Controlling the Goddess, page 16
part #2 of Chronicles Of KieraFreya Series
“Can I stay with you? Just for a little bit.”
Gideon froze momentarily, unsure what to say.
“Relax, big boy. We’re not going to screw. I just need some company.”
Gideon nodded slowly, relief washing over his face. “Sure. Come on in.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chloe woke up in a sleepy haze, unable to recall where she was for a moment.
The room was clean and bare, other than the bed and some odd furniture. The sheets were the softest she had experienced in Obsidian and slid off her body like water as she sat up, flinching as something moved beside her.
She turned her head, ready to expect the worst, but let out a small chuckle when she saw Gideon stretching and yawning, a nice waft of morning breath expelled in her direction.
She smiled, finding herself surprised that she didn’t mind waking up in his bed at all. It was nice to have some company in the morning. Even in real life, while her friends had enjoyed waking up each morning with a stranger in their bed who had given them a few howls to God, Chloe had found she wasn’t that type of girl.
Not only that, but if she had managed to garner that kind of reputation, it would only reflect badly on the Lagarde name. And if there was one thing that Chloe was always conscious not to destroy, it was the Lagarde legacy.
They had spent a large portion of the night talking, Chloe asking question after question about Gideon’s real life. She found herself wanting to know as much as possible about him if she was really going to stake her reputation on him and go ahead with funding his gaming lifestyle.
She had to be 100% certain it was the right move. She liked him, sure, but by investigating the idea of full-immersion for Gideon, it would mean that she’d be spending a lot more time with him. No breaks, no logging-out hours, just Chloe and Gideon. Troopers riding out the journey. Plunged into Obsidian 24/7.
She definitely didn’t want to discover after the fact that Gideon annoyed her more than her brother’s lectures on the correct skin moisturizer to match her skin tone.
The vain idiot. I mean, seriously? What was he thinking?
After several hours of talking, Chloe couldn’t find a bad bone in him. He was a perfect clean sheet. Not a blemish. It was only when Gideon turned his attention on Chloe, asking more about her real life, that she managed to change the subject, KieraFreya dutifully listening in on her thoughts and switching topic.
Chloe had to laugh at the dynamic between Gideon and KieraFreya. Where she was sharp and snappy, he was tight-lipped and nervous. She would often ask him questions in that dry, sarcastic tone she bore, laughing as Gideon looked to Chloe for some kind of reassurance or calm.
It was definitely comforting for Chloe to have at least one person know the full extent of her secret. Although she and Gideon hadn’t had the chance to be alone much along their adventure—at least, in a safe space away from the eyes and ears of others—she definitely appreciated being able to not hide too many secrets from him, and personally, she enjoyed KieraFreya finding a new target rather than bothering her all the time.
“Morning, sleepyhead.” Chloe smiled. Gideon’s mind whirred.
“We didn’t… I mean… The mead, and…”
Chloe shook her head. “No, of course not. We just fell asleep in the same bed. Trust me, if we had screwed, I’d like to think I’d rock your world enough to remember it, no matter how many drinks you’d had.”
Gideon laughed nervously, his eyes automatically moving to Chloe’s breasts.
“Hey, her eyes are up here,” KieraFreya said, moving Chloe’s wrists toward her face. While she controlled the bracers and moved her hands, she couldn’t control her fingers, so Chloe’s fingers just flopped limply.
“Behave.” Chloe forced her arms down. “Look, even if I wanted to be all like sexy mistress and get down and do the nasty, you think I’d be able to do much with this friggin’ armor stuck to my body?”
“Good thing, too,” KieraFreya said. “Remember, I can read your thoughts, and if Gideon only knew the things you were thinking right now…”
Gideon’s eyes widened.
“No, no!” Chloe waved her hands. “Ignore her. She’s lying to you.”
“Why would I be lying about something like that? Oh, naughty. There you go again.”
Enough, KF. You’re going to give the guy nightmares.
KieraFreya chuckled. How low is your self-esteem that you don’t think he’s already imagined you soapy and wet?
