Death Waltz
Page 29
“No! I mean yes! I do! What I meant was maybe we need to slow me getting pregnant down. As in using birth control.”
A huge smile spread across his face. “Oh. That would be fine. For a minute there you had me worried.”
“So?”
“So what?”
Liasare scratched her head. For a moment she wondered if she was talking to her mate or her infant son. “So, birth control?”
He waved his hand nonchalantly. “Oh, I suppose you can do whatever women normally do.”
“Why doesn’t that comment surprise me?” she asked sarcastically.
Jurek was on her like lightening. His hand twisted into her hair and his other arm bound her waist against his body. “Liasare, you act like I don’t care for your feelings in this matter. I wonder if you care for mine. Do you think I don’t worry about you every second of every day? Do you think I still don’t have in the back of my mind, the thought of losing you during childbirth? The truth is preventing conception was never a concern for me before.”
Liasare was speechless. This was a topic she really didn’t care to discuss with him. His sex life before her was something that frankly disgusted her.
She grabbed his chin. “So, I’m only going to say this once. I really don’t want to talk about who you slept with before me because I’m sure there were many women. I mean, look at you for Pete’s sake. But for the love of God, did you not worry about getting them pregnant?”
He did have the decency to look sheepish. “No, I didn’t. I asked them if they were protected against pregnancy and I could tell if they were lying or not. If they weren’t protected, I didn’t sleep with them.”
“Hmm. Okay. Well, I’ve never taken birth control because you’re the only man I’ve ever slept with.”
“I know.” He kissed her and grinned. “And you’d better keep it that way.”
“Yeah, and you’d better do the same.”
“I plan on it,” he said right before he kissed her again. “For now, how shall we pursue this birth control?”
“I’ll check with Naroo. She should be able to tell me something.”
“That sounds good and how about we do some practice rounds in the meantime?”
“Practice? Alaric, you’re an expert. I don’t think you need any practice. But maybe you can give lessons.”
“Only if they’re to my wife.”
“And she’ll gladly be your student.”
***
Jurek, Liasare, and Justus were eating breakfast when Tak came in to let them know all of Abaddon’s dark creatures had been destroyed. He also let them know that they still could not locate his minions. They’d searched everywhere and couldn’t seem to find him or them. No one knew how many there were and what could’ve happened to them.
“The Master, or whoever he is, has to be somewhere, even if he’s dead. Maybe he went back to Abaddon’s realm and is locked outside the gate,” Liasare suggested.
“That’s a possibility, but I would feel better, knowing where he was and if there were more than one. I think it’s time to pay another visit to Themis.”
Tak also reported that all the Guardians were headed back to Vesturon and gearing up for the final confrontation against the Xanthians. It seemed that without the support of Abaddon, the Xanthians’ forces had weakened immensely. Now would be the opportune time to strike.
“Do we need to send men?” Jurek asked.
“They claim no. They’ll let us know if they need help.”
“What about Earth?” Liasare asked.
“That will be our next task,” Jurek said. “We need to begin rebuilding it. Once the Xanthians are crushed, the Guardians can assist.”
Tak agreed. “They said once the war is over, they will return with squadrons to help restore Earth to the humans. They want our help with that.”
“Thank you, Tak.”
“Marik, Ludo, and I will remain at the headquarters on Earth for the time being. If you need anything, you can find us there.”
“What about January’s children?” Liasare wanted to know.
Tak smiled. “They are fine. They can’t remember a thing. It’s like it never happened.”
Liasare sighed. “Thank heavens. I’ll go see them soon.”
“After we speak with Themis, we will contact you,” Jurek said.
Tak left and Jurek and Liasare went to call upon Themis.
She didn’t offer any encouraging news.
“His minions had a plan in case this would happen. If they didn’t flee back to his realm, which I highly doubt, they are still on Earth. My guess is they are in hiding, waiting for him to escape again,” Themis said.
“But Abaddon is locked inside. They’ll have to wait forever.”
“My Queen, do not be so naive. Nothing is forever. Abaddon can find a way out as long as a key exists. Your skeleton key must be guarded with your life. Keep it safe at all times.”
“Can we put it back here?”
“No. Once the seal on this locked door was open, it is no longer safe. And wearing it around your neck only puts your life in danger. You are the Key to the Light. But that does not mean you are the only one that can be the bearer of that key. There are others. You must find a place for safe keeping.”
Jurek huffed. “Any suggestions?”
“Do not be so sarcastic with me.”
“I’m not. You tell us these things but always seem to withhold information. Now I am to understand my mate’s life is in danger. It would have been nice to know this ahead of time. If I didn’t know better, I would think you were trying to get her killed.”
“Jurek! Stop it!”
“It’s true, damn it! Think on it a minute. Every time she gives us information, it’s just enough to maybe get you killed. Isn’t that right, Themis? Isn’t it? Maybe you’re the one that’s in league with Abaddon.”
“Jurek!” Liasare called out again.
