The cream chiffon gown flowed around Terra’s ankles as she walked to the grand hearing chamber. She felt like a princess, dressed in an elegant evening dress with diamonds and emeralds on the belt and on the shoulder. She also wore diamonds in her hair, on her arms, and around her neck. Aetius had told her it made sense for the daughter of the earth to be adorned with an abundance of gems.
The extravagant dress had been delivered to their quarters early that morning to replace the navy gown hanging in the closet. Deena had informed Terra that the cream gown better suited her social status.
As they approached the grand hearing room, Terra glanced at Aetius. He exuded self-confidence with his every move. He was handsome in his preferred, all-black attire. The shirt and trousers fit him snuggly, emphasizing his muscular form. She rested her right hand on his left arm as she walked with him and then waited at the entrance to the council chamber. The formality of the situation was frightening, and not at all something this small-town Ohio girl was used to. Her stomach churned with nerves as they waited to be announced.
The herald of arms greeted them and smiled. When it was time for them to enter the council chamber, he would announce them. He picked up a card and waved them forward to stand at the threshold of the grand hearing chamber.
He stepped slightly in front of them. “Gods of the Zeus Council.” He bowed his head. “I introduce to you, Prince of the Fey, born to the eldest Fey family, Master Elemental Aetius Easton. He serves as the Enforcer to Zeus’s Council.” The herald gestured toward Terra. “I also introduce, the lovely demi-goddess and Princess of the Fey, Terra Broderick. She is the daughter of Goddess Gaia of the Titans. Her grandmother, Princess Aseelietania, is Fey of the Unseelie Court. Her paternal great-grandmother is Goddess Amuliana of the Olympian gods. Her maternal great-grandfather is God Cernunnos of the Celt gods. Her immortal linage is of Fey and Wiccan. Her maternal great-grandmother is Fey, the Princess of Dread and Death, I can say not her true name, it is never to be spoken of the Unseelie Court.” He gestured to Terra and Aetius. “Please step forward into the grand hearing chamber.” He bowed at the waist and retreated as Aetius guided Terra toward the center of the room.
For a second, Terra was frozen in place, perplexed as to what the herald had said about her and her great-grandparents. Their names and titles raced through her mind. How could that be? Terra glanced at Aetius. He was staring straight ahead, as cool as a practiced warrior. I’m related to Goddess Amuliana. Terra felt disgusted.
The members of the council were sitting behind a curved, golden table. Aetius and Terra stood in the middle of the partially circular table. Terra put her hands to her side as she waited next to Aetius for the council to address them.
With a swift calculation, Terra counted twenty-one members of the council seated at the table. The gods of the council watched her and Aetius with apparent curiosity. They were an assortment of very unusual beings. Many of the gods did not disguise their inhuman facades. Several of the council members she recognized from their paintings. Terra was fully aware they were an impressive and powerful group.
The grand hearing chamber was splendidly decorated. Paintings hung on every wall. The floor was a black, glossy marble. The walls were white marble, and an enormous golden chandelier hung overhead. Hundreds of candles illuminated the huge room. Many of those candles were in the multi-tiered chandelier. Torches hung on the walls, adding to the light.
Zeus sat at the middle of the table, flanked by ten gods on each side of him. Hecate and Amuliana were seated at the end of the table on his left side. Both glared openly and viciously at Aetius. They seemed to look straight through Terra.
A large, muscular man with horns like a stag’s antlers rose from his chair. He was dressed in a loose-fitting, white shirt and a vivid green pleated skirt. He wore his light brown hair past his shoulders. Vibrant green eyes studied her for several moments. “Step forward, Terra. I’m your great-grandfather, Cernunnos. I heard of your birth nearly three decades ago. I’ve wanted to meet you for some time. I’m happy Zeus issued me an invitation to attend this council meeting. Come here, girl. Why do you delay?” He held his hand out to her and waved his other hand for her to approach him. “I don’t bite. Or at least, I won’t bite you.” He grinned, showing his white teeth.
Terra moved away from Aetius toward the horned god. Her heart fluttered with apprehension. Gods were an unpredictable group, and she was the center of their attention. She offered Cernunnos her hand. He took her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed the back of her hand.
“You are a fantastic beauty indeed. It’s amazing that I have a great-grandchild who’s so beautiful.” He smiled widely at her. He turned to look to his left. “Amuliana, would you like to say a word or two to your great-grandchild?”
