by Larisa Long
Blu and Zash glance at each other and then at Janx.
“Another thing lost?”
They nod.
“I’m sorry we’re not going to be much help with that,” Zash says.
I look at Janx.
He shrugs. “Dragons were pushed into hiding so we kept to ourselves.”
“What about books? Would anything have the history?”
Zash shook his head. “Humans …” He cringes. “Sorry, but nobody would trust their history, and non-humans would never dare write about it.”
I look at all the books. “So these are all the laws of the humans?”
Zash nods.
I look at my arm. “I forgot about the marks.” I trace each of them. “Is there anyway to remove the symbols?”
Zash tenses. “You want to remove our symbols? All of them or just mine?”
I shake my head quickly. “Only for Arc and Risq. Don’t think I’ll be needing those.”
Zash relaxes a bit, but he looks weary.
“Zash are you taking on my emotions?”
He nods.
“Is that why I went from feeling like I was gut punched to wanting to comfort you?”
Again, he nods. “Empaths can take the emotions from those they are closest to.”
That makes sense and explains so much about how my emotions could vanish so quickly. “But you actually took my feelings from me.”
He looks at me. “I didn’t want you to suffer that pain.”
“But that means you get the double whammy.”
He grimaces like he’s in pain. “I can take it.” He moves close to me and hesitantly takes my arm.
Janx walks over to the window.
Blu puts his milkshake down and skips over. He rubs his hands against the side of his shiny jeans. “Cold hands.” Then he covers the symbols for both he and Zash.
Zash chants something in a language I don’t think I’ll ever understand, and the symbols are gone.
I breathe a bit easier. “Janx?”
He immediately looks at me.
“Would you mind if I wore your symbol?”
His eyes widen. “I …” He catches his breath. “I would be honored.”
“Is this how it all works? I have no idea what I’m doing?”
Zash weakly smiles. “You’re doing fine.”
“And is it okay with me wearing all of your symbols?”
Zash nods and lets out a breath like it was his last.
Blu kisses my forehead. “Thank you for asking us.”
“And you are all okay with each other?” I wait but they only look at me with wide eyes and open mouths. “Did I say something weird again?”
Janx shakes his head. “No. We’ve just never been asked about our feelings for anything.”
“It’s …” Zash looks around as if trying to find the right word.
Blu jumps up and down. “It’s like chocolate ice cream on a chocolate fudge brownie cake with a side of chocolate mousse and an edible chocolate spoon.”
Zash frowns. “I guess that’s good.”
Blu nods so forcefully even his wings dip back and forth. “Janx, you want to place your symbol?”
For being a dragon, Janx moves like the most graceful, stealthy cat. He carefully takes my arm.
His touch makes my heart race faster.
Blu giggles at me.
“Janx, are you the only one who can’t read my thoughts?”
“Unfortunately.”
Blu giggles again. “It is unfortunate for you because her heart races when she even glances in your direction.”
Janx flashes a playful grin. “Your heart I can hear. Dragons have excellent hearing.” He glances at Blu and Zash. “And we cannot be blocked with magic.”
Blu’s eyes widen as does his grin. “Good to know.”
I shake my head. “Why can’t I hear all of your thoughts? And I can only hear your hearts when I touch you.”
Blu giggles. “So glad you have to touch us for that.”
“You don’t need to read our minds,” Zash says. “You know how I feel about you.” He flinches. “Even if you wish my feelings weren’t as strong as they are. Blu, have you said the words?”
Blu shakes his head. “I was too emotional, but you have to know I adore you Mera. I cherish you more than all the sugar and chocolate in all the realms.”
I widen my eyes and shift back a bit. “Wow. All the sugar and chocolate?”
Blu nods enthusiastically.
Janx closes his eyes. He puts his hand over his heart then he takes my hand and places it over his heart. “I didn’t think my heart existed until I looked into your eyes the first time. Then when we talked outside … I am yours, Mera. You are my beloved. Forever. For always.”
His symbol of an intricate green and gold dragon appears on my arm.
“Is this what you look like as a dragon?”
He studies the symbol. “I think so.” He shrugs. “It’s been so long since I’ve been able to change.”
“About that …” I look at Zash and then Blu.
Zash nods. “We discussed it while you were sleeping, and it’s powerful magic.”
“We’ll need a very powerful witch,” Blu says.
“Like Cyl’s witch?”
Loud booms come from all around us.
“What in the realms is that now?” Blu grabs me again. “Why can we not have one quiet day? I’ll settle for a quiet minute.”
Janx rushes to the window. “You’ll need to see this.”
We all walk to the window and look. Fireworks and flashes of bright lights of all colors appear in the sky followed by streamers and banners. Welcome the newest Eternal, Queen Mera.
Blu and Zash look at me and grin.
“What does that mean?”
Then another banner comes into view. Welcome the newest Eternal Immortal, Queen Mera.
They both fall to their knees and bow their heads.
I look at Janx who smiles at me.
“Do I want to know what’s going on?”
