The King's Gate

by K T Munson

  Since Elisabeth had been rescued from Morhaven and Arawn’s clutches, Duke and Nathan had resisted taking any member of their group along the spirit lines, whining and stomping around. Thankfully they would always cave to the request in the end but the spirit lines were no long as safe as they once were. Despite that, Ki had gone to Tym Resh when their map for predicting areas where the Netherworld bled through informed them of a rising issue. Neither his Netherhounds, nor Ki had checked in. That coupled with Meredith’s tardiness had him worried. Resigned that time would tell and he couldn’t divine any answers until someone arrived from Tym Resh, Malthael stopped pacing, not having even realized he was doing so, and sat down in the chair behind Troy’s desk.

  The sound of the paper shuffling was making him drowsy. As he started to doze, his thoughts turned to Elisabeth. He should have told her the truth when she was older. When he’d told her at age five that her mother had been killed by her father and that he was still alive, she’d had nightmares for weeks. When he’d told her at age nine that he had left her mother, she’d yelled at him before taking refuge in her room. So he’d never brought up the topic again, unwilling to see fear and disappointment on Elisabeth’s face once she learned that Malthael had abandoned Serena to her fate. Now he might have lost her.

  Malthael had been so consumed in his thoughts that when someone came through the gate shouting, he half fell out of the chair but caught himself on the desk. He scrambled to his feet and saw Katallan holding up a bleeding Meredith. Her head was slumped forward, and an arm was slung over the demon hunter’s shoulder. Blood matted her hair and ran down the side of her face.

  Katallan called back to Ki as Malthael wrenched his demon’s blade from the Netherworld. Calling forth his weapon had been instinct upon seeing Katallan, and the weight felt good in his hand. A second later, Ki jumped through, blood splattered across his clothes. The other Gate Guardians rushed toward their respective gates, filling most of the space within Hystera’s gates with their faces. Ruhan’s shrunken form was awkwardly crouched by his demanding to know what had happened.

  “Close them!” Ki shouted before pulling the dial.

  The quartz returned to a complete continuous chunk, and an instant later Ki collapsed against it. He was breathing hard. Malthael couldn’t remember the last time he had seen the assassin panting from exertion.

  “Ki,” Malthael said, holding tight to his sword, the edges smoldering crimson like hot coals, “you’d better start explaining.”

  Ki looked up at him. Katallan stopped dead in his tracks, his eye on Malthael’s glowing sword in Malthael’s hand and his fist visibly tightening on his spear. Everything went still for a moment, the tension in the room thick. They listened to each other’s breathing.

  Finally, Ki broke the silence. “We were attacked. They were trying to force Meredith to reveal the location of the gate and to let them through to Lyreane. After Katallan and I took care of a Nightmare, we waited for Meredith back at the entrance to where the gate is kept. Our map indicated another disturbance, which led us to her. She was already injured. We got very little out of her before she lost consciousness. I know you don’t trust Katallan, but we need to get her help.”

  “What does Ishtar want?” Malthael asked through gritted teeth.

  “She wants only to restore balance,” Katallan answered, standing tall, as though Meredith’s weight was nothing.

  “Take her,” he told Ki. “I’ll keep an eye on Katallan.”

  Meredith groaned slightly as Ki gathered her up and carried her out of the room. Malthael didn’t look away from Katallan, torn between killing him and knowing they needed Ishtar. It was unlikely she’d take their request if Malthael killed her favorite hunter and son.

  “You do not look as ferocious without your horns,” Katallan finally said. “I remember when the name ‘Golden Demon’ struck as much fear in beings as my name. Now you look old.”

  “I wouldn’t go back,” Malthael said too quickly. “I prefer to be the Mad Dog.”

  The bridges over his eyes where his eyebrows should have been rose toward his small black horns. Malthael didn’t comment on his surprise, and Katallan didn’t press further. Regardless of the tension, the cutting edge that Malthael had felt had faded. A high demon was a high demon, and if it weren’t for his torn horns, he would be just like Katallan.

  “Who did Arawn send?” Malthael asked, his sword falling to his side.

  “The Court guards,” Katallan replied as he relaxed his hold on his spear.

