Chapter 121 : Before light shine....

" We come to you before light shine, bless for all this day. Forever remember the light's sign and make for all a new way ". Priest Losra repeated this mantra as he held out his hands to the still dim sky.

His morning ritual, his morning prayer. Something personal to him and expected of him as the representation of the temple. He'd do another prayer when the sun began to rise and again at noon.

Christopher loved his job and must have seemed inviting as his still curly blonde hair, though not as eye catching as his daughters still shone and his patient blue eyes. " If only those two could get along, do watch them for me my goddess ".

He spent another minute liked he'd done everyday for the past ten years when he heard a whiny voice, " For your sake Wastrum, help me find my way already. I'm getting sick of this ".

Nectar turned the corner in a simple blue silk robe and a black inner underneath. She perked at the sight of a human being, intertwined her hands and raised it high " You actually heard me. Thank you "! [ Now if asking for Eros' twisted soul were easy ]

Christopher found himself smiling. He'd met her thrice including now and she'd made quite the impression on him. Nectar made a slight curtsey, " Good morning Duke Losra ". Christopher tilted his head to the side, " That's priest to you young lady ".

Nectar shook her head and pointed behind him to the still dimly lit sky showing at the massive balcony, " The sun's not up yet. I'll leave it at that ". Christopher nodded, " Honestly, I don't know what to do with you ".

He'd met her first at the wedding but she seemed so numb and out of life, definitely not how a bride should act at her own wedding then yesterday she'd put on quite a show of words, thoroughly dealing with that useless father of hers.

" Anyway Priest Losra, I want you to do something for me. Will you "? Christopher nodded, " Though you've got a foul mouth and no manners.... Very well, as long as it is within my grasp ". Nectar nodded and took a deep breath, " I'd like you to pray for me".

Christopher blinked a few times and Nectar waved her hands out nervously, " Don't take it the wrong way but I'm not asking you to pray for me as an empress but as a dirty bloody sinner ".

~ ~ ~

Athena groaned as she got up and mumbled the before dawn prayer to herself, " I come to you before light shine, bless for me this day. Forever remember the light's sign and make for me a new way " [ Thank you ]

Looking in the small circular mirror on her wall, she sighed as she ran her hands through her hair " You could have been any color but this ". At first, she was excited about this trip and thought Nectar was foolish for passing it off but now it seemed to be the other way around.

The dinner had gone well, especially after the Soctas stopped targeting Nectar and she didn't have to bother about Eros, she wouldn't even look his way. In stead, she'd made faces with Kancor, sent a few glares to Luscious while respectfully glancing at Axis once in a while.

She'd spent the night talking with Reli and Melanie " I should have spent the night with sister " [ But I went looking for trouble ] She sighed as she thought of last night

" My orange dusk, you look well ", Athena happily hugged her father and laughed " It's not only me, you've even grown sideburns ". Christopher framed his face with a grin, " You mean these? Didn't even notice 'em ".

Athena shook her head playfully, " Hope your not too lonely here father ". He shook his head too, " If only I was, it's not easy but I love what I do ". Athena nodded and suddenly held his hands, squeezing them tightly " I have wonderful news father. You won't believe it "!

She was right though, he couldn't believe what he heard and the slight dissatisfaction on his face was obvious. She swung their hands, trying to liven the situation once more " I thought you'd be happy. You know, Eros doesn't even know yet ".

Christopher glanced at Eros who was talking with Famo, " Whatever makes my orange dusk happy makes me happy. Just remember, light and darkness shouldn't mix ". Athena rolled her eyes, " Yes father, I remember ".

He sighed with relief and hugged her, " Alright, just remember to stay safe ". Athena nodded as he pulled her away, " What of your sister "? It was Athena's turn for her face to drop and it showed a lot more, " She's probably somewhere within the temple...or not, I don't really care ".

Christopher frowned, " How can you say that "? Athena vibrated her medium heart shaped lips as she looked around, " I was taught not to lie and yet to speak my mind as well. I decided to do both ".

Christopher sighed and Athena was a little surprised with her answer, she glanced at Nectar who had somehow gotten into a fight for the last sausage roll with Kancor and smiled [ I think she's beginning to rub off on me ]