by MJ Schutte
More soldiers picked up their weapons.
Lilian flung herself over Brighton.
‘Stay back, I will kill you all!’ she screamed.
‘I don’t think you can,’ one soldier said as he lifted his sword.
‘Stand down,’ a soft female voice came from behind him.
All the soldiers immediately lowered their weapons and bowed their heads.
‘I am Queen Ashley,’ she introduced herself to Lilian.
Lilian didn’t answer.
‘Don’t be afraid, nobody here will harm you,’ Ashley said.
‘But my Queen…’ one soldier started.
‘I will not allow any more killing. My husband did enough of that,’ Ashley cut him off.
The soldier stepped forward.
‘These people are talented like the Supremes were. We can not allow them to live,’ he said.
‘Who are you to decide? They have as much right to live as any of us. Now give us some space please,’ Ashley replied.
The soldier did not back off.
He came closer with his sword raised.
Three men stepped in front of him.
‘Are you disobeying our queen’s orders?’ one man asked.
The three soldiers pushed the man backwards.
‘We’ll take care of this Queen Ashley,’ the one man said over his shoulder.
Lilian looked up at Ashley.
‘May I have a knife please?’ she asked.
One of the soldiers quickly stepped forward and held a knife, hilt first, towards Lilian. She took it and placed the sharp point over Brighton’s heart.
‘I’m sorry my love, I have to do this,’ she said softly.
‘Please don’t,’ Brighton whispered.
Lilian’s eyes went big. She scrambled back.
‘Bri, you’re alive!’ she exclaimed in surprise.
‘Yes, I am,’ he confirmed as he sat up.
‘But I killed you. I drained all your energy,’ Lilian stammered.
‘Yes, you did, but it was also you who brought me back from the spirit world,’ he answered.
He slowly got up and held out his hand to Lilian. She didn’t take it.
‘I am ashamed to admit that I was wrong. Evangeline tried to warn me that the power will destroy me but I misunderstood. I thought she meant it would kill me but now I know what she was trying to say. I almost destroyed our love because I became obsessed with power,’ Brighton said softly.
He turned towards Ashley and went down on one knee.
‘Queen Ashley, I am Brighton of Clareton. I promise my allegiance to you. I will defend your honour and your kingdom until the day I die. Do you accept my service?’ he said solemnly.
Ashley was a little unsure of how to respond so she simply said, ‘Yes, I accept.’
All the soldiers also went to one knee and repeated Brighton’s words.
Ashley raised her voice so everybody could hear, ‘I accept your service and thank you for it.’
When nobody got up she added, ‘And you may get up now.’
Brighton got up and looked at Lilian. She was still sitting on the ground.
‘Lily, my love, I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am. How can I ever thank you for showing me my mistake?’ he said softly.
‘Love the children and me like I know only you can,’ she whispered.
‘I promise,’ Brighton replied as he helped her up.
She hugged him so tight he thought she might squeeze the breath from his lungs.
‘Are you trying to kill me again?’ he joked.
Lilian jumped back and stammered, ‘I’m so sorry Bri, Evangeline said…’
‘You did the right thing. I will tell you later exactly what happened but first there is something else I must do,’ he cut her off.
He turned to Ashley and said, ‘Are you aware that you are pregnant?’
Ashley’s eyes went wide.
‘No, I wasn’t aware,’ she gasped.
‘I’m assuming it is Graham’s child,’ Brighton said.
Ashley nodded, uncertain of how she felt about the news.
‘Remember, your baby is not evil just because his father was. Teach him kindness and fairness. One day he will be king, you have to prepare him for that,’ Brighton advised her.
Ashley smiled and nodded again.
‘With your permission, my Queen, I would like to return to my family,’ Brighton said solemnly.
Ashley smiled and said, ‘Yes, sure. I mean, permission granted.’
Brighton held out his hand to Lilian.
‘Shall we go my love?’ he asked.
She took his hand and said, ‘I hope you still have your horse. Mine died this morning.’
Lilian sat on the horse while Brighton led it.
They had been travelling for a few days and were close to the pass that would lead them back to The Mountain Kingdom.
When they reached a river Brighton stopped.
Lilian swung her leg over the horse’s neck and held out her arms towards Brighton.
He reached up and put his big, powerful hands on her small hips.
Effortlessly he lifted her from the horse’s back.
He gave her a long kiss before he put her down.
Lilian looked at the river.
‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking?’ she asked with a sly smile as she stepped back and started unbuttoning her dress.