“So, anyway…” Chloe said loudly, clapping her hands. She struggled to hold Gideon’s eyes for long. “Shall we break our fast? Ha-ha. Ha-ha.” Her laugh was wooden. Mechanical.
Gideon nodded, then, realizing that he was wearing no pants, asked Chloe to leave the room first so he could get dressed.
“Oh, come on. It’s not like I haven’t seen a man in his underwear. Wait, do guys wear underwear in this game?”
KieraFreya scoffed. “I don’t think that’s the problem. I think Gideon needs to deal with his newly-erected flag.”
Before Chloe or Gideon could protest or figure out what that meant, Chloe’s body parts propelled her toward the door. She walked like a puppet, finding the door handle and regaining control only as she reached the corridor—
Where Ben, Tag, and Jessie were already waiting outside their doors.
“We heard voices,” Ben said.
Chloe nodded. “Yep. Mine and Gid’s.”
Jessie’s face lit up. “Did you guys…”
“No!” Chloe said a bit too emphatically. She cleared her throat, lowering her voice. “No.”
“I heard two ladies’ voices.” Ben narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“Yep. Me and…” She struggled, thinking on the spot. “Gid’s lover.”
“Gid has a lover?” Tag cheered, crossing to the door and banging on it with his fist. “Go, boyo! Always knew you had it in ya!”
“What?” Gid shouted through the door, a crash on the other side making them all laugh.
Really? That’s the best you could have come up with? KieraFreya said.
I didn’t see you helping at any point.
I like to watch you squirm.
I’ve gathered.
“What’s all this ruckus?” Talbot asked, appearing at the other end of the hallway. He looked rather regal in a fine set of clothes Chloe hadn’t seen him in before.
“Looking sharp,” Jessie said appreciatively.
Talbot nodded his thanks. “Lady Gwent would like to see you now,” he said, beginning to walk away.
Chloe banged on Gid’s door. “Dude! Come on. We’re wanted.”
The door opened and Gideon came hopping out, one leg in the wrong side of his trousers. His hair was disheveled, and he moaned as he toppled sideways, landing on the floor with a crash.
“Smooth,” Ben said, shaking his head and laughing.
“That’s my middle name,” Gid replied with a grin.
Talbot led them to into the large open foyer they had explored the previous day. As they came down the stairs, Lady Gwent was waiting in the center of the room, a line of lords and ladies to either side of her dressed in a variety of pastels and patterns on flowing dresses and smart male attire.
“Uh-oh. I feel like we’re being sent to the principal’s office,” Chloe side-mouthed to Gideon.
Gid sniggered behind his hands.
“My dearly cherished and honored guests,” Lady Gwent said, sweeping her arms wide. The tails of her sleeves swept the floor. “I trust that your rest was sufficient and comfortable?”
They nodded and murmured their agreements, each one afraid to say anything less than positive.
“Good. I want you all to have nothing but fond memories of your stay in Gallen Hollows for as long as you choose to inhabit our noble village.
“But first, to more serious matters.” Her smile faded from her face. “It is time to address the city and speak of better times ahead. My lords and ladies beside me are among my most trusted companions and are already in the know. Between them all, they have spread the word to as many as they can to unite the people and bring them forward.”
“Forward? To where?” Chloe said, unable to stop herself. She blushed and bobbed a small curtsy. “M’lady.”
“Do not worry about pleasing me with courtesies.” Lady Gwent giggled. “I do not expect this from friends.”
Lady Juniper Gwent would like you to be her friend.
You’ve made quite the impression. Add this character to your list of people who’ll cry at your funeral.
Accept: Y/N
The notification popped up in all of their fields of vision. They eagerly hit the Y option, wondering what benefits this kind of friendship could bring to their party.
Well, nearly all of them.
Lady Gwent remained silent for a moment, making Chloe wonder what she was waiting for. The silence stretched to an uncomfortable length, until Tag began to shuffle awkwardly.
