Page 102 of Queen Takes Triune

I didn’t take a deep breath or close my eyes. I didn’t need to, especially now that I had access to Okeanos’s aquatic skills. I willed my body to grow heavier, and I sank beneath the surface of the water.

I could see Rik and the rest of my Blood hovering along the edge of my grotto, their concerned gazes locked on me. Even Okeanos was upright. He started to slide in after me, but Rik dropped a hand on his shoulder, holding him in place.

This was my destiny. I had to see it unfold for myself.

I punctured my wrist with the tip of my nail, just enough to allow my blood to seep into the water. I felt the answering pulse in my magic. Power shimmered inside me, lighting up the dark, murky water. I glowed blue-green, as if I’d absorbed the kraken’s bioluminescence.

I swam beneath the heart tree’s roots to the dark opening, just as I’d seen in the vision. My skin tingled as I passed through the cave. A portal, I was sure, to a place not in this world.

A place untouched by humankind.

The Great Mother’s secret lair.

Light flickered through the dark water, guiding the way. I surged upward effortlessly, as comfortable in the water as I had been in the air with my dark wings. I soared out of the sparkling pool and landed on my bare feet, dripping water on shining white sand.

Tall palm trees arched above the small pool. A midnight sky sparkled with diamonds. In the distance, I could see the shining tip of Isis’s pyramid with a crescent moon hanging low, almost pierced by its cap.

Slowly, I turned, scanning the horizon. The rest of the landscape was wrapped in darkness. Uncharted territory, and off limits, at least for now.

I turned my attention back to the small oasis, only it had changed. The palm trees had closed over my head and turned into a cave.

A round table sat beneath a circular skylight so moonlight could illuminate the short, rounded statue standing in the center of the table.

She was darker than the one I’d seen in Rome, Her skin a gleaming polished ebony. White symbols were carved in Her rounded stomach. A triple spiral.

Triskeles.

I stepped closer to the table and laid my hand on the back of the nearest chair. It shifted and flowed beneath my hand, its back rising into the familiar outline of Isis’s horned crown.

This wasmychair at the Triskeles Triune.

I didn’t take my seat. Not yet. Not until the Triune was complete.

Two chairs waited for the Triskeles to call forth their queens. I walked around the table to the second chair and rested my hand on it.

I saw her. The future queen who would take this chair. She was a child, at least in the vision. Hiding, I thought. Under a bed. Terrified, her hand clamped over her mouth to stifle her screams.

Shuddering, I lifted my hand from the chair.Goddess, please protect her. Bring her safely to Your loving arms here at the Triskeles.I looked at the other chair, but didn’t touch it.Keep them both safe. Wherever they are.

Rik tugged impatiently on my bond. My time was up. Before I left, I held my wrist over the Great Mother’s statue and allowed a few drops of my blood to drip onto Her.

Love welled in my heart. Boundless, overwhelming love. My gift. My greatest strength.

My enemies would try to use my love against me, but I knew the truth now.

Nothing could defeat the might of this queen’s love.

As I swam back through the pool, my mother’s words rang in my head.Blood of Isis. Upon this House She builds Her future.

With a swoosh, I surged up out of the water like a dolphin, and Rik caught me, gathering me into his arms so he could carry me to bed.

As he always would.

The End

(For now.)