“That’s enough, you impertinent ...”
“Go ahead, say it. Call me names, but it’s the damn truth, Themis. You’ve put her in too many perilous situations for my liking. She’s your Queen! You’re supposed to protect her. And I’m not seeing that. Now what else are you withholding from her?”
Themis shook with rage. Liasare was at a loss. She was afraid Themis was going to destroy Jurek. But he stood his ground.
“Shall I call the others now? Or will you?” he asked.
It had turned into a battle of wills.
Jurek’s voice bellowed forth, “Nikoleta, Demokritos. I call you both forth.”
Neither of them came.
“Where are they, Themis? Why do they not come?”
Themis didn’t answer.
“Liasare, bind her with your power.”
Liasare did as she asked. Then Jurek spread his arms wide and his voice rang loud and clear, “I, Alaricus Jurganus Herdekian call forth every Praestani elder to the chamber of the Triumvirate.”
The room began to fill with Praestanis as they all flashed in, one by one. When where was no more room for anyone else, Jurek began to explain why he’d called them forth. The elders present began murmuring, but when Jurek explained that Nikoleta and Demokritos did not come forth when called, a cry of outrage went forth. They demanded an explanation from Themis. But she only stood there with her proud stature, not bothering to offer any elucidation.
“Where are they, Themis? Where are your brother and sister?” Liasare asked.
Themis’ thin lips pressed together, making them disappear entirely.
“What have you done with them?” Liasare demanded to know.
Themis still refused to answer. The crowd pushed forward, urging an explanation.
Liasare circled Themis. Then she and Jurek connected thoughts.
“Do it, Liasare. You must find out. If she is in league with Abaddon, he may not be locked in his realm, after all. It may all have been a cunning trick of theirs to get us to believe we were safe. We may be at greater risk now than ever
.”
Liasare moved to face Themis. “Tell me or you will regret it.”
Themis’ nostrils flared but she did not speak. Liasare spread her fingers and placed them on either side of Themis’ face. She began her mind extraction. Themis’ thoughts poured into Liasare’s head and Liasare connected her own mind with Jurek’s. Themis began to scream. When she had all the information she needed and there was nothing left in Themis’ mind to give, Liasare put her palm on Themis’ face and shoved her backward. She fell on the marble floor, her head hitting the ground with a loud crack.
“She has betrayed us and her siblings. They are locked inside a cell beneath this floor. It was all about the power. Abaddon promised her power beyond what she already had. She intended to destroy both Liasare and myself. She would steal the skeleton key and go to Abaddon’s realm and release him. His minions are here on Praestan. She has kept them safe.”
A cry came forth from the crowd. “Destroy her. Now.”
Jurek turned to Liasare and said, “My Queen, it is your duty to do so.”
Liasare focused her eyes on Themis and a beam of energy shot out as Themis was turned to dust. When it happened, screams could be heard from beneath them.
“Nikoleta and Demokritos,” Liasare whispered. “The pain. They feel it.”
“Yes,” Jurek said.
Liasare turned to Jurek and said, “I felt yours when Abaddon held you prisoner.”
“You did?”
“It was excruciating.”
“Christ, Liasare. Two parts are now one.” He ran his finger across her cheek. “Let’s go release Nikoleta and Demokritos. And Abaddon’s minions need to be destroyed.”
When they found Themis’ siblings, they were weak from being held captive for so long. It was a sad day for the people of Praestan to know that one of their Triumvirate had betrayed them. But it was decided they needed to elect a replacement.
Many names were put forth, but in the end Naroo was chosen. Jurek and Liasare could not have been happier. They had great faith and trust in her and knew with her sitting in Themis’ seat, Praestan was in safe hands.
Epilogue
Eighteen Months Later
“She has your temper.”
Liasare scowled at her mate. “Seriously? You’re the one with the uncontrollable temper, not me. Look at her face. If it were any redder, she’d be a tomato and not a baby.”
“Look at the way she kicks her legs. She’s just like you. That’s the way you fight. With your legs like that.”
“Humph.”
“She has your gorgeous hair.”
Liasare immediately softened. “How can you tell? She hardly has any yet.”
“I just know. Look at the downy fuzz on the top of her head. See the way it catches the sun? Yours glistens in much the same way.” He bent and brushed his lips across his newborn daughter’s head. “She’s going to be a beauty, just like her mother.”
Liasare grinned.
“Oh, God!” Jurek groaned.
“What is it?” Liasare asked, alarmed.
“Now I have to worry about all the boys that will be chasing her.”
“Uh huh. All those boys that were just like you.”
The look of horror that crossed his features set Liasare off into a fit of giggles. She couldn’t stop laughing.
“How can you laugh? You yourself said I was a complete ass. I think you even called me a prick.”
“I did. And much worse. You know what they say. What goes around ...”
“Fuck!”
“Jurek! Watch your language around our daughter.”
“Christ, Liasare. She can’t even talk! Her ears are probably not even working yet.”
