Chapter 15

Five days had past, and his Pagan was still in his bed, or their bed, as she once reminded him. He had done as he had promised and had filled her with his seed too many times to count and each time she accepted him willingly, almost instinctively opening her legs in her sleep to allow him entry. He had exhausted her with his advances, but he had to. He needed her to be pregnant with their child before he left for Earth.

He didn’t like the idea of Zeus demanding he get his wife with child within two weeks of their wedding. He wanted Pagan to enjoy being his wife and his lover for at least a year before children entered the picture, but he wasn’t granted that. For some reason Zeus wanted an heir to the ruling chair to be conceived now, of course that meant He intended their first born to be a boy and there would be no concern about rushing to have a second babe in order to secure the ruling chair. He and Pagan had not even discussed starting their family. The betrothal and wedding had happened rather quickly. And with all the dangers that lurked about, the idea of children hadn’t crossed his mind. Now it was foremost on his mind thanks to Zeus.

Tristan had little over a week left to get her pregnant, and as far as he could tell she wasn’t with child, he hadn’t had the vision yet. He wasn’t sure if a vision would come since she was only half Aradian, or even be as fertile as Aradian women were. He had to keep trying.

He reached around her sleeping body from their spooned position and placed his hand over her womb. He closed his eyes and built an energy sphere around his hand. He slowly pushed the sphere into her body with his mind and searched for signs of a child. There was none. She hadn’t conceived. He wondered where she was in her life cycle. If he knew when she was to ovulate, it would be easier to get her pregnant. There had to be a reason Zeus gave him two weeks. He didn’t like the idea of doing this without Pagan knowing, but he didn’t want to take the chance of her saying no. He needed to do this.

He moved his hand over a bit and felt for the place he believed her ovary to be. He found it and pressed on the spot to once again look inside. He focused and sensed her ovary was slightly enlarged. He concentrated more directly in that area and in his mind’s eye he saw a tiny egg release. She was ovulating and it was time to fertilize that egg. As he started to move his hand, he caught a fleeting image of another egg being released. He didn’t have time to think about that now or if it meant anything. All he knew was he needed to be inside her now. He had to pick a position that would give him the best odds of capturing that little egg.

Tristan gently moved her onto her belly and lifted her up to her knees. She stirred.

“Again?” She asked sleepily.

“Yes, princess, again. I feel the need to be in you.”

He pushed on her back till her head was down on the pillow and her hips raised high for him to enter. He opened her folds and found her opening and he immediately filled her with his full length. She gasped, as he started moving in and out, each time his tip pressing against the base of her cervix. He felt an erotic rush course through his body with each thrust he gave her. She instinctively tightened her inner walls and the friction his movements created against her hold she had on him sent him into an uncontrollable desire to press deeper and harder into her until he released his seed deep inside.

Suddenly, his mind was hit with an image of life, two to be exact. She was to conceive, and she was to bear a son and a daughter from this mating. Pagan let out a soft whimper, as she looked back at him with a questioning look upon her face, and he knew she had seen it, too. He wondered if she would. Whenever an Aradian couple were to conceive, an image and a feeling of life entered both the man and the woman, and they could feel the sex of the child. Aradian women usually conceived rather quickly, and he wondered if her Aradian side held that trait. Apparently, she had. He was grateful for that. She had a strange look of fear and bafflement in her eyes. He knew he needed to settle her nervousness and quickly.

He leaned over her. “Pagan, listen to me. I know what you saw. I saw it, too. Please, don’t be frightened.”

“Tristan, I don’t understand, what just happened?”

He gave her his full weight and gently pushed her down on the bed, not allowing her to move. He wanted her to be as still as possible.

“I have to tell you something. Don’t speak, just listen. When a child is to be conceived from a mating, both the parents get a vision of the babe and the sex of the child that is to be conceived. Your egg will be fertilized soon, and our babes will start to form inside you.”

She wiggled trying to get up.

“No, Pagan. Lie still.”

She started to breathe heavily. He could tell she was beginning to panic.

“I know this is a lot to take in right now, but, please, for the sake of our babes, lie still.”

He kissed her temple and she sighed and grabbed his hands that were placed beside her head. She squeezed them as if she were hanging on for dear life.

“I want to fill you with my life force like I did when you were injured. I want our babes to feel my presence and help them along with the early stages of their development. Pagan, twins are rare in our society, and I want to give them the best chance they can have right now. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

Tristan built up an iridescent blue spear around them and she felt the familiar sensation of his life force entering her body. She gave into it and allowed him to penetrate deep inside her womb. A smile lifted her spirits at the wonderful sensation of happiness that filled her heart. The sudden panic she had felt at his words started to leave her as Tristan filled her with his life force. She was to be pregnant with Tristan’s babies, twins, a boy and a girl. She knew it was a possibility that she could conceive, but she didn’t think it was going to happen so soon. She squeezed his hands, and he nuzzled his nose in her hair, inhaling her scent.

