King of the Seditious

Mother? Savage pondered. Thinking of Queen Jerica.

The woman that left me in the dungeon to die?

The same one who let King Ocnomad send me away with an assassin dressed in finery to line my grave? I think not.

The memories of that assassin trying to drown him was still vivid in his mind. Making him take a long breath, even now.

“Not an option.” He said dully in answer to Elsabet’s suggestion. He saw no reason to converse with a mother that had betrayed him in every way a mother could.

“Well, if you’re merely asking my opinion, it is fact. You are an exact replica. In looks, mannerisms, behavior. Even much of how you think. Though you’re colder. Less passionate, and lack some wisdom he possesses, you’re clearly highly intelligent with a great understanding of humanity. Like he is.”

Is he?

That was somewhat pleasing to know. Though Savage couldn’t define the actual feeling he was experiencing, he knew it was a good one.

“I thank you.” He nodded. Knowing it was likely the deepest compliment she could offer.

Merely facts as she sees them. As she said.

She does love him. That much was obvious.

“If you miss your child so, you could consider making another with him?” He suggested helpfully.

Her banshee shriek combined with the flexing of long, brown wings, and the sudden reddening of her eyes indicated she didn’t appreciate his helpful idea.

“Or not.” He said dryly. Clearly that was the wrong thing to say.

“She could never be replaced!” She hissed.

“I meant no insult.”

Blinking at him she realized the truth in it and settled. “I would never risk such pain again. I can bear no other child into a world this dangerous.”

“It’s this dangerous because of Radix, not Sebastian.” He felt the need to defend. “You do know that don’t you?”

She only blinked in response, and he realized he’d not get an answer.

Does she know?

Or is she that far gone?

Could her hatred for the man she also loved, extend so far that she could actually bring herself to ally with his enemy.

Even when that enemy is the one responsible for the death of her daughter.

He shook himself. Reminding himself that none of this was any of his affair.

If she won’t go back, then there’s no further point in trying to sway her.

“Have it your way, then.” Shrugging he aimed back for the bridge. Feeling a faint twinge of disappointment that his hopes to be the one to reach her on some deeper level and persuade her to return to the man that loved her more than life itself, would not become a reality.

He had rather hoped to be responsible for the great joy that would bring Sebastian.

But it is not to be.

And it was one thing that even Savage Jack wasn’t going to meddle in.

Not that far.

It had occurred to him before that he could snatch her and drag her back to the King of the Castle of Water kicking and screaming. But he knew Sebastian well enough to be aware that if Elsabet was still roaming Ardae freely, it was because Sebastian was allowing it.

If that was a realistic option, he’d have already done it.

So, for whatever reason, Sebastian no longer wanted her on those terms.

“Savage Jack!” She called. Her voice stopped him.

I hadn’t expected her to say anything more.

Rotating, he faced her to await her words. Despite himself, he was immensely curious to hear what she’d have to say.

“Keep doing what you’re doing. He needs the help. He’s been far too tired, for far too long. No one else could’ve bourn all he has.”

“I know.” He nodded. Walking away.

She loves him.

She wants him.

She’s never lost her affection for him.

And some part of Savage was gratified to know the truth. His work in trying to sway her was done.

One day, she will go back to him.

***

Dimurah rolled over, bathed in the morning sunshine creeping through the crack in the tent flap. She blinked prettily up at him. “Why do you never sleep?”

He shrugged. “I’d rather be looking at you.”

She was lying on his arm. Though it had long ago gone numb, he didn’t want to wake her to alleviate it.

I’d rather let her rest.

She smiled softly at that. Stroking his bare chest intimately. “I’m so glad you’re mine.”

He growled low in his throat. Rolling her closer to him, by curving that arm under her. “And you, mine.”

She leaned up to kiss the bottom of his jaw. “You’re all I ever wanted, do you know that?”

“Is that so?”

“You saved me from the hell I was in. You never wanted anything, never expected anything. You were just you. What chance did I have, not to fall in love?”

He blinked slowly at her. Somewhat surprised by the passion in those words.

“I looked up at you in that hold, standing like a shadow in the sunlight, brightening in your hair.” She lifted one thin braid, complete with kill bead, in testament.

“I probably should’ve been afraid. But all I felt, was saved.”

“You didn’t need saved. Just freed.”

“Yes, Jax. But you did both.”

His brows lifted slightly. “I freed you?”

“I felt like all my life, I was caged. You let me out. Let me bloom while you watched over me. Like a bird watching a pretty flower to keep it safe from the other birds.”

He nodded slowly.

“No one knows what you are.” She continued. “You’re my greatest secret.”

“How so?” He bit the bait for more of these precious words.

This lovely peek into her mind.

“You are kind. They just don’t get to see it. You’re brilliant, but they don’t know it. You can be entirely heartless, but it is only ever for the purpose of overall good. You will be a king one day.” She said with dead certainty.

His expression showed his astonishment. “That would be impossible, Murah.”

“Why?” She countered. “You’re already King of the Seditious. No man should be able to rule independent assassins, yet you are somehow able to bring them together under your agenda. Like lost boys looking to be ruled.”

He mulled that over. There was some insight in what she said.

“And you were born of a Queen. So, you have royal blood.”

“I will never be a King.”

“Wait and see, Jax. Before you tell me I’m wrong…You wait…”

He kissed her forehead. Hugging her to him. Savoring this moment of incredible closeness with her. Knowing that there would be countless, to come.

And the feeling of keeping no secrets from her was so freeing. Allowing himself to give the last little, reserved bits of himself to her.

Until she has all of me…

THE END