Rona.
I plopped onto the bed, grabbing the nearest pillow.
Silly god! Running off with his tail behind his legs when shit hits the fan.
Unlike the garden, my room wasn't empty, two new additions stood on the sides, their faces too identical to distinguish.
"Madeira," I cleared my throat, facing the one on my right.
"I'm Madelaine."
…(｡•́︿•̀｡)
"Madelaine, sorry. Do any of you have the slightest idea on what the Centennial Convergence is?"
Madeira approached me, "Speaking of the Centennial Convergence, The Lord ordered we prepare you accordingly."
They surrounded me, their pale, icy-blue skin glowed underneath the lights.
I shifted further into the bed, "Wha…What are you two doing?" I gulped.
"We're preparing you." They both answered simultaneously, grabbing me by my ankles.
I screamed.
"Goddesses usually bathe in Siberian milk and flower nectar." Madelaine echoed, pulling me into the tub.
My skin was scrubbed raw. Each time I tried to escape her grip, she caught me effortlessly.
Madelaine Almyr had the grip and strength body builders on earth envied.
"It's an Almyr thing." She replied as she dragged me back into the tub.
"If you're going to bathe me like a two year old, could you at least tell me what this whole convergence thing is about?" I grumbled.
She hummed in response as Madeira applied a cool, greenish gel on my face.
"The Convergence is what we Almyrs call, The day gods bow." Madelaine finally spoke up.
I could tell them apart by their voices. Madelaine's was a bit rougher in intonation than her sister.
"On exactly this day. The first primordial gods split their soul essence, creating little shards that formed the souls of the current gods we know." Madeira continued, "It's like a chain reaction, they're all parts of the same whole."
"The Primordial gods?" I asked as Madeira wiped my face clean.
"We don't know too much about them, actually no one does." Madeira lifted me up, handing me a towel.
"One thing we do know is, The Centennial Convergence is the only day the gods can find their other half…their soulmate."
We ventured back into the main bedroom and I sat in front of the vanity mirror.
My skin was glowing.
"Woah! Whatever goddess therapy you use, it's really working."
"Of course it does." Madeira smiled softly, her two hands on my chin as we stared into the mirror. "Now, your hair."
Madelaine appeared behind me, holding a hair brush and a ton of hair supplies. Most of them looked extremely familiar.
"Wait! These are from earth."
"I got them from the black market, a discount special." She ran her hands through my damp hair.
"Aretha viscus." She whispered.
A soft wind blew and my eyes widened in shock.
"What the–"
Madelaine bent down, whispering in my ears, "It's called magic." She raised a finger, icy blue tendrils swirled around it, "It's also an Almyr thing."
"Is your family looking forward to adopting a soul?" I asked with all seriousness, "I'm available."
A musical chime rang through the room and Madelaine's eyes crinkled in delight.
"We'll think about that when you're back from the Convergence."
I groaned, sinking deeper into the chair.
"Why do I have to attend a god's mating ceremony!"
"Select species are allowed in, only if invited." Madeira said, curling a strand of my hair. "Still, not been a single god who's found their mate in the past five hundred years."
Madelaine's face turned sombre. "The last god lost his mate and since then, we've not had another pair."
I couldn't imagine what It felt like to lose the other half of your soul, it would definitely hurt worse than your fiance cheating on you.
"Why hold a mating ceremony without mates?" I stared at Madelaine through the mirror as she sifted through strands of my luscious, black hair styling it in an elaborate hair-do.
"For hope. For appearances. To avoid the Fate's wrath? Who can tell what goes on in the mind of gods?" She shrugged, securing the nth hair clip in my hair.
Madelaine clicked her tongue, taking a few steps backwards. "Done."
I twirled a strand of my hair in awe, "I look like one of those Greek goddesses in the movies, only hotter."
Madeira chuckled, placing the last accessory in, "You still have a long way to go."
I flipped my hair, mustering my best 'diva' wink, "I mean, just look at me!"
"Wait till you see the dress."
Now I was excited.
Madeira pulled me towards the dressing room, chattering nonstop.
"The Lord specifically requested they use the finest tulle for the dress. It's so pretty, I tell you."
There it was, placed on a mannequin, the most beautiful dress I've ever seen.
"I'm wearing that?" I reached out, feeling the fabric between my fingers.
Soft. Something twinkled from the corner of my eyes.
"Are these real gemstones?"
Madeira nodded, "The very finest."
It was a midnight-blue gown that flowed like liquid starlight, its bodice fitted, plunging neckline and off-the-shoulder, traced with fine gold filigree that shimmered like constellations.
Layers of sheer tulle cascaded into a full skirt, dusted with tiny golden stars and gemstones that caught the light with every movement.
"It's absolutely perfect." I murmured, "Can't wait to put it on."
"You won't have to, you're wearing it now." Madelaine announced with a satisfied smile.
"Isn't it too…ostentatious?"
She shook her head, "I fear it might not be enough."
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
I gripped the railings as I descended down the stairs, my dress trailing behind me.
My heels clicked against the floor, the familiar soft laughter that I'd yet to grow numb to echoed faintly around me.
He stood meters away from me in dark layered draperies with golden embroidery on its hem. It exuded nothing but authority, absolute, soul crushing authority.
Screw all my past types, men in robes were hit even without trying.
His long hair was laid back effortlessly against his neck, secured by a golden crown and his ruby red eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief.
The Progenitor raised his head in my direction. He stopped, his eyes vacant as he stared at me, his eyes ravaging through every inch of my skin in the least subtle way possible.
I felt self-conscious being the centre of his attention, subconsciously drumming against the railings as I reached the bottom of the stairs.
He took my hand, planting a soft kiss as he pulled me closer towards him.
Too close for comfort.
His nose brushed the nape of my neck slightly, "Now don't you look pretty, little one."
My words…all my sassy replies were caught in my chest.
I swallowed… This would be a very long night.