by H. D. Gordon
This needed to be over. Lives needed to be taken. The scales needed to be tipped, one way or the other. And whether her family had come by the throne by ill means or not, she wasn’t going down without a fight.
Gods help us all, she thought, and hugged her lover for what could be the last time.
CHAPTER 28
SAMSON
“I was beginning to think I’d have to come find you,” said Drake, King of the Beasts.
Samson said nothing to this, only sat where he was, his demeanor relaxed despite what lie ahead. He knew Drake was referring to the fact that Samson had been absent all these years, and that he had expected Sam to shirk his responsibilities, as he had done in the past.
But it wasn’t as simple as all that. Samson had not asked to be betrothed to Mila (this was not to say he didn’t have a certain affection for her, because he did) and he had not asked to be rescued by Surah all those years ago, and to fall so deeply in love with her that he could not bear to leave her, despite the difficulties of living among Two Legs for such a long time.
“I’m here,” Sam replied, when the silence between them stretched on too long.
Drake considered him a moment, his amber cat-eyes as piercing as a gaze could be. His long tail flicked lazily behind him, his head tilting a bit as he looked at Sam. “Yes,” he agreed, “you are here in form… but your mind is elsewhere.” The King of the Beasts fell silent again, settling down on the ridge on which the two cats sat, looking out at the jungle below, at his kingdom, which stretched on as far as the eye could see, a rich green topped with wisps of white clouds, like cotton.
“It’s a curious thing,” Drake added. “Your affection for the Two Leg. In truth, I’m not sure how it can even be. In all my years, I’ve never known any Beast to do as you’ve done.”
There was a certain distain in the king’s voice that Sam didn’t miss. His throat felt tight, and he settled down beside the king, taking in the sights as well. It would be a lie to say he hadn’t missed the fresh air here, the land untouched by man.
“It’s a curiosity to me as well,” Sam replied. “I didn’t choose to love her. I didn’t choose any of it. It just is.”
Drake seemed to consider this, the sound of the jungle filling the space between their exchanges. “I’m conflicted over you, son,” the king said at last. “Half of me is so tired, so ready to be done with this world and move on to the next, to relinquish my title and pass on the crown… but the other half of me doesn’t trust the pride to you. Tell me… should you win tonight, where will your loyalties lie, with the pride, or the Sorceress?”
Samson chose his next words carefully. He refused to lie to the king. Drake had too much of his respect for that. “If I should win tonight, I will do my best to rule justly. That’s all I can promise you, Drake.”
The king’s amber gaze flicked over to Sam, looking at him out of the corner of his eye. “My daughter is in love with you, Samson… You are aware of this, are you not?”
Sam suppressed a sigh; it was a Two Leg quality that the king would not appreciate. “I am,” he said.
“She mourned for you when we thought you’d died. I thought that girl would never stop skulking about.”
Sam said nothing to this, only stared out at the green canopies of the jungle rustling gently in the breeze. Tonight, when the sun set over this land from which he’d hailed, he would face Drake in a battle where only one cat would walk away. The pride would gather around them in the clearing, and the two would fight to the death, the victor taking the title of King of the Beasts. It was a destiny that had been chosen for Sam long ago by his parents, the path that he’d strayed from, knowing that someday he would be led back to it, for one could only avoid their fate for so long.
After some time, Drake took to his feet, stretching his long body the way only a cat can. He was bigger than Samson, his form all sinew and muscle, built for the kill. His long tail flicked lazily behind him, and he lifted his head and sniffed at the air.
“Come, my son,” the king said. “Let us catch a meal and dine together.” His cat eyes flicked to Sam, and there was sympathy there, despite the apparent lack of understanding. “For one of us, it will be the last.”
Sam took to his feet as well, following behind the King of the Beasts much like a man accepting his sentence, having a last meal and taking his last walk. It didn’t take long for the two to find a Great Stag and take it down, though the buck fought with impressive force. As Sam ate, he thought of his Sorceress, wondering if he would ever see her again, if he would ever get to feel her fingers running through his fur, ever hear her sweet voice filling his head one last time.