“You’re an Eternal and an Eternal Immortal.” Zash nods, and I think I see relief in his expression. “You’ve made it past your thirty days.”
Blu jumps up and hugs me. “Thank you, Mera. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now, I can share my recipes with you. All my secrets …” He twirls me until we are both in the kitchen. He sets me on the counter.
He places his wings around us blocking us from the others. “Obviously only from prying eyes since I can’t block them from hearing us. But…” his grin becomes devious. “If I can work my magic and make you giddy that will help Zash so I’m doing a service.” In a flash, frostings appear everywhere. “Queen’s choice. I so want to try what you did with Zash.”
I look at all the frostings. I tap my finger against my chin like I’m having a hard time making a decision.
Blu taps his fingers against the counter and sighs loudly. He grabs my hand and places it over his heart. “That’s what you did with Janx.”
I grin at him and shake my head.
He pouts and then looks down at himself. “You don’t find me attractive.”
I wrap my legs around him locking him to me.
He looks down. “Glad I gave you the more flippy skirt.”
I run my fingers through his hair as he closes his eyes. “I’ve never done that with them either.”
He shakes his head and blows out a long breath.
I gently touch his sparkly lips. “You are so beautiful. Intoxicating.”
“I know.”
I laugh. “You are definitely my favorite faerie.” I kiss his chest as he moans.
He lets go of me and grabs the counter for support.
There’s a noise from the front door.
“Ignore it.” He touches my face gently. “I adore you. You are mine, Mera.” He leans in to kiss me.
“Blu …” Zash knocks against Blu’s wings.
“Did you actually knock on my wing, reaper? After the
sacrifice I made for you?” Blu sighs. “Can we continue this in a few minutes? This day has made me too twitchy.” He lifts me off the counter and we join Zash and Janx.
Chapter 14
Another official man in all black stands in front of us. He bows. “Queen Mera, official documents to sign.”
Zash takes the document and reads it over. “Officially declares you an Eternal and an Eternal Immortal.”
“And this is good?” I ask.
The man smirks.
Blu shoos him outside. “Wait until she’s ready for you.” He rolls his eyes. “One of the hudigenous.”
I look to Zash to explain.
“Indigenous humans. Some of the less talented born of the children or grandchildren of reigns are relegated to official duties.” Zash explains while still reading the document. “Being declared an Eternal means you cannot be harmed without cause.”
“Like I did to that creepy asshole King?”
Janx laughs. “Is that what you called him?”
I nod.
Zash hands me the document.
“What else does it mean?”
He takes a deep breath. “It means you are …” He walks over to the bookcase and searches through the books. “Here. This will detail everything concerning Eternals.”
I read through the passage in the book. Eternal (noun): relating to a human born in any of the human realms who has been chosen by a group of immortals heretofore referred to as lowborns.
I sigh and look at the three who watch me with a mixture of curiosity and fear.
“What’s wrong?” Zash asks.
“That damn lowborn word. I hate that.”
Janx smiles. “So do we all.”
I keep reading: The chosen human must survive for at least thirty days without being tortured and/or killed and/or imprisoned.
I roll my eyes. “How did King Pole make it through without being killed by the hour?”
Zash points to a particular clause.
Natural Reigns: the reigns born in this land to eternals. Not chosen. Abnormally cruel. Not naturally immortal.
“Oh, so Pole wasn’t chosen?”
Zash shakes his head.
“Makes sense. Who would choose someone so tragic?”
Blu snickers while Zash points back to the book.
I continue to read. A reign will only be declared an Eternal by one of three ways. One: if his/her lowborns fall in love with them, declare their loyalty and bind their souls with their King/Queen. By this method, the reign will be known as an Eternal Immortal. Two: by killing and consuming the bodies and blood of their lowborns in one sitting.
“Ew. Like in a stew?”
Blu flinches and leans into Zash. “She must have gotten to the part about the consuming.”
Three: through the buying of lowborns to replace lowborns taken by murder, torture or attrition. Any lowborns bought need not acquiesce for their rights are negated. They become hereafter referred to as consilpri.
I slam the book shut. “You’ve bound your souls with mine?”
Zash steps back.
Blu immediately puts his hand over his mouth. “Why? Is that bad?”
“What if something happens to me?”
“Nothing will happen to you,” Zash says.
I look at the document. “And if I sign this, all of your souls are linked with mine?”
Blu nods. “Bright side. You didn’t have to kill us or buy us or mash us up.”
Zash hands me the pen. “Believe us, we are safe with you.”
Blu smiles. “We can’t be taken from you. No one can torture us again. We’re forever bound to you.”
I think about it. “Am I immortal?”
Zash nods.
I shake my head. “But Janx, you’re soul wasn’t connected to that horrible man?”
He shakes his head. “I had no rights since he bought me. Being property means they didn’t believe I had a soul.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “It’s just weird. Creepy. It’s not right.”
Zash narrows his eyes as he studies me. “Mera, what part of law were you planning to study?”
“International human rights.”
Zash nods. “I know it goes against everything you believe, and that is why we can connect our souls with yours. We trust you.” Zash continues to hold the pen. “We all agree, don’t we?”
