CHAPTER 6

Date: March 17th, 110 P.A. / 2114 C.E.

Two days after the night of Priestess Arei's nightmare, she awoke to the smell of fried cakes and citrus fruits, the sugar turning the latter into a delicious syrup on top of the breads. The scent of milk added to the enticing aroma, causing the teen's stomach to growl. When she opened her heavy eyes, she saw that the servants had left, and that God Abaddon now stood at her window as he had the day of her awakening, watching the sky change from navy to orange in the dawn light. He glanced at her as she saw up, averting his gaze as she peeled off her nightgown, utterly naked underneath. Arei did not mind changing in front of him despite his being of the opposite gender, and well old enough to engage in sexual activities with a female if he desired. Not only was she by now used to it, but some child part of her trusted him as she would a parent.

After she had finished changing, eyeing the food hungrily, he said, "The meal is fine. You may eat."

She nodded, taking a large bite of the pancakes, and after chewing and swallowing, asked, "Do we have any tasks today?"

He watched a sparrow flutter by. "No, we do not. In a few days, we have an audience we must attend to, where will we doubtlessly be busy. Currently, however, there is not we need to work on."

She was glad of this, though curious at one aspect. "So…why was I woken up early, then?"

He gave her an incredulous look. "Are you still tired?"

She took a gulp of milk…she loved the sweet liquid so!

As a child, you never tasted a drop beyond infancy….

She blinked, wondering at the utterly random thought, wondering where it had come from, and shook her head minutely in response to Abaddon's question, "No…just wondering why."

His eyes glimmered. "I am taking you somewhere. It strikes me you have no been on the grounds much, save to know the location of where summonings shall be placed…and that is quite a shame. For one, you should know your way around here…and secondly, I think you shall quite enjoy the excursion."

She smiled, eager to go anywhere with him.

Within the hour, she found herself waling within the dewy grass of the extensive gardens to the west side of the Temple. Despite how the rising sun made them shine like droplets of fire, of phoenix tears, they were cool and wet against her bare feet. Happily, she danced within the man-made meadow, laughing and not caring at all that the bottom of her light dress robe, her shift, was getting soaked and heavy. She could see everywhere she stepped…and there was something delightful in knowing where she'd been. The god watched her with a slight smile on his face….

And like him, seeing her without her clothes, she did not mind at all. Her sheer delight, her glee, was pleasant to view. Her orchid eyes took on an iridescent hue as she took in the blooming flowers, the blossoms and tulips and lilies, and so many other varieties. The trees above seemed to sway with her, their leaves whispered their own melody in tune with their steps, the gaps between them casting down shimmering shafts of light, sparkling where they struck the ground near her….

"Does she please you?" Byron asked him.

He knew what the Attendant truly mean, but chose to ignore the ludicrous subjects. "As much as any priestess can. Her innocent is rather amusing."

"Does she remind you of Priestess Christina any?" he questioned, gazing towards where Arei's quarters were, across from his.

Abaddon stiffened, his eyes narrowing…and he reluctantly answered, "No. Christina was…more mature than she," he stated, then glanced at Byron. "Why? Are you hopeful that your ceremonies will go through?"

"Not really. It's more that the priests are pressuring me to bend her towards the idea."

The god blinked. "Oh? You've spoken with her about it?"

The human laughed. "No! I don't know if she would understand it at this point in time."

"It is not likely…," Abaddon agreed, and proceeded to push the thought from his mind.

Then, out of curiosity, and perhaps a shred of concern, he asked, "Do you miss Kara?" For her knew the Attendant had been closer to her than he. Too close, in fact. As Abaddon viewed her, she had played her part as his mouthpiece quite well…but to Byron….

The young man did not look happy at the inquiry, and made his own in retaliation. "Do you miss your sister?"

At the mention of her, the seraph's eyes flashed…and he ordered the other male away.

…Ai….

The name floated into his mind. He…he had wanted others to know of her. Of the only creature who had even invoked something alike to warmth in him. Certainly, he now scoffed at that heart, at the foolish child he had been. Yet still, it was the least he could do for the child who had taught him so much, who he perhaps even had loved….

And cried for in her death….

"Thank you," Arei called, breaking him from his thoughts.

It was then that Abaddon saw it. Her smile…it was so like Ai's. Distantly, but the resemblance was there, in the twist of the lips. Her very attitude reminded him of his childhood friend. And sadly, he knew, she would suffer from the same, short-lived fate. For priestesses did not last long…the politics and passions of the human's world conspired against them from the start. So, gazing at his Arei, he hardened his heart against the possibility, accepting that truth. He would not grow attached to her as he had with Ai. She was, after all, just another human….

"You are welcome," he said gruffly, and turned away.

It was for the best. And it was simple enough to do.