That night, Odiva went to Jahi’s chambers to find her being readied for the nuptial night. It was still disarming, if not comical, to see Jahi still buzzing and dancing while the servants chased after her with bits of clothing and jewellery. Her long red hair was loose and wild, and her laughter lit up the whole room, somehow making the sight even more dazzling. There was just no one as enchanting as her sister. Odiva would make it her mission to constantly remind Namtar of how fortunate he truly was.

“Diva!! You’re heeere! Come, come, I have something for you.” Jahi beckoned, while one servant was struggling to put her arm through a very delicate sleeve of what was to be her nightgown.

Odiva sat on the bed beside Jahi, lending a hand to the flustered servant. This one nodded in a pleading gratitude. “You’re in a very giving mood, Jahi. Wasn’t mother’s old ring enough?”

“Oh,” Jahi paused startled. “I’ve given it to you already?!”

Odiva was glad Jahi missed her eye roll. “Careful now, you really don’t want to rip this gown.” Odiva warned as she fitted one slouchy arm. “You want to show up all torn up in front of your new husband?”

“Pfft! I think he'd love that! It’s going to be ripped apart, anyway. Shhhh! I’ve kept Namtar on a dry spell for twooooo weeks.”

Jahi’s drunken grin was too sweet, it made Odiva chuckle. Then she added dryly, “hooray. The horny demon will be hornier. He might barely meet the standards, but he’s still a demon.”

The servant then gently helped Jahi on to her dressing table, while Odiva remained on the bed behind them. Jahi tried to look back, but the servant who was doing her makeup gently held her face in place. It took a little while for Jahi to realise she could look at her sister through the mirror ahead. Odiva blew her a kiss to emphasise, to which Jahi giggled.

“Don’t let Namtar’s looks deceive you, little sister. When your time comes, you’ll know exactly what I mean.”

How sweet. When drunk, Jahi somehow preferred to think of Odiva as a clueless virgin. Odiva let her, because it was still nice to be overly protected by her big sister. But Jahi knew too well that a Seer's education dived deeply into the nature of sex, with regular theoretical lessons; for those who were more inquisitive, like Odiva… well, the opportunity for practical lessons was always at hand, too. Odiva being a weak novice Seer, with much free time, she ensured she used it wisely to at least excell in this particular area.

“I saw you with Samael.” Jahi said. “What did he want this time?”

“Of course. I didn’t think anyone could miss Samael’s flamboyance.”

“Is he still pawning after you? What do you two even talk about?” Jahi’s sharp tone drew Odiva’s gaze to her. Was the liquor wearing off? Jahi's exaggerated sigh right then confirmed that was not the case. “He’s such a... a goofball.” Jahi said, mildly annoyed, and Odiva recalled that even drunk, Jahi was incapable of finding respectable insults. “Whatever you do, don’t trust him, Diva! He’s weird. No one really knows what he's after. Angels are hard to read as it is, but everyone knows they get all uncomfortable spending time in Hell. Samael does just the opposite! And the way he smiles is... creepy. Why does he love spending so much time down here?”

"I hear he likes going around breaking beds." Odiva shrugged.

"…Breaking beds?"

Odiva shook her head innocently. Perhaps now wasn't the best time to share with her sister about Samael’s proposal.

Suddenly, Jahi gasped. “Diva!! Did you hear?! There was a one-horned demon at the wedding?” Jahi's tone was too mischievous for Odiva’s liking.

“The Great Seer Jahi, lending ears to rumours? Well, never thought I’d see the day.”

“I’m serious! Have you?” Jahi pouted.

Odiva sighed. “No, sister. What rumours would those be?”

Jahi then spared side glances as though she feared someone else was listening in. She almost whispered the next. Or she probably thought she was. “They’re saying he’s a fallen one! They say he’s ridiculously strong. With strange powers. Apparently, he’s going around conquering kingdoms. Well, kingdom. He’s managed one so far.” She giggled. “Aaah, I’m going to miss these crazy demons and their stupid fights. How are you not excited?! Don't you remember what you used to say about who you were going to marry?”

"I used to say a lot of things. I also used to say I'd marry Nana Sioh's servant—

"Thats Right!! Old Nestor! Hahaha!"

"He wasn't old when he joined us!" Odiva stubbornly protested, though she admitted when she was young, her taste in potential husbands was heavily questionable. "He was quite handsome. And kind."

