I couldn't wait another day. I had to do it now.

Koschei had went to a meeting with some generals, and I knew I only had a window of opportunity to speak to Mother. She had to know the truth, and she was the only being I could trust with my-and my growing child's life, especially in this weakened state I was now in. I pushed at the shame that rose as I strode past the jeweled mirror in the Great Hall. Seraphim, winged demons, and blazing creatures of celestial power gazed down at me with ferocity as I crossed the Hall and continued down to the South Wing. This wing encompassed my Father's quarters, as well as a separate chamber for my Mother.

Servants bowed lowly to me as I streamed past, the pitying and questioning looks put an extra stride in my step as I pushed onward, gritting my teeth to keep the anger from overtaking me again. One thing that Koschei was right about was the fact that I was a creature who had induced fear into others, who always fought to the end and never allowed anyone to break me completely. I would be damned if I let him make me forget that now.

Panting softly, I had nearly reached Mother's quarters when a hard arm gripped me, flinging me around to them. Ezekiel stood there, looking as smug as a cat with a mouse caught under its paws.

"Your husband warned me you might be coming this way, and as your elder brother I promised to look out for you while he's away." The snakelike smile he gave me was anything but protective. What sneaky bastards. It wasn't enough being under his prison watch, but now he had gone so far as to set Ezekiel to track my movements.

"Get the fuck off me Ezekiel. I don't need you or Koschei to rule me." My voice emanated along the walls as I pulled my arm fiercely from his grip, rubbing the spot where I knew it was sure to bruise.

"Ahh Celestia, you are his property, have been since he set his eyes on you. It was cute for a while that you pretended you were a warrior. Father indulged your stupid and insistent dreams of becoming such-I don't know why in the first place. He let you get these thoughts into your head, but is it not abundantly clear that pretend play is now over? You are pledged to Koschei, and you will not go against him, Father, or myself."

I outrightly glared at him, revulsion and disgusting lacing my every movement as I took one step closer to him. "I was not a pretend warrior. I was what you could never be. Though you may despise me for being a female, for being born of a different father, for being everything you are not, I have done twice what you could do. You hide under Father's cloak and envision yourself as a greater warrior and leader." I scoffed, knowing where to hit the chink in his armor. His face paled as I slowly approached. "Tell me then brother, why is it that Father sends my husband instead of you to battle? Why is it that my husband leads his armies while you snivel away in this castle?" I paused for a moment, smirking slightly as I relished the next words which I was sure to cause him the most anger. "Why is it that Father offered territory to Koschei to rule while passing by his first-born son?

The shock and then anger that took over his sneering features elated me. I knew he probably did not even know this fact as Koschei had mentioned it to me only a few nights prior.

"You tell lies, you venomous little bitch." He spat, eyes bulging as he grabbed my arm once more and yanked me in the direction of Father's quarters. "Let's go ask him ourselves, shall we?" The force of his grip this time was such as titanium, and even though I tried to pull myself free my powers began to drain from me as I strained against his icy touch. I eventually let myself be half dragged down the opposite hallway from Mother's, but I desperately shot out my magic, pleading and searching for her.

Ezekiel reached a stunning set of double doors set in deepest onyx with thrumming blue and silver shields and swords crossing over Father's emblem of a great winged beast. Before he could knock on the door, it had materialized, and we stepped into a meeting room of sorts. This was a room I had not seen before; the curved ceilings held an assortment of floating light spheres, each casting their own dark blue glow which seemed to be miniature portals of some such. Looking closer, I recognized some of the galleries, grounds, and servant quarters around this same castle. Paling, I realized it was his eyes to his palace. This was how he could see and hear everything on top of his wards.

Father looked up at us, his onyx eyes alight with the malignant power that thrummed through the very air close to him. Even Ezekiel had the sense to bow, forcing me down with him and covering his other hand over his heart. I could feel Ezekiel's anger wavering, fear replacing it all the same. He had walked into the Dragon's den. Looking from lowered lashes I realized Father was not alone in this room. Two other high-backed seats were occupied by a male and a female, while another cloaked figure stood to the right of one of the chairs.

