The Surpen King_Part 1_Return of the Gods

by Charity Kelly

  Ceceta sighed. Thellis was right. Normally, the Genister Gods were nothing more than a nuisance, but Thellis had helped Rhen at the end of the war.

  Thellis lifted his chin, feeling proud. “If I hadn’t dressed up as the Black Angel and given you the key to Rhen’s collar, Rhen never would have been able to attack Loreth, which means you’d all be his slaves right now.” He crossed his arms over his chest as he waited for Ceceta to thank him.

  “I know. Thank you for helping, Thellis. You saved the day.”

  Thellis’s head dipped slightly in her direction. “You’re welcome.”

  “So, why are you here?” she asked, knowing Thellis was about to make some demand on either her or Rhen.

  Thellis glared at her for a moment before floating over to the fountain. He didn’t appreciate the tone she was using. Lowering himself, so it appeared he was sitting on the stone rim of the fountain, he said, “I need Rhen’s help.”

  Rhen grunted. “I’m too busy.”

  Thellis laughed. “No, you’re not. I heard Bosternd say that things are finally settling down, which means you should have some free time to help us. In fact, if you do have some free time, why don’t you become the Black Angel again? It was a great idea. The mortals loved having someone in disguise flying about the Universe saving people. I think you should start it up again.”

  Rhen growled. He’d been arguing with Ceceta about being the Black Angel and didn’t need to hear it from Thellis, too. “I’m…”

  “Why do the Genisters need Rhen’s help?” Ceceta interrupted. “Aren’t you Gods? What could a mortal possibly do for you?” She didn’t want Rhen to fight with Thellis about the Black Angel. He might get so angry at being pushed on it that he could swear never to do it again. This was one topic she felt she should handle alone. Eventually, she knew she’d be able to convince him to pick it up again.

  Thellis was surprised by Ceceta’s words. They brought up a dangerous subject that was better left unspoken. Rhen was a Genister, but he didn’t realize it. He was reliving his life as a mortal and had locked his memories as well as his Genister powers away from his mortal body. It was common for the Genisters to do this when they decided to be mortal again, because it made their lives feel real. Their Code Book forbade anyone from telling a mortal Genister their true identity.

  Ceceta and Bosternd were the only mortals who knew Rhen’s secret. Thellis wondered why Ceceta was making it difficult for him. He certainly wouldn’t be here asking Rhen for help if he didn’t need the powers that Rhen allowed his mortal form. It was always easier when the Genisters combined their powers to solve larger problems. If he knew where any of the other Genisters, who were reliving their lives were, he’d go ask them for help, but he didn’t, so he was stuck with Rhen. He could ask Layla, Themrock’s wife, for help. Her ghostly body was riding around in Rhen as she waited for Themrock to return. Thellis wasn’t a fan of Layla’s so he decided it’d be better not to bother her.

  He would try to find one of the Genisters who wasn’t reliving their life and ask them for help instead. There weren’t any critical problems in the Universe right now. He would ask Rhen for his help if anything major showed up. But, he still had to talk to Rhen about Loreth.

  “I have discovered something unfortunate.” Thellis waited until both Rhen and Ceceta were looking at him. “I hate to tell you this, but Loreth’s still alive. You didn’t kill him during your battle on Thestran.”

  “What!?” Rhen roared. “Are you crazy?”

  “Quiet,” Ceceta hissed, feeling chilled. She couldn’t believe that Loreth was alive. Thellis had to be mistaken. She turned to look towards the shops and restaurants behind them to make sure no one could hear them.

  “It’s okay,” Thellis told her. “I’m masking this conversation. No one can hear us.”

  “I hit him with a power ball the size of a freight train,” Rhen said. “He’s got to be dead.”

  “He’s not. I found him in an underground hideout. So, do me a favor and watch your back, okay?”

  “I don’t like this. Maybe we should postpone our trip to Thestran,” Ceceta said, wrapping her arms around her chest for warmth. She couldn’t believe it. Loreth was alive? Just when she had thought they could finally relax, they learn that the man who’d hurt them the most in their childhoods was still alive.

  “Why are you going to Thestran?” Thellis asked.

