, indeed. Do you know how old those two are?”
I frowned, shaking my head. “No, not really. Actually, I have no clue.”
“They were born a little over two thousand years ago. They are ancient queens indeed, but not anywhere near so ancient nor powerful as the Fae Queens in Annwn are. But Saílle and Névé are cunning and even though they constantly seek victory over the other, they are like yin and yang. One could not exist without the other. If one side were to emerge victorious, it would weaken the balance and both sides would fall.”
I shook my head. “And they’re worse in Annwn?”
“Lianrial—the mother of the Light Fae, and Pharial—the mother of the Dark Fae—wage horrific wars that never end. The streets of their cities are paved with gold and silver, but the forests and rivers surrounding the twin city-states run red with blood. So many spirits walk the back paths that the forests of the Fae Nation are known as the Haunted Woodlands.” Morgana sighed, then added, “I guarantee, they are not offering this because of any change of heart over your mixed bloodline.”
“In other words, don’t trust them, and they still think I should be dead?” Where Morgana was diplomatic, I wasn’t. I didn’t kid myself that Saílle and Névé had suddenly become my fans.
“Precisely. They’re doing this to incur my favor and Herne’s favor. They know that we know this, but the Fae governments work on a mutually accepted façade.” She leaned back in her chair. “The chowder is excellent. May I have more?”
Angel quickly refilled her bowl. “May I ask a question?”
“Of course.”
“What happens if they refuse to acknowledge Ember as a goddess?” Angel quickly glanced at me. “I’m not saying they will, but the fact is, they’ve been assholes to you since the day I first met you.”
“I wondered that myself,” I said.
But Morgana just laughed. “If they refuse to accept you as a goddess, then they’ll quickly find themselves beset by not only my wrath, but Cernunnos’s anger. And the other goddesses of Fae will side with me. We tend to stick together. The Fae—both in Annwn and over here—have strayed too far from the fold. We’ve been discussing what to do about it through the past few centuries, but now Typhon has drawn attention away from almost everything that isn’t an immediate problem.”
I hesitated to ask the next question, but I had to know. “How do you feel about me marrying Herne? If you object, you know that I’ll obey you. I am pledged to you.”
Morgana held my gaze for a moment, then reached out and took my hand. “Ember, I have been hoping Herne would ask you. I went to Corra, the oracle, not long ago and asked her about you and Herne. She said the best-laid path of fortune lies with the two of you binding your lives together. So I’ve been hoping that he would propose.”
We ate in silence for a while longer, Angel offering us the fish and chips after we finished our chowder. Then Morgana set down her spoon.
“You asked about the ritual to become a goddess. It’s not easy. There’s no just drinking a potion and poof, you’re now one of the Immortals. The ritual involves facing your personal fears. If you thought the Cruharach was difficult, then you’ll be in for a surprise. The Gadawnoin—the ritual to elevate a mortal to deityhood—is far more complex and dangerous.” She pronounced it Gad-woi-en. “The actual chance for death is small, but madness…it’s an ever-present danger throughout the ritual. I will be in charge of preparing you when the time comes. And that is all I can tell you.”
I nibbled on my fish and chips in silence. My stomach was churning. While I was grateful that Morgana was pleased to