The elevator dinged and opened. I got in and stared hard at Sin.
“Regardless of what they do or do not feel, the tablet is inconsequential. If they stand in my way, I will destroy them.”
The elevator doors shut on Sin's grimace.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I secured the Tablet of Destinies within the walls of my bedroom and forgot about it. I don't know why Star had been so fascinated by the thing; it was useless. It became just another brick in my wall, and I moved on.
Over the next few weeks, my rule spread to cover all of the Middle East. From Cyprus to Yemen, the land was mine. Dragon troops were stationed in each country with the Star Gods and General Sin overseeing them; tracing out for check-ins and then back to Bahrain Stronghold every day. Oh, excuse me, I mean; the Vervain Stronghold. I'd officially changed the name of the main island to Vervain Island. I kept the queendom's name as it was; I didn't want to appear too vain.
I made more dragon warriors to fill the numerous outposts, and Star did her thing with the humans; spreading calm and acceptance wherever we went then cementing it with our propaganda videos. I mean; informational videos.
But it wasn't easy. Humans beyond my current reach banded against me, and I had to fend off several attacks on my outposts before they finally retreated to lick their wounds. Now, the world waited, watching Bahrain with bated breath, wondering which part of the planet was next on my agenda. And the humans weren't my biggest problem. Hell, they weren't a problem at all. It was the Gods who were souring my mood.
The Mesopotamian gods who Enki had convinced to stand down had decided to join my cause. It was either that or imprisonment with Marduk beneath my stronghold. I couldn't trust such allegiance, but I was hoping that if I gave them positions of leadership, they might see the personal benefits and become faithful allies. I hadn't done so yet, but I intended to set them up as commanders of conquered cities. But they weren't the ones I was concerned about either.
Several Mesopotamian gods had fled the battle in Saudi Arabia, tracing away amid the mayhem, and they had taken their tales to other pantheons and gathered supporters. They began showing up at battles, bringing their new friends with them, and I did to them what I had to Anu; I burned them with my dark light and took their energy as sacrifices. My light was getting darker with every god I killed while my mission sharpened and clarified within that starlight. I knew exactly what I had to do.
The Gods were coming for me, all of them, it was only a matter of time. Sin had been right; all the Gods could see was blood. They were scared, and scared gods are dangerous. But I had a plan. I'd set my new god recruits on the front line to face their old friends. Then I'd be sure where their loyalties laid and could kill anyone who failed my test. Two birds, one star.
I swept across my island, my immense dragon body casting an ominous shadow below me. Humans roamed the streets, as carefree as they'd been before my arrival, but when they spotted me, they dropped to their knees and bowed their heads reverently. My chest expanded with satisfaction and vindication. They weren't afraid of me as Azrael had foretold; they simply respected me. These were my followers, but I demanded no sacrifice from them. They'd given enough to other gods. I was happy to take back that energy and use it as their sacrifice. When that power ran out, then we could revisit the topic. But for now, the humans were paid up.
I left the city and flew back to my stronghold, passing over thick forests and verdant meadows, shining with dew beneath the moonlight. Dust storms no longer ran rampant here. Now, the air was scented with salt and tropical flowers. I had made my own Garden of Eden; Vervain Island had been transformed into a lush paradise.
I circled the magnificent gilded dome of the central keep of my stronghold before landing on my balcony. Below me, the human soldiers manning the walls lifted the fists in salute. I stretched my wings wide in acknowledgment of the tribute before shifting back into my human body. My queendom stretched out before me, ever-expanding. Soon, it would all be mine. I sighed deeply.
“My dark star,” Viper whispered as he came up behind me and helped me into a robe. “Why do you linger out here when I wait for you inside?”
I turned in Viper's arms, facing him instead of the midnight sky, and lifted my lips to his. He instantly obliged, muscular arms pulling me close as he groaned low in his throat. The bulge of his erection pushed at me eagerly, reminding me that I had yet to culminate out relationship. But I was intent on doing things right with Viper, and although he had declared his love for me over a week past, my heart still hesitated. Something ached inside me, pounding against the dark light that had become my strength; something that had erected a barrier between Viper and me.
I was getting tired of this bullshit.
I hovered over the precipice of love. I could feel the deep well of it beckoning below me, but I knew that once I took the leap, I would never surface. I would drown in Viper, in all that he is and was and would be. I would sink into love with him and never come up for air. Viper would be mine forever, but I would also be his. That didn't sound so horrible and it wouldn't have been if I were another woman. But life was more complicated for me.
I had gotten over the war
