by Mari Byrne
Shari watched as Shan Lin and Vincent struggled against their captures as she heard the words the men nearly rocketed into her mind, but didn’t quite understand. Children?
Yes. Children. Please.
“But you don’t actually rule, do you, Auntie Sara?” Shan Lin sneered the words.
“And you sure as hell don’t rule well!” Vincent snarled at his aunt.
Shari! The insistent voices sounded again. Demand Consort Claiming rights!
Rage infused the Queen’s face as Shari watched the smugness leak away.
“How dare you! How dare you speak to me…in that tone…those words…”
Shari knew, the Queen would soon erupt if something wasn’t done. Shari would know best as she had been on the receiving end of this woman’s anger.
Just as the enraged woman began to speak again, Shari opened her mouth and shouted.
“I demand consort rights!”
The room stilled.
“What did you say?” The Queen grated out, teeth clenched in fury.
Calmly now, Shari did her best to be heard around her now scratched and sore throat.
“I said…” The fear just bled away. Suddenly, it did not matter if this woman had tried to kill her, and failed.
“I heard what you said.” The contempt in the woman’s voice came through clearly.
The Queen turned her wrath on her nephews.
“Do you think this will save you? Do you think you’re so clever I won’t kill you the instant we’ve found she does not carry your children?”
Shan Lin and Vincent stood proud facing their Aunt’s anger. Naked, hands haphazardly bound behind them, restraints trailing from their wrists, the two men faced whatever their aunt threw at them.
“You are traitors. You were seen in the company of two Horrdian men who are known spies. You deliberately disobeyed direct orders from your Commander in Chief of the Military of Aranak. Do you think so little of this land you would deliberately…”
Shan Lin and Vincent were quick to interrupt her accusation.
“How dare you, Aunt Sara!” Vincent and Shan Lin roared in unison and Shari flinched waiting for the Queen to have them killed outright.
“How dare you accuse us of treason when it is you who has been using your position to manipulate circumstances to your own agenda. Those two men we were seen with have proof of the times you’ve conspired with our enemies in the hopes of taking over Horrd and other surrounding areas.”
Breathing heavily, Vincent’s voice rang through the room as his emotions leaked out.
“It was you who had those people in Hurok killed, making it look as if Horrdian soldiers had done it. Our spies watched as you had a meeting with those mercenaries that you hired to slaughter those people. It was only by luck the two men intervened, paying off the mercenaries with more gold then you did. It saved the village of Hurok.”
A gasping sound came from beside Vincent as one of the men who had just moments before attempted to arrest the brothers, cried out.
“My Queen. Please…Tell me…” But Shari watched as the knowledge of what Vincent had said rang true in the man’s eyes.
Shari watched as the Queen ignored the man and didn’t deny the charges.
“I am Queen,” was her only answer, and the man who had protested dropped his weapon and walked dejectedly out the door.
Shari waited, breath held, for what the Queen’s next move would be.
“We have proof.” Shan Lin and Vincent spoke quietly and in tandem into the void.
The Queen studied the brothers with suspicion in her eyes before she answered them.
“Well, nephews. It seems you have a few secrets of your own.”
* * * * *
The fury she so recently held had disappeared.
“What is it you want?” Sara asked, command still in her voice even as she tried her best to sound giving. Her anger had evaporated rapidly once Shan Lin and Vincent had shown her a copy of the video that showed her dealing with the mercenaries. She had become the men’s aunt once again, not necessarily affable, but no longer the imperious ruler commanding her peasants.
“We want you to step down from the throne. Queen Stephanie is the rightful ruler and you know it,” Vincent ground out.
Both men had dressed sparingly to sit down with the players in this continuing saga. Shari wanted very badly for the whole thing to be over but sat between her husbands and waited as they laid out their demands.
Melodious laughter flowed from the Queen.
“You must be joking,” she said when she had herself under control once again.
Both men emphatically shook their heads.
