AMNESIA

by Canada Jackson

  “There will be no boredom for you to await. You shall call her sister forever.”

  The brothers gaped at him in astonishment.

  “Sister for now,” Shihlo joked softly, but it wasn’t lost on Amber, who scowled at him.

  “No, sister forever,” Wrexel returned with determination.

  Wrexel’s siblings froze and exchanged confused glances before Shihlo demanded, “Have you lost your mind?”

  Staede stared in bewilderment, but when Amber looked at him, he flashed her a wicked smile and a lecherous wink.

  “He means for now.” Staede gave Shihlo a playful push. “But then it’s open season, if I can last that long without a challenge for the honor of her company.”

  Amber was shocked by his openly flirtatious ways and nearly choked when he stepped closer to her and said, “I’m a much better lover than he is.”

  The sound Wrexel made was similar to a growl, and he moved her from his brother again. “I mean it, call her sister forever!”

  Shihlo lost his reserve and the smile pasted on his face faded into anger.

  “What do you mean, Wrexel?”

  “Why the question, brother? Tradition dictates that when a man chooses a mate of permanence, he asks his brothers to call her sister forever. Competition between brothers is expected, but a Thromian will bring disrespect upon himself and his family if he approaches a sister-in-law.”

  Shihlo shook with rage. “If you think I will stand by and watch you annihilate the upcoming vote with your choice of bride, you are sorely mistaken. This is not the way!”

  “Well, your way has grown old and tiresome; you sit each full moon pathetically waiting and agonizing over two or three percent. Perhaps when he holds a three-fourths majority you will stop fucking around and let me clean up the constitution once and for all.”

  “Son of a bitch.” Shihlo’s hand shot out and grasped Wrexel by the front of his jacket, startling Amber with his speed.

  She gave a gasp of shock at the changes that took place on Shihlo’s face and moved several steps back, grateful when Inndra laid a hand of support on her arm. Staede stepped in to separate the snarling siblings.

  “The Monarch will have your head for this.”

  “There is no official law.”

  “You will throw Throm fully into his hands.”

  “You are slowly handing it to him anyway.”

  * * *

  “What’s going on?” Amber asked Inndra desperately as they stood to the side.

  “The brothers are divided, Amber. Shihlo and Whyle want to democratically win the majority of the voters on Throm, while Wrexel and Staede want to war against the king and his party and eradicate his hold completely.”

  “But what has that got to do with calling me sister forever?”

  “Wrexel plans to marry you, which will infuriate the Monarch and Throm, thus lowering the brothers’ votes substantially and forcing Shihlo’s hand to agree to war.”

  All Amber heard was “married.”

  “We have an agreement,” she cried. “It isn’t permanent, we never discussed marriage.”

  There was a lull in their vicious snarling and threats and they all looked at her, Wrexel with anger and the brothers with open-eyed shock.

  “So it’s true,” Shihlo exploded, flashing Inndra an accusing glance. “Whatever your agreement was, consider it canceled. I will not allow you to take a woman against her will. I can’t even believe I am having this conversation with you. It's despicable, it’s…”

  “Amber has agreed to be my companion upon Throm in whatever legal status I choose; anything else she offers me will be of her own free will,” Wrexel said adamantly. “If you interfere with my agreement with Amber, I will halt all support for Rheese. How do you plan to establish them without my army?”

  “Are you insane?” Shihlo gaped. “I will support Rheese without you.”

  “How will you get supplies and builders there? How will you police them and protect them? You cannot do it without me,” Wrexel added vehemently.

  “Staede?” Shihlo turned to him for support.

  Staede looked at Amber and then at Wrexel.

  After a long pause he said, “I’m sorry, Shihlo; I agree with Wrexel’s stronger stance. I lost so many of my men in the last attack with his so-called Black Party, I am no longer in the mood to sit by and wait for change either.”

  The hope that flared within Amber died when she saw Shihlo’s look of defeat. A deadly silence reigned.