We rose to our feet and with a glare from Father, Ezekiel dropped my arm and held his hands folded behind his back. Standing looking at them now, the two other figures were interesting to behold. The female was beautiful in a rather vicious way, her straight black hair rippled in a wind no one else could feel, and her sharp ebony eyes flitted over me as quickly as mine had hers. She wore a high collared garnet dress bedecked with pearls that fell to her feet. Based on her garments alone I decerned she was not from our native lands. She sat regally, her long nailed fingers folding gracefully in her lap. The male next to her was similarly dressed in clothing from another region, but he held similar features as the young woman. His dark hair fell to his shoulders, but his face held more openness, lacking the same quality of viciousness that she had. The figure that stood next to them was cloaked, so I could not make out any decerning features. Something about them all stirred an uneasy emotion deep within my core, but my gaze did not so much as waver as I gazed back to them. The baby moved suddenly in my belly, and I almost wanted to shield myself from the female's cunning gaze as she appraised my obvious pregnancy.

"What is the meaning of this Ezekiel." Father's voice seemed to echo along the large room, and only with the steel of the warrior in me did I not tremble at the sound. This was the being that could fell civilizations at his feet in mere hours. You were not wise to cross him.

"Father, I apologize, I did not know you were in a meeting." His eyes shifted to take in the figures as well. "I shall return when you have finished your council." He made to bow again but Father waved a hand as he beckoned to me.

"I wanted to speak to Celestia anyways. You may take your leave." Cold and clipped words that I could not help the smirk I shot to Ezekiel as he tensed at the dismissal. He had made himself look foolish not only in front of Father, but also to whoever these people may be. He nodded curtly and silently took his leave.

Father beckoned to me once more and I slowly made my way to the high-backed chairs, the sense of unease grew as I sat and Father introduced Striga, and Malakai. The cloaked figure was not named, so I assumed it may have been an escort of theirs. "These are your brother and sister through marriage with your lord Koschei."

The words sent another shock of surprise through me as they both rose and approached my chair. Koschei's brother and sister? I had not even known he has siblings as he never spoke of them to me. What other surprise would assail me next. As they reached my chair and bowed lowly before me, I could finally place the sense of unease. They both held a strange aura around them, different than my own natural glow and close to the unnatural sheen Koschei had come to possess.

"My lady." Malakai purred, lifting my hand to press a cold kiss to it. His eyes were of the richest blue.

"A pleasure, sister. Many blessings to you." Striga inclined her head to my stomach as she bowed to me. Reflexively I placed my hand to obscure her gaze. She just grinned at me; her blood red lips parted to reveal beautiful white teeth. "What a lovely being you are. Koschei's words did you no justice.

I smiled placidly and silently inclined my head to both as they made their way back to their seats.

"Now that introductions are done" Father continued, sitting back regally in his high-backed chair. "The purpose of this visit was to introduce Koschei's family into our lands and traditions. I have granted them lands of mine to oversee. Of course, you and Koschei will be these creatures Lord and Lady, but the governance can be split as you are not in condition of being on the front lines any longer." Father looked at me as though I was supposed to fall to his feet in thanking him, but my blood chilled further.

"W-where would you have me go, Father?"

"At Koschei's arrival back here, you and he shall leave for Everborne. I am granting you the castle and grounds of one of our oldest territories. You both shall live there, and your children shall eventually start their training there as well. Malakai shall oversee weaponry and strategy, while Striga is excellent at blood and herbal magics." He said it so matter of factly that I knew this had been discussed with Koschei.

