Dovetailed (4 page)

It couldn’t be real.

Yet somehow she knew it was. She felt more connected to him than she had before. She sensed Michael, his presence, no matter where he was in the room.

At the moment he was a little ways off to her right, standing beside a distraught Dervinias. She could feel Michael’s eyes on her and she wondered what he was thinking. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she heard him. His voice whispered into her mind:
I’m here
.

Venus wanted to turn and make sure she hadn’t imagined it, but was distracted as a bright golden light filled the darkened cavern.

A myriad of colors danced and sparkled while bodies and souls combined. The whole process was new and brilliant and breathtaking. It was her first day as a goddess; she was proud of herself.

When the lights diminished there were thousands of higher souls, including her irrihunter Sadraden, dancing and moving around the room. She focused on her irrihunter and watched the animal roar and shake her wings. She was happy to be whole again.

Thank you, child, Sadraden said into Venus’s mind. The large animal lumbered toward Venus.

The goddess couldn’t help but admire this animal with the head and body of a black panther, the mane and tail of a horse, and the wings of a giant bat. Sadraden slid to a stop in front of Venus and nuzzled her cheek.

Venus responded, wrapping her hands around the silky fur neck. Just that simple caress released a floodgate of emotions. So much had happened. Nothing would ever be the same. It wasn’t a question or a statement, just a fact. Venus knew it. “It’s good to see you again.” She stroked Sadraden’s head.

The animal purred in response, nudging Venus with the top of her head.

Amberlee came forward. “Sadraden?”

Venus and the irrihunter turned their attention to Amberlee. Her face was no longer streaked with tears. Amberlee had composed herself. A part of Venus longed to ask Amberlee what their parents had said to her before they left, but she held back

“I-I’m sorry,” Amberlee whispered.

Venus watched her sister’s hands form fists. The girl tilted her chin and locked her jaw as though preparing for an angry response from the animal.

But if that had been what Amberlee expected, it didn’t happen. Instead Sadraden pressed her forehead into Amberlee and purred.

Venus watched her sister’s armor instantly melt as Amberlee leaned into Sadraden. It was quite a sight. She knew her sister had a fear of the animals, yet that seemed to have vanished.

She stepped closer to her favorite animal and her sister, about to hug them both, when she heard a throat being cleared. Venus froze.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I want to thank you for returning my body and…” He paused.

Venus faced him. Zaren. The Formytian she’d believed she loved. Still loved, and always would. He meant a great deal to her and though she wasn’t in love with him, she wanted him to be happy, which was why she’d returned Palamina’s body as well.

Palamina had been wrongly accused of a crime she hadn’t committed. She’d been framed. Another of King Antyon’s plans. There was no reason Zaren and Palamina shouldn’t be together. And even though Venus knew Zaren loved her, he loved Palamina more.

Venus took a step toward him. “You’re welcome, Zaren.”

Palamina appeared at his side. Her long fiery red hair hung loosely to her waist. Venus couldn’t help but cringe at how incredibly beautiful Palamina was. She watched Palamina slide her hand into Zaren’s, and he wrapped his large fingers through her smaller ones.

It was difficult watching Zaren and Palamina together… well not difficult. She loved Michael. He was her soul mate. But it was strange. Sensations of loss and happiness swirled within as she watched Zaren and Palamina together.

They loved each other. It was obvious.

And Venus loved Michael. At the thought of him, she softened.
Michael
.

Palamina interrupted her thoughts.

“Yes, thank you.” She leaned into Zaren. “It means a great deal to both of us.” She bowed slightly, which mortified Venus. “We are in your debt and swear our eternal protection until our lives are over.”

“No, thank you. I…” Venus couldn’t finish. Her immortal heart seemed to shatter a little bit; not because she believed she and Zaren should’ve been together, absolutely not. It was because she and Zaren had been together before Michael whisked her off to Helker and all hell broke loose. Even with her godly gifts, it was still awkward.

Zaren’s green eyes tore through her. “We will always be here if you need us.” He nodded once, and then he and Palamina walked away.

Venus sighed. She’d changed, again, this time becoming a goddess like Ith and Aetha. They’d left and put her in charge of this world. It’d only been a few hours, and already she was tired.

There was still much to do. A war raged above them. Not like the ones she’d read about, not like the one that’d brought Ith and Aetha to Kelari in the first place. It wasn’t kel against kel on the battlefield now. Most of the kels were in hiding or, at least they should be. Drones ruled the skies right now. Their job was to destroy homes, livelihoods, and livestock, to desecrate all hope.

Once their hope was destroyed, King Antyon intended to create a new hope, one which included himself and their savior. The Order of Eternal Fire wanted Kelari and would take it at any cost. She felt the suffering, sensed the fear and destruction. King Antyon’s plan was working, but at least lives weren’t being lost. Not yet.

She needed to speak with Dervinias. Locking eyes with him, she called him over. As he and Michael approached, she couldn’t help but notice the slump of his shoulders. His cockiness had vanished. It was strange to see Dervinias defeated, and even stranger to know he had a daughter, and that he loved the child. He mourned her.

Venus took a deep breath. Returning Dervinias’s body was the right thing to do. She knew that, despite the evil in him, he would be a key asset in stopping the war.

Then there was Palmo. His body returned, he knelt in front of Amberlee. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she could feel their emotions. Her sister loved Palmo, but his emotions weren’t the same; he cared, but only for what he could get from her.

The knowledge burned within Venus and she longed to rush over and tell Amberlee the truth. What held her back was her knowledge that Amberlee needed to come to the conclusion on her own.

