The King's Gate

by K T Munson

  “What has he done?” Elisabeth asked in a whisper.

  Ishtar’s face was grave. “It is to the death.”

  Her mind went to war at those words. Part of her wanted revenge, wanted King Nauberon to tear Arawn limb from limb for what he’d done to Malthael. The desire to kill him, to avenge her papa, was only overridden by her promise. Elisabeth had given her word to the spirit of Morhaven, and it would do her no good to turn against it. It was too great a risk, even to avenge Malthael’s death.

  It was time she took the necessary steps to ensure the success of her plan.

  Arawn appeared like a ghost, his axe already at the ready. The once-twisting boroughs of the crown were now a dark and metal mass. The two giants eyed each other until finally Arawn spoke. “You were fool enough to issue the challenge.”

  “Are you fool enough to accept?” King Nauberon asked. “Or will you hand over what is rightfully mine?”

  By way of answer, Arawn let out a mighty battle cry and attacked. In a blink they became impossible flashes of color. Elisabeth blinked and tried to follow them, but they were a blur. Sword and spear met axe.

  A hand touched her shoulder. “There can only be one king,” said Ishtar, her voice breaking the trance their deadly dance had placed on Elisabeth.

  “There is only one king,” Elisabeth replied.

  Ishtar shook her head. “You cannot interfere. You are not immortal.”

  “No.” Elisabeth knelt. “I am blessed.”

  King Nauberon’s sword cut across Arawn’s chest, and the hunter fell hard to the ground. The moment he did so, Elisabeth let her powers loose. They snaked across the ground in pale white before striking Arawn. His feet and legs turned white and he cried out. His axe cut hard into the floor, cracking it.

  “You cannot kill him!” Elisabeth shouted as King Nauberon staggered back from the path of her destruction.

  Suddenly one of the Erinyes’s was beside her. “Blessed one,” her voice was beautiful. “You cannot—”

  There came a gasp, followed by silence. Elisabeth turned her attention toward where Ishtar was staring. The Fallen stood along the outer wall. Their eyes were hollowed and black, their skin somehow even paler, and this time Elisabeth felt a wave of menace hit her. How had she not sensed them?

  “Turn back, unforgiving souls,” the Erinyes’s melodic voice said, breaking the tense silence. “You will find only destruction here.”

  The massive army of souls moved forward and Arawn suddenly lurched toward them. Before Elisabeth could think, the other two Erinyes’s appeared and formed a barrier between them and The Fallen. Arawn stood on the other side of the barrier and slipped through The Fallen unhindered. Anger welled within her, feeding off potent emotions of The Fallen—Arawn would not slip away so easily.

  She stepped toward the shimmering blockade and felt her abilities singing. Every step left a shoe print of white that splashed around her like droplets of paint. The Fallen surged forward, a wall of ghostly shapes, as the Erinyes began to shine. The barrier parted like water around her, the light dimming as the spirits slammed against the protective blockade.

  Elisabeth barely registered what impossible feat she was accomplishing. All she could focus on was ending Arawn’s reign. Those spirits to whom she drew closer hissed at her, but they retreated beyond her reach. She went back through the inner throne room and to the study where she knew he would be. The soft light of gate came to life as she stepped into the room. It cast him into shadow, but she could still see the blotches of white on his skin from her earlier attack.

  “I will give you what you want if you give me the crown,” Elisabeth said, her voice strangely flat despite the roar of emotions within her.

  Arawn turned back, his arm and legs snaked with white. He looked surprised as he took a step toward her. “After all this, you will give me what I want?” He gave a full belly laugh that put her on edge. “What a little fool! You suffered so much, and for what?”

  Elisabeth held out her hand. “The crown.”

  “Even blessed, you cannot hope to wield it. It would destroy you.”

  “That is my problem.” She spread her fingers wider.

  He narrowed his gaze and glanced back at the gate. Elisabeth’s heart hammered in her throat, but she pushed it all down, forcing an air of calm finality to exude from her. After a moment, he reached onto his brow and plucked off the crown. It seemed to squirm a moment before collapsing into a single circlet.