  Malthael sighed. The Divine Court’s guards were deadly and determined. They were disciplined to kill and defend. If Arawn had sent them, King Nauberon’s absence was taking its toll. It wouldn’t be long before they turned their attention to other Gate Guardians. “They will come here. They shouldn’t be able to enter this place, but they will come.”

  “Ishtar wishes to see you,” Katallan said. “You and your ward.”

  Malthael’s face dropped into a mask of what he hoped looked like annoyance, wanting to hide the fact that they wanted to see Ishtar in the first place. “And why should I even entertain her request?”

  “If you want a way into the Divine Court,” Katallan replied, “you shall meet with her.”

  Chapter 30: Lyreane

  Nanette awoke and stretched slowly like a cat. Daylight was peeking its way through the curtains, and she rolled toward it. Startled to find her small narrow bed empty, Nanette sat up. Turning left and right, she found that all the beds were empty. With a sigh, she pushed her hair out of her face. Apparently, they had decided to get up without her. Mostly, though, she was thankful for the extra sleep. Between Kerrigan’s newfound powers and Elisabeth’s nightmares, Nanette hadn’t gotten a restful slumber.

  She considered continuing to sleep but decided it would be useless. She was far too awake to try. She forced herself out of the covers and made both beds in the room. To fight off the cold, she dressed quickly, putting on a simple robe and tightening the sash. She didn’t feel like wearing one of Elisabeth’s dresses today. She brushed her hair until the silky tresses fell in perfect unison. When she opened the door, she found one of the demon dogs sleeping in front of the fire, but otherwise the cottage was empty. Except, of course, for one person.

  She went into the other bedroom and found Ethandirill exactly where they had left him. She kissed his forehead. Her fingers affectionately caressed the top of his bald head. The remnants of hair were coming in, and it prickled against her palm.

  “Elisabeth is safe,” Nanette said, feeling the need to speak to him. “You did so well bringing her back to us. Now it’s time for you to come back.”

  Straightening the blankets around him, she sighed. She saw a pile of clothing in a basket near the bed. Perhaps she could wash the clothes in the lake, do something normal and mundane for once. She looked out the window. There was green on the trees, winter had broken, and spring was upon them. She smiled.

  “Do you remember the fairies?” Nanette said to him. “I think I loved you before that, but I knew in that moment that I’d risk everything to be with you. I hope you might consider me good enough to be your wife, despite all that I was and all that I did. I’m not a perfect person, I’m quite flawed, but I would be a good wife to you.” She sighed. “Who am I kidding? I was a terrible wife to Jason.” She bent over and pushed the clothing deeper into the basket, so it wouldn’t overflow when she carried it. “It wasn’t for lack of trying,” she muttered, heaving up the basket into her arms.

  “Jason wasn’t meant to love you.” Ethandirill’s voice cut through the air. She turned and the hamper slipped from her fingers. “I was.”

  Clasping her hand to her mouth, she stared in surprise. Ethandirill sat up in bed. He appeared weak but awake. She let out a startled cry before running to him. She threw her arms around his neck and clung to him as though her life depended on it.

  “I thought you were dead!” Nanette wailed.

  She felt, more than heard, the rumble
of his chuckle. “I was dead, but I’m not now.”

  Nanette eased back so that she could see him through her tears. She framed his face with her hands as she tried to stop bawling.

  Ethandirill tilted his head and brought his hand up to cup her jaw. “I think I prefer when you smile.” Her laughter came out watery as she sniffled. She smiled despite the tears, so happy to have Ethandirill back. “That’s better,” he said.

  When he leaned toward her, she closed her eyes. A feeling of tenderness overtook every sense as his lips pressed against hers. It felt like home. It was like she was caught in an endless bright light where no thoughts existed and only desire and love survived. His tender kisses quickly changed. They deepened, became like those of a man who was dying of hunger and like she was food.

  His hands tugged her against him, and she forgot everything. Nanette drowned herself in him, his kisses and his passion. She was so lost that when he eased her back from him, she was dazed. Her lips felt raw from this stubble on his chin, and she felt drunk. Panting, Nanette tried to focus.

