Free Kalona’s Fall by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast Page B

filled me to overflowing
     with joy!”
    Joining them, Mother Earth said, “And this is what I intended when I set you to these
     tests. I wanted only to be sure that worthy companions had been created for our Goddess.
     I am well pleased today, too. Tell me, Kalona and Erebus, what element will you choose
     for your final test?”
    Nyx nodded to Erebus. “As Kalona chose Water, this next choice is yours.”
    “If my brother is in agreement, I defer my choice and ask that you decide for me instead.”
    “I am in agreement with my brother,” Kalona said.
    Nyx’s smile was radiant. “Then I choose Spirit as the element for your final test.”
    “Very well, then. Until you each call into being your creation, I grant you dominion
     over Spirit. So I have spoken; so mote it be,” said Mother Earth.
    “And now I must leave you,” Erebus said.
    “Leave me?” Nyx smiled questioningly at him.
    “Oh, only for now. I do believe the Great Mother and I need to return to Old Faithful,”
     Erebus said, glancing from Kalona to Nyx, and then sending Mother Earth a pointed
     look. “We seem to be missing several of the Fey. I think they must still be at the
     geyser. You know how distracted they can be by sparkling colors.”
    “We should go collect them, poor dears,” Mother Earth readily agreed with him. As
     Erebus lifted her carefully into his arms, she called, “Come, dryads, let us go back
     and find your sisters.”
    Before he leaped skyward, Nyx touched Erebus’s arm. “Thank you. You are precious to
     me.”
    “As you are to me, my Goddess,” he said. “Good-bye, brother. If you need help with
     your next test you can find me by following the rising sun.” The chattering dryads
     in tow, Erebus took to the sky, leaving Kalona and Nyx completely alone.
    “He’s smarter than I thought he was, though his height still surprises me,” Kalona
     said.
    “His height? The two of you are almost identical.”
    “He is shorter and younger than me,” Kalona said. “Though, as you mentioned the similarity
     in our appearance, I will admit that he is exceedingly handsome.”
    “You are incorrigible!” Nyx pushed playfully at his chest.
    Laughing, Kalona grabbed her, and fell backward. As Nyx shrieked he unfurled his wings
     and they floated slowly down to land on a ledge just above the basin that was now
     filled with crystal water. Still holding her in his arms, Kalona murmured into her
     ear, “I told you I would never let you fall.”
    “And have I told you how cold mountain waters are?” Nyx retorted, looking uncertainly
     below them at the sparkling pool.
    “I cannot command Fire, but you, my Goddess, can,” he said.
    Nyx grinned. “Yes, I can!” Stepping out of his embrace, she faced the waterfall and
     lifted her hands, invoking: I summon you, Fire. Your warmth in these waters I do truly desire.
    Instantly the rocks surrounding the waterfall and pool began to glow like embers,
     and warm mist lifted from the basin.
    “Shall we?” Kalona asked.
    “You already know my answer. I am very fond of Water,” she said. “I am also very fond
     of you.” Deliberately, the Goddess reached behind her and pulled a silver ribbon,
     loosening her dress. With a shake of her shoulders, it fell from her body to form
     a sky-colored puddle at her feet. Wearing only her headdress of stars, she said, “Will
     you join me?”
    “Always,” he said, and took her in his arms.
    Their attention consumed by the pleasure they found in each other, neither noticed
     the skeeaed. With eyes narrowed in envy, L’ota watched the immortals’ lovemaking before
     she soundlessly slithered away to disappear into the darkest of shadows.

 
    8.
    WHERE THERE IS LIGHT, THERE, TOO, MUST BE DARKNESS …
    “Why is this so difficult?” Kalona’s frustration boiled over and he threw the rock away from him, causing the
     ever-watching ravens to flutter and squawk. He had been attempting to breathe Spirit
     into inanimate objects to