Chapter 18

Pagan landed with a thud on the dirt floor of the tent. She gasped for air, as she wiped the water from her eyes. She could barely see the soldier that threw her on the floor, but she knew he was there by the chuckle he let out at her expense. He left her there at Gomez’s orders and she wondered what the warlord had planned next.

She rose to her knees and crawled to the far end of the tent, her hair dripping from the constant dunking she withstood in the barrel of water. He was trying to scare her into telling him how to get her power by holding her head underwater. He had dunked her five times before he realized she was able to hold her breath for long periods of time, something Draken had taught her to do as a young child.

She was thankful for that, though at the time she couldn’t understand why Draken had insisted upon it. He told her then it would make her a strong swimmer if she ever found herself lost in a flash flood. Storms were prevalent here and judging by the sounds of the winds, a storm was on the way. Draken had taught her survival skills before she was five and it was those skills that kept her from Gomez’s hands until now. She tried to steady her breathing as she squeezed the water out of her hair. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing.

The door flew open and Betha rushed in to kneel beside her. Gomez had not harmed her since he hit her with the whip that one time. He even had his man Cortez tend to that wound. It seemed he did have a fondness for her and wanted her to remain intact for his pending sexual assault. He used her as a pawn in this torture game, hoping she had information on how to get Pagan’s power. He made Betha watch as he tried to drown her, and she could hear Betha squeal with terror, each time telling him she didn’t know Pagan had power or how to get it if she had.

As the man left the tent, Betha placed her hand upon Pagan’s belly and filled her womb with as much healing energy as she could. Tears filled Betha’s eyes and Pagan squeezed her arm to let her know it was going to be all right. As long as Betha was able to heal the babes, she stood a chance of surviving this ordeal, or at least she hoped so. She wasn’t sure what the outcome was going to be, all she knew was she had to hold on. She hadn’t come this far to only die now like this.

“Pagan, we have to find a way to escape. He is going to kill you if we don’t,” Betha said as she continued to fill Pagan’s body with healing energy. She briefly removed her hand to pull back a lock of Pagan’s wet hair from her face. Pagan could see the fear in her friend’s eyes.

“I know, but the time isn’t right. Once the storm gets here, it may create a distraction to allow us to escape. Until then, be strong, Betha.” Pagan placed Betha’s hand back on her belly.

Gomez stomped into the tent with his eyes burning with anger. His patience was thinning, and Pagan knew she was running out of time. At that moment, she prayed Zeus would bring the storm to the shore right then. She needed an outlet to escape.

“Enough of this defiance! The hurricane has turned our way, and we need to get to higher ground, and I refuse to break camp until I have your power! Tell me now, bitch, what I want to know!” He took two large steps in her direction and leaned over her and planted his fist against her cheek. She fell to the ground.

He grabbed Betha by the arm and tied her up again, suspending her from the ceiling. Another man came forward and grabbed Pagan by her ankles and dragged her to the center of the tent. Gomez tied her wrists together and swiftly hoisted her up to dangle on the opposite side of the tent from Betha. Four men then entered and one of them handed Gomez his whip. He wasted no time before he lashed it upon her back several times rapidly, without stopping to catch his breath. He was taking his anger out on her.

Pagan cried out from the searing pain as each lash pressed against her skin.

Gomez stopped and walked a complete circle around her, without saying a word. From the corner of her eye, she saw Betha twist against her restraints, screaming for him to stop. He ignored her pleas and continued his assault on her body, this time across the back of her legs. Gomez cursed beneath his breath and stared at her intently.

Pagan turned her head to break the eye contact between them and she glanced at Betha to see her raise her head to the ceiling and close her eyes, as if she was concentrating on something intently. She prepared herself for the next blow that was sure to come.

Artemis, give me strength. Pagan called to the goddess silently.

***

Apollo paced back and forth along the length of the columns that lined the side of the sacred hall of the gods. Fury filled his immortal body, as he was forced to watch the horrible display of power the warlord wielded over his charge.

She can’t take much more! Why is Tristan waiting? I have to stop this!

No! He is there; we must not intervene! Apollo, remain here! Zeus voiced his command.

Father, please, let us help her, pleaded Artemis.

NO! You have given her inner strength and trained her well. She can endure this!

Father, the babes! The pregnancy has hindered her abilities, she could lose them!

Apollo, do not question me in this! She has a strong spirit. If she is to be elevated in status, she needs to fight by her own will until Tristan gets to her. He will save her.

I have had enough of this little show. Ares turned swiftly and walked hurriedly toward the door at the end of the hall.

Ares, where are you going? Asked Zeus.

