Page 37 of Up from the Earth

I couldn’t stop the smile that shook me into a brief cut of laughter. “Oh, but you will have The Beast King?”

“I will tolerate them…” She narrowed her eyes on me. “So long as our deal stands. They are to send you to me when needed—and any other souls that the magic demands.”

There was no denying that my fate would be forever woven into the skein of time alongside the baba ega. We existed in a similar plane of reality, a mirror of each other.

“I will inform my husband.” I could sense the scratchy edge of a heated steel blade—rusted from age—scraping against the edges of our realm. “But it’s time.”

The Crone nodded, and without having to use the front door of her hut, I traveled back to the gorge where my companions waited.

I had work to do.

Seventeen

Always Remember To Stop & Be Slow For The Cycle Moves Inexorably Forward.

Thebumpingjoltsofthe uneven terrain beneath my King’s feet made it impossible to rest during the journey toward the barrier. As soon as my head lulled, it would be rocked upward again as the three of us rushed toward the site of the corruptive magic. Whoever was doing this had added another slight to the long list of things I held against them.

Because I was fucking exhausted.

Which seems totally unfair considering I’m not wholly mortal anymore. What part of me is so tired?

But I knew the answer to that. My soul was tired. I wasn’t giving up or giving in, but the past, gods, I didn’t know how long, had been overwhelming, to say the least. The progression of The King’s sprint slowed to a run and then a walk, and I looked down at their furry head as they breathed evenly.

“You don’t sound tired. Why are we slowing down? There is much to be done.”

Before answering, The King waited a moment for Cerberus to see that we’d stopped. Our son padded over, and I slipped down from my King’s back as they lowered to the ground.

“You need rest. I can sense it.”

Their yellow eyes peered into me as they spoke in my mind, and I shook my head. “I’m fine. There are more important things than my being a little tired.”

If a wolf could cock a brow and stare sardonically down at someone, The Beast King did.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m fine.” I narrowed my eyes at them, but then Cerberus shoved his nose up behind me and lifted me off my feet. “What are you doing?!”

He walked me over toward a shaded section of earth, the cracked surface cool and protected from the constant dry wind.

“I agree with Father. You need rest. I will circle the perimeter. Ensure we are protected.”

Standing, I stomped a foot, crossing my arms over my chest. “I am your Mother. You’re supposed to listen to me.”

“Only when it will not harm you, wife.” The King sauntered over, wearing their masculine form. “Thank you, Cerberus.”

It was no use. I wasn’t winning this, so instead, I took the rest that we all knew I needed by conjuring a thick patch of moss into existence at my feet. It would be a lot more comfortable than the rocky ground and I was genuinely loving this natural affinity that had bloomed out of me. It was an odd thought to believe that it had been lying dormant inside me all this time, just waiting for the right key to unlock the hidden door.

“You are quiet.” I looked over at The King as he stood at the perimeter of the ground cover I’d manifested. “I assume your mind is busy.”

It was such an understatement and such a straightforward appraisal of my state of mind that I laughed out loud. The King looked at me strangely, as if I’d gone mad or something, and finally stepped onto the moss, coming to a seat next to me.

“That’s one way to put it, yes. I’m…This is a lot. I was mortal just a handful of hours ago—at least, I think that’s how much time’s passed—and now I’ve seen…everything. I haven’t been asked of this much…ever. It’s just…yeah, it’s a lot.”

The King studied me with those strange, beautiful eyes, and then his hand found mine. His grip was sure, lacing his fingers through my own and then flipping things over so that he could kiss the back of my hand. It was cold, this tingling sensation that made my spine shiver.

“Youweremortal. And much of that still lies within you. Your heart and soul do not change as quickly as your body. And the magic…you are one of only a handful of beings who’ve crossed the threshold like this. It’s to be expected that it…weighs on you.”

I stared into his eyes, squeezing the hand that held mine so tenderly. It was such a different side of them, one that was not harsh or brutal but soft. I’d not thought he could possess such a thing. I didn’t mind or deride him for that, but this change was so acute, so tuned into my own needs that it made my eyes burn with unsettled emotion.

“Thank you.” I smiled, reaching with my free hand to stroke over his ashen cheek. “It’s a comfort to hear that I am not…broken or wrong. That this is to be expected in a way, even for as novel an experience as it is.”

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