The Phoinix: Age of Demigods (22 page)

“He is eighty-years old, after all. I
hope he has matured at his age with two brothers to babysit.
Conversely, Leonidas is slightly childish, is he not?”

Alina furrowed her eyebrows at his
comment and defended her child, “He’s my baby.”

“Alina,” Remus said exasperated, “he
is forty. He is no baby.”

Alina laughed, “He
is
my
baby.”

“Now Cole, he has a strong head on his
shoulders. He may not be as physically strong as Nikolaos, but he
learns quick and is not at impulsive as Leo. His magic is
impressive. Sixty years have done him well.” Remus nodded as he
praised his middle son.

“His father taught him well. That is
until he banished him and his brothers to live with the Vikings,”
Alina snidely commented.

“Alina for the last time, they nearly
destroyed the peace between three different kingdoms! It was as if
they were on a mission from Mars.”

“Then you should have been proud.”
Alina raised her eyebrow and Remus knew that was her ‘you better
not continue to argue with me’ look.

Remus sighed, “Yes, dear.”

Remus stopped walking and faced Alina.
“You cannot hold my brother responsible for my death. I helped set
this event in motion. Plus, he was possessed by an enchanted knife
when he stabbed me.” Remus smirked and shrugged. “We’re twins, and
nothing is ever one’s sole fault.”

“You are the shepherd of my soul. Who
will hold my hand and lead me through this fight?”

“Hold your hand? Ha-ha! Woman, when
has anyone ever guided you by the hand? My sweet, sweet Alina, you
have been my Northern Star.”

Remus pressed her hand against his
cheek. Alina closed her eyes as the tension released in her
shoulders and back.

“You are the daughter of two gods; the
goddess who gave up her divine throne for the lonely king of Alba
Longa. I fear you have lived too long among the Greeks and have
forgotten your strength as a Celt.” Remus brushed a strand of
strawberry-blonde hair away from her eyes. “It is time to remember
your heritage.”

Remus smiled and spun her around so
her back leaned against his chest. He cradled her from behind,
wrapping his arms around her as they swayed on the beach, gazing
out at the ocean. “Do you remember the first time we met?” His
scruff tickled her cheek and gave her goose bumps.

“Yes, you and your brother arrived at
my family’s castle. Then you shot me,” She chuckled at the
memory.

They both remembered the day as if it
happened hours ago:

* * *

Remus and Romulus arrived at the
Palace of Dyfed while they explored the country of Cymru. After
rumors of the lush, prosperous kingdom reached them, they wished to
hunt in the king’s forest.

“Stay as long as you wish,” Pwyll
Conant, King of Dyfed, welcomed them to his home. “Come, come! Meet
my wife and children.”

The Twin Kings were surprised at the
gracious welcome from King Pwyll and followed him into his castle.
“This is my wife, Queen Rhiannon and this is my son, Prince
Pryderi. He is a skilled warrior.” Pwyll slapped his son on the
back. Pryderi remained silent but nodded in respect. “Where is my
beautiful daughter? Alina Conant, get down here!”

A young beautiful woman, in her early
twenties, entered the hall. She dressed in a tight emerald green
gown with strawberry-blonde hair that met the middle of her back. A
silver and emerald encrusted sword clung to her hip. Even though
the men were twins, Remus caught her eye and she blushed as she
approached them.

Romulus whispered to his brother,
“She’s mine, Remmy.”

Remus nudged him and whispered back,
“How many drachmas to wager?”

Alina put her hand out for the men to
kiss as they bowed to her. Her smile was quaint yet beautiful.
Remus’ heart fluttered, mesmerized by her hazel eyes.

Romulus studied the intense eye
contact between Alina and his brother. “Oh, Tartarus,” he mumbled
beneath his breath, loud enough for his brother to hear. Remus
smiled at his brother’s defeat. When Alina glided over to her
father’s side, Romulus slipped a coin into Remus’ hand. “You
win.”

