Empress's Endgame (Book 5 and final of the Death Incanate Saga)

by Jr H. Lee Morgan

  The king’s blue eyes widened as he fell back, clutching his chest and dropping his weapon. He started changing color from red to blue. The pain made it impossible to draw breath. But before he could suffocate Cage came over and slammed the side of his fist on Tate’s chest with a resounding thump which caused the involuntary reaction to gasp. “Hauuu!” King Tate gasped and coughed violently before turning over and hurling bile and liquid. The warlock slapped his back to help rid everything in the other man. “Let it out.”

  “My King, do you need assistance?” Jormon said as he flew down off the balcony. Gaz simply jumped without fear. His fat and fur jiggled upon impact with the ground.

  “Just lost my air. Let me rest.” Came the reply before another set of dry heaves overtook him.

  “Husband?” Katelyn fussed as he moved away from the minor mess, clutching his pained abdomen. He still could not stand, but she was worried.

  “I’m going to be fine. Compared to last time I battled Sir Cage, this is nothing. At the very least he didn’t break my nose again.” He said in a moment of levity. King Tate brushed her soft cheek before looking up when he saw movement as Brooke laid her elbow on Cage’s shoulder and used him to lean on. “How was the first lesson?”

  Brooke was blunt. “Pathetic. One of our children could gut your mate like a fish who throws itself on land. She hasn’t the fortitude to become a warrior. Katelyn knows only how to use a knife in cooking. She is weak and will be killed because she has no genuine hate or will to harm anyone. Her reactions are slow. Her strength is childlike and tires too easily. If she is to bare your babies and not die in birthing, Katelyn must grow stronger. After the morning meal I’m taking her to make her body strong. Your mating will wait when I return her tonight. She is going to hate me the week you will stay here. I will not accept her as your proper mate till I see she finds the something we all need to drive us to better ourselves.”

  “We don’t need your permission…” King Tate began to say till Katelyn shook her head and laid a hand on his chest. “No, Lady Brooke is right. I hate conflict, but such is life. I’m going to try my best. She is right, I’m small and will have difficulty one day I carry your child if I do not at least have a stronger body. We have many years ahead to make a larger family, but only six more days here. I do not know why, but I feel the need to have Lady Brooke find me fit to be your queen. I know I love you and you me, but as a strong woman, I want what she has. Do not resent her, please?”

  “Very well.” He struggled to his feet and sheathed his sword. “Lady Brooke, I leave my wife in your care, but if you beat her like those Laqura bastards I’ll see you receive similar punishment.”

  “Breakfast is ready!” Tohka called out as she and Meeka came around hand in hand.

  “Follow me to rinse off all the dirt and sweat.” Cage called out and led everyone over to a pair of showers jutting from the side of the building. He turned the valve and cool water flowed from the showerhead and washed all that had accumulated down into a grated drain. Next to him Katelyn followed and moaned as the water beat against her head and body. Behind him he heard Brooke explaining her exercise plan to King Tate who had calmed during her speech. Cage stepped out and wiped most of the water of and shook his wet head like a dog. Cillian took over his vacant spot.

  Soon everyone in need took a quick shower and were mostly dry by the time they went indoors, aside from damp hair. Everyone else was seated either at the table or on one of the sofas talking. Cage looked at the group of girls to find Rena sitting on the princess’s lap with a cheeky grin as another girl laughed at some joke. Cage said “Good work, Kiddo. Seems you’ve done the impossible.”

  Rena turned sideways on the princess’s lap and gave her a loud kiss in front of everyone. “That I did, Dad. After I gave her her first orgasm she was mine. I’ve decided to make her my woman the day I bleed and get a man. She will be my sister-mate after how she licked me with a passion I’ve never felt by someone untried. One day I’m going to have her become Utala and keep her.”

