I sighed and held my arms out to them, smiling beatifically at my new followers. Plans unfolded in my mind. I would watch over them and guide them. My dragons would fill the fort and all of the other outposts I had set up in Saudi Arabia. They would protect the humans and the peace I had just won. Life really could be good; full of falling rose petals and adoring faces.
A mother held her baby up to me, crying for a blessing. I waved a hand toward the child and a glittering butterfly floated down from me. It landed on the baby's forehead, and the mother gaped in amazement as the baby giggled and grabbed for the butterfly. The magic burst in a miniature fireworks display, pale lavender and deep iris, then sank into the baby's skin. I blinked, momentarily startled by the colors. Love had always been pink; this was the first time I'd seen one of its butterflies in a different color. But then the crowd cheered louder, and I let go of my concerns. I held my arms out to all of them, Love coming to my call and flying down my arms as eagerly as ever.
There are many forms of love. I wasn't bestowing romance on the crowd but the love of a goddess for her worshipers. A blessing for my people. I blanketed them in the lavender glow and softened their hearts with my love for them.
And turn their hearts toward you, Star added.
I'm blessing them, I protested.
As you like.
Star!
I approve completely. Don't waste an opportunity like this. Bind the humans to you. Love is the greatest magic, and it can also be the greatest weapon. Wouldn't you rather conquer with love than with hate? Love will protect them. Show them the way, Dark Star.
I smiled at that. Yes, Star was right. It was far better to fight with Love than Hate. I'd bind their hearts to me and ensure that they never tried to oppose me. Opposition would only lead to their deaths and no one wanted that. I was protecting them. Guiding them. Being their goddess.
I continued through the crowd, casting lavender love over the people who shouted for more. They lined the entire path to the fort, all the way up the hill to the gate. My horse clattered across the courtyard stones, directed by my thoughts, as he had been throughout the entire parade. We circled to the steps of the main keep and came to a stop. My army rode in behind me, my general and star gods bringing their chariots up beside mine while the dragons lined their military vehicles in front of us. The gates closed, softening the roar of the crowd just a little.
“We have won our first battle!” I shouted to my troops.
The Army roared back triumphantly.
“There will be many more to come, but we will prevail. The world will bow to us, city by city, state by state, country by country, until only we stand. Today, we have taken Saudi Arabia, and we will hold it with forts like this one. Your commanders will assign you to your outposts, and you will hold this land for me. I'm putting my trust in you to protect what we have won. Do you think you can do this, Dragons?”
They shouted my name and stomped their feet.
“I know you will.” I nodded confidently. “I know because you will not be alone. I am with you always. If you need me, I will come, and I will help you. We fought together, and we will rule together!”
Another round of roaring burst out and then slowly faded.
“Form ranks and wait for your commanders. They will attend you shortly.”
I stepped down from my chariot and my general and star gods followed suit. They went forward to the waiting troops with proud expressions on their faces. All but Viper. He looped around so that he would pass by me as I headed into the fort. With a hot look in his eyes, he trailed a hand lightly over mine. I held his gaze for a moment, passion trembling between us, and then I broke our stare and stepped forward, leaving him behind. We all had our jobs to do and our success depended upon us remaining focused. Passion could wait; the world needed her goddess.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“The Viper!” a male voice announced dramatically as an image of Viper flashed on the screen. “Defending you against the gods who would control you.”
The camera caught the hint of a smile hovering around Viper's sensual lips, making him seem mischievous. His startling eyes were softened by their glow, hiding the reptilian pupils. Instead, the focus was on the dramatic angles of his face; the strong cheekbones, the square jaw, and noble brow. The pose he'd been caught in made him look like a heroic; one leg back and one arm extended. Muscles bulged beneath his scaled armor; rippling the amethyst metal and stretching the black leather. The view panned out, giving us a long look at his incredible physique before he shifted into action. Viper swung about deftly on his feet as he battled Mesopotamian gods. Snarling faces fell away beneath his balled fists. I snorted; either there had been a secret camera crew filming the battle or Star had made a marvelous illusion.
“What's this?” Sin asked as he joined us in the war room.
I had called a meeting with my star gods and general to discuss our next moves. The Commanders were already there, frowning at the screen
