"Well I guess I should be going now." Layla said as she put in her coat to leave.
Amira stood up to walk her to the door. "I'm really glad we got to see each other again, Layla. Considering everything we went through to escape the demon nobles' grasp." Amira laughed.
"You to your majesty." Layla said with a slight bow and a soft smile on her face.
Lucian opened the door and Jack walked inside, his emotions a little more calmer than before and his body not as shaky.
"See ya later Lucian." Layla said as she stepped past him to leave.
Lucian nodded and looked at Amira who was gesturing with her eyes to walk her out. So he nudged Jack inside more and turned to follow her.
"Let me walk you to the gate at least." He said calmly as he walked up beside her.
When they got far enough out of ear shot from the others Layla finally spoke up. "Take care of Jack for me. I practically raised him and his older brother here at the orphanage. He's a good kid who has just been surrounded by bad influences."
"It's alright, he reminds me a lot of my younger brother. So I plan to push him down the right path, don't worry." Lucian responded opening the knee high gate at the end of the front yard.
Layla gave him one last look from head to toe. "Thanks Lucian," she started to leave and stopped for a moment. "I think I was wrong about you so I apologize. But I still don't trust you to take care of Ami… so I'll be stopping by frequently to check on her." She said before continuing on home.
Lucian gave her a small nod of understanding before walking back to the house.
The three of them stood by the door and stared at each other for a moment. Amira hadn't expected a new resident and didn't quite know what to say. Jack was still taking everything in: these people were strangers, and he wasn't sure what to expect. He looked up at Lucian expecting him to say something. Lucian didn't speak; he simply stared blankly at the door.
"So, Jack, is it?" Amira asked, finally breaking the silence.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied, not as shaken as before but still guarded.
"I suppose you'll be staying with us for a little while," she responded, a little deflated. She'd spent the day fantasizing about alone time with Lucian, then he showed up with a lost puppy expecting her to take him in. "Yes?" she pressed.
"Yes," Jack answered hesitantly. "If that's alright with you, madam."
Amira huffed. "At least he asked, unlike someone else I know." She clapped her hands. "Welcome. My name's Amira but you can just call me Ami. I'm Lucian's wif—er, friend, and this is our house. Please make yourself at home while you stay with us." She smiled like a hostess.
"Thank you for your kindness," Jack said, low and grateful.
Both of them looked to Lucian, waiting for him to say something. He simply replied, "Welcome."
Amira brightened again. "Well, I suppose you can stay in the guest bedroom. I cleaned it out this morning for Lucian, but since he invited you, I'm sure he'd be willing to give up his bed," she teased, glancing at him.
Lucian nodded once.
"Perfect. Lucian, if you don't mind, will you grab some sheets and blankets from my room and help our guest settle into the guest room while I clean the kitchen?" Amira asked, never taking her eyes off him.
Lucian turned and motioned for Jack to follow. The two walked off; Lucian showed him around and finally pushed him into the guest room.
Amira appeared composed on the surface, but inside she was excited. This was the perfect opportunity to get Lucian to sleep in the same bed as her since there would be nowhere else for him to sleep. Unlike the inn from the past, there weren't enough blankets for him to sleep on the floor.
She finished cleaning the kitchen and passed the guest bedroom, hearing Lucian and Jack talking about plans for the next day. She slipped into her room, changed into her nightgown, and fussed with her hair. She paced around her room, plotting exactly how to make it natural that Lucian would sleep in her bed. After about half an hour of waiting, she left her room to see what was taking him so long.
The guest room door was closed and no light shone from underneath it; she assumed Jack was asleep. "So where's Lucian?" she wondered.
She found him passed out in the chair in the main room. All the running and fighting had worn him out. He sat with perfect posture, eyes closed, moonlight playing across his skin like a pale swan. Amira smiled softly and bent close, a lock of silver hair sliding across her cheek.
"Lucian," she whispered, tapping his shoulder. He didn't stir. "If you don't come to bed I'll sleep in your lap again," she breathed, still nothing. Mischief flared in her red eyes. She grabbed a blanket and gently crawled into his lap. When she settled, she felt warm hands wrap around her and pull her close. Lucian had instinctively wrapped his arms around her.
Crimson kissed her cheeks as butterfly's played in her stomach, and rested her head against his chest. The rhythm of his heartbeat lulled her to sleep.
Dawn crept in like a calm sea. Lucian woke to something tickling his nose. He blinked and looked down at Amira, slightly drooling and sound asleep. For the first time in a long while, something like warmth, not cold or pain, stirred in him. He was unexpectedly at peace.
