The King's Karma: A Short Fantasy Romance

by Katerina Winters

  What was this wolf doing to her?

  Chapter 8

  “Can I ask you a question Lord Suros?” Since this morning this was the first time she could hear her voice over the sound of hooves. Coming up on marshy low-lands the horses walked carefully behind the other as they sloshed their way through.

  Not hearing any reply Ishtar tilted her head back and looked up at the regal wolf. When it came time to mount the horses for their journey that morning, Ishtar was lifted and placed on Suros’s mount instead of Rodis’s horse. The ride thankfully wasn’t as uncomfortable as the first time she rode with Suros since this time she was allowed to ride astride the horse rather than to the side. The discomfort was replaced by the large male presence behind her, however. Strong arms circled her waist holding onto the reins while casually and effectively caging her close. Pressed against his rock-solid chest and his hands resting near her stomach caused endless anxiety.

  Catching his red stare, she felt her pulse quicken when he looked down giving her a waiting look.

  Clearing her throat, she tried to ignore her practically humming nerves. “I just wanted to ask you about your family. I was confused after speaking to Daden and Rodis.”

  The sound of sloshing water beneath them and the rhythmic jingle of the horses’ harnesses were the only sounds filling the air. Exhaling forlornly at his lack of reply, Ishtar tried to concentrate on the mundane watery landscape of their journey.

  “I have two identical brothers and one older half-brother,” he finally indulged.

  “Two identical?” Ishtar was shocked, she thought she heard Rodis only mention one. “That means you are a part of a triplet is that correct?” She could not hide the amazement in her voice, she had never seen any identical siblings before, she had only ever read about them but never had the opportunity to witness any from her sheltered life at the temple.

  “Yes, it does,” his voice was unreadable as ever. Maybe he didn’t want her asking these personal questions she thought. Hazarding a glance upward she bit her bottom lip as she caught a glimpse of his stoic profile focused directly ahead.

  Deciding not to press any further Ishtar quietly took the little information she had and made a few educated guesses. The older brother must’ve been the one Suros had mentioned before, and then that meant Lord Helix was one of the three. Unfortunately, her speculations only made her want to ask more questions.

  Wading into deeper waters the horses moved slower through the never-ending bog. With every step, the silence surrounding them seemed to grow until the sheer weight of it became unbearable.

  “May I ask you more questions, my Lord?” Tilting her head up again she gave him a hopeful look.

  Taking his red gaze from the journey ahead of them he gave her an almost quizzical look. “You are to be my queen, you do not need to ask my permission.”

  Taken aback, she thought about that. He did have a point, although Ishtar wanted to argue that being his queen was not her decision, but she knew that would only make him angry. And right now, she didn’t want him to be angry she wanted to appease her never-ending curiosity about the silent wolf. So why hold back, she thought, taking the golden opportunity before her she seized it and asked him every question she could think of.

  During the remainder of their journey through the soggy low lands, Ishtar learned a great deal about the stoic wolf. Suros was one of three triplets with the other being Helix and Cyrax. All three brothers identical in every way except for their eye color. Helix had gold eyes, and Cyrax had green. Then there was Decimus, their brother by their mother only half wolf and half hell hound. Suros didn’t say much about Decimus just that he was the one that used to tell him stories about all the rare types of demons including her kind. From what she could tell Ishtar got the impression that all four brothers liked their space, preferring to live separately in four different kingdoms.

  Reaching the crest of the hill Suros allowed his horse to increase his pace through the drier open plains. Following the natural trail in the land, they rode higher into a wooded mountain pass. At the top of the pass, they finally slowed down. The sun was high in the sky, marking it midday, Ishtar hoped this pause meant they were taking a much-needed break.

  Looking around she realized no one had made a move to get off their horse. Confused she looked up to Suros. “Can we dismount my…”

  The sudden hand covering her mouth silenced her pressing her forcibly back against his chest. Not able to move to look to see what was going on, she felt rather than saw Suros jerk his head to the side as if something suddenly got his attention sending some of his long silver hair gliding over her face.

  Deathly shrieks and howls erupted around them. With his hand gone from her mouth, Ishtar looked in horror as dozens and dozens of ogre-like demons came running out from the surrounding trees in all directions. The deep roar from above her head signaled to the men to respond. Dismounting from their horses the men began to fight the attacking demons.

  A loud bellowing howl momentarily stole everyone’s attention, demons and humans alike. With wide eyes, Ishtar spotted a colossal ogre barreling through the tree-line into the small clearing, directly at them. Faster than she could react Ishtar felt herself swung from the horse and thrusted into waiting arms. Without giving her, a second look Suros focused his glowing gaze of fury on the new opponent. Feeling a powerful tug, Ishtar turned to see Daden giving her a severe look as he pulled her along.

  “Run Lady Ishtar,” he yelled yanking her arm forcing her to match his pace.

