Blood of the Goddess Book I: The Locust King
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Locusts at the Gate Chapter 2: A New Name Chapter 3: The Capital Prepares Chapter 4: The Princess is Dead, Long Live the Princess Chapter 5: Outside the Gates Chapter 6: Inside the Black Tent Chapter 7: Surrender at the Temple Chapter 8: The Cult of the Locust Chapter 9: The Locust's Tenets of Faith Chapter 10: Mourners on the Cliff Chapter 11: The Eye of Betrayal Chapter 12: The Dead King's Bedchamber Chapter 13: The Arms of the Goddess Chapter 14: Zayaan of the Narim Chapter 15: The Eyes of the Priestess Chapter 16: A More Permanent Disguise Chapter 17: Tribute Chapter 18: Sacrifice of the New Moon Chapter 19: The Lost Bird Chapter 20: Manah and the Priestess Chapter 21: Desert Creatures Chapter 22: Become the Swarm Chapter 23 The Price of Betrayal Chapter 24: Life Under the Locust Chapter 25: Wild Rose Chapter 26: The Lady Wren Chapter 27: Thought and Desire Chapter 28: The Lady's Captivity Chapter 29: The Wine Maiden Chapter 30: End of Childhood Chapter 31: The Children of Aisha Chapter 32: The Forest Runner Chapter 33: Three Sisters Chapter 34: The Hunt Chapter 35: Bones in the Forest Chapter 36: Lullaby Chapter 37: The Hunter's Horn Chapter 38: Ways Between Ways Chapter 39: Morning Star Chapter 40: A Prophecy for Baraz Chapter 41: Equinox Fires Chapter 42: The Lord Prince Takri Chapter 43: Evening Star Sets Chapter 44: Chaos in the Courtyard Chapter 45: Dasha Chapter 46: Memories Chapter 47: The Body Slave Chapter 48: Caged Beasts Chapter 49: Message from the Capital Chapter 50: Heresiarch Chapter 51: The Color of Blood Chapter 52: Winter Winds Chapter 53: The Bookmaker's Closet Chapter 54: Wrapped in Dignity and Beauty Chapter 55: Vessel of the Goddess Chapter 56: Cracks in the Walls Chapter 57: Two Brothers Chapter 58: The Court of Women Chapter 59: Favored of the King Chapter 60: The Sweetest Fruit Chapter 61: Daughter of the Temple Chapter 62: A Nation of Bastards Chapter 63: The Lute Player Chapter 64: Aisha's Prayer Chapter 65: Promises Chapter 66: Lives Lost Chapter 67: The Tea Maker Chapter 68: Object of Desire Chapter 69: Empty Shelves Chapter 70: Darkness and Light Chapter 71: The Love of Men Chapter 72: The Cursed Ones Chapter 73: Hiding Places Chapter 74: Old Men's Tales Chapter 75: False Prophecies Chapter 76: The Lord Prince Radu Chapter 77: Love Becomes Life Chapter 78: Mistress and Mother Chapter 79: A Test of Strength Chapter 80: The Strigoi-Viu Cometh Chapter 81: Scraps from the Table Chapter 82: A Fool's Errand Chapter 83: The Little Ghost Chapter 84: Stolen Honeycakes Chapter 85: Breathe Chapter 86: Beneath the Palace Chapter 87: Red Pebbles Chapter 88: Common Men Chapter 89: Love and Duty Chapter 90: Nightmares Chapter 91: Earth and Sun Chapter 92: Love and Creation Chapter 93: Until My Last Breath Chapter 94: Fruit and Flower Chapter 95: Two Days Chapter 96: Small Comforts Chapter 97: Heroes Chapter 98: Fire, Water, and Wax Chapter 99: Beneath the Temple Chapter 100: the Way of Eagles Chapter 101: The Gallu Chapter 102: The Cast OffChapter 102: The Cast Off
Aisha and Nasreen hurried back down the passageway towards the baths and the women’s dormitory after lingering too long in the catacombs and Takri’s company. Once they were closer to the women’s quarters and away from the torchlight they changed back into their red temple robes.
“I hope no one notices we were not in the baths,” said Nasreen. “I am sorry, Aisha. I could not tear myself away from him. It was not enough time.”
“There will be more time soon,” said Aisha. “Only a few days until Longest Night, and then we can do as we wish. And you and the baby will be safe.”
Nasreen smiled and rested her hand on her belly. “I am sorry I could not tell you before, sweet sister. I was afraid someone would find out. I was not sure how I would be able to keep her secret. I won’t be able to hide her for much longer.”
“We will be safe soon,” said Aisha. “All of us.”
They opened the door to the dormitory to find the young woman who served as the Holy Mother’s Eyes waiting by their beds. Deep shadows darkened her eyes, and she played with her sleeve nervously.
“Nasreen, you need to come with me,” said the young woman, her voice trembling. “The Holy Mother desires your presence.”
