Kalona's Fall (House of Night Novellas #4)(14)

The dryads, who had been cringing in fear, hiding down in the tall grass, crept out, cooing and trilling in appreciation of the colorful show. Even L’ota, who had been cowering behind Nyx, peeked out and gasped in pleasure.

“Do you like it?” Erebus asked, jogging up to Nyx and bowing first to her and then to Mother Earth. “I was a little rushed. I had planned to present it for you at dusk today, when the colors would look most brilliant, but I was drawn here by that maelstrom, and knew my plans must change.” Erebus frowned at Kalona. “What were you thinking?”

“I was not thinking about you!”

Nyx’s eyes widened in surprise at Kalona’s harsh tone, but before she could admonish him, Mother Earth spoke.

“You were not thinking about anyone except yourself! Kalona, you have failed this test.” Her displeasure caused the prairie grasses to shiver. Mother Earth turned her back on Kalona and went to Erebus, embracing him warmly. “Erebus, your creation is lovely, and I thank you for ending the terrible storm that could have destroyed some of my children.”

“Wait, my friend.” Nyx addressed Mother Earth slowly, carefully considering each of her words. “When you commanded that Kalona and Erebus complete three tasks, you proclaimed that as their Goddess, it is my right to judge their creations. I would respectfully remind you of your own proclamation.”

Mother Earth met Nyx’s gaze. The Goddess searched for anger or resentment within her friend’s eyes, but she saw only concern, and then resignation. Mother Earth bowed her head to Nyx. “You do well to remind me of my words. I bow to your judgment.”

Drawing a deep breath, Nyx faced Kalona. He had moved toward her as the funnel had gotten out of control, and she knew he had been ready to protect her against his own creation. She also knew the misery she saw in his amber eyes. She felt the mirrored pain within herself.

“Kalona, what you created for me did exactly as you intended. It demonstrated the power of your passion, and I could view your whirlwind from the Otherworld. I appreciate your strength and your desire to share your innermost passions with me. You do wield the power of an immortal warrior, my immortal warrior, and that pleases me. But if you are ever to be more than warrior to me, you must temper your passion with kindness, your power with control.” She closed the space between them. She needed to touch him. To let him hold her in his arms as he had the night before as he had fed her berries and gazed at the moonlit ocean with her. But for his own sake, Nyx denied her need and finished her judgment. “I understand the intent behind your creation, and because of that you did not fail the test, but you did not please me, either.”

Kalona’s shoulders drooped and he did not meet her eyes. “I ask that you forgive me and give me another chance to please you, for I desire to be much more than your Warrior.”

“Readily, I forgive you and grant you another chance. Which element would you choose to wield?”

His gaze found hers again. “The one that is so favored by you—Water.”

“My friend?” Nyx said, looking from Kalona to Mother Earth.

Mother Earth nodded and said, “Until you each call into being your creation, I grant you dominion over Water. So I have spoken; so mote it be.”

“Thank you, Mother Earth,” Nyx said. Without another word to Kalona, Nyx turned her back to him and walked to Erebus. Embracing him warmly, she said, “Erebus, your bow of color is lovely! You have pleased me greatly. Would you walk awhile with me? I would like to introduce you to the People of the Prairie. After what they have witnessed today, I am sure your music would bring them much needed delight.”

“Goddess, it is my greatest pleasure to do your bidding.”

Nyx let him take her hand and together they walked through the grasses toward the timberline. Though she wanted to, the Goddess did not allow herself to look back at Kalona even once.

6.

TRUST ME, GODDESS. I WOULD NEVER LET YOU FALL …

Kalona sulked for several days after the test, replaying over and over again in his mind the disastrous conclusion to what he had intended as an awe-inspiring demonstration of passion and power.

How had it gone so terribly wrong?

He had practiced day after day on the grassy prairie. The neighboring tribe of Prairie People could have attested to the fact that he had created many whirling funnels of wind and magick, and that he had easily controlled them. The local mortals had even begun leaving gifts of food, clay pots filled with precious ocher, and carefully made clothing for him. Remembering Nyx’s fondness for these particular people, Kalona had dressed carefully for his test, decorating himself to please her.

But nothing had gone as Kalona had planned.

Erebus had saved the day and won Nyx’s pleasure. Kalona could not bear to think of what else Erebus had won from Nyx.

He would not allow himself to fail again!

“It is that wretched elemental magick that was at fault. Air is so unpredictable—so changeable. It was Erebus’s choice in elements that was flawed. Though is my choice of Water any better?” He paced around the clearing he had begun to think of as his own. It was far enough from the tribe of Prairie People that they did not often pass by, and close enough that the offerings they had continued to leave for him were easily accessible. The People did not particularly interest Kalona, but their food did, as did the thick, soft furs they’d left for his sleeping pallet. Not surprisingly, Mother Earth’s surface was as hard and uncomfortable as her admonishing gaze. The immortal had no true need for sleep, though that did not mean he didn’t appreciate a warm, soft spot on which to rest his body.