“You misunderstood me. You’re a Goddess, and they seldom bleed. When they do, it’s considered a sacrifice.”
I held out my hand as Danu glamoured a dagger. I accepted it and moved closer to the frost and ice covered ground, and then sliced painfully deep into the palm of my hand. Danu accepted the blade back as I allowed the blood to drip down my fingers, and sink into the frozen ground.
“Say these words,” Danu whispered. “I am your Goddess, and of this I ask.”
I said it softly, following her lead as I repeated what she’d said.
“I beg of thee, to accept my will, to accept my sacrifice. I promise to protect you to the best of my ability, and to keep others from tarnishing what was once so pure.”
I expelled a breath and continued.
“From this day forth, I become your Goddess, the Goddess of the lands of Faery. From this day forth, I become your protector and you become mine.”
I waited and when she didn’t say anymore, I asked it in my own way as well. “I promise to rid you of the disease the Mages have brought to you. I promise to protect you and always do what is best for you and the people who depend on you. Please heed my call, and accept the ones I love.”
“Beautifully said,” Ryder said as he narrowed his eyes on my hand.
“I sure hope so,” I said as I kneeled and placed my bleeding palm flat against the frozen ground. I shuddered as I felt a ripple tear through me and then just as fast as it had started, it was gone.
“It’s done,” Danu said as she awarded me with a small smile.
I looked up at the damaged Tree, and prayed that the bark of the Elder Tree would work. It was no wonder that the Fae cherished the Elder trees. It was a beautiful ancient rowan, which I somehow knew had been the first thing to appear in this world. Danu had created that Tree, and then had created her people around it. The creatures that lived here before the Fae as well as the Fae themselves, which explains why we were linked to it and it to us.
“You know it because the lands have accepted you,” the Stag said as it bowed its head once again. “Blessed be, Goddess. Call for me if you ever have need.”
I paused as Ryder started to wrap my hand in a soft silk, which felt surprisingly nice against the damaged tissue. We walked together back to where our babies were, cradled in the arms of their uncles. When we reached them, Elijah moved closer to us, his eyes watching me with a mixture of wonder, and suspicion.
“That was a custom for the Gods, princess,” he whispered.
I remained silent as did Ryder.
“Very few can claim to have seen the White Stag, much less have it appear during a time of need. Two miracles in one day,” he said softly. “I wonder if it will be enough to save your babes as well.”
“You should go help with the wood,” Ryder said narrowing his eyes on his brother. “My grandfather, the first Horde King, was one of the few to ever lay eyes on the Stag. He saw it the night of the first Wild Hunt, and so it became a signal for the most sacred of animals.” Ryder’s eyes slid to me, and a small tug at his lips seemed to be connected to my heart, because it yanked on it.
“I have many secrets, Elijah, but some of them are meant to stay as such until I wish them to be public knowledge. Every advantage in this war is needed,” I said softly, hoping he caught my message.
“You can trust that I will keep it,” he said as he bowed low at his waist and then lifted his head with a smirk on his lips. “Growing up with Gods does have its own advantages.”
We watched him walk away.
“You think he’ll become a problem?” Ryder asked, and I turned my eyes to his.
“Let’s hope not.”
We watched in silent respect as the wood was brought over, and placed a short distance from the rowan Tree. When it had been piled high, Savlian tossed a torch on the pile and we watched in silent hope. It wasn’t working at first, but as we watched, the ground began to thaw, and the moss returned to its lush, emerald-green color.
“It’s working,” I whispered past the tears that filled both my eyes and my throat. “Ryder, its working,” I said a little louder.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The fire illuminated the sky as night fell across the glade. We watched in silence as the Tree’s icy cocoon began to melt and the frost vanished. The fairies returned to the Tree, dancing around the flames. Their glowing wings cast a glittering effect in the sky. We had waited as long as we dared, and Danu had admitted that it was finally time to bring the babes closer and place them upon the moss-covered floor.
I accepted Kahleena and Cade as Ryder carried Zander over to the foot of the Tree. After he had placed Zander on the ground, he accepted Kahleena as I laid Cade down beside Zander, making sure there was enough room for their sister between them.