"Yes... I don't know." Jahi's laughter was lost momentarily and her expression darkened. Odiva couldn’t read her sister, but she knew Jahi was clearly remembering something unwanted. Jahi squatted the servant’s hand and scowled at her for no apparent reason. The servant was startled, but as she tried again, Jahi let her continue her work.

Before Odiva could ask what was wrong, Jahi's smile returned. "It was the one horned demon you were most obsessed about! You wouldn't let it go! You used to say that he'd even grow as many as seven horns! Seven horns!! In what Hell is that supposed to happen?" Jahi laughed and Odiva chuckled again at her child-self. So ignorant and naive she was.

So even Jahi heard of the red demon. And he was really out to make a name for himself. Just what kind of power would a one-horned demon have to conquer a whole kingdom. There was no doubt, in the savage state most kingdoms were, they were ripe for the taking, with demons being so irrational with greed and bloodlust. And this one-horned demon looked like a fiend with a plan.

Odiva’s heart drummed at the thought of him. The thought of his brazen audacity. It strained her breaths. He was unlike any she had come across. Even if he was one-horned, there was much more to him. Much more of… well, everything.

Odiva wondered if Jahi felt like this when she met Namtar. It would explain a lot of her sister's behaviour. Odiva would have to ask her once she sobered up. Perhaps this was how love crept in. And there was no amount of studying a Seer could do on it. It just happened. Seers were warned of it though, for it could disarm one once it reached the heart.

If Samael’s parchment didn't work, maybe the red demon would be Odiva’s alternative. She could hope that her children would inherit some of Jahi’s powers.

A sniffle from Jahi interrupted Odiva’s musings. “You’re so beautiful, Diva. I love you so, so, so muuuch!” Jahi wailed now. “You know I’ll never ever leave you! You know that, right? Because this isn’t goodbye! I would never leave you!! And, and Namtar knows it, I promise you! I really don’t want you to worry! And promise me... you must promise me you won’t marry a one-horned demon! I know you still want to, but promise me you won’t! You deserve a king of kingdoms!! You deserve so much because you're so good, Diva! And, and Nana Sioooh! I know what you think of her, but she really did love you. She really diiid...”

Ah yes. The emotional Jahi was here. Odiva signalled for the servants to leave them, since it seemed they had finished their arduous task on Jahi. Jahi quickly stood up, and just as she did when they were younger, her face broke and a screechy wail proceeded as she hobbled to Odiva. “On second thought, Reem, stay for a moment.” Odiva asked the makeup servant.

“Tell me Namtar has seen your ugly-cry? Because I really don’t want to go through your third wedding before I even have my first. If he walks out on you, what would happen to our glorious reputation as Seers?” Odiva teased as they embraced and she patted Jahi's back.

“I-I don’t… care!” Jahi sobbed. “You’re my only family… I love yooouuu so much! I need you to know that. W-why, why won’t you come with me?”

Odiva pulled back and held her sister’s cheeks. This was more than Jahi just being emotional. “Jahi, sister. Where is all this coming from? You were so happy a minute ago.”

“Why are you not saying it back?” Jahi muttered.

“I love you, too. More than anything in this world and the next. Tell me you don’t doubt this?” Odiva fixed her sister’s hair and wiped one of her cheeks.

Jahi sniffled. Odiva's words seemed to have offered some calm. "I've never you this… and I didn’t… I don’t want you to worry.”

“Tell me what?”

Jahi was silent for a moment. Odiva could see regret already coating her sister’s eyes, but it was too late to back down.

“Tell me what, Jahi?”

“It’s nothing, I promise! I don’t even know why it’s worth the mention. Auntie Ammit said it was nothing to worry about, and it would pass. It happens to any of us sometimes.”

“You’re not making sense, Jahi… what happened?”

“M-my sight… it’s not been right for some time.”

“Not right?” Odiva felt her mouth dry. “What’s wrong with it? Since when?”

“…Your appointment ceremony. I don’t think it’s related to it, though!” Jahi quickly added the last. “I’ve just not been seeing as much and as far as I used to. M-my dream sight still works, I just can’t see anything about me anymore. About us. I’ve been unable to call for the ancients.”

“Why did you keep this from me? What did Auntie Ammit say exactly? Is it to do with me? Did I do something to affect you?”

“No!! No, don’t say that, and that’s not it at all! If that were the case, it would’ve happened much sooner.”

“Then what?”

