The King's Gate

by K T Munson

  “Why can’t see her?” Elisabeth asked, fighting back her rising emotions.

  Kerrigan expression became pained. “She told me that your father could only save a part of your mother’s soul, the part that loved you. She is an incomplete spirit.”

  Elisabeth took a steadying breath. She closed her eyes and fought back the tears. When arms wrapped around her, her eyes snapped open. Kerrigan was hugging her, trying to comfort her. Her little friend meant the world to her in these trying times.

  “We are all real,” Kerrigan said softly.

  Elisabeth patted her back before returning her hug. “I know,” Elisabeth whispered. “Can you tell me what she is saying?”

  Kerrigan eagerly nodded her head. “Happy to, but you have to be careful. She is incomplete and only has some of her memories. Now that you know, I have more to tell you.”

  Kerrigan’s body slumped against Elisabeth’s as her soul again appeared. From the grim look on Kerrigan’s ghostly face, Elisabeth knew it wasn’t good news. “What is it?”

  “Arawn knew your mother. Serena appeared when he came here in spirit form last night,” Kerrigan said, worried. “I didn’t know how to tell you. She said that Arawn made a promise to your father and asked Arawn if he’d kept his promise. I asked what that was, but she does not remember.”

  Before Elisabeth could ask more, Selene returned. “Sorry,” she muttered, her cheeks bright red. “I couldn’t stay in the cottage.”

  Kerrigan straightened in her arms, already back in her body. “Why not?” Kerrigan asked, echoing Elisabeth’s thoughts.

  Selene cleared her throat. “Ethandirill is awake,” Selene said. When Elisabeth made a move to walk toward the cottage, she added, “I believe Nanette is giving him a proper welcome. And I think it is best we stay out here until they are done.”

  “Oh!” Kerrigan said and her face immediately matched Selene’s, rosy cheeks and all.

  Elisabeth didn’t understand at first. She glanced between them until, after a moment, they seemed to notice her confusion. Selene giggled. “You’ve never been with a man, have you?”

  Elisabeth felt her eyes go wide. “Oh!” She sounded just like a naïve girl. For the first time in a long time, Elisabeth felt silly, which was oddly comforting.

  “Nanette said you have a fancy education and everything. Who knew you were so innocent!” Selene laughed behind her hand.

  Elisabeth shrugged. “The whole pull-spirits-out-of-people’s-body-at-a-single-touch thing is kind of off-putting.”

  “Even with Ki?” Kerrigan asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

  Elisabeth felt all the blood rush into her cheeks. It made her light headed, and she stammered, trying to say anything in response and failing.

  Selene and Kerrigan dissolved into laughter. Using each other as supports, they doubled over, commenting on how innocent chaste she was. Elisabeth re-crossed her arms and tried to be angry, but she couldn’t. It had been a long time since she’d felt normal.

  Chapter 32: Hystera

  The world was not what he remembered. Troy tried to focus, but like always it placed great strain on his body. He sat up, his head swinging back and forth like a wayward pendulum. The world was stone, gray, and perfectly preserved. For a moment he presumed he was dead, that he had finally lost the battle with the mantle of Keeper. He’d had so many nightmares and dreams, memories of the former keepers, but this was different.

  He could tell his spirit had been displaced.

  Troy reached out and picked up a flower, pulling its roots free. Underneath the stone was dirt and bits of grass. Turning it over his hand, he observed the stark contrast the green and brown made on this muted world. All around him a courtyard had turned to gray stone, and yet the stone protected what was underneath, not harmed.

  “Do not worry,” a voice called. “I have only borrowed your spirit.”

  “How is that possible?” Troy asked as he searched for the owner of the voice.

  A woman stepped out from behind a statue. “I borrowed a realm of reality.” The woman pushed at something, and it seemed to bend. “We are within the mirror world. My servant controls this realm.”

  “Who are you?” Troy demanded, feeling slightly threatened, though she was beautiful.

  “I’ve had many names,” she replied. “On one planet I am the Whore, the Lover, and the Mother. I’ve been called Haumea, Isis, and Arianrhod in other cultures. I’ve ridden the stars and screamed the name Minerva as I rode into battle. All those names mean nothing to you planet dwellers. Here, I am known only by one name: Ishtar.”

