Kalona's Fall (House of Night Novellas #4)(29)

Once chosen, by the might of the sun they will never be apart.

Erebus’s hands blazed with the orange glow of a setting sun, and when he lifted them from the top of the basket, Nyx saw that the wild tan and gray fur of the kittens had been changed to sunlight orange and cloudy cream. Erebus lifted one of the kittens from the basket, and instead of hissing and scratching, it began to purr, nuzzling him with its fluffy face. The winged immortal smiled. “Not me, sweet one. She has need of your friendship more than I.” He tucked the kitten beside the sleeping maiden, and then carried the other four to the girl, as well, so that they formed a warm circle against her. Then he turned back to Nyx.

The Goddess took his face in her hands and kissed him gently. “Your gift has pleased me greatly. You, too, have passed the last of the tests.” Then Nyx turned to face Mother Earth. “I did not plan what happened tonight.”

“And I planned too rigidly. I tried to control too much. Tonight I realize that there are some things that not even your great capacity to love or my gift for creation can forestall.”

“Are we still friends?”

“Always,” Mother Earth said. “But I think it is time I stopped meddling in your personal affairs.”

“I will never be able to thank you enough for that loving meddling. You ended my loneliness and now, with Kalona and Erebus, the Otherworld will be filled with life again.”

“You are more than welcome,” Mother Earth said. She walked to Erebus and embraced him warmly. “You will always be the memory of a perfect, sun-filled summer’s day to me. I have enjoyed being your mother.”

“And I enjoy being your son. Will we not continue our visits?”

“Perhaps, but I think you will find that you will be quite busy in the Otherworld, and I realize that I have become weary again. I need to sleep.” Mother Earth accepted Erebus’s kiss on her cheek, then she moved to stand before Kalona. “I have been hard on you, my moonlit son, but that is because of what I sense within you. Kalona, you are a different type of creation from your brother. You were born warrior and lover, and those two roles are not easy to bear side by side. I see within you a limitless capacity for good, as well as an equally limitless capacity for harm. Through the tests I meant for you to learn that with great power comes great responsibility. Only your future choices will show whether I succeeded in my lessons.”

“I do not intend harm,” Kalona said earnestly.

“Intent is a fickle friend,” Mother Earth said. “You did not intend for any mortals to die this night, did you?”

“No. I did not.”

“And yet one is dead, and one is altered forever. Kalona, hear me well as this I vow: Should your anger, Darkness allow, Earth’s embrace shall not succor thee. So I have spoken, so mote it be.” Sealing the oath, Mother Earth kissed him on his cold lips and then turned to Nyx wearily. The two women embraced.

Nyx’s gaze went to the maiden. “When you are not sleeping, would you watch over my daughter with me? She is a new being, and the only one of her kind. She will need special care, and one cannot have too many mothers.”

“My friend, I am afraid that I may sleep so long that in some ways I shall never again arise, so before I drift into my living bed, I will create once more, though you must watch over these children yourself.”

Nyx was confused for a moment, and then she understood what Mother Earth intended. “You will create more like her!”

“I will, though their creation will be more difficult than was hers. She is not truly a new being, but rather a mortal made more. I will sow humanity with the seeds of what she is. I do not know how many of them will be able to become more.”

Nyx clasped her friend’s hands. “Thank you, Mother Earth. Thank you for making sure my daughter will not live her life alone.”

“Do not thank me yet. I do not know how many like her will survive.”

“Humans are strong and brave. There will be many who survive,” Nyx said. “And I will be their Goddess of Night!”

“Yes, my friend. Yes,” Mother Earth agreed. “Now, embrace me again, and take your leave quickly. I want no sadness or regret between us.”

Nyx hugged her tightly. “Sleep in peace with no worry and no regret. I will visit your children, and I will watch over that which is eternal within them for eternity.”

“Watch over yourself as well,” Mother Earth said. Then, still embracing the Goddess, she whispered for her ears alone: “And watch Kalona. If he begins to change it will be because his anger has grown greater than his love. If he allows anger to consume him, it will also consume you and your realm.” Then she released Nyx and stepped back. “Go now, and may you all be blessed—”

Heartbreaking trills erupted from the group of Fey that clustered around Mother Earth. Nyx saw that there weren’t only dryads there, but coblyn, naiads, and even a few skeeaeds had appeared on the prairies, painting the night with bright colors that reflected their anxiety.

“No, little ones, do not despair. You belong in the Otherworld—that is your home,” Mother Earth said.

“Oh, my friend, please tell me that the Fey may continue to visit your earth,” Nyx said.

Mother Earth looked surprise. “You would allow it?”

Nyx smiled warmly at the Fey. As long as there is Old Magick, ancient, rich and true, there you shall find the Fey, and there they shall find you.