by M. R. Polish
Coron flew back through the air from the force of her power. He landed hard on the ground, knocking the wind from his lungs. He gasped for air with his hands to his chest, then rolled to his side and struggled to get up.
It was the diversion Brady needed. He rushed at Coron and pushed the blade through his middle, feeling his power surge through it. Karis ran over and grabbed Brady’s hand as he held on to the sword.
A great flash exploded from the sword’s hilt and went throughout the city and outlying desert. It was a blinding white light, and both Brady and Karis let go of the sword to shield their eyes. It dimmed and then there was nothing.
Everyone who was fighting stopped and now walked solemnly to where they stood. Brady slowly removed the blade from Coron, and they watched as he fell forward to the sand in a heap.
Karis stared at Coron’s body. It was hard to believe he was dead. Her own body ached with every breath she took. She wanted to fall to the ground in exhaustion. It scared her to know how close she’d been to Coron killing her. She placed her hand over her forehead and squinted as the pounding in her head pulsed a new ache with every heartbeat.
“Are you okay?” Brady asked as he removed her hand to look at her head.
“I think so. He got a good hit in. It hurts.”
“Ya, those kinds of hits can make you feel like dying. I hate to say it but you might feel it for a week or so.” He ran the back of his hand down her cheek. “I am so proud of you right now. You’re one heck of a fighter.”
She tried to smile but the action made her hurt even more. “I had a good teacher.” She let out a steady breath and remembered everyone around them.
Karis glanced around. All of her people, those from Aridam who fought with her, and all of the Syrenae began to kneel facing her. Azul limped to the front and gave her a smile. “Our Queen.” Then he winced as he also kneeled.
She knew she should rejoice, but it wasn’t over. There was so much more that they didn’t know about. Somewhere Marin was out there with some secret that even Coron wouldn’t tell her. Tharious was still the official King of Shamike, yet she knew it wouldn’t take much to take the crown back from him if she could find him.
She let go of Brady’s hand and the sword, gazing out over the throng of people. “Please get up. We must check on Magnus and his family, as well as everyone else in town.”
Azul tipped his head and gave her a questioning look. “What are you not telling us?”
She took a deep breath and looked over her people, who were now getting to their feet. “This didn’t end with Coron. I believe it goes much deeper than just him.” She didn’t want to talk anymore about it. The day’s events were still too fresh in her mind. Too many things ran through her head that she couldn’t make sense of just yet. It was as if she could almost see it, but then the thought would flee her, leaving her upset and confused.
She quickly left them standing there, staring after her. All she wanted to do was go home and curl into a ball for years to come. Home. She wasn’t even sure she had a home anymore.
Alexis set more water on their table as they talked about what should happen next.
Karis was lost in thought playing with the seam on the tablecloth. She heard Coron’s name mentioned, bringing her attention to the current conversation happening around her.
She sat up straighter and stared at Azul. “How did he die?”
Azul tipped his head slightly. “I’m not sure I understand. How did who die?”
“Coron. My father. Either of them. I don’t understand. I thought only dark powers could kill an immortal. Does that mean I have evil inside me?“
Brady placed a hand on her back. “No, Karis, you aren’t evil.” He looked over at Magnus for help.
Magnus cleared his throat. “Karis, Coron told you that it was him who killed your father, correct?”
She nodded.
He continued, “He used his sword to do it. I’m sure you saw how his energy can flow through it like veins with blood. His energy was dark, infusing his sword with the sinful ability to kill an immortal. When you took the power away from the sword in the water, you took it into yourself for a small amount of time, and when you and Brady fused your energies together with Coron’s, you essentially killed him with his own power. You are not dark or evil. That is also why it changed colors after Brady took the sword, it became fused with Brady’s wholesome powers.”
Karis glanced at Brady. “What if I still have some of his dark power inside me?”
Brady shook his head. “No, you don’t.”
“But how can we be sure?”
Azul stood up from the table. “Karis, you are a purest, you have no room for dark power to reside in your soul. When you killed Coron, all of his power left you.”
She swallowed hard. She hoped they were right.
“No more talk of dark power, it doesn’t exist inside you,” Magnus said.
Karis chewed on her upper lip and nodded.
“Agreed. Actually, I think we need to find Tharious. I think he knows more than he let on.” Azul paced the long table.
Magnus nodded. “I agree. He didn’t just hide because Coron was coming. No, I think he knows something that not even Coron knew.”
“Like what?” Brady poured himself a cup of hot coffee and sat back down next to Karis.
Magnus shrugged. “Like maybe he’s smarter than he lets on.”
Karis shrugged. “What if it’s not Tharious, what if it’s Marin?”
They all looked at her. “What do you mean?” Azul asked.
She grabbed Brady’s hand for support. “When I was in the water with Coron, he told me he still had unfinished business with Marin, something that frightened him. When I asked about it, he said he could never tell me.”
“So you think Marin is behind the whole thing?” Magnus hung his head.
“Well, Coron thought he was. He had his own reasons, but I think in the end, Marin had something over him. So while he thought he would get me, he offered something to Marin in return for helping.”