  All of the hair on Troy’s arm stood on end. He knew who she was. He immediately took a step back, which caused her to laugh. The sound was like a bell. It rolled over Troy, and he felt every primal feeling of desire and lust rise to the surface. Shaking it off, he took another step back, knowing now what her laugh alone could do. He worried about what other tricks she could try.

  “If I wanted to hurt you, little bird, I would destroy you. I’m here instead to help,” Ishtar said, an amused smile still on her face.

  He couldn’t look away. Troy had never felt attracted to anyone before, and he knew that she was causing this. It was as though her presence overrode any thought or reason. She was love and lust incarnate. Her form was all curves, her eyes big and beautiful and seeming to shift shades among the full gambit of purple. Her lips were full and perfect. Her hair, which was gathered at the base of her neck, was so black that it shone blue in the soft light. She wore a gown the color of poppies, which was decorated in pale gems.

  He cleared his throat. “Help with what?”

  She almost purred. “King Nauberon.” Ishtar lifted a hand. In between her fingers was a vial. “Tell Malthael I wish to see him and that I have his cure.”

  Troy blinked, and when his eyes opened again, she was standing right in front of him. Her alluring face took his breath away. Her sultry smile sent shivers down his spine as he tried to focus. He had no doubt she knew the affect she was having. It took every ounce of his willpower to focus on her words.

  “Katallan has something for you. Something that will help,” Ishtar told him, her voice promising his every desire would be answered. “Now pay attention, little bird. Tell Malthael that if he wants his cure, I want him and the Seer to come. I have a way in.”

  “A way in?” he asked as he struggled to focus, waves of euphoria crashing over him.

  Ishtar curled her fingers under his chin and held it, her touch sending shockwaves through him. “To Morhaven. Remember.”

  “I will,” he whispered as he struggled to recall even his name.

  She ran a finger down his cheek. “You are just carrying the mantle of Keeper. It is waiting for another soul. Listen to Katallan, and you may yet survive, little bird.”

  Ishtar kissed his cheek lightly, and he felt himself falling. When he opened his eyes, he immediately sat up. For a moment he didn’t remember what had woken him. He slowly lay back down and then felt something burning his cheek. Hissing in pain, he threw the covers off his legs and hurried to a mirror by his wardrobe. By his ear was a burn in the shape of lips.

  Ishtar.

  The memories came flooding back, and Troy hurried as quickly as his weakened body could. He needed Malthael. He headed to the gate and threw open the study. Ki appeared from the hidden passage with a woman in his arms.

  “Troy?” Ki asked, adjusting his hold on the woman.

  “Meredith?” Troy asked, “What happened?”

  “We were attacked,” Ki said. “I have to take her to the healer.”

  “Is Malthael at the gate?” Troy asked as he peered up at Meredith and the blood on her head.

  “Yes,” Ki answered before he hurried from the room.

  Troy only spared a single glance backwards, hoping Meredith would be all right. She might have been standoffish at times, but she was a comrade. They were all in this together. He only hoped Ruhan and Emera were well.

  The door to the gate
swung open with ease. He hurried down the tight stairs into the underbelly, which was beneath even where the dungeons were. Halfway down, Troy wished he’d remembered a lantern. He forgot how dark it was without one. Scratching at his arm, Troy tried not to focus on the fact that he was having trouble retaining much of anything lately.

  With a sigh of relief Troy spotted the light at the bottom of the stairs. He could hear muffled voices as he approached. The first voice became more distinct, and Troy recognized it as Malthael’s. The other voice was harder to identify. It was softer but sharper and just as deep.

  At the bottom of the steps, he turned toward his little study. Books lined the walls from ceiling and to floor. Baubles were also on the shelves, and while Troy knew they were important, special, he couldn’t grasp what specifically they were for. Instead he focused on the two demons, who hadn’t noticed his presence.

  “Even if we wanted in, what makes you think we’d trust her,” Malthael asked.

