Princess of Death (Three Provinces Book 1) (19 page)

“The latter, my daughter”

I spun around and almost landed on my ass as I faced Zalm; she laughed at me, good naturedly.

“Goddess,” I bowed my head.

“Stand up Ereshkigal.”

As I stood, she waved her hand over me and I was clean and refreshed. It was like being stuck in a tornado of cool fresh wind and then it was over.

“Thank you.” I have to admit, magic was easier than going home and taking a bath. Though not as fulfilling.

“I could not have you filthy while we talk,” she laughed and it was like chills went up my spine. I had to remember no matter how kind or sincere she sounded, this was a Dark Goddess.

“I appreciate the work you have put into this cemetery. It makes me…..happy….to have my family so well looked after.”

“Family,” I almost stuttered it.

“Yes. Several hundred years ago I had a baby; I created this home for him and his family.” She looked kind of sad; I did not think the story ended happily.

“As the darkness, it is in my nature to rebel, and to love the dark. There was a man, whose gift was over the dead as yours is. We had one night. I birthed a son and gave him to his father; he was not immortal enough to stay in the Underworld with me.”

“What happened to him?” I almost did not want to know the answer.

“He is the Necromancer who created the P.O.T. graveyard.” She admitted.

“Oh, wow….” Yeah, that was me, speechless.

“I was angry, and concerned that all that I had beget would turn the same way. I could not have that. As much as a part of me longs to rule all of Salas with a darkness that would consume all light, there must be balance.” Wind began to whip around the goddess, her long hair flying around her as she spoke, like her emotions and agitation fueled the atmosphere.

“So you killed them all,” finishing her story.

“Yes. I came here and slaughtered my own blood. I personally escorted them to the underworld so they could be with me forever.” She did not seem ashamed, but she did seem depressed.

“Except…” There was a point to this story, I knew it, but man, Gods were long winded and dramatic.

“There was a baby, a boy, tiny and handsome, only about three years old. As I turned on him Syb and Pesu stopped me. They begged me for mercy, he was their kin, too. Neither of my sisters had ever taken lovers outside of other Gods. Syb told me she would take him and make him Biri born, place him with a good family,” Zalm’s eyes pierced mine, almost crazed.

“My father’s grandfather, yes?” I knew it, without a doubt. My great-grandfather had died several years ago, an accident at sea. But he had always been a little odd and had been kind to me.

“Yes.” Her words slapped at me.

“So I am…. your great-great-granddaughter?” This was almost more than I could handle. I wished Nam was with me, he was good with intense and or bad news.

“You are.”

“So you are going to what? Kill me?” I would accept death; it was in my nature to do so.

“No. I think you are different Ereshkigal. You are like me, dark but…practical…passionate but….thoughtful.”  Zalm was suddenly at my side, inches from my face, she smelled like dirt and decaying leaves; I liked it.

“It is for this reason I am going to give you something that will allow you to get people here quicker and allow you to travel as fast as you need to.”  Yanking up a corner of my shirt she bared her brand and blew frozen breath on it. Magic absorbed into my system and all I could do for a moment was gape at her.

She had given me the ability to open a portal into the Underworld and use it as a passage. Because of the properties of the Underworld it could be as short or vast a space as needed. This meant that I could open a door for others, basically pull them through to appear before me. Death Nymphs were the only natural beings who could do this, aside from the Gods.

“My Goddess, thank you!” I bowed, yup, even though I am against it.

“You are welcome, but I have one request.”

Great, I knew it; nothing that awesome comes without a price.

“You will, I mean…will you come and visit your family there? It is the least I can do after taking their lives, to allow them to see their own blood, alive and well.” She cupped my cheek, her icy corpse-like skin feeling like…family.

Her request was the last thing I expected, but how could I deny it? I could now travel freely from this world to the next.

“Of course Dark Goddess. I would be honored to visit your realm.”