“No.” Amuliana shook her head. “I couldn’t care less about her. I have dozens of children and grandchildren.” She shrugged. “One more is nothing, and she’s nothing special to me.”
“Very well.” Cernunnos’s eyes turned red as he regarded Amuliana. “I would have thought I was more an animal than you, but I see you’re the true uncouth and uncivilized vixen. The Celts would never abide you, nor shall I. If I ever hear you treat this child poorly, I and the forests shall make war on you. In fact, I best not encounter you in my forests, you’ll not leave unscathed.”
Amuliana jumped up out of her seat. “You, hideous beast of the primitive Celts, you dare to threaten me?” She pounded her fist on the table. “You need to learn who your betters are.”
“Sit down and shut up, Amuliana,” Zeus shouted. “Let’s not insult an entire race of people. And we really know who the hideous one is, don’t we?” His expression showed his immense displeasure.
Amuliana looked as if she was going to explode with anger.
“I’ve really had enough of you, Amuliana. Cernunnos is correct, you’re rude and insolent.” Zeus stood up. The other gods began to rise from their seats. “Please remain seated.” Zeus gestured, indicating to the others to remain at ease. “Cernunnos, please continue if you have any more to say to your great-grandchild.”
God Cernunnos returned his attention to Terra. “My great-granddaughter, I offer you my blessings and protection. All the creatures of the forests shall be yours to call upon. They will delightfully do your bidding, as you are part of me. And anytime you wish to call upon me, I’ll come as soon as I can.” He looked at her thoughtfully. “It’s good to know you.”
“Thank you, great-grandfather.”
“Come here, let me give you a kiss.” He pulled her closer when she stepped toward him. He kissed her on the cheek. Terra kissed his other cheek in return. “Thank you, my child. I would like to spend time with you and my daughter, Aseelietania, very soon.”
“Who?” Terra was lightheaded and overwhelmed by the sudden, unexpected events.
“Aseelietania is Genevieve. She renamed herself.” He shrugged. “My daughter, of course, is your grandmother.”
“Yes, of course. Do you know Aife, my mother?”
“No, not really.” He looked down. “I’ve seen her in years past. She doesn’t know me. I don’t need to know her. I know of her, and that’s bad enough.”
“Oh, I see.”
“I don’t blame you for Aife’s vile behaviors. I know she’s been no mother to you in any way.” He looked directly into her eyes. “She was corrupted.”
“Help me understand. Genevieve isn’t a witch at all? Am I a witch?”
“From what I assume, you’re partially a wiccan through your grandfather, Amuliana’s son. He is half-warlock.” He looked toward Amuliana. “Amuliana would hopefully know who her son’s father is.” He shrugged. “But don’t trouble yourself to ask the goddess. And no, Genevieve is my child and the daughter of a Fey Princess, the Princess of Dread and Death. Genevieve isn’t a witch, but she’s been living as one. I’ll allow Genevieve to explain the rest. She has had her reasons for keeping this from you and all others.”
“Yeah, she’s a liar,” Amuliana yelled.
“Again, shut up, Goddess Amuliana,” Zeus reprimanded.
“Why am I being told now?” Terra asked.
“It was inevitable your ancestry would be revealed here. In order to attend Zeus’s Council, your ancestry had to be determined and recited for all to hear. The council must know who attends and appeals to it. At least know what can be known, and Zeus has the power to discern such things.”
“Really? I’m surprised by all of this.”
She looked at the other gods. They were watching quietly, and she grew hot under their intense gazes. Terra could feel the perspiration gathering on her forehead. Soft, cool air blew by her, bringing her instant relief. Aetius remained focused on God Cernunnos, but she knew he had caused the refreshing breeze.
“You wouldn’t understand, there’s a lot to learn, especially about your great-grandmother, the Princess of the Fey, and the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. Perhaps your lover, the Fey and Master Elemental, will tell you the history regarding your great-grandmother and the history and government of the fairies. Your great-grandmother’s story is well known among her people.”
“I can provide what information I know,” Aetius answered.
“Excellent, I’ll leave her in your care.”
“I accept.” Aetius nodded.
