Ru’ark watched Nelina with her back turned to him. Since her tea with the Queen, she had not been the same. She carried a broken, cold, pain filled smile with emptiness and solemnness. The only time he felt warmth from her was while she slept, as if they were reconnected. When he wrapped his arms around her, she would turn still asleep and embrace him pushing her body against his. His lips would find the nape of her neck and elicit a soft moan from her before she turned back around while remaining close to him. He was at a loss for her demeanor and behavior. Thus far, he had resisted the temptation of the last few days to weaving his power into Celeste. To punish her for whatever this was that Nelina had become.
Her hair was long and draped over one shoulder, exposing her back. The world was a cruel place he understood that. Still, he found it unfair that he had to risk a woman whom until of late, wore her love for him as a badge for anyone see. The dress she was wearing was as close as the seamstress could manage for what the women in Aghadine wore. He went over to her and with a gentle touch and he rested his hands on her hips while kissing the nape of her neck. “You please beyond measure Nelina, I mean that.”
Nelina stood there fighting back her hot tears, words such as those used to elate her, but not anymore. Nowadays, at these moments, he maybe thought she was pretty, as one might see a flower or a trinket yet that was it. She hated this, her waking hours were assaulted with the knowledge she was naught more than an end to a process and replaceable at any moment. In the end, that was his priority, and what he cared about, not her. She was a fool to think he would love her. A part of her wanted to flee, yet, she could not bring herself to do so, for her feelings were too strong. She would rather stay ridden in emotional pain, day after day, then to be away from him for even one. “Thank you, Ru’ark,” she turned with a smile to give him a light peck on the cheek. “Your words are very kind, and I appreciate them.”
This is was maddening to him, this awful emptiness he had with her. He was determined after the Queen’s dinner to resolve it with her. “Are you ready to leave Sweetling?”
“I am,” Nelina forced herself to smile.
The dinner for the Queen’s Soul Witch was being held at the base of the King’s tower in the Royal Grand Hall of Danthamore. It was here that all regal dinners took place for weddings, funerals, visiting royalty from the lower and upper kingdoms, and any other events deemed worthy by the crown. Adar pulled open the heavy door and exited Ru’ark’s chamber as a silent understanding passed between him and his master. Taking up a quiet position outside of Ru’ark’s door, his statuesque form almost disappeared into the evening shadows. Ru’ark escorted Nelina toward the doorway leading away from the Eastern parts of the palace. In the past year, Nelina had never stepped outside of the eastern section of the palace until the Queen’s command that day. Otherwise, she had not ventured far past the grand balcony. However, this was different as the Magus guided her. The fragrant smell of the royal gardens abutting the grand balcony lingered in her nose as they passed in to the King and Queen’s palace. The relaxed nature of the city guards chosen by Elian to guard the Magus were in stark contrast to those of the palace guards, who diverted their gazes downward in his presence. The arched hallway leading to the front of the palace came out to the base of the King’s tower. They passed by the occasional servant or slave who scrambled to get out of their path. Arriving at two large doors, they entered through to another more formal hall. The palace guards were still present at every door, but the hallway itself was magnificent. On the left side were intricate cut glass windows made up of varying different hues, of dark red and shades of blue designed in the Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Danthamore. To the right, a few steps away stood a vertical polished mirror reaching as tall as the window opposite on the left. The hall stretched out into a small courtyard and the wall surrounding the palace aside from the Eastern entrance was the only other entrance past its walls. In the courtyard were carriages belonging to the nobles, who were Danthamore’s elite citizens.
Nelina watched with interest as the guests after entering in the outer doorway were ushered in through the obsidian and alabaster accented doors. Nearest to the doors was the spiraling staircase going up to the top of the Kings tower and to the throne room as they approached the Royal Grand hall. People were spread out from the main door as they waited for their turn to be announced, the small talk and light laughter she had heard when she and Ru’ark stepped forth was silenced.
Ru’ark’s mouth betrayed the hint of a smile, these people understood their place around him. His piercing blue eyes dared one of them to continue with their useless chatter, he was already aggravated from his rift with Nelina.