  “It is your funeral.” Arawn held tight to his axe handle with one hand as he held out the crown with the other. “Try anything, and I’ll sever your head.”

  Elisabeth stepped forward, her arm still outstretched. When her fingers touched the crown, she grabbed his wrist with her other hand. He swung the axe around, and she threw herself forward, her fingers slipping past the crown and into his chest.

  He grunted as he looked down at her hand inside his chest. “That all, little menace?” Arawn demanded, his face contorting.

  He shoved her back, but Elisabeth wrapped her fingers around what she’d wanted. Warmth surrounded her and she felt a newfound energy. It overwhelmed every sense.

  As she lay dazed on the ground, she barely registered Arawn gasping. Something clattered onto the floor, and she saw a silver flash to her left. Slowly, she slid her elbow under her and saw Arawn on his hands and knees. His massive antlers almost touched the ground as his back bowed. One hand was on his throat, and his other was crushing the wood of his axe’s handle.

  “What…have you done?” He gasped.

  “You are mortal,” Elisabeth replied with no emotion, numbed by her deed. “Perhaps now you shall understand the pain you have wrought and appreciate its magnitude.”

  “It cannot be done,” Arawn replied, his face sagging with exhaustion and disbelief.

  King Nauberon knelt down beside her and lifted the crown from the ground. She saw his jaw tighten as she told him, “He is mortal. You cannot end his life.” Ishtar appeared beside him.

  “Open the gateway,” Elisabeth said as she slowly stood. “As you promised.”

  After a moment’s hesitation, the light from the King’s Gate flickered. “It is done,” King Nauberon confirmed.

  “Come, Arawn,” Elisabeth began as Ethandirill and Ki stepped through the gate.

  Arawn’s fist slammed into the floor, causing hairline fractures to spider web out. Elisabeth took a startled step back as he glared at her. “I demand an honorable death.”

  “No,” Elisabeth replied, although her heart screamed to end his life. “I want you to live with only a mortal existence to comfort you.”

  He roared and reared around. King Nauberon yelled, “Stop him!”

  Ethandirill barely had time to brace himself as Arawn slammed into him. Mortal or not, powers or no, Arawn was still a force to be reckoned with. Ki thrust a knife into Arawn’s side. With a shout of pain, Arawn swept back with his antlers. Ki narrowly rolled out of harm’s way as Arawn fell through the gate an instant before it closed.

  “Open it!” Elisabeth yelled, running toward it.

  “He has the watch,” Ethandirill said with a cough. “Just like the compass, it has no bounds when it comes to the gates. He could be anywhere.”

  “It’s worse than that,” King Nauberon said with a grave face. “He has the heart.”

  Stunned by his words, they stared at the broken gate and wondered if their battle was truly over.

  Chapter 56: Ashlad

  The melodious sound of string and wind instruments filled the air. A woman’s voice offered another song of love. Elisabeth sipped her wine and watched as Nanette and Ethandirill danced in the middle of the crowd. Nanette was dressed all in white robes with bright red under-robes. The contrast was like blood on snow—breathtaking and eye-catching, just like their wedding.

  Ki was late. Gone for a gift, he’d insisted. The celebration was nearly over, and he still hadn’t show up! They’d spent little with each other in the days after Arawn’s e
scape while she hunted for answers and Netherworld creatures. They had promised to have a proper talk afterward, one she anxiously wanted.

  Arawn was gone. King Nauberon had assured them that he was nowhere on the planets or the Netherworld. Ishtar had searched the known dimensions and came up empty. Yet Elisabeth couldn’t fully rest easy. He was gone yes, but not dead. It would have been better if he’d been trapped on Croatoan. That had been her plan, but now he was loose. That was a problem for another day.

  Her eyes slid across the magnificent dining room that was as familiar as the back of her hand. Despite that, this was no longer home. Without Malthael, it was just a place. It was in these quiet moments that she was overwhelmed by her grief. Malthael would have loved and hated every moment of Nanette and Ethandirill’s wedding.