  The princess’s father bristled as he stood. “I will not allow this farce to continue. She will be queen one day as she is second in line for the throne, after me. Priestess, you and she are both children and…”

  “Sit down and shut up.” Rena glared, suddenly looking more mature than her nine year looks. The room silenced, but the king and queen of Emroc took their seats with a small smile, enjoying another show. The prince didn’t move, but his glare narrowed. “I am an adult among my people. And from what I learned in bed last night, she is more favorable to a woman’s touch though she knows she likes men too. She will be mine one day when she realizes she has another destiny and it is not in line for the throne. You can make another baby, but I know deep down she isn’t fit to rule an entire kingdom or she wouldn’t have gotten my uncle killed because she doesn’t have boundaries or children who can kick her ass and see her as a person and not a princess. After one of my sisters felt her pleasures we all listened to her sorrow and bitterness and if you knew your own daughter you would have realized she is lonely. So lonely.”

  The prince’s jaw dropped and his gaze turned to his child trying to hide behind Rena. “Daughter, is this true?”

  “Papa… I…” she couldn’t look up. “Yes.” She finally squeaked nearly inaudibly and felt Rena’s hand patting hers as it clutched around her middle. He sat down as if struck by a blow.

  The silence ended as King Skylar leaned forward and his tone was soft an kind despite how he looked. “Granddaughter, look at me.” She did so and showed she had been crying. “I see the priestess and her lovers finally tore down that wall you put up to protect yourself from being alone. I’m the one to blame because you are of my blood. But before any hasty actions are taken on any party I want you to hear what I have to say.” She nodded and looked as Reece landed on the table between her grandparents. “You’ve never shown tears like this to me. I do not want to strike your name as second heir, but I will leave the choice to you. You will be a sorceress one day, but so far you’ve shunned companionship and got a good knight killed. I’m not trying to be mean, but it is the truth. I’m proposing a change that will depend on you. Priestess Rena has already proven you are not better and she is three years younger than you, but is much more mature. Here is your choice, return to the castle and continue your studies in Twilight, where it is safe, or learn the Utala culture, as my father and mother made me do with one of the other tribes. If you are allowed to stay, you will not be left with any knights for protection, not contact anyone in the castle or anyone in Emroc for that matter, and if you stay, you will be subject to their ways and laws. Granddaughter, this means if you do not learn and stay stupid, they will kill you and I will not lift a finger to have them killed.” She went to open her mouth and stopped when he raised a finger. “I’m not done. One year. You must live and comply for one year as a child of the Utala, the most dangerous of all tribes ever bred on the plains. No contact whatsoever during a full year. If after the year you choose to remain here, I will allow it and strike your name from succession unless our entire family is slaughtered, every cousin and relative too. If you are the last, you must return, but in no other way… if it is alright with her parents?”

  Brooke sat down in Cage’s lap as he sat at the head of the table and she said “It is not up to us. My daughter has been named priestess for good reason. So long as your grandchild has yet to have a moonflow, she does not have to find a male and be challenge to mating rights. Have you, Princess?” the girl shook her head.

  “Father, a whole year…” the prince went silent as his father glared. “Be silent, Boy. I’m quite upset I’m resorted to give an ultimatum to my own flesh and blood. Do not push me to lump you in as well. It is partially your and your wife’s fault you never allowed her to think she was just like any other girl and let her play with others. I do not like airing out my family’s dysfunction in front of others so don’t push me.”

  “Oh, don’t mind us.
I’m having a blast.” Cage piped and chuckled.

  Brooke slapped his chest. “Behave.”

  “If I behaved you wouldn’t laugh half as much.”

  Brooke rolled her eyes. More chuckled. “Child, you must know that if you decide to partner with my daughter you must defer to her as your priestess and lead female, just as I am with mine. Where she sleeps, so do you. You will not leave her sight unless permitted for your own safety and if you strike her in anger, she will kill you. Do not answer now. Consider carefully. If you are good, you get pleasure, the opposite also applies. Go to Twilight and be safe and pampered or stay here and risk death. Until you choose I will not allow Rena or any female to pleasure you or temp your decision.”

  “Mother?”

