The tree of Eden 12 "I love you. Don't you forget it"

"I'm proud of all of you. You made me truly happy today, including you Ditoria and Eldor. However, your display of love was unnecessary" Dryad said with an eye roll but it was obvious she was proud of them. Ditoria and Eldor grinned, saying nothing.

"Eldor, God Simour has decided to give you his blessings. He likes the divinity I fostered and decided he would have you as a second in command"

"That is truly an honour, my great goddess" Eldor said, bowing deeply that his head touched the ground. Dryad smiled and touched the Jade in his forehead. It glowed brightly and green light covered his body. When the light subsided, his colour was as bright as Ditoria and he had an Emerald instead.

Ditoria gasped and all of them fell on their knees. Sometimes it was easy to forget that Dryad was their goddess and creator but when she decided to show her power, they were thoroughly reminded.

Dryad moved away from them and towards the excited gods. She greeted them with pleasant smiles and sweet words. Everyone absolutely adored her as she was beautiful and charismatic, the image of a true goddess. Unlike Amphia, who they just discovered was married to one of their head gods, Bolsa. Most gods hated her with the exception of the three head gods.

The sun sank in the horizon and darkness was slowly creeping in on the island. Ilerisa had long gone into his chambers, which was a lagoon not far from the island. Dryad walked slowly but steadily towards where the head gods were seated. When she got there, she gave a deep bow to the three of them, totally ignoring Amphia.

"My lords, it is truly an honour to finally meet you, especially Lord Simour" she greeted. The two head god's eyes glittered with amusement and mischief while the third retained his aloof personality. His cold gaze electrocuted Dryad and instead of sweeping over her, he gave her a pointed glare. Something that made Amphia pout in jealousy.

"I'm a chief god now. Won't you greet me?"

"You aren't worth my recognition, even if you're the wife of a head god" Dryad replied coldly. Everyone, with the exception of Simour and Bolsa, were shocked at her reply.

"Oh, and why is that?" The tone in which Amphia used to ask this question made everyone but the four in front of her shiver. She cocked her head to one side with a cold smile which made them forget her mischevious demeanour in a minute.

"Because I cannot tolerate people taking what is rightfully mine"

"Oh, and what is that?" Dryad didn't reply but stared into the goddess's eyes.

"You call me a thief but you say nothing afterwards! Am I joke to you?!"

"I shouldn't answer that question if you already know the answer" Dryad replied with the same smile. Instead of making her look scary, it made her look like an ice queen, untouchable and untainted by the world. Even the real ice queen was looking in wonder.

"You are really pushing it Dryad. You are nothing but a spawn, incapable of being a real god. You have no authority to challenge me?!" Amphia screamed in rage, trying to attack Dryad. The latter stood there with no fear in her eyes, only ridicule and disdain. A golden bow with white string appeared from nowhere alongside a pitch black arrow in Amphia's hands, which she aimed at Dryad. She fired the arrow and at the same time, a loud shout erupted from Bolsa. The arrow dissolved before it could hit Dryad.

"ENOUGH!" All the gods cowered when they heard this while the remaining two head god's had cold looks on their face, opening glaring at Amphia. She shivered and fell on her knees before them.

"Husband....."

"Shut up! You have disrespected her enough already and you disrespected Simour in the process. I would strip you of your title if you don't apologise to Dryad right now!" Bolsa reprimanded angrily. Amphia stared at Bolsa pitifully, still unwilling.

"Hubby...." she cried.

"God Amphia is hereby stripped of her title for three months and is banned to the punishment chambers from now on" Bolsa said coldly, his sharp tone resounding in the minds if all of them there.

Millions of years of softness has made them forget how strict the head gods were, even to themselves and their beloved. Bolsa punishing his wife was more than enough proof.

Space wrapped around Amphia and she disappeared before she could utter a word. Pain flashed through his eyes but he grit his teeth and turned to Dryad.

"Dryad, I hope you can forgive my wife. She has been spoilt silly by us and she lacks manners" Bolsa said with a bow, shocking all of those there.

"No worries my Lord. She doesn't bother me anyways" Dryad said with a smile.

Ariama grunted and stood from his seat abruptly. He took Dryad's hands and space wrapped around them. Before they teleported, they heard the laughter of the two head gods.

"Ariama, I..." she started but he pulled her close to him and hugged her fiercely. She hugged him back and tears fell from her eyes.

"I'm sorry" she chocked.

"Shh, it's not your fault. I've hurt you" He said. His real voice was deep and sonorous, making her heart beat faster. She was enthralled by his voice.

"You old goat, why'd you leave me? I can believe I fell for a creep" she had her head smacked.

"Hey!" she yelled and hit him back. Frowning, he hit her again. She hit him too.The two of them stared at each other in the eye and started the legendary couple's fight.

"That's for lying to me"

"That's for being an insufferable tree"

"That's for abandoning me"

"That's for expecting me to baby you"

"I was a baby you idiot"

"And I was busy"

"Busy entertaining Amphia's whims no doubt"

"Someone's jealous, eh?" He said with a smirk. He soon got beat for it.

"Ouch woman, reign in that temper" she snorted and rolled her eyes.

"Can you two just kiss already" said two pairs of eyes watching impatiently from the void.

"Piss off you two" Ariama said. They both made a tch sound and left.

Dryad giggled as Ariama pulled her into his embrace. Both of them stared into each other's eyes with their foreheads touching, just appreciating the beauty they never saw.

"Hey, I love you, don't you ever forget that okay?" Ariama said softly.

"I just might" Ariama groaned.

"I think my brothers have affected you" He said as they left the void, Dryad's laughter echoing through space.

Chapter end