“Tristan, twins. We are going to have twins,” she said.

“I know, princess.” He kissed her temple again before he spoke. “There is something else you need to know. When Aradian women are with child, their mental abilities cease to work until the child is weaned from them.”

She stiffened underneath him. What did that mean, cease to work, like just go away completely or just harder to make happen? He answered her before she could ask.

“You will not be able to raise energy or create energy balls with your hands like you used to and,” he hesitated, “you will not be able to hear me speak to your mind anymore or feel my presence till after they are weaned from you. I’m not even sure Apollo will be able to continue your training.”

“Why? I don’t understand why?” She asked.

“A pregnancy takes a lot out of a woman, and she needs to reserve all her strength for the baby. It’s like a safety net built in to protect the infant.”

Pagan tried to speak to his mind and found she couldn’t form the words. The harder she tried, the more a fog flooded her thoughts. She panicked, as she realized she couldn’t feel Tristan’s presence in her anymore. He had filled her with his life force, but she felt empty. It was a strange feeling; one she’d not felt since she left Earth. He had filled her with energy since day one here in Aradia and she grew to embrace his mark he left with her. Now all of that was gone and she felt vulnerable.

“Tristan, are you still filling me with your energy?” She asked.

“Yes,” he replied.

“I can’t feel the pulsation you gave me anymore. I must admit that I’m nervous about this.”

She heard him sigh. He still didn’t move and kept her pinned to the bed.

“Why are you so concerned?” She asked.

“Twins are rare here. And those that have been conceived usually don’t make it to full term. Their mothers miscarry within four months because of the power that develops between twins.”

Alarm shot through her. “What?”

“Shh, be calm. I’m not going to let that happen, princess. I intend to fill you with healing energy as often as I can to ensure they make it.” He tightened his grip on her hands. “Our babes will make it.”

“Tristan, I…”

“Pagan, no more talk, just try to relax. We can discuss this further later, but for now, lie still, please, get some sleep.” He kissed her cheek. “I love you.”

She tried to do as he asked and closed her eyes against the thought of losing her babies. She wanted them to make it and would do anything to make sure they did. She was to be a mother; something she never dreamed could possibly happen, and now there was a real possibility she could miscarry. Her heart sank at the thought. Her mind ran rapid with thoughts of dismay.

Why? Why did this happen now when she was just starting to accept her new life here? And what of Apollo? Her training was going to have to come to a halt till she was no longer breast-feeding her babes. What would He say to all of this? None of this made sense to her.

Apollo would say to you that he is happy you are to give birth to twins. It will be the first here, you know.

Artemis?

Yes, Pagan, it is I.

The goddess appeared in a golden light in Pagan’s mind and smiled at her.

I wasn’t sure I could reach You or Apollo because of what Tristan said about my abilities not working while I’m pregnant. I didn’t expect this to happen so soon.

He is right about that, although, it is not your abilities that are allowing you to hear me, it is my essence as a deity that is at work here. Your training with Apollo will have to stop because you do use your abilities for that, and do not worry, Apollo understands, and he is grateful that you will give Aradia the power needed to keep these shores safe.

Artemis, power? I don’t understand.

Your twins, Pagan, will create more power together than ever before seen here in Aradia and with good reason. Zeus chose Tristan to be your husband so the two of you could bring into this world the power. Your daughter will help you in your duty to keep the future oracle safe, remember that. Now, sleep, Pagan, your pregnancy will soon grow strong, and you will need to save your strength.

Artemis, what of my son?

Shhh, do not worry, he, too, will be strong. Have faith, Pagan, have faith in me. This is only a small part of your destiny, although, an important one. Do as Tristan has asked you to do and let him fill you with his life force.

Pagan watched, as the goddess faded into a mist in her mind. She knew she needed to be strong and put her fears aside. Her twins were important to this world, and she knew in her heart they would survive. She had been given a destiny, one that was going to help her new home survive. She sighed, as she realized that all of this had been planned for her, and she never was aware of it till now. If was as if she never really had any control over her life or her actions. It all was planned out for her without her knowledge.

“This is all so new to me, and I not sure I can live up to what is expected of me,” she said.

Tristan rolled over to her side and spooned her close to his body. She instinctively fell into his embrace and held his hand over her womb.

“Princess,” he said.

“Tristan, have you ever questioned your existence?” She asked.

“Why do you ask?”

“I always thought I was discarded and not wanted, but now, it seems I was wanted all along for something that I have no control over.”

“Apollo, you’re concerned about what He wants from you. Listen to me, Pagan, you are stronger than you give yourself credit for, and Apollo wouldn’t have chosen you to protect His oracle if you weren’t capable of doing so.” He kissed her cheek. “You are a blessing, a gift to me from soul mates. You were to be Apollo’s oracle, but something went wrong, and because of that, you became my wife. And I’m not going to say I’m sorry your original fate was taken from you because I’m not sorry. I love you and I’m overjoyed you are to be the mother of my children. Now He wants you to protect the child that will save this world, the child I believe you were supposed to be.”