  “Rena, it is still my right and you know it. No more sex with her till she decides and that is final.”

  “Yes, Mother.” Rena then got up and took the next available seat. She didn’t seem disappointed like the princess who suddenly missed the intimate connection.

  “Everyone ready to eat?” Tiffa said as she and the other three women began bringing out platters of food. Breakfast drinks came out last. The Familiars even got their own choice to select. Sek and Amy hurried over to sit by her father and new stepmother.

  Meeka hurried and claimed Cage’s other leg just before Tohka sat in the vee of his thighs and rubbed Brooke’s and Meeka’s silky legs when they laid it over hers. He said “Make me a plate too, Babes. My stomach can handle it.”

  “But it’s only been three weeks since you last ate.” Brooke voiced when Tohka leaned forward and made a plate of eggs, spoon full of blueberries and fried potatoes.

  “Wait… you laseate three weeks ago?” Gaz said after swallowing a piece of meat from a roasted pig’s hindquarters.

  “Yep.” Cage said as he sipped a glass of orange juice. “I usually eat one good meal a month now, still vegetarian, but I guess with all the work I’ve been doing I guess I need something a bit more substantial than living off my own mana. I wasn’t really hungry till I saw all this good looking food. You ladies are awesome cooks.” The four offered a smile and soon everyone was digging in. Meeka was all too eager to feed him and he didn’t wish to spoil her lovely smile so he let her.

  Tohka’s pregnancy was already beginning to reveal itself by the amount of food she piled on her plate. She had more than any in her family, but wasn’t ridiculed as they learned several days ago warlock babies need quite a bit of nutrition and makes the mother naturally hungry till the day she gives birth.

  Towards the end Daku, his mates and Ananna returned and Meeka, already finished eating, hurried over and scooped Ananna up in a hug and blew raspberries on her belly to get a squeal.

  As Ananna giggled Prince Sek turned his attention towards the head of the table. “Lord Cage, mind if I ask you a question?”

  “Just did, but alright. What’s on your mind, Sek?” he said while simultaneously caressed Brooke’s lower back and Tohka’s belly affectionately.

  “I cannot seem to get a straight answer from anyone about the spirit war I’ve heard about. I’ve summoned several spirits myself, but they skirt my questions like a Politian who skirt my inquiries and leave.”

  “Because I’ve spelled all the spirit spies for a reason.”

  Zikon’s head popped up at this. “You’ve spelled spirits? Cage, that is a dark path…”

  “Grandpa, do you seriously think I’d use necromancy in that way?” Cage looked up. “Home privacy activate.” Four crowns grew with light before sputtering out when against his power. The door and windows slammed shut and to keep the room from being entirely dark orbs of light sprang to life.

  The kings and queens glared till Jormon said “He has isolated us entirely from the outside world. No sound can escape, none can see inside and we’ve all been spelled to not be allow to repeat anything said beneath this power. And so fast too. It took but an instant to spell all aside from his family.”

  “Relax guys, this is just a precaution. We can talk, but this particular subject I’ll not allow to leave this room. Agreed?”

  “Rex Nattan says for me to listen, even if any of us had a choice.” King Skylar said, tapping his temple. Everyone else seemed to be listening to their partners too.

  “For your information, the link that binds you to your partners are also under my house’s thrall.” Cage said.

  “Theresa said the same thing.” Zikon admitted. “It seems outside, she can’t speak a word to Ollai at the moment. Her vocal cords have been numbed. Please say what you must, I do not like how she is feeling at the moment.”

  “Alright. There are spirits from each and every animal that has ever lived. Sentient spirits, those that can think on higher levels, rule and guide the lesser. When we die and lose our connection to our bodies, we become energy, but remain who we are as individuals. Each planet with life has spirits who are tethered and are allied to the world of their birth. It is what allows spirits here on Raliea to return instead of getting lost in the endless cosmos. And as who we are is allowed to exist as spirits, so too is it for those with dishonorable intentions.