She gave me a genuine, not so frightening smile and then was gone and the cemetery felt her loss as did I. Now to get back and tell Sarlu I had figured out how to get everyone to the estate in the next few days. Hopefully, they would all agree to come.

Chapter 19

Opening portals to the underworld was hard work and that was how Nam found me five days later when he finally stumbled home.

“Nam!” I exclaimed, hugging him.

“Hey Eshie, Nergal got your invitation and showed it to me. What’s going on? It is crazy outside.” He linked an arm with mine as we went upstairs to his room.

While he bathed I told him everything that had happened. I sat crossed legged on his bed, back turned as he came into the room in a towel and began to get changed.

“Wow, leave it to you to have adventures when I’m not around,” he teased, “
So what’s up with all the little cabins in the front yard?”

“Sarlu has the best spell; the cabins are temporary and turn into little blocks of wood when no longer in use and on the inside they are super nice bedrooms with attached bathrooms. So everyone could stay here and are comfortable. Cook has set up an outside eating area so that everybody can eat together. People are really enjoying the rusticness.”

Nam sat on the bed across from me, “Bet Pagri was interesting. The Alu funeral rites are intriguing to say the least. It was boring without you; I wanted to come home earlier but the Sleep Walking Sickness was harder to cure than I thought.” He studied me for a moment, “Nergal could not stop talking about you.”

“Really? I miss him. Did he mention if he or his dad were coming?” I hoped it was Nergal; his dad was currently on my shit list.

“No, but I think Nergal and Ekur will probably be here.” Nam grinned, and it was his silly grin. I grabbed a pillow and began to thwack him with it.

“Hey! Hey! Alright, that aside I do have something important to tell you,” he said between gasps for air.

“What?”

“Lilu is dead, Eshie. I saw her burned myself.”

“Could you have saved her?”

“I don’t think so and I didn’t try.  She deserved to die.”

And that was the last we spoke on that. I was about to tell him when the summit was going to begin, he was lucky he made it on time, and who all had shown up, then a knock sounded at the door and Beletseri came in. Nam gave her wide eyes and then hid behind his hair, which I thought was very interesting.

“Beletseri this is Namtar m
y best friend, Nam this is my new Lady’s Maid.”

“Greetings,” she gave a little curtsey, Nam mumbled hello and pretended to pick at his nails. I gave him a small kick and rolled my eyes.

“What’s up?” I asked her.

“I believe I have found what you asked me for. And your aunt and uncle just arrived through the last and final portal,” she told me, then handed me a bag.

“Thanks. Tell them I will be right down.”

“What’s in the bag?” Nam bugged me, poking at the large multi colored carpet bag. I quickly explained about the Mirror Spirit.

“So, I figured I would send the other two spirits to Ishtar and Mash, that way we can all talk without fear of being monitored. I wanted hand mirrors for them so they could be easily hid, just in case.” I placed the bag under my bed. I would show my own Mirror Spirit later and get its approval.

Nam and I went downstairs where I was instantly drawn into the warmth and love of my Aunt Nanna and Uncle Zaltu.

“I am so glad to see you both!” I gushed.

“Oh, Niece as are we! You have accomplished so much in such a short amount of time! And the turn-out is wonderful; I think everyone you invited must have come!” Nanna told me.

“Well, a few from the smaller Demon clans did not come, but yes, everyone else sent back an RSVP,” I replied

“Yes. I saw all the other nine mayors as well and several prominent business owners. The leaders of the Mormos, Nymphs, Dragon Demons and Cat Demons are here.” Zaltu sounded so proud it almost brought tears to my eyes. I wished my father and mother could have been as proud of me.

“Yes, I saw them, though I didn’t have time to speak with them all. I did talk to Ibbi. She brought most of her troupe with her. Free food, I think.” Laughing we began to walk towards the Necessity Door, the meeting was supposed to start soon.

“The Alus are not here though.” Nanna frowned at me, pausing just before the Door, “is everything ok?”