  “What?” she whispered, not understanding why they had stopped.

  “I don’t want to do this out of blind desire,” Ethandirill said with some effort. “I want it to mean something.”

  Nanette jerked back. The haze quickly left her as the hurt settled in. She tried to stand, but Ethandirill tightened his hold. When she looked at his face, she could tell he was struggling. His arms slipped down her arms as he leaned forward and put his forehead on her shoulder.

  “I didn’t mean that you don’t mean anything,” Ethandirill told her. “I meant I didn’t want to consummate this out of desire. I want to love you properly and treat you with the regard you deserve.”

  Nanette’s heart swelled. She’d never loved so deeply before and been loved in return. He wasn’t perfect either, and that was all right because she loved him despite that. Actually, she loved him because of who he was, not despite anything.

  Standing up sharply, she extracted herself from his hold. He let her go as she went to the door. Nanette paused and looked back to him. When she closed the door, his expression turned to astonishment. She secured the lock, happy with her decision.

  “I love you, and I almost lost you,” Nanette said passionately. “I won’t make the mistake of waiting again. If you want me, for all of my lifetime, I am yours.” She felt his near loss as keenly as if he were a part of her.

  Ethandirill came over to her and put a hand on her cheek. She waited, willing him to speak the words. This was a tipping point from which she could not come back, but instead of being afraid, she was exhilarated at the prospect.

  “Well then,” he began, but then said nothing else. Instead he kissed her with the tenderness she had come to love. She sighed contently as their lips met because what he hadn’t said was in the kiss. That was all it took for her know that she was his.

  Chapter 31: Lyreane

  Elisabeth faced Kerrigan as they sat cross-legged on the ground by the pond, both lost in thought. Selene lounged in a chair next to them with Ashley lying across her feet as he snoozed. Elisabeth could hear their breathing mingle with the water’s hushed dance as she concentrated.

  Kerrigan sighed. “It isn’t working.”

  “What would Jinq say?” Elisabeth asked. She opened her eyes in time to see Kerrigan stiffen.

  Her gaze suddenly seemed far off. “He would tell me to relax. To use Cav to feel Hystera. But I don’t have Cav, and this isn’t home.”

  Elisabeth’s heart clenched at the memory of Kerrigan’s spirit animal Cav. He’d been no more than an owlet when his spirit had been freed from its mortal coil by the Shadow Clan. She could not image what it must feel like to have such a deep connection, only to have it torn away.

  Elisabeth leaned forward to put a hand over Kerrigan’s. “Why are you fighting it? This is your domain. Should you will it, the cottage would vanish from this plain of existence and appear in the Netherworld.”

  An assortment of expressions danced across Kerrigan’s face. Whatever was keeping her from letting go was something Kerrigan had to face. Elisabeth knew that better than anyone. So instead of insisting on hearing the truth, instead of pressing for an answer, she simply waited.

  After a time, Kerrigan’s eyes wandered to Selene, who dozed with the feline. “What if I can’t get back?” she finally said.

  “I’ll find you,” Elisabeth answered. “I’ve found your spirit before, and I’ll do it again. I can see you in both forms, so you won’t be lost.”

  Kerrigan nodded. “I know that.”

  “So what is it?” Elisabeth asked. “What has you so scared that you won’t even try?”

  In a hushed tone Kerrigan answered, “What if I become like him?”

  “Arawn?” Elisabeth asked. Upon seeing her friend’s expression, she amended, “Aryan.” Kerrigan nodded. Elisabeth closed her eyes for a moment. “You aren’t him,” she said when she opened them. “Aryan was a man of his circumstances, and he made a choice. He became the World Eater.”

  “What if I can’t…” Kerrigan began. Her gaze darted up to Elisabeth.

  “What if you can’t control it?” Elisabeth asked, the irony of being asked this specific question not lost on her. It twisted her insides into knots at the memory of what Elisabeth was not that long ago—a reminder of her own lack of control over her abilities.

  “I’m sorry,” Kerrigan said, but Elisabeth raised a hand. She stopped speaking, but the shame on her face remained.