To my quarters, I have better things to do than to sit around and watch a madman kill the brat. Ares called over his shoulder. He stormed down the hall and kicked in the door to his private quarters. He walked to his balcony and gritted his teeth as he flexed his fist.

Ares slammed his fist against the Doric column in the archway of his balcony in his quarters. It infuriated him to no end to watch Apollo and Artemis stand there and do nothing to help the brat. Damn Zeus and his decree, it wasn’t right of the deity to allow that pathetic excuse of a warlord to beat the brat like that. He was going to kill her and when he was done, there was no doubt pretty Betha was going to be next.

The image of the little man thrusting his shaft into his future priestess filled his mind and he picked up the marble side table and threw it across the room. There was no way he was going to let that happen. Apollo and Artemis might be willing to stand by and let their charge be beaten because Zeus demanded they didn’t interfere, but Betha was his and he didn’t care if it meant he was going to be banished from Olympus for a year for defying Zeus, he was going to help her.

Ares walked back out to his balcony and waved his hand in the air. The cloud that hid Earth from his view faded and he pointed directly at Betha below. He created a silver fog in her mind and stepped into it. He wanted to make sure she saw him and heard every word he was going to say. He was the god of war and he wanted to take matters in his own hands.

Betha, listen to me. You don’t have to put up with this. You know who I am; you have seen me before in your dreams. Do as I say. Lure the warlord to you and when he gets close enough, wrap your thighs around his neck and choke the life out of that bastard. Do you understand me?

Yes, she said.

Good, now do it!

Ares faded from her mind and appeared in a flash to stand behind Tristan. He spoke to Tristan’s mind. Get your ass over to that tent now! In an instant he was gone.

Tristan heard Ares’ voice in his mind, and he didn’t wait to spring into action. Draken was taking his time in giving the signal to begin their assault, and if Ares felt the need to get involved, then Pagan must be running out of time. He wasn’t going to wait for Draken’s orders any longer. The time for action was now.

Tristan moved out of rank and made his way to a group of trees close to the tents. He felt for Betha’s presence, since he knew he wasn’t able to sense Pagan, and he found her in a tent to his right. He hoped Pagan was in there with her. He knelt behind the cluster of jeeps that were haphazardly parked near the edge of the camp. He closed his eyes and concentrated his thoughts on Betha. Pagan was unable to hear him, and he needed to let the women know they were there.

Betha! Can you hear me? Betha! Answer me!

Tristan, where are you? Hurry, he is beating her, please, hurry!

We are here, Betha. Hold on. We are here. I’m coming to get you.

Tristan motioned for Charles to follow him, and he ran to the back of the tent where he knew Betha and Pagan were being held.

***

Gomez threw the whip down in frustration. He let out an anguished cry and picked up a long cane that had been splintered from the end to a third of the way up. He swung it in Pagan’s direction and the cane gave a hollow cracked sound as it made contact with her back.

Betha yelled at Gomez, “Stop it! She is not your soul mate, I am!”

He turned to face her, “You lie, bitch!” He raised his arm to hit Pagan again.

Betha yelled at him in his mind. NOOO! Look at me, you asshole! I know you can hear me! He turned to face her with a look of shock on his face. THAT’S RIGHT! YOU HEAR ME! I AM IN YOUR MIND! I AM YOUR SOUL MATE, YOU BASTARD! HOW ELSE COULD I BE IN YOUR MIND! YOU WANT MY POWER, WELL, COME AND GET IT!

Gomez charged in her direction, and she grabbed the rope that held her suspended and pulled herself up. As Gomez reached her, she placed her thighs around his neck and squeezed him tightly, holding him in place. His men ran to help free him, and a blast from outside shook the ground. They stumbled, as another explosion rocked the area.

From behind them a knife slit the tent canvas and Tristan came through. He raised his right hand, and a stream of purple energy flew in the direction of the men and hit one of them in the back, sending him flying across the tent. The other three charged him and he deflected each one with a wave of his hand, sending them to land on the other side of the tent.

Betha released Gomez, and Tristan grabbed him by the arm and twisted it behind his back, cracking his bones with ease. He let him fall and Gomez rose to fight him despite the fact one arm was limp by his side. Tristan hit him in his face, and he fell to the ground, blood spilling from his nose. He could have easily killed the man with one swing of his arm, but he wanted the warlord to suffer before he ended his life. The power that ran through his life force was taking command of his senses and he felt each pulse of the immense sensation that grew in magnitude with each breath he took. He had the power of a god, and he knew it.