  “What?” Ceceta asked softly, when Rhen didn’t say anything.

  “Why are you going to Thestran?” Thellis repeated.

  Ceceta looked at Rhen. His red eyes were glowing and his tail was swishing back and forth violently as he thought about Loreth. “We were going to go to Thestran to get the cure to the virus in his system.”

  “Oh.” Thellis breathed out. “Don’t postpone it. Go. Rhen needs to turn back into a man.”

  “No, I think we should stay here,” Ceceta said. “Loreth won’t be so quick to attack if we’re surrounded by Surpens.”

  “Forget Loreth. It’s time Rhen changed back,” Thellis insisted.

  “I agree, but I think he’ll be safer here. I’ll ask the Thestrans to bring the antidote to us,” Ceceta said.

  “No,” Rhen growled, joining in on the conversation. He didn’t want the Thestrans poking about on Surpen. “We go to Thestran. If Loreth is stupid enough to get anywhere near me, I’ll kill him.”

  Thellis hoped Loreth would be foolish enough to try to attack Rhen. Floating up into the air, he said, “Go to Thestran. It’s time you turned back into a man. We’ll watch your back while you’re there. If Loreth shows up, we’ll let you know so you can kill him.” He floated backwards a few feet then swirled his hand in the air using his green powers to make a vortex of flashing green lights. Thellis nodded once in their direction then flew through the center of his vortex.

  Once the vortex had winked out, Rhen lowered his snout towards Ceceta and whispered, “As if the Genisters would actually help.”

  Ceceta sighed. “Yeah. For Gods, they’re rather pathetic. Let’s hope things don’t get so bad that we need them again.”

  “Agreed.” Rhen nodded goodbye to Ceceta then loped off towards Surpen’s Military Headquarters to meet with Bosternd.

  Chapter 3

  Surpen Palace

  The next morning, Rhen flexed his front claws, deliberately breaking through the polished brown stones at his feet. His father had hated that sound. He shook his head to clear it. He didn’t want to think about his dad. It still hurt too much.

  Rhen stared down the corridors that opened into Surpen’s portal room, searching for Ceceta. Where was she? She had told him at breakfast that she’d meet him after his meeting with Bosternd, so they could go to Thestran for the antidote. He couldn’t believe she was late. He’d had Bosternd contact her before he’d left his office to let her know that he was on his way to the portal room. She should have been there by now.

  Turning his reptilian head, Rhen gazed down his greenish-blue dragon body. Loreth had turned him into this creature in his quest to conquer the Universe. He wanted to make his father’s advisor pay. He wondered if he could get the Genisters to take him to Loreth’s hideout, so he could kill the bastard once and for all.

  A flock of red-wing blue birds flew by the window. Rhen watched as they dipped downward before catching an air current and soaring straight up into the sky. He opened his short, leathery wings and stretched them until they quivered, then tucked them back against his hide. He hadn’t flown in a while. Perhaps he should go for a spin one last time as a dragon before the Thestrans turned him back into a man.

  His mind drifted to the Thestrans and his so-called birth family. Why did it have to be the Thestrans who had the antidote to Loreth’s virus? Why couldn’t it have been one of the Convention members? He knew the minute he stepped onto Thestran, they’d be all over him, asking him questions about his powers and staring at him like he was a freak. Rhen snorted with anger, blowing a blast of hot steam out of his nostrils—just as
the portal in front of him flashed blue and one of his generals stepped through onto Surpen.

  “Whoa!” the man said, jumping back.

  “I’m sorry,” Rhen apologized, feeling like an idiot. “Are you burnt?”

  “No, sir,” the man said. He bowed to Rhen then saluted, pounding his left chest with his right fist twice before dropping his hand to the weapon on his right side.

  Rhen noticed the turquoise sand on the man’s black boots and the fact that his complexion was darker than most Surpens’. “You’re stationed on Galium?”

  “Yes, sir,” the man replied, his voice rising slightly. He was impressed that Rhen knew which planet he was working on. “I have an appointment with General Authe. The weather on the southern half of Galium has been exceptional this season. We have a bumper crop of plumberries.”

  “Ah,” Rhen said with a nod. “Authe will know which planets need plumberries. He’ll be sure to make the Galium farmers happy… and rich.”