“No, Auntie. It is no longer your Realm. Aranak now belongs to the rightful monarch, Her Majesty, Queen Stephanie. Your sons have married her in good faith and by the laws set forth through succession, laws which have been upheld for millennia…”
“Bah!” Sara scoffed. “Laws are meant to be changed. I have a mind to do just that. Now ask me for something that I’m willing to give. At the moment, you’ve been charged with treason. As I am still the ruler here now, it would behoove you to remember I could have you killed because I say so.”
Shari waited as the men measured their aunt and listened as they pathed each other.
It’s not going to happen. Shan Lin pathed tightly to his brother.
I know. She is too ensconced in her position for us to merely be able to convince the whole of Aranak of her duplicities.
Shari, tired of the whole thing, jumped into the discussion wanting only for it to be over.
“Banish them. Send them to my Realm and allow us to live our lives in peace. No threats of death, no sending assassins after us, no nothing. You get what you want, them gone. I get what I want, my soul-mates alive, happy, and mine.”
Shan Lin and Vincent started to protest but Shari quickly cut them off.
“Politics be damned! You are my life. Let the whole of the universe die. It is you two I care about now, no one else.”
Shari’s voice was brittle, her face showing what the death of the two men would mean to her. Whatever arguments the two brothers could come up with, were nothing compared to what Shari wanted.
“As you wish, Kasha.”
The Queen spoke up, suspicion in her words.
“And how do I know you all won’t just send the disc through a Tear for anyone to find it? I’d much rather kill you now and deal with the consequences which arise.”
“Because. You have my word we’ll never show the disc in Aranak. I can’t guarantee someone else doesn’t have a copy, but the three of us will never use it to blackmail you. My word as a Woman. As I understand it, in Aranak, this vow is the equivalent to signing my name in blood. Correct?”
Queen Sara nodded, a spark of respect gleaming in her eyes before she squelched it.
“I want your word in the same promise about my husbands’ safety, and those of any family we have.”
“And your life, Kasha.” Her husbands echoed each other.
Nodding acknowledgment, Shari turned once again to the Queen.
“And my life.”
Their Aunt Sara sat in silence for so long Shari suspected she was about to be turned down.
“Very well. My word as a Woman.” The Queen reached out and offered her hand. Shari took it and the two women shook on the promise.
“As if signed in blood,” the Queen murmured.
Shari dipped her head in acknowledgment of the promise.
“I, Queen Sara Anaksup, do here by banish the Warriors Shan Lin Rayan-White and Vincent Rayan-White from the Realm of Azaya. Their bride, My Lady Princess Shari Lynn Rayan-White hereby invokes Consort Claiming rights. It is with the greatest of pleasures she be banished from my land forever or the three be killed outright.”
Shari shuddered.
Though I’d much rather kill you all here and now. But you have chosen the one thing I can respect. One-upmanship. Queen Sara’s words, full of cruel laugh
ter, slithered through Shari’s mind.
One-upmanship? Shari thought incredulously at the word. The woman is a fucking psycho. Clenching her fists to keep from acknowledging the parting words, she waited for the woman to leave.
The Queen left quickly, the door to their chambers crashing as it closed, and Shari couldn’t take a deep breath until Winters finally came back and announced the woman’s departure from their home. Shari’s breath wooshed out in relief.
“Your plan, Shari?” Vincent asked, hope in his voice.
Shari looked to her husbands, love shining in her gaze.
“It was a whim.” Shari murmured to herself. Shaking her head in disbelief, she answered Vincent.
“To protect my family. After that, I’ll tell you once I’ve gotten the two of you home.”
* * * * *
Winters oversaw their packing and assured Shari he would handle everything.
“My Lady Shari,” Winters said only to have his voice break on the last syllable.
“What is it, Winters?” Shari went to the man, concern for him evident in her demeanor.
“My Lady, please. One moment,” he asked and Shari allowed him to compose himself before he continued.
