Lilith's Fire: Chronicles of Mahon Book Four by Brenda Murphy

Author:Brenda Murphy [Murphy, Brenda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quinby Sideshow Publications
Published: 2023-04-13T22:00:00+00:00

7

Reika studied Seraphina as she scooped the last bit of porridge from her bowl. The intricate braids spiraled out from the center of her head, mirroring the spiral that was Mara’s emblem. It would have taken hours to accomplish, if not days, if the child was not cooperative. How had Lilith accomplished it in so short a time?

Mara laid her hand on Reika’s arm. “You have so many questions. I see them in your eyes.”

“I don’t understand any of it. Her hair? Her speech? How can so much be accomplished in what was for us less than a night?”

Lilith lifted her chin. “Mara is not the only goddess here. I did what I needed to do to keep her occupied until I thought it was reasonable to wake you up. Don’t trouble yourself with the how, Reika. Accept what is and move forward. There is nothing else we can do.”

“Is there more?” Seraphina placed her spoon next to the bowl.

“I’ll get you some.” Gwen picked up her bowl and crossed to the stove and served up some more porridge.

“Thank you, Auntie Gwen.”

Gwen placed the bowl in front of Seraphina. “You can call me Gwen.”

Seraphina’s brow wrinkled. “Why not Auntie?”

“Well — I’m, uh—”, Gwen rubbed the tip of her horn and turned to Mara, “help?”

Mara rested her chin on her hand. “Seraphina, it’s because Gwen prefers her name. In her culture, Aunties are much older. Gwen is older than you are, but not by that much.”

Gwen shot Mara a glare. “I’m two hundred seventy-five. And it’s because I prefer Praetorian if you feel the need to add a title, Seraphina. I serve and protect Mara and her family, but I am not related by blood. As I serve Mara, I will serve you.”

Seraphina patted the back of Gwen’s hand. “Thank you, Gwen. I’ll call you what you want.”

Mara covered her smile with her hand. “You always should, Seraphina. It is good to ask if you are unsure.”

Reika placed her mug on the table. “Last evening, we ended our dinner on a sour note. I would like us to begin again. To discuss, as a group, our reasons for remaining here. I’m not sure of our mission going forward beyond the obvious of keeping Seraphina safe.”

Gwen leaned her thick forearms on the table. “I would like to know as well.”

Mara rubbed her brow. “I don’t know if I can explain it. I have a sense that we are supposed to be here now. I wasn’t sure when I was more or less forced to seek shelter on these shores but every moment we’re here, the feeling grows stronger that there is something here for us to do, or to find. Something that will help us in our battle with Ardat.”

Lilith leaned back in her chair and lifted her chin in Seraphina’s direction. “Maybe we are here to raise Seraphina in safety?”

Reika spun her cup in her hands. “How is here safer than Mahon?”

“In Mahon we would have to deal with other empires and goddesses as well as the Sons of Aaron.

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