Sometime between taking his last bites and the sun making its way across the sky, sinking into the trees and giving way to the light blue hue of twilight, Samson decided it didn’t matter. If today he should meet his end, it really didn’t matter. Had he the chance to go back and do it all over again, he would do everything exactly the same way.
Because it had been worth it. His time with the Sorceress Surah Stormsong, the bond they shared and the feelings he never would’ve experienced without her, were all so much more than worth it, and if this marked the end of his life, he would say that it was a life well spent.
A life beside his Surah was as good as it got, and a death in her name was all the more beautiful. Because that was really what it came down to, and both alpha cats knew it. The reason he was here, the reason Sam would not run, but instead would face his fate, as unfortunate as it may be.
If Sam hadn’t come, Drake would’ve come after his Surah, and Samson could not allow that. As the day wasted away, passing with no regard as to the consequences, Sam thought only of her, of their time together, and for the first time in his long cat life, he sent up a silent prayer.
He prayed only that Surah was safe, and that no matter what happened, she would come out the other end of all this on top. For that thought alone, Samson would die a thousand deaths, would face a million Kings of Beasts.
“Say your goodbyes, Samson,” Drake told him, looking up from his meal, rough tongue licking the blood-covered fur of his mouth. It was not a threat, merely a piece of advice the king had clearly spoken to dozens before him.
Drake stood, his belly full of the deer they’d taken down and his eyes void of emotion, and slipped away into the trees, the jungles growing silent as he passed through them. Sam watched him go, experiencing an emotion only ever brought on by the idea of losing his mistress.
Samson realized with a start that he was scared. Tonight would decide not only his fate, but also that of all those in the pride.
Tonight, he would either die a disappointment, or triumph a king.
CHAPTER 29
SURAH
“I don’t agree with this at all,” Charlie said, for what must’ve been the millionth time.
Surah sighed, knowing that she would say the same in his position, but being no less irritated with the knowledge. “You can’t very well return to the castle with me, Charlie,” she said, for what also was the millionth time. “There’s really nothing else you can do right now.”
There were back at Aria’s apartment, and the young Halfling girl was watching the exchange with apt attention, clearly pleased that they’d returned. Surah would’ve left Charlie at the cabin, but she knew he would leave were he to go unsupervised, and he had seemed to take a liking to Aria.
Surah decided to try a different tactic. She lowered her voice now. “Also, you need to look after the girl,” she added. “Aria could be in danger if anyone finds out she helped you escape.”
“No one is going to find out,” Aria chimed in, and cringed a bit when Surah’s eyes flashed at her. She shrugged. “They wont, though. My people are good at staying under the radar. No one knows of my involvement except my superiors and you two.”
“Thank you,” Surah snapped, not meaning to sound as harsh as the words came out. She was still very much feeling the effects of the Black Stone, and she
clamped down on her uncharacteristic anger so as not to make it so obvious.
Charlie was looking at her with narrowed eyes, not fooled. He placed a hand on her arm, and lifted it away when this only seemed to further her anger. “Using all that Dark Magic wasn’t good for you, Surah,” he said, wary.
Surah took a deep breath, knowing she was directing the dark emotions at the wrong people. “I won’t argue with that,” she said. “But you and I both know you can’t return with me to our land. I can’t defend the kingdom if I’m worried about protecting you.” Her voice was smaller as she said this last part, her love for him diffusing her a bit.
Charlie shook his head, chuckling a bit without humor. “You make me sound like a damsel in distress,” he said. “I can take care of myself, love. But how can I sit here while you go off to fight a Dark Lord and a crazy Fae Queen?”
Suddenly Surah was angry again. She needed to get a hold of herself. She’d underestimated the effects of the Dark Magic. “Charlie,” she said slowly, between clenched teeth, “I don’t want to, but if I must, I’ll tie you to a chair and force you to stay here.”
