by Ramona Gray
“Thank you, massina,” Josana said tiredly. The wrinkles on her face had returned and seemed somehow deeper. “Help me to the other room, would you?”
Quinn put her arm around the majii’s waist and guided her back to the living area. She helped her sit in front of the fire and threw a fur around her shoulders when the old woman shivered violently.
“Thank you.”
Quinn sat down and clenched her hands together nervously. “Did you see one?”
“Aye,” Josana replied. “There is an orb coming soon.”
“Is it one that gives or takes?”
“Takes,” Josana said.
Quinn’s stomach did flip-flops and she could barely stop her urge to scream with excitement. “When will it arrive?”
“Four days from now,” Josana said. “The weather will begin to turn tomorrow night.”
“Are you certain?”
“Aye, I am,” Josana replied. “When the rains begin tomorrow night the queen will send for me. She will want to know if it signals an orb’s arrival and I will tell her it does not.”
“Thank you, Josana.”
“My debt is paid then?”
“Yes.”
“Will you – the letters that you bring…”
The old woman trailed off and sat forward in her chair before giving Quinn a worried look.
“The letters will continue, Josana, but your debt is paid in full,” Quinn said.
Josana’s body relaxed visibly. “Thank you, massina.”
Quinn stood. “Remember, neither the queen nor anyone else can know of the coming orb. Do you understand?”
“Aye, I do,” Josana replied gravely.
“Thank you. Good bye, Josana,” Quinn said.
“Good bye, massina.”
* * *
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
Quinn shook her head and couldn’t help but laugh when Silas picked her up and swung in circles. “I told you it would work! I fucking told you!”
He kissed her triumphantly and she cupped his face and returned his kiss before leaning back. “Don’t get too excited, Silas. We still have to sneak away from here and travel two days through the forest without dying.”
He set her on her feet, keeping his arms around her waist. “I know but at least we’ve got a chance.”
She smiled at him. “Yes, we have a chance.”
“Plus it could be our world we return to. Hell, we’ve been lucky so far.”
“Aye, it could be,” she said cautiously, “but do not get your hopes up.”
He grinned like a little boy at her. “I think we should celebrate with lots and lots of fucking.”
She laughed again. “Fionn just dropped you off, Silas. We have all night and I’m hungry. At least let me eat first.”
“Fine,” he said. “But only because you’ll need your strength for what I’m about to do to you.”
She jumped when he slapped her playfully on the ass. “Watch your hands, danen, or I’ll tie you to the bed and leave you there.”
“Actually,” he said with a wicked grin, “now that you bring it up I think tying you to the bed would be an excellent idea. Don’t you?”
She shivered all over as he stood behind her and pulled her against his growing erection. She ground her ass against his cock and he nipped at her throat. “Only I definitely won’t just leave you there.”
“What will you do?” She asked breathlessly.
He licked the column of her throat before sucking on her earlobe. “Eat your dinner and I’ll show you.”
She pouted at him and he laughed and squeezed her ass before stepping away. “Eat quickly, Quinn.”
“Do you want something to eat?” She asked as she prepared her dinner meal.
“No, I ate earlier with the other guys,” he said as he stole a piece of cheese from her plate and popped it into his mouth.
“Do you ever wish you could just have a hamburger?” He asked as he stole another piece of cheese.
She poked him in his flat stomach and carried her plate to the table. “All the damn time. I’m so tired of pork.”
“What’s the mystery meat that we sometimes get?”
“It’s a creature that lives in the forest. It’s called - ”
There was a knock at the front door and Quinn stiffened.
“Are you expecting someone?” Silas asked.
“No,” she said. She drew her sword and Silas followed her down the hallway. There was another louder knock.
“Who is it?” Quinn asked.
“Massina, it’s me. Open the door. Quickly!”
Quinn yanked open the door. “Kila? What are you doing here?”
“Let me in, massina,” Kila said with a nervous glance behind her.
Quinn stepped aside and her mouth dropped open when Gage followed Kila into the house. “You bring the breeder to my house? Kila, what the hell is going on?”
“We need to speak, Quinn,” Kila said.
She hurried toward the kitchen and Silas grabbed Gage’s arm when he tried to follow her. “What did you do, Gage?”
Gage yanked his arm free and scowled at him. “Just listen to what she has to say, Silas.”
He disappeared into the kitchen and after a moment’s hesitation, Silas and Quinn followed.
“Sandora,” Quinn said as she sat next to the blonde-haired woman. “what are you doing here with the breeder?”
“Gage told me of your plan,” Kila said bluntly.
“Gage, you didn’t,” Silas groaned. “You little shit. I told you not to tell her.”
“I love her and I can’t keep something like this from her,” Gage retorted.
“Garna!” Quinn swore. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done, you foolish boy?”
“What I’ve done?” Gage said. “You’ve turned my brother against me and - ”
“She has not turned me against you,” Silas interrupted. “Gage, this is for your own safety.”
“No, it’s so you can be with the woman you love. I want to be with the woman I love too, Silas. It’s not exactly fair for you to be the only one who gets what he wants.”