Tristan closed the distance between he and Gomez, and he stared into the man’s dark eyes. Gomez began to cower and quivered before he lowered his eyes to Tristan’s feet. With a shaky hand, Gomez made one final attempt to defend himself and he raised his good arm to hit Tristan in his groin. He deflected the blow by grabbing the man’s fist and squeezed it till the warlord’s hand turned purple. Gomez screamed from the pain, but Tristan refused to release him, knowing full well he was crushing the bones in his hand.

Suddenly, two men ran through the tent door and charged toward Tristan. Each man grabbed an arm and Tristan gathered the purple energy inside and flung the men across the tent. Within minutes, more men assaulted him, but this time from behind. All in all, there were five men trying to restrain him.

Charles entered from the slit and ran to Betha. He cut her free and, in a flash, hurled a knife toward a man, who entered from the front of the tent and drew his gun. The blade hit the soldier between the eyes before he was able to pull the trigger. He slowly fell to his knees, as his eyes rolled back in his head, and his lifeless body hit the ground. Charles hoisted Betha over his shoulder and left the tent the way he came.

Tristan kicked Gomez in the face and a burst of purple energy vibrated through his arms and the two men that were trying to restrain him went flying across the room. The other three scampered out of the tent and ran for their lives. He turned to Pagan and cut her loose, she fell to the ground and scrambled out of the way, as three more men entered the tent and assaulted Tristan.

Gomez used his crippled hand and grabbed a handgun from a nearby table and aimed it as best as he could in Tristan’s direction.

Without hesitation, Pagan picked up a machete one of the men had dropped and ran behind Gomez. She stabbed the man in the back and pushed the long knife through his body. Gomez turned to face her in shock, and as she let go of the weapon, he slowly reached out his hand to her, trying to grab the front of her ripped blood stained shirt. She moved out of his reach, and he stumbled into her. The weight of his body forced her down and the tip of the machete that was protruding from his stomach sliced her skin. She tried to push him off her, but she gave into the exhaustion that claimed her body, too weak to move.

Tristan leaned over and picked up two of the men by their legs that were trying to hold him back, and then he threw them across the tent. He walked over to them and pulled a knife, as the third man let go in fear and fled. He slit the throats of the two men and then turned to Gomez, who was splayed over Pagan’s body. He took two strides and grabbed the man by the hair and pulled him off Pagan. He raised his hand and slit his throat to the point his head dangled by a thin muscle tendon.

At that moment, Esmeralda walked in and started yelling at them. More explosions rocked the ground and fire was spreading tent to tent. Pagan was too disoriented to understand what was being said. Everything seemed to be in a daze and in slow motion. Tristan bent to pick Pagan up when Draken entered and pushed Esmeralda out of the way. A man with an assault weapon opened fire and Draken was hit several times in the chest. Brailey came up behind the man and snapped his neck with a twist of his hands. He went to Draken and threw him over his shoulder and exited the tent through the slit Tristan had made to enter.

Esmeralda fell to her knees in screams of anguish. Braxton came through the door and pulled her to her feet. She fought him, as he dragged her to the slit. He hit her with his fist, and she blacked out then he picked her up and carried her out of the tent, following Tristan and the others. More explosions sounded, as the gasoline fueled the flames over the ammunition, sending the entire camp into oblivion. All the Aradians had left the area and were headed into the jungle.

The wind was harsh, as the rain fell hard upon them. The storm had reached the coast and the intensity of the hurricane that was unleashed upon them sent a whirling vibration through Tristan’s body. He was one with the storm and it was overwhelming his thoughts.

He had to keep a level head and remind himself that he was merely a man and not a god. The gift Artemis had bestowed upon him was consuming him and he had to control it. He pushed forward in the blinding rain, knowing full well that Pagan was bleeding, and her life force was slipping away from her. There was no time to stop and properly heal her. They had to reach the portal Draken had created and get safely out of the storm and into the cave that held the veil.

He pulled as much energy from the ground as he could and pushed it into her body. He knew better than to reach into the storm for what he needed. It was too violent to use and the energy from the ground was more solid and grounded and would mold easier into her body. It was the best he could do for her until he got her back to Aradia, and he kept walking, not wanting to waste a minute of precious time. He held her close to his body. She was back in his arms where she belonged.

Tristan stopped and gave orders to the men that followed him, and one by one they entered the vortex that had brought them there. Once on the other side, Anton and Price raised their arms into the air and the portal collapsed.

Marcus wrapped a rope around the bush that blocked the cave entrance and pulled the thick greenery to the side, allowing an easier access to the cave. All entered and Anton and Price clasped hands and created a sphere of energy between them. It was green and gray and became thick as a dense fog in consistency, and then they placed it behind the bush like a curtain that made the cave invisible to prying eyes.