“What are we waiting for?” He grumbled, clearly annoyed.
“It would behoove you all to accept the arm of friendship being offered,” Lady Gwent replied, her eyes boring into Tag.
Ben elbowed the dwarf, reaching his shoulder. “You haven’t accepted it yet? Dude!”
“I hardly know her!” Tag protested. “Apart from all of the crap we’ve had to go through, and her lying and pretending to be someone she’s not, what do we know of her?”
The party looked between Lady Gwent and Tag uncomfortably, not sure what the consequence of denying the nicety would be. To their surprise, the duchess began to laugh, the sound like bells tinkling in an orchard.
“You are wise among your friends to be cautious,” she said, breaking the line and approaching Tag. “There are many here in this town who are willing to deceive and hurt. Perhaps this gift will be a step toward us forming a tighter friendship. Consider it a thank you from me for all you and your friends have done.”
Tag began to protest. “I can’t easily be bought, y’know. Oh, my…” His words trailed away as one of the nobles passed Lady Gwent a flawless silver shield. It was wider than it was tall, perfect to fit a dwarf’s hand, and was embellished with the rose crest of the house of Gwent.
Tag accepted the gift greedily, his reservations gone. He placed a hand in the hold and tucked himself behind the shield, testing its weight.
“It’s stunning,” he breathed. “You’re stunning.”
Though his words were aimed at the shield, his eyes happened to wander to Lady Gwent, who studied him with fondness.
“Not you,” he stuttered. “I mean...yes, you...but I really meant the… Oh, dammit.”
The party laughed, Gideon leaning close to Chloe and whispering, “Is this what it’s like when I’m lost for words?”
Chloe shook her head. “No. This is funnier. Look at Jessie.”
Gideon scoffed at the glare Jessie cast at Lady Gwent.
“Do we have an understanding now?” Lady Gwent asked.
Tag nodded, his eyes leaving from his shield momentarily as he accepted the request.
Lady Gwent nodded her approval and rejoined the other nobles in their formation. She clapped her hands and several of the nobles stepped in front of the other adventurers, gifts wrapped in fine linens in their outstretched hands.
Ben was gifted with a set of sleek arrows with brightly colored fletching. Gideon received a brand-new tunic to wear beneath his cloak, its armor value considerably higher than his former one. Jessie received a carry pouch which allowed her to double the number of items she could possess in one go. Chloe was given a gleaming silver dagger with a curved blade to wear around her waist.
They admired their gifts, turning them over in their hands as the nobles smiled at them. In the town behind them, a series of bells began to toll, their sound loud enough to carry across the garden.
“Perfect timing,” Lady Gwent said, clapping her hands again. “Come with us, friends. It is time to give the address. Let the people of Gallen Hollows know that a new dawn has come, and a better world will be forged from it.”
Lady Gwent turned and exited, the nobles filing out behind her. Chloe shrugged at the others and joined the procession, a knot in her stomach as she thought that, although the men in black had been scared the night before, now would be as good a time as any for the final revolt.
Chapter Twenty-Three
People began to file into the nobles’ circle in droves. The mouth of the maze was choked as more and more came forward, led by several of Lady Gwent’s trusted advisors.
The commoners blinked in awe as they stepped inside, unable to believe what they were seeing. They wore the looks of people trying to work out how many of the rumors were true and how many had been fabricated.
They gathered around and beneath Lady Gwent’s balcony, where Chloe and her party stood behind the curtain and watched. There were men, women, children, and the elderly—people from all walks of life. Chloe spied the happy baker, the guards who had stopped them when they’d first arrived in the town, and the barkeeps from the Culling Badger and the Ale & Pitcher, all with curious expressions as they took in the gardens and the homes.
Behind them, the bells continued to toll their rhythmic song to sound the arrival of change.
Not that the town knew it yet. The town wasn’t even aware of the death of Lady Gwent’s sister, nor her father. They didn’t all know of the men in black and the revolt. Chloe recognized a few of their faces as they shifted uneasily in the throng.