“Child?” She asked.

“Yes, Pagan, a child. Apollo gave me a look into the future, and I saw the oracle, she is to be a child, and I also saw you protecting her with your life. You are more than capable to do what must be done in the future, and you do it.” He nuzzled his face in her hair. “I’ll do whatever I can to help you, Pagan, not to just save Aradia, but to be with you. You and the twins are my life and I’ll always be by your side.”

“A child? Why would Apollo need a child to be an oracle? What can a child do to protect Aradia. This doesn’t make sense, Tristan.”

“I’m not sure either, but I did see her in that vision of the future, and I must say she had an aura about her that was filled with power. I have never known such strength to come from a child. For whatever reason, she will come to be, and I hope we will learn why soon. As for now you are my main concern. Let’s get our twins here then we will worry about your future oracle sister,” he said as he pulled her tighter in his embrace.

“Tristan, I love you,” she whispered.

“I know you do. I feel it and I see it in your eyes. Now rest, my princess, and let me fill you with energy for the babes.”

Pagan closed her eyes, and she felt his chest rise and fall against her back. He was building a sphere of his life force to place inside her for their babes, and she knew with all her heart that she wanted nothing more than to be right where she was, in his arms. At that moment, she gave a silent thank you to Zeus for bringing her to Tristan. Tristan was right. This was important now. Apollo and the oracle would come later.

***

Rhea dropped the cup of nectar, as she heard Gaia scream. The cup shattered as it hit the floor, spilling the life giving liquid around her feet. She ran down the sacred hall of the gods to her mother’s bedchamber and rushed to her side.

Mother, what has happened? Are you hurting?

No, Rhea! Oh, Rhea, I feel it! Life! She is mending; the daughter of the chosen souls is mending! I feel her, she’s in here! Gaia grabbed Rhea’s hand and placed it over her womb.

Do you feel her, my daughter?

Rhea felt the spark of energy that could only mean one thing; the lavender-eyed girl was healing her mother. Her Aradian side was connecting with Gaia. She felt the life force of the world the girl was upon. Aradia, Gaia was bonding with the soil of Aradia because a power was created within the womb of Pagan just as Zeus had predicted.

Zeus was right, Rhea, your son was right.

Rhea was stunned at what was happening. Yes, Zeus was right in the fact that Aradia would become a life force around Gaia, but that also meant Gaia was going to change. As the connection between Gaia and Aradia grew stronger, the connection with Earth would weaken. Earth was dying and Aradia was taking Earth’s place.

Rest, Mother, you need to save your strength. This is only a string of life that has connected to you, nothing more. Pagan is pregnant and it is that pregnancy that you feel. You’ve felt this before with her parents when Fauna was pregnant with Pagan.

Not like this, Rhea, she is carrying twins, a power that has already begun to connect with me. Aradia will only grow stronger in my womb, and I will become the essence of life there as I once was on Earth. Gaia eased her head back on the pillow. I will be whole again. I can feel it. Zeus was right. She closed her eyes and repeated her last words in a whisper. Zeus was right. Gaia fell back to sleep with a small smile on her lips and her body started to glow with a light shimmer of power that she hadn’t seen form around her mother in hundreds of years.

Rhea waited at her mother’s bedside till she was deep in sleep. She rose to stand and touched Gaia’s stomach again. The power was there. There was no doubt. Aradia was claiming Gaia. This wasn’t good. She was glad her mother was healing, but she was also letting go of Earth, and Rhea wasn’t about to let that happen. She had to stop this if she wanted to create a world that would be a glorious place to live again. And now was the perfect time to do it.

The daughter of the chosen souls was pregnant and that meant her mental abilities were no longer working. If she were to go missing, it would be hard for any Aradian to track her. Without a protectress, the oracle would be helpless and easier to defeat, in fact, without Pagan and her twins, it might be possible to destroy the chosen souls and never have an oracle conceived.

Rhea quickly went to her own bedchamber and closed her door. She needed to go down to Earth, and she didn’t want any of the other immortals to see her leave. It was time to put her plan into action. She knew this was going to place her against Zeus if he found out, and something inside told her he was going to find out. She was willing to accept her fate, whatever that was to be.

***

“Do you always swallow so much of that foul smelling brew?”

Gomez spun around to see the old woman standing next to his bed.

“How did you get in here, old woman?” He swallowed the last of his beer then wiped his mouth with his sleeve. He threw the empty bottle across the room and glared at the white haired hag that had somehow managed to sneak up on him. She had a habit of doing that and it annoyed him. He only allowed her to do so because she was right about the veil and its location. He needed the old woman, at least for now. He never thought something like that could possibly exist, but it did, and this old hag knew about it. He didn’t care how she knew. He was just glad she did and showed him where it was.