  Elisabeth understood her reservations. Elisabeth’s powers had been accidently awoken to a greater potential. She’d fought with her darker side. She’d come to terms with it, but she couldn’t make Kerrigan understand.

  So instead of trying to convince her, Elisabeth reminded her of what she’d already accomplished. “You’ve been controlling it.”

  Kerrigan’s mouth opened as though she was going to respond but didn’t. She looked perplexed as she considered the words. With a nod, Kerrigan returned to her meditation. Elisabeth didn’t try to hide her smile as she also closed her eyes, letting the silence in.

  “Well, that’s weird,” Kerrigan said.

  When Elisabeth opened her eyes, Kerrigan’s body was slumped forward, and her hands were lax at her sides. Next to her body was a translucent version of Kerrigan. She was holding her hands up and looking through them, moving here and there so that light could pass through them.

  “You did it!” Elisabeth jumped to her feet in excitement.

  Selene let out a startled cry and nearly tipped over backwards in her chair. Ashley raised his head and yawned. He focused on Kerrigan with the most unimpressed expression, something Elisabeth believed only felines were capable of, before returning to his earlier position. Thankfully, Selene was able to keep the chair upright as she looked around at the commotion.

  Elisabeth and Kerrigan’s spirit both laughed as Selene rubbed the back of her head, confused. “What happened?”

  “She did it,” Elisabeth explained proudly. “She is a true Spiritwalker.”

  “What do you think I can do with this?” Kerrigan asked as she inspected her new form.

  “It means you can go places where others can’t see you. Only certain creatures can see you as you are.” Elisabeth couldn’t stop grinning. “Ashley can because he is special, but most are not attuned to the spirit world.”

  Suddenly another figure flickered into sight. Kerrigan turned to it and said, “What is it?”

  Elisabeth was startled. For just a moment, it looked like Selene. Elisabeth glanced at her cousin, who was now watching Elisabeth closely. Nothing appeared to be wrong with her. Troubled, Elisabeth scrutinized Kerrigan’s spirit as she gathered her ability to defend them all, but her friend was relaxed, even welcoming.

  Kerrigan cocked her head to one side. “What did he promise you?” She wasn’t speaking to them, but whatever spirit had joined them.

  “Who is it?” Elisabeth asked.

  Kerrigan’s e
yes went wide as she looked back and forth between Elisabeth and the shimmering spirit that Elisabeth couldn’t make out, and her mouth was a perfect O. When Kerrigan continued to hesitate, Elisabeth purposely crossed her arms. What was taking Kerrigan so long to answer? True, Elisabeth had missed out on quite a few things, but whenever someone tiptoeing around her she felt annoyed. Honestly, she didn’t blame them—she knew part of her needed to be handled carefully—but that didn’t diminish how much it gnawed at her.

  “You can’t see her?” Kerrigan finally said.

  Elisabeth shook her head. “She’s shimmery and fragmented.”

  “Wait here,” Kerrigan said. Her spirit disappeared and her body straightened up. She shook herself out, a look passing between her and Selene as she did. They knew something she didn’t, and it was annoying. It was moments like this that proved to Elisabeth that she definitely wasn’t in an alternative reality. While in the inner sanctum she’d never had the time or energy to experience the full range of emotions she felt now. It gave her comfort, even if it irritated her.

  “What are you keeping from me?” Elisabeth demanded.

  Selene glanced between them. “I’ll be in the cottage.”

  Kerrigan nodded to Selene as she swept past. “I discovered…her…when we made the gate. She’s been here the whole time, between the planet and the Netherworld. Stuck somewhere in the middle,” Kerrigan explained. At least that meant she hadn’t kept the secret long. “I only see her when I’m in my spirit form.”

  “That explains how you found her, but not who she is.” Elisabeth tapped her foot and drummed her fingers against her arm.

  Kerrigan took a deep breath. “Serena, your mother. Or at least a piece of her.”

  All her annoyance disappeared. She turned to shimmering figure that seemed to phase in and out, trying to focus it in her vision, but she couldn’t make out any defining traits.

  A memory returned suddenly—a shape in the window when she’d first arrived at the cottage all those months ago. She’d thought at the time that it was her own reflection, but now she wondered.