“Well, my dear, I’ve enjoyed meeting you. And know this, those wishing to offend you, should beware.” He glanced at Amuliana and Hecate. “It’s foolish to think you’re vulnerable.” He patted her hand with his. “We shall talk more later. Be ready for the leaders of the Fey to come to you soon.”
“Why?”
“To require you to accept your role as Princess of the Unseelie Court. They are all about formality, especially your great-grandmother’s family.”
“It sounds like I don’t have a choice.”
“Probably not. Again, I leave it to the politics of the Fey. And to Genevieve to explain.” Cernunnos released Terra’s hand. “The Fey are a complicated group of immortals.”
“Come here, my child.” Zeus waved her over to where he stood. Terra walked toward him. He held out his hand, and she placed her hand in his. “Welcome to my council, my dear.” Zeus lightly squeezed her hand. “I’m pleased to have the daughter of Goddess Gaia here before us.”
“Thank you, God Zeus. I’m honored to be here. I’m also surprised by what I’ve learned today. My mind’s spinning with all the information.”
“I understand. Genevieve seems to have kept many secrets. You’ll need to speak with her to understand why she has done so. When I discerned your ancestry, I couldn’t continue to be complicit in the ongoing deception. And for you to appear before the council it had to be revealed.”
“I see.” Terra nodded.
“Also, you have the right to know who and what you are. Now, I understand you’re here to ask for justice regarding humans you know.”
“Yes. I wish for a writ of execution, and if that isn’t granted, for a writ of imprisonment for Emaline the Empusa. She murdered my friends and associates.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Hecate shouted and pounded on the table. “She can’t even make a request for a writ, she’s not an Enforcer or a god.”
“Hecate, be silent.” Zeus pointed at the goddess of witchcraft. “I can run this council meeting as I decide. Usually, I have the Enforcer make the case for punishment of an offender, but today I’d like to hear from Terra.” Zeus returned his attention to Terra. “Please continue, my child.”
“Hecate’s daughter, Emaline the Empusa, has killed one of my good friends and several other mortals I know. She’s threatened to kill more. For some reason, she has targeted me.” Terra looked at Hecate who sat next to Amuliana. Hecate averted her eyes. “She kills for sport, and she enjoys hurting me by killing those I know.”
“How do you know she has targeted you?”
“She told me.”
“I see.” Zeus turned to look at Aetius. “Enforcer, what do you think?”
“All Terra has said is correct. Emaline has taken joy in hurting Terra by killing her friends and acquaintances. She has enjoyed seeing Terra suffer and worry. Emaline the Empusa is an evil monster. She’s been summoned by a human pretending to be a witch. The human negotiated with the Empusa to provide souls to consume in exchange for power or gifts of some sort.”
“Emaline is dangerous to humans in my community,” Terra interjected. “When she kills humans, she deprives them of an afterlife. They cease to exist at all.” A tear rolled down Terra’s cheek.
“Oh my, so melodramatic.” Hecate slammed her fist down on the table again.
Terra ignored Hecate. “It’s horrendous, untenable in every way to think my friend and the others I know have been ended permanently. Their souls were to be immortal and live on in paradise as good mortals are promised. But Emaline has taken that from them. She has consumed their very essence of what and who humans truly are. Emaline must be eliminated, and quickly. She’s a villain to all humanity.”
“Very well presented.” Zeus clapped his hands together. “As Emaline the Empusa has offended Terra, a being of superior lineage to the Empusa, I grant demi-goddess Terra’s request for a writ of execution for Emaline the Empusa. The Enforcer is hereby ordered to capture Emaline and bring her before us for a public execution.”
“I object,” Hecate screamed and stood up quickly. Her chair flung backward onto the floor. “Emaline is a demi-goddess as well. This girl isn’t superior to my daughter, and as I said before, she’s not an Enforcer.”
“Hecate, didn’t you listen to the herald’s reciting of her lineage? Terra is the daughter of Goddess Gaia, Mother Earth, a Titan. Goddess Gaia is a goddess of higher rank than you. Also, demi-goddess Terra has more god’s blood in her veins than demi-goddess Emaline. She even has Goddess Amuliana’s blood flowing through her.”
“Keep Goddess Amuliana out of this.” Hecate nearly spit her words out.
“That’s impossible under the circumstances.” Zeus chuckled. “The deed was done long ago.”
“That’s not what I mean.” Hecate huffed.