Pwyll held a weeklong feast in their
honor and promised they could hunt in his forest as long as they
wished. During the celebration, Alina and Remus spent all their
days together. She flaunted her magic and explained that her
mother, Queen Rhiannon, was once a goddess of the fairy world. She
gave up her right to the fairy throne when she married Pwyll. Remus
and Alina exchanged childhood tales for hours.

One day, the twins set out on a
hunting excursion. Remus could not find Alina. Pwyll explained a
close friend had taken her on a day trip and that she would be back
by dusk.

Romulus shook his brother’s shoulders
to snap him out of his depressive demeanor. “Come now, Remmy. You
can live without her for one day.” He tossed Remus a bow and arrow.
“Let’s show these Celts how Greeks hunt.” Excitement filled
Romulus’ eyes, making Remus laugh at his ridiculous
expression.

* * *

“
Alina, watch out!”
shouted a tall handsome man in a black cloak.

Alina had her bow and arrow notched,
stalking a white stag through the forest. She quietly crept onto a
log bridging over a creek as she inched closer to her prey. Just as
she was in the middle of the log, two arrows knocked her into the
creek below. Red streaks flowed through the water as blood soaked
the back of her green tunic.

The man who tried to warn
Alina raced towards her, followed by a large white dog with red
ears. He scooped her up into his arms with ease and carried her to
the nearest Alder tree. The man fiercely shouted,
“
Ó na fréamhacha thíos go dtí na duilleoga
ar barr, a ligean am mall a nochtadh ar barr
Fearnóg
.”

High above in the canopy were small
white and red fairies that lounged on branches and weaved through
the leaves.

A silver male flew down from a high
branch and examined Alina’s wound. “Arawn, you have no right to
call upon us,” the fairy grunted.

“Do not pretend you have
any say over what I do. I am still one of your gods. Alina is hurt
and she is the daughter of Rhiannon, your goddess and princess.
You
will
heal
her. Now,” Arawn growled.

“I do not take orders from you,
Arawn.” The fairy folded his arms across his chest. “I have no
allegiance to Rhiannon anymore. She has been closed off to the
fairy world and stripped of her fairy titles.” The fairy curled his
lip as if disgusted with the memory.

“That may be so, but you are bound to
her bloodline regardless. Alina’s grandfather is ruler of the fairy
world, after all.” Arawn raised an eyebrow, knowing he won the
argument.

The fairy was reluctant to help but
could not contest the statement. The fairies were bound to Alina’s
blood and forced to assist her. He whistled and two crimson females
and another silver male flew down from the trees. The females
gathered berries and moss while the men pulled on the arrows in her
back.

Arawn whipped around to deal with the
men who shot Alina. “Cnaimh, fetch.” Arawn’s eyes blazed with rage
as the white dog raced towards two men.

Arawn followed the low growls of
Cnaimh and found the dog had cornered the men between two boulders.
Their clothing differed from Celtic apparel. They were
Greeks.

“You are a long way from home, boys.”
Arawn’s sword rang as he withdrew it from its sheath.

“Call off your mutt!” yelled one of
the men as he swung his sword at Cnaimh.

The other man elbowed him in the ribs.
“Quiet, Romulus. He is obviously a god. We just shot his wife.
Don’t make things worse.”

“Ha! Some god he is. He can’t even
face us without his pet dog,” scoffed Romulus.

Cnaimh lunged and tore Romulus’ sword
from his hand. The confident smile washed off Romulus’
face.

“I apologize for my brother, your
Lordship. He often speaks without thinking. I am King Remus and
this is my brother King Romulus,” introduced Remus. “We are The
Twin Kings of Alba Longa, invited by King Pwyll.”

Arawn stared Remus in the eyes, “I am
Arawn, Lord of the Underworld. A place you will soon meet.” Arawn
raised his sword above his head to slash Remus.

“
Arawn!
” a voice echoed through the forest.

Arawn lowered his sword as the ground
shook beneath their feet. The brothers rolled their eyes as they
recognized their father’s voice.

Mars appeared in a puff of red smoke,
dressed in a black toga. “These are my sons, Arawn. You will not
harm them. Otherwise, you will have a discussion with Pluto after
he storms the gates of Annwyn.”

