by Glenda Diana
The third floor was the enemy's destination. Though he thought himself cunning, he was not. Every facet of his deliberation was composed upon his face. Let him have his will, Connor thought, the third floor would be where they would close this chronicle for all times.
"Arysa! Come out if you wish to save his worthless life!"
"Your shouts are in vain. She is not here. Besides, if I hold her with my magic then why would she want to save one such as me?"
Lucian smiled. "I am not stupid! Your spell would have to be broken in order for her not to rush to your side."
"Again, I say ... I have no spell over her."
Again, Lucian laughed. "You speak as though we do not fight to the end ... as if this is just another of our encounters. So pleasant and courteous, but it will do you no good. I tire of this game and desire what is to be mine. You can deny the spell until you are no longer, but Arysa would never willing give herself to one that was not of her kind. She would never willingly put herself against those of her blood. A spell is what you gave and a spell is what I will break."
"You grant me with more powers than I deserve."
"I grant you nothing but the end to which you are entitled!"
Thunder rocked the sky and shook the walls around them as shouted cries pierced the looming darkness. Conner's knowing smile and deep laughter made Lucian pause in his advancement.
"Your warriors are now learning what it means to cross my land uninvited. Hear their screams ... such brave men you brought with you."
"Taunt me not!" Lucian gritted out, as he advanced. "Destroy them if you must, I have more I can call forth to take their place."
"Then you have fools aplenty," Connor commented with a laugh.
"You taunt what you do not understand. I have any number of warriors at my call, while you have none."
"There is a reason for this. I need none to proclaim my place or my right. I ask no one to fight the battles that are mine to fight. I hide behind no shield that my hand does not hold."
"And you will die as you have lived!"
"I can only hope for such splendor. I have lived long and though I had nothing I did have existence ... that is until Arysa came into my life. She has given me something that I never had. Love ... true love. A love so pure that poets can only dream of it and a love so pure that you will never know the meaning behind the words."
"A love born of your spell upon her!"
"So you would like to believe. But then it is easier to hide from the truth, for the truth would leave you but an empty shell. Your cause would be fruitless as is your seed."
Anger boiled through the enemy. How dare this being make a mockery of his barren fields? "Fruitless! My seed will take hold in the fertile meadow of Arysa!"
"Nay, it will not. When this is over and done with, I will plant my seed and watch as our precious harvest grows within. Your greed and arrogance are plenty, just as the fools that follow you, but hear me well ... Arysa will always belong to me ... always."
"We shall see!"
Arysa made her way up the dark stairway to the third floor. It would be just a matter of time before Justin realized she was gone. He had done his best to keep her within sight as they moved through the tunnels that lay beneath Syra, but he was needed at the front of their procession.
The pounding of her own heart echoed in her ears as she reached the landing of the third floor. She could feel and taste the night wind that swept down the length of the hall. Pausing by the first chamber she peered inside making sure none hid within it before moving to the next open doorway. It would not do to be found before she could assist her heart-mate. The next two rooms were equally empty. She exhaled on a sigh and then quietly moved on to the next room.
Tears prickled her eyes and she wiped them the away. Over the last month she had painstakingly taken the time to turn the old room into a welcoming place for a child that she desperately wanted to give to Connor. Mrs. Reed had even donated an old cradle to Arysa's cause. Where the old dear had gotten such a treasure was a mystery to her. The sadness in the elderly woman's eyes that day had been enough to keep Arysa's words to herself.
Down the hallway she could hear the sound of steel clashing against steel in brute force. Grunts and growls of both aggressors seemed to hum through the stone walls, sending shivers down her spine. Her mind froze for the barest of seconds when she heard the shuffling of feet coming from the stairway. Had Justin found her missing already? Quickly, she moved into the darkest corner of the nursery and waited with shallow breath.
