by Tiya Rayne
“We will kill them,” I state sounding a lot surer than I felt. “But only when I see fit.”
Ofilla places her hands on her hips in her leather dark green high collared dress. Her brown hair is separated down the middle, and falls in waves around her shoulders. She cocks her head to the side to study me, then nods.
“Very well! Has Phillisius checked in yet?”
“I’m checking in now.” Phillisius says appearing in my room.
Even the elf is dressed for the special occasion. His long tailed suit a dark blue.
“Everything is a go. The barrier is still up. I have half of the soldiers at every entrance of the kingdom. No one will be able to get in the Northern Kingdom.”
“No idea where Drago and the witch went?”
I admit, seeing Drago turn into a dragon was frightening. His dragon could damage my army, especially since my creatures are immune to all magic except dragon fire. Why would they, dragons had been extinct for centuries. How would I know Drago would obtain his powers back? Drago has always been a loose cannon and known for his agility and fight as a man. I had no idea what to expect of him as a dragon. This opens up holes in my plans and I hate having holes in my plans. I’ve had my entire kingdom searched for the dragon and witch. It wasn’t until tales of dragon sightings on the other side of my barrier that I began to relax. The moment the dragon left my barrier he would be unable to return. As long as I can keep the barriers up long enough for Lilly to say ‘I do” all is well.
“Good!” I say to Phillisius. “I want you two to stay near me tonight. I don’t foresee trouble, but I am also no idiot.”
“Do not fret, my king.” Phillisius says with a bow. “Tonight, you shall receive your reward.”
Yes, tonight I will tie Lilly to me in irrevocable ways. Once she is mine, I will never let her go again.
************
(Assassin)
It took a little longer than planned to get here, but all that matters is we are here now.
The portals that Avalia and the witch set up weren’t as stable at first. We would only get a few soldiers through them before they would collapse. It took them both awhile to make the portals stable. We are cutting it close, but still have time.
Most of the army are hidden in tunnels behind the castle walls. We had the entire Northern castle surrounded. When they get the signal they will jump out and attack. Most of the Dark King’s army is on the outside of the castle wall and at his borders. Hopefully our armies can keep them from getting into the castle. It would give us time to secure Lilly and kill the Dark King. My self and a smaller army are going inside the castle. The orphans of the Northern Kingdom have been crucially beneficial to getting us this far.
“Do you three understand your role?” I say to Miriam, the young orphan Karima, and the witch, Medina.
I was shocked to find out that Medina was the witch that took Lilly for those tortuous two months. However, I was not shocked to find out that she has been working with Lilly who had apparently forgiven her.
“As soon as we find the twins we need to get them back through the tunnels and to the elven kingdom.” Miriam answers.
I nod. Though my main goal is to get Lilly out of here, I know that if we were to rescue Lilly and not the twins, she would never recover.
“Good, Oden and Hyland will go with you. As soon as you see them safely to the tunnels, Hyland, I need you to come back to the castle.” I say making sure everything is planned out perfectly.
Oden and his small band of soldiers nod at their role in this and Hyland agrees too. I initially told the orphans to stay behind but they refused.
I turn to the others with me. Drago, Himrol, Bilal, Avalia, Mogo, Lydell, Cleo, Tipper, Randolf, and even Kalana—a female from the eastern kingdom. We were a mixed up bunch from different walks of life, but we were all here with one goal in mind, save Lilly. She was the only thing we had in common. The only true thing we all gave a shit about.
“Before we do this,” I say turning to all of them. “I want to say thank you. What happens once we are inside that castle may change our lives forever. I cannot guarantee you will even survive this night. I know you are all here for her. I don’t blame you, I met her when she was six years old and she’s had me by the balls ever since.” A few laughs go up around us. “I do not have to tell you that Lilly appreciates you, or that she thanks you, because you all know her. If it were you in there she would be right here ready to do her part, against my better judgement.” Another laugh. “Tonight we fight together. Not as soldiers, or Lockeans. Not as royalty or peasants. Not as non-magicals, immortals, elves, witches, dragons, nymphs or familiars, but as family.”