Tristan once again gave orders to the men and he turned and walked toward the veil, carrying Pagan in his arms.

Pagan felt the tingling sensation fill her body, as she became iridescent and seemed to disappear. Her heart stopped beating and her breathing ceased until they were on the other side. Tristan was holding her tightly against his body. He had come to rescue her, and he was bringing her home to Aradia. A sense of relief flooded her emotions, and she began to cry softly, as she realized it was truly over. She saw her husband kill the man that had hounded her for years and she closed her eyes for a moment to let that reality take hold. Her nightmare was over.

He gently placed her on the ground and took a few deep breaths before he picked her up again. She looked in the direction of the veil and she saw Charles come through with Betha. Behind them, Brailey carried Draken’s limp body. Fear ripped through her, as the thought entered her mind that he might be dead. She hadn’t realized that he had been injured and she reached for him, stretching her hand to try to get Brailey to bring him closer, but Tristan kept walking with determination and entered the dark forest that hid the cave.

One by one, they all were making their way through the rough terrain and thick underbrush that hampered the path. She felt cold and shivered against the tingling fingers of death that were trying to latch on to her. She had felt this before when she had been shot and she knew she was slowing dying.

Pagan raised her hand and touched Tristan’s bare chest. He was warm against her cold fingers, and he looked down in her eyes.

“Hold on, princess, I’m not going to let you die. I love you too much to lose you.”

She tried to stay awake, but a cloud of gray pulled her deep within it and she had no choice but to give into it. She closed her eyes and drifted into darkness that was to be her prison till Tristan was able to heal her. She knew he would, all she had to do was wait.

Thirty minutes after Pagan had closed her eyes, they reached the clearing. Tristan bent his head to hers and he sighed with relief to see that she was still breathing. He looked up at the night sky that blanketed the field before him in darkness. They had made it, now he had to get his wife to the farmer’s house and heal her once again like he had done before.

Esmeralda clung to Braxton, as he carried her through the dark woods. She was still in shock at the thought of Draken risking his life for her, and in doing so, he was hit several times, and she knew he had lost his life. Pain seared her heart and she fought to hold back the flood of tears that threatened to drown her in grief. He was the only man she had ever loved and now he was truly gone. Not because he had to fulfill a duty to his people, but because she defied him and insisted on going along on the rescue. He was dead because of her.

She looked over Braxton’s shoulder at the dark place they had just left. In that cold hidden place was the only way home for her, and she thought for a moment if she truly wanted to go home. Pagan was hurt badly, and she felt she needed to stay in this strange land for her daughter’s sake.

Pagan was all she had left of Draken. He had brought the infant girl to her to raise together as a family, and for five years they were a family. She knew Draken still loved her. She had overheard the conversation Draken had with Braxton, and she knew he was planning on bringing her here. But that also meant she needed to belong to a man to survive in Aradia and Draken had given her to Braxton without even asking her first what she wanted.

Here she was in a foreign land that she wasn’t supposed to be in till her next life, and she had to live here without Draken. She sighed and the tears started to flow.

“It’s okay, Ezzie, I have you. All is over and you’ll be safe here with us,” Braxton said.

She placed her tear-stained cheek against his bare chest and closed her eyes against her new reality. She knew she would never walk the paths of her Maya village again. She was here to stay.

Scalin and Gavin carried the men’s clothes and placed them in the waiting wagon. Farmer John had all the horses ready to ride. Brailey placed Draken’s body in the wagon and Braxton helped Esmeralda climb in. She sat next to Draken and laid his head in her lap. Braxton wrapped a blanket around her bare shoulders and then covered Draken’s naked body with another one.

Charles sat Betha on the edge of the wagon and wrapped a blanket around her naked form before he dressed in his clothes he had left behind. He walked over to his horse and brought it to her. He mounted and helped her up to sit behind him and he sent his steed in a gallop toward the road to home.

The rest of them also put on their clothes except for Tristan. He didn’t want to waste time and he knew he would have to undress to heal her once he reached the farmer’s house. He gently placed her in the wagon so he could wrap a blanket around her. He then mounted his horse. Brailey picked her up and gently lifted her to Tristan. He held her tight to his bare chest, as he kicked his stallion in the direction of the farmer’s house. Anton and Price followed their new ruler, as his guards, carrying with them Tristan’s clothes and belongings as well as Pagan’s. He turned to see Brailey climb into the wagon and he and the rest of the men headed toward the road.

Tristan kicked the door open and carried her to the bed in the corner of the room. He gently lowered her to the worn mattress, taking care not to press her open wounds against the old sheets. He noticed the bright red blood that was on her thighs. She was hemorrhaging and could possibly be losing the babes from the stress and injuries that had been inflicted upon her body by that madman.

