章 9: The Daughter of Beauty and Memory
I knew it. I just knew it. Of course, I'm the most hated thing in this damn city. Why wouldn't it be? It's just my luck! What's worse is that that explained why Cola was insistent on hanging out. It was because we were cousins. Tch. As if that mattered to me.
At least he didn't care about me being Primeval Born, or whatever RJ called it. He was more focused on the fact that we might have the same powers. Pfft. Like I have any. I've never been able to do a damn thing, and I've tried. But nothing.
Eli led Lili and me to the house where we'd be staying while we were in Glasseia. Adrestus was kind enough to grant us that without separating us. They usually only have two Godlings in one house, but they made an exception for us. So Lili and I were sharing this house with a girl named Kya, a Titan Born like Eli and Lili.
The house looked cozy enough. It was made from a polished white stone, giving it a modern-futuristic vibe with a few windows dotted around. Dark brown accents gave the house a bit more character, as did the slanted roof. It was higher on the left than on the right.
"My house is down the street," Eli told us as he walked us to the door. "You can't miss it. Micah's got his telescope out in the front yard, and Travis hung his flag off it."
"His flag?"
"Yeah, the gay flag. Y'know, the rainbow one?"
"I know what a gay flag is!" I snapped.
He raised his hands in surrender. "Then it'll be interesting with you in a house with another girl. Especially Kya."
I grabbed him by the front of his shirt. "And what's that supposed to mean?" I growled.
He smirked. "Apparently nothing, if you're acting like that." He nodded to the house. "Two bedroom, two bath. One shared kitchen and living room if I remember correctly. I think that's where we were during Kya's party a few weeks ago."
My mood soured even further. We were bunking with a party girl? Great. Just great. "Who is this Kya anyway?"
"She's a Titan Born, like me," Eli answered. He grabbed my wrist and pried my hand off his shirt. My skin prickled at his touch, and I yanked it out of his grip. He frowned but said, "She's just a little different. You'll understand when you see her. You two aren't shy about…." He trailed off.
"Shy about what?" I demanded.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Don't take this the wrong way, okay? You're not shy about your… bodies, are you?"
"What kind of question is that?" I shouted as Lili squeaked behind me. "Go be a pervert elsewhere, asshole!"
"Ouch," he remarked, not at all looking offended. "Look, I'm not asking because I'm like that. Kya is… well, you'll see." He stuck one hand in his pocket and waved with the other as he began to walk away. "Enjoy your new home."
I scoffed as I turned around. I muttered, "Seriously, what kind of question was that? Are we shy about our bodies? We're not going to go around showing people, are we?" I scoffed again. "Asshole."
I yanked the door open, revealing a lofty entrance with a dark, hardwood floor. We walked in, and I couldn't help but marvel at the size of it. On the other side of the room, a hallway turned to the house's left side. On the right was a large kitchen with an island. The island and counters were topped with white marble and pink lamps hung from the ceiling. A few trays were strewn across the island, and I spotted some dishes in the sink. That hit a nerve with me. I hated dirty dishes. A hallway led out of the kitchen and into another room, where the light was on.
Off to the left was the living area, with a fluffy white couch with even softer pillows and a shaggy rug that matched the black and white carpet. A large, flatscreen Watch Box stood on a stand with several game consoles and controllers underneath. On the floor to the left of the WB stand was a wicker basket, flipped open to reveal a ton of games. Behind the WB was a window with a white curtain shut, but light still seeped through the thin fabric. Thicker, dark purple curtains were hanging at the edges of the window.
I made my way over to the couch. A glass-topped coffee table sat in front of it with an open bag of chips on top of it. A pink controller sat beside it, as did a soda can. A pink blanket with some type of character on it was thrown messily across the couch as if someone had been under it and moved it. A few other plush chairs were strewn about the room. One had a pink, heart-shaped pillow on it.
Beautiful humming filled my ears. I turned around and saw a girl walk out from the hallway into the kitchen in nothing but a tank top and underwear. She was pulling her golden-brown hair out of a ponytail but froze when she saw Lili and me.
"Oh!" She exclaimed. "I'm so sorry, I didn' realize I had visitors! I'm sorry my place is such a mess! I wasn't expectin' anyone until later when Kealani and Taya were gonna come over and play Universe Attack on my Tempest."
She walked past us, not bothered by the fact two strangers were in her house while she was in her underwear, and picked up her chips and drink. She smiled as she passed us again, going into the kitchen.