The young herald turned from the guest he had been announcing to the Magus and Nelina. He looked down to the parchment ‘The Magus and his slave’ his face drained of blood leaving him a sickened shade of gray. His wide brown eyes wide went to Nelina and he remembered the story of the guard Lucas being whipped. She was the Magus’s consort, calling her a slave could wind him up like him or worse, that palace guard. He gulped, he would rather face the King and Queen and their anger rather than incur a moment’s wrath from the Magus. With sheer terror he directed them to follow him. The Royal Grand Hall was beyond extravagant. The tables along the walls formed a curved u shape giving a massive amount of space in its center now taken up by guests. Soft music played from the minstrels roaming the party playing to amuse those present. They pause at the archway.
The herald announced them. “The Magus Ru’ark and his Consort Nelina,” everyone in the room stopped to view the couple.
Nelina found many women’s eyes on Ru’ark seeming to trace out his muscular shape beneath his dark blue robes. He was handsome, undeniably so, and how she wished he would be hers.
Ru’ark noted the lust in more than one man’s face when they took in the soft curves and exposed flesh from the intricate gown and that they could not tear their gazes away from her. The white dress with delicate dark blue embroidery and silver filigree was in the style of his homeland Aghadine, fitting for any wife of a Magus in its regality. A taste of home mixed with a fantasy he supposed. In Aghadine, he could never present her in attire such as this.
Celeste with Kinnat in tow was introducing her around, to the prominent people from the Noble’s district.
Baron Kendrick was amicable when Celeste introduced him to the Soul Seer, and while the holy woman wearing her bones was interesting, he like many others was there to see the Magus. Rumors were abounding that he would be bringing his slave pet. He was interested in the slave woman who was captivating enough to capture the attention of the Magus.
Ru’ark glanced at Nelina appreciating the moment with her as her demeanor became less tense.
“There he is with his slave pet,” whispered Celeste to Kinnat.
Baron Kendrick studied the Magus with a thoughtful stare. If half of what the Magus could do was true, he needed to befriend the man. The woman who accompanied him wore a dress he had never seen a woman wear. The back was open, which was not the custom of dress in Danthamore. More striking were her green eyes and the long mane of flaxen hair. His arm did not link with hers. Instead, his arm was wrapped around her waist in a possessive manner with his hand resting on her hip.
Kinnat and Celeste were the first to approach the Magus and Nelina. “Kinnat, this is the Magus and Nelina.”
Kinnat was shocked to see the blonde woman with green eyes smiling at her. While the woman was without question striking in appearance, her green eyes and blonde hair meant that she was destined to be more. How one had escaped her people, she did not know. “Greetings Nelina, the One God smiles upon you.”
“Good Eve Holy Seer,” Nelina was pleasant to Kinnat. Her eyes widened in surprise when Kinnat with no warning pressed her hand against Ru’ark’s chest mumbling something.
Nelina’s eyes showed her nervousness as the comfort his arm left her waist.
“Were you expecting something else witch?” An amused smile spread across his face at her feeble attempt.
Her face twisted in disgust. “You are an abomination, a soulless one.” Her gaze snapped over to Nelina, “That woman does not belong to you,” she was in his face leaving only an inch between herself and the Magus. “You are the lowest of all life, unworthy to own another’s other life.” She glared at Celeste then narrowed her eyes to Ru’ark.
Ru’ark’s amusement with the Soul Witch was dying fast and his voice took on an ominous tone. “She’s mine Soul Witch, and make no mistake about it.”
Celeste grabbed the Soul Seer’s elbow, forcing her to take a solid step backward.
Nelina noticed Ru’ark drumming his fingers on the side of his thigh. She stepped in front of him. “I belong to you, you are my Magus, always. She is a foolish woman who does not know when she is in the company of her betters.”
His mood lightened again, and he embraced her, with one hand resting on her lower back. “How right you are Sweetling.” He looked past Nelina to smile at Celeste, “Fear not your Majesty, I’ll not paint the royal walls in blood this evening.”
Celeste was less than pleased with the Soul Seer’s failure, which she had to fix. “Enjoy the feast Magus, There are others whom I’d like our honored guest to meet.”