  “Ishtar only wishes to help,” the other demon said, and Troy reasoned he must be Katallan, the demon Ishtar spoke of.

  “She has the cure,” Troy said, startling both demons out of their glaring contest.

  “What cure?” Malthael asked.

  Troy took a step closer to them. “I have to remember.” He paused. “For King Nauberon and something to help me. I want to hear what Katallan has to say.”

  “You must be the Gate Guardian carrying the mantle of Keeper,” Katallan said with a knowing grin. “Ishtar told me of you and how to help.”

  Malthael looked utterly stumped. “She did?” His head snapped around. “Wait, how did you know Troy?”

  “The young Gate Guardian is right. Ishtar has the cure and a way in, but as a gesture of good faith, she told me how to help you.” Katallan revealed a parchment that had been tucked in his robes. Troy grimaced because it was most certainly made of skin. “There is no one on Hystera who can take the mantle of Keeper from you who is old enough to bear it. However, there is a girl in Tym Resh by the name of Clara. She is nineteen years old and lives in a little town called Loveday. During the last Wild Hunt, Hipasha’s relation was called to the hunt. He rode the hunt to Tym Resh, where he saw a girl being attacked by a fellow hunter. He saved her, took her as his bride, and she bore two children of his. The first died young, but the second married and bore Clara. You shall know her by the dark red birthmark on her cheek.”

  “She is too young. There is no way a nineteen-year-old is ready to bear such a responsibility,” Malthael countered as Troy struggled to follow along.

  “Women can take the mantle of Keeper as young as sixteen. Men, not until they are in their twenties. It is not usually necessary to be taken by one so young, but our records show it was done successfully when Hystera was a younger planet. There will be an adjustment period, but Clara will bear it better.” Katallan turned to address Troy. “You must realize it is killing you.”

  Troy felt himself pale at the last statement. He had suspected time would not mend him, but to have it confirmed was catastrophic. It hit him squarely in the chest. Katallan held the parchment out. Gingerly, Troy took it. He contemplated Katallan’s words.

  “Why would she come with us?” Troy asked.

  Katallan shrugged. “That isn’t my problem, but she has narrowly escaped death twice by my count and she has no idea why. The connection between the Netherworld and the planets is drawn to her latent powers.”

  Malthael turned to Troy. “Is there someone to train her?”

  “The North will have an older Keeper,” Troy replied. “Xen is too newly transfixed from Yira. For some time, there have only been four Keepers in the world; two in the south and two in the north. Xen could finish training in the north before joining me in the south.”

  Malthael nodded. “You should find her, Troy.”

  “I cannot leave,” Troy said. “I am the Gate Guardian, and with Meredith injured we would be down two.”

  Malthael paused, and Troy tried to read his expressions. “Emera, Ruhan, and I can manage,” Malthael reassured him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You will be no good to us dead.”

  Troy felt his stomach clench at the word. He felt torn between duty and self-preservation, but Malthael was right—he needed to relieve himself of the Keeper mantle. Malthael had been acting as Gate Guardian since Jinq’s passing. Troy wasn’t good to anyone in his present condition.

  “Very well,” Troy said. “I shall have Maris escort me.”

  “I am glad.” Malthael put a hand on Troy’s shoulder and began to walk with him toward the narrow stairs.

  “As to the other matter?” Katallan asked.

  Malthael paused only a moment. Without looking back, he answered, “I’ll ask my daughter.”

  Chapter 33: Lyreane

  Nanette felt like she was floating as she peeled potatoes in the little cottage’s kitchen. Her hands worked deftly as her mind wandered to earlier. She was married again, but it would be different this time. Not to mention it was forever—she sighed contently at the thought. Elisabeth joined her silently and began peeling potatoes beside her. After a moment, Nanette realized Elisabeth was staring at her, and her expression was a sly one. She wore a lopsided grin that was an instant additional balm to Nanette’s already blissful existence.

  “What?” Nanette asked.

  Elisabeth shook her head. “Nothing. You’re just glowing.”