  “A spirit war has raged for over four thousand years here on Raliea, caused by your mommy dearest.” Zikon raised an eyebrow when Cage looked at him. “She is up to something big, Zikon. The turning point of the war was me when I ascended and saved all the ghosts from The Deep. All those, dragons, griffins and warlocks made the difference and subdued all the spirits your mom brainwashed into believing she can rule both Raliea and the spirits born to those world with the intention of bringing all life sustaining worlds under her thumb.” Jaws dropped. “So when I was given all the spirits and spread them out to gain Intel on her I knew it would be bad if any true necromancers captured them and turned them into ghosts to get information. So I spelled every spirit the ancient spirits allowed to work for us so that if they screwed up and got caught they would be unable to say anything. I also crafted a spell that if any are loosed as a ghost, a second spell would transfer their target to me so I can heal their injury. So far I’ve done it once from a spirit from spying in Eeroan since they have the second highest number of necromancers in the empire. If I hadn’t created these spirit spells our plans would have been discovered, especially since the ancient spirits are no longer keeping their hands from stopping spirits from divulging certain pieces of information. Now do you see why I did what I did?”

  Silence lasted as everyone looked from one to the other till Zikon spoke “So the bitch who gave me life has been attempting to conquer not only Raliea, but also all worlds and the spirit as well?”

  “Why do you think she has kept the breeding programs around for four thousand years and forces her doctrine on all in Emroc who aren’t born mages? Why do you think it is she who now calls the shots since Shakka, I learned, is the Division Mountains new Rex.”

  Nearly every adult cried out and grabbed their heads. All of them yelled for their dragon to not scream so loud in their minds, taking more than ten minutes to get everyone under control. Cage had to summon Moril into his home and use her power as Rex to make sure the other connected five didn’t come personally. It was tough, but Moril did her part and soothed tempers.

  King Skylar was the first to ask. “Rex Nattan wants to know when you learned this bit of information?”

  “The day before yesterday.” Cage raised his hand as he was about to be yelled at. “I had my reason for not divulging. Mainly because of Amy and Sek’s marriage. If I had said this earlier you would have postponed and those psychos watching your every move would have known something was up if you all disappeared from your ship you all had to sail on to keep up pretenses. Nattan, I know you are listening to Skylar’s every thought and have gone so deep as to even split his mind safely to talk though him. I feel your power actually flowing through him. Tell me right now my actions couldn’t have waited. Knowing Shakka is the Rex doesn’t make too much of a difference at this point does it?”

  King Skylar
’s eyes changed from warm brown to a striking gold that had almost everyone lean away. When the king spoke, it wasn’t his voice, but that of a dragon. “Yes, I and King Skylar Two-legs can speak though the other and your silence is irksome, but wise. Had you told me of Shakka brightscales’ position as Rex I would have stolen my partner off the boat without hesitation and called an emergency call to strike. I’m listening to a spirit you just sent under truthful compulsion confirming Vika Two-legs’ Familiar now commands the Division Mountains colony as Rex. Her coloring is exact as I’ve witnessed in her subjects. Truth you reveal.” He blinked and that quick, Rex Nattan’s bright gold eyes flashed to brown. “And I agree as well, Lord Cage. But it begs to question why the harlot wants the spirits under her rule as well.”

  “My spies don’t know either. She’s been tightlipped outside her chambers and somehow the griffin spirits can’t enter that area for some reason. Until I can find a way to get them inside for some Recon, I’ve withdrew all spirits from nearing her castle. She can’t have my spies if others can see them like I can. Spirits are too valuable to waste.”

  Many agreed that if griffins couldn’t get in it was too risky to endanger them.

  “I ask that until Vika’s armies move, we back off from having meetings except by spirits as messengers. To my knowledge they can’t be as easily detected as carrier birds, couriers or teleporting magically. We parade Amy and Sek’s marriage under Vika’s nose and force her to show her hand. When it is all as we’ve set up, we act. Till then we do our parts. Converse with your partners and decide when you are ready. I’m not lifting my spells till an agreement is settled.”