A sudden rush of terror washed over her. Alarm and fear followed on its heel, as all rational thoughts faded. Never had she felt such cold, raw fright before. Her most prominent thought was to reach Connor. She looked about the room one more time. If she wanted to feel the beat of Connor's child beneath her heart one day, then she must do something that would save him and her.
Silently she moved to the doorway and peered out. The hallway was empty. Her destination was set as she moved toward the doorway to Connor's chamber. Heavy breathing, panting grunts, and the singing of steel grew louder the closer she came. She pressed back against the wall as she tried to think of the best way she could handle this situation without making it worse. Though Connor and Lucian were enemies, this battle was over her and she would not, could not let Connor pay the price for keeping her ... it was much too high.
Her knees went weak when a hand settled on her shoulder. Her hand flew to her mouth to smother the scream as she stared into the pale face of Mrs. Reed.
"Come, we must hurry."
Arysa closed her eyes as she slid down to sit upon the floor. She tried to focus on calming the racing of her heart. "Nay, I need to go to him," she whispered.
"'Tis no good to do that. The Devil will get his due," Mrs. Reed muttered, as she reached down to help Arysa to her feet.
Arysa braced her hand on the wall and stood. She moved forward again only to have the older woman grab her arm in a tight grip.
"Ye can't be going in there, lass. 'Tis you he wants and he'll kill every soul that stands in his way."
Arysa shook her head, as she tried to pry her arm loose from Mrs. Reed's hold. A sharp pain shot through her body making her double over as she gasped for air. Tears instantly filled her eyes and glided down her cheeks. "What is happening to me?" she rasped out.
Mrs. Reed let go of her arm and shook her head. "The pain is normal," she whispered. "'Tis the pain of betrayal."
Arysa looked up at the older woman in confusion. "Betrayal?"
"All those of the High Ruler's clan feel this pain as they approach the final separation."
"I do not understand," Arysa mumbled, pulling herself to her feet. "Nor do I have the time to dwell on it. I must get to Connor."
"If Lucian kills Connor the pain you will feel at his hand will be much worse."
Just what she needed, a little comforting. Arysa shot Mrs. Reed a hot glare. "So be it then," she muttered. "You are forgetting one thing ... I do not plan on letting him kill Connor."
Using the wall for support she moved to the doorway, only to stop at the sight before her. Connor and Lucian stood facing each other, their swords held out in front of them. Connor had his feet braced apart, his jaw clenched tight and the muscles in his cheeks worked as he fought down his growing anger. Several bloody cuts marred his handsome face and rivulets of blood ran down his wide chest soaking the top of his pants. His black hair was soaked with sweat and his light blue eyes were darker in color, making them appear more gray ... and stormy.
Her gaze moved over to his opponent. Lucian's hands held the heavy sword with ease. His face was set and his dark eyes were narrowed. His long black hair swayed around his naked back and shoulders like that of a cape. He moved his sword in preparation for attack.
She cried out bringing both men's attention to her. She looked from one to the other, trying to shake the unreal feeling from her. Another white-hot pain shot through her making her stagger back against the doo
rframe.
Lucian stared at her, his eyes glowing with his hate and anticipated victory. "The end is at hand."
Chapter Twenty-Two
... back to the present ...
Swirling through the tunnel of black mist. Tumbling on the sound of thunder and quaking at the bright streaks of lightening. It felt as though she were falling, dropping through the mist of blackness as it raked its icy fingers against her flesh and caused her to cry out.
Her attention was drawn to the gown of mauve that she wore ... it was the same gown that had been haunting her over several months. Then she realized that she was kneeling on the floor, her hands clutched out in front of her as she fought down the raw pain that tore at her insides. An overpowering feeling of fear and wrongness washed over. The past that had been absent was now very much in present. Every detail of her life flooded through her mind, body and soul and that was the reason for her fear. But what was causing this wrongness within her?
