Chapter 1
Bodelia looked around the meadow she had found to rest in. The haze of the early morning shimmered in a light mist that shrouded the drai’hg and swallows as they frolicked around her. She laughed, the sound musical and echoic. Lifting her right palm she brought forth the power of the sun. In a swirl and hiss of steam the ground below her feet dried at her command. Folding her legs she sat on the warm ground, her ethereal gown draped her body in white. A warm breeze caught the blond curls that cascaded around her shoulders and down her back. Bodelia wrapped one lock around her finger as she watched the drai’hg and swallows play together. Once again the clearing was filled with her melodious laughter.
The swallows stopped their play, flying away in a flurry of wings and chirps. The small drai’hg hovered on their green translucent wings, their curious black eyes looking upon the goddess before them. She thought for a moment on what they would see. Fair, unblemished skin that shimmered with light, long blond curls that looked golden in the early sun, lips as red as blossoms on the roseberry bushes and bright eyes that changed colour depending on her surroundings. Lifting her hand, she beckoned a drai’hg to her with a single thought. Sharp claws encircled her outstretched finger and wrapped its long grey tail around her wrist, the tiny green fin on the end fluttering. It blinked with curious eyes and cocked its spiky head to one side as if to ask the goddess to speak. So she did.
“So little dragon imp, what do you see when you look at me?” Its head cocked to the opposite side and a tiny forked tongue darted out to taste the air. Goddess Bodelia beamed at the tiny creature.
“Oh I see, to you I am magic, light and intelligence?” She lifted the drai’hg to her lips and kissed the small dragon imp in thanks for the compliment. Knowing it was now dismissed, its translucent wings began to flutter, causing them to blur with speed. Lifting from her finger, then circling her head before returning to the small group that played near a small stream.
It seemed such a long time since she’d created the drai’hg, on a morning such as this when the light and colour of her surroundings had inspired her. That inspiration had grown to create a world that the immortals she governed enjoyed and loved. Alhanassa was indeed beautiful, from vast mountain ranges peaked with soft white snow to the deep rain forests that pulsed with nature. Every land mass and ocean had been designed by her and created with the help of the other immortals. But now it was time for the mortals to have dominion over the world she loved. They were to be given some logic and intelligence but then left to flourish on their own. Bodelia’s sisters had been granted stewardship over the mortals, instructing them in the use of magic.
Ostar was the goddess of new life and nature, Lithna, the goddess of growth and the earth and Imbhane was the goddess of change and the sky’s elements. Each would teach the children of Alhanassa how to practise their magic. The Lesser Goddesses were also to govern the three cycles or seasons. Three moons had been placed in orbit around their world, one to represent each goddess. Everyone involved felt the excitement for Alhanassa to grow and flourish. The immortal council were eager to see Bodelia’s plan finalised; they wished to study how the mortals would embrace their world. All was ready; she had only to return to her celestial home.
Yet in her heart Bodelia felt an odd sadness on leaving behind this beautiful place. Time bore no meaning in the heavens but here she could watch the world grow and die only to flourish once more in a never ending cycle of death and renewal; it fascinated her. Once her plan was set in motion, she vowed to step back and only view Alhanassa from afar, allowing her younger sisters to do their part. The Immortal Council suggested a few places be designated for her to visit and enjoy her handiwork. This idea had given her joy. While she would be veiled from the mortals during her visits she could still observe them and, in a small way, experience what they achieved.
Hugging her knees, she rested for a while in the meadow. A splash, followed by laughter, filled the air. A small lagoon, hidden by the rise of white stone and greenery, lay just beyond the nearby tree line. She stood and approached to find out who was having so much fun, perhaps she should join them. She had visited the pond many times and swum in the clear blue waters.
The voice of a man rumbled around the rocks and Bodelia stood still, her heart beginning to pound at the recognition of her lover’s voice. Placing her feet carefully, she edged closer in the hope of catching him unawares. She loved to watch him, the grace with which his tall frame moved always blushed her cheeks and caused her heart to hammer in the confines of her ribcage. Carefully peeking around the corner she caught her first glimpse of him. Strong, broad shoulders and well-defined chest and abdominal muscles glistened with water as he emerged out of the pool. Her hands tingled; she longed to trace the path of the water droplets as they journeyed down his muscled torso, running her hands over the warm skin covering the hard sinew underneath. The way his body rippled made her throat dry and she longed to touch him, feel his flesh respond to her. She held her breath as the lower half of his body came from the water. Disappointed at the sight of the black leather that covered his bottom and strong legs, she stepped back and shook her head at her own salacious musing. When she looked again she noticed his long black hair was clinging to his back and she yearned to squeeze the excess water from the silky strands. Bren’has had been her lover for millennia. They knew each other’s thoughts and desires and had long ago learnt the art of giving one another pleasure.
A female voice brought her from her appraisal. Her youngest sister, Imbhane, slipped into the water hardly making a ripple. Bren’has stood with his hands on his hips as he scanned the water’s surface. Bodelia’s heartbeat lurched and she held her breath as her immortal power let her feel the arousal Bren’has felt for her sister. He turned and she covered her mouth in distress, the look in his dark blue eyes was the same as when he made love to her. So why was it now aimed at her sister? Her heart thundered in her ears as the terrible scene unfolded before her.