The farmer brought him a bowl of warm water and strips of cloth. Tristan cleansed the blood from her thighs and placed a hand over her womb. He focused the healing energy into her body, and she slowly opened her eyes, reaching for him, as tears ran down her face.

“You’re safe now, princess. Lie still and let me heal you,” he whispered.

“Draken?”

“Is gone, Pagan. He didn’t make it.”

“NOOO!” she cried uncontrollably as sorrow filled her shaking frame.

Tristan crawled in the bed and spooned her against his naked body. He wrapped his arm over her and placed his hand on her womb. He began to fill her with his life force, as he had done before in that very bed three months ago when she first crossed the veil to Aradia and into his life.

He vowed to never let her out alone. He would make sure to keep guards by her side at all times when he couldn’t be with her. She was his life, and their babes were to be the future of Aradia. He refused to believe they wouldn’t survive, not after everything they had just been through. There had to be a reason Zeus wanted her to conceive an heir before they left for Earth. It would be cruel for Him to do so only to have them die. No, they would survive. There was no other option that he would accept. His twins would live.

Hours went by and Pagan was sound asleep. She was exhausted. He made the decision to head for home when he felt she was no longer in danger and the babes weren’t in distress. Her bleeding had stopped shortly after he started to fill her with healing energy, and he knew the only reason she didn’t lose the babes was because the power Artemis had given him enabled him to heal with an intensity he had never experienced before. He was grateful for that.

He wrapped her in a blanket and got dressed as quickly as he could. With Draken dead, he needed to return to the area of the ruling houses to secure the transfer of power and convene the council. Order needed to be maintained and he wanted to establish his rule as soon as possible. As of that moment, Aradia had no official ruler, even though he was considered to be the ruler the instant Draken died. He didn’t want to take any chances of another possible takeover attempt by the rebels. He had to be seen in public by the public as the ruler of Aradia.

He clutched Pagan closer to his chest, as they rode home. Anton and Price flanked each side of his horse. It was their job to make sure he made it to the temple for the transfer of power and claim his right to the ruling chair. The sooner he was named holder of the ruling chair, the better. He wasn’t going to wait till morning. He wanted to do it as soon as they arrived.

Brailey walked up to greet them, as they reined into the stables.

“Brother, Samson and Randall are waiting for you in the temple,” Brailey said as he reached up for Tristan to hand Pagan to him. He took her in his arms. “How is she?” He asked.

“Pagan is out of danger for now. Bring her to our room and have Mother fill her with feminine energy for the baby girl’s sake. I have been placing mine in her for so long she might need to balance it out. Betha? Is she hurt?”

“She has no severe injuries. Seems Gomez fancied our sister and kept her in good health, save for one mark he placed on her with a whip. Charles won’t leave her side. He is in her room with her now.”

“I can’t blame him. Tell him when I get back, we can sign the betrothal contract and make it official. I assume Charles has told her already,” Tristan said.

“Yes, he has, and he has already exercised his bedding rights to her with me in your absence.”

“He’ll treat her well and I hope she is happy he asked for her,” Tristan said.

“That’s all she ever talked about since she was five. She should be elated,” Brailey replied.

Tristan turned to Anton and Price. “Come, we must get to the temple.”

The three of them galloped out of the stables and headed in the direction of the religious sector of the village. As they reached the main temple, a solemn feeling flowed through his body. He knew this time would one day come. He never thought it would be so soon. He always envisioned Draken ruling till he was completely gray, and Tristan’s children were married and expecting children of their own.

Draken was his cousin, but also a good friend. He helped him deal with the deaths of his grandfather, who was ruler, and his father. It was hard to accept their murders, he was only ten, but Draken avenged their deaths and walked back into their lives and groomed him to be ruler someday. Now, here he was twenty-five, and ruler of Aradia while his babes were still in their mother’s womb.

General Braxton greeted him, as he dismounted. He shook his hand and the two of them headed to the temple doors with Price and Anton close behind. Tristan gripped the door handle and noticed Esmeralda peering from behind one of the portico pillars. She had been given a traditional Aradian dress to wear and she fidgeted with the long skirt.

“Lady Esmeralda.” He held out a hand to her. “Please come with me, Pagan is healing and cannot be here to witness my taking of the ruling chair. It is only fitting that you be here in her place. You were the closest thing to a mother she ever had.”

Slowly Esmeralda came forward and took his hand. “You will be ruler and Pagan be a queen?” She asked.

“As the wife of the ruler of Aradia, yes, she will be treated like a queen. Although in my heart she already is my princess.”