"Are y'all new here?" she asked as she grabbed a clip for the chip bag. "I don't remember your faces, so y'all must be new. I remember everyone." She rolled the bag up before sealing it.
I shared a look with Lili, whose face was bright red. "Uh, yeah, we're new. Got here today, actually."
"Oh! Well, welcome to Glasseia!" She did a little bow, exposing way too much of her already generous amount of cleavage. She straightened, and her hair seemed to fall around her face perfectly. She smiled, and her brown eyes sparkled. "And welcome ta my humble abode! Want a Snowball?" She raised her silvery white can of soda.
"Uh, no thanks." I swallowed. "Say, do you, uh… Are you aware that you are in your underwear?"
"Oh, this?" She looked down at herself. "These are jus' my comfy clothes. Like I said, I wasn't expectin' company. I normally at least have a bra on!" She laughed to herself before taking a swig of her Snowball.
"...right." Hm. This is probably what Eli meant when he said Kya was different. I cleared my throat. "Well, Adrestus told us we could stay here. He said there was room for us both to live here."
"Oh, yes!" Kya set down her drink and walked toward us. "I have two extra beds in the upstairs loft for when others wanna sleep off their buzz."
"You have alcohol here?" I asked in surprise.
"Psh, yeah. Alcohol doesn't affect Godlings or Titan Borns like me as heavily as regular mortals. The gods let us drink as long as we promise ta do it responsibly." She snorted. "Yeah. It was totally 'responsible' for Krystal ta drink twelve Thunders last week. Girl was passed out drunk in thirty minutes, let me tell ya. Stank to high hell the next mornin', too." She put her hand on my shoulder, and I did my best not to cringe or flinch. "Listen, babe, your room is down that hall and up the stairs." She pointed at the hall that led to darkness. "Bathroom is attached, thank the gods, and comes with a shower and a tub. And there's plenty of counter space for all your things, so don't worry."
I let her hand slide off my shoulder. I tried for a smile as I said, "Thanks. We'll go settle in now." I grabbed Lili's hand and dragged her away.
"Wait!" Kya called as we disappeared down the hallway. "You never told me your names!"
I pulled Lili down the hallway and up the stairs. I didn't let go of her until I had closed the door to our new room behind us. It was pretty clean for a space where people slept away their drunkenness. The sheets on the two beds, as were the pillows, were pink and white. There was an end table on opposite sides of the beds, each with a small lamp. I saw the door that led to the bathroom on the left wall and another open door leading to an empty closet.
Lili staggered forward and sat on the bed. She looked at me and signed She's weird.
I snorted as I walked over and sat down next to her. That didn't cover half of it. I told her It'll be fine. We can try to avoid her.
Lili shook her head. No, I like her. She's friendly.
She was half-naked.
So? I've seen you half-naked before.
That's different. We're sisters.
She frowned. But… We're not.
I froze. Was she… Did she not want to be sisters with me because of who my mother was? Because of who her mother was?
The fear that gripped me vanished as Lili signed I like to think we're sisters, but we're not related.
I took her hands in mine but quickly let go as her eyes turned panicked. She hated having her hands bound or held together. It prevented her from being able to sign and forced her to use her voice.
Instead, I laid my hand on her shoulder. "Lili," I told her, making sure she could read my lips. "You are my sister. I love you like a sister. I do not care if we are related or not."
She smiled. I love you too, B.
I returned the smile. I sighed as I flopped down on the bed. Our lives are going to change. It's not going to be the same anymore.
But isn't that a good thing?
I thought about it. Rather than being in Anefield with that man, I was here, where I was hated for who my mother was. I had never even met her and barely heard anything about her! How was it fair to be mad at me for something my mother did?
I let out a long sigh. My mother is a Primordial. Whatever that meant. When RJ had told me who she was, he had forgotten to tell me what that meant. I shrugged. Oh well. It wasn't like I would ever meet her or even want to meet her. She left me with him. I shuddered. She could rot in hell for all I cared.
"Brooks?"
I glanced at Lili, who was staring at me expectantly. I chuckled.
Sorry. Got lost in thought. It might be better to live here. At least we have the freedom to do what we want.
Please don't start drinking, B.
"Psh. Like I would ever," I muttered to myself. I won't, sis.
She smiled. Did you see her ears?
I frowned. Who? The girl downstairs? She nodded. Not really.
They're pointy.