This was the territory that Koschei had smugly mentioned to me the few nights prior; he had left out the most absolute fact that we were to be shipped there, to not just govern from a distance and return home, but to live there. My spine tingled with dread as I pictured our life out there. Everborne was a place that even I had not liked to visit during our patrols many moons ago. Bordered by glacial ice forests on one side; housing all manner of nightmarish creatures, and a vast churning ocean on the other side; the castle in question was damp, dark, and altogether uncared for. Most of the surrounding lands were desolate and barren until you moved inland where most of the folk lived. As Father had said, it was one of our oldest territories and as such we had a few uprisings over the years of ruling. Of course, with Father and his generals arriving the "problems" were quickly exterminated.

I could see myself, destitute and craving the feeling of warmth, life, and beauty. Koschei binding me to the house, servants raising my child while I whittled away, forced into submission and silence as "Lady" of the land. The bruises littering my body now would be full on display then, if not worse. If Koschei's siblings were anything like how he had become, my chances of companionship and understanding were little to none. Striga, particularly, I did not like her cunning eyes and smile.

Swallowing my bile, I knew Father expected me to say something. All eyes were on me, Striga and Malakai appraising as they waited to see my reaction. I kept my face calm and neutral for a minute. A crazy and fleeting idea came into my mind suddenly. Even though Father was merciless and cruel, I held out hope that his "heir's" safety would be more important than his coldness. He did not favor me, but at least this baby would have a shot at annulling this disastrous marriage. Despite all of Father's cruelness, he indeed favored honor and loyalty above most all else (even if that loyalty was usually only directed to him). There was no male of honor that would strike a female, especially in this current state I was in. Maybe…just maybe if I voiced to him about what was happening, he would be forced to understand my plight. There was no way I was going to be shipped off with Koschei to those foreign lands.

"Father, I-" A sharp shooting pain racked through my middle, almost forcing me out of the seat as I doubled over clutching my stomach where the core of the pain emanated from. Father appeared at my side, faster than the eye could detect; his large hands grasping me. I had never seen him look like that. His face taut and strained, but in his eyes swam something akin to panic.

"Get Andromeda" He bellowed, his voice so loud it revibrated around the room, probably the whole castle, sure to reach the servants outside.

Striga and Malakai both rushed to me. Striga's face was set as she declared to lay me back in the high backed chair, assuring me that she could help. Before I could utter a word, sudden wetness rushed down my legs and pooled at my feet as another bout of pain had me gnashing my teeth together, forcing myself to stay grounded in the present. I knew birthing was one of the most painful experiences, but something was wrong… grievously wrong. Blinking back tears, I dared to glance down at the liquid at my feet; ruby patches of blood bloomed on the sheer fabric of my dress. A little whimper escaped my throat.

"Not my baby. Please, not my baby." I moaned, tremors racking my body over and over. Not after all this time where I wanted nothing but to protect it. Black spots danced in my vision, and with all my remaining strength I forced all my power to my womb, protecting the life there, before I passed out.

Xx

I awoke in buttery warm sunshine. Organza curtains swayed in the soft jasmine breeze from the window that extended from floor to ceiling. A beautiful melody was being hummed by a sweet female voice, the low strum of a harp duetting alongside it. Everything hurt, none more so than my midsection, but fighting the grogginess that torn at me, I tentatively laid a hand on my stomach. But I knew, could feel the lack of that little life that had been inside me. Everything quieted, and a ringing sound filled my ears instead. A strange sound came from my slackened mouth. The humming melody stopped, and from the far corner of the large chamber a figure turned quickly to me.

I suddenly realized it was my Mother. She held a tiny figure swaddled in blankets. Sound turned back on. I heard merry birds chirping in the birchwood trees far on the other side of the metropolis. Sight like I never possessed showed me colors sparkling in my eyes as she slowly approached me. Her tear-streaked face split happily with uncompromised joy as she gently handed me my cooing baby boy.