“As Family!” Drago states.
Around me voices repeat his words.
We were truly a family. All brought together by one person that should have never even been in our lives. A person that has impacted us in so many ways. My little human.
The toll of the bell let us know that it was time. Before we turned to go into the castle, someone called out my name.
I turn at the sound of Rykan approaching.
“Rykan, what the fuck are you doing here?” He pushes pass the others to stand before me.
“I am going in with you.”
“If this is some last ditch effort to look good for Lilly….” He cuts me off before I could finish my sentence.
“I know my chances with Lilly are done.” He looks down ashamed. He fucking should be. “You are the better man for her.” His eyes finally meet mine. “I am here for only one reason. Somewhere inside that castle is my father, and I want to show him what a true king does to traitors.”
Well the boy king has finally grew some balls.
I smile. “How can I say no to that?”
I turn to Oden and nod. Avalia hands Rykan a cloak and he slips it on his head just like the rest of us. Now it’s time to crash a wedding.
***********
(Lilly)
The sound of the music makes my heart speed up even more. I hadn’t much thought about my wedding day before this moment. Only the simple things, like how I wanted it outside and I wanted it to be small. But even if I had been planning my wedding since I was a child like most little girls, I would have never thought of this. We are in the massive chapel. Pointed archways run the length of the oval shaped room. Vaulted ceilings that make me dizzy to look at. Stone gargoyles are etched into the archways in the pillars. The tall windows has the same pointed archway design. At the head of the Oval shaped room, shining moonlight over the alter, is an octagon shaped window. People are dressed in their finest attire as they stand on each side of the aisle. The entire building reminds me of a 16th century cathedral.
When the organ starts to play I know it is my cue. The ogre beside me gives me a shove to start walking. I almost trip over the hem of my dress. My dress is gorgeous, but not something I would have chosen. It’s white. The bodice is lace with a deep v neck and long sleeves. A black band encircles my waist and the bottom is made of a type of organza fabric. The edges are jagged and cut to make a train in the back. The dress, hair, and make-up, give off a Victorian gothic vibe.
I allow the ogre to lead me towards the end of the aisle. I don’t look at the faces in the crowds. I look down at my feet wondering again, how it came to this. My wedding day was supposed to be happy. Not like this. I’m being walked down the aisle by someone that is not my uncle. I’m marrying someone that doesn’t love me.
The only thing that can get me to look up is the sound of my son crying. I’d know Matthias’s cry from anywhere. I lift my head up to find the scarred face elf and the witch holding my sons. The witch had Matthias. My boys. I would do anything for them, including marrying Nevy.
I pull away from the Ogre and take the last three steps alone.
“Please, can I hold him?” I plead with Nevy.
I ignore how handsome he looks in his black suit.
Nevy grabs both my hands and stares down at me as I face
him. “The moment you say I do.”
I look back at my babies one more time as Nevy leads me up to the priest.
Just keep it together, Lilly. As soon as this is over you can have your babies.
“We are gathered here tonight, under the single moon to perform the binding of King Nevy, house of Dastro. And Lady Lilly, house of Peters.” The man says in his shrill voice.
“Smile for me, Lilly.” Nevy whispers to me. “It is your wedding day.”
“How can I be happy about something I am forced to do?”
The smile that was once present on his face falls.
“You will learn to love Me.” he growls low for only us to hear.
I shake my head as the tears fall. “Love will not help you. I have already figured that out.”
Nevy’s face turns from anger to shock.
“Now for the vows,” The priest voice finally pulls my focus back to him. He turns to me. “Repeat after me, I, Lilly Peters.”
“I, Lilly Peters.” I sob out my last name.
“Do solemnly swear beneath the single moon…”
“Do……. solemnly swear beneath the single moon…”
“To….” His words are cut off as an arrow flies into his chest. The priest gurgles up blood then falls backwards.