“By all means,” Ru’ark put his hand over Nelina’s hand.
Celeste yanked on Kinnat’s arm to get her leave with her.
“Good evening Magus, Nelina,” Elian’s blue doublet was held snugly over the white tunic beneath. His badge of office hung at his hip in place of his sword. Mary-Anne was on his arm in a gown, not nearly as fine as Nelina’s. In fact, it was pulled so tight in some place he hoped she did not spill out at the bosom. They came and stood behind Nelina and Ru’ark.
“Elian,” Nelina spun around happy he was here too.
Ru’ark also turned to greet the two. “Captain Elian,”
Elian introduced the woman in attendance with him. “This is Mary-Anne,”
Mary-Anne with a smile gave a brief nod of acknowledgement to Nelina then focused her attention on Ru’ark. “Magus, it is an honor to meet you.” Mary-Anne gushed over him as her fingers touched the sleeve of his robe while pressing herself against him. “Elian has told me so much about you.”
“Indeed,” This one was a viper, he was glad he gave Elian the warning he did.
Nelina boiled with fury, paint the walls, she would paint the walls with Mary-Anne’s blood if the woman kept up her behavior. She stepped alongside of Ru’ark making it uncomfortable for Mary-Anne who then stepped back by Elian.
Ru’ark took Nelina’s hand. “Let us take our seats at the table, shall we?”
“Yes, I’d like that.” Nelina shifted to the side as she walked away. When she was close enough to brush up against Mary-Anne, she positioned her foot at an angle to trip her and land her on the floor. It was what she deserved for throwing herself at Ru’ark.
“Ow,” Mary-Anne stumbled forward, and if it were not for Elian having her arm, she would have fallen flat on her face.
“Are you alright?” Elian gave Nelina a look of admonishment in her direction as he helped Mary-Anne. Nelina’s slight shrug and half smile told him what he needed to know.
“I’m fine, I think the tip of my shoe bumped your foot, or something.” Mary-Anne frowned, she did not understand why she had stumbled with such clumsiness.
Ru’ark thought Nelina’s jealousy was interesting. “She didn’t know you made her lose her balance, she appeared confused.”
“Too bad Elian caught her.” She was grateful Elian and Mary-Anne would not be at the King and Queen’s table.
They did not make it to the table before the Archcount’s wife, the Countess Lilly, stopped them. She was a tall, slender woman whose dress could almost compare to that of the Queen and with her pale skin, it showed how little time she spent away from shade. “Magus! How wonderful that you have chosen to attend our Queen’s Feast, surely you might have a dance with me?”
It was customary for dancing before and after the meal. Baron Kendrick took his own opportunity. “I’d be happy to keep a watchful eye on this one while you dance with the Countess Magus.”
Ru’ark’s arm went around Nelina’s waist, as he looked at them. “I am not versed in the dances of Danthamore, only the ones from my homeland I’m afraid.”
“You must show us, does your slave knows these dances too?” Lilly clapped of her hands together, then kept them folded.
“She is my Consort and yes she does, perhaps later Countess Lilly.” Ru’ark went to step forward until she waved Celeste over.
“You’ve met the Magus I see.” Celeste took the Countesses hands in her own.
“I have Celeste! It is most unfair you keep him to yourself in the palace like you do!” laughed Lilly, “The Magus says he can’t dance with me because he doesn’t know our dances, only the ones from his homeland.” She squeezed Celeste’s hand, “His slave girl and consort knows the dances too.”
“Is that so?” Celeste doubted Nelina knew any dance and raised her voice “The Magus will grace us with a dance from his homeland of Aghadine, please everyone! Find your seat and cups shall run aplenty.”
People immediately began seating themselves as Ru’ark lead Nelina out to the open space on the floor.
“Ru’ark, I don’t know how to dance,” said Nelina under her breath.
Ru’ark stopped in the center and pulled her in closer to him to whisper. “You don’t need to, ignore everything but me.”
The Waraeu moved under his flesh and he closed his eyes so the others would not see the black abyss of his eyes. His hand went to her lower back and thin black smoky tendrils people could not see extended into her spine. “Open your mind and let go for me.”