“Then why would Tharious run off like that?” Brady took a sip of his drink.
She slumped in her seat. “I don’t know. Everything is so confusing. I thought it would end with Coron, but now I’m not sure.”
“Well,” Azul spoke up. “I think you should go back to Shamike and see how your people are doing. Besides, Tharious might be there. He might have some answers for you.”
She nodded. “You’re right. I need to go back.”
“We’ll go with you. You won’t be alone.” Alexis came into the room and spoke for the first time since they started debating about the whole situation.
Karis gave her a smile. “Thank you.”
“You know, I’ve never transported through a portal before.” Alexis smiled broadly as they all prepared to leave.
Karis raised an eyebrow. “Never?”
Alexis shook her head. “No. I have stayed here my whole life. I’m so excited that I’ll get to see Shamike. I’ve heard stories of what it looks like, but I am sure it’s nothing compared to the truth.”
“Well, it’s different than Aridam, that’s for sure. It isn’t as rural.” Karis continued to fix the seam in her new pants that Alexis helped make for her. She just had to finish the bottom stitches then she’d officially have her own pants again. She wasn’t sure that when she became Queen that she’d want to wear a dress every day again.
“Ready?” Brady poked his head in the room with the women.
Karis finished the last stitch and bit the thread off to tie it. “I am now. How about you guys?”
“Just waiting on you.”
Alexis left the room and Brady followed her. Karis quickly changed into her new pants. She felt like herself again with her matching black silky ensemble. She met Brady outside their room and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.
He looked down at her. “What was that for?”
“So much has happened in the last couple days, months r
eally. I just want you to know I’m grateful for you. I love you and I couldn’t do any of this without you.”
He winked at her. “Well, babe, let’s do it then.”
She stifled a small giggle and proceeded to where the tents used to be. Brady and Karis had already sent the people home, so the tents were gone. Magnus, Alexis, and Azul waited for them. Alexis still had a wide grin plastered to her face. It made Karis feel good to know that she could make at least one person happy.
With Brady’s help, Karis made the portal back to Shamike and prayed they wouldn’t be met with adversity. As the dust settled from the wind, she looked around. A few from the group who fought in Aridam met them there, but for the most part, it looked to be a calm day in Shamike. No armed guards, no forceful powers stopping them from moving, just a peaceful calm.
“I can’t believe I’m here,” Alexis exclaimed.
Karis smiled at her, but it was Brady who talked. “You think just being here is great, you should see the house she grew up in. Heck you should see LA on Earth, now that’s something.” He let out a whistle and nudged Karis with his elbow. “See, so far so good.”
Karis let out a deep breath and took the first step. “Home.”
It didn’t look right. There were no guards protecting the front gate. Karis looked around tentatively. A shiver coursed up her spine and throughout her body. With the sun setting, it would be harder to see into the shadows. Her old home seemed so desolate, so dark, and so empty.
Brady touched her arm. “Everything okay?”
“No,” she whispered. “Something’s not right. Nobody’s here guarding the entrance, and if you haven’t noticed it’s too quiet.”
She walked away, running her fingers over the iron fence as she passed. She’d come back after she met with some of her people. Honestly, she wasn’t sure how she felt about going back inside. The garden had been one thing, but the inside was entirely different. The last time she was in there her father was still alive, right before she was banished to Earth.
Her shoulders slumped as she walked farther away, taking a step off the walkway and onto the road. She could hear Brady and the others following close behind her.
Up ahead she knew the city square hid behind all the overgrown bushes and trees that lined the property. She hesitated before pushing open a gate that led to the town. She never looked in the direction of the old theatre. She didn’t want to think about Corina, or how she left her old friend.
A group of women huddled together by the dress shop talking in hushed voices but stopped when they saw Karis and her group. One of the women gasped and brought her hand to her mouth. Brady moved in closer to Karis. She managed a side-glance up at him. He watched all around them, always alert, but she loved that about him. He made her feel safe, loved.
One of the women ran over to Karis. She looked around, avoiding eye contact and she had a slight tremble. “Are you Karis, the Princess?”
Karis gave her a slight smile. The poor woman looked so horrified that she had second thoughts about returning to Shamike so soon. “I am, and who are you?” She sincerely wanted to know. She wanted to meet as many of her people as she could.
The woman shook her head. “You shouldn’t be here. Lord Marin will be livid that you are alive. Please, he will make us suffer if you are here. We can't help you, nor can we support you.” She cast a worried glance over her shoulder. “I shouldn’t be talking to you, it could get me killed.” She ran back to her friends, and they all darted off together.
Karis looked up at Brady. “What can I do?”
Azul came to stand next to her. “Lord Marin? What was that about?”
Karis shook her head. “I don’t know, but it can’t be good. I told you something was wrong.”
A man slinked off into the shadows, but not enough that Karis didn’t recognize him. “Tharious,” she said under her breath, but both men heard her and turned to where she looked.
He never moved, just stayed there and watched them as if he wanted them to see him. Azul started after him. Karis wanted to protest, but thought against it and followed him, as did everyone else. After what that woman said, she didn’t think any of them would want to separate. Staying together was their best plan.
