by Glenda Diana
Though the visit of Lucian had left a dark shadow upon their day, it was still a glorious evening in which they celebrated and rejoiced over the uniting. When the hour grew late, the rest of the household watched as the couple made their way up the staircase arm in arm, heads touching, as their whispered words drifted downward like a soft breeze to the onlookers. Syra suddenly seemed to take on a new glow, a glow of love and happiness ... the one thing that it had so obviously had been lacking before this night ... the one element that Arysa herself had noticed.
Chapter Twenty-One
Through the days that followed, it seemed to those that lived in Syra that the Lord and Lady of the Manor grew to love each other even more. And with this love came the sweet, soft contentment that settled over the manor and its occupants. But they all knew this tranquil time would not last, for soon Lucian would return.
They only heard fragments of news from the colony Connor and Justin had left behind. It was said that the Grand Counsel was deciding what they would do about the two deserters and traitors. It was also reported that a band of the Kings Exalted Soldiers were being prepared to march on Syra. All of the information they received came on drifted pieces of gossip. But as the weeks passed and no soldiers showed up, Connor wondered if the Grand Counsel had changed their minds.
He knew without a doubt that retribution would come to Justin and him. Their actions would not be overlooked or ignored. To do so would mean that others would follow quickly in their steps. The King and the Grand Counsel would not want to see that happen, though they knew as well as Connor and Justin that it was a path that others would take no matter what example the Grand Counsel made of them.
Three months passed before Connor felt the presence of their enemy approaching. In all honesty, he had thought that Lucian would have come sooner. Yet there had been that little naïve part of him that had wished that he would never have to deal with Lucian again or that he would have given him just a little more time with Arysa ... but being naïve was as unavailing as wishes. Now, came the hardest task he had ever had to face ... he would have to prepare Arysa for the coming confrontation. Over the weeks and months that they had been together he had worked with her, trying his best to ready her for the coming battle and whatever outcome she might have to face. The one thing that might hinder them was their love for one another. What had been a blessing to them, might very well turn into their fatal flaw ... not only to themselves but to all those that lived within the manor.
"He is returning."
Arysa's steps faltered. She had been pacing the floor the moment the announcement that an army of warriors was approaching. She looked at the man across from her briefly and then continued with her pacing.
"Why? Why does he have to come again?"
"You know as well as I do what he wants ... You."
Her dark green eyes glowed with her inner anger, but she fought against the need to let loose of the reins that held her temper tight. "You sound rather calm," she commented, as she turned around to pace in the opposite direction.
"Calm? Nay, but I do understand how he feels."
Again she paused to look at him. Her surprise must have been evident for he shrugged and responded with, "I know what it is to want you." She moved over to the window to look out. "It's nearly dark."
"Aye," came the rough sound of Conner's voice. "What would you have me do?"
"I don't know," she whispered, while other words fluttered against her tongue, but she held them to herself. What would she have him do? Or more to the question, what could they do? Power was at times a blessing and at other times a curse depending how one looked at it and each of them held within themselves a power unto their own. Whether that power came in the form of love, hate, compassion, good magic or evil magic ... each was as powerful as the next.
"Would you have me greet him with swords drawn or should I welcome him with a pleasant reception and then kill him?"
Though his words should have surprised her, they didn't. She returned her gaze to the window where soon the enemy would appear. They had heard he and his warriors arrival and they could still hear them as they drew nearer to Syra's borders. They were advancing slowly, at an almost leisurely pace. Which to them meant that Lucian and his warriors were being confident and arrogant. It was painfully obvious this time that a battle was assured. Before, there had been only heated words, but the time for such had passed and now all that would satisfy their enemy was total destruction.
She knew that the hate that existed between Connor and Lucian had to do with her, but for many years an animosity had raged between the two men ... and both men had added her to their other purposes of hatred.
"You know it is not in your force to be the aggressor," she answered and then smiled.
"For one dram of your love I would do all that's necessary."
The smile on Arysa's face faded. "I would not have you kill for me. I'm unworthy ... "
"Nay!" Connor growled, causing her words to halt. "I will not hear such words! I have given much and would give much more."
"And what if you are the one to die?"
"I have lived a long life, one of happiness and contentment. I would die with you in my vision and your name upon my lips."
Tears filled her eyes and she quickly turned away to hide them. "I want none to die for me. I want only to live as I choose and not how others have chosen for me."
"I know, and for that my love for you grows. Many times I have wished that our course could have been different. That there were no such ties that bind us to the societies we were created for. But my wishes are fruitless for they wither and die upon the vine of existence. We have gone against all rules and for that we have coupled with elimination."
"I would change nothing," she whispered.
"Neither would I, my love," he murmured, moving up behind her. He hesitated for only a moment before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close to his chest. "I have chanced the wrath of my Creator to spend one second within your arms and never will I regret the joy and pleasure and completeness I have found."