“I think it is. Nergal and I had a…agreement of sort before I left, but they had much to deal with.” My words sounded proper but my heart was breaking a little. I hadn’t even heard from Nergal and I was thinking that maybe he had changed his mind; that he didn’t really love me.

“I did have much to deal wit
h Best Beloved One, but I am here now.”

Looking up, I saw Nergal and I am ashamed to say I practically screamed and jumped him. He gathered me up in his arms kissing my face, lips, hair and neck, breathing me in as if he could not get enough of my presence and I felt the same way.

“I missed you!” I told him, pulling back and smacking his arm.

“I missed you too, but you do not have to worry about that again. I am not going anywhere.” He set me down and I hugged him around the waist. I felt like a girl my age should feel, young.

“Everyone is ready, Your Highness,” Sarlu said, appearing out of nowhere.

We all congregated inside the room, myself, alone, on stage, looking out at about thirty faces, all whom expected, what? Greatness? A compelling and awesome speech? I hadn’t even really prepared anything.

It grew quiet and I began to talk. “My brother has petitioned my parents for the right to rule Nannaru separately from Biri, like the countries of the Old World. My parents have not handled this news well and I am afraid that some sort of revolution or war is about to start. My brother has asked me whose side I am on; whose side Adura will take.”

There were low murmurs as I let them talk amongst themselves for a few moments, soaking in the information. I glanced at Nergal and caught his eye, he gave me an encouraging look and I continued.

“I have been told that Adurans would favor me as the Queen of Adura, that the people of our province would willingly follow my rule. If this is the consensus then I will agree to it and take over as such. It must be, however, with the knowledge that some may die to bring about our freedom from the rule of my parents. I will not ask you to fight if you have a different alternative,” trying to make eye contact with as many people as possible.

Ibbi smiled at me from the top of the stands and Nam winked at me, sitting next to Sarlu, who I had insisted join us. Both of my favorite maids were also in attendance; Beletseri and Tiamat.

“Your Highness, how else would this affect us?” the Mormos leader asked me.

“There will be issues with trade and importing. Things we are used to getting from Biri will be unavailable until an agreement can be reached. Items we depend on and enjoy from Nannaru will take longer to get here since they will now have to come by boat. We will need to increase the member of the Guard and those who work on ships, which may take people from other areas.” I explained. I, again, allowed some time for them to talk about things. I didn’t want them to feel as rushed as I did.

“And how do we know you will be a good Queen? I am all for no longer having rulers from Biri. But why you? Just because you are royal born?” the mayor of Ursu questioned in a hard tone.

I had worn a beautiful black jeweled corseted dress for the occasion, one with a halter neckline, so that all of my Goddess Gifts could be seen. I had thrown on a long sleeved black shawl to hide my gifts until they were needed.  With a nod from Nam, I threw off the shawl

The golden ivy on my arm glowed against my pale skin, holding up my hand, I let my ring catch the light in only the way a Syb stone could and as I heard gasps around the room I turned, showing them the moth branded into my shoulder.

Facing them again I closed my eyes and waited until the chatter died. “I have been blessed by the Great Three. I can rule you,” raising my hands above my head the lights flickered out, my power glowed with a soft and horrible radiance around me. I used the surge of power to hover inches from the ground, the magic spilled out, like black extensions from my hair, writhing.

“I will also be reinstating the festivals and holidays of the Great Three. We have done them an injustice forgetting them and ending our worship of them.”

I forced myself not to look at my people, my friends, my….family. I didn’t want to see anything I could not forget.  As I began to hear clapping and cheers, I settled back down to the floor. A hand slid into mine and my eyes, I knew were pure black pools in my face, focused on Nergal and his calming, love filled smile.

Sucking my magic back into me the lights went on and I saw the pleased and astounded faces of everyone in the room.

“We must all also remember that she brought most of us here through an Underworld Portal, only someone powerful could do that,” Ibbi’s words were heard over the applause.

The noise began to settle down and I saw agreement, excitement and contentment reflected on most everyone’s faces.