  Reaching the other men, Daden practically swung her into the middle of the group.

  “Phalanx now!!” Rodis shouted in command once she stumbled into the huddled men.

  Immediately the group of men swallowed her whole. Each man tightly circled her, hip to hip with his fellow man, with swords drawn and shield out. Forming a wall around them their shields expertly overlapped each other forming an impenetrable brigade from top to bottom. With timed shouts of instructions, they moved as one keeping her tightly corralled and protected in the middle. Using their shields and strength, they successfully defended from the onslaught while they used their swords to strike at anyone in range.

  “Another one!” Fenak shouted to her right. Turning Ishtar nearly screamed when she saw another colossal ogre come running towards them stepping on the bodies of other slain demons.

  Just like the other, the putrid ogre was massive. With each pounding step it took as he came towards them, the ground shook. Ishtar’s heart felt as if it was going to burst as the giant began to swing its heavy arm towards their barricade of shields.

  The men yelled out to brace for impact, but the blow never came. A white blur was all she could glimpse through a crack between the shields. The agonizing yowl of pain was all she could hear as the ogre lumbered out of her line of sight.

  “Move!” Rodis roared.

  Light glared in her face as the men surrounding her quickly broke apart. Each of her arms were grabbed by two different soldiers forcing her to move with them. The earth-shattering thud to the ground nearly tripped them as they turned to see the ogre fall to the ground where they just stood. And for the briefest moment, her eyes met his. The pale wolf carried both swords in each hand. His hair was long and wild as he pulled his glowing gaze from his fresh kill to look at her.

  “Come, my Lady,” Daden ordered her tugging her to follow. “We need to…” The green figure appeared in front of Daden before he could react, sending him flying with a lethal blow.

  Ishtar screamed as she felt the monstrous figure grab her arm. Panicked she tugged at her arm as she felt it pull her closer. Green with thick scaly skin, the tall demon resembled a mutated lizard with eyes that glowed bright yellow as it sneered at her.

  “I have got you now,” it hissed revealing a slimy forked tongue and needlelike teeth in its large mouth. “I have sent many after you, but I have you now.”

  Faintly Ishtar could hear the yells of the other soldiers as they tried to get
to her, battling through yet another onslaught of the smaller ghoulish ogres.

  Reaching for her with his other hand, both her and the monster blinked in surprise at the blur of steel that arched between them. The pressure on her arm suddenly disappeared just as the monster stumbled back in a piercing cry holding out the stump of his freshly severed arm. Letting the detached appendage fall to the ground Ishtar looked up to see Suros by her side. With a savage growl, Suros lifted his blades for a second deadly hit, but the monster lashed out with its tail sending Suros crashing through the trees. With a deep echoing laugh the yellow-eyed monster stared at her before looking pointedly at his missing hand, disgusting black liquid spewed from its severed arm moving and taking shape all on its own until a new arm formed in its place. Horrified Ishtar stumbled back away from the monster, turning to run towards Suros’s fallen body.

  Following the broken tree path Ishtar fell to her knees in front of the fallen wolf King. Looking over her shoulder Ishtar’s breath caught as she saw the lizard monster heading towards them. Turning back, she was relieved to see the red glow reappear as Suros opened his now completely red eyes.

  His pale hand shot out at her and pushed her way. Confused she began to crawl back to him, but his growl stopped her.

  “Run.”

  No, she shook her head, she would not leave him defenseless like this. She couldn’t let him die because of her. Picking up one of his swords nearby she shakily turned and brought the heavy blade up, watching the green monster get closer.

  The deep growl behind her began to get louder. Deep punctuated cracks and sickening pops caused her to turn around and look back. With a gasp, she covered her mouth in horror. The corners of Suros’s normally severe mouth stretched and curled while the bones in his handsome face snapped and cracked in mutated movement. Horrified she watched his nose and mouth elongate into a snout as his body jerked and spasmed under its own change. Growing larger in his deformation, Ishtar stumbled back farther as Suros ripped from his clothes transforming larger and larger. Pushing down all the nearby trees the large white wolf stood mountainous above them letting out a deafening roar.

  “By the goddess,” Daden’s scared voice sounded right next to her, he was holding his side, but he appeared unharmed.

  With another cry, the lizard demon called more of the smaller ogres in seemingly endless numbers in one last frenzied attempt. Taking his yellow gaze from the godlike wolf, he narrowed his eyes at her and pointed. The sea of demons turned from their fight with the soldiers and ran at her and Daden.

  The ground quaked beneath then forcing them to brace themselves against a tree as they watched the massive wolf break through the trees landing on top of some of the demon swarm. Picking up and crushing some of them between his sharp teeth the large wolf viciously killed a large portion of the attacking swarm however despite the losses there were still many more charging their way.

  “Run Ishtar!” Daden yelled, grabbing the sword from her hand forcing her to run as he pulled her other arm.

