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“I told you what happened. He stripped me of my power. He said he’ll keep it until I give him what he wants.”
She clapped her hands against the marble. “That’s it then. Give him what he wants.”
“Can’t. He wants me to agree to take his place.”
Her eyes grew in circumference, and a smile spread across her face. “Why, Lucian,” she said with pride. She stood and skirted the edge of the bar. “That’s wonderful news.” She clapped her hands together. “God of the Vasmost, god of all. There could be no one better.”
A lie.Luc closed his eyes. “I refused him, Mother. It’s why I’m standing here powerless.”
“Well, change your mind,” she said, patting his arm.
He opened his eyes to study her once more, noting the threads of silver in her hair. When had that happened? “It isn’t that easy.”
“Of course it is.”
“I’m not?—”
She waved a hand. “Lucian…” She tittered after saying his name and returned to her seat to gather her cup and saucer, then walked into the living room, where she sat on a sofa facing him.
“What?”
She took a sip, then set the tiny cup on the table in front of her. “I’m going to use that awful word. Do you think your fatherdeservedhis place as god of the cosmos?”
“Yes?”
“No! Good gods, no. No one does. Deserve is this term that either elevates beings far above their station into the realm of entitlement or drags beings deep into the realm of repudiation. One must rise to the occasion of their station, serve their function as best they can, and seek to find a replacement who will surpass their efforts. No being is perfect. You understand?”
He did, of course, but he didn’t quite believe her. He’d only ever seen his father as true and just—Ur’s relationship with his mother notwithstanding. “I used my power to trap my brother, and it nearly killed him. Nearly released a demon into the universe. Tell me, Mother, does that sound like a candidate for the highest order of the gods?”
“Not your power–”
“Same difference. Rationalized the use of dark magic to do it.”
She patted the seat next to her. “Come here, Son.”
“I’m not a boy, Mother.”
“Then stop behaving like one and come sit next to your mother.”
He complied, if only to get her moving and in hopes she’d summon Nix for him. He sat next to her, and she wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
“Your father has gotten up to a lot of mischief.” She snorted. “So much. I’ve nearly killed him on many occasions, and had his power not been greater than mine, may have succeeded once or twice.”
Luc turned his head to look at her, noting the strange nostalgia on her face at the mention of killing his father. “I’m going to try and not be disturbed by that.”
She cleared her throat. “The point being that he’s not perfect. Neither of us are. You aren’t. Nixus isn’t. No one. We are doing the best with what we’re given. Your mishap with your brother–”
“Mishap? Mishap!” He stood. “That wasn’t a mishap, Mother.”
“Was it your intention to trap him for eternity?”
“No, but–”
“Did you intend to release that demon?”
“No, but–”
“A mishap. A mistake on your part, Lucian, but not a defining one. Not one to determine what youdeserve. Think of it as a learning opportunity.” She reached for her cup and took her last sip. “That was lovely,” she said as she stood, then ran a hand over her skirt before straightening it. “I will talk with your father.” She reached up and pressed a hand to his cheek. “Reconsider your position, yes?”