“I’ll make sure he stays, Queen Surah,” Aria said, her green eyes flicking quickly between the two of them. “No need to tie him to a chair.” She held up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
Surah had no idea what a “Scout’s honor” was, and this must’ve been evident on her face. Aria sighed and waved a hand. “Never mind,” Aria said. “It’s a human thing. It means you have my word.”
Surah thought about this for a moment, eyeing the girl. “And if he decides to leave, how would you stop him?”
Aria shrugged, a half smile pulling up her lips. “I could always knock him over the head,” she grinned. “But I have other talents…” She hopped up from where she’d been sitting on the couch, surrounded by her enormous books. Stopping in front of Surah, Aria held her hands out. “Here,” she said. “I can show you if you want.”
Staring at Aria’s hands, Surah raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing, child?”
Aria laughed a bit at this. “Just take my hands, your majesty, so I can show you.”
Surah looked at Charlie, who shrugged. He was apparently as clueless about the abilities of Halflings as she was. Sighing, Surah pulled her gloves from her hands and tucked them under her arms. With narrowed eyes, she placed her hands in Aria’s.
As soon as her hands touched the girl’s, the strangest sensation washed over her. Surah found that she could do nothing other than stare into Aria’s green eyes, a shade that seemed to be constantly shifting, swirling almost, as Surah looked into them. The girl was lovely. There was no denying that. She had a face that made one instantly trust her, and a voice that seemed to fill Surah’s head rather than just her ears.
“I can make sure Charlie doesn’t follow you, your majesty,” Aria said, her voice sounding both very close and far away. “All I have to do is ask him… You believe me, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Surah heard herself say. “I believe you, Aria.”
Abruptly, Aria dropped Surah’s hand, and whatever Faevian Magic she’d been using on Surah dropped with it. Surah shook her head, her brow furrowing. “What was that?” she asked.
Aria shrugged. It seemed to be a default gesture of hers. “It’s one of my talents. I have the power of suggestion. People want to do what I say, want to believe they can trust me.”
It was curious, because these words alone would’ve normally made Surah suspicious, but she found that the girl was right; Surah did still trust her. She mulled this over for a moment, her gaze switching between Aria and Charlie. She needed to get back to the castle, back to her people, and she had two choices here; either trust the Halfling girl to keep her word, or Magic Charlie to a chair until she returned.
“I have the honor of the Scouts that you won’t allow him to follow me, Aria?” she asked.
Something about this must’ve struck the girl as funny, because she grinned and nodded firmly, again holding two fingers up into the air. “Yes, your majesty,” she said. “You have the honor of the Scouts.”
“Will you make your suggestion now?” Surah asked. “While I watch?”
Aria shrugged. “Sure,” she said, and reached out for Charlie, who backed away.
“Excuse me, ladies,” he said, eyeing Aria’s outstretched hands. “I’m right here, and I don’t want any suggestions.”
“Would you rather she Magically tie you to a chair?” Aria asked.
Charlie said nothing to this, and Aria moved before either of them had noticed and grabbed Charlie’s hands. He instantly became as lost in her gaze as Surah had been moments ago. Surah watched in curiosity as Aria used her talent.
“Charlie,” the girl said, “You’re not going after Surah. You’re going to stay with me, okay?”
Charlie’s response was immediate. “Okay, Aria. I won’t go after Surah. I’ll stay with you.”
Aria dropped his hands and flashed a pleased grin at Surah before sitting back down on her couch. “See? All taken care of, your majesty.”
“You’re a strange girl, Aria,” Surah said, more than a bit mystified at this mysterious gift. She did not mean it as an insult, but merely an observation.
Aria let out a sigh. “That’s what they tell me,” she said, but it seemed to be spoken more to herself than to Surah.
“Thank you,” Surah said. “I need to go now.”
“By all means,” Aria said, waving a hand.