“It’s time. Cross the veil and take the girl,” she said.

***

Tristan answered the knock that came at the door. His mother handed him the lunch tray and glanced around the room as she strolled inside.

“Well, where is she? Why haven’t you let her out yet? Are you wearing her out? You need to give her a break, Tristan. I want to see her,” his mother demanded.

“Mother, she is fine.”

“I’m over here, Lady Patrice.” Pagan came out of the privy room, brushing her hair.

“Oh, my dear, you don’t know how happy I am to see you. Has he treated you well?”

Patrice gave Tristan a wary warning eye. He knew that look all too well. His mother wasn’t happy with him for keeping Pagan closed off in their room for ten days. But he needed to keep her close to him till he felt she was secure in her pregnancy. As far as he could tell, the babes were thriving, and his beautiful wife glowed with an aura of motherhood.

“Yes, my lady. Your son has cared for me with a loving heart. He is overprotective if anything.” Pagan laughed softly.

“Overprotective?” Patrice asked.

“Mother, you are going to be a grandmother of twins,” he said with a smile.

Understanding came to Patrice at his words. “You are pregnant, my dear? Twins?”

He could see the mix of concern and happiness that filled her expression.

“Well, if that is the case, then you are forgiven, Tristan, and I hope you have been taking special care with her.”

“Yes, Mother. I am doing everything I can for my wife and my babes.” He turned to Pagan. “I need to go see Draken, stay here with my mother and let her take care of you in my absence.”

“Yes, sir.” She saluted him like a soldier.

He smiled and walked over to her and kissed her lovingly on her lips before hugging his mother. “See you two ladies shortly.” He walked out the door and left the women alone.

“He is truly concerned about my well being. Are twins really that rare?” Pagan asked.

“Yes, my dear, they are. Didn’t he explain this to you?” She walked over to Pagan and led her to the chair by the vanity. She took the brush from her and started brushing Pagan’s hair with the loving hand of a mother.

“Yes, and I must admit his words frightened me. Have no twins ever survived?” She asked.

“No, I’m afraid not. You see, when babes of the same sex share a womb, a bond forms between them and they share energy with each other around the fourth month. It seems they build so much that it is too overwhelming for the mother to handle streaming through her body and her body aborts in order to survive.”

“But we are expecting one of each,” Pagan replied.

“That will be a first. All twins ever conceived in Aradia have been same sex. Perhaps the energy will be balanced between them since males and females give off different energy signatures?” She stopped her hand in mid brush movement and fell into a deep thought.

“Lady Patrice, what are you thinking?” Pagan asked.

“I’m thinking, my dear, if Tristan helps you balance the male energy within you and the females in our family help you with the girl babe’s energy, together we can create a safe environment for them to thrive. Come, Pagan, let’s see how things are so far.”

Patrice took Pagan by the hand and led her to the bed. “Lie down, dear.” Pagan did as she was told. She watched eagerly, as her mother in law placed her hand over her womb. After a few moments, a slight smile crossed over the older woman’s face.

“Lady Patrice, what is it?” She asked, hoping things were going to be all right. She desperately wanted them to be.

“A strong feminine presence is growing inside you, and she seems to be developing very well. As for her brother, he, too, is thriving. It is too early to tell if they will overpower each other, but until then, we will do everything we can to help them along.” She helped Pagan sit up. “You must eat to keep up your strength.” Patrice gestured to the tray of food she had brought in for Pagan and Tristan to eat.

Pagan walked over to the small table and started right away on the array of choices on her plate. She was hungry, but also still concerned about her babes. Patrice sat across from her and started to eat the food on Tristan’s plate.

“No sense in letting this go to waste. Let’s share a meal together, shall we?” Patrice smiled as she reached across the table and patted Pagan’s hand.

Pagan rubbed her belly and whispered to her little ones, “Don’t you worry. There are plenty of people here to help you two. Your father and I love you two very much. You will make it, I promise.”

She sipped the water Patrice offered her and she had a sudden desire to be in Tristan’s arms. She loved him dearly and wanted him to be here with her now. She needed to have his reassurance about their twins and his energy coursing through her, even though she wasn’t able to feel it anymore. It was the idea of it that gave her peace of mind. All this was new to her. Twins were common on Earth and there was never any concern of survival. She didn’t realize Aradians were different from people on Earth except for their mental abilities.

Why twins? Why not just one child at a time? She was very happy to have twins, but she wanted to have healthy babies.

No, she couldn’t think that way. They were going to make it. They had to. Artemis gave her the impression that they were going to survive, and she needed to have faith in the goddess. She wanted both her babes in her arms and Tristan by her side. They were her life now, a life she desperately wanted to keep.

