Part 52 (2/2)

The queen smiled, and then their lips met. It was not long before the pa.s.sion Sam had felt for his wife returned. The intensity was growing, and it lasted for a fair series of moments before Sam stopped kissing her. The king leaned back so he could stare into the queen's eyes. ”Hey, before we get too carried away, I need you to promise me something.”

”Sure. What is it?”

The king grinned. ”The next time you try to burn me, please make sure I'm not just mostly dead.” Again, Sam winked.

Shalee grinned and then grabbed Sam's hand. She started running with the king through the garden. On the tenth stride, they vanished.

CHAPTER 25.

t.i.tans Ancients Sovereign The Hall of Judgment THE NEXT MORNING, the G.o.ds were gathering inside Gabriel's hall. Jervaise was the first to arrive, and she entered in her spherical form. Once near her seat, she transformed into an apparition and then took her normal position at the table.

It was not long before the others appeared. As usual, Keylom's hooves clapped against the floor while Bailem walked through the doors with his wings folded behind his portly body. Lictina's tail swished across the floor until she reached her seat. The lizardian lifted her tail, tucked it through a special opening that had been cut into her chair and then lowered into a comfortable position. As always, Lasidious was the last to arrive with Celestria on his arm.

The Mischievous One noticed right away that someone was missing. ”Gabriel, where's Mosley?”

The Book lifted from the table and floated to a position that was eye-level with Lasidious. ”Mosley has grown tired of your games. He left, and he doesn't plan on returning. Your theatrics in Brandor caused the wolf to seek solitude.”

Lasidious frowned. ”Where did he go? I'll apologize.”

Gabriel's thick brows furrowed. ”He doesn't care.”

”I'm sure I can say something that'll make him feel better. I don't want the wolf to be angry with me. I like Mosley.”

Mieonus frowned. ”Why do you care about the wolf?”

Hosseff added to the conversation. ”I agree with Mieonus, Lasidious. You sound truly remorseful. Are you feeling alright? You must have a fever.”

”I simply ... simply ... bah! Why should I explain to you how I feel?” the Mischievous One snapped.

Lasidious' response felt defensive to the members of the Collective. Gabriel smiled. ”Perhaps you care too much, Lasidious.” The Book floated back to his golden stand and hovered above it. ”You could always try to track Mosley if he decides to use his power.”

Lasidious flopped down onto his chair. ”I suppose!”

Celestria spoke out to cover for Lasidious' moment of weakness. ”This is unexpected to be sure. I wouldn't have labeled the wolf a quitter. If he doesn't wish to be found, I'm sure he knows how to avoid prying eyes.”

Keylom interjected. ”Mosley did say that he intends to gather the elements he needs to form his own world and then fill it with beings who'll wors.h.i.+p only him. There is, after all, nothing in our laws to prohibit the wolf from doing that.”

The Mischievous One slapped the edge of the table, and a smile returned to his face. ”Now that sounds more like my Mosley!” Lasidious chuckled as he looked at Celestria. ”I knew the wolf was better than quitting. I just love that wolf. Nothing can get him down ... not even me.”

Bailem stood from his chair. ”Allow me to change the subject. I'd like to know how you returned Sam's soul to his body? How did you manipulate such an event? You don't possess the power to pull a being out of Gabriel's pages.”

”Sam's name was never added to my pages,” Gabriel announced.

Bailem's face was not the only one to express confusion. ”Explain!” the angel demanded.

Gabriel shrugged his little shoulders that protruded from the sides of his covers. ”Perhaps you should ask Lasidious to explain.”

Lasidious leaned over to kiss Celestria on the cheek before he stood. ”I manipulated an event that trapped Sam's soul inside the dagger that was used to end him. Boyafed was the one who wielded the weapon.”

Hosseff lifted from his chair. The shade's wispy voice emanated from the nothingness beneath his hood. ”Boyafed would never do that. He serves me and no other.”