“Well, in that case, I am honored to stand with you.” She bowed her head to him.

They walked through the door and waited in the antechamber until Braxton opened the next set of doors. He walked the length of the Maker’s temple and climbed the three steps to the dais with Esmeralda by his side. Tristan knelt before the altar and Braxton led Esmeralda to stand behind Tristan.

A priestess entered the hall from the back door, and the Maker, Zeus, appeared in a white cloud to stand behind the altar. He heard Esmeralda gasp, as she fell to her knees, and he realized she had never seen a deity before. Her god was never visible to her or her people, they believed in His existence in faith alone.

The priestess handed him the ceremonial sword of the ruling chair and he sheathed it in his belt. Tristan rose to stand before her and she kissed him on the lips before placing the ring of office on his right hand. Tristan looked down at the gold and silver ring. It was the same ring Draken had worn as ruler. Now it was his to wear to show his commitment to being the holder of the ruling chair of Aradia and to govern his people with wisdom and compassion. He walked over to the dedication altar and lit a candle in Draken’s memory as was customary to do when one took over the role of ruler.

Tristan returned to the main altar, and he knelt in front of the deity to wait for Zeus to place His hands upon his head, as was necessary in order to proclaim him ruler. Zeus raised His arms and placed both His hands on Tristan’s head, and when He did, he felt the gift Artemis had given him leave his body. He was glad of it. He didn’t want to have that much power. He was a mortal, and as far as he knew, he was to stay a mortal until a time in the future when he joined the guardians of life as an immortal. He wanted to fight for Aradia and was willing to, but he wanted to keep this life with Pagan and his twins for as long as he could.

Zeus removed His hands and Tristan rose once again. Zeus turned and walked into a mist, leaving him alone with the priestess, Esmeralda, Braxton, and the two heads of the other houses. Tristan turned to face Samson and Randall.

“Gentlemen, please alert the other council members of your families that we will hold a meeting in the morning to discuss the recent events that led to Draken’s death.”

“What about her?” Randall nodded in Esmeralda’s direction.

She was still kneeling, staring in the direction Zeus had disappeared. Braxton went to her side and gently took her by her elbow and helped her to stand.

“She is my concern, not yours, Randall,” Tristan said firmly.

“But, Tristan, she is–”

Tristan cut Randall off, “I know what she is, and as of this moment, she is under the protection of my house.”

“Yes, my lord,” Randall replied.

“Also, my sister is betrothed to your son, Charles. I expect her to be treated with the utmost respect by your entire family.”

Randall grinned with his approval. “Yes, absolutely. Betha will be a welcome addition to my family. I assure you.”

Randall left the temple and Tristan could only assume he was hurrying home to tell his wife about Betha. Samson patted Tristan on the back and walked to the door of the temple. He left without saying a word.

Esmeralda approached Tristan cautiously before she spoke. “You are marrying your sister off to that man’s son like Draken did Pagan to you? Is that a common practice around here, marrying your women, without their consent?”

He noted a slight irritation in her voice.

“This is not out of duty, by no means. Betha has had puppy love eyes for Charles ever since she was five. She has been looking forward to marrying him for years and when Charles asked for her hand in marriage, I saw no reason to say no.”

“Is this the same Charles that rescued her from Gomez?” She asked.

“Yes, the very one,” he said.

“Well, in that case, I approve. If a man is willing to risk his life to save the woman he loves, then he is a suitable husband for her.” She hesitated. “Tristan, what is to become of me?”

“Esmeralda, you cannot be allowed to return to Earth. You are here because Draken ordered you to be brought here. It is for your protection as well as for Aradia. I’m sorry, this is the way it has to be.”

“I’m a stranger in a strange land, what am I supposed to do, or where do I live? I have nothing here?”

“You have us, Pagan and me, and as far as what you can do, well, Pagan is expecting twins, and we will need a strong willed woman for their nanny. The job is yours, if you want it.”

Esmeralda widened her eyes in surprise. “Twins! Pagan is having two babies! Of course I’ll be their nanny. She is going to need all the help she can get, especially if they are anything like she was as a child. She will have her hands full.”

Tristan smiled. “Good. Then it is settled. You will live in our house.”

“What about that Randall man? I don’t think he likes me. And what of this protection thing you spoke of? Are you going to marry me off to someone in your family? Because if you think I will just marry anyone, you are wrong.”

“I’ll be her betrothed, Tristan. If she had a husband, she would be accepted into our society more easily and Lord Randall will have no say so in her welfare. A wife of an Aradian general is well respected,” said Braxton as he walked toward them.

“You! Me marry you! Why that is the most absurd thing I think I ever heard! Why would I ever want to marry you?” She placed her hands on her hips.