Boy, had her life taken a complete 180 from what it was just a few short months ago. She no longer had to hide in caves or under brush to keep out of sight, hardly sleeping for fear she would be caught or even scavenge for food. At least the animals didn’t bother her after she learned how to communicate with them. Too many slithery boa constrictors had tried to make a meal out of her when she was a toddler and before she was able to push them away with a wave of her hand. That seemed so long ago.

She shivered at the memory. Never again was she going to set foot on Earth. She was here to stay and intended to keep her children from ever wanting to search for that stupid veil, even if it was the reason she was born. She was going to make the best of this life she now had and raise her children right here in this manor with Tristan by her side.

Tristan walked into the stables to find Draken grooming his favorite horse. It was a strong specimen and built for riding long hours. His coat was as dark as night and his mane was white, an unusual combination, but a horse well suited for Draken.

“Draken, we need to talk.” He approached Draken.

Draken stopped brushing the animal and smiled at Tristan.

“Well, you’re out earlier than I expected. So, tell me, is she with child?” Draken asked.

“Yes, two to be precise,” Tristan replied.

Draken gave him an alarming glance. “Twins? That’s not good. She is supposed to be carrying an heir.”

“I know, it was unexpected, but twins are what we have.”

“Tristan, the survival rate is zero,” Draken said with concern in his voice.

“I am very well aware of that, but we are expecting a boy and a girl, so hopefully it will be different, or at least I hope so.” Tristan sighed. He wanted his twins to survive. There had to be a reason Zeus wanted Pagan to conceive and twins must have been what the deity wanted. He just couldn’t understand why.

Draken thought for a second about Tristan’s words. Twins of different sexes have never been conceived before and their energy signatures would be different and possibly balance each other out. There was a chance they might survive. But why twins? The Maker needed her to conceive an heir because the future of Aradia depended on it. What was going to happen that the Maker needed to secure an heir for, and twins at that? Twins would hold a special bond and their energies would complement each other, maybe even be stronger when combined. If such a strong force were needed for the ruling chair to combat whatever threatened Aradia, then strong leaders Aradia would have. Draken had an idea.

“Tristan, I want to call a special session of the council to amend the succession rule. I want your twins to rule together. I believe that was the Maker’s intent. Together they will create a powerful force for Aradia.”

“Are you sure? There is no provision to warrant a woman ruler or co-rulers, for that matter.”

“I know. I want to change it to make exceptions only in the case of different sex twins if they survive, otherwise the current rule stands,” Draken said.

“All right. I agree with you on this. Let’s do this right away. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can leave to kill that bastard over there on Earth. I want no threats to Pagan and our babes,” Tristan said with a hint of anger in his voice.

As the thought of the warlord crossed his mind, he remembered the image of Pagan dangling from the ceiling as a man whipped her. It was so vivid and stuck in his mind as if it were a warning of things to come. He had to protect her. She was his life, and he would kill any man who laid a hand on her. That vision was given to him for a reason, one he couldn’t ignore. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to keep Pagan close to his side. He wasn’t allowed to take her to the hall for council meetings. Women weren’t allowed in unless they were testifying. Keeping her in their home was the best option for now. He didn’t like the idea of having to limit her access to the grounds surrounding the ruling houses. It was something he needed to do. He hoped she would understand.

He turned to leave the stables, and as he did, he thought he caught a glimpse of a woman with long white hair and steel gray eyes, peeping around the back of a horse in a corner stall. He called to her.

“My lady, do you need something?” Tristan asked.

“Tristan, who are you talking to?” Draken asked him.

“Her.” He pointed to the back stall. She was gone.

“Tristan, there is no one there,” Draken said as he walked to the back stall.

“I’m telling you, Draken, there was a woman standing there.”

Draken entered the stall, looked around and petted the neck of the mare that was eating the hay. He walked out to stand next to Tristan. “No one is in there.” He patted Tristan on his back. “I know you are upset about the warlord, and it is quite possible you are being overprotective of Pagan. Maybe the woman was an image your mind created that represented the danger you want to keep Pagan from.”

Tristan shook his head. “I don’t know about that, Draken, but you are right about one thing, I am very overprotective of my princess, and I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. I’m going to go back to the house and check on her, I’ll meet you at the council hall. I’ll explain this to Brailey and have him send word to the men of the 3rd Ruling House to meet us there in an hour.”

“Good. I’ll see you there, Tristan,” Draken said as he started putting away his grooming tools. “Try not to worry too much, Tristan. I am positive this is the right thing to do.”

Tristan walked out of the stable and started to head home. The face of the woman entered his mind. Something wasn’t right about that; he knew he saw her, and he also thought he had seen those steel gray eyes before. He stopped in his tracks when he realized where. Zeus, he thought. The woman had the same color eyes as Zeus. He looked in the direction of the temples and decided to pay the deity a visit. There had to be an explanation for this.