Lasidious allowed himself to fall back into his chair. ”You're right. Boyafed thought he was doing your will ... not mine. I appeared to him in your image. I requested that he use the dagger to deliver the fatal blow. The blade trapped Sam's soul inside it, and it didn't allow it to ascend to Gabriel's pages. That's why you couldn't find it, Hosseff.”

The Mischievous One redirected his attention toward the G.o.ddess of Hate. ”Your affair with Boyafed could not have come at a better moment, Mieonus.”

Lasidious grinned. ”Once you were finished with Boyafed, his mind was made up to end Sam. I knew you would want to witness Boyafed's misery, so I used your manipulation against the Collective to accomplish yet another part of my plan.”

Mieonus gasped. ”You saw? How? I was careful to pick the perfect moment.”

Celestria decided to answer. ”You have no understanding of what careful is, Mieonus. I watched you seduce Boyafed, and I'm sure Boyafed would agree that he has had better lovers. Your moves were amateurish. You're not worthy of being called a G.o.ddess. Boyafed said he felt you needed to be educated in the art of lovemaking.”

Lasidious slapped the table again. ”Ha! A truly bold statement for a mortal, wouldn't you agree, Mieonus?”

All those around the table laughed while the G.o.ddess of Hate stomped the lifted heel of her right shoe against the floor. ”I hate you all!”

Celestria pushed her seat back from the table. Her flowing hair and gentle curves captured every male's eye, as well as Lictina's, as the G.o.ddess walked around the table to address the Collective. ”Mieonus' failed attempt to orchestrate Sam's demise only managed to strengthen Lasidious' position amongst this table.”

The G.o.ddess of Beasts stopped behind the Mischievous One's chair. She pulled back his hood, and then fondled his hair lovingly with her fingertips while she continued. ”Mieonus, you gave my pet the opportunity to use the dagger he created so many seasons ago. Thank you. You've never been so helpful.”

Alistar leaned forward. ”Lasidious, you had no right to create a dagger without a vote. It's against our laws, and you know it.” The G.o.d of the Harvest turned to Gabriel. ”Why haven't you stripped him of his immortality?”

Gabriel lifted off the table. ”He must have created the dagger before the law was added to my pages. I had no knowledge of the blade's existence until I saw him pull it from Sam's side. Even then, I had no idea what its purpose was ... other than ending the king. Lasidious has broken no law.”

The Mischievous One looked across the table at Alistar. ”You're as pathetic as Mieonus. Do you truly believe I'm that stupid? Do you think I'd create against our laws? I have no desire to be made mortal. Gabriel is right in his a.s.sumption. The dagger was created before the law existed. I've been waiting for the perfect moment to use it, and thanks to Mieonus, the opportunity presented itself.” He slapped the table yet again. ”And it was employed on the King of Brandor no less.”

Mieonus wanted to scream, but she knew her anger would only make her look more foolish than she already did.

Alistar stood to move behind his chair. ”Yet again, your cunning is fierce, but I have a surprise in store for you.” The G.o.d of the Harvest chuckled.

Lasidious mocked Alistar. ”I'm sure you believe you're funny.”

Alistar did not respond. Instead, he gave the Book a nod.

Gabriel responded by giving the Call to Order.

Lasidious shouted. ”You can't do that! Our laws don't allow you to, Gabriel. You can't give the call without Mosley present!”

Gabriel hovered over to Lasidious. ”Mosley has surrendered his vote to me. My laws allow me to do whatever is necessary to protect the sanct.i.ty of this Collective. As long as my actions don't affect your free will, your campaign to gain the followers you need to control me isn't something I can endorse. You have come to this meeting because you've chosen to attend. This allows me to give the call without sacrificing your free will.”

Lasidious pondered the Book's words. ”This collective cannot vote to take my dagger from me. That would be to strip me of my free will.”

Alistar cut into the conversation. ”You can keep your knife. No one cares. There are other matters that we intend to vote on.”

Lasidious smirked. ”What can you vote on that I would possibly care about?”

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