“Because you like me, and I like you and Draken gave me his blessing for our union before we left for that madman’s camp. End of discussion.”

Esmeralda turned to look at Tristan. He raised his hands in the air. “Hey, this is between the two of you. I agree with Braxton. Marriage is a part of Aradian way of life. It makes sense, but I am not going to force you to marry anyone you don’t want to. Just let me know if and when I need to draw up a betrothal contract. Right now I am going home to tend to my wife. Braxton, bring her to her new home and my mother will help her get settled in.”

“Come, my betrothed. Let me take you to your new home. I think you are going to like it, especially since I am going to be living on the grounds as well.” He took her arm and led her to the door.

“I am not your betrothed. I have not agreed to be such a thing to you or anyone. And what do you mean you will be living there, too?”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you? Tristan is my nephew. His mother is my older sister.”

She looked back at Tristan. “So, you are going to marry me off to someone in your family. I should have known. Never trust a man with long black hair. They try to control you. First Draken, you, then this big brut.”

“So, does this mean you accept my offer of marriage?” Asked Braxton.

Esmeralda freed her arm from his hand and straightened the gown he had given her to wear earlier. “I’ll think about it.” She headed out the door then turned to face Braxton, hands on her hips. “Well, are you coming or not?”

Braxton grinned as he hurriedly made his way to Esmeralda. “You are going to love the gardens surrounding the manor. My sister has all kinds of flowers blooming, and the scent is glorious. Oh, and the woods entrance is close by too. If you like I can build us a secluded hut in a section of it after we are married that way we can have a bit of privacy. We can even plant our own garden if you like.”

Esmeralda just huffed and waved her hands in the air and continued walking out of the doors of the temple.

Tristan chuckled a bit and he knew Braxton’s life was never going to be the same. He followed them out of the temple and mounted his horse that was waiting for him outside. He gently nudged his steed in the direction he wanted to go. Home.

***

Pagan sat in the middle of their bed, clutching her legs close to her chest. She was sore from her beating and her legs were bruised from the lashes Gomez had given her. Her wounds were still fresh, but not bleeding anymore. Patrice had the village doctor tend to her open cuts and the salve he used was working. The babes were saved by Tristan’s healing power he possessed. Thank God for that. He once again had lain with her in the farmer’s bed and secured the life of their babies as well as her own.

She almost lost them. The thought brought tears to her eyes and filled her with a sadness that started to consume her like a tidal wave she was unable to control. She placed a hand over her womb like Tristan and Betha both had done and tried to create healing energy for them. Nothing happened. The harder she tried, the more emotional she became for not being able to do it.

Tristan had told her she would not be able to use any mental abilities during her pregnancy and that left her feeling helpless. She had to depend on others to take care of her and even after being here for three months, she wasn’t used to that. All those years in the jungle, sacrificing so others would not be hurt, was engrained in her being to the point she knew no other way to be. Now, she wasn’t able to care for her unborn children and she so desperately wanted them to survive.

Tristan entered the room and immediately came to her side. She could no longer hold back her tears and they streamed down her face and wetted her knees, as she bent her head down to rest her cheek upon them. He gently grabbed her ankles and slid her legs down in front of her.

“Lie down and roll over. I want to check your wounds,” he said to her in a soft voice.

She slowly inched her way down on the bed and winced, as her back made contact with the cotton sheet. She rolled over onto her stomach and her tears seeped into the soft sheet of their bed, absorbing the sorrow they represented.

He removed the bandages the village doctor had used and applied more salve to her open cuts. The ointment numbed the pain, as he lightly smeared it all over her back and her legs.

“I don’t have the ability to heal open lacerations like these, Draken was the only one I knew who that could do, so we will have to use traditional medicine.”

“Yes, I remember when I was a child, he used to heal all my cuts and tell me that one day I would be able to do it, too. I always thought he was invincible and now he is gone.” Her tears intensified. “Why? Why did he have to die? I never had a chance to tell him that I was sorry for blaming him for the way my life had been. I loved him and I never told him that.”

“Pagan, he knew how you felt. You are an path and you told him with your touch rather than with your words.”

“You think so?” Her tears slowed and she hiccupped.

Tristan placed new bandages on her back. “He is no longer with us physically, but he is still a part of our lives. He taught you how to survive in the jungle at an early age and he refused to send you back when you came here for his help. And let’s not forget he gave you to me to love and protect for the rest of my life, and I am eternally grateful to him for that.”

A slight smile curved her lips at his words. “Yes, he did.”

She rose up on her elbows and tilted her head to Tristan.

“Tristan, hold me in our bed. I need to feel you next to me. I don’t want to be alone right now.”