  Sniffling, Elisabeth stood, unwilling to let her wild emotions ruin the mood for anyone else. She snagged a bottle from the side table as she plunged into the cold air. Wiping at a stray tear, she uncorked the wine and took a hearty swig, leaning her hip against the railing on the patio. Where was Ki? She very much wanted to forget her pain, and he helped her with that. He always made her feel less alone.

  “Do you think they’ll live happily ever after?”

  Elisabeth jerked in surprise. Ishtar leaned against the railing, a mouse-eating grin on her face. Immediately on edge, Elisabeth glanced back, trying to determine the distance between where she stood and the terrace doors. Her eyes darted back to Ishtar, whose purple-blue eyes shone bright with amusement.

  “What?” Elisabeth asked.

  “I asked if you thought they’d live happily ever after.” This time it was a statement, not a question. “My King is unhappy with the arrangement.”

  Elisabeth’s grip tightened on the bottle. “Is that a threat?”

  Ishtar laughed, hot and sweet. “Goodness, no.” She shifted, turning her entire attention on Elisabeth. “I didn’t come for them.”

  “Then why?” Elisabeth asked with trepidation.

  “To see how you were.” The sentiment felt genuine.

  The tears burned in her eyes. “I’m managing,” she said, the words thick with emotion Elisabeth hadn’t meant to reveal. That she’d never gotten the chance to say goodbye was her punishment for withholding her forgiveness. She stared at the ground.

  “Arawn is gone. It is his fate to never return to this place.” Ishtar’s words startled Elisabeth out of her grief. “Wherever he may be, Destiny has declared he shall never know Morhaven or any of the planet’s under its protection again.”

  “Are you certain?” Elisabeth leaned on the railing beside her, as she sagged in relief.

  “Yes.” Ishtar’s voice was hushed. “As certain as I am that Malthael loved you. No matter what you may think. Why else would he have been given a soul?”

  At that, Elisabeth looked up at Ishtar, but she was gone. She turned in a full circle, searching for her. She felt overwhelmed, bombarded by a myriad of emotions.

  “El?” Ki was suddenly there. “What are you doing out here?” He touched her face. “You’re freezing.”

  He began guiding her toward the house, but she shook her head and dug in her feet. “Stop.” Her voice felt hoarse. “I have to go…” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Take me to Papa.”

  Ki’s arms went around her. She melted against him, burying her face in his chest. He whispered to her, kissing her forehead, before calling to Nathan and Duke. It wasn’t long until they passed through the spirit lines and were in Lyreane.

  The cottage was just seeing the beginning light of dawn. Slipping from Ki’s embrace she wandered around it and into the graveyard before pausing on the threshold. Ki hadn’t followed her and although she wanted to call to him, she had to do this alone. When she lifted her hand to open the gate, she was surprised to find a bottle of wine still in it.

  She pushed her way through the gate with her other hand and then uncorked the bottle. She’d never been one to drink, but some part of her felt the need to drown her sorrows. Standing in front of his grave, she took another swallow. The dirt was still freshly disturbed. It felt right to have him there, buried beside her mother. She set the bottle on his gravestone before kneeling. Her fingers traced over his name.

  “It doesn’t feel like we won.” Elisabeth leaned her head against the stone. “Because you’re not here.”

  The sob was painful, wracking her body. She tried to compose herself, told herself to return to Nanette and Ethandirill’s wedding. She wanted to show her support, but all she felt was devastated.

  A blanket went around her shoulders, startling her. She glanced up at Ki. His dark eyes searched her face. Elisabeth could feel in her very bones that he was like her, bad with tears. A laugh gurgled out her. Ki’s eyebrows shot up as he knelt beside her.

  “What?” he whispered.

  Elisabeth’s hand caressed the side of his face. She shook her head. “I just know you. Know you are trying.”

  His brows furrowed together and he swallowed heavily. “Elisabeth…” He struggled to find the words.

  “He didn’t like you at first.” Elisabeth turned to the gravestone as though Malthael was there. She kept hand on the cold smooth stone. “I didn’t like you at first.” She chuckled at the memory. “I’m not even sure when it happened, but the moment I knew I was in love with you, he accepted you.” She shifted to study Ki’s face. “That was who he was. He always put me first. Even when his logic was faulty or broken, he still wanted to protect me.”