“Shari. I cannot tell you how proud I am. The Queen…” He scowled as he spoke her title, “…she would have slain my…they are like sons to me. You have saved them from themselves. They would have gone up against that woman and…died.” His voice trailed away, his eyes taking on a look of fear Shari knew rarely came into this man’s eyes.
“Winters, I will protect them now. It is the way of your…our people.” Even as Shari spoke, she knew it was the truth.
Winters turned his head, staring deeply into her eyes.
“They could break you into tiny pieces with a look if they were so inclined. They truly are what their nicknames imply. Most inhabitants of the many Realms fear those two men and their reputation for ruthlessness is legendary. There are those here in Aranak who would gladly slay them as soon as look at them. And who is the only one who offers to protect them?”
Shari smiled as he shook his head in wonder.
“It’s as I told their aunt. They are my life. If they die, I die. Their pain is my pain. Their hunger, mine. It is who I now am.”
Shari hugged the man and waited as she felt Shan Lin and Vincent come up behind her.
“If you two are ready, I am too.”
“Kasha. Shari.” Shan Lin walked up and enfolded her into his arms. Vincent went to Winters and embraced him in thanks. Then Vincent held Shari as Shan Lin went to Winters.
“Have no fear, Winters, she will keep us safe.”
Winters gruffly cleared his throat.
“It is you who had better protect her. Otherwise I will be making a trip through the Tear and dispensing my own set of justice.”
The three laughed as Winters had intended and Shan Lin, Vincent, and Shari’s parting was complete. The three left through the door of the inconspicuous home, and on foot made their way to the Tear, which had brought Shari into Aranak.
* * * * *
Shari walked toward the large home of Queen Stephanie and her consorts, Princes Mitch and Kristain, with the reminder they were family.
“It’s true. They are our cousins.” Shan Lin tried to reassure Shari as the three made their way to the front door.
Vincent pounded on the whitewashed door as he also reassured Shari.
“They’re two fluff balls who tremble at our feet. Don’t worry about it. We are welcome here.”
The door opened and a woman with flowing brown hair and eyes of deep, midnight blue smiled out at them. An aura of serene grace surrounded her and the inviting grin she wore told Shari immediately the three of them were welcomed. The woman took in the appearance of the men before quickly turning to study Shari.
“You are as beautiful in person as these two have told me. Please, don’t pay any attention to the lies they tell you about my husbands. Gentle with me they may be, but be wary of softly spoken men.”
Shan Lin and Vincent immediately dropped to their knees, heads bowed.
Shari stared at her husbands, her mind bewildered by their actions. She turned back to ask the woman why they were kneeling to her when comprehension came.
“Er…” Shari began to go to her knees when the woman slipped out the door leaving it open behind her.
“Don’t,” she said laying her arm on Shari’s. “Get up, you two. I know I asked you not to do that.”
Shari watched as Shan Lin and Vincent rose to their feet, their attention going between the woman in front of them, and the two men now close behind her.
“And pay no attention to the two hulking figures behind me. They’ve been dogging my steps ever since I told them of your banishment.”
“Mitch, Kristain,” Shan Lin and Vincent grumbled.
“Vincent. Shan Lin,” replied two equally grumpy voices.
Shari shook her head.
“Behave you two. As soon as you introduce us properly, the four of you can go play.”
“My Queen, Your Majesty. May I present our wife, My Lady Princess Shari Lynn Rayan-White. Shari, My Queen, Her Majesty Stephanie Anaksup-Armand.”
The words were spoken so fast Shari nearly missed her own name.
“Now. What’s this I’ve been hearing about us being ‘fluff balls’?” one of the twins asked, challenge in his voice.
Another Queen. Shari digested this quickly.
Easy, my love, Vincent pathed quietly into her mind.
She snorted and spoke out loud.
“As long as this one isn’t anything like your Aunt, I think I’ll be fine.”
Vincent cut his glance to his wife and smiled.
