Aris Reigns

by Devin Morgan

  “These are the terms of surrender.” He spoke slowly, clearly, first in English, then Spanish. “All who step forward to take the Blood Oath, to swear to abide by the Laws of the Catacombs, will be saved. You will return with us to England to live among us in peace. Any who wish to turn their backs on our terms will die without mercy.” He waited while his words settled among the crowd.

  At last, dropping their weapons, three stepped forward, two men and a woman. They were covered in dirt and venom. One was spitting something vile from his mouth.

  “Three of you? Only three?” Again, he paused. “This is my last offer. Step forward in surrender or die.” No one moved.

  Lifting the body of DeMarco over his head, he flung it onto the rocks below. “Kill them all.” His command rang clearly through the now silent night. “Kill them all, leave none standing.” He turned in time to see Sarah fling the head of the dead Queen from the bridge to join her mate in the flames of eternal death as the sounds of the battle below the bridge began again.

  Aris wrapped his arms around Sarah as she held the head of her dead friend in her lap. She removed Jane’s black cap, running her fingers through her soft blond hair and touching her unmoving lips. “She didn’t want to come.” Sarah’s words were thick with grief as she buried her face in her hands. “She didn’t want to come and now she’s gone.”

  “Sarah,” Aris spoke gently. “Sarah, Jane loved you. She could never allow you to come here alone. And you, of all people, know she never wanted Immortality. It was a bitter gift to her. She told you she wished she had died a human death. Now she has peace.”

  “No, not yet. We don’t know what she chose until we find her death request.” As she spoke, she reached into the zipper pocket of the dead woman’s leather jacket, drawing from it a small folded piece of paper.

  She read it, then handed it to Aris. It read: “Grieve not, dear friends, burn this body. Give me peace I have not known these hundreds of years. From dust I came and to ashes I return. To Sarah, know that you have given me moments of memory that brought joy and understanding to a poor Immortal who was lost before you came. Thank you with heartfelt love. Jane Howard.”

  Aris and Sarah stood. Aris lifted the body of their beloved comrade and the couple left the bridge, carrying their cherished friend to the fire where she would find the eternal peace she craved.

  As he lowered her body into the purging flames, Sarah was sure she heard the distant howl of a wolf.

  It was two nights and two full days before the Immortals had burned all the dead and cleared the battlefield of all traces of combat. The three that surrendered, Garret, Stefano and Martha, had been put under guard to wait quietly in the ruins of the tower where Sarah had been held prisoner in what seemed to her to be another lifetime.

  It was early on the morning of the third day. Aris and Sarah stood next to one another as they watched out the window of the castle throne room. Richard, Gabriela and Sebastian had just said goodbye to the remaining commanders and were making their way across the courtyard to take the three surrendering vampires back to the Catacombs.

  “It’s really over.” Sarah leaned her head against Aris’ shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

  “Yes. You are safe at last.”

  “I’ve been safe since the moment you came into my life.” As they stood in silence waiting for their friends, her mind drifted back to the first time Aris manifested during her hypnotic session with Carlos. It seemed so many lifetimes ago. She questioned the existence of the Immortals then. Now, she questioned the existence of her own human life. She had been so overwhelmed by the events of the past few weeks; it had been days since she had even thought of Chicago and her human friends.

  When Sarah finally did think of them, she knew she must telephone Colleen and her mother as soon as they returned to England. She didn’t want to cause anyone any concern for her well-being and it had been several days since she had spoken to anyone in the States. She considered calling while they were still in Spain, but thought better of it. There were too many events to put in order in her mind and process before she spoke to any mortal.

  “We are ready to travel. Gabriela and Richard have gone to collect the three.” Sebastian spoke as he entered the room. Aris and Sarah turned from the window to greet their comrade. “Everyone is on their way home. It is time for us to return.”

  “Yes, our flight from Barcelona is later this evening. We will be leaving shortly. We all look forward to being home.” As Aris spoke, Gabriela entered the doorway.

  “All is ready. Richard waits with the guards and the defectors.” She kissed Sarah on the cheek and embraced Aris. “We will see you at home.”

  They said their goodbyes as Sebastian and Gabriela left the room.

  Sarah wrapped her arms around Aris as she spoke. “I miss Jane so much. I keep wishing she and Hawke were waiting for our return.”