Before her total blackness, then suddenly a flash of lightening lit the room in its glow. There before her stood Connor, tall, strong and as she had remembered him. His sword raised high above his head. Her gaze moved over to the opposite side of the room and she found herself looking at the weakened form of Zebual. Her heart staggered at the sight of him. The large sword in his hand looked far too heavy for him to hold. How could he defend himself against Connor's strength? He couldn't, her mind screamed.
"Zebual?" she murmured, as she tried to move from her kneeling position. The muscles in her arms shook, quivering through her chest and stomach and down into her legs and nearly making her collapse face down.
Connor's gaze moved to her. The red heat was glowing in their depths. "You forgot me so easily, love. You chose our enemy over me. Look at him. Look what a pitiful creature he is. The parched, dry skin of him is withering upon his useless bones. Is this what makes you turn from me?
Arysa shook her head, as her gaze moved to Zebual. Tears filled her eyes.
"I gave up everything to be with you and then you betray me."
"Nay," Arysa whispered brokenly.
Zebual noticed her expression of panic. "Arysa, Lucian has no real powers within Syra. He can shift his shape, but that is all. That is why he is using words of untruth and his cunning ways to confuse you and make you turn from me. Don't let him succeed."
"Now who is speaking untruths?" Connor growled. "It is you who hide beneath your disguise of pity to draw her to you. You know that her grandmother raised her to be unlike her People. She raised Arysa to have a gentle heart and to love without fear. And she loves me."
Connor's sword arced through the air as he delivered yet another fierce blow. Zebual staggered back with its impact upon his own blade.
"You know not what love is!" Zebual gave a growling grunt attested to the power behind the strike he had just taken. "She is mine and I'll not let you take her from me again."
"Aye, I know what love is for Arysa has given me hers. Your mind is as warped as your body. She will be mine for all eternity."
"Nay!" Zebual shouted, as he charged forward, his sword slashing forward.
Connor matched the attack. Sparks flew as the swords struck time and time again. The loud ringing filled the room, making Arysa cover her ears. All she wanted to do was wake from this nightmare that now held her captive. Though Zebual looked puny in strength next to Connor, he was holding his own and in many ways he was far surpassing the stronger man.
They were fighting over her. The truth felt like a knot in her heart. She covered her mouth when another sharp pain cut through her. She knew how this scene ended. She had done all this before ... but not in a dream. She had lived this ... she had suffered this pain before. Her dark green eyes widened as she looked from one man to the other. She had been married to Connor ... yet now, she was married to Zebual. She shook her head and tried to catch her breath.
The terrors were unfolding within her. She saw the past and yet this was the present. Nothing seemed real and yet everything was too real. Especially the pain that was trying to rip her apart ... Was it the pain of betrayal? And if so, then whose betrayal? Tears ran unheeded down her cheeks. She wasn't sure how much more she could take of this.
"Let her choose." Zebual grunted.
"Nay, she knows within her heart who she loves ... just as we both know the answer. You think that any of this has changed. Centuries have passed and still here we are at the same scene, the same place in time and life."
"Wrong," Zebual panted, rising his sword just in time to block Lucian's attack. "Aye, it has been centuries ... centuries that you cursed us with ... but here it ends. Here is the last and final time that you and I shall meet."
Connor laughed. "If she dies beforehand, you know what will happen don't you?"
Zebual shook his head as if to deny his words. "She will not die!"
"So sure of yourself, aren't you?"
"Aye, I am. But you're not too sure of your own convictions or you would let her choose. Fear is not something you show often, but in your choice and in your words they make themselves plain to all."
"Fear!" Connor roared. "Nay, I fear nothing!"
"Then prove it. Prove that you have no fear. Prove me wrong and end this torment that exists between us."
Both men stood ready to continue the battle. Connor took a step back before slowly lowering his sword. Zebual did the same. They turned to where Arysa was kneeling on the floor. Her face was pale, her cheeks wet with tears and her forehead beaded with sweat. Her bottom lip was swollen and blood dripped from the wounds she had inflicted on herself as she held in her screams of pain.