“Of course her ears work. I don’t want her picking up your nasty language.”
“My nasty language. Um, aren’t you the pot calling the kettle black?”
Liasare shrugged. “I’ve changed my ways. If you’ve noticed, I haven’t said a curse word in a while.”
“Um, I beg to differ. During your labor, you called me several things even I don’t care to repeat.”
“Oh, that. Well, I had a good excuse. But I haven’t cursed since then.”
Jurek tried not to laugh, but couldn’t. “That was only two hours ago.”
“Exactly! You’ll see. I’m going to be an exemplary role model for our children.”
He smirked and said, “As I would expect you to be. And when they are adults, I shall regale them of tales of their lovely mother and how I tried everything I knew to get her to curb her tongue when I first met her.”
“Yes, well, I warned you I would never bow to you.”
He touched her hand and watched the colors spark between them. Then he chuckled. “And little did I know I would be the one bowing to you.”
Liasare nuzzled their newest child. “Yeah, who was it who said that women held all the power?”
“Me!”
She laughed hard. The baby let out a yelp. “Oops.”
“So, have you decided?” he asked.
“I think she should be called Lexus, after your mother. She saved me so many times, it’s only fitting our first-born daughter be named for her.”
“She would’ve loved that. I wish she could be here.”
Liasare eyes roamed around the room. “I have a strong notion she is.”
Lexus kicked her legs out and Liasare said, “I think she’s hungry.”
“A babe after her own mother.” Jurek climbed on the bed next to them and pulled Liasare into his side. “Feed her and then rest. You’re going to need it because she’ll be converting to energy any moment. I’ll be here to help.”
***
A week later, the Herdekian family sat together, Brinna handling Justus as Liasare and Jurek took turns with Lexus and Tak came to visit.
“I’m exhausted just watching you two,” Tak said.
“In another week, she’ll be much more in control and we’ll be sleeping in regular intervals. Liasare has this one down to a science. Her conversions are almost to the minute. She’s already staying in her physical form longer.”
“I only wanted to report on the situation. Things are under control on Earth in the rebuilding. The Guardians are minimizing the Xanthians forces in the universe and we’re finally getting things back to normal. We’re good, Jurek.” He grinned at his friend.
“Then I suppose we chose a better time to have a child this go round.”
Justus chose that moment to careen into Tak and Tak picked him up, tossing him into the air. Justus squealed and Tak did it again.
“More, Uncle Tak!”
“Say please, Justus,” his father admonished him.
“Please.”
Tak looked at his friend and said, “If you would’ve told me I would be doing this a couple of years ago, I would’ve called you a nut.”
“Oh? And what do you think I would’ve said?”
“That I was fu ...”
“Tak!”
“Oh, sorry.”
“Right, tell me about it. I slip up all the time. Little ears are tough to get used to. But Liasare will knock your bohonkas from here to Lare-Stell if you use any kind of foul language around the young ones.”
“Hmm. My bohonkas, huh?” Tak eyed his friend.
“Exactly. And don’t forget it. Mine will get pulverized too.”
“Oh, I remember getting beaten pretty badly by those kicks of hers. I’ll not forget, my friend. So little Lexus is doing well?”
Jurek beamed. “Yeah, she’s exactly like her mother.”
“Gods help you, man.”
“Tell me. Tak, I want you to know that you’re a part of this family. No matter what. And Liasare and I want you to be Justus’ custos ... his watchman. Think about it and let us know. We understand that it’s a serious commitment, but we don’t know of anyone else we would entrust his life to.”
Tak looked at his friend and said, “I would be honored. Consider it done.” Then the two friends hugged a
nd Tak left.
Liasare saw her mate and smiled. “So I take it he agreed.”
“Yes. He didn’t even have to think about it.”
“Did you even think he would?”
Jurek shrugged. “I didn’t truly know.” Then he stood back and watched the scene unfolding in front of him. Liasare held their daughter, as they alternated between their energy and physical forms, Justus flew around the room like an energetic toddler, and there was nothing he lacked in this life. Everything was in balance again ... The Light was right there before him. He smiled as he felt her energy touch his soul.
The End
About The Author
A.M. Hargrove is the naughty and nice author of adult, new adult, and young adult romance. She divides her time between the mountains of North Carolina and the upstate of South Carolina where she pursues her dream career of writing. Her family considers her crazy, her friends will agree, but she’s always game for some fun times. If she could change anything in the world, she would make chocolate and ice cream a part of the USDA food groups.
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Other Books by A. M. Hargrove
The Guardians of Vesturon Series:
Survival, Book 1
Resurrection, Book 2
Determinant, Book 3
reEmergent, Book 4
Dark Waltz, A Praestani Novel
Death Waltz, A Praestani Novel (December 2014)
The Edge Series:
Edge of Disaster
Shattered Edge
Kissing Fire
The Tragic Series:
Tragically Flawed, Tragic 1
Tragic Desires, Tragic 2