***

Betha sat in the gardens with a straight back and her legs crossed. She kept her mind clear of all distractions, as she let the energy around her build into a sphere that encompassed her. She was happy about being an aunt and wanted to take that happy feeling and turn it into healing energy for the babies. She concentrated on an image of Pagan holding the twins and surrounded them with love and the healing energy she created.

Suddenly, the image changed, and the face of a man appeared. He had dark brown eyes and light brown skin tanned by the sun. His hair was brown-black, and he had a beard and mustache much like the men on the southern islands of Aradia wore. He looked menacing and a cold shiver ran through her body. Within an instant the image was gone. She opened her eyes and ran into the house. She knew without a doubt that he was her soul mate, and he was pure evil in spirit. She knew one day her vision of her other half would come. She never dreamed that person would be someone like him. She hoped she was wrong. But she knew in her heart it was the truth. That man was her soul mate, and he was a man from Earth.

***

Tristan opened the heavy doors to the Maker’s temple. It amazed him, as he thought about who the Maker truly was. For a thousand years He was venerated as a deity known only as the Maker to Aradians, and in actual fact, He was Zeus, a deity that was once worshipped on Earth long ago.

Why keep His true identity hidden? He asked himself. True, Aradians didn’t worship their Maker the same way the ancient Greeks worshipped Zeus, but the deity was still considered to be a deity and was present in important meetings with only the male members of the 1st Ruling House. There were a few rituals in honor of the Maker throughout the year and Tristan wondered how long it would be before Zeus made His true identity known and reestablished the worship of the Olympians? It was bound to happen. And as for Apollo, Artemis, and Ares, would they too make their presence known to the general public as well? Were all of the Greek gods present here in Aradia?

He walked the length of the temple, and he glanced over to the side of the altar. A young priestess came out from behind a column and bowed her head to him before she spoke.

“He has been expecting you, my lord. Wait here and I’ll let the Maker know you are here.” She walked toward the door located at the back of the hall and left him alone. He looked around the temple as he waited. The braziers were lit with a warm fire that glowed a soft orange hue. The only sound he could hear was his own footsteps upon the marble floors as he took a few steps toward the altar.

Zeus walked out from the back room, holding an infant in His arms. He strolled slowly over to where Tristan was standing.

“Infants are innocent at their birth and have a way of working into your heart, as you will soon find out. Come and hold my son.” Zeus placed the infant in Tristan’s arms.

“Your son?” Tristan asked surprised at the deity’s words.

“Yes, he is half Aradian, and he will not be the last.”

Tristan raised an eyebrow. “You are getting Aradian women pregnant?”

“My priestesses. The threat that will soon reach these shores will need a powerful force to fight it. That is also why we need an oracle and why Pagan is important to us.”

Tristan lowered the blanket to look at the face of the infant demigod. The baby had steel gray eyes just like Zeus and the woman he had seen in the stables. “Zeus, I must ask, how many like You have gray eyes like Yours and this infant?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Just a feeling, and it is a feeling that worries me. A short while ago in my stables, I saw a woman with these same eyes and in an instant, she was gone.”

Zeus took His son from Tristan. “Helen, take the boy!”

A short brunette came from behind a column and took the babe. She held him close to her and Tristan thought she must have been the babe’s mother.

“I don’t know who you saw, but I’ll look into it. Very few Olympians walk among the Aradians, and with good reason. I told you before, the Aradians are not ready for us to be your gods, but that will change soon. You will bring that change when you become ruler.”

“The priestess said You were expecting me,” Tristan said, realizing that Zeus had just confirmed there were more Olympians there and they do on occasion walk among the Aradian people. And it seemed only They have steel gray eyes. That woman must have been a goddess, but which one?

“Yes, I was expecting you. now that your wife is expecting twins, I want her under constant guard till you have taken care of the warlord. The evil souls that escaped from Hades have been taken care of and the breach in the walls they came from has been sealed, but that doesn’t mean in the future more will not escape. The walls that keep Hades’ realm sealed from Earth are weakened by man’s actions. Soon it will fall, and I need you and others like you to fight on our side. Pagan will do her part and I expect you to do the same. I created Aradia for mankind to survive, now mankind must defend his world to keep it safe.”

“What do you want me to do?” Tristan asked without hesitation.

“Build a temple for the future oracle in Apollo’s name.”

“I’ll do it,” Tristan responded.

“Not even a hint of uncertainty in your voice.”

“Aradia is my home and I want a safe place for my wife and children to live, and if serving You and Apollo is the way to guarantee their safety, I’ll do it.”

“This is only the beginning, Tristan. We have less than a thousand years to get our forces ready to defend Aradia, and while that may seem like a long time to you, in reality it is going to be difficult to train the Aradians selected to join our forces and be skilled enough to battle the Titans when they escape, and they will once Earth falls.”

