Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign (Worlds of the Crystal Moon, Book 1) (82 page)

After a lengthy series of moments, BJ reached up and wiped the sweat from his brow and then looked into Helga’s eyes. He whispered so the flowers would not go dark. “I love you more than I’ve loved any other. You’ve taken my broken heart and given it back ... whole and renewed. You’ve allowed me to feel again. My heart has been hard for too many seasons since the passing of my wife, but you’ve softened it. I’ll cherish you forever for this.”

Helga’s heart melted as she whispered back, “I love you, too, you big grouch.” She smiled as she nestled into him. “With all my heart, I’ll love you as you deserve to be loved.”

The rest of that night would be filled with childlike games as they quietly chased each other around the statues scattered throughout the garden.

The Town of Lethwitch

George and Athena were also due to be married that evening. When Late Bailem arrived, George finished the running around he had to do and then rushed to get dressed. Though it was later than expected, he eventually found himself in light that was being cast by torches. He and Athena were standing in front of a senator’s assistant to speak their vows.

Athena’s mother had tried to get the senator himself to perform the ceremony, but most every member of the government was at the king’s tournament.

Mary and this particular senator had been friends since childhood. Even though he was from a royal bloodline, they had found each other irresistible, often running off together despite the laws that forbade it. They continued in secret until his parents found out and put a stop to their relationship.

Royals did not like to mix bloodlines with commoners, despite what the king had done seasons ago. Mary often wondered what her life would have been like with Ralton Brandor. But as she looked at Athena on the Peak of her union, she realized this was the life she was meant to have.

The ceremony was simple, and George’s heart was filled with happiness. He would no longer use women for the items he sought to acquire. He would have to rely on his charisma to get what he wanted without the added bonus of sexual favors. He would be loyal to Athena and give her, at least in his mind, the respect he felt she deserved. There was a child on the way, and he was not about to give this one a broken home.

The assistant kept the vows short, but sweet. The family applauded, and the after-party was held in Mary’s barn. The atmosphere reminded George of some kind of hillbilly square dance, and everyone enjoyed the festivities. There was even a potluck that had been laid out on many of the tables that lined the back wall of the barn. All that was missing was a wedding cake—and a whole lot of class. George told himself he would renew his vows with Athena once he had the moments to do it properly.

George took Athena by the hand and knelt on one knee. He handed Athena her new treasure box. “You can use this to hold the memories of our life.”

He opened the lid. Inside was one of the flowers he had picked near the gazebo. Its petals were still glowing, despite being plucked from its bush.

“ Oh, George, how did you manage to do this? It’s beautiful.”

“I’ll tell you later. Do you like it?”

“I do. It’s perfect.”

George smiled as he listened to the ladies’ comments nearby. They complimented Athena on how romantic her new mate was. George thought,
It was easy to pick the flower. Hell, all I did was teleport next to it and pluck it before it realized I was there. I can’t believe the damn thing is still lit. What luck!

George took Athena for a walk just before midnight. Since the family was there, Maldwin sent his vision to them all. They saw how great it would be to live with George and Athena in the Barbarian Kingdom, and as they did, smiles appeared on their faces.

With the family occupied, the newlyweds went to the bridge that spanned the river just outside of town and dangled their legs over its side. Under torchlight, they tossed pebbles into the water.

George loved Athena’s voice. He kept the conversation going as he held his wife close. Everything she said was important to him, and his love for her was selfless. They stayed there talking and laughing for most of the night.

When George decided Maldwin should be finished projecting his visions, they prepared to leave. After kissing Athena, he said, “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“Another one? What is it, honey?”

“I’m able to do something special that will allow me to see you more often as I travel. I need to show you what it is. I want you to understand how I can find my way home to you every night. But I want you to keep this surprise between us. Will you keep this secret for me?”

Athena looked puzzled. “I thought you said your travels would take you north?”

“I did.”

“Then how do you expect to be with me if you’re there, and I’m here?”

George pulled her closer. “I’ll show you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone ... not even your mother. Will you do that for me?”

Athena was hesitant to agree, but she nodded and put her head on George’s chest, her favorite place to be. “If it lets us be together, then I promise.”

George smiled. “Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Trust me. Just close them.”

Once she had complied, he closed his. When they reopened them, they were standing in his mother-in-law’s guest home.

Athena shrieked and backed away from George. “What kind of sorcery is this? How can I be in my mother’s home? Where’s the bridge? Where’s the water?”

George expected her reaction. “Babe, please sit, and I’ll explain.” He took her arm, guided her to the table and then pulled out a chair.

Athena’s face twitch as the chair’s legs screeched across the floor. “Are we really here? How’s this possible?”

The mage pulled out another chair and took a seat. “I thought you’d be happy that I can come home at night. Once I get where I’m going, I’ll be able to teleport back and forth until the moment arrives for you to be with me. Doesn’t this make you happy?”

Athena started to cry. “Why didn’t you tell me about this before we said our vows, George?”

George was taken aback. “Let me ask you this. If I had told you, or shown you before our union, would it have changed the fact I’ve always loved you and have been good to you since the first moment we met? Would it have stopped you from uniting with me?”

Athena looked into his eyes for a long series of moments before she answered. “George, I love you. I’d die if I couldn’t be with you.”

“Well, if you love me that much … and your love is unconditional,” he said, brushing his hand against her cheek, “then why are you so upset about something that will allow us to be together? I have the ability to do so much more than what I’ve just shown you, but it has nothing to do with how much we love each other. I’m sorry I’ve upset you. Will you forgive me?”