Zeus ignored Hecate. “Also, Terra is the great-grandchild of the great god of the Celts, Cernunnos. Terra far outranks your Empusa child. Not to mention, she’s a Princess of the Fey.”
“Despite all you’ve said, I continue my objection.” Hecate stomped her foot.
“Hecate, I can’t even discern who the father of the Empusas are. Emaline and her sisters are, as far as I know, your magical creations, and not truly related to you genetically or born of your loins. In comparison, the Empusa sisters are of lowly station to this lovely child.” He nodded toward Terra. “Emaline should have respected Terra. She should have respected Enforcer Aetius. Failure to do so has resulted in Emaline’s punishment. She was foolish and arrogant. And truth be known, she and her sisters are monsters and shouldn’t be tolerated.”
“I wish to have a further hearing.” Hecate threw her goblet of wine on the floor.
“Watch your behavior in this hallowed room,” Zeus loudly scolded.
“Fuck this room, and you too.” Hecate snarled. “You always disrespect me, and I’m tired of it.”
“Sit down and shut up, Hecate.” Another god stood up.
“No one asked you, Hades.” Hecate glared.
“You dare to speak to God Zeus or me in such a way. Have you lost your faculties? Has spending too much time with Amuliana made you go crazy?”
“Exactly, you’re out of order, Hecate,” Zeus interrupted. “Soon a writ will be issued for you to be imprisoned. You and Goddess Amuliana are guilty of many things as bad or worse than the Empusa. Thus far, you’ve been protected by your divinity. One day that won’t be enough.”
Amuliana stood up next to Hecate. “God Zeus, we implore you to grant another hearing with Emaline present to defend herself. It’s only fair and in line with due process.”
“Very well.” Zeus crossed his arms. “Even though I’m sure you know nothing of due process.” He frowned. “We’ll have another hearing once the Empusa is caught. She’ll be detained in the Enforcer’s prison and brought here for your requested hearing, allowing her due process. If found guilty, she must present a compelling reason to be allowed to continue to live. And if she kills again, before her capture, the hearing will be stricken, and my current order will stand. Do you understand me, Goddess Hecate?”
“This is outrageous.” Hecate glared at Terra and vanished with Amuliana in a puff of black smoke.
“We’re done here today.” Zeus nodded toward Aetius. “The council is adjourned.”
All the gods vanished. Terra and Aetius were left standing in an empty and suddenly dark room.
“When they decide to go, they do.” Terra looked up at the ceiling. “This has been a surreal experience.”
Aetius took her hand. “Dealing with the gods always is. Let’s go.” He turned and headed toward the door. The next step she took was in their suite near the bed. “I’m sorry if that was disconcerting.”
“It’s fine, it was a short jump. And I’m getting used to it.” She sat down on the edge of the bed and kicked off her shoes. “Today has been stressful.” She sighed.
“You’ve handled it well.”
“Thank you.” Terra leaned into him. He put his arm around her. “Look, they filled the closet with clothes.” She pointed to the opened closet.
“The gods want you to be comfortable here at their lodge.” He sat down next to her. “You can change into something more casual. We’ll go for a walk outside. The mountain air will calm your nerves.”
“When are we going to look for Emaline?”
“Soon. Hecate went to her as soon as she left the meeting. No doubt she’s hidden her. But we’ll find her. No worries.”
Terra got up and walked to the closet to look at the clothing. She moved the hangers as she looked through the clothes. Finally, she selected a dark green pantsuit and a white blouse. “I guess I’ll change into this.” She turned to go into the bathroom. When she got to the door, she stopped and looked back at him. “Do you still like me?”
“Of course. I told you I love you. I don’t change my mind about something like that. Why would you ask?”
“Come on, Aetius, I’m the great-granddaughter of your greatest enemy, Goddess Amuliana. And I’m an Unseelie Princess, my other great-grandmother is the Princess of Dread and Death. How horrid is that?” She made a gagging sound. “I’m a monster, like the Empusa.”
“Terra, that’s ridiculous. You’re nothing like the Empusa. You don’t kill people or steal their souls and afterlife. And I don’t blame you for being related to Amuliana. Like she said, she has a lot of children and grandchildren. It’s hardly your fault to be among them. As for the Fey Princess, it makes us more compatible. We’re both royal Fey. There’s very little difference between the Seelie and the Unseelie except for the Unseelie’s intolerance for humans. You like humans, probably more than I do.” He grinned.