  Hampered by her long dress, she was unable to reach her full potential speed and only able to match Daden’s speed. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched him swing out his shield. Skidding to a halt, her heart froze as they looked down the steep mountain embankment. Turning back, the growing hisses and growls from the pursuing horde behind them grew louder. Looking to Daden, she watched him quickly assess the situation with a severe look. Turning back to her he made his decision. Placing the shield on her back and crossing her front with the strap, he gave her one last look in her wide, scared eyes before pushing forward.

  Suspended in the air for a brief moment both closed their eyes as they prepared for the fall. Hitting the sloped earth with a breathtaking thud, they immediately began to slide. Just as he planned the smooth shield combined with the thick layer of dead fallen leaves gave them the perfect advantage. Crushing the small body beneath him, Daden covered her body as they glided with unnatural speed down the steep slope and just out of reach of the demon swarm.

  Ducking his head down and away from a stray branch Daden almost smiled. Just as planned, he could feel them beginning to slow down. And once they reached the bottom they could make a run for it putting plenty of distance between them and their attackers. Exactly according to plan.

  Looking back up Daden’s eyes widened in shock. But it was too late.

  Airborne for a couple of seconds the crash of cold water engulfing them tore them apart.

  Surfacing the rushing waters with a gasp, Daden heard the ungodly howl of the wolf before being drug under.

  Chapter 9

  Worst plan ever. The thought echoed somewhere deep in Daden’s mind.

  The ground beneath him felt cold and soft. That shouldn’t be. Why would the ground feel this way? Normally when he slept on his bedroll, he woke up with his sword in his hand, not a palm full of cold, wet dirt.

  Clarity hit him like a boulder.

  Snapping his eyes open, Daden ignored the screaming pain in his side and pushed himself on to unsteady feet. Everything was coming back to him now, he whipped his head from the riverbank where he stood to the cold-water inches away.

  His blood ran cold. Lady Ishtar, by the gods he had to find Lady Ishtar.

  In the raging waters, he remembered seeing glimpses of her dark burgundy dress and white ears. But he couldn’t recall much else. Forcing his cold sore body forward he ignored the discomfort of the heavy wet armor and called out. “Lady Ishtar!” He yelled, looking in every direction.

  By the gods let him find her, Daden prayed feeling his strength return with every step by the sheer power of his determination. Gleaming in the waning afternoon sun, Daden caught the familiar sight of his shield and the woman he attached it to. Running forward he dropped to his knees near the unmoving body. Pulling at her shoulder, he turned her over frantically pushing away her wet hair from her face with both hands.

  “Ishtar, Ishtar,” he shook her, begging her to open her eyes. “Please Lady Ishtar.”

  Her eyes remained closed. If it weren't for the streaks of mud on her face and her wet hair he would swear the serene look was one of sleep.

  But death was what he feared.

  Lifting her higher in his arms, Daden pressed his ear to her wet breast. Slow thumping nearly stole his breath away in relief. Cradling her close Daden shook her roughly.

  “Ishtar wake up,” he demanded. Didn’t she know she had to wake up, she had to be okay if not—Daden could not think about what would happen.

  The soft cough nearly drove him to tears. In exhausted relief, he watched as she opened her eyes and slowly focused on him.

  “Daden,” she whispered weakly between coughs.

  Helping her sit up against him, Daden waited for her to catch her breath.

  “Where are we? What happened?” Turning she gave him a sad, exhausted wide-eyed look.

  “We fell into a river after we slid down the mountain.” Worst idea ever, he repeated in his head.

  Pushing her wet floppy ears back she slowly looked around. “That mountain there?” She asked pointing to the one in front of them across the babbling river.

  Letting out a weary sigh he stood up before helping her to her feet. “I honestly don’t know Lady Ishtar,” wincing at his own lack of knowledge knowing that wasn’t what she wanted to hear right now in the middle of a strange forest while being pursued no less. “The river could have taken us pretty far, but I’m not sure.”

  Trudging forward in their soaked clothing Daden held her hand tightly pulling her to follow.

  “What are we going to do now? It will be night soon.” Looking up at the sky, the bright streaks of orange clashed with the oncoming night sky. Her voice sounded tired, and Daden could feel the dropping temperature in her cold hand.

  “Don’t worry Lady Ishtar,” he forced a note of confidence in his voice as he continued forward scanning the surrounding area. “I still have my bow, and my case of arrows is still tightly shut.” Patting the leath
er quiver case still hanging off his right side. “I have no clue where my sword is but better yet we have Lord Suros’s sword with us, so we are more than prepared.”

  The sudden resistance caused him to turn around to see her just standing there giving him a shocked look.

  “Lord Suros… He… He changed,” she whispered as if reminding herself and him what they saw.

  How could he forget? The image of Suros transforming into a gigantic white wolf was unforgettable. Nodding his head in silent acknowledgment he tried to prompt her to walk again, but she stayed firmly still.