“Listen to me, you silly bala,” Quinn snarled. “You’re going to get your brother killed. Is that what you want?”
“Of course it isn’t!” Gage nearly shouted. “You’re the one who’s going to get him killed, not me. You don’t care about anyone but yourself. You’re a selfish bitch who – ”
“Hold your tongue, breeder, or I will rip it from your mouth,” Quinn snapped.
“I’d like to see you try!” Gage retorted.
Quinn stood and Gage flinched. Silas stood quickly and grabbed Quinn’s waist. “Quinn, don’t.”
“He may be your brother, Silas, but I am the massina and I will not tolerate such disrespect. I will allow him to keep his tongue but losing one of his fingers will teach him respect,” Quinn said.
“He didn’t mean it,” Silas said. “Gage, apologize.”
“Like hell I’ll apologize,” Gage said.
“Gage, for fuck’s sake,” Silas said in exasperation as Quinn tried to struggle free. “Can everyone just calm the fuck down for two minutes?”
“I will calm down when I have a piece of your brother’s flesh,” Quinn said as she yanked her dagger from her belt.
“You’re just as bad as that bitch in the castle,” Gage said.
“No, breeder, I am far worse,” Quinn replied. “Now be a good little boy and hold out your hand.”
“Come anywhere near me and I’ll - ”
“You’ll what? You think you can defeat the massina? I will leave you in pieces on the floor of this kitchen if you do not learn some manners.”
“I don’t care how tough you think you are, lady. I’m not going to just stand here and - ”
“You’re right about that. You will be lying on the floor sobbing like the little bala you are when I’m finished with you.”
“Nice, real nice. Some girlfriend you have the
re, Silas. Tell me, does she have your balls in her pocket permanently or does she let you keep them during the day?”
“Gage, stop antagonizing Quinn! Quinn, stop threatening to chop Gage into little pieces!”
“Tell him to watch his tongue and I won’t have to - ”
“You keep telling me to watch my tongue and I’ll - ”
“ENOUGH!”
The three of them jumped when Kila slammed her fists on the table. She stood, her eyes blazing anger at all three of them. “You fight like spoiled children and I’m tired of it! All of you sit down and listen to me!”
They sat down with heavy thuds as Kila glared at them. “Massina, Gage told me of your plan and he was right to do so. Both of us are going with you.”
Quinn’s mouth dropped open again. “Kila, you cannot go with us.”
“Why not?”
“It’s dangerous, sandora. We have no idea what world we will end up in. It could be a thousand times worse than this one.”
“Or it could be a thousand times better,” Kila replied. “I wish to be with Gage and it is not fair of me to ask him to be separated from his brother. The solution is for both of us to go.”
“No,” Quinn said. “You’re not going, Kila.”
“I am,” Kila said calmly.
“Sandora - ”
“I am tired of the way things are in this world, Quinn. Even before I met Gage I hated the way we treat the men. They should be free to choose who they want to be with. That will never happen while my mother lives.”
“You can change it,” Quinn said. “When you become queen, you can change the rules. You can set the breeders free and - ”
“You and I both know I will never become queen. Mother is strong and powerful and her reign is far from over. I cannot go another thirty years this way. Besides, once she is dead another will take the throne from me. I am not a good enough warrior to defeat them.”
“Not yet,” Quinn said. “But you will be.”
Kila smiled sadly. “No, massina. I will not.”
“You could die on this other world. Do you understand that?” Quinn said bleakly.
“I could die here. There’s no guarantee that staying here means I live a safe and happy life,” Kila said. “I am going, massina. You cannot stop me.”
Quinn stared at her before nodding. “Aye, I suppose I can’t. All three of us will go.”
“The others too,” Gage said.
“What?” Silas said.
“They’re my friends, Silas, and I won’t just abandon them here. We should give them the chance to come with us.”
“Sure, why not. In fact, why don’t we just take a poll of everyone in the clan,” Quinn said. “See if there are more who would care to join us.”
“He’s right, Quinn,” Silas said. “We have to at least give them the option.”
“What happens when they open their big mouths and blab the plans to anyone who will listen?” Quinn asked.
“They won’t,” Silas said. “They’ll know what’s at stake.”
“That Veronica woman is an idiot,” Quinn muttered.
“She won’t say anything,” Silas said. “Kila, can you speak to Angela and the other women about it? I’ll talk with the guys.”
Kila nodded. “Aye, I will think of a reason to be alone with them without it raising suspicion.”
“Vida,” Quinn suddenly said.
“What about him?” Gage asked.
“If we’re inviting your friends, I should get to invite mine.”
“That’s not a good idea,” Silas said.
Quinn scowled at him. “Vida wishes to leave this world and I will give him the opportunity to do so. He will be an asset in this new world.”
“Unless it’s a desert,” Silas said. “Then he’ll wither up and die on us.”
Ignoring him, Quinn took Kila’s hand. “Sandora, are you absolutely sure this is what you want? We will need to leave tomorrow night in order to get to the orb in time. There will be no returning to this world.”
“I’m sure,” Kila said. She squeezed Quinn’s hand before standing and reaching for Gage’s hand. “We must return to the castle before someone discovers us missing.”