  “Then let us proceed to the Monarch,” Shihlo said bitterly. “I assume you will choose a short-term marital contract.”

  “No, we will be fully joined,” Wrexel said firmly.

  This seemed to confuse Shihlo even more.

  “Why?” he demanded.

  Staede broke the ice. “Put in a sharing clause and allow her the right to select another on Throm if she wishes.”

  He began to move to Amber but Wrexel jerked him back.

  “Monogamous,” Wrexel said firmly.

  Shihlo walked to Amber, his face a mixture of anger and sadness. “I call you sister forever if that is what he wants, and you have my respect and my commiseration that you ended up in the clutches of my mentally impaired brother. If he lays a hand on you that you didn’t ask for, I will make him regret it all the days of his life.”

  Wrexel didn’t flinch; he turned to Staede. “Greet her as sister forever.”

  * * *

  Staede stood rooted to the spot.

  He looked at Amber.

  His gaze moved up and down warmly and without shame as if he perused a prize horse in a show. Amber didn’t have a chance to react with the offence that raged through her.

  “Staede,” Shihlo hissed but Staede would not back down.

  “No,” he said finally. “Father will not accept it and she will be fair game. If luck is on my side, he will have Wrexel’s head and I will charm her while the funeral pyre burns.”

  Wrexel’s angry launch at his brother was halted by Shihlo. He pushed them both hard enough to make them teeter.

  “Idiots,” he shouted. “Save the fighting for the house of decisions when Father rejects this request and orders him punished.”

  There was no more to be added and Amber walked between Wrexel and Shihlo into Wrexel’s wing with unsteady legs. Her heart pounded, and she wanted nothing more than to flee the horror that lay ahead, but if Shihlo was unable to change Wrexel’s plans and believed him capable of taking back his offer of support for Rheese, it didn’t matter how she felt.

  She was in this until Wrexel had enough.

  * * *

  The inside of the castle was something to behold. High walls were covered with huge portraits, tapestries, and ancient models of fighting uniforms. All screamed out the wars, births, and history of the Thromian people. It was a strange mix of modern technology and yet reminded her of the monuments and castles she had visited at home. Amber’s heels clicked on the tiled floor as she walked briskly to keep up with the striding, angry brothers who did not speak again.

  Even as they entered the elevator and were alone for a brief period, they remained silent as a voice announced they were heading to the Room of Decisions.

  Amber stepped out with the brothers and walked down a long path through a rigorous security procedure to get into the center dome that housed the hall where the Monarch presided.

  As she finally reached the entrance, she saw that a large, ornate wooden door lay ahead in a cylindrical passageway. The door slid open and they walked into a spherical hall filled with lingering, talking Thromians who immediately parted when the three brothers arrived. They moved to the timber benches at the sides and watched the party expectantly. Amber walked across the elaborately tiled floor emblazoned with strange creatures toward the back of their parliamentary headquarters to the Monarch. He sat upon a large, ornate throne of bronze on a raised circle of velvet, flanked by two creatures that resembled panthers. They were twice the size, though, their eyes
glowing red and saber horns of the same color on their heads. One yawned and Amber saw that the teeth and fangs were the same deep red. Their fur seemed to be made of thin shards of black steel that rose and fell slowly as they moved from side to side.

  The Monarch looked like Wrexel but had Whyle’s blue eyes. His hair was streaked with grey and his face was lined, but he was neither frail nor weak. He had an ominous expression and stared at his sons with pure distaste.

  The two black beasts drew forward curiously and for a while she thought they were interested in her particularly. The one nearest to her strained to get closer but the Monarch cruelly pulled the chains she saw tethered to their necks. They growled loudly, so loudly that the floor shook, but they obeyed and curled up at his side.

  “Your return is joyous, Wrexel,” the Monarch said. “Tonight we will celebrate the homecoming of our first Lord.”

  His verbal admission of joy did not match his face or his tone. He slammed down his staff and a murmur of agreement came from those who sat in the great Room of Decisions.