“Titans, that’s what all this is about?” Tristan asked.

“Yes, they will roam the Earth and claim it as their home. They will destroy man and try to take over Aradia. They will soon be creating their own demigods to fight us and raise an army, just like I am. Gaia has seen it in her dreams, and it will come to pass, just as she had foretold before when I fought my father to take his place. Both our worlds are at risk of being taken away from us, Tristan, and I intend to fight it. You will fight along with us as a member of the guardians of life. Not now, but you will join the guardians when the time is right. Now, go home to your pregnant wife and secure her safety for when you are on Earth.”

Zeus turned to leave, then stopped to look over His shoulder.

“Tristan. Speak of this to no one. Start construction of the temple as soon as you return from Earth.”

Tristan nodded his head and stood there as he watched Zeus leave the main temple area. He turned around and made his way out the doors and stepped outside of the temple. Tristan looked around at the religious center of his homeland. Things were going to change and the beliefs he held all his life were going to be different now. He was willing to accept it. He just hoped the rest of the people in his world would be able to as well. He made his way home to make sure his wife was okay and to see to her safety while he was gone.

Tristan walked into his house with the words of Zeus heavy on his mind. Demigods, Zeus was creating an army of demigods to defend Aradia from the Titans, and the deity was also recruiting Aradian men to fight alongside the Olympians. Zeus had created Aradia specifically for that purpose, he realized. His home was nothing more than a breeding ground for soldiers to fight for the survival of mankind.

He shook his head in bafflement. Everything he had been taught to value and respect about their development of their souls was all a design to safeguard the race of man. And now he was to be an active part in all of this and train to fight with the Olympians. He wasn’t sure if he was proud that Zeus had that much confidence in him, or if he should be appalled at the way the Olympians had played with their lives all these years.

Zeus wanted Tristan to be Pagan’s husband, so He found a way to deliver her to him and ensure he took care of her to the point he would fall in love with her. Was Zeus behind her being chased by the warlord and injured to the point she almost died?

Surely not, if she were that important to the gods, why would He put her in that much danger? No, he thought. The warlord must have done it on his own, and Zeus guided her across the veil for her safety. That had to be it. He wanted her here to train to be the protectress of the future oracle that she was supposed to be because something went wrong all those years ago.

Well, second guessing the past was useless. What was important was Pagan and their babes and he meant what he had said. He would do anything to ensure their safety and all he was actually doing was calling his Maker by a different name. The Maker was still the same deity no matter how he looked at it, and building a temple for the oracle was something he wanted to do. He had seen her in that vision, and he knew she was to be born to save his people. That alone earned her a special place in his heart for her sacrifice she was definitely going to have to make. There was no doubt in his mind she was to be an immortal and a child for eternity and his Pagan her protectress.

Tristan went through the dining area and found Pagan in the kitchen, preparing a basket of food. “What are you doing?” He asked.

“Betha and I are going on a picnic. She is gathering the blankets while I fix our snacks.”

“No. Not without an escort and unfortunately, I have to attend an emergency meeting of the council.”

“Why? Is something wrong?” She asked.

“No. Draken wants to amend the rules. He wants our twins to rule Aradia together.”

“Really, allow a woman to rule, if that’s the case, why not amend for his daughter that Cassandra is carrying to rule?”

“Yes, well, it’s only because our son is to have a twin sister that he wants to amend the rule, and I do believe we will have a hard time convincing the council of making such a change, so I may be late getting home. But when I do get home, I want you well rested and in bed, waiting for me. I want to kiss your beautiful body all night long.” He pulled her in an embrace and kissed her passionately. “In the meantime, I’ll tell Jerrell to go with you and Betha.”

“The stable hand? Really, Tristan, is that necessary?” She asked.

“Yes, it is. You are carrying the heirs to the ruling chair, and you must be protected at all costs. Besides, we still don’t know if there will be retaliation for Nero’s death. I’m not taking any chances with your life.”

“Okay, I don’t like it, but I understand. I’ll bring my bow just in case. All this fuss and I’m barely pregnant.”

He kissed her cheek and smiled. “Good girl. Don’t go too far from the ruling house grounds, in fact, the gardens are the perfect spot to be on a day like this.” He gave her a serious look. “I mean it, Pagan, go no farther than the gardens. You must be kept safe.” He squeezed her shoulders. “It is important that you do as I say, princess.”

“Okay, Tristan, I’ll see you later,” she said and reached up to caress his cheek. “Try not to worry. You go and do what you have to do. I doubt anything bad is going to happen and I promise to be vigilant about my surroundings. It’s only a picnic.”

Tristan left her standing there and made his way to the council chambers. He knew this was going to take a lot of debate between the members of the council, but he was determined to see this amendment pass. The only resistance he thought would come from Randall, the leader of the 3rd Ruling House. The man was old fashioned and always kept to tradition.