  “He’s good at that.”

  “Indeed,” Rhen agreed, stepping to his left to make room. “Don’t let me keep you from your meeting.”

  “Emperor,” the man said with a bow.

  Rhen watched the general as he walked off down the hallway. The man moved like a soldier, back straight, head erect, measured gait. Rhen was looking forward to walking on two feet again, his weapons at his side.

  Turning his head towards the portal frame beside him, Rhen sniffed. He could still smell a bit of Galium’s tropical air from when his soldier had stepped through the portal. He watched as the blue powers within the seven-foot-tall, four-foot-wide golden frame blinked out. He liked Galium. He should visit it again. Maybe he’d take Ceceta there during the next Surpen holiday.

  Ceceta. Where was Ceceta? Rhen’s tail flicked back and forth with impatience. She should’ve been here waiting for him, not the other way around. He debated stepping through the portal onto Thestran without her but knew she’d be hurt if he left her behind.

  The soft, furry green ears on top of Rhen’s head pivoted as he sorted through the sounds in Surpen’s palace, searching for his wife. Someone wearing soft-soled sandals two flights up was running down the stone hallway. Ceceta. He listened as she paused by the stairs to speak briefly with the soldier who had just returned from Galium. A moment later, her footsteps padded down the stairs towards him.

  Rhen turned his head to look past his scaly body towards the stairwell. He felt his heart jump in his chest when Ceceta stepped into view. Ceceta’s round face, blue skin, dark eyes and blond hair were perfect. Rhen loved the fact that her full lips were a darker shade of blue than her skin. She was wearing orange robes today that were wrapped around her body in such a way that he could see her curves.

  “I’m sorry I’m late,” Ceceta told him breathlessly, as she jogged towards him. “Nk had a few questions for me about the new rules I instated for Surpen’s palace. I assume you’re still okay with my changes?”

  Rhen stared at the gentle slope of Ceceta's neck as she moved to stand by his side. “What?” he asked, when he noticed she was waiting for a response.

  “You’re still onboard with opening our palace to all Surpens, right?”

  “Yes, of course,” Rhen replied. As he leaned towards Ceceta, the scent of her Giy flower shampoo filled his nose. God, did he love his wife.

  “What did James say when you told him we were coming?” Ceceta asked, while fixing her hair.

  “What?” Rhen asked, pulling his eyes off Ceceta’s cleavage.

  “Was James excited when you told him we were coming?”

  Rhen cocked his head. “I thought you were going to tell him.”

  Ceceta’s mouth opened in alarm and then she laughed. “I thought you were going to tell him.”

  Rhen grinned, showing his fangs. “I guess he’s in for a surprise.”

  “Definitely,” Ceceta agreed.

  Turning to the portal, Rhen snapped, “Thestran Council Chamber!” He felt Ceceta’s hand on his ear and glanced down to find her frowning. “What?”

  “Try to be nice.”

  Rhen groaned. “Do I have to?”

  “They’re your birth family.”

  “They’re annoying,” Rhen replied.

  “They love you.”

  Rhen didn’t believe that, but he didn’t feel like arguing right now. “I’ll try to be nice.”

  Ceceta smiled. “Thank you.”

  Glancing back at the rectangular portal frame, Rhen watched as the bright blue light within it faded to show Thestran’s Council Chamber on the opposite side. He stared through the frame at the Council Delegates’ seats, which were located on multiple open tiers that surrounded the Thestran Royal Family’s crescent desk. On the walls above the Delegates’ desks were screens that indicated how the Delegates voted on issues. Above the screens were viewing monitors where absent Delegates could watch and participate in the proceedings. The public balconies were located above the monitors. Rhen had to admit that Thestran’s Council Chamber was impressive with its dark wood décor, massive columns, and gold trim.

  Leaning to the left to make room for Ceceta, he said, “After you.” She winked at him then passed through the portal onto Thestran.

  The noisy room fell silent when Rhen stepped through the portal behind Ceceta.

  Four months ago, Rhen had saved the Council Delegates’ lives in this very room, when he’d collided in a power struggle against Loreth. After their battle, which had resulted in the death of his father, Rhen had returned to Surpen to be crowned Emperor.