  “The mission, I hear, was a complete success and Throm will continue to thrive with what you obtained from Earth. Did we appease the Yimmyrd with a good re-allocation of the unevolved humans, as your brother so generously requested?” He flashed Shihlo a look that wasn’t one of admiration.

  Shihlo stared straight back. “They are less than pleased, Father, but will monitor our presence and assistance on Rheese carefully. Giving the humans our full support will regain the confidence of the Yimmyrd in time.”

  “We do not need the Yimmyrd’s confidence,” the king said coldly.

  “We want the Yimmyrd’s confidence,” Shihlo leveraged back.

  The king eyed his youngest son murderously. “Your desire to consistently comply with the coalition is unnecessary; we do not bow our knee to any.”

  “We are an active member of the federation as dictated by the current constitution and we hold their requests in the highest regard.” Shihlo was not afraid of his father.

  “For now.” The Monarch slammed down a golden hilt cane again and murmurs of approval echoed around the room.

  It reminded Amber of mediaeval times and if she hadn’t been hysterically terrified, she would have actually laughed.

  “And what does our First Lord think of the opinions of the Yimmyrd?” The king turned to his eldest son.

  “I defer to the judgment of Shihlo in matters of the federation.” Wrexel’s answer seemed to infuriate his father even more.

  The king’s eyes then settled on Amber and she shivered at the gaze of contempt.

  21

  Loss Of Innocence

  “So you have found an Earth woman concubine worthy to be presented to your father.” The Monarch gave Amber a cold smile. “She will be your mistress for a long time, I gather, and whilst this is highly unusual, you deserve respite in whatever twisted form it comes.”

  He laughed heartily but just as suddenly, the laughter stopped.

  “Come forward, woman.” He held up his rod and pushed Wrexel back. “I wish to speak to her; I did not ask you to approach me.”

  The Sanbara roared at Wrexel, who begrudgingly stepped back, but Shihlo moved with her. The Monarch frowned but did not send him away.

  “Rumor is rife.” He bent toward her. “A man of Rheese newly admitted to the Federated Council that my sons worship has lodged his first grievance.”

  His eyes bored into Amber. “He claims you are here against your will, and that my son is your abductor and a rapist. I ask you now to confirm this.”

  She hesitated.

  “Feel no fear, woman; if he is guilty, he will pay for the deed. The law of Throm exempts nobody!” His face twisted so cruelly, Amber recoiled.

  Shihlo put a warning hand against her lower back. “Answer carefully.” His gaze spoke volumes.

  She hated Wrexel, but would tell the truth. “I am here by mutual agreement.”

  The king looked disappointed. “So, you tired of your Earthly lover and have chosen to be satisfied by my son.”

  He gave a fake and uproarious snort. “She seems small and breakable, Wrexel; be a prudent lover. Will there be a challenge from Staede, as usual?” He leered at his middle son eagerly, but Staede shook his head.

  “Not today,” he added, ensuring that it remained an open subject.

  “Good.” The king looked disappointed. “Let the celebrations begin. Shihlo can advise his precious Yimmyrd council and federation that this woman is here of her own free will, or should I say lust.” His laugh echoed through the chamber and Amber’s cheeks reddened with anger and shame.

  “I foresee a busy night filled with bloody fighting and good cheer.” He stood up. “You will receive many challenges at the banquet, Wrexel. Colonial females are not to my taste but even I find her beautiful. I would challenge you for her place in my bed if I were younger.”

  He laughed again but halted when Wrexel interrupted, “She is not to be my mistress.”

  “So she is free to enjoy the advances of another. Who will win her favor and contest Wrexel?” He directed his question at Staede.

  “No man is a challenge when I truly want a woman.” Staede looked at Wrexel meaningfully. The Monarch laughed. “On with the banquet.”

  “No.”

  * * *

  The king stared at Wrexel strangely and the hall of Thromians continually stood up and sat down, voices raised and hushed as the conversation went from one extreme to the other.