By the time the last of the townsfolk had uneasily made their way inside, the circle was packed. Chloe couldn’t believe this many people lived within the town. She’d been to concerts and festivals and had seen crowds like this, but couldn’t have imagined it from a game. She jumped in surprise when a glowing ball of white streamed toward her, floating straight up to the balcony and hovering near her head.
Did you miss me? Decaru asked.
Should I even ask where you’ve been?
Maybe now isn’t the time.
When the bells stopped ringing, quiet fell over the crowd. Chloe ducked behind the curtain, letting Lady Gwent know that they were ready.
“I want you up there with me,” Lady Gwent said to them.
“Why?” Chloe asked.
“You jumped to my aid when my sister was shot on the balcony. Although you didn’t know that wasn’t me, I admire your valor and bravery. If there’s anyone I want standing beside me when the change comes, it’s the brave of heart who have shown their loyalty.”
Without another word, she swept outside, taking her place on the balcony and looking over the throng of people. Chloe and the others filed behind her, with the rest of her trusted nobles taking places behind them.
“My dear lords, ladies, men, women, and children of Gallen Hollows. Thank you for coming out to hear what will be, without a doubt, a strange state of affairs within our honored town.”
A few men and women shifted uncomfortably, clearly not used to presenting themselves in front of the nobles.
“The township of Gallen Hollows has, for the longest time, been a town of two sides of the same coin, a place in which the rich prosper and the poor suffer. A place in which division is bred into the very bones of who we are and how we operate. How we see each other on the inside, and how we treat each other on the outside.
“It is with a heavy heart I tell you that from this division, an enemy has sprung.”
The crowd began to murmur, eyes shifting to those around them. Chloe heard KieraFreya say, Wow, this bitch loves the sound of her own voice, huh? When’s she going to get to the point?
“Late yesterday evening, someone tried to assassinate me. One of my own guards took a shot at my heart. Little did he know that he had in fact aimed at my sister, who, sadly, did not survive his effort.”
The crowd exploded into talk now, including exclamations from the nobles who knew her well, some bursting into tears. The commoners again shifted uncomfortably, each asking if this was true and whether the killer was among them now.
Lady Gwent silenced them all with a wave of her hand.
“Yes, yes. The death of a loved one is an awful affair, and one I must bear the burden of twice within one week. The duchy of this town has not been clear with you all; communication has broken down.”
Chloe heard Tag snigger once again at the word “duchy.”
“My father is also now among the stars after battling a long illness.” Lady Gwent’s voice cracked slightly. “And so, it is with honor that I take up the Duchy of Gallen Hollows and present myself as your new duchess.”
There was a mixed reaction as Lady Gwent’s voice reached a crescendo, powerfully communicating the change in regime. There were a few cheers, a few claps, a few laughs, a few exclamations of disgust.
Lady Gwent’s face was expressionless, her emotions carefully controlled. Had she expected this reaction? Chloe believed she had. If there was one thing she’d learned from Lady Gwent over the last day, it was that the woman wasn’t stupid.
“I realize this might come as a shock to you all, and I am aware of the rumors and myths that have been plaguing this town for as long as I can remember…” Lady Gwent went on to list the division of the nobles and the commoners, the lies and mistruths that had been spread regarding the equality rules, and her vision for how she wished to see the town.
As she spoke, her voice carried to the farthest reaches of the crowd, igniting many of them as she told stories of how the town could be. Many in the crowd couldn’t quite believe their ears, the idea that they could be walking among the nobles an impossibility.
Many of the nobles nodded in understanding as Lady Gwent spoke, having hated the rules they had abided by under the previous dukes. They had wanted nothing more than to expand their knowledge of the world by seeing how the other side lived.
And then Lady Gwent nodded to several nobles dotted among the crowds. They took their cue and moved toward the hedge.
“So, it is with a hopeful heart that I begin this journey with all of you,” Lady Gwent said, turning to Chloe and nodding. Chloe focused her power within her hands, ready to extend her etheric potential—