“Auntie Ammit thinks… well… sometimes when a Seer falls in love, they l-lose certain powers.” Jahi muttered, unable to meet Odiva’s eyes. “Maybe the ancients are displeased with me? Maybe until I give them my first born…”

Odiva blinked her disbelief. This couldn’t be. Even in love, a Seer would never simply lose her sight. Yes, it affected the heart, impacted judgement, but never the sight. A Seer’s sight was everything. Guidance offered by the ancients themselves was the key. And Jahi had always had access to the ancients; too much of it, because she had always been so perfect. Jahi was one of the pillars of Nar because of her sight. Were she to lose it now, because of some lanky little demon… No. This could not be. 

“Did auntie see how long this would last?” Odiva lowered her voice, conscious that they weren’t alone. Reem—the makeup servant was still there, darting her eyes everywhere but in their direction.

Jahi shook her head. “She said that for now, it would be best to stay in Nar. Being here will keep me protected. Even if Namtar turns on me, he wouldn’t dare do anything, with me being so close to our Seer sisters and Auntie Ammit.”

It didn’t escape Odiva that her sister did not mention her name. Of course, once again, that burning humiliation boiled over. As she was, she would not be of help to Jahi if Jahi ever needed protection.

Odiva paused, her mind scanning probable scenarios of how this had happened. She couldn’t shake the gut-wrenching feeling that somehow, she was involved in her sister’s current situation. But how?! Could it have to do with her black eyes? Her powers were so uncertain, anything could be happening without any of them realising. Surely it couldn't be what she and Samael had been planning, either; 

“Your husband, does he know?”

“I love Namtar with all my heart, but discussing Seer’s powers with outsiders is forbidden, you know this,” Jahi shook her head and pulled herself from Odiva’s grip, somehow seeming slightly more sober. “I’d also be putting him at more risk, for no good reason. I know you don’t trust him, but he really loves me, Diva.” Odiva noticed the red marks she left on Jahi when she clutched her delicate arms.  Odiva spared a glance at Reem who stood still and kept her head down. This servant had heard too much. They could not risk word spreading of Jahi's condition.

“Jahi. You’re my only family, too. I know you think I’m weak, but I will not let anything happen to you. Things can still change and I’ll… I’ll be able to protect you...” Odiva felt like confessing the rest to her sister, how she found a way to unlock her powers; how she would be Jahi’s proper support so she wouldn't have to rely on the High Seer’s protection; how it was her turn to take care of her sister. But she had yet to recite the words on that parchment and see if any of it could indeed happen. At the very least, she didn’t want to fill her sister’s heart with false hope.

“Here, come sit.” Odiva said instead, guiding her sister to her dressing chair. “You’ve ruined your makeup. I meant what I said about your third wedding if Namtar runs away after seeing you like this.” Jahi offered a soft smile and Odiva snapped her fingers for Reem. The servant quickly busied herself, gently wiping Jahi's tears still streaming down her beautiful face.

Odiva gave her sister what she hoped was a comforting smile and then positioned herself behind the servant to glance at the branding on her neck. Odiva would not have issues in reaching this one’s dreams. The servant flinched as though she felt Odiva’s eyes on her, but did not turn around to face the novice Seer.

“I know it’s a mammoth of a task just now, Reem darling, but just do what you do best. Make my sister look glorious as you always have. The most stunning Seer of all Nar. We really don't want to mess up her wedding night, do we?”

Odiva then sat on the bed and watched Jahi obediently follow Reem’s lead while she worked around her face. The novice remained silent, pulling out the parchment and the feather the angel had given her. Odiva was going to fix everything.

She quickly memorised the contents of the parchment and whispered the words whilst looking at her sister through the mirror.

*The ancients are mentioned once again. Nana Sioh had mentioned them in the first chapter, and they will be mentioned again as the story goes. Essentially, Seers draw power from their ancients; these are beings that are in another plane that only the Seers can access; depending on how much trust they have in a Seer to further their line, the more power a Seer is given.

Fan art time!! 

Thank you so much, Pompastic 💖💖💖!! This is such an adorable illustration of our sisters 😭!! And so timely, as this chapter was all about Odiva and Jahi. Pompastic has been such a tremendous supporter for this side story; for all of TCOYH stories! I really lack the words to express my gratitude. I'd like to dedicate this chapter to you, Pom. To sisterhood. Thank you. ʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっ💖💖💖. 

Celebration time!!

TCOYH main story just hit 201 subs last week!! As someone who never even thought to reach 100, this is an incredible milestone. I have you all to be grateful for 💕💕💕. +｡:.ﾟTHANKヽ(*´∀)ﾉﾟYOU.:｡+ﾟ

Chibi illustration by Jen Leifire.