  “I have brought her here to be joined to me, monogamously as my wife,” Wrexel said and a deathly silence reigned within the room.

  The king sat back down and looked a little unnerved. “I’d heard that some insanity had been clouding your judgment of late. You wish to be joined to this?” He surveyed Amber differently now. Gone was the warm appraisal of her body.

  Wrexel nodded.

  “She can never be a worthy mate, no matter how comely you find her.” He sounded strangled. “Your lust has clouded your mind.”

  When Wrexel continued to stare at him in challenge, his face slowly reddened with anger. “How dare you stand here in the Room of Decisions and disrespect your ancestors and Throm with this… this vile request?”

  A murmur of agreement rose from those who sat along the side and in the far corners.

  “I refuse it!”

  “It is within my right and there is no law to prohibit it!” Wrexel argued.

  “There is no law because it is a preposterous and heinous demand.” His father looked as if his head would explode.

  Wrexel did not falter, nor react.

  * * *

  Silence reigned as the king closed his eyes and Staede and Shihlo exchanged wary glances. He took his time as if struggling for a solution and then finally his gaze turned sly.

  “Then so it shall be.” He lifted his left hand and a Thromian appeared immediately with

  a large leather and gold embossed book. It was clearly very old and important, carried on a silk pillow with some ceremony.

  “Let it be known through all of Throm that I will stop at nothing to preserve our culture, even at the expense of my sons, who must adhere to our laws.” His supporters murmured in agreement.

  “The Ancient Book of Law.” Wrexel looked uncomfortable. It usually sat in a glass case, a memory of a traditional past when the laws were recorded by the hands of the first rulers.

  Most of them had been rewritten and changed as time passed but the one the Monarch wished to enforce that day was unwritten.

  This was not an oversight by the Thromian race; it was such an abominable suggestion that the courts had not even entertained it being brought up for discussion. It was akin to putting a law in place that a human could not marry a monkey, a waste of time to suggest, for it was so outrageously obvious.

  His summons for the book to be held was symbolic; he would speak of the law that did not exist or perhaps call for it to be added.

  “I will evoke the full law on you tod
ay, Wrexel.” He lifted his scepter and pointed at his eldest son. “Declare this woman your mistress and let the festivities begin or you will regret your choice.”

  “No.”

  The room went from urgent whispers to silence.

  The king opened the book.

  “You will find no law in there to stop me.” Wrexel folded his arms with a mocking smile.

  His father looked ready to explode. “I will not find a law... you are right.” He spoke softly before he roared, “Because it is foul and unspoken.”

  He slammed the ancient journal down and the two beasts at his side lurched forward. They stopped inches away from the three brothers as the chains locked them in place. Amber recoiled in terror when one seemed particularly eager to get to her.

  The king summoned his guards. Ten entered and stood awaiting his instruction.

  He put his hand symbolically on the pages. “Decree now that you take this woman as your monogamous partner for all the Rule of the Ages?”

  “Yes,” Wrexel answered immediately as Shihlo shouted, “No.”

  Wrexel looked at his brother in confusion. “Wrexel, no...” Shihlo began urgently.

  The king’s laughter covered his words. “It is noted in the Room of Decisions that my son chooses a mate who will comply with the Rule of Ages.”

  He slammed down his scepter.

  “I decree that Wrexel enter now into a union of monogamous joining as long as his bride is worthy.” The king smiled wickedly.

  “Worthy?” Wrexel glanced at Shihlo.

  Shihlo sighed, took a deep breath, and explained. “One of the oldest decrees of marriage under the Rule of Ages is the requirement that the woman be untouched, proven pure before the marriage, lest she be found guilty of treason and thus executed.” Shihlo looked at his brother sadly.

  Wrexel’s eyes flashed with shock as Shihlo continued. “The Rule of Ages’ monogamous joining was decreed decades ago by the Monarch Sevian, who took 18 wives during his life. Wives who had to be declared virgins on their wedding night. He had a taste for ravaging innocents and then moving on. His preferred manner of testing was during the act and he made it law.”