  Nanette flushed, embarrassed for letting everything show on her face. But what if it did? Her friend would quickly share in her joy. Elisabeth had always suggested that Nanette follow her heart. It was the reason they had become such close friends. Elisabeth didn’t judge her past and encouraged her to have a future.

  “I’m bound to him now,” Nanette said, her face split into a wide grin.

  “Are you happy?” Elisabeth asked, setting the paring knife and potato down.

  “Infinitesimally,” Nanette answered, before glancing at Elisabeth.

  “That’s from the romance book.” Elisabeth laughed as they embraced. Still holding each other, they giggled as they jumped a little from happiness.

  “You cannot be that excited over potatoes.” Selene’s voice cut through their merriment.

  They stopped hopping up and down and shared a glance before rushing to her. Selene squeaked before bolting away and ended up running into Kerrigan. Kerrigan caught her as they stumbled, and Nanette and Elisabeth threw their arms around the other girls.

  “What is going on?” Kerrigan asked.

  “They’ve gone crazy!” Selene responded.

  “We’re just so happy!” Elisabeth said.

  Ethandirill’s bedroom door opened, and he came out, looking startled. “What’s going on?” he asked.

  Before anyone could respond, the front door opened, and everyone froze. Malthael stepped in with Ki right behind him. Elisabeth immediately detached from their group and took a step away from her adoptive father. Knowing her friend hadn’t forgiven him yet, Nanette reached out to catch her friend’s hand. Her expression was wary as they stepped into the cottage, but she accepted Nanette’s comforting grasp.

  “Elisabeth, we need to talk,” Malthael said in his booming voice.

  “What is it?” Elisabeth asked as she drew herself up to her full height.

  Nanette glanced back at Malthael in time to see a flash of pain in his eyes. “Perhaps we should discuss this alone,” he suggested softly.

  All eyes in the room ricocheted back to Elisabeth, waiting for her response. Elisabeth’s jaw tightened. “No. We are among friends. They can know what you know.”

  Malthael nodded. The tension in the room was palpable. “Ishtar is demanding an audience with us in exchange for a way into Morhaven and a cure for the King.”

  Elisabeth shifted and seemed to be lost in thought. Her voice was very small when she finally asked, “Where?”

  “She didn’t tell us,” Malthael replied. “Katallan said her mirror demon will come for us when we call his name t
hree times.”

  “Very well,” Elisabeth said, tapping her fingers of her free arm across her thigh. “We should get everyone safely to Hystera. They will be secure when we call the demon.” There was a pause. Her eyes narrowed. “What is it?”

  “I can’t go,” Kerrigan said, almost too softly.

  “Why not?” Elisabeth asked, confused. Nanette bit her lip. They had been trying to figure out how to tell Elisabeth, but Kerrigan had said she’d wanted to do it herself.

  Ki came forward. “It was a part of the spell to bring you and Ethandirill here. Someone had to be bound to this place.”

  “Permanently?” she asked. “Trapped here? How could you do that to her?” She sounded distraught.

  “I’m not trapped,” Kerrigan replied. Their circle fell apart as she turned to face Elisabeth. “You know my body must return to the Netherworld. Without returning, it would die. I chose to stay here, to bind myself to the place that is both of the planets and of the Netherworld. I get to be free here.”

  Elisabeth shook her head. “That isn’t true. You cannot leave. You shouldn’t have.” Elisabeth took a step back, tears brimming in her eyes. She looked panicked.

  “Elisabeth,” Kerrigan said in a calm voice, and Elisabeth turned to her. “I have made my choice, and I stand by it. You are here, alive, today because of that choice.”

  “Now you stand by it, but what about later?” Elisabeth demanded, taking Kerrigan’s shoulders in her hands. “Forever is a long time!” Nanette felt the words resonate with her, but instead of fear, they brought a sense of calm.

  “We’ll find a way,” Kerrigan said before hugging Elisabeth. “We always find a way. You taught me that.”

  It seemed to quiet Elisabeth’s panic, and she returned Kerrigan’s hug as tears rolled down her cheeks. Everyone unobtrusively left the room except for Malthael. Nanette closed the door. She knew Elisabeth was healing, and it gave her comfort.

  Chapter 34: Lyreane