1
AREANA
Areana's new reality was a mixed bag, some of it wonderful, some of it difficult.
Only three days had passed since she and Navuh had arrived at the keep, he on the verge of death, and she clinging to him desperately, terrified that if she didn't constantly watch him, he would be snatched away from her and taken beyond the veil.
It seemed like so much more time had elapsed, which was just one more indication that her sense of temporal continuity was thoroughly scrambled.
The important thing, though, was that Navuh was no longer teetering on the edge of death, and she could allow herself to focus on mundane things like trying on the dresses that Annani had commissioned for her.
The seamstress must have worked overnight to deliver the first two so quickly. The woman had used the same patterns she had ready for Annani's dresses but had made adjustments for Areana's taller and broader frame.
The results were perfect.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom of Amanda's old penthouse, Areana smoothed her hand over the teal silk gown, finally feeling like her old self again.
Wasn't it ridiculous to derive so much comfort from a familiar style of clothing?
The dress was beautiful, and it made Areana feel beautiful as well. It made her feel like the goddess she was and not a displaced female with nothing to her name.
The teal color complemented her pale complexion, and it was so much more comfortable than all the borrowed modern clothing she had been wearing since the rescue.
Had it been a rescue, though?
Perhaps for the others, but not for her. She hadn't wanted to be saved. She hadn't needed saving. It had been an accident. But everyone else was calling it a rescue, including her sons, and she didn't bother to correct the misconception because what would be the point?
It would only reopen old wounds that might be finally healing.
Her sons couldn't understand her refusal of extraction from the island, couldn't comprehend her love for their father or appreciate her role in protecting countless people from Navuh's cruelty if it was left unchecked, and Areana was tired of trying to explain.
Areana was happy for Tula, Tamira, and the other ladies, who were all living among Annani's people in the village and enjoying the community and each other, but it would have been nice ifthey were with her in the clan's keep in downtown Los Angeles, so she wouldn't be so alone.
The penthouse was more spacious than her quarters in the harem, but it lacked the softness and familiarity of what had been her home for so many decades.
It was also deathly quiet and lonely.
Thank the merciful Fates for Lokan and Carol, who were staying in the other penthouse across the vestibule, or she would have been starved not only of company, but literally. She didn't even know how to prepare her own meals, and if not for them, she would have been subsisting on tea and coffee.
At least she knew how to make those.
Areana chuckled. Here she was, a five-thousand-year-old goddess who was scared of operating an oven and learning how to take care of herself without the help of a maid.
Unlike her, Annani had been on her own since she was eighteen years of age and had accomplished the impossible. She'd built an empire with nothing but their uncle's tablet and had raised accomplished children who loved and respected her.
Areana couldn't help but feel a little envious of her petite powerhouse of a sister. It wasn't fair that Annani had inherited their father's tenacity and ability, while Areana had only inherited his looks.
She sighed.
She shouldn't question the Fates. They were wise and merciful and had crafted a destiny for each sister according to her ability. Annani was born to lead, while Areana was meant to be thecalming and balancing force that had kept Navuh from burning down the world.
Thankfully, Annani understood that, and she didn't look down her nose at her meek sister or condemn her choices. Instead, Annani had wrapped her arms around Areana and had told her that she understood that truelove mates stood by each other's side no matter what, and that she would have done the same if their roles were reversed.
Areana was not sure that was true, but it had been nice of Annani to say so. Knowing that her sister didn't condemn her for staying by Navuh's side made her feel accepted when she'd expected to be scorned.
Casting one last look at the mirror, she combed her loose hair with her fingers instead of trying to fashion it into an elaborate updo. She had no maid to help her anymore, and she didn't want to waste any more time on her looks when she should be heading back down to the clinic.
Besides, Navuh preferred her hair this way.