Tristan sighed as he reached for the council chamber door. He opened the wooden structure to see all the members of the council present. He closed the door behind him and took his seat.

“Gentlemen, now that we are all present, let us begin. I have summoned you here today to put before you an amendment to the rule concerning the heirship of the ruling chair,” Draken said as he handed the papers to all with the proposal on it.

Immediately voices were heard voicing disbelief and concern about the words written on the paper they had just received.

Tristan looked over to his brother and Brailey nodded.

“I’m with you on this, Tristan. I just wish I knew more about this danger our homeland is going to face. Can you give me any clue as to what it is? Brailey asked.

“I’m sorry, brother. I can’t tell you anymore than I already have. It’s up to the Maker to reveal to us what and when it will be,” Tristan replied.

“Okay then. I’m going to talk to Charles and Adam to get them on our side,” Brailey said as he stood up and patted Tristan on his back before he made his way over to Charles.

Tristan saw Draken in a heated debate with Randall and his brothers of the 3rd Ruling House, and Tristan decided to go over and join them. That was the group that was going to be the most difficult to convince. He walked over to them, and the questions came fast as he entered the conversation.

***

Betha helped Pagan lay out the blanket while Jerrell carried the basket she had prepared for them. They decided to come to the waterfall since it was a serene place and Betha wanted to show her where it was. The gardens around the house were lovely, but she wanted to get away from all the attention she was getting from the maids and hired hands.

Word spread like wildfire through the house about her pregnancy, and all she encountered were doing whatever they could to pamper her in her new state of a delicate condition. She needed room to breathe, and the waterfall seemed to be the ideal location. Tristan was just being overprotective, she thought. He wasn’t going to be happy she left the ruling house grounds, but she figured she could talk her way out of any argument he might start.

After all was arranged, Jerrell stood a distance away to allow them privacy, but also kept a vigilant eye in their direction. All was quiet except for the sound of the water trickling down to the lake below. She felt safe, even though her mental abilities were blocked because of her pregnancy, she was too happy to believe anything could ruin this beautiful day. She felt no threat in the air, but Jerrell kept his post like he was ordered to. He was just another loyal Aradian like most of the men here.

Apparently, there was still talk about rebels in the area that she hadn’t been aware of. She had been locked away in blissful happiness in her new home with Tristan that she had forgotten about the outside world.

She sighed. Even in this world men still fought over power. She looked at Betha and realized she, too, had suffered the loss of those she loved at an early age. Her father and grandfather were brutally murdered, and Draken returned to avenge their deaths. Her mother was pregnant with Betha the first time the rebels tried to take control of the council, and because of Gregory and Draken, Patrice was rescued and Betha was born a happy healthy child. She was only five when the men from the south murdered her father and grandfather and still fifteen years later, they tried to take control again.

“Pagan, I want to tell you something,” Betha whispered.

Betha’s soft voice broke her train of thought. “You can tell me anything, there is no need to whisper,” Pagan said.

“Yes, there is. What I’m about to tell you no one is supposed to know. It is about my soul mate.”

“Your soul mate?” Pagan asked. “You had your vision, didn’t you?”

Betha scouted closer to Pagan and leaned into her ear. “Yes, and I’m afraid of him. He had the most horrid evil eyes I think I have ever seen, and I believe he is an Earth man.”

“Betha, please don’t try to seek him out. Are you feeling the urge to? Because if you are, tell me so I can help you. You don’t know how dangerous the jungles of Mexico are and even if you do survive there, you don’t know where on Earth he is.” She grabbed Betha’s hand. “Please, I beg of you. Never leave Aradia.”

“Oh, I plan on staying right here. I have no desire to ever see that ugly face again.”

Pagan hugged Betha and then she looked in Jerrell’s direction. There was a muffled grunt and the bushes moved violently. He was nowhere in sight.

“Betha, we need to get out of here, now!” Pagan reached for her bow and then realized she had forgotten to bring it.

Betha scrambled to her feet and Pagan grabbed her hand. Before they could take off running, three naked men rushed out of the bushes and grabbed her. Betha tried to fight them off, hitting them with her fits like she was a seasoned fighter, and another two men ran out and picked her up, only to throw her against a tree.

“Betha!” screamed Pagan.

Betha’s head was bleeding and she fell unconscious, as she slowly closed her eyes. Pagan struggled to free herself and the grip of hands upon her tightened. A voice with a Hispanic accent came from behind the men.

“There you are, my lavender-eyed girl. I’ve been searching many years for you, you little bitch.” He raised his fist and slammed it across her face.

Pagan reeled at the fuzziness that filled her mind. The only thought that was clear was this man was Gomez. He had found her. He hit her again and laughed. The third blow caused her to blackout, and she struggled to remain conscious, but she lost her battle and closed her eyes with the thought of Tristan being the last thing to enter her mind.