Zash, Blu and Janx nod their heads.
“You are our salvation,” Janx says. “If you do not agree, we can be taken from you at any time by any of the violent reigns.”
I wince as I think of the torture scars littering their bodies. I take the pen and sign the document.
Blu whistles. “Official one, Queen Mera won’t wait forever.”
The man hops back in the door, and I hand him the signed document. He looks it over and then hands me another one.
“What’s this one?”
Blu points to the door. The man complies and leaves quickly.
I hand the document to Zash who reads it through.
“What is it?” Blu asks.
Zash glances at him. “Determines Eternal Verum status.”
Blu gasps. His wings vibrate.
Zash sheepishly hands it back to me while his hands shake. “It asks if you are …” he hesitates. “Such horrible timing. I’m sorry. He looks down at the document. It asks if you are in … love … or could be in love with the three of us.”
I stare at him for the longest time. “This is the weirdest world.” I grab Zash and drag him to the kitchen. I sit down quickly on the floor. Zash follows me.
I stare at him. I really look into his eyes. “Let me guess. The signature won’t be binding unless there are no issues between us for lack of a better word.”
Zash grimaces. “Take as long as you need.”
I shake my fingers out and then my arms. It doesn’t help. I close my eyes. “Calm yourself, Mera. I’m used to pressure. I thrive on stress and deadlines. For me it’s been a couple of minutes since I found out it was you and not Arc. In this world, has it been what a thousand years?”
Zash shakes his head. “Not quite that long.”
I blow out a breath and look into his eyes. “Are you empathing me?”
He flinches. “Not yet. Last time was too painful.” He folds his arms over his chest as if preparing for me to unleash.
“So, what you did was …” I wait as words fly by in my brain. I want to choose carefully and methodically. I need to be precise. “Screw it. It sucks. Big. Time. Suckage. It blows. So. Not. Cool.”
Blu giggles in the distance.
I roll my eyes “I’m warning you, Blu.”
Blu pops his head over the counter. His hair almost touches me as glitter floats in the air. “Will you punish me if I continue?”
Janx yanks Blu away.
“And you are sorry for taking me from everything? My home? My parents? My future? Without giving me a choice?”
Zash puts his hand over his heart as tears form in his eyes. “With everything I am.”
“Would you change it? Take it back?”
Zash hesitates.
In the background, Blu gasps.
I narrow my eyes and wait.
“I’ve lived for centuries without any type of affection. My heart and soul chose you. My heart is beating for the first time. My life began with you. I couldn’t go back to the lonely abyss. For the pain I have caused you, I will forever try to make amends.”
He sighs as he looks down at the ring with my symbol on his finger. “But I won’t lie to you. I couldn’t give you up. I love you. I’m sorry for what you’ve lost, but I wouldn’t change it. There is so much you can do in this world. You can make a difference to so many.”
I lean back as I consider his words.
He gives me time to process then leans closer to me. “If I’d given you a choice … with everything you know now… with everything you feel now…”
I hold up my hand to stop him. “Did you just empath m
e before you asked that?”
He grins with guilt. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
I jump on his lap and wrap my legs around his waist. “Tell me, empath. What did you see when you read me just now?” I run my fingers through his hair.
He moans and blinks quickly to clear his mind. He looks deep in my eyes as his hands tighten around my waist. “That you won’t forget what I did but will forgive me because you maybe, possibly, hopefully are in lo—”
I kiss him quickly before he can finish his sentence.
He pulls me closer to him as he deepens the kiss.
I just as quickly pull back before I get lost in him again. “You make me think dangerous thoughts, Zash.” I touch his lips and want so much more. “Do you believe I will ask Janx to do his fierce dragon whammy on you if you ever—”
He places his finger over my lips to prevent me from finishing and nods very seriously.
“I’d do it gladly, reaper,” Janx calls out.
I sink against Zash’s chest and smile when I hear his heart beating so fast. “I would choose you. Willingly. All of you. Always. Every time. How could I not?”
Blu giggles, and I can hear him leaping in the air.
Zash lets out a deep breath. “Thank you, Mera.”
I hold him for a few minutes or hours. I lose track of time whenever I’m with them. I trace over his symbols and the words on his chest. “Will you teach me your language?”
“Anytime.”
I trace the intricate design in his trench coat. “Does this mean anything?”
“Everything means something here.”
I realize the designs of his trench coat align perfectly with the marks on his skin. “What did you suffer?”
He holds me tighter. “You heal me. Do not take on my pain, Mera.”
I close my eyes and clear my mind. Otherwise his scars would haunt me. “Everything settled?” I ask.
He laughs. “Everything’s settled.”
I jump up quickly and pull Zash up, and we join the others.
I look at the paper. “So, I just sign if I am or could be in love with all three of you?” I shake my head. “Three guys. That I’ve just met.” I tap the pen against the document nervously. “My mother would not be pleased. She would probably send for a priest or preacher or shrink.” I think about it. “My grandmother would be proud.” I glance at the three of them. “Long story.”