Becoming a god didn’t mean forcing her will on others, but allowing them to grow to their full potential.

Just like she knew her eyes were blue, she understood that having power meant using restraint.

It sucked, frankly.

But she loved her sister and would do anything for her. It didn’t matter that she and Amberlee weren’t related by blood, Amberlee would always be her sister. And whether Amberlee wanted it or not, Venus would do all she could to take care of her.

Part of it was guilt. The king and queen had raised Venus as the future ruler of Alayeah. They’d given her most of the attention—not that they’d had a choice. Ith and Aetha had asked the deception of them.

Perhaps the king and queen could’ve taught them both, but it would’ve been considered unorthodox and would’ve raised questions. The problem now was that Amberlee was the only heir to the throne of Alayeah and she’d never been taught what ruling meant.

At fifteen, the girl was now required to lead her country. It left her vulnerable to scrutiny from the chancellors and counselors within, and those in power without, namely King Antyon. And Palmo.

Venus shuddered.

“What is it?” Michael asked, taking her hand.

She pulled away. “Nothing.” She turned to Palmo, who’d made his way over to her along with Amberlee. She noticed they held hands and gritted her teeth. “Palmo, I’ve returned you your body as you requested. I… hope you intend to honor the way of the Kelvieri, even if that means going against your father.”

Palmo swallowed and glanced down, then returned her gaze. “I understand.”

Amberlee snorted, a very un-princess-like sound. “He’s on my side,” she growled, squeezing Palmo’s hand tighter.

Venus nodded, forcing down the words she longed to say. Even if Venus did speak them aloud, she knew her sister wouldn’t hear them anyway. Besides, it was time to address the crowd. There were thousands of Kelarians whose bodies were newly returned.

Like all kels, before the transformation they had metallic skin and white hair and lashes. Their lips were a dark shade of silver. They all looked the same. Venus needed to perform the transformation once again to make them immortal or Kelvieri. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was the right thing to do. But there was a war raging above. She didn’t want to return their bodies only to have them killed again. Making them immortal would give them a better chance of survival.

It should’ve been more than a better chance. Immortality meant living forever…

Venus sensed there were new beings roaming the planet, and she knew there would be a lot of killing soon because of them.

Turning toward the crowd, she raised her voice. “I’m glad you’ve chosen to return to Kelari. Your world needs you.” She didn’t look at Chev. Venus would send her away, but not until she had taken Chev’s memories. It would be for much longer. “Above us is a war. It rages because those who believe the transformation, the Kelvieri’s boots, the gift of immortality, shouldn’t be given to everyone. They believe it should only be passed on to those deemed worthy, those they choose.” Anger filled her veins because she knew only a god like herself could bestow the gift, which meant there must be a god on King Antyon’s side willing to do what the king wanted. She searched her mind, looking for the treacherous god, but came up empty. “They are not all wrong,” she continued.

Murmuring rose from the crowd. Venus understood. They’d been told Venus was a traitor and while she wanted to time to convince them that her actions were true, instead she would show them.

“For thousands of years the gift of the Kelvieri’s boots was given by Ith and Aetha to every Kelarian who turned sixteen.” She blinked several times, trying to fight back her emotions. Michael came up behind her, his hand resting on the lower part of her back. He gave her strength. “They performed the transformation. They decided who was worthy.” Her eyes searched the crowd. She saw confusion and some anger, but most were attentive in what she had to say. “Ith and Aetha are gone. They’ve given their powers to me… their daughter.” Amberlee let out a stifled noise, but Venus didn’t turn. There was more to say. “They’ve instructed me to take on their tasks, so I decide.” She swallowed, forcing power into her voice. “No one else should have that right. And I say you all will become immortal. You all deserve the rights of the Kelvieri.” When she finished speaking, she filled the room with her power, with the knowledge that she was in fact a goddess, and that she did in fact care what happened to each one of them and to all who dwelled on Kelari. She infused their souls with her love, her great love for them, individually and as a whole. As their souls were touched she watched the surprise, understanding, and ultimately acceptance cross their features.

As one, a cheer rang out. Everyone applauded, including Dervinias, Zaren and Palamina, and even Palmo and Amberlee.

“Right now, becoming Kelvieri is not only your right, but a necessity. There is a war raging above us.” She pointed to the dirt-crusted ceiling. “A war between countries, between even friends and families.” Venus gave Palmo a pointed look. “There are those who believe I don’t belong on your planet, that I have no right to give you this gift. But they are wrong.”

Another cheer, so loud it reverberated off the walls and ceiling, and sent debris down like rain.

“I won’t force this change on anyone. If you do not desire the gift of immortality, I will not give it. Know this, though. Our enemies have brought something… beyond evil to this planet.” A picture of a creature with large sharp teeth and tentacles came into her mind. She felt Michael shudder behind her. He’d seen what she’d seen. “They are stronger than even the power of the Kelvieri…” Venus gave them a slight smile. “At least, they were.”

“What does she mean?” someone from the crowd asked.

“My parents created the power of the Kelvieri boots,” she answered. “The time has come that you will need more than what’s been previously given, and I have the power to give it to you.” She paused, knowing that, even with the improved power, many would still die. “I can’t promise you won’t get hurt, or that your life will be easy. War never is. But if you want it, please come forward. We’re running out of time. The transformation needs to happen immediately.” She shrugged, wishing she could make them like her, but it wasn’t possible.

Almost as one, the Kelarians walked toward her. Zaren and Palamina came forward and worked to give the crowd some order.