Chapter One

Chapter One

~Nyxie~

It was now January again. I had been in Hell for a year and a half, part of the council of elders for 10 months. I wasn't really adjusted yet, since so much had happened. Erys and I were no longer together, I was with Salax and we had even had a baby boy together. We named him Blaise and watched him grow. He was already 10, which astounded me. I still couldn't figure out the growth rate of demons, let alone kids of demon gods. But at least we avoided the terrible twos and tyrannical threes. During the last few months, Nitacha and Veraque became a couple. It was rather adorable to watch both of them spazz together. I sighed, still not really sure what my job as Goddess was yet, aside from stay safe. I walked around Hell, checking on the flora and fauna again. So far, the plants and animals I had brought in had not only survived, but thrived. No one seemed to complain, though. I doubted anyone would object to more food and shelter options. I stopped walking and sat by the shore of the lake, staring in the water. Had I made the right choice in being with Salax? There was definitely chemistry between us, that much was obvious. But I had broken up the family I had with Erys. As it was, the kids weren't talking to me. I think they were trying to avoid me. Who could blame them? I dipped a finger in the water and swirled my finger around, making ripples. Funny how one action can cause a domino effect. Why did everything feel so different now? I sighed and laid back on the shoreline, staring up at the sky.

"What's on your mind, Sissy?" Crystalis manifested her spirit form beside me.

She was the life crystal of Hell and chose my heart as her home; me as her guardian. I looked to her. "Do you think I made the right choice?"

"Did you follow your heart?"

"I tried but I felt so rushed."

She sat beside me. "If you followed your heart, you shouldn't feel bad."

"The domino effect sucks. The kids are avoiding me for leaving Erys. Can't say I blame them."

She gave me a hug. "Well, look on the bright side. You still have people who care about you. And Salax adores you. I'll tell you a secret."

"I've had my fill of secrets."

"Do you remember everything he did when you first came to Hell? The pranks, the reckless behavior around you?"

"I'd rather not, as he pissed me off."

Crystalis giggled. "Well, little Snakey was doing all of that just to get your attention. He's not exactly the most…open person when it comes to his feelings."

I just groaned. Had he said something to me in the beginning, things might have gone completely differently. We probably would have gotten along a lot better. I continued staring at the sky, watching the bats fly and the nymphs flitter about. Crystalis

poofed away, not being a very talkative person, er, crystal. I had been depressed for a while now. What day was it? I looked at my watch. Tuesday, January 12th, 2:33 p.m. I looked to the water, watching the reflection of the waterfall. This was the very same waterfall that had led to my affair with Salax. I sat up and dipped my feet in the water.

"Why so sad, Goddess?"

I still wasn't used to being referred to that way. "I'm just reflecting on some of my actions lately, contemplating how things might have gone differently. Who are you?"

"I'm a friend of Nero's. He's been off on whatever it is his family sent him to do. My name is Kita." He sat across form me. His black hair was a stark contrast to his pale skin, making his green eyes stand out even more.

"Nice to meet you, I guess. Surely you already know my name."

"Yeah, but seeing as you've worked your way up the ranks, I respect you enough to call you by your title," Kita shrugged. 

I just rolled my eyes. I didn't feel like a Goddess, just a cheap whore. The guilt from cheating still gnawed at me. "God, I was so stupid!"

"Do you mind my asking?"

"Yes." It had been 3 months since I chose Salax and things were actually going great for us. He understood my depression, allowing me time to clear my head. Salax really was sweet. I never would have guessed he was funny, romantic and sweet when we met. He had been cold and even a little harsh to me. I took a deep breath and stood. "Thanks for keeping me company. It was nice to meet you. Maybe I'll see you around. I've avoided paperwork long enough." I waved as I walked back to the castle.

"Nyxie!" Ver greeted me happily when I walked inside. "How are you feeling?"

"A little more, clear headed. That waterfall really helps me center myself."

"I'm glad you like it. I, myself, love it. I have fond memories of us by it," Salax stood from the table and came to hold me.

"You mean me jumping from the waterfall and scaring the shit out of you?" I smirked.

"Wait, what?" Len looked up from the papers on the table. "When did you do that?"

"This little minx did that the same day we wound up in bed."

"Don't sound so proud of being scared," I nudged him.

Len shook his head. "Why would you do that?"

"Because I can." I sat at the table; Nia, Kali, and Veraque sitting there as well. 