“You will never be alone again, princess.”

Tristan undressed and climbed into their bed. He placed her wedding band back on her finger before spooning her against his warm body. Pagan took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. All she wanted was for the world to go away and hide in the safety of Tristan’s arms. Too much had happened in the last few days, and she wanted to put an end to the nightmare.

She had lost Draken and that grieved her heart, but she, Betha, and her twins were alive and now it was time to heal and move forward. For the first time she was willing to accept death and not dwell on it being her fault. Death was a part of life and to live now with Tristan and their twins was more than she could have ever asked for.

Tristan whispered in her ear, “Oh, by the way, Esmeralda has agreed to be our nanny. She is staying in Aradia.”

“Esmeralda. Oh, for a moment I forgot. Tristan, you need to take her to Father Juan’s grave. He was her brother.”

“I’ll have Brailey and Braxton take her in a few days. I have council meetings to tend to now that I am ruler, and when I am not in council I plan on staying here with you. I almost lost you, princess.” He hugged her a little tighter. “I am not about to let that happen again.”

***

Ares stood with a straight back and his feet apart in a firm stance. He held his hands behind his back, flexing his fingers, as he waited for Zeus to speak. All the gods were present in the sacred hall of the gods. Even Rhea was there, which was quite unusual for her to take part in gatherings such as this. He knew what was coming. All he had to do was wait to hear the words.

One year. And if it takes longer to get Apollo’s temple built for the oracle, you stay till it is complete. You are to build it with your own hands and will take orders from the ruler of Aradia. There will be no compensation for your labor.

I understand.

Also, you are not allowed to step foot on Mount Olympus till your chore is complete, and you are to stay out of Aphrodite’s bed. No contact whatsoever.

Anything else, Father? Ares asked, slightly annoyed at that last part.

Yes, Ares, there is. Stay away from Betha. She belongs to Charles. No impregnating Aradian women, either. That time will come, but not now.

Ares raised his eyebrow at Zeus’ words. He hated using coverings. His sexual appetite was massive and if he wasn’t allowed to soothe his desire with Aphrodite, then he was going to have to find another outlet.

Go, Zeus commanded.

Ares whipped around and started to march down the long length of the sacred hall of the gods. He heard the slight tinkling of Atremis’ sandals following him and hesitated for a moment till she stood beside him.

Why, Ares, why did you do it?

It wasn’t for the brat, if that’s what you are thinking. It was for Betha. And if I had to do it all over again, I would.

Ares left his sister standing there and he stormed out of the hall, never looking back.

Rhea rose from her chair and looked directly at her son. She said nothing. She held her head high and walked with grace to the end of the hall. She was aware the other gods were suspicious of the way the events were brought into motion concerning the warlord, and she also knew that she needed to lay low for a while. If any of them figured out she were the one plotting against Zeus, she would be cast into Tartarus for eternity for her betrayal.

As of that moment, Nero was gathering women to his bed and setting the next phase into action. He was spreading his seed and so far three baby girls were due, each one was to be paired with one of her brothers to give them the demigods they needed to fight against the Olympians. She had twenty years to figure out how to get her brothers with the females without alerting Zeus.

Zeus had granted Cronus a reprieve and he was released to reign over the honored departed souls of warriors, although he wasn’t allowed to leave his designated post. Zeus wanted to keep an eye on him. A few of her brothers were released by a grace of a deity as well. Zeus considered their offenses minor and posed no real threat to him. The only ones left below were the ones Zeus distrusted the most. Perhaps she could get Zeus to release another of the Titans if she could convince him they were reformed? It was a thought, one she needed to explore thoroughly. None were on Earth or allowed to come to Olympus, but at least she could go to the underworld of Elysian Fields to see them.

Rhea walked out the doors and was greeted by her mother, Gaia. It was the first time she had been out of bed since she had taken ill, and Rhea was surprised to see her walking about. She looked bright and was glowing with the aura of life. Her long white hair glistened, as if were wet with the first sprinkles of snow. And there were also deep green vines swirling down the length of her long hair with lavender and pink flowers that seemed to be braided and entwined in several places of her immortal locks. She looked healthier than Rhea had seen her be in a long time.

The other immortals walked past them except Zeus. He stayed upon the dais in the sacred hall of the gods. She stopped by her mother’s side and held out her hand to her.

Gaia shook her head and motioned for her to go on without her. She watched, as her daughter slowly walked away, and Gaia hung her head in sorrow. She turned to see Zeus approach her from the far end of the hall.

Zeus, we need to talk.

Gaia entered the sacred hall of the gods, and she closed the doors, leaving her alone with her grandson.