"Tell him who you love. Which man would you give your life for?"
Arysa wiped the tears from her eyes and looked from one man to the other. In Connor she saw a life that had once existed between them. A love that had made outcast in their own societies. Together they found peace and had built a life that was filled with love and contentment.
Her gaze moved over to Zebual. His frail body still showed signs of ravishment brought on by his illness and yet he fought like a warrior. With him she had found that beauty was not something to be seen on the outside, but to be found in the depth of ones soul. She had looked past his appearance and fell in love with the man within. She had given him all she had so that he would be well again.
Lightning flashed brightly within the close confines of the room, blinding her for a moment. When finally she was able to open her eyes the men had changed positions. In Connor's place stood Zebual and in Zebual's place stood Connor.
"Arysa, look at me." Zebual held out a hand to her. "Is what you see repulsive? Do I disgust you?"
Connor growled low in his throat, bringing her gaze back to him. "Don't be fooled by his words. Don't let him trap you in his deceit. I am the one you chose to live eternity with. I am Connor and I am Zebual. Look inside your heart and see me with the eyes that only true love can behold."
"What trick is this you play, Devil?" Zebual shouted.
Connor ignored his enemy and kept his eyes on Arysa. Pleading silently to her. Begging her to search her heart and soul for the answer.
Arysa was so confused. Her mind seemed to catch on the pain that dwelled inside her body. Each sharp pain was growing worse than the one before. Trick ... Devil ... Which of these men was the man that she loved? Or did she love both? She didn't know! Tears soaked her cheeks as she stared at them.
"End this torment now, Arysa. Make me whole and strong as I once was."
"You have always been one that has been whole and strong," Connor grunted. "You put on the image of one that's sick only to draw her to you."
Arysa's eyes widened as Connor's form shifted and changed from man to wolf and then to the frail form of Zebual.
"Nay!" Zebual growled. His form began shifting and changing from man to shadow and then to Connor."
She shook her head and then bit her lip as another pain shot through her, drawing her up into its swirling mass of darkness as
it continued to throb through every core of her body. Slowly, the pain lessened and she released her breath on a pant.
"End this now, choose which man you love."
A laugh escaped her before she could stop it. Which man? Connor that was now Zebual or was it Zebual who was Connor? Again she laughed and shook her head at the madness that seemed to surround her and them.
"Arysa, look at me," said Connor, holding his hand to her. "Don't let him use his magic to confuse you. Search your heart and know that it is I you love."
"Nay, I am your destiny ... the same destiny that your grandmother told you to find." Zebual stated. "She knew to whom you belonged. That's why she protected and sheltered you from the world."
"Nay, I'm your destiny. I'm the one your soul has been searching for. It took me so long to find you ... to find the life pattern that was yours and yours alone."
Zebual shook his head. "That part is true, Arysa. So many years I waited for you to waken and then when you did you did not remember me. It took ever so long to gain your love once again, but now we are finally together again. Are you ready to fly with me, Arysa? Are you ready to come with me ... and stay with me ... forever?"
"Stop, please," she cried out just as another sharp pain held her within its power.
"Pick the man that you love and the pain ends."
'Search your heart' whispered through her body sending a cold shiver down her sweat-drenched body. 'Search your heart and find the answer'. Slowly, awkwardly, she struggled to her feet. She swayed unsteadily before gaining control of her wobbly legs. She moved forward to stand between them. Turning to Zebual, she held out her hand. "Let me touch you," she whispered.
Zebual took a step forward.
"Nay, if he touches you he can claim you as his own and not release you." Connor started forward, but stopped when Arysa turned her pain-filled eyes on him.
"No one can claim me. I will touch each of you or we end this now. What happens if I choose neither of you? From this moment on, I will always belong to myself first and then to the man I love. I will no longer play the games set by man's rule. I will no longer accept being used as a ploy in this game." Arysa turned back and waited for Zebual to take her hand.