At the door, she hugged Quinn hard. “This will work, massina. We will leave this world and find a better one.”
“I know,” Quinn said quietly. “I love you, sandora.”
“I love you too, Quinn.”
She and Gage disappeared into the dark and Silas closed the door and locked it. They returned to the kitchen and Quinn stared at her untouched plate of food.
“You should eat, Quinn,” Silas said.
“Aye,” she replied. She picked at her food as Silas studied her quietly.
“I think you should reconsider asking Vida to join us,” he said.
“Why?”
“I don’t trust him.”
“I thought you two were becoming friends.”
“He sleeps with the queen on a regular basis. Who knows what he would tell her.”
“He won’t say anything to the queen. Tell me your real reason, Silas,” Quinn said.
“He wants you.” Silas could hear the jealousy in his voice.
“So?”
“So, maybe once we’re away from this world you’ll be more than happy to give him what he wants.”
Quinn gave him a look of bewilderment. “Seriously? Silas, it is you I want, no other. You know that. Vida is my friend and nothing more.”
Silas sighed loudly. “Sorry, I’m not usually this pathetic. I swear.”
She smiled in amusement before pushing back her chair and sitting on his lap. “I do not think you’re pathetic. Besides, I know a thing or two about jealousy.”
She kissed his neck and he cupped her breast. She moaned quietly before kissing him until they were both panting.
“I believe you said earlier something about tying me to the bed?” Quinn said.
He grinned at her. “I remember mentioning it.”
“Good.” She slid off his lap and took his hand before tugging him to his feet. “Come, danen. It is time to practice what you preach.”
* * *
The queen stared out the window at the darkening sky. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed in the distance. She drew her robe closer to her body. When there was a knock at the door she moved to the fireplace.
“Enter.”
“My Queen.” Akia shut the door and dropped to one knee.
“Rise, Akia. Tell me what news you have.”
“Quinn went to see Josana yesterday.”
“Not unusual. She often goes to see her,” the queen said dismissively.
Akia frowned. “Why?”
“For reasons that do not concern you. If that’s all you have you can leave.”
“Before they went inside Quinn told Josana it was time to pay her debt to her,” Akia said.
The queen turned toward her. “Did she now?”
“Aye.”
“Interesting,” the queen said thoughtfully.
There was another knock on the door and the queen smiled. “Perfect timing. Open the door, Akia, and show our guest in.”
Akia opened the door and blinked in surprise. Josana was standing in the hallway and she gave Akia a timid look.
“Hello, Akia.”
“Good evening, Josana.”
Josana entered the room and dropped painfully to one knee. “Greetings, my Queen.”
“Rise, majii, and join me by the fire,” the queen said.
Josana rose clumsily to her feet and crossed the room to stand next to the queen. She kept her gaze on the floor until the queen said, “Look at me.”
The queen studied the old woman’s face. “You grow old.”
“Aye, as we all do, my Queen.”
“Indeed. Soon your powers of sight will fade and then what good will you be to me?”
Josana didn’t reply and the queen arched her eyebrow. “Perhaps I will put you to work in the gardens
or the kitchen.”
“That would be a great honour, my Queen.”
“Or perhaps I will simply cast you out beyond the walls and let fate decide what happens.”
Josana gave her a frightened look and cringed away when the queen petted her long hair. “You have served me faithfully for over thirty years. Have you not, majii?”
“Aye, my Queen.”
“I reward my good and faithful servants. Do I not?”
“Aye, my Queen.”
The queen continued to stare at her. “What news do you bring of the storm?”
“It is only a storm, my Queen. No orb appears.”
“Are you certain?”
“Aye, my Queen.” Josana stared unblinkingly at the queen but as the seconds turned into minutes she finally returned her gaze to the floor.
“Very well. You are dismissed, majii.”
“Thank you, my Queen.”
Josana walked slowly toward the door. As she reached for the handle the queen said, “There is one more thing I must ask of you, majii.”
Josana turned and gave the queen a hesitant smile. “I am at your bidding, my Queen.”
“What did you and the massina speak of when she came to your home yesterday?”
Josana paled and swallowed. There was an audible click in her throat and she cleared it loudly. “Nothing of interest, my Queen.”
“Come now, majii, I do not believe that to be true.” The queen nodded at Akia who took Josana’s arm and yanked her roughly back to the queen.
“I would hear the truth,” the queen said softly.
Josana swallowed again. “She only stopped by to check on me and to have a short visit, my Queen. The massina is kind and knows of my loneliness. She – she often stops by.”
“Aye, I suppose you have been lonely since your daughter died,” the queen said. “How long has she been dead?”
“Thirty years, my Queen,” Josana said quietly.
“One never gets over the loss of a child. Do they, majii?”
“No, my Queen.”
“I understand that pain all too well. I was blessed with a child before Kila. Do you remember?”
Josana nodded as the queen moved closer. “She died in my womb. I gave birth to a child who would never cry, never laugh, never grow big and strong. She was perfect, you know. There was no reason for her to be dead and Naveen had no explanation for why she did not breathe.”