  He hadn’t been back since.

  “Rhen!” Thestran’s King James cried out. He rushed around the gold, crescent desk in the center of the room approaching Rhen and Ceceta with his hand out in greeting.

  Rhen was in his dragon form, so he dipped his head towards James as he neared. “James.” He noticed with relief that his older brother was the only one from his birth family in the room.

  “It’s good to see you again,” James said, dropping his hand down to his side. He wasn’t sure how to greet Ceceta, so he just nodded in her direction. Before, when Andres had been King of Surpen, it’d been against the law for men to touch women they weren’t related to. James knew Rhen had changed many of Surpen’s rules, but he couldn’t remember if that had been one of them. “How are things on Surpen?” he asked, feeling awkward.

  “Fine,” Rhen answered curtly. He glanced about the Council Chamber at the twittering Delegates, more than half of whom were already communicating with their home planets about his appearance on Thestran. Rhen closed his eyes and wondered, yet again, why the antidote had to be located on Thestran.

  “That’s great,” James said. “You’ve done an excellent job these last four months. I hope you’ve been able to find some time to rest.”

  “The antidote?” Rhen snapped. He felt Ceceta’s hand on his back and groaned inside. “Things are great on Surpen, James. Thanks for asking. We’re here for the antidote. You mentioned Rachel’s got one?” Rhen felt Ceceta pat him to show her approval and he almost laughed. He was half tempted to lie down and roll onto his back so she could rub his belly.

  “Right, of course,” James exclaimed. He held out his hand to the right, gesturing towards the exit and caught sight of Ceceta rolling her eyes. He knew she was mortified by Rhen’s rude behavior. He’d have to talk to her about it later. He should let her know that he wasn’t insulted by it. If anything, he felt he deserved it. King Andres had abused Rhen and James felt responsible for letting it happen. After their parents had abandoned Rhen on Surpen, James had done nothing to get his baby brother back. Granted, he hadn’t even realized what was happening to Rhen, but he still felt responsible for it, because he’d been King of Thestran. It was his duty to keep his people and his family safe and he’d failed.

  “You must be ready to return to your body,” James said, when Rhen passed by him. He followed along behind Rhen and Ceceta as they crossed the Chamber floor and walked out into the Thest
ran Palace’s Grand Hallway.

  James stopped short, narrowly missing Rhen, who had paused just outside the door. He glanced up to find a crowd of tourists rushing towards them. Thestran’s palace was the focal point for the Council’s business, so it was always full of visitors. James knew Rhen was popular, but he was surprised to see such a strong reaction from the crowd. “Come on,” he shouted. He pushed past Rhen and ran across the marble hall then up the Thestran Royal Family’s private staircase. Rhen and Ceceta followed along right behind him.

  “Damn,” James swore, when he looked back to find the tourists reaching out to touch Rhen’s hindquarters. The guards on duty blocked off the staircase behind them, preventing the tourists from following. “Does that happen often?”

  Rhen lifted his snout and gave James a look. “Only on Thestran,” he answered, with a crocodile grin.

  James shuddered at the sight of Rhen’s fangs and turned around to continue up the stairs.

  They walked up to the second floor, where the family’s bedrooms and Rachel’s medical wing was located. James heard Rhen’s heavy footsteps on the gold carpet as they passed the closed mahogany bedroom doors on both sides of the hallway. He tried to think of something to say but couldn’t come up with anything. When he reached the door to his sister’s laboratory, he opened it and glanced across the room full of waist-high tables covered with laboratory equipment until he caught sight of Rachel. She was sitting on a tall stool, peering into a microscope. A wisp of her short red hair stuck out from underneath her white cap. The protective goggles she wore over her eyes clicked against the metal eyepiece of the microscope in front of her as she leaned forward, while scribbling notes into the notebook beside her. Rachel’s lab coat was clean and pressed, but the jeans sticking out from underneath it looked old and faded.

  “Rachel,” James said. When she didn’t answer, he said it louder, “Rachel.”

  “Huh… what?” Rachel asked, sounding distracted, while continuing to write notes in her notebook, her eyes glued to the microscope.