Screams go off like alarms. I spin around to find people running around like crazy. Someone in a brown cloak holds a bow and arrow. The cloak is removed and Himrol stands before me. I watch as more of those brown hoods fall away in the crowd. I spot Bilal, Mogo, Drago, Lydell, Cleo, Randalf, Katana, Avalia, and Rykan. For the first time tonight, I truly smile.
Himrol winks at me and lets another arrow fly. It heads directly towards Nevy’s chest. Nevy catches the arrow inches away from hitting its mark. I admit, that was really cool.
“GUARDS!!!” Nevy shouts so loud my ears ring.
The moment Nevy shouts for his guards the soldiers appear in the room. I immediately lose track of everyone. I can only hope my friends are ok. The first thing I think to do is get to my babies. I hike up my dress preparing to run to where they are being held.
Before I could take a few steps I am grabbed around the waist by Nevy.
“No! Let me go.” I scream as I fight against his grip. “I need to save my babies.”
Nevy ignores my fight.
“Ofilla, take the boys and hide them away.”
The witch holding my youngest son nods before she and the other elf disappear. I want to cry out at the unfairness. I was so close to getting to them.
I feel that cold breeze and the feeling of being shoved that usually accompanies Nevy going through one of his portals. When Nevy drops me on to a bed, I realize I am in his room.
“You will still be my wife. I will kill them all and still marry you.”
He argues.
“Nevy,” I soften my voice as I try to reason with him. I stand to my feet and approach him slowly. “You have to let me go. Keeping me here is only going to encourage this war. You don’t want that. I know the man that you showed me these past four weeks was not a ploy. I know that man is real. That is the man your mother wanted you to be. That is the man that I learned to love. Your people need you to be that man. You can’t risk their lives, they are going to die. I am not worth all of this.”
“YOU ARE TO ME!” he roars.
I stand in my spot overtaken by his outburst. In those mismatched eyes, I can see he means those words. I can see his love and blind devotion to me, but I also see the madness. That darkness that turns him from my Nevy to the Dark King. I thought once that one could live without the other. I thought that I could show Nevy love and the error of his ways and it would chase away that darkness, but I’ve finally realized that they are the same. I can’t have one without the other.
“Don’t think about leaving this room. No one will be able to get through that door or out unless it is me.” He turns his back on me and storms out of his room slamming the door.
Even though I know his words are true, I rush to the door and try to open it anyway. It doesn’t even budge. Outside the castle I can hear the sounds of war. Metal hitting metal, loud thunderous sounds of something heavy hitting the earth, and the unmistakable sound of blood curdling screams.
I feared for the soldiers out there. I feared for my friends inside the chapel. If something were to happen to any of them I would be devastated. And my boys. My poor babies. Again I feel the tears clog my throat and burn the back of my eyes. My back slides down the door and I land on my bottom. I bury my head into my hands.
A scrapping sound makes me lift my head. I watch as the large bookshelf in the adjoining room opens up like a door. I slowly stand to my feet, not sure what I will find. I cautiously watch until Padimé’s little body steps out from behind the bookshelf.
“Padimé, what are you doing…..” My words get stuck in my throat as he steps from behind the little girl.
Everything around me stops. The noise from outside dies down. My breathing stops, my heart pauses and the room disappears. The only thing I can pay attention to are those sparkling silver eyes. Assassin is here. When I didn’t see him amongst the others in the chapel, I assumed he wasn’t coming. It’s not like we left things on good terms. Assassin pats the little girl on her head and she turns immediately and scurries back the way she came. I still don’t move.
God! I love this man. Even now my belly flutters like gentle butterfly wings as he stands before me. I am so scared to move or say anything. The last time we saw each other plays back in my head. Does he still hate me? Is he only here out of obligation?
Finally his eyes light up and a slow smile spreads across his face.
“Come to me, little human!”
My legs carry me as fast as they can move as soon as the words are out of his mouth. It’s as if I was on pause and as soon as he spoke someone hit play.