“Allow me to put my clothing away,” said Nasreen, looking about the room for a sign of the old woman. “Is she here? I do not see her.”
“There is no time. Give Aisha your clothes,” said the Eyes. “I will take you to her.”
Nasreen swallowed nervously. “Where is the Holy Mother?”
“With the High Priest,” answered the girl, looking as if she were about to cry. “I did not wish to come…”
Aisha and Nasreen exchanged a terrified glance as the girl let out a sob.
“It is alright, sister. I know you only do as she commands you.” Nasreen handed the clothing to Aisha and embraced her, whispering in her ear, “Do not worry.”
Aisha held her friend tighter as she held back tears. “Promise me you will come back.”
“I promise.” Nasreen let go of her friend, straightened her shoulders and followed the Eyes out of the dormitory. Aisha watched the door close behind her friend as she held onto their clothes and a small shred of hope her friend would return.
“It seems to me a blind woman should not be the judge of another’s beauty.” said Baraz. “And a woman who questions the High Priest should not be the judge of who is obedient or not! I desire the whore Nasreen to serve as body slave. This is not for you to question!”
Nasreen. Why did he want the Narim Prince’s cast-off?
“If you tire of her manner, there are others you may choose from,” said the old woman.
“It must be that you hear as well as you see!” Baraz growled. “I told you she is the one I desire and none other will do! Where is your assistant? The one who leads you about? She should have returned by now! It does not take this long to reach the dormitory and return.”
“The women like to bathe after their evening meal,” said the high priestess. “Perhaps my Eyes needed to wait for your body slave to finish bathing.”
“You Adyllian woman and your vanity! It is unhealthy to bathe as much as you do,” said the priest.
The Holy Mother smiled and nodded. It is no wonder he smells as he does. She turned towards the door, the almost imperceptible sound of footsteps on the thick rugs outside catching her attention seconds before the knock.
“Enter!” called Baraz.
The Holy Mother’s Eyes opened the door timidly, walking in with her head bowed. She immediately prostrated herself at Baraz’s feet. “I have done as you asked. She is outside the door. I was unsure if you wanted me to bring her inside with me.”
Baraz stood up from his chair and kicked her as she lay on the floor before him, causing her to cry out. “What else would I want you to do, stupid girl? Go get her and bring her to me! NOW!”
The girl stood up, grasping her side, and headed to the door. “Nasreen, come in.”
Nasreen came in and stood silently before Baraz and the Holy Mother.
“Prostrate yourself, whore,” commanded the high priest. Nasreen hurried to comply, stretching out on the floor before him, her heart racing.
“I see you still think better of yourself than you should,” said Baraz. “The Lord Prince is not here for you to enthrall. I am made of stronger stuff than he ever will be. And now you belong to me. You will serve me as body slave, as is my right.”
Nasreen remained prostrate on the floor, unable to move from fear.
“Tell her, Heresiarch,” said Baraz. “Tell her that she will answer only to me. That is now mine.”
“Nasreen of Adyll.” The old woman’s voice shook with a mix of anger and despair. “No more will you serve with other women in the temple. You shall serve only your master, the Holy High Priest Baraz, blessed be his name. You shall sleep in his bedchamber. You will prepare his garments and serve at his table. He is your head, and your body is his. You now belong to him fully, both body and soul. Your only desire is to serve him.”
“Leave us, Heresiarch.” Baraz sat back down in his chair. “Your services are no longer needed.”
The Holy Mother stood up. “Eyes. Come, lead me back to my bed. I am tired.”
The door shut behind the two, leaving Nasreen alone with her new master.
Once outside Baraz’s private rooms, The Holy Mother put her hand gently upon her Eyes’ shoulder. “Did he hurt you, child?”
“My ribs are sore, and it hurts to take in breath, but I will heal.” The young woman patted the priestess’s hand. “I am worried for Nasreen.”
“As am I, child. Come, lead me back to the dormitory, and we will see if there is something to be done for your ribs.”
“Give me your arm, Mother. The way may be ice.” The girl put her arm around the older woman’s waist and led her across the courtyard, two red veiled ghosts lit by torchlight.
“We must do something,” said the High Priestess. “The girl, Nasreen. She is defiant and difficult at the best of times. I fear when she is the type of woman who will sacrifice anything for the power men bring. She has traded the attentions of one powerful man for another who only wants her because she was a plaything of the Prince. I can hear the lust in his voice! If she falls pregnant…” Her voice trailed off.
“I know you care for her, Mother,” said the Eyes. “Just as you care for all in your protection. But she is his now. How can we stop him from lying with her?”
“We cannot,” said the Holy Mother. “She is a child of the temple, born to a child of the temple and destined for a life inciting desire in the hearts of others. It was her gift from the Goddess. A gift that will be taken and used by a man who holds evil in his heart. We cannot stop what the Goddess has made. But we might be able to keep any fruit from ripening.”
Find your way!
Resources
WHO WE ARE
LEGAL
Get the news
Listen to our Podcast
Our Allies
