Chapter 2
As soon as Aquila said those words everyone, excluding Nesta, started laughing at the statement she had just made.
Rhysand managed to sputter out, “We have no goddess called Aquila, there is only the Mother, the Maiden, and the Crone.”
Aquila frowned and replied, “I have been lost to history, locked away and hidden for 15 000 years. Knowledge of my existence was wiped.”
Amren, who had let out barely more than an amused chuckle added, “Girl, why would you have been locked away and hidden?”
Aquila’s eyes darkened, a stormy shade of grey and darkness overtook them, “The Asteri, Daglan as you call them here. A goddess of a world cannot be present or try to kill them while in her world as drinking the ichor, my golden blood, would allow them to ascend to godhood themselves and then there would be no stopping them, they would simply be unkillable.”
Nesta looked like the only person who might slightly believe her and asked, “The Daglan left 15 000 years ago, besides the one trapped under the Prison, so why have you not released yourself?”
Aquila looked her way, grey eyes met silver flames and she realised there was not a hint of malice in Nesta’s work, simply curiosity.
She smiled sadly as she replied, “Queen Theia herself sealed me, to give them a chance. The conditions of my sealing were simple, I would be released when the last Asteri was gone from this world. Given that she knew that I have little idea as to why she kept one under the Prison. You freed me.”
Whilst Nesta’s eyes remained locked on the newfound goddess in front of her, Aquila caught a glimpse of Feyre sending a smile Nesta’s way, she figured those two were sisters from the similarities in their looks.
Rhysand interrupted the conversation to add, “Now that you are back, is your goal to rule over us all?”
Aquila let out a small chuckle, shaking her head, “Absolutely not. I hate the idea of ruling over everyone in Prythian. I am merely here to right wrongs that were not taking place in my absence.”
Cassian, arms crossed, tilted his head slightly to the side and asked, “What wrongs?”
“The magic of the land that chooses your High Rulers is well… me. In my absence there has been no accountability and the bargains have not been enforced due to my absence,” she replied, fiddling with her fingers under the gaze of so many people.
Rhysand glared at her, “What bargain, I have no tattoo of it?”
Aquila stood up and turned so her back was facing everyone present and with the help of a backless dress supplied to her, gently pulled her silver hair over her shoulders. A small gasp went up from some present at the 7 tattoos along her spine. One for each court. From Spring at the base of her spine, represented by a blooming flower, to the Night Court just below her neck, represented by a circle of stars. The black ink was a stark contrast to her pale skin that hadn’t seen pure sunlight for 15 000 years.
Cassian was the first to speak, and pointed out rather obviously, “There is a gap between Day and Night. Why?”
Nesta replied dryly, “Maybe it's to show how much more powerful Rhysand is compared to other High Lords.”
The sarcasm in her tone was not picked up on by Aquila who said, “No, Dusk is missing as it currently has no High Ruler. That’s my first stop I believe.”
Rhysand pinched his brow, “So let me get this straight, you are going to reawaken the Dusk Court? Also, what do these bargains even mean?”
Aquila replied, “Yes I will reawaken the Dusk Court. However, the bargains are more complicated as they symbolise a pact to protect your people. I am the goddess of justice so my bargains are always founded in my belief of justice. The bargain entails me supplying High Rulers with power increases to allow them to protect their citizens but in return they must ensure the welfare and protection of their citizens. In effect, I can remove any High Ruler who does not look out for the welfare of their citizens to chase their own ideals or pursuits.”
Azriel raised an eyebrow, the only indication of his feelings on the matter, “So we have to follow your beliefs or High Lords will no longer have power?”
She shook her head, “You misunderstand me. It is not based on my personal beliefs but rather morals and ethics of making sure your people are safe. At which point if they are not, I will remove a High Ruler and pick a new one based on criteria such as power, morals and judgement. It is in the interest of the people only.”
Nesta’s lip curled in the corner, a smile, and said, “That seems good, accountability for those in charge and not passed through bloodline or other bullshit.”
Rhysand shot her a withering look, which Aquila did not miss. Instead violet eyes went vacant, just as Feyre’s had previously. One look at Nesta explained the situation to Aquila as her eyes matched his: mind to mind communication. She sat back down, hands elegantly crossed over her lap while she waited for their conversation to wrap up. Azriel and Cassian continued to keep an eye on her, wary that she might make a sudden move. It made her smile how naive people could be, nothing they could do would stop or hinder her in the goals laid out before her.