“No. I’m afraid there aren’t any orgies going on in this house. But if it would make you feel welcome…” Stephanie asked politely, her lips fighting a grin.
Shari turned to the woman, a smile of her own clearly showing, and paused as if thinking about the offer Queen Stephanie had made.
“Well. Perhaps if I was the only woman and didn’t have to share…”
The four men gaped at her comment, shock clear on their faces.
Queen Stephanie laughed out loud, a clear wonderful sound nothing like the melodiously false mirth of Queen Sara that Shari knew she would hear for the rest of her life.
“Please. Come in and be welcome.” Queen Stephanie gestured toward the door still blocked by all four of the now disgruntled men. “I’m sure there is much you have to tell and I’d rather have a strong drink with the telling.”
Shari smiled, a feeling she was coming for a visit with family.
“Thank you, Queen Stephanie, a drink would be most welcome. Any chance you have some of that primpate fruit juice?”
The young Queen smiled, nodding her head.
“Oh definitely. And we mustn’t forget the Tine Chocolate Torts to go with it. I hear they were a hit on your wedding night.”
Shari turned to the woman, a blush forming. But the Queen just laughed.
“Wait until you hear about my wedding night. And since you will eventually, please, call me Stephanie. After all, we’re family.”
Shari smiled again, her blush fading quickly as she heard Shan Lin and Vincent growl sarcastically to their cousins loud enough for the women to hear.
“We just got here. Can the orgy wait for a few hours? I’d like to catch my breath.”
Laughter followed the group as the door closed behind them.
Epilogue
Stephanie stepped through the Tear into Aranak for the very first time and went to her knees. Her head filled quickly with millions of voices before she could block them out. It took her a few moments to realize someone held her arm in a reassuring grip.
“The first steps are always a doozy. Are you all right?” the female voice asked Stephanie as the same hand helped her to her feet.
“I’m…fine. Thank…you.” Stephanie murmured, managing to gain her feet without stumbling, the h
and on her arm steadying her. She looked up and stared into the face of a female Warrior. Looking the woman over carefully, Stephanie found the insignia proclaiming the woman’s rank.
“Captain, correct?” Stephanie asked, the cacophony in her head easing enough for her to breathe.
“Yes.” The woman smiled gently. “Captain Lawsai of the Queen’s Guard. Are you in need of assistance, ma’am?” Stephanie opened her mind and wondered if perhaps she should have rethought leaving her husbands behind.
…going to have to make sure she gets to where she’s going. Wish they would listen when told about the side effects.
Stephanie closed the pathlink, and straightening, gave Captain Lawsai a smile of her own.
“Thank you, Captain Lawsai. I think I can take it from here. It’s my first time through a Tear and I wasn’t paying attention when they told me of the side effects.” Stephanie smiled, leaning closer to the woman. “I thought Katerina and Phillippe were joking when they told me stepping through a doorway might knock me on my ass. ‘Pride goeth before a fall’…huh?” Stephanie laughed at herself.
Captain Lawsai smiled, giving a chuckle of her own.
“If you’re feeling better then, I’ll leave you here.” The soldier paused before confirming, “Unless you care to have an escort take you to your destination…?” Lawsai raised her eyebrows inquiringly.
Stephanie smiled sheepishly.
“Nope. I’ll be fine. I’m sure there are things you’ve got to take care of. After all, this is my first trip back from the Earth Realm and I did tell Katerina I could make the complete roundtrip on my own. Course, Phillippe doubted it, but…” Shrugging helplessly, Stephanie shook her head. “Wait until I tell them a Captain of the Queen’s Guard had to help me right myself. I don’t think I’ll live this down.”
* * * * *
Theresa looked slightly down at the woman and knew she would have to follow this woman to her intended destination. Dressed as the woman was in jeans, T-shirt and sneakers, Captain Lawsai knew there was no way she was from Aranak.
“Well, you be careful. The night is young, but there are still roving bands of mercs marching around.”