Arawn laughed at Mars’ remark. “I do
not fear your uncle. Nor do I fear you.”

Mars’ sword materialized in his hand
as he slowly walked towards Arawn, flames flickering in his
eyes.

Remus stepped in between the two
gods.

Romulus’ heart sank into his stomach
as Remus willingly put himself in harm’s way. “No!” Romulus
scrambled to grab his brother and pull him back to safety, as if he
were the only person who could protect him.

Remus ripped his arm from Romulus’
grasp. “Shush, Rom, you’ve caused enough trouble. Mars, this was
our mistake, made worse by Romulus’ mouth, but our mistake
nonetheless.” Remus turned to Arawn. “We are sorry for shooting at
what was obviously your kill and deeply sorry our foolish actions
injured your wife.”

Arawn was taken aback by
Remus’ apology and sheathed his sword. “
You
are the son of Mars?” Arawn
asked with a raised eyebrow. “You obviously take after your
mother.”

“Do not speak of
Rhea!
” Mars shouted.

Romulus chuckled at his father’s
tantrum. Remus shot Mars a look of warning, “He meant no
disrespect, Father. I take that as a compliment. She is a great and
kind woman.” He then bowed to Arawn.

The fire in Mars’s eyes blazed
brighter as Remus tried to diffuse the situation.

“We will humbly accept whatever
punishment you see fit for us,” continued Remus.

“Like Tartarus you will!” shouted Mars
as his biceps tensed, ready to attack.

“You tell him, Mars!” Romulus cheered
on his angry father.

Frustrated, Arawn clenched his fists.
“I do not have time for this. I need to return Alina to her
father.”

Nauseated and breathless, Remus
clutched his stomach at the sound of the woman’s name.

“Ha! She is with her father,” Mars
baited to invoke a fight.

Chapter 19

Lies and
Prophecies

“W
hat is he talking about, Arawn?” Alina asked from behind
Arawn, completely healed.

“Alina!” Remus shouted,
stumbling towards her. “That was
you
we shot?”

Alina smiled, flattered by his angst.
“I am alright, Remus. The fairies are excellent healers.” She
nodded towards the Alder tree with the fairies. She waved her hand
to reverse Arawn’s spell.

Arawn fumed at Mars’ words, “I will
explain later, Alina. We must be leaving.” He grabbed Alina’s arm
and looked over his shoulder to address Remus and Romulus. “Since
you have confessed your mistake and no harm was permanent, I will
forgive your trespasses.”

“Why don’t you answer the woman’s
question?” Mars snapped before Arawn and Alina could
leave.

A cool stale wind blew through the
forest as Arawn whipped around and spoke in a low growl, “Stay out
of this, Mars.”

“I would like to know what he means.”
Alina slipped her arm out from Arawn’s grasp and retreated towards
Remus.

Arawn cracked his neck and sighed,
“You are a member of my bloodline. Have you ever wondered why your
powers surpass your mother’s and your brother’s? It is not just
fairy blood that runs through your veins.”

Alina’s mouth dropped at
the news. “But, how? When?
Why?
” She stammered. Unsure if she
was angrier with Arawn or her mother.

Arawn’s shoulders slumped forward,
“Twenty-two years ago when Pwyll and I switched places.”

Alina heard this story many times
before. She recalled the details easily. When Arawn and Pwyll first
met, it was similar to this situation. Pwyll hunted the same stag
as Arawn. Pwyll confessed to his crime and accepted whatever
punishment Arawn deemed fit. Arawn plotted to switch appearances.
Pwyll would rule over the underworld for a year disguised as Arawn
and Arawn would appear as Pwyll to govern Dyfed. At the end of the
year, Pwyll must face Arawn’s rival and kill him to gain his lands.
In return, Arawn would make Dyfed prosperous. Both tasks were
accomplished.

“You and my father are good friends.
While he was disguised as you, he treated your wife with respect
and did not share her bed. Are you saying you did not return his
courtesy?” Alina confronted Arawn.