Turning within his embrace, she wrapped her arms around him and inhaled the scent of him. "I would give all to be with you for eternity."
"I know, my love. When all this is settled you will take my seed within you to nourish with your body and love." He moved his hand down to her stomach. "One day you will grow with a child of both societies, of both worlds ... yet one that will choose its own path and own direction."
"A child of us," she whispered as tears clogged her throat.
"Do not cry. It pains me so to see tears fall from your eyes."
"It pains me that I brought us to this point."
"Nay, you did not. You cannot help how things are. This enemy and I have fought many years before I found you and this would have come to pass eventually. I know this and so does he."
She shivered when he brushed the tears from her cheeks away. "You make the hunger within me stir to life with your tenderness."
"I would stir all of you," Connor whispered, as he lowered his mouth. "I know that this is not the time. But I would feel your love surround me before this episode in our life takes charge."
His words, though cloaked in pretty pose, stabbed at her center. He wanted to make love to her one last time before termination called. Taking his hand in hers, she directed him to sit upon the window seat. Within a moment she had him free and was straddling his hips. Wetness enveloping velvet heat. Her heart lurched and tears fell again as he entered her with such tender care. Each stroke of him was exquisite fire setting her blood to boiling and soon, too soon, she was letting her inner passions take over bringing her to a climax that rocked both of them.
Reaching between them he found the juices that were of 'them'. Dipping his finger, he gathered their juices and brought his finger to his lips to suck it free. With the pads of his thumbs he brushed her tears away before he carefully removed her from his lap. Going down on one knee, he brushed her skirts
aside and opened her thighs. Placing a kiss on her smooth mound, he moved down until he was drinking the juices from her vaginal cup and bringing her to another zenith.
The haze of hunger slowly receded as she watched him smooth her skirts back down to cover her legs. Their eyes met and held. So much to say and yet no words would change what would happen in the forthcoming minutes.
"If I should die, I die with you upon my lips, upon my tongue, and in my soul," he whispered.
"I will not let you die," she replied fiercely. "I would die myself before losing you."
"Ahhh, my sweet, I could not allow that."
"You underestimate my powers."
"Never," he replied with a sad smile.
The sound of running feet and the loud banging on their chamber door alerted them that their time had come to a close. Coming to her feet, she reached out and caught his arm before he could move to answer the knock. "I do not want this war."
"Neither do I, but neither shall I run from it. I want you to take the staff to the secret stairway so that they will not be harmed ... you are to go with them. I will not have you in danger."
"And you know that I will not leave you, so your order is useless."
"Don't argue with me, please. How am I to concentrate on what lies before me if my mind is ensnarled with thoughts of you in danger?"
There was no time to argue! What she wouldn't give to turn the clock back ... to give her more time with him. She nodded slowly. "Aye, I will do as you say." Fresh tears filled her eyes as she cupped his face in the palms of her hands and murmured, "I love you."
"Dear heart, I love you too."
The kiss they shared was heartrending and sweet. Both were reluctant to let the other loose and yet knew that they had no choice. His arms dropped away from her and he closed his eyes as she hurried from the room. He would give his all for her, but ironically, his all was going to cost him her. He knew deep within himself that this was the end to the perfect fantasy that they had shared for many months. No one could be this happy, not for any length of time. He looked upon it as a gift, a gift for which he would always be thankful. He would carry the memories that they had created with him to the otherworld.
His sword stood by the doorway, cold shiny steel that awaited its purpose. He was a warrior, but a far different kind than the one he was about to meet. The other was a ruthless killer of good ... a man who thirsted on destruction and victory. Today he wished he possessed such desires, but his goal was to protect that which was his and which he loved above all else.
He removed his shirt, leaving his chest bare and free from restraint. Moving to the doorway he picked up his sword and stepped out into the hallway. Justin was waiting for him. "The enemy has crossed the boundaries," he stated.
"Aye, I can feel him." Connor looked at his friend and sighed heavily. "I would ask a favor of you."
"Anything," Justin replied without hesitation.
"I ask that you go with Arysa and the staff ... and that you protect her no matter what may happen to me."
"Nay! I will fight at your side!"
"I ask this in the name of the friendship we have shared. My existence is nothing without her and my termination even less should she perish. I know I ask a great deal from you, but you are the only one I entrust with her well being."
Justin shook his head. "Do not ask this of me."
"I must. She is all I have. I ask that you take care of my very life-force."
The second in command bowed his head and took several deep breaths. "I will do as you ask."
The deep gravely sound of Justin's voice made Connor aware at the turmoil boiling inside his friend. "Thank you," he said, placing his hand on Justin's shoulder. "Go to her now and protect her well."
Bracing himself, he watched as Justin hurried down the hallway. He could place some of his worry aside now for he knew that his friend would take excellent care of Arysa.