The minstrels played a very old slow melody from the time of the First Kingdom.
Nelina looked deep into Ru’ark’s intense his blue eyes and her intense love for him washed over her. She swayed to the music where he led her. She was unaware of the others in the room, only of him and their dance.
The Baron Kendrick sat down next to Agnar. “The Countess Lilly was turned down by the Magus, and I think I understand why.” He watched as Nelina’s gentle fingers touched the Magus’ face in obvious affection while he danced with her.
Ru’ark’s weaving had caused her mind to let go, to lose her fears and doubts about him, at least temporarily. He had missed this, when she looked at him with those deep vibrant green eyes filled with passion, devotion, and love. The two glided across the floor effortlessly, their patterned steps were graceful and flawless. In sync with the music, he leaned her backwards as she swayed with her back arched downward before coming back upright.
Kinnat shaking her head had only malice for the Magus. “He bewitches her, which is why she dances with him in such a manner.”
Celeste watched them finish their dance. “As I told you, she is in love with him, bewitched or not.”
Once the music ended, Ru’ark escorted Nelina to their chairs at the King and Queen’s table amidst the applause for their dancing.
Ru’ark’s’ weaving upon fading left him with the familiar coldness he had come to know from Nelina during the last few weeks.
“Magus, you and your consort were quite good,” Lilly watched the servant fill her cup.
“Your words are too kind Countess,” Ru’ark’s agitation was returning.
“No, Countess Lilly is right, the way you captivate your woman is something I’ve never seen.” The Baron shook his head, “I have a pretty slave girl at home with flowing hair as dark as the midnight sky. Would you like to try her and in turn, I could keep yours for a while?”
“This one sleeps at my side each night, Baron.” Ru’ark turned to Celeste, “Did you find everything in order with your palace inspection your Majesty?”
“It was Magus. I appreciated your cooperation.” Celeste stared at him unyielding
Ru’ark stood up to give a toast in his language from Aghadine. “For our Dear Queen Celeste Natur Ni praemss, ni punb - non solm conquestium.” ‘There is neither rewards nor punishment — only consequences.’
“I want her, what will you sell her for Magus?” Lilly touched her husband the Archcount’s arm. “You must buy her for me.”
Ru’ark folded his hands before the stony cold figure of Archcount Doughal could answer, “She’s not for sale, or for use by anyone but me.”
“Apologies Magus, yet how can you blame us for wanting to own a devoted slave such as the one you have?” Celeste shrugged, taking a drink of her wine.
Nelina had not spoken a word. She was grateful when the servant put food on her plate, which she heartily delved into eating.
“Forgive us Magus, we only seek to compliment your handling of her, it is impressive after all.” The Baron did not want to offend the Magus in the slightest.
“It’s fine Baron,” Ru’ark ate a piece of the roasted quail.
When Nelina had finished enough of the food on her plate she tried to leave. “Magus, by your grace may I take my leave for the rest of the evening, I do not feel my best.”
“Of course Sweetling,” He stood up as she rose up from her chair.
“Thank you, Magus,” she gave him a pained half smile.
He waited until she reached the door of the hall before getting up himself to follow her with no explanation to anyone. Her smile had been identical to the one he had seen in his sitting room weeks ago.
He found her around the corner of the hallway “You will stay your steps, Nelina.”
Nelina stood next to the wall. “Yes?”
He turned her so her back was against the wall with both of his palms on either side of her, while pressing on the stone wall. “It was there tonight, the same look you gave me when you left my sitting room after seeing the Queen.”
She closed her eyes, fighting back her tears why was he doing this to her? “Please Ru’ark, it’s too much,”
“You are hiding something and locking yourself away from me,” With a tender hand he touched her face. “It’s grown intolerable, and you will explain yourself.”
“It hurts,” Tears trickled down her face there was nowhere for her to go. “It hurts like nothing I’ve ever known.”
“What hurts you?” His thumbs brushed away her tears. “This pain you have torments you Sweetling.”
Her knees buckled unable to handle it anymore. “I-I am just some process for you,” she sobbed uncontrollably.