After the mind to mind conversation appeared to be over everyone left Aquila alone in that room to have a group conservation away from prying ears. Rhysand placed some wards over the door for good measure to prevent her from getting out. Aquila let out a laugh and muttered to herself wondering if they heard the part where she was a goddess and that a few measly wards would do little to hold her back if she truly wanted out of this room.
She didn’t though. A fire roared in a brick fireplace and the smell of books wafted around her, an armchair that felt as though it might swallow her whole with how soft it was and a view of a now setting sun outside. Dusk had risen.
-=********=-
The Inner Circle and Nesta sat around the dining room table in the House of Wind for the discussion at to what to do with a fucking goddess now taking up residence. Rhysand was doubting the fact that she was even a goddess whilst Azriel was unhelpfully giving him suggestions for how she could prove it. Nesta didn’t care, she just wanted to go back to her book and stop being involved with all this mess. The last thing she needed was a goddess in the mix who would probably hate her like everyone else for all she had done. Especially if the aforementioned goddess seemed to have a thing for justice and divine retribution.
Amren whispered something to Rhysand, too quiet for even Nesta’s High Fae hearing to pick up on, not that she cared to hear it. Rhysand simply nodded in Amren’s direction before turning to Nesta and commanding, “Go watch over Aquila, make sure she doesn’t break anything or escape.”
Nesta got up slowly to leave, not wanting to bring his wrath or ire down upon herself today, but as she left kept a close ear on the conversation.
Amren resumed the conversation from their minds and said, “If you can control Aquila, Rhysand, you would be a force to be reckoned with. If she truly is a fucking goddess maybe she’ll make you High King.”
Rhysand shut her down instantly, “I do not want to be High King, I just want my family safe, that’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Cassian spoke next, “A goddess would keep Feyre and Nyx pretty fucking safe lets be honest. Maybe if you could convince her to stay, residence in return for additional protection?”
Nesta wasn’t surprised by where their conversation was going and instead headed into the room, the wards only working to keep someone out, not prevent entry. Inside she saw Aquila simply curled up in an armchair with a soft blanket draped over her pale skin, reading a Sellyn Drake novel. At that she raised an eyebrow.
“I didn’t know goddesses read smut.” She stated.
“Glad I can still surprise,” replied Aquila, “are these yours or one of the others?”
Nesta laughed at the thought of Cassian reading one of her smutty books but responded, “They are mine, the others do not see the joys these books bring.”
Aquila looked up to see a twinkle in Nesta’s eye that had not been there previously. The female chose to settle on a plush beige couch next to her armchair to continue a conversation about the romance fantasies that Aquila had missed since she’d been locked away.
-=********=-
During their friendly conversation regarding romance books which broached other topics surrounding Nesta’s life, Aquila had understood that something was troubling her. It was a feeling that could easily be attributed to a single mention of members of the group from earlier bringing a hollow darkness over the once twinkling eyes.
A short wave of a hand brought a small pearl-like object into the air just above Aquila’s hand, the pearl becoming more translucent and glass-like by the passing second until it settled firmly in the goddess’ hand. Nesta’s stormy eyes were transfixed on this new object as she asked, “Is this Made?”
A songbird’s laugh echoed around the decadent room as Aquila replied, “I wouldn’t call it that but I assume you would. Consider it a gift for the Asteri slayer who freed me. Simply crush it in your hand and I’ll appear to help in any way I can but I implore you, use it selfishly.”
Nesta frowned, assuming some catch, “What must I do in return for this?”
A sad smile of understanding crept across Aquila’s face as she responded, “Nothing my dear, you have given enough. You already are enough. I simply want to give back what you were able to give me - my freedom.”
Nesta’s frown lessened as she reluctantly accepted the opalescent sphere, holding it with all the care someone would cradle a newborn child, terrified too much pressure may cause cracks to appear and this god given chance at freedom may be taken from her without her permission, like so many other things in her life. She looked back up into those storm grey eyes that seemed to peer into her soul, her very being.
“Thank you, for this and what it means to me.” Nesta uttered in a hushed whisper.
“You should understand, I do not give this lightly,” Aquila responded, that knowing smile back on her face, “instead realise that I understand more about you and what you’ve been through than I may let on in these moments.”