Surah turned to Charlie, who did not look too pleased about any of this, but didn’t argue, either. She placed her hands on his face, forcing him to look at her. “I’m sorry, but this is the only way,” she whispered. “I can’t go into this with a straight head unless I know you’re safe. When this is over, I’m coming back for you. I’ll clear your name and we’ll be together. I promise.”
Charlie sighed, clearly unhappy. “Someone once told me not to make promises I can’t keep. This ain’t right. I should be with you. I should be helpin’ you clean up the mess my brother’s made.”
Surah shook her head. There were tears in her heart but not on her face, and she suspected this was a result of the Black Stone. She felt hardened in a way she hadn’t experienced before.
“Stop taking responsibility for your brother,” she said, and kissed him before he could respond.
Despite his upset at the situation, Charlie couldn’t have resisted her had he tried. Surah felt his strong arms go around her, his lips move against hers with a familiarity that she had never known before him. For just the smallest of moments, while she was so close to him, the darkness that had been creeping slowly over her mind receded, and she felt that peace and comfort that she’d come to refer to as the Charlie Effect.
Remembering they were not alone, and that things needed to be done, Surah pulled away from Charlie and cast an apologetic glance at Aria, who pretended to be deep in the words of the huge book cracked open on her lap.
“Stay with Aria,” Surah whispered, giving Charlie’s hands one last squeeze. “I love you, Charlie Redmine.”
And then Surah gripped the White Stone around her neck and teleported out of there, leaving Charlie to say ‘I love you, too, Surah Stormsong’ into the empty space in Aria’s apartment, leaving a hole in Surah’s heart the size of a galaxy.
For they both knew she might never return.
CHAPTER 30
SURAH
Her first thought when she landed back inside her castle, back in the Territory of the Sorcerers and out of the human world, was to look for Samson. There was a part of her that knew in her gut that her cat had not returned, and a voice inside her head that whispered that Sam might never return, and she did her best to silence it.
Samson had promised to return to her. Samson was strong and reliable and could more than take care of himself. She had to remember that.
The same way that you’re strong and reliable and can take care of yourself? whispered a voice in her head. The same way you promised
Charlie you would return, knowing that was not a promise you could make?
“Oh, shut up,” Surah mumbled, and jumped when a familiar voice spoke behind her.
“Who’re you talking to, my queen?” asked Theo, looking around the room. She had teleported into her father’s study, and Theo had just entered through the arched double doors.
“No one,” she snapped, and then composed herself. “Now’s not the best time to be sneaking up on me, Lord Gray,” she added, more gently, releasing hold of her sais, which she’d gripped in her surprise.”
Theo bowed deeply, his fine black cloak swaying with the movement. “Forgive me,” he said. “I didn’t know you’d returned.” Theo studied her in silence a moment. “I take it you spoke with Dagon?”
“Why do you assume that?” she asked, the snap back in her voice.
Theo shrugged and shook his head, because they both could hear the effect of the Dark Magic in her voice. “Only a guess.”
Surah sighed, trying to release some of the heavy anger she seemed to be carrying since using the Black Stone, and not nearly succeeding. “My apologies, Lord Gray,” she said, wandering over to her father’s high-backed leather chair and taking a seat. “Yes, I visited Dagon.”
When she didn’t continue, Theo asked, “And how did that go?”
Surah shook her head, thinking of her last words to the Dark Lord. She shrugged. “I told him I would bathe my land in the blood of his Demons should he send them here again, and that I would cut out his tongue and then take his head.” She laughed as she said this. Even though it hadn’t been funny at the time, speaking it aloud here was somehow morbidly comical.
Theo’s brows shot up. “Was that wise, my queen?”
Surah rested her head back against the chair, staring up at the ceiling, the laughter drying up like a late summer rain; there one minute, gone the next. All of a sudden, she was very tired. Using the amount of Magic—be it White or Black—that she’d used would exhaust anyone, and it’s not like she and Charlie had gotten much sleep in that cabin. She pushed thoughts of Charlie away, thinking absurdly that Theo would read them on her forehead.