“Well, I think that about settles it. Tell your brother we will be going against Biri as well,” Nanna said, standing up.

“Yes. I believe that demonstration served its purpose. Can we agree on our new Queen now? I for one, am starving,” my uncle joked.

“A vote then? All in favor?” Nanna asked the room. Every single hand rose. I laughed as Nam raised two.

As we left the room, the little Star Nymph, Igigi, came running and skidded to a halt in front of me.

“Igigi, please do not embarrass us,” her leader said, tossing her own star lit locks behind one ear and focusing on the girl.

“She isn’t; it must be something important,” I scowled at the grown up, who took a step back.

“Yes, Your Majesty-..”

A mayor cut her off.

“She is now to be addressed as My Queen.”

“Oh please, let the girl talk,” I was exasperated. Placing a hand on Igigi’s shoulder, “What’s going on?”

“There is a woman here to see you! A Biri woman!” The words burst from her mouth.

“Where is she, did you make her comfortable? Oh, I knew I shouldn’t have attended the conference!” Sarlu’s voice was impatient.

“She is. I offered her food and drink, and she would not take either. I asked her to wait in the library.” Igigi was wringing her hands.

“You did just fine. Tiamat, Beletseri, why don’t you take her to get some tea and then I am sure Sarlu has many things for you to help with.” I nodded at them and they hurried the little Star Nymph away.

“If you are hungry, there will be refreshments outside shortly,” Sarlu announced. Pretty much everyone went outside. Nam, Nergal and Ekur stayed with me, just like I knew they would.

I was curious about who was visiting me from Biri; probably some messenger from my parents. When I walked in, though, I was pleasantly surprised to see Mylitta.

“Mylitta!” I exclaimed, she jumped up and hugged me. It was nice to see my nurse again.

“Oh, Eshie, you look so beautiful, I see time in Adura has had a positive effect on you, but now it’s time for you to come home.”

“Excuse me?” I stepped back, dropping my arms.

“You must be mistaken, Ereshkigal lives here now,” Nergal sounded dangerous and Mylitta gave him a fear filled glance.

“I am not. Eshie, your parents have decided it was rash of them to allow you to leave them so soon. They want you to come home as soon as possible. The estate can hold a little while without you.” Mylitta picked at her clothes nervously.

“I am afraid that will not be happening. This is my home now. I won’t go back to the castle.” I answered her.

“If you don’t, well your parents have told me, have told me…” she looked nervous and not quite happy with whatever it was they had said to her.

“It’s ok Mylitta, just spit it out.” Nam said over my shoulder, glancing at him I almost giggled as he rolled his eyes.

“If you do not come home with me now you will be forbidden to attend Ishtar’s wedding and your parents will see it as you forming an alliance with Mash.” Her eyes filled with tears. I could understand that. Mylitta had helped raised us. Being forced to choose between us all for the sake of where she had been born must really suck.

“But that is truth, Mylitta. I am Queen of Adura now. You will have to give my apologies to mother and father.” I enjoyed the look of shock and horror on her face.

“Oh no, Ereshkigal, your parents will be so unhappy!” Her eyes were starting to dart to the window.

“Empusa, tell us, did you come through Adura by yourself?” Ekur asked.

“Well I… I… I couldn’t come by myself! Adura is dangerous; I would have been eaten alive.” She fretted, looking increasingly anxious.

“Oh please, Mylitta, calm down, no one is going to eat you or anything so absurd. I don’t even HAVE man-eating staff on the grounds.” Again, I really liked the look of terror on her face. I could be so evil sometimes. Oh, who was I kidding, all the damn time.

I looked at Ekur, “will you please go outside and take some people and round up whatever Guardsmen she brought with her?”

“Oh no!” Mylitta buried her face in her hands. I felt a bit of magic rippled off of her.

“If you shift I will be forced to use my own power on you. Don’t force my hand,” I warned. She stilled, her eyes searching my face. I do not think she liked what she saw.