“I’d wondered how long it would be before you turned up,” Azraea glared at him.
“Really?” Vander said, “Because I’d begun to feel somewhat forgotten, as if you actually weren’t thinking about 'us' with every waking moment. With all of this hustle and bustle of killing dragons and seizing thrones, I thought you might have actually put us out of your thoughts for a bit.”
“There is no 'us',” Azraea said.
“There will always be an ‘us’, love,” Vander said, “You know that. ‘Til death do us part’ wasn’t enough for you. I wonder, is that why you’re so hot for your leggy elf-friend? Because you think she’ll outlive you?”
“Leave Kaira out of this,” Azraea gritted her teeth.
“How can I?” Vander said, “Now that you’ve brought her into our relationship.”
“You will stay away from her,” Azraea said, “You will stay away from all of us.” Azraea edged in front of Ochsner. The little dwarf had nothing for a weapon save the hairbrush she’d been playing with, and didn't even comprehend the danger she was in; Vander could kill her quickly and effortlessly if he got past. Azraea opened one of her hands and ignited a green fireball. Her fingers twitched around the burning globe, as tense now as when her fist had been clenched shut.
“Oh ho,” Vander laughed at the ball of fire, “Pulling out some classics, I see. Do you really think that would finally finish me?”
“I’ve never tried setting you on fire,” Azraea said, “but I’m sure curious to know what it will do.” She moved towards him with the flaming ball and Vander stepped backwards. “I take it you aren’t ready to find out,” Azraea smiled.
Vander grinned, revealing a mouth full of fangs that gleamed in the light of the fire, “Are you ready to find out what happens if it doesn’t kill me? Are you ready to watch our old friend die? Or perhaps that guard outside your door? Tell me, does he have a family? Children? Knowing you, I’m sure you’ve asked.”
“You don’t know me.”
“Oh, darling; I know you better than anyone. And we both know I’m the only one who really understands you.”
“You knew me years ago, Vander. You don’t know who I’ve become.”
“Well, I suppose that might be true. But that should add some new vigor to our games, shouldn’t it? Yes, I think I will truly enjoy getting to know the new you,” he smiled. It was intoned and expressed as sarcasm but what was truly disturbing for Azraea was that beneath the surface theater, she knew he was being sincere.
“Well, then let’s start with this,” she swung the fireball at him as Ochsner bolted for the door to unlock it. Vander dodged with supernatural speed and grabbed Azraea’s wrist. He twisted her around, bending her hand back against her back and forcing the fire out. He grabbed her by the throat with his free hand and turned her towards the mirror. She looked at her reflection, and only her reflection, because Vander cast none. She looked helpless, terrified, but as Vander ran his tongue along her neck, her fear turned to anger. She flicked her free hand to drop the razorblade into her palm and slashed backwards. Vander shrieked in pain and released her as he staggered backwards, black blood pouring from the wound between his legs. It was only temporary; Azraea knew blood loss would only make him hungry and he would heal quickly. Still, when she saw the look of surprise in his eyes and felt the smile creep across her own face, she knew she’d made a statement.
Ochsner’s bodyguard – Jericho – burst through the door, sword drawn as Azraea created another fireball. It was two against one – three if Ochsner could find a blunt object – and Vander was flat-footed and in pain.
The monster smiled despite the circumstances, “Oh, lovely. Lovely. Our next tale promises so many surprises. I just can’t wait to see what will happen.” He laughed manically but deeply as he disaggregated into a cloud of bats and fluttered out the bedchamber’s window.
Jericho chased the bats to the window and shouted a litany of curses, taunts, and threats at the retreating intruder. Ochsner had been holding her breath from fright, and finally let it out as she took Azraea’s hand.
Azraea squeezed her friend’s hand reassuringly. She was queen now. That brought a host of problems into her new life, and she hadn’t yet shed all of the problems of her old life. But with her new responsibilities had come power. She had allies and resources even she was only beginning to get a handle on. Once she did, though, Vander would be among the first to know.
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