Now, it was time to meet his fate. Death was not something he feared. How could he fear it when it was beyond his comprehension? His existence had never prepared him for such a destiny, it was not written in the summary he had been granted. It was, until now, only something that happened within other societies not his own.
The heavy sword felt foreign in his hand, as he made his way down to the main floor. He was an expert with its blade and yet at this moment he felt like an unskilled layman. He knew what had to be done and he would do it, but first he had to pull his thoughts together and concentrate on the fate that awaited him or his termination would be swift.
With eyes glazed in concentration he waited on the front steps of Syra as Lucian and his men approached. He had no warriors and the enemy knew this, which was the reason Lucian had brought so many soldiers with him. Syra was not constructed in such a way ... she was known for her other attributes ... those of secrecy and shelter. None entered her boundaries without him knowing of it.
"Halt!" Connor called out.
Lucian lifted his hand halting the soldiers riding behind him. His heated gaze bore across the space to that of his opponent. "Play time is over!" he shouted. "This is the last time I will have to deal with the likes of you."
"I wish it to be so, for it seemed to take eons to rid ourselves of your stench."
Lucian laughed, as he held out his massive sword. "Have you hidden the witch well?" he taunted.
"Why is it that you darken my home once more? Have you not heard the lady say that she does not wish to go with you?"
"Think it matters to me what she wants?" Lucian growled out. "She is mine, for fate has decreed it so. She and I are of the same realm. We are of the same blood and the same destination. You have cast your evil upon her making her tongue speak the untruths, binding her to stay within this prison and feasting on her simplicity as you attempt to plant your seed within her womb. And should you have done this already then I will assure you that your seed will wither and die before it can breathe in the rancid air that surrounds your lair."
Laughter drifted out on the darkening wind. "I cast no spell and well you know it. You choose not to believe that she is here on her own accord. I have no binds that hold her to me."
"Lies!"
"Nay, the truth ... one in which you decline to believe. She may, as you say, be of the same blood as you, the same destination and the same society, but she is not your fate. She is mine and mine she will be until I no longer can protect her."
"Which brings me to the purpose of my visit." Lucian laughed. "Your demise is upon you, Sir Knight of Corruption."
"I await you ... But first, send your men back across the borders of my realm."
"Nay, they stay!"
"Do you fear me so much that you need them at your side?" Connor smiled. "I face you alone and unafraid, but yet you bring a legion of men to face me. Do I frighten you so much?"
Lucian gritted his teeth. "I fear you not! But neither am I stupid! A trap awaits me!"
"Have one of your men enter ... if you have one that you trust without doubt ... enter and search within. Only I await you."
With a wave of his hand Lucian called forth one man. The soldier approached with his hand on the hilt of his long sword and as he passed by, Connor could feel the hatred and hunger for battle that reeked from him. Both opponents waited, as the air grew thicker and darker. The soldier stepped back outside, his eyes glittering with malice.
A smile came to Connor's lips at the cold stare of the young soldier. "Unless you wish to be terminated today, I suggest you return to your commander and report your findings."
"It could be my blade that ends my master's torment." The soldier rasped out.
Red heat flashed across the space that separated them making the younger man jump back. "Go, before termination opens its arms to you in ardent welcome."
"May your termination be filled with agony and torment."
Connor watched as the young man hurried to his commander and reported his findings. With a wave of his hand Lucian directed the younger ma
n back to his horse.
"You now know that I wait alone. Send your men back outside the boundaries of my land. There they will be safe as long as none cross. But if one should dare ... then let them deal with the consequences."
"A threat given in such a pleasant tone is still a threat."
"This I cannot help," Connor replied with a shrug of indifference.
Lucian gave his command and his warriors reluctantly withdrew back outside the boundaries of Syra. It was easy to detect their thirst for destruction. They were angered to be denied what they thought to be their right and due.
"Now will you face me or do you have men well hidden to come forth and do your deed?" Lucian sneered, as he dismounted and approached the stone steps leading up to manor. His sword was in his hands and death's anticipation glared within his eyes.
"I have none to fight you but myself."
"Then prepare to be terminated!" Lucian roared, as he slashed his sword forward.
Each strike was met on the blade. Their bodies moved back through the entranceway of the manor as sparks flew with the clashing of steal. Lucian smiled as he forced his opponent back. He knew without a doubt that Arysa was somewhere within the walls of this lair. He could sense her and the scent of her was evident in the air that stirred.
Though the strikes of his sword were aimed with precision, Lucian's gaze was searching for that for which he had come. He was trying to force Connor to the stairs with each charge of his sword.
"Your eyes tell all. You'll not find her."
"I will!" Lucian bellowed, arcing his sword through the air. "You might have hidden her, but I will tear Syra apart stone by bloody stone until I find her."
Grunts hissed from them as the battle continued. They reached the second floor without a misstep. Though Connor knew termination could come with the next strike he had taken each step upward and backward with surefootedness that belied the fierceness of the blows he was taking from Lucian.