He possessed Koschei's thick white hair, but his eyes and complexion favored my own golden hues. He was perfection. I hardly dared breathe, praying I had not died and was somehow in another dimension. It seemed I had never known love before this moment, nor happiness, nor completion. My very skin glowed even more starkly against the cream sheets I laid on. My power was surging back within me, healing the harrowing pains along my midsection and back. I felt full to bursting as my eyes gobbled up my golden boy. He was gazing back up at me with such a look my heart seemed to physically lurch in happiness.

"Celestia, my dearest girl. Oh, my prayers have been answered!" Mother was hovering over me, her shaking hands fluttering as she brushed back my tangled hair from my sweaty forehead. "Those moments were the worst of my life" She shuddered, her eyes guttering. "Seeing you like that…not knowing if you were to wake. You were on the verge-"She broke off, her throat bobbing as tears fell down her beautiful eyes once more. "Even I-, even my magic could not bring you back."

Remembering the racking pains and the blooming petals of blood that had soaked my dress I shuddered, momentarily closing my eyes from my son's face. Solemnly I asked her what had happened.

"Her voice wavered as she fluffed the cloud like pillows behind my back. "I-I heard your Father yell so loudly. A sound only ever heard when he was on the battlefield. I winnowed directly to you all. The blood-the blood was so much, and that female was trying to stauch the flow, her magic almost drained. It was so strange, like magic was being absorbed rapidly. I could see her struggling, the incredulity and shock on her face. Even as I approached you, my own magic seemed to drain the closer I got to you." At this she looked down at her grandson. He was gazing up at us as though he knew every word being said.

"It seems our little angel here has the abilities to drain all magical sources around him. Unfortunately, of course he cannot control this. We have known the toll the pregnancy had taken on you Celestial, but it is no short miracle that you are even alive, much less was able to complete almost a full-term pregnancy. If you were anyone else, you could have died months ago." Her voice flitted into my mind at her next words, but they were strong and clear. My sweet girl, why did you never express the severity of this depletion of your powers to me or the Maidens?"

I lowered my gaze back to my son, swallowing tightly at her words. He had drained me, but I figured that was due wholly to the pregnancy and the other stressors I had gone through the past months. I had not expected for him to have such capabilities. An unease slithered through me as I was reminded of very similar powers that his father seemed to currently possess.

"Mother, I have to be honest with you." I didn't care if Father could hear every word I was about to speak. I wanted him to hear. But then I felt him before I could even hear him. Koschei burst into the door, his eyes roving around with unbidden terror in them. As with my Father, I had never seen that look on his face before. The words died in my throat as he quickly approached the bedside. His long white hair was tied back at the nape of his neck, but it looked as though he had raked his hands through it several times, strands flyaway. His white unbuttoned shirt hung loosely at the neck, and his face was tight with worry.

Our eyes met, his face crumpling with relief and for a glimmer of a moment I felt the male I had once fallen in love with. I did not feel the cold and unfeeling creature he had been becoming over the past year. But then he stopped in his tracks, his body jerking unnaturally. His eyes became wide, and his mouth opened as though to yell but no sound came out. Startled, confusion etched my brows.

"Do not take another step. I should kill you where you stand." Mother spoke in an otherworldly voice, churning sparks emitted from around her, sucking the light from the very atmosphere and trembling the castle itself. It was as if a vortex was forming, and I quickly cast a shield around my son. His brows furrowing to cry.

"How dare you hurt her? Especially in such a time when she needed your protection, your support Koschei." With a sickening crunch, the man who had been able to drain even my powers fell to his knees, his face contorted with pain as his right arm jerked back with another sickening twist. Still no sound emitted from him, but I pulled my son quickly to my chest, mouth going dry. I could plead with Mother to stop this…but why should I? He had abused me throughout my pregnancy. A pregnancy I could have easily died from.

"How do you think I feel as a mother to come to my dying daughter and have to also see harsh splotches of bruises all over her?" She was roaring now, shaking the dust from the chamber's roof. I could hear footsteps outside of the door, but even with the banging fists that suddenly pummeled the door, it remained firmly shut. She had known. She had wanted me to be able to tell her myself, but with his arrival, she was thrown over the edge.