“Shh,” he caught her before she had crumpled to the floor. Everything made sense to him. “You think that I will use you and be done or that I would replace you as though it were nothing to me?”
“Yes,” she sounded ashamed admitting it as more tears came forth.
He was not accustomed to a woman having feelings like this for him. “Then let me whisper these truths to you.”
She raised her red tear stained eyes to look at him, whatever he would tell her she was ready for it.
He cupped her face in his hands. “When I first bought you, I paid so much for you because I didn’t want anyone else to have you.” He turned his head for a moment, thinking that he had heard footsteps yet he saw no one there. “If I had to find someone with hair and eyes like yours again, my sole priority would be in the process of sending them to Aghadine. My fate and life are with you.”
“Forgive me,” what he said made her feel better about their relationship.
Celeste crept around the hallway with quiet steps trying to hear what Ru’ark and Nelina were saying.
“You must not do this again,” he lifted her face to his with her chin between his thumb and index finger, “You told me once that you would burn like the moth for me, do you remember?”
She smiled, “I do,”
“I would burn them all, Danthamore, Aghadine, both the lower and the upper Kingdoms to cinders and lay them all at your feet if it would guarantee my future with you.” His mouth found hers again. “My research these days involves you being the mother of my children.”
Celeste quietly started back down the hall. Staying here was too dangerous, besides, she had heard plenty from her eavesdropping.
They were at last, in the bed-chamber that he and Nelina shared with the door closing behind them. The two had barely kept their hands off one another since things had been resolved with one another.
“I don’t want to be without you,” She pressed her body against his, bringing her lips to his neck while slipping her arms around him.
“Nor shall you ever have to,” his hands trailed down her sides past her ribcage. “In Aghadine, it would not be allowable by the council for me to take you as my wife,” He touched the silk draping of her dress. “Here in Danthamore, I can have you wear a dress that a wife in Aghadine would wear and have my pleasure of seeing you in it.”
“Thank you,” she hugged him tight. “You honor me with your affection, I will try to always be worthy of it,” she brought her hands down to his shoulders.
“You are Sweetling,” kissing her his tongue mingled with hers.
Nelina’s body quivered with the familiar tingling, which ignited her craving to have him. Tonight, would be theirs.
Kinnat was leaving the Palace to return to the Manor when the Queen found her. “Yer Grace, is something amiss?”
Celeste was lucky she had caught the Seer. “Yes, there is! You need to do something about the Magus, he’s gone too far.”
The Seer was certain the Queen was here due to some foul act by the Magus. “What has happened?”
“He said he would burn it all, that he would burn Danthamore and all of the lower and upper Kingdoms. I had to leave at that point lest I get caught,” said Celeste.
“Get Caught?” Kinnat was suspicious of the information.
Celeste’s irritation grew. “I heard him tell it to his slave pet in the hallway leading to the eastern part of the palace. They would have found me if I stayed.”
Kinnat had to prevent the Magus from being a problem anymore. Slavery was distasteful to her, yet she would lower herself to the practice of it to claim Nelina and bring her to the Ruby Isles if she had to. “I will go to the Manor house you’ve provided me and I will handle it from there. You can find your rest this evening yer Majesty. Soon, the Magus won’t be an issue.” Afterward, she would demand the crown give her Nelina if the woman did not agree to go with her of her own accord.
Celeste hoped the Seer was right. “Good Night then Seer Kinnat.”
Kinnat wasted no time in hurrying to the manor house in the Noble district. It took her far longer than she wanted it to in drawing out the ritual circle with all of its sigils on the floor. Surrounding her circle were candles and incense filling the room with its pungent smoke. In the center of the circle, she prayed to the One God. Through her rhythmic chanting, she fell into a deep trance. Here in her meditation, she was a Soul Spinner, and from her ancestry line, she could pull forth the darkest soul shadow, to find and possess the Magus, the rhythmic moving her of her body came to a sudden stop as the Soul Shadow moved beside Kinnat’s body leaving out the open window into the night air while Kinnat lay motionless after its departure.