My frown deepened as I stared at her. Had they been? I had been too focused on her chest and thighs to notice her ears. And if I was looking at her face, I was distracted by her beauty.
That made me pause. Beauty? Did I really think she was pretty? Hm, I guess I did. She was beautiful. There was no denying that. But again, I had been distracted by her stupidly large chest. How the hell did she manage to walk around without a bra? That tank top practically acted like one. And her underwear barely did anything–
"You're blushing." Lili's words cut through my thoughts.
I sat up. I guess I was feeling a little hot.
"Sorry," I said. I ran a hand through my hair. What the hell was happening to me? I didn't see her ears. Were they really pointy? Like an elf?
She nodded. Exactly like an elf.
Weird. Maybe it's because of her godly parent.
Maybe.
A knock on the door drew our attention. We looked over as Kya stuck her head in. Her face was a mask of politeness as she said, "Hey, girls. I was cleanin' up a little bit when I realized I never introduced myself! Is it okay if I let myself in?"
Lili nodded. "Come in, please," she said politely.
Kya beamed at her. She opened the door further and stepped inside. Thankfully, she wore pants this time, though they were short shorts that barely reached mid-thigh. I hope this girl doesn't try to influence Lili into wearing that stuff.
She bowed to us and said, "Hi, I'm Kya Wolf. I'm 16, and I like ta play video games and hang out with friends. Oh, and my godly parent is Elaina, the Titaness of Beauty and Memory. Who are you two?"
"I'm Lili," Lili introduced herself slowly. "This is my sister, Brooks."
"It's short for Brooklyn," I explained. "And no, you can't call me Brooks."
Kya shrugged. "Who's your guys' godly parent?"
"Well, Lili's is Noella, and mine is Andromeda."
"The Primordial?" Kya interrupted.
I did my best not to glare at her as I nodded.
Kya squealed. "Oh, my gods! Andromeda is, like, the most beautiful goddess ever! I hear she's got the prettiest face of all the goddesses and the most perfect figure! No wonder you're so pretty!"
I felt my face grow hot at the compliment. No one had ever called me pretty before. I'd always been overshadowed by Lili, which I was okay with. I had been called fat, but Kya didn't think that.
She hurried over and pulled me to my feet with surprising strength. She examined my face closely, and I spied the pointed ears Lili was talking about. Her hair mostly hid them, but I saw the tip poking through the strands.
"You look so much like your mother!" she exclaimed. "Though your eyes are grayer than what I thought. And these babies!" She grabbed my chest roughly. I let out a noise I didn't think I could make. I slapped my hands over my mouth, embarrassment flooding through me. Where the hell had that come from?
Kya giggled and let go. "Sorry, didn' realize you were so sensitive. I was just gonna say these are reminiscent of your mother. All the way down to your thighs! Gods, you're thick!"
"She does not like being grabbed," Lili said, standing up. "And she is not fat."
Kya waved her off. "Oh, I never thought she was fat. I've seen plenty of fat people—have you seen Alkividas? Brooklyn is just thick! And you!" She turned her attention to Lili, studying her with a scrutinizing eye. I feared what she was going to say, but she broke into a smile. "You are gorgeous! What is your skincare routine? Krystal would kill for such flawless skin!"
Lili flushed slightly. She tried to find the words to speak but seemed to be struggling.
"All she does is wash her face every morning and night," I told Kya, hoping to get her attention back on me. Lili didn't need this girl fangirling over her skin or natural beauty.
"Hm. I think it comes from your family having the most beautiful females." She glanced at me. "After all, Noella's older sister is Aelin, the Primordial of Creation, Procreation, and New Life. She's one of the two love goddesses among the Primordials. She's also Andromeda's elder sister, which makes you two cousins, not sisters. Well, biologically, at least." She put her head in her hand. "Gods know I'm like sisters with Luna. Well, our godly parents are married, so we kinda are."
"Wait, your godly parent is married but still had you?" I demanded. Kya nodded. "That's… Isn't that wrong?"
Kya shrugged. "I don't think it is. For gods, at least. Their libido is much higher than mortals, especially the higher up you go, so they often use mortals to satiate their needs. I've talked with my mother, and she loves her two wives—it runs in the family—so it's not a matter of not being loved. They need a good outlet."
"That goes against everything we're taught."
Kya shrugged again. "Maybe it does, but again, they're gods. They can do what they like. Now, I have to ask; do you two have any clothes, or are we gonna have ta go shopping?"
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