The Chosen

'Unsuitable?'

They said that it was the mark of the Black God.' 'And the God Emperor must be both Twins and not favour one above the other.' Osidian nodded.

Carnelian lay back. 'How did you come here?'

'I came to see the Lord Suth, to thank him for his help.'

'You mean, to see me.'

Osidian lifted his head and looked at him solemnly. 'I owe your father the Masks and will not forget it' 'You came as yourself?'

Osidian grinned. 'I came disguised as one of the Lesser Chosen of my House.'

Carnelian bit him. 'My Lord seems much given to passing himself off as someone else.' He looked over at Osidian's discarded robe. He should have noticed the lack of ranga. 'Why the disguise?'

'I didn't want to be mobbed by the Chosen.'

Something occurred to Carnelian. 'You did come with guards?'

The Quenthas. They're outside your door now.' 'Two girls?'

'Girls? Those girls could fillet a half-dozen of your best guardsmen without breaking into sweat.' 'I do like them.'

They like you too. There was a boy.' 'My brother Tain.'

Osidian raised an eyebrow. 'Brother?'

Carnelian stiffened. 'Do you have a problem with that?'

Osidian adopted an expression of appeasement, flapped his hands. 'Brother it is.'

Carnelian relaxed. 'He's been through a lot. We've been close since we were children.' He reached up to smooth the frown from Osidian's forehead. 'I know it isn't worthy of one of the Chosen, but there it is.'

Osidian squeezed him, kissing him passionately. 'You could do nothing that was unworthy.'

Carnelian smiled. 'You think not?'

'You've even chosen the Gods for a lover,' said Osidian, grinning.

Carnelian put his fingers to Osidian's lips.

Osidian kissed them and lay back. 'Who did you think I was?' When Carnelian said nothing he turned to look at him. 'You blush, my Lord,' he said in Quya.

Carnelian could not look him in the face. 'I thought you were. ..'

'Who?'

'A sybling.'

'A what?' cried Osidian. 'How did you work that out?'

Carnelian hid his eyes with a hand. 'Well…' He peeped at Osidian. 'You look a bit like the Lords Hanus…'

Osidian looked horrified. The expression softened. 'I suppose… my grandfather sired them… but a sybling?' He made a big show of feeling his shoulders. He blew out. 'I didn't think I had a second head.'

Carnelian blushed again. 'I know it's stupid, but when you told me you had a twin… and you seemed embarrassed about telling me who you were… well, I put two and two together-'

'And ended up with a sybling.' Osidian chuckled, shook his head. 'I see… no wonder you asked no more questions.' His face went very serious. His eyes looked deep into Carnelian's. 'And even then, you went with me… the Yden…'

'You're beautiful,' said Carnelian and it was Osidian's turn to blush. 'Besides, I loved you for who you are.'

'Love?'

Carnelian looked away. 'What am I supposed to call you?'

Osidian pulled Carnelian's chin back. His eyes were a furious green. 'Whatever you want.'

They lay wrapped in each other's sweat. Osidian's arm lay over his eyes. Their legs were intertwined. Carnelian was staring at the ceiling.

'What about your taint scars?' he said suddenly.

'What about them?'

'You only have them down one side.'

Osidian lifted his arm off his face and looked at him with one eye. 'Even you must've realized by now that I was fathered by a God Emperor?'

Carnelian punched him and Osidian laughed.

'But the blank side is on your left, the mother's side.'

The God Emperor's paternity goes on the left because of the sinistral nature of Godhead.'

'I see,' Carnelian said and resumed his staring. A little while later he sat up. 'Can I see your blood- ring?'

Osidian lifted up his arm again. 'Does my Lord need proof that I am who I say I am?'

Carnelian growled and showed his teeth.

Osidian affected fear. 'All right. All right.' He removed his ring and gave it to Carnelian who peered at it. Four zeros. He whistled. Blood-rank four. He held it up to the light. Even the fifth number was low, a five. He gave it back to Osidian.

'It surprises me that I can't feel the heat of your fiery blood from here.'

Osidian smiled at him. 'Are you sure you can't?'

Carnelian turned and hugged him so hard he cried out. He relaxed the circle of his arms, buried his head in Osidian's neck, nibbled it. His hands slid down his spine. He could feel the taint scars with his fingers.

This is your mother's taint?' he said into Osidian's neck.

'You know it is.'

'Do you love her?

Osidian pushed him gently away so that he could see his eyes. 'She's my mother.' 'But do you love her?'

Osidian frowned. 'I've seen very little of her. Mostly, I fear her.'

'So do I. You know she tried to have us all killed?' Osidian nodded slowly. ‘She slew my sister who would have been my wife.' That is rumoured-'

That is fact!' Osidian cried, making Carnelian flinch. 'She knew that Flama would have voted for me.'

Carnelian put his hand out and stroked Osidian's head. 'I'm sorry.'

'We loved each other since we were children. When I am the Gods …'

Carnelian shivered when he saw the chill look of anger that came into his face. 'Does she know you feel like this?'

'How could she not? Her eyes are everywhere.' Carnelian looked around the chamber. Osidian laughed. 'Not literally.' 'And your brother?'

Osidian's mouth showed his distaste. 'Molochite will be taken from her. He's always been her creature.' He shook his head. 'His cruelties … There are many in the House of the Masks who'll breathe relief when my crowns're painted with his blood.'

'Will many others die?' Carnelian asked, almost whispering.

'Some.' The green fire in his eyes went out. 'My sons…' 'Your sons?'

'Only syblings, but I feel something for them.' He smiled a pale smile. There're always children from the House of the Masks slaughtered at an Apotheosis.'

'Why then did you make them?'

'It's one of my duties to make blood for ritual.'

'I must go soon,' said Osidian and they clung to each other more tightly. 'Must you?'

'I've already been away too long.' The shutters rattled a long tattoo. 'When I'm the Gods…' 'Let's not talk of that.'

Osidian slid his hand to squeeze the nape of Carnelian's neck. 'We must.' Carnelian closed his eyes.

'Our We'll be difficult,' said Osidian. 'But if we both really want it to, we can make it work.'

'But they'll put your face for ever behind the Masks.' Carnelian could feel that Osidian's body had grown wooden.

'Yes. But we can still talk. The Wise'll not know it if we touch hands.'