Ru’ark slipped down the top of her gown off her shoulders, leaving them exposed and gave her a lingering kiss there. He unpinned her hair, while watching it fall around her back. He wrapped his arm across her pulling her tight against him.
She turned around to kiss him.
From the nearby open window, the shadows stirred unnoticed by any but the most careful of observers. The Soul Shadow, having reached its intended target, mixed itself into the shadows of the room. As commanded by its Shaman Seer, it watched Ru’ark waiting for its opportunity to strike.
Ru’ark kept their passionate embrace going, things were at last resolved, and their connection was also rekindled.
Moving from shadow to shadow in the room as silent as a breath of air, the Soul Shadow moved behind the two entwined lovers lost in themselves. While embracing each other, the shadowed figure slithered to face the Magus’s back. The Soul Shadow stood behind the Magus taking its long, thin shadowy finger and running it down the Magus’s spine maliciously hissing, “MINE.”
Ru’ark broke off from Nelina to face the creature, his eyes glazed over into black pools followed by a coiled smoky tendril reaching out to wrap around the Soul Shadow’s neck. He held it there keeping it on display for Nelina’s benefit. “It seems we have an uninvited guest.”
“What is it?” she readjusted her dress.
The Soul Shadow struggled in vain against Ru’ark’s hold. “A damned soul,” he answered in a casual tone to Nelina with a shrug. “There is nothing to fear from it, it’s equal to killing a bug or spider.”
“Then I think you should kill it, I don’t like either of those, or for that matter that thing.” To Nelina its hissing was malicious and frightening.
Ru’ark smiled to it. “You are but another soul seeking out the consequences of its actions.” The Waraeu moved beneath his skin and across his arm where he held the damned soul. In a single breath, the struggling shadow was split again and again as he absorbed it into himself. Finishing with the Soul Shadow, he swept Nelina up and carried her off to the bed lying her down on it. “Due to our unwelcome visitor, we’ll have to make it an earlier evening than I originally planned with you.”
“Can’t I stay up with you, keep you company?” She did not want him to be alone.
He would have appreciated her companionship, but the Soul which he was sure was sent by the Soul Witch was particularly malevolent. The last thing he wanted to do was touch her with any of it lingering in him. “Alas, while I would like nothing more, it’s for the best that you do not remain with me.”
“If you’re not going to let me be with you, will you promise to send for me if you need anything?” She was concerned for him.
His brows arched upward with an incredulous grin. “Are you worried about me?”
“Yes, I am, that’s why I asked to stay up with you,” She hugged him.
He hugged her back. “Is that so?” He put his hand affectionately on the back of her head. “That’s the last thing you need to worry about, I’ve been taking care of myself for a good many years.” He smiled, “It’s I who will take care of you, so take your rest and after a few hours pass I’ll join you Sweetling.”
“Alright, I hope it will not be too long for you.” She stood up to put on her nightdress. “Be well, Ru’ark” she kissed him lightly on the cheek. By the time she finished changing he had left the room.
Celeste was sound asleep when Orson and the Royal Guard entered her royal bed-chamber unannounced. “Orson, Why are you here?”
Orson was apologetic. “Forgive me my Queen, but the Soul Seer Kinnat has performed some ritual in the manor and has fallen unconscious.”
Celeste rubbed her eyes. “Has the Royal Healer attended her yet?” It was obvious the Soul Seer failed at whatever she was trying to do. To think, Kinnat had the audacity to tell her not to speak with the other Magus.
“Yes, my Queen, King Agnar and the healer are with her, they say she’ll not wake for days or maybe as long as a fortnight.” Orson folded his hands behind his back.
“Nothing I can do about it until morning, besides, I want some rest. Agnar can deal with it, ” she climbed back into her bed. “If anything should change, come back Orson.”
“I will, my Queen.” Orson closed the heavy wooden door to the Queen’s chamber on his way out.
Celeste stared at the ceiling, she needed to get back to that mirror in the Magus’s chamber, yet there was no way with him anywhere near the palace. If anything, Orson’s news increased the importance of contacting the Magus’ brother. Besides, she wondered how much the brother would want to hear how Ru’ark would burn their own homeland Aghadine to the ground.