I even flinched as she continued the slow tormenting breaking of him. He still couldn't scream, but the grotesquely twisting limbs and snapping bones were loud in the brewing silence. "Does not feel good to be rendered powerless, does it? To be taken advantage of cruelly, and slowly." Her words were venomous, laced with frightening calmness now. "You, young boy believes me to be foolish enough to not know what you and Erebus have been up to? You and your horrific siblings would be as senseless to comply with breaking natures law? Turning yourselves into death gods? Even now, you hold no power that I cannot break Koschei. I can end you right now and do not forget that. Whatever deal with the evil forces you make, I will always break you."

My son started crying, his perfect little face almost as contorted as his father's. Mother heard him at the same time, her rage slowly dwindling at his pealing cries. Koschei finally fell over as she released him from the snares of her power. She angrily turned away from him, striding to the other side of the room, but she kept her power over the locked door, where guards continued their banging, and fixed Koschei with a terrifying stare. "The same child you doubted, has been the only reason you continue to breathe air. You should thank him."

Sucking in gasping breaths, he wasted no time in trying to rise to his feet, stumbling roughly as he approached the bed. I didn't dare glance at him as he approached, swallowing tightly at our last encounter.

"Celestia" he murmured, his voice low and rough. He was a pitying sight to behold, but I unconsciously held our son from his view, drawing him tighter against my body and shh-ing his fading cries. I could not feel any emotion other than burning anger at how he had treated me. How he had changed.

His calloused hands reached for me, and I flinched, hard. His face was aghast as he slowly withdrew them back down to his sides. "I deserve that…I deserve everything and worse. But please, our son is born. I want to amend things with you. I still love you. I-I made horrible choices." He drew closer, his voice falling lower still. "This-this power in me now. It controls me sometimes. The vast unending anger and battle inside of me. It's one of the many prices I must pay… but, the ultimate sacrifice to complete the transition- I won't give. I'll tell your Father I no longer want to continue with this. I'll face his wrath if only it brings us closer together. I don't want glory or power. When I got word of what had happened." His throat bobbed, eyes glassy and distant. "I felt myself breaking in two. Perspective, logic hit me all at once. What I had done to you I could never forgive myself for…what I had done to our son." And at this his tears did fall, his head hung low.

I could hear an angry huff from my Mother, but icy dread filled me and I had to ask him, had to know. "Koschei, what is the ultimate sacrifice to become a death god." I fixed my stare on him. Both of us understanding the horrific thing he had really done.

"My soul."

The words hung for a moment.

I shook my head as though to dispel the words themselves, but he held my gaze, his eyes burning.

I looked down at our son. He had gone silent; his large golden eyes-my-eyes were inquisitive as he peered up at us. My gaze shifted to my Mother who still occupied a corner of the large room. Her face set and waiting. Silently, I lifted our son to Koschei, his face crumpled once more as he hesitantly held him in his arms. "My son" he breathed, eyes full of wonder. I would let him have this small mercy. My mind was made.

"What shall be his name?" I whispered, not trusting my voice as I drank in the sight of Koschei and our son together.

"Cyrus" He replied simply. "I see the sun in his eyes." His gaze met my own and I swallowed tightly.

Glancing one more time at my Mother, I nodded slowly.

The insistent banging stopped suddenly, and I shot her one more quizzical look. "They are no longer to be a worry. You should rest Celestia. Koschei. Let her rest." Her words were sharp, cold as she gazed down at him. I could see the reluctance in his eyes, but he indeed placed Cyrus back into my arms. He hesitantly passed a calloused hand along my forehead, brushing back the curling strands that still stuck to my skin. "You are my universe." He whispered, kissing me gently on my cheek, moving slowly to the base of my chin he sighed deeply. For a long moment he stood like that, and when he finally retreated, wetness lay on my skin.