But here she was with the woman she loved. A blessing she did not deserve.
“I wish I could wait for them at the docks,” Gaia murmured.
“You’re neededhere,” Sybil protested. “And, I must admit, you’re doing a terrible job. I need more willow sprigs.”
Gaia sighed, falling back on her knees to sift through Sybil’s thriving garden. She found the discarded willow sprigs that had been abandoned as she had once more thought of her daughters, worrying they wouldn’t make it.
But Prudence, Pomona, and Trivia had promised to be here. Gaia knew they would come.
A coil of powerful magic curled in the air, and Gaia stiffened, her head lifting as she gazed down the path. After a few moments, three figures appeared, and a wide smile split across her face.
In a flash, Gaia was on her feet, rushing down the path and throwing herself into the waiting arms of her three daughters. Prudence and Pomona hugged her back immediately, squeezing tightly. But Trivia held back. She touched Gaia’s arm, but she remained distant, the twist of her lips betraying her discomfort.
Displays of affection among family members was still foreign to her.
My fault,Gaia thought.It’s my fault she’s like this. My fault she didn’t grow up with a mother to love her.
Swallowing down her grief and regret, Gaia parted from Prudence and Pomona, then embraced Trivia fully, crushing her against her chest.
Trivia yelped slightly, her arms flailing before she hesitantly grasped Gaia in return.
“You are loved,” Gaia whispered in her ear. “My daughter, you are so very loved. Never forget that.”
When Gaia pulled away, Trivia’s eyes were moist, and she sniffed. “Um. Well. It’s good to see you, Mother.”
Mother.
It wasn’tMama,but it was better than calling Gaia by her given name.
Gaia smiled, taking in her daughters’ appearances. Prudence’s face was glowing, her lavender eyes bright. Her usual curly mane of hair was slightly puffy from the humid air. Pomona was more altered. Her face was a bit paler, and her eyes seemed so strange now that they were hazel instead of emerald.
But the small smile on her face and the shrewd look in her gaze was all Pomona. She was still Gaia’s daughter, even if she was mortal.
Then, there was Trivia. She wore a golden gown with a sleeve over one shoulder, and a laurel crown atop her head. She looked every bit the Queen of Elysium.
“My darling daughters,” Gaia said thickly, struggling to keep the tears at bay. “I am so grateful you’ve come.”
“Sybil!” Pomona cried, darting around Gaia to embrace her stepmother. Prudence followed suit, the two girls clinging to the woman who had helped raise them. Sybil’s beautiful face was just as glowing, as if she, too, possessed goddess blood. Her smile was wide, lighting up her features.
Sybil might not have birthed the two girls, but she loved them as her own. It was one of the many things Gaia adored about her.
“Are we too late?” Pomona asked, looking at Gaia with a small frown.
“Not at all.” Gaia scooped up the basket of herbs she’dbeen collecting, then jerked her head in the direction of the path. “We were just heading to the square.”
They walked down the cobbled path, Prudence chattering about the affairs of the Underworld. A council of demons was helping her and Cyrus rule. Some of the gods in Elysium were unhappy with this, but from what Gaia gathered, it was working quite well.
Certainly better than when Aidoneus had been in charge.
A few villagers passed by, nodding politely at Gaia. One or two smiled broadly at Prudence and Pomona, easily recognizing them, even after all this time.
This was still the girls’ home. Even if their hearts were now elsewhere, in Gaia’s eyes, the three of them would always belong here.
Trivia’s brows were furrowed as she took in everything, her eyes roving over the swaying palm trees and the thatch-roofed homes. This was her first time on Krenia.
“Have you been to a Samhain ceremony before?” Gaia asked her.
Trivia blinked, then met her gaze. “No. I never had the chance.”