Azul caught up to Tharious first and grabbed the collar of his long grey robe. His whole appearance was disheveled making him look quite the sight. His hair hung in his face uncombed and patches of dirt smeared across his face. This was certainly not the look of a King.
Karis chewed on the inside of her lip as she took in his appearance. “What happened to you?”
Tharious held his chin high. “That is how I am greeted after I came to warn you?”
Azul tightened his grip. “Warn us? Why would you possibly want to warn us? You had Karis banished, tried to have me killed, and took her crown.”
Tharious swallowed deeply. “My life was at stake, it still is, but I am tired of living in fear.”
Karis placed a hand on Azul’s. “Let him go.”
“Karis,” Azul said as he looked at her with a scowl. “Have you forgotten what treachery this man has done?”
“No, but he might be the only one to help us figure out what is going on.”
Magnus stepped forward. “She’s right. With Coron gone and her people afraid to talk to her, he might be the only one we have.”
Azul clenched his jaw and let out a grumble before releasing Tharious. “Okay, but I want it on record that I think it’s a bad idea.”
Brady spit, and it landed close to Tharious’s feet. “I second that.”
Tharious looked down at his feet then up at Brady. “Very charming.”
Brady shrugged.
Karis held her hands up. “Okay, boys, we need to get along for a moment. Can you handle that?”
They all stayed quiet, but Azul still shot daggers with his eyes at Tharious.
She took in a deep breath. “Fine. Let’s go someplace where we can talk.”
They all hesitantly followed Tharious to the gardens. Karis looked at him skeptically. “You think this is a safe place to talk?”
He let out a smirk. “Well, Princess, you haven’t been around to know how Shamike works now.”
She stepped forward, but Magnus grabbed her arm, holding her back. “And whose fault is that? I was banished!”
Tharious rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. “About that, it wasn’t my idea.”
“I know who was behind it,” she interrupted. “What I don’t know is what Marin has to do with all this. I know you’re just a coward who went along with everyone’s plan to ruin me, but what does Marin want?”
Tharious grinned wickedly. “You haven’t figured it out yet?”
Brady stepped forward with his arms folded across his chest. “Stop procrastinating. You’re stalling and it’s pissing me off.”
“Fine. Marin agreed to help Coron get you in return for the throne of Shamike, because he thought if he had control over the crown, he could have enough power and influence over the Baratrums to bring your father back.”
Karis went rigid. “What do you mean? Why would he want my father? And just for the record, my father would never be in Baratrum, he’d be in the High Kingdom. He was a good man.”
Tharious raised a brow at Karis. “You grew up with Marin, right?” She nodded. “Who was his father? His mother?”
She thought back to when she was younger. “I never met his father. His mother was a handmaiden in our home.”
“Karis, he’s your brother. King Parius was his father.”
“You’re lying.” Karis’s heart beat rapidly inside her chest. He had to be lying. Her father would never have kept that from her. Her breathing quickened, and she stared at Tharious. His face was straight.
“No. Coron and I both promised we would never tell you. He had to make it look like you were guilty of your father’s death to gain what he needed. To banish you so Coron could have you, so he could claim the throne. Except, I held the crown and woul
dn’t let it go. That night when you came to the garden, I had to disappear because I knew that since you were truly alive and back in Shamike that he’d come after me.”
The world spun around her, making her dizzy. “Then why did he trap Tarine in Baratrum?”
Tharious let out a stifled chuckle. “Marin saved him from me. He is the one person who can help Marin with the crown, with you, with the whole thing. I sent out a decree to have him killed, but Marin interceded and took him to Baratrum before my sentence could be fulfilled. Both Coron and Marin needed him, I can assure you that Marin is doing all he can to keep him alive.”
“So he’s okay?” She thought about that for a moment. Her heart was giddy knowing that her friend was alive and not being tortured. Her hand went to her neck. “Is that why you took my necklace?”
“I couldn’t have you talking to either Marin or Tarine. I didn’t know about the necklace until years after you were gone. I would’ve destroyed it much sooner.”
“You destroyed it?” The thought of the necklace her father gave her completely ruined and discarded made her cringe inwardly.
“No, actually I have been trying to figure out how to communicate to Marin through it, but nothing works. No one has the power it takes to open the communication portal. I’m actually surprised that you have enough to open it.”
“Don’t tell him anything,” she told Brady in his head. She saw him give a slight nod, so she knew he heard.
“There’s a lot you don’t know.” Karis folded her arms. “Look, this is getting old. We now know why Marin wants the crown, but why does he want me dead? The people in the square are terrified of him and won’t even talk to me for fear of death.”
“He’s lived hiding out in Baratrum for so long that the evil has become part of him. Not fully, since he’s not dead, but over time he’s forgotten part of what his plan was and why he’s doing it. Now all he thinks of is being royalty and has forced himself into the throne. He calls himself Lord Marin and is threatened by you. He thinks if you come back now, you’ll steal his crown before his plan all comes together.
