He is sad! Miserable, actually! How did this happen? When did this happen? And how did I not know?
Kalona had opened his mouth to speak to Erebus—to ask him what had upset him, but his brother had abruptly stood, made a quick excuse about forgetting something he’d intended to do, and left the balcony.
Nyx had chosen then to reappear beside Kalona, soaking wet and laughing as she wrapped her arms around him, saying, “Come swim with me, my love!”
Kalona could not—would not—tell his Goddess no, but he made a mental note to observe his brother more closely. And observe Erebus he did. Kalona tapped into his innate warrior skills and covertly studied his brother. He didn’t exactly stalk Erebus. Instead, he thought of it as a reconnaissance mission with his brother’s mental health as the target.
What Kalona discovered troubled him greatly.
Erebus had become so good at withdrawing that he’d mastered the ability to make it seem as if he was present when he was not. He would make plans with Nyx and Kalona—he would even be with the two immortals at the beginning of whatever adventure the three of them had decided to embark upon, seemingly enthusiastic and joyful. But more often than not, Erebus would make an excuse and leave Nyx and Kalona alone to complete the adventure.
“Have you noticed that Erebus seems withdrawn and quieter than usual?” Kalona asked Nyx one warm, beautiful day when the three of them were supposed to be in disguise to attend and bless the Celts Beltane celebration, but somehow in the revelry Erebus had slipped away.
Nyx was laughing in Kalona’s arms as they danced around one of the big bonfires. She was wearing an elaborate headdress made of vines and flowers and ribbons, with the image of a full moon resting in the center of it all. Kalona’s wings were tucked carefully against his back, concealed by a long white cloak. His headdress featured antlers and ferns. The two of them moved with the crowd, but many of the Celts recognized that there was something special about the couple, and they were frequently given gifts of golden jewelry and beaded leather belts. Nyx tilted her face up, smiling.
“What did you say, my beloved? Did you ask something about Erebus?”
“I did.” Kalona twirled Nyx around, drawing her closer within his arms so that he could speak more intimately with her. “I do not see him anywhere, and I wondered if you’d noticed that he has been withdrawn lately.”
Nyx searched the crowd with her sharp eyes. “I did not realize he left. Now that you mention it, I believe he has been disappearing often.” Her looked turned contemplative, and then she smiled brilliantly. “He has probably taken a lover! Oh, I hope it is someone he has a passionate affair with, and that he even fathers children here on Earth!”
Kalona was taken aback. “That’s possible?”
“Of course.” Nyx tilted her head to the side, studying her Consort. “Would you like a child, my love?”
“Your child?”
Nyx’s musical laughter caused several couples near them to smile in response.
“Oh, no! I have children aplenty here on Earth.” She swept out an arm in a graceful gesture that took in the celebrating Celts. “But you could take a human lover. You would father children with her. I am quite sure they would be spectacular.”
“And you would not be jealous of my human lover?”
Nyx’s smile was slow and seductive. “Would I need to be?”
“Never. No woman—human or immortal—could ever take me from your side.”
“Then, no. I would not be jealous. And I would shower your children with a multitude of blessings.”
Kalona twirled his Goddess around again. “I will keep that in mind should I feel the need to be a father. Right now, I’m more concerned about being a brother.”
“You are a wonderful brother. It is one of the great joys in my life that you and Erebus have grown so close,” said Nyx.
“That is why I’m concerned. I worry when he withdraws.”
“Do not worry, my love. Our Erebus is one of the happiest beings in my realm. If he doesn’t have a secret love, then he is probably planning a surprise for us.”
“I’m sure that’s all it is,” said Kalona as he and Nyx moved to the pulse of the music again.
But the son of the Moon couldn’t stop thinking about the sadness he’d seen so clearly in his brother’s face. He’d recognized the despair of loneliness all too well, and he was determined that he would not let his brother suffer in silence. So, on a day when Nyx was on Earth blessing the opening of a new House of Night Temple, Kalona went in search of his brother.
Erebus wasn’t difficult to find. The brothers were connected, and Kalona often used that connection to find him, but he also knew Erebus’s favorite spots. That day the golden-winged immortal was sitting silently beside the geyser he’d created for Nyx during their water test so many centuries before. Kalona circled overhead, gliding on silent wings, watching his brother. Completely unguarded, Erebus looked miserable. His shoulders were slumped and his wings loose—as if he hadn’t the energy to tuck them against his back. He sat staring at nothing, face propped up by his fist, his expression filled with a sadness that was all too heartbreakingly familiar to Kalona.
“What I don’t understand is why you created that thing with this smell,” Kalona said as he landed beside his brother. “You made it. Couldn’t you also make it smell good?”
Erebus’s look changed, brightened, as he motioned for his brother to sit beside him on the log he’d felled many years before and placed perfectly for viewing his faithful geyser. “Ah, brother! Would you be offended if I told you that I purposefully did not remove the smell all those centuries ago because I knew it would annoy you?”
Kalona snorted. “Offend me? No. You used to pretend to be perfect, but I’ve always known you’re incorrigible.” He softened the remark with a warm smile. “Just as you’ve always known my true nature.”
“Arrogant? Proud? And too ready to use your sword instead of your wits?” Erebus teased.
“Exactly! But of course you left out that I am also rakishly handsome and exceedingly generous.”
“I’ll try to remember that next time I’m asked about your true nature. Good thing we understand each other.”
“Yes. Good thing. I think it’s part of being brothers,” Kalona said.
“I think you’re right,” Erebus said.
Kalona cleared his throat. “So. What is wrong?”
Erebus blinked in surprise. “Wrong? With whom?”
“You.”
Erebus’s brow went up sardonically. “I thought you just said I was perfect.”