Chapter Seven

In Which A Name in Chosen

After showing me the bookshelves and explaining how they were all arranged, Orcus left me to contemplate my name. After being identified by my titles for so long, I could see the need for a name, but hadn't any idea of where to begin. In my mind, I had modeled my looks on an Empress I'd admired on Earth. She'd had gorgeous long hair, and a terribly sad life. In the face of it all, she'd defied her mother-in-law, society's expectations and even her husband. Sisi had been an inspiration to me, but I already knew how different we were. I was not strong in the same way; I was soft and only imagined myself a hero. For hours, I flipped through the books of the library and set a few aside that I wanted to read. I was especially interested in those that had been written after I'd left Earth. I was curious to know how it had changed in my absence. When I'd observed it, their planet had seemed on the cusp of a great deal of change, some of which had already begun while I was there, but even the summaries of the books I'd picked up led me to believe that a great many changes had happened in an extremely short period of time.

I also found a book of baby names among them, and I shortly had a list of contenders. The meaning of the name mattered to me, and I focused on those that had meanings that resonated with me. I explored names that meant dawn or rebirth, dreams and the moon and rolled a good many around my brain and off my tongue. Gloren was a contender, especially as it shared origins with the town I'd based Sanctuary on, but it felt too close to Gloria, a name I felt I could not live up to. I wrote them down on a list, said them aloud, and imagined someone calling me that and responding. Ayleen, Lunette, Eislynn, Celenne, Eloise, Aviva, and so many more that I've forgotten or lost.

Eventually, I arrived at Aviana. It had an origin that referred to birds and meant to breathe. Because while I was currently contained in a cage, I felt as if I truly might fly after all this was done. More than anything, it felt like "me."

As if on cue, the door opened, and Orcus swept inside, carrying another tray of food. Instead of sitting in the large chair by the fire, he settled the tray on the desk and knelt next to me.

"You've a lot of good options here," he observed. "Have you chosen?"

"Yes, Aviana."

He seemed to consider it a moment, pursing his lips and moving his mouth as if rolling it around and tasting it. "It fits."

"Thank you, I agree."

"Well then, let's get you some food and then we can progress."

He said it so nonchalantly, as if he wasn't reminding me that it was time to continue my torture. Or rather, begin it, as it hadn't been much torture as of yet.

With a flourish, Orcus scooted the food over and made room so that he could sit on the table. Once more, he fed me, and once more, it was some of the most delicious food I'd ever tasted.

"Where are we?" I asked between bites. I'd assumed that I would spend my time in my own mind, but if Orcus was here, that didn't seem likely.

"The Underworld."

"And you've given me a suite?" I tilted my head to the side. It seemed there were plenty of others who deserved better treatment than me.

"Of course." He placed another bite of food in my mouth before I could speak. "For the next thousand years, you're mine. All mine. I've no other obligations or demands on my time. I've cleared my schedule."

"Your schedule...as in people dying?"

"Yes, actually. There is no one else here but the two of us. For the next while, anyone who dies will just be put in the back of the line to be born. I worked it all out with... oh what is her name? The one who is obsessed with keys and sewing? Always sucking up to you about the moon?"

"Frigg?" I couldn't help but giggle at his description.

"Yes, her. She's handling it." He waved his hand like it didn't matter. "Apparently she's enlisted a couple of the other life and death themed gods. They are all very excited. It will be good for people, I think. I figured they all deserved a chance at life without us."

"They do." It was an offhand comment, but it cut me to the core. They did deserve a life without our interference. A chance to grow and learn without me creating wars for them to fight in.

"So!" Orcus jumped off the desk, startling me. "It is time for the next step." He held out his hand to me, inviting me to place my own within.

Without a thought, I did so, and it occurred to me that it was so nice not to think about such things. For the past several hours, I had considered nothing but my own name. Even if the rest of my captivity was torture, I was grateful for that small moment of peace and focus.

Orcus pulled me to stand and led me to the bed. My fleeting moment of peace fled, replaced with the clanging of anxiety, of uncertainty.

"Next, princess, we'll explore more human emotions. Starting with vulnerability."

I was admittedly not keen on being vulnerable with Orcus, of all people, but he pressed on.

"From as best I can tell, vulnerability is one of the keys to true human connection. When they open up with one another, when they show the parts of themselves that they don't like, mortals seem to forge bonds stronger than any I've ever known. Though, of course, I cannot expect vulnerability without giving it first."

Without further ceremony, Orcus removed the robe he wore and climbed onto the wide bed. The surrounding curtains dimmed the light so that I could scarcely see him. "For many reasons, beds seem to be a place of vulnerability. Will you join me?"

All things considered, perhaps I did not have a choice, but I felt as if I did. In the darkness, I could see only his eyes and by the pain there, I could see that somehow, that question—that invitation—had cost him.

I climbed onto the bed, lying on my back next to him. The swags of the fabric surrounding the bedspread from a circular point in the center, and I focused on it to calm my nerves. I didn't look over at Orcus, but I could feel the heat of him next to me. After several minutes of silence, he drew in a deep breath and began speaking.

"I think we have always had a complicated relationship, you and me. You made me, presumably, to be your greatest foe. In doing so, I think, you created the only person who could ever hope to be your equal. What I don't think you intended is that you also made me incredibly eager to please you. After all, you'd made me to be what you wanted, and since the moment I came into existence, I have always done as you wanted."

I opened my mouth to protest, but he carried on. "Oh, I know it might not seem like it, but you wanted excitement. You wanted a good story... and every good story needs a villain. So, I became what you wanted. I became your ultimate adversary. At first, I didn't consciously realize my desires. I simply wanted to do as you bade. I followed orders and surpassed them where I could. I found new ways to surprise you, to shake up our battles. I didn't realize how much it mattered to me until I actually tried to win. It was fall, outside Berggeheimnis, you remember?"

I did. Of course. It was the only time I'd ever truly wondered if I would lose. If this was the time that Orcus would best me, once and for all. I remember being so afraid of what he, or his forces, might do to my people. I'd had the entire settlement of dwarves holed up in their deepest tunnels and had needed to leverage my dragons to scorch the earth around to break the siege, though it had taken them weeks to arrive.

"In that moment, when it should have been my finest triumph, a thought struck me, shook me through and unseated my beliefs. I remember thinking: Will this be enough? Have I finally completed my task? Am I what she wants yet?"

I still stared up at the fabric. My hand at my side was inches from his, and the pain in his voice made me want to reach out and hold it.

"And then I saw your face. You weren't happy, you weren't proud. Because as much as this had been a game to us both, I could see that it wasn't a game to you any longer. You looked down at your people, your heart in your eyes, tears streaming down your face. And I realized: I would give anything for you to care about me half as much."