Athena melted at his plea and then stood. She motioned for him to stand, and they embraced. With her head on her favorite spot, she cried, “I’m happy that I’ll be able to see you so often, but this scares me. Whatever it is that you can do, whatever these things are, it would be best if you showed me. I’m your wife, and I should know what I’m dealing with.”

“Babe, you have nothing to be scared about. I’ll always protect our family. Just know this ... when I leave here, I’ll be going to set up a wonderful home for us. I won’t let you or our baby down.”

Athena whispered, “I’m glad I have you. I’ve never been this happy. I want to be with you. I want you to do whatever it takes to make sure we have a happy home. Just give our baby a good life, and I’ll follow you anywhere.”

George lifted his bride into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. He would enjoy the night and leave in the morning for Gessler. Since he no longer had Amar at his side, he did not have the authority to fly on the hippogriffs. There were 13 Peaks left before Kepler would be in Gessler, but it would only take him 7 Peaks to get there. He wanted to become familiar with the village and then teleport back to Lethwitch.

As they went to sleep, George dreamed of Abbie. The dream was sad, and his little girl kept screaming, “Daddy, save me!” He tried to run toward her, but was unable to. The dream was hellish, but thanks to Lasidious, it was cut short as the Mischievous One asked to be allowed into his mind. George gave him access.

“George, we need to talk.”

“You could’ve shown up a little earlier. The dream I was having was awful. Are you sure Abbie is okay, Lasidious?”

“Yes, George. Like I told you, her soul is in the Book of Immortality. I’ve given her many good thoughts. You don’t need to worry about your daughter. She’s fine.”

“Then what do you want?”

“First, I think congratulations are in order. I see that you have a fine woman lying next to you.”

“How do you know I’m lying next to Athena? Are you here?” George was starting to feel uncomfortable. “I’m dreaming, right?”

“Yes, George, you’re dreaming. I know many things, and I keep track of my favorite subjects.”

“Favorite, my ass. And I’m not your subject. What do you want?”

Lasidious chuckled. “You’ll always be the same old George. This visit is not about what you can do for me. It is more about what I can do for you. I have come to enlighten you on the extent of your power. You’re about to become a force on Southern Grayham.”

“Force, huh? I like the sound of that. Do I need to do anything?”

“All you need to do is lie there. I’ll enlighten you with everything you need to know. When you wake, you’ll be famished. I know your journey to Gessler begins in the morning, but it may take a while for you to recover and feel strong enough.”

George agreed to let Lasidious do his thing. As the Mischievous One was prone to do, he drug the process out and made George beg for him to get to the point. Eventually, George’s mind was filled with the details he needed to use the full extent of his power, and then the god left his dream.

George woke with an awful thirst. He asked Athena to prepare him a meal. He guzzled the pitcher of water in the guesthouse, and then stole the pitcher from the main house as well.

Athena was surprised at how much he ate. It took until Late Bailem the following Peak before George was able to get on the road. He said goodbye to his beautiful wife and made sure Maldwin understood he was leaving.

In parting, George had one last comment for the rat: “Everything is A-okay, man.”

The Next Peak

Just After Late Bailem

Double D had made his way into the city of Brandor just after the height of the Peak, and it took until Late Bailem to reach the arena. As he approached, the number of guards walking the streets increased.

It had taken quite a while to get to where he now stood. As he looked up at the top of the arena, the crowd was cheering. Once the massive torches lining its circumference were lit, the final fight of the evening would be announced.

The assassin knew the perfect moment to kill the General Absolute. He had learned from previous trips to this city that the general always fought the tournament’s winner on the ninth Peak. He would take that opportunity to dispose of Justin, but until then, he would scout the castle for the best moment and place to slaughter the prince. He wanted to make a statement, and the king’s son deserved to pass in front of as many beings as possible.

This assassination would not be an ordinary killing. This murder needed to be horrific, disgusting enough that every kingdom on the entirety of Grayham would talk about it forever. He wanted word to spread and for tales to be told about how sadistic the slaying of the prince was. This event needed to be legendary. This killing had to be his ultimate statement of artistry.

Double D was unable to find a place to stay. All the inns were booked for the tournament. To avoid further inquiries, since he wanted to speak to as few people as possible, he scouted the area until he found an old man who had left the tournament by himself. He watched from a distance, careful not to step into the light cast by the scattered torches throughout the city and followed the man to his home.

After ensuring the man was not going to be joined by other company, Double D opened his pack to retrieve his mask. After pulling it over his eyes, he vanished beneath a veil of magic and walked up the steps to the front door. He opened it, stepped quietly inside and carefully pushed the wooden door closed.

Double D could hear the man in his bedroom. The older gentleman was singing as he prepared to get into his bathing tub. The assassin ignored the man’s jovial song and moved through the rest of the home, looking into five bedroom chambers that had not been opened for nearly a season.

Nothing was out of place, the beds were made, and a layer of dust was on the night stands that stood next to them. This was the home of an unwed man. Even the bathing room meant for the woman of the house had nothing in it. This sad, old man was perfect, and from the look of things, no one would be coming to visit any moment soon.

Double D’s expression turned dark as the assassin waited for the old man to fall asleep before he made his move. Without a sound, he put his pack on the floor and shut the door to the room behind him. He walked toward the bed, stalking it like a cat, focused to ensure his breathing remained normal. He had done this so often that it was second nature.