  “Jane is at peace, her request met. We must accept her decision and be grateful that we knew her gentle spirit.”

  “Yes, just as I am grateful to have you.” She lifted her eyes to his, then closed them as his tender lips touched hers.

  CHAPTER 47

  Only one table sat vacant in the crowded Sanquinaria. Aris and Sarah made their way through the gathering of the celebrating Immortals to claim it. As they settled into their seats Richard and Gabriela entered, waving in recognition. Stopping a waiter as they hurried by, they ordered their drinks before joining their waiting friends.

  “Have you heard? The three will take the Blood Oath tomorrow?” Richard shared the news as he and his mate settled into the chairs that awaited them.

  “No. So soon? We have only been home for a few days,” Aris answered.

  “Yes, but they have been questioned without ceasing by the Council and Henry since their arrival. Garret has been the main spokesperson for the three. He told the Council that he and Stephano and Martha had longed for a peaceful existence before the war. They had planned for some time to desert the Spanish court when the time was right and somehow make their way to the Catacombs. All three swear they fully understand the code of ethics we demand of our citizens. All three say they will vow to abide by the Blood Oath for all of eternity so Bartholomew sees no reason to delay. As Head Council, he will present his request to Queen Akira.”

  Aris sipped from his goblet, his voice troubled when he spoke. “Queen Akira. Yes. Sebastian told me she was furious that I allowed for surrender. He says she will call me to audience before the Blood Oath can take place.”

  “What will you tell her?”

  “I will tell her the truth. I will remind her both you and Gabriela originally came from the Spanish coven. You took the Blood Oath and you have lived a perfect life ever since, never looking back to what you once were. I was unable to eliminate every vampire without giving them a chance to find a better existence. There was no other way except to offer them sanctuary if they chose to change.”

  Gabriela spoke. “What is a wonder to me is only three came forward.”

  “I must be honest and say I was amazed that even three would be willing. I still wonder if this is not subterfuge.” Aris reached for Sarah’s hand resting next to his on the table. Interlacing his fingers with hers, he continued. “They lived a savage life. They know no better. Even when they swear, I will not be content to trust them for many centuries. Remember DeMarco? He fooled even Henry. No, even though I gave them the chance to denounce their past, I will keep watch over their actions for a long time to come.”

  The waiter brought their refreshment to the table and the conversation turned to Hawke.

  “Henry said the white wolf howled for many hours then was seen no more.” Richard handed Gabriela her drink. “When the army returned to the Catacombs, they spent a day and night searching for him, yet there was no sign that he was anywhere to be found.”

  Sarah thought of the howl she heard at the moment Jane’s body was laid to rest in the fire. She knew no one would ever see Jane’
s beloved companion again. She squeezed Aris’ hand, knowing the man as well as the wolf would wander alone throughout time.

  Aris paced the floor as he waited to be shown into the audience chamber. Time and again since he joined the Immortals, he had been called before the Queen. Each time he felt sorrow at having disappointed her. He felt it once again. Whatever punishment she dealt him would be accepted, yet he knew he did the only thing his honor would allow.

  He, too, had lived as a rogue before his enlightenment so very long ago. He was flooded with memories of that distant time; memories of the field in Spain when he was a commander for Charles I, memories of his first glimpse of another like himself. He recalled his delight at meeting Richard and Gabriela when they told him there was another way, when he learned of the Catacombs. He remembered the peace he felt when he joined their society. It was the first time in his life, human or vampire, he had lived in harmony with others.

  Yet despite the solace offered by his new existence, he had once again become a rogue. He broke the Blood Oath when he killed out of hatred first Cardinal Wolsey and then Katherine, first wife of Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn had used and tricked him, but the blame still was his for betraying the Immortals. He had been forgiven, yet he never forgot what it was to be driven to use all the powers he had to do evil once again. He planned to vow to the Queen he would watch over the three new members to their society, scrutinizing their every move.

  “Come, my friend.” Sebastian entered the chamber, holding the door for Aris to stand before the Queen. Aris shuddered as the door closed behind him.

  Kneeling before Akira, Aris lowered his head in contrition.

  “Stand. You have once again disobeyed my orders.” He rose to his feet. “Why do you cast your eyes away? Look at me.” When he looked into her face, he was shocked to see she was smiling.