  “He was your father,” Ki acknowledged, and it warmed her heart. “He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.”

  The words were exactly what she needed to hear. It reminded her of all the loving words she wished she’d shared with Malthael. Determined not to make the same mistake twice, she asked, “Will you bind yourself to me?”

  Ki froze and she held her breath. She could hear her heart but refused to turn away. After everything they had been through, everything they had done for each other, she knew there was love. But could they be together?

  “Come with me.” He helped her stand and put an arm around her.

  They left the graveyard of her ancestors and went through the garden. The gate creaked as they left, and Elisabeth resisted the urge to look back. She knew whatever Ki wanted to show her was somewhere ahead—she had to keep going forward.

  When they reached the edge of the tree line, Ki stopped. “Tell me what you see.”

  That gave her pause. “What I see?”

  “Yes,” Ki felt miles away as he asked it, but she couldn’t imagine what his point was. “What do you see?”

  “Um,” Elisabeth gazed at the trees, the living and the rotting. An owl hooted, drawing her eye. “An owl.”

  Ki nodded. “Any other animals?”

  Elisabeth smiled. “Can I see-see them?” There was so much more she could see if she were to look for their spirits.

  “Not yet.” Ki shook his head.

  Trying not to pout, she searched the forest. “A deer and the owl. That’s all I see right now.”

  Ki nodded. He pointed to the brush. “A squirrel and her young are there.” He pointed further out. “Another bird is searching for a worm.” His finger snapped around. “There is a male deer that the doe you spotted has not yet seen.” He gestured behind them. “Back there are two horses on the street. Listen carefully. And then use your abilities.”

  Elisabeth did, but she heard nothing. Yet when her other senses spread, she felt the brush of one horse as it trotted down the lane and had to reach further to feel the second. The other animals’ spirits were just where he said they were. Frowning, she tried to understand.

  “How are you doing that?”

  “I’m a hunter,” Ki explained. “I was trained to kill from birth. I can sense prey and life –but for the purpose of taking it.” He wouldn’t meet her gaze, but she could feel the sadness emanating from him. “This is what I am. This is what you want to bind yourself to.”

  “
Did you kill those people because you wanted to?” The words were thick in her throat. “Would you kill them again?”

  Ki frowned. “No, I thought I was saving them, but they are dead by my hand just the same. Before you decide to be with me, you must know what I am. What I have done. You know what they call me, and they may be right—I am an abomination.”

  Elisabeth considered his words. He didn’t want to hide from her; he was bearing his soul to her. He was saying they couldn’t be like Nanette and Ethandirill. They couldn’t build a mortal life. To her surprise, she wasn’t sure she even wanted that.

  “We’ll never be normal,” Ki said softly, echoing her thoughts as he rested his forehead against the side of her head. “I can’t give you that.”

  “Do you love me?” Elisabeth whispered.

  Ki kissed her hair. “Always.”

  “Do you want to be with me?” Elisabeth whispered her question, almost too afraid to ask it. She tilted her head to see his face.

  Ki’s expression was serious. “I would follow you to the end of any world and my own existence just for another moment with you. You are the light in my darkness, El. You always have been. Even when I didn’t realize it.”

  Elisabeth swallowed. “Then you must realize what I am asking.” She touched his cheek. “I am immortal now. I will age like one of them. We will live on past all others, until they are distant memories. I am asking not just for this lifetime but all of the lifetimes. Our loved ones will fade to dust but I know I will bear it because you will be there.” She smiled as a single tear slid down her face. “With you, I’ve never felt alone. Do you want to bind yourself to me?”

  “More than anything.” Ki’s bottom lip quivered.

  That was all she needed to know. “I don’t have all the answers,” Elisabeth said, framing his face, “but I’d like to find them with you.”

  “Thank you,” he said before kissing her.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. The blanket slid off her shoulders, forgotten. The heat of their embrace stopped the cold and sorrow. For a moment they existed as one heart and one soul. For the first time in a very long time, Elisabeth knew she was going to be all right.