Nesta inclined her head, curiosity creeping over her eyes. Yet she dared not to ask for the goddess to speak more and enlighten her as she herself did not like speaking about her past and what it reflects upon her future. As if suddenly remembering the most important thing to her right now, she dared to ask of the goddess as she leant forward, “If I was to ask for my freedom, what of my friends, the Valkyries?”
A wave of shock appeared over Aquila’s face, “The Valkyries are here? They were originally from Dusk, riding pegasi into battle.” A wistful look crossed over her face as if remembering time long past, one that brought painful memories surging forward before she allowed the wave to break over the rock she was, steadfast in the water.
“The Valkyries are from Dusk? So if you were to reawaken the court they could go there?” asked Nesta, only the way she sat forward on her chair giving away her curiosity on the matter of the Dusk Court.
Aquila nodded, “if the Valkyries want to return and discover their heritage I will grant them everything I know on the matter from when I travelled this world 15 000 years ago.”
A shadow crossed Nesta’s face, gone in a flash, “what of a High Lord? Do you know who it is and who we would have to serve?”
Again, Aquila laughed, the sound bringing happy memories to Nesta’s mind, “Oh you all and your obsession with High Lords. They do not have to be male, they have been since my magic was on autopilot but there is nothing to discriminate against a female being the High Ruler of the court. Also you would serve no one, no one can force you to do anything against your better judgement. Serve if you want. Stand against it if it is what you deem right.”
Nesta’s incredulous look was quickly replaced by calm, hiding her emotions and feelings behind lock and key, for none to know except herself and those she trusted, the goddess not being among them. Nodding a thanks to the seated goddess Nesta stood up as the rest of the Court entered the room, Rhysand and Feyre leading the way into the small room, really not a place to hold important meetings but Aquila wasn’t one to judge them for it.
Rhysand, the calm arrogance of a High Lord plastered across his face and stance, was the first to speak, “Aquila we have decided that we will grant you residence within Velaris. A condition of this residence is your protection for our people and family, I hope you find these terms favourable.”
Aquila simply scoffed at him, “I think not. I will not be staying here as there are far more important things for me to be doing in this world than playing at divine protection for a small part of your court. Did you simply forget the other two thirds? Or do you just not care for them?”
Aquila watched as Rhysand's mask of calm slipped before he pulled it back up with practiced ease whilst Nesta’s gave little away aside from a twinkle in her eye showing her enjoyment at someone standing up to Rhysand.
Feyre responded instead of Rhysand, no arrogance present on her face just imploring sincerity, “We do not neglect the others in our court, they are just cruel beings that do not step foot inside Velaris, our Court of Dreams. If you are truly an all powerful goddess, surely you’d want to help protect the dreams of the people within our city.”
Aquila nodded slightly, “There are people who don’t have time to form dreams, they cannot dream for they live a nightmare. Those people are my first priority. Those people deserve help and a chance to dream just like your Court of Dreams. I appreciate the sentiment of what you are asking of me, Feyre Cursebreaker but the people standing in this room are more than enough to prevent a true disaster from striking Velaris. I am required elsewhere and so it is elsewhere I shall travel. I thank you for your hospitality that you have shown me and the dress you have granted me but I have been gone for too long and let the people of this world down. I cannot let them down further.”
Before she could listen to further arguments as to why she should help one third of a single court instead of helping all seven, soon to be eight, present in this entire world, she left the room, striding for the veranda as her wings unfurled against the starlight that was now settling across the world, she had been here too long and there were in fact more important places to be.
The glowing streets below her abuzz with joy and peace within the citizens of this one city allowed her a slight reprieve from the crushing feeling that weighed upon her heart. Could she do this? Had she failed the people she had sworn to protect no matter the cost to her life? She could only hope and pray to her sisters that she was in fact not too late and the horrors that lay before her would not cause too much pain for herself or for the people that they had been inflicted upon.
A final prayer was sent up to the heavens on the light breeze that weaved through her long silvery hair, who would receive it she had no idea but it felt right to send it nonetheless.
The prayer was for the High Ruler of the Dusk Court to the idea that they would accept their role and leave behind current ties to head this calling. No response was expected but sent a chill down her spine along each tattoo but sunk deepest at the empty space for Dusk’s insignia.