Careful not to wake her, he lifted her; her hair fell over his arm, her face scrunched in sleep. Despite all his hard edges, he smiled softly and carried her to the bed. When he set her down he realized she'd been clutching his shirt; he lingered a moment, kissed her forehead, then quietly removed her hand before slipping out the door. As the floorboards creaked out of earshot, Amira's eyes snapped open and her face burned bright red. She buried her face in the pillow and squealed into it, kicking and hugging the covers in embarrassed joy.
Lucian woke Jack and told him to meet him in the yard once he was dressed. Confused, Jack sluggishly put on his boots and stepped outside. Lucian tossed him a leather water pouch. "Don't fall behind," he said, then jogged off. Jack grumbled, but then saw it as Lucian's way of helping him grow stronger and followed.
By the time the sky was fully bright and the village rose, Lucian and Jack had run 10 kilometers. They passed farmers starting their day; Lucian made a point to stop and introduce himself to each one and told Jack to do the same. Jack was awkward, but he tried. The villagers peppered them with questions "What did the Flesh gang want? Did they hurt you? Are they coming back?" Lucian's answer was always the same: "Everything's fine now. Just a misunderstanding."
"Why didn't you tell them the truth?" Jack asked on the way home.
"Tell them the truth how? Tell them I killed every one of them? They've enough on their plates already, why burden them with more?" Lucian jogged on, barely winded. Jack looked at Lucian's broad shoulders and wondered how much weight they truly carried.
Back home, Jack collapsed to his knees, gasping. Lucian tossed him a rag to wipe his face.
"Something smells good," Lucian observed.
They walked inside and were greeted by Amira, who'd made breakfast and set the table. "Wasn't sure when you guys would be back, so I made something you can eat cold," she said with a warm smile.
Halfway through the meal someone began banging on the door. The pounding echoed through the cottage. Lucian rose to answer it. As soon as he opened the door, big… pillows, and a pair of arms wrapped around him and a voice squealed.
"Oh Lulu, I'm so glad you're okay!" Bell shouted as she threw herself at him, clinging happily. "When those scary savages took you away I was so worried, but Daddy kept saying you'd be fine since you looked so capable. Still though, I worried. Your not hurt are you?"
"Hello, Bell," Amira said through gritted teeth.
Jack watched as Amira gripped her wooden spoon until it splintered into pieces. Lucian gently peeled Bell off. "Good morning, Bell. I'm fine."
Bell made her way inside. "Hello, Ami! Oh! and who's this?" She swept in toward Jack.
"Uh—my name is Jack," he stammered, blushing. He'd never met someone like Bell, warm and sparkling in a way that made him dizzy.
Bell hugged him, pressing him to her chest. "Nice to meet you, Jack. Are you new in town?"
"Ye—yes," Jack mumbled. "Well Kind of. I was raised in the orphanage here, and then my brother made me leave with him, but now I'm back."
Bell smiled. "Seems our little village is growing. Oh! Before I forget, here." She handed Lucian a basket of eggs. "A thank-you from my dad for helping with the tree. And for sending Hort to fix the chicken coop."
"Thanks," Lucian said bluntly. When did I ask Hort to do that? he wondered.
Bell chattered on about everything as if Amira and Jack weren't there. Jack, already charmed, murmured, "She seems lovely."
"Just chipper," Amira said, forcing a smile.
"Bell," Lucian cut in.
She stopped mid-sentence. "Yes?!"
"Thank you for the eggs. But I have a lot to do today, so please excuse me." He turned to Jack. "Let's go."
"Coming," Jack said, reluctantly following.
"Oh. see you later then." Bell's smile faded to a pout as they left.
Amira sipped her drink with a smug look. Bell's attention snapped back to her. "Ami, what are you doing today?"
"Oh, I have a few—"
"Perfect! Come to the orphanage with me. I just know you'll love it!" Bell grabbed her arm and dragged her out. Amira rolled her eyes. "I don't even get a choice," she muttered, but she went.
Lucian and Jack organized tools in the shed, trimmed overgrown grass, and made small repairs to the house and farm equipment. Amira reluctantly stayed at the orphanage with Bell, helping the children. At first she was fidgety, but the kids warmed to her: the girls wanted to braid her hair; the boys complimented her looks. She even tested a new recipe on them. Bell watched her and knew Amira was simply happy to cook for appreciative mouths.
——————
In the human kingdom, a great hall of stone and banners held a different kind of morning.
A knight knelt before a bear of a man who sat on the throne, a king in fine clothes that strained across massive muscles. He stroked his short