“What do you know of the Princess of Dread and Death?”
“She was rebellious and defied her father. She has a reputation of being cruel to mortals.”
“That’s awful.”
“She is. And she refused to marry the man her father chose for her. He wanted her to marry a member of my family, an uncle. It was to unite the Seelie and Unseelie Courts.”
“Why don’t they say her true name?” Terra asked.
“Her father issued that order as punishment for her rebellion and cruelty.”
“Wow, that seems harsh.”
“No, not really. She’s been terribly cruel to unsuspecting humans. She doesn’t kill them like the Empusa, she makes them mad.”
“Mad? Mad at what?”
Aetius laughed. “She makes them insane with her torturous pranks. The Fey are notorious for pranks on gullible humans. Both the Seelie and Unseelie Fey love to trick humans, but they can like humans too. It depends.” He shrugged. “The Unseelie Fey are more malevolent. And DD is one nasty bitch to be accurate.”
“DD?”
“Yes, my name for her. You know, short for Dread and Death. She normally wears her true Fey appearance.”
“What’s that?” Terra cocked her head to the side.
“I’ll show you.”
Aetius unbuttoned his shirt and took it off. His dark eyes turned fully black. His reddish lips darkened to nearly black. Then black, lacy wings sprung from his back. They were huge and strong-looking, stretching at least seven feet across, from tip to tip. They lifted him from the floor, and he hovered in midair. He moved toward her. Two curved, black horns appeared on his head, completing his sinister appearance.
Terra held her breath as she watched him come closer to her. “You look like a beautiful, dark angel.” She dropped the clothes she was carrying.
“You mean a demon?” He smiled, showing sharp, fanged canines. “Immortals aren’t as human-looking as one might think. There’s usually something different lurking beneath the surface.”
“What’s beneath my surface?”
“I don’t know yet. Not all of us embrace this side of being a Fey, but I do at times. I share your mother’s dark looks. Some Fey, like my sister Faelan, have white wings and no horns. They appear less demonic, some would say. You look shocked. Do you care for me less now?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I’m surprised, but really you’re kinda sexy scary.” She chuckled. “I’ve always liked bad boys.”
His wings and horns disappeared, and his eyes returned to be more human-looking. “Go change your clothes. Let’s take a walk in the Enchanted Forest, and we’ll make plans to locate Emaline.”
Terra picked the clothing up. She rushed into the bathroom and changed quickly.
As she was coming back into the bedroom, someone knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” Aetius asked.
“It’s Deena. I have your late lunch.”
Aetius opened the door, and Deena came in with a large tray of food.
She sat it down on the coffee table. “I’ve brought you sandwiches and salads.”
“It looks delicious.” Terra’s stomach growled. She leaned over to pick up one of the sandwiches, but before she could, it turned moldy and rotten. Bugs crawled out from beneath the bread. “What?”
“Bon appétit.” Deena transformed into Hecate.
“What do you want, witch?” Aetius stepped between Hecate and Terra.
“Now, now, your lover has some witch blood in her. Be respectful.” Hecate peered around Aetius to look at Terra. “One thing you may not know yet, Fey are typically mean-spirited.” She laughed.
“What do you want?” Aetius growled.
“I came to tell you I’ve disguised and hidden Emaline with a powerful protection spell. You’ll never find her, don’t bother to look.”
“Whatever.” He shrugged. “It’s hard to hide from me. It’s nearly impossible to be someplace without air, water, earth, fire, or the aether. So, we’ll see how long she can stay hidden. Now, are you done being an uninvited pest? Or shall I have the elements show you my power?” A fire engulfed the spoiled food, and it was reduced to ashes. “That could be you.”
“You dare threaten me?”
“Sure, why not, you’re in my room, unwelcomed. And Hecate, I’m not in any way afraid of you. But you should be very afraid of me.” He was only inches from her, using his size to be intimidating. “Now leave my room and never return to invade my space again.”
The goddess vanished, leaving the stench of sulfur behind.
“The smell’s awful.”
A gust of wind originated out of nowhere and pushed the noxious smell under the door and out of the room.
“How long can she hide from you?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know, but it’s hard for Emaline to change her ways. The elements will help me find her. Let’s go for that walk now.”