  “I have called you here to chastise you, yet the entire Council has begged for mercy for you.” She shook her head as if at a child who had been disobedient. “You allowed those three to live because they swore they wanted a better life. I do not agree with your decision, but you have proved to me that you truly do have compassion. You have proved by your actions that you are sincerely contrite for your transgressions to the Law that happened so long ago. I am now sure I made the right decision to acquit you for your crimes.”

  “My Queen.” He knelt before her once again, bowing his head in gratitude.

  “Rise. You need not humble yourself before me, Aris. I know that without you, our society would have been extinguished. You were the salvation of us all.” She raised herself from her throne to step close enough to him to place her long fingers on his cheek.

  “I have never known human love, but I believe that may be the very thing I sense within myself for you. I have no understanding of emotion, yet emotion must be this sensation I feel when I contemplate you as a child of mine.” She returned to her throne. She sat for a moment before making the request that had been her reason to call him before her.

  “Aris, King Khansu has retired from public life. He no longer wishes to reign as Sovereign over the Immortals, yet our society has never been without a King. I have conferred with the Council and the Master Keeper of Records. We are all in accord. We wish you to continue to lead your people as you did in Spain. We wish you to become co-regent to rule beside me as King of the Immortals.” Frozen in shock at her words, he neither moved nor spoke. “Aris, what say you to that?”

  “My Queen.” His voice was a stunned whisper, “I am not prepared to take such a step. I am not worthy of what you offer.”

  “You are more than worthy, yet I understand your hesitation. Go. You must speak with your mate. You must give it great thought. I await your decision.” She rose and quietly left the room.

  “I don’t understand what all this means.” Sarah sat next to Aris on their enormous bed. “King of the Immortals? What does that make me?”

  “You remain my mate, the one who advises me and walks by my side.”

  “But, does that mean you can never leave the Catacombs? What about your life above ground as an artist? What will become of that?”

  “I spoke with Bartholomew for hours questioning exactly what my duties would entail. Queen Akira will be the true monarch. Mine will be a title conferred upon me as an honor for all I did to save our Immortal society. I will be no more than another advisor to Her Majesty.”

  “But your art? What of our life above ground, my life above ground?”

  “I will continue painting and showing in galleries. We will continue on above ground until you no longer can be seen by your human friends. At that time, we will withdraw from mortal society for as long as we so desire. You understood before your changing that one day you must do just that as your human friends age and you do not. Nothing will change for us until that time.” He held her in his arms, whispering softly. “We are Immortal, my love. We have eternity together. Pretending to live your earthly life will be just a moment in time. Have no fear. I am with you always.”

  “Our flight arrives on Friday.” Sarah spoke into her cell phone as Aris paid the taxi driver. “We’re on the way to meet the art gallery owner right now to make sure everything is taken care of while we’re in the states.”

  “What time will your plane get in?” The excitement in Colleen’s voice made Sarah smile.

  “Don’t worry. We’ll take a taxi to my apartment.”

  “Oh no you won’t. Bob and I are coming to the airport. I can’t wait to see you. It seems like it’s been forever. Will I even recognize you?”

  Sarah winked at Aris as she replied. “Well, I’m glowing so I may look just a little different.”

  “I can’t wait to see you. We’ve arranged a quiet ceremony at our house on Sunday afternoon. Your mother and grandmother are coming and John Marshall is arriving on Saturday so he can be there as well. Bonnie and Jack and Maggie and her guy are coming. That’s all so don’t worry, only really close friends. Everyone is so happy for the two of you. So what time does your plane arrive?”

  “Okay C, okay. We land at two thirty in the afternoon. I’ll call you when we’re on the ground so you don’t have to wait around for us.”

  “No way, we’ll be in baggage claim. I can’t wait.”

  “Neither can I. See you then. Love you.”

  “Here comes the bride.” Colleen was laughing as she broke the connection.

  “I hope you’re up for all of this.” Sarah held Aris’ hand as they walked toward the door of the gallery.

  “I actually am looking forward to it, but I think we may need to rewrite the vows a bit. There will be no sickness or health, no better or worse and most of all, no death to part us for all eternity.” Then right there on the London street he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, drawing her close, feeling her Immortal body meld into his for all time.

  THE END