“You look lovely,” Plexous murmured. “It has been so long since you fully let your tresses down. To what do I owe the occasion?”
Soria turned from the window she gazed into and faced her master. “I hoped it would please you and soften your temper. I am afraid that I have news that may upset you,” Her sheer toga danced in the wind as she ran to him. The fabric pooled around her as she kneeled at his feet, arms wrapped tightly around his legs. “I beseech your forgiveness master. There is no other way to soften this news, so I will just tell you. I carry your child.”
Plexous squatted beside her. “Rise my love and look me in the eyes. Tell me in truth what you have uttered.”
The pair rose. Soria craned her neck to look up at him. She was short and petite, looking almost childlike beside his massive structure. Her hands fell into his, lip quivering.
“I carry your child inside me.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes master I am sure. I swear it on my creation. Your seed has planted life that blooms inside my womb. Are you angry with me? I will do whatever you desire to regain your favor. I know my condition will only hinder your life further. I did not do this on purpose. I know the wedge between you and Ephealia grows with every turn of the sun. If I could have stopped this I would have for your sake but…I already love this baby so much.”
Plexous placed a finger over her wet lips and used his thumb to wipe the tears from her cheeks. “You come before me a vessel of purity and innocence. As perfected as your creation was, you don’t have the ability to stop my seed from taking hold. I would never be cold toward such joyous news.”
Beyond the curtains of the room swayed a shadow. It stirred as the pair spoke. A vapor of lividity stampeded into the room.
“You have impregnated that bitch?!” Ephealia stormed into the room her once ashen eyes now a burning primrose. “How dare you fill her womb with my children? You will not allow whatever she carries to be born! We have no idea what would even spring from her filthy cunt. She could belch your brothers realm into this one for all we know. It could be another one of his plans in motion.”
Soria pulled away from Plexous scurrying behind him for protection. “I am sorry mistress! I did not mean for this to happen I swear it.”
Ephealia surged forward reaching around her husband. “You never mean for anything to happen yet treachery always comes to pass in your wake!”
“Ephealia! Calm yourself I will not stand for you hurting another one of my children. You have enough damage as it is, you neglect our children and now you want to kill mine? Do not make me make a purchase on my promise to you. You are the goddess of protection how could you ever harm an innocent child? Or that of an unborn baby?”
“I couldn’t protect my own daughter and grandson why would I waste my gift on your bastard?”
Ephealia slapped her husband and yanked herself from him. She frantically looked around the room for anything she could use as a weapon. Far off in the corner of the temple sat a cheese knife. She rushed for it. Her hand fisted around the hilt and she charged once again toward Plexous. Soria stepped before him. Her life flashed before her eyes and her spirit screamed as the enchantment commanded she protect her lover and her child.
The shine of the blade drew closer. Soria closed her eyes as Plexous wrapped his body around hers, forcing her to the ground. A chill ran up her spine as she waited to be impaled. No pain came instead, a mist of saliva sprayed her as the sound of a scuffle filled her ears.
Through her blurred vision Soria saw Cientiam struggling against her mother. Her hands were tightly wrapped around her wrist pulling her away from them. Soria hid beneath the size of her god trembling.
“That is enough mother! You must stop this madness! What is wrong with you there is an innocent child inside her!”
“Unhand me you blood traitor! You would turn on your own mother for this wretch? Was it her breast that fed you? Her arms that lulled you to sleep? Her wisdom that guided you? You denounce me for your father’s whore. I should have your life as well!”
The words of his wife summoned Plexous from his position. He grabbed hold of his wife, tearing her away from his daughter. “I will see your head from your shoulders before I ever let you lay a hand on Cientiam! Take hold of your sense woman and control your emotions for once.”
Ephealia dropped the knife and burst into tears. “Fine! Have your happy ending Plexous, enjoy your new child I am certain this one will be the downfall of our world. I am done with you both, I f you will not fight for my happiness I will have to claim it myself in the arms of another.”
Ephealia stormed from the temple toppling vases and planters in her wake. Her shrill cry out of anguish carried over all of Hailotia. Cientiam dove to be by Soria’s side, her father followed.
“I told you no good would come of this. She will not stop until you and your child are dead Soria,” She turned to her father. “We have to do something to protect them. Send them away somewhere we can provide for them but that's out of mother’s reach.”
“I will not let your mother run my unborn child from my realm. She has forgotten her place. It is time I remind her of it. I will not risk their lives like your mother did with your sister and nephew. No good comes from traveling outside Hailotia and Drathell. The universe takes its pound of flesh every time. You tend to your companion and calm her. I will deal with your mother.”
“Yes father.”
Plexous followed in his wife’s footsteps and into the night. Cientiam lifted Soria from the ground and got her onto the bed. She didn’t speak, her catatonic stare was enough to let Cien know she had to do something.
“We are going to get through this together Soria I swear it. You have protected me all these years, taken beating and punishments for my misdeeds. No it is my turn to return the favor. You carry my sister or brother in your belly. I couldn’t do anything to save my sister but I can do something to save you.”
“I trust you and I trust your father. He shielded me from your mother today and you saved our lives. My child and I are in your debt,” Her words were weakly spoken but carried the weight of hope. “If you ever think of a way that I can repay you please tell me.”
“I already know the price I wish you to pay.”
“Anything. I will move mountains to see it done.”
“It is quite simple, live.”
ns 15.158.61.8da2