"So, what's new?" Kali yawned.

"Nothing much, really. How's Heaven, Damien and Rune?"

Nia smiled. "Heaven is actually doing really well. There haven't been any crimes at all. Damien and Rune are doing well, also. They've been living together for a while now."

"Wonderful. It's great to see they're happy." I leaned back in the hair, Sal standing behind it in case it fell.

"Say, Len. Could you bring Elysium and Furo here? There's something I want to do."

"What are you planning?" I looked to Sal, curious.

"Something."

Nia and Kali exchanged glances. "Good or bad?"

"It's good, calm your scales, Kali," Salax waved his hand.

When Len came back with the rest of their brothers, Salax asked me to stand up. I was confused but stood. Everyone started muttering as he went to a stand, opened a drawer and concealed something in his hands. He took a deep breath and got on one knee before me. "Nyxie Aurora," he opened his hands to reveal a beautiful ring. It was silver and carved to look like a snake holding a ruby between its head and tail. "Would you be my wife?"

"WHAT!" Len broke the chair when he stood. Nia stood and took his hand.

I stared down in amazement. Was this really happening? I must have looked stupid with my mouth opening and closing before I shrieked and tackled him. "Oh, my fucking god!!!" Len sighed, rubbing his forehead and mumbling. Kali fell over laughing, pointing at his face.

"PARTY!! PARTY NOW!!!" Elysium was flailing his arms alongside Veraque. Furo was laughing his ass off at Len's shocked face.

I kept Kissing Salax, my tail wagging so fast I could barely see it. 

Kira, walking in, introduced her sister Zira. "What'd I miss? Why the party?" She was filled in on everything she had missed in the few months she had been gone. "Wow, I leave and miss all the good stuff. Congrats, though, Nyx!"

"Hey. I'm gonna call Len a serious surfer, just watch me," I whispered to Salax.

"What?" He grinned. "You're not."

"Len!"

He turned to me "Yes?"

"SERIOUS SURFER IS SERIOUS!!"

Salax fell laughing. "You actually did it!" 

"I REGRET NOTHING!"

Len was baffled as Furo and Elysium tried not to laugh. Ver bit his lip, turning so he wouldn't laugh. Nia burst out laughing and Kali was already on the floor. Imps carried in trays of food and drinks. I admit I drank too much and ended up streaking. "Come on, you! Let's take this party to your room!" I grabbed Salax's hand and ran us to his room,

~Nia~

Nia was trying her hardest not to laugh at the show that had just happened. It was especially hard considering Len was cringing. Kali wasn't holding back; she was already on the floor laughing her ass off. "You're drunk, go home Kali."

"His face!! Oh, if only life had a rewind and pause!"

"My eyes, I can't unsee that…"

Kali laughed harder. "I just love it!! That was the best thing ever!!"

Furo left, saying something about catnip from Nyxie.

"Well, uh, I know a good thing you can't unsee?"

"What's that, love?"

"Me naked."

"Now that I wouldn't want to unsee," he smirked and pulled her close.

"Mom!!" Out of nowhere, Shakti tackled Nia, nearly knocking her over. 

"Jesus, Tiki. What is it?"

"I just wanted to say hi. Hi, Dad!"

"Hey squirt. How are those powers?"

"Good!" Shakti smiled. Delirus walked in the castle, fresh from the hunt. He was in his wolf form and scared Tiki. With a scream, he disappeared into a portal that Tiki accidentally made. "Oops."

Now Nia and Elysium joined Kali in the laughter. Nia held her sides. "That was perfect!!"

Shakti shrugged as her dad shook his head, trying his best to hide the grin. "I guess I make scary people disappear."

Kali, on the floor, waved her hand. "I give! Don't make me laugh more, I need air!"

Nitacha ran in and hid behind Nia. "I'm not here!!"

Everyone shared confused glances before Furo, stoned and in his tiger form, stumbled in. He was in a cat sweater and had a collar with a bell on it. "Hate…"

Everyone lost their shit at that moment. Nyx and Sal, just rejoining them, fell to the floor in laughter. "You look adorable!!" Nyx gasped out. She watched him try to walk and held her sides. "But it's so funny to see you walk!!"

Furo just growled, trying to get out of the sweater. Nyx tossed him catnip, watching him sniff it then just plop on the floor, getting more stoned. The party went on into the late night, everyone having a good time and then passing out in various places.