I crash into Assassin. He wraps his arms around me so tight I feel like he will crack my ribs. I don’t care, as long as I am in his arms. My lips are against his. My hands are in his hair filling my fist with his silky strands. His tongue breaks pass my lips and slips into my mouth. Our kiss is too desperate and needy to be sweet. We kiss as if we are starved of the each other. Assassin growls into mouth and pulls me even closer to his body. I whimper at his tight hold and breath-stealing kiss. When we are finally forced to part ways, forced to come up for air, I feel lightheaded. He rest his forehead against mine. His eyes are closed as he inhales my scent.
“I love you, Assassin!” I say, looking into those silver eyes. “Don’t you ever doubt that again. I will always choose you.”
“I am sorry, my love. I love you so much.” He whispers the words and they brush against my wet lips.
He places a gentle kiss to my lips again, placing his hands on opposite sides of my face. This time when he breaks away the sound of all that’s going on outside comes flooding back to us. Assassin pulls away from me, but doesn’t let go of my hand. He leads me back to the door.
“It won’t open.” I say as he tries the knob with little success.
“Fuck!” he grunts and then turns back to the bookcase. “We have to get you out of here.”
I tug gently on his arm and he stops and turns back to me. “Not without my sons.”
Assassin smiles and places another quick kiss to my lips. “Our boys are fine. Medina and Miriam have already gotten them back through the tunnels. They are headed safely back to the elven kingdom.”
The heavy weight lifts off my shoulders. I allow Assassin to pull me towards the open book shelf. Before we could get to it, the book shelf slams closed. Assassin lets go of my hand and tries to pull the shelf open again.
“So that’s how you got in?”
Assassin and I both spin around at the sound of Nevy’s voice. He’s standing between us and the door with a small army.
Assassin immediately pushes me behind him, his sword appearing in his hands.
“I have to say, Assassin, I understand what draws you
to Lilly.” Nevy chuckles. “Her pussy tastes absolutely delicious.”
I gasp, and Assassin goes rigid in front of me. His body is so tense if a strong wind knocked him over he would shatter like glass.
I immediately start to apologize. “I’m so sorry. It was one time. I was….”
Assassin cuts my apology off. “I hoped you enjoyed your taste, Dark King. It will be your last.”
Nevy growls. “Kill him.” His soldiers attack.
Assassin keeps his body between me and the army as he cuts them down. One of the soldiers grab my shoulder. I grab his wrist and spin around breaking his hold on me and twisting his wrist. He grunts and bends at the waist and I ram my knee into his nose. He drops down.
“Yeah, that’s from my uncle.” I throw my hands up. “What?”
I am so caught up with beating that one soldier I didn’t notice that Nevy has moved away from the door until he grabs me around the waist.
“You’re mine.” He growls in my ear.
I only have enough time to yell Assassin’s name before Nevy slips me through a portal. Assassin turns just in time to see me disappear.
We end up outside of Nevy’s room. I spot Mogo, Bilal, Himrol, and Hyland, coming up the stairs.
“Lilly!” Mogo shouts cheerfully when he sees me.
I smile at their appearance, so glad to see them all well, especially Mogo. They charge at us and once again we slip into a portal. This time we appear on the roof of the castle. Nevy sets me down on my feet and I tumble back from the edge of the narrow roof. We are on the narrow walk way that leads to another one of the tall towers. I remember watching a movie once where archers would stand on these narrow passageways and shoot arrows between the gaps. The wind picks up and starts whipping around us blowing my dress around my ankles.
“They thought to come into my castle and take you away from me.” He’s yelling but he isn’t really talking to me. “I will show them why they should fear me.”
The blue and silver in his mismatched eyes fade away and gets swallowed up by black. That darkness that lays buried down inside him has pushed to the forefront. Lightening cracks across the sky turning the dark night into day for a moment. The lightening is followed by deafening thunder. Then the sky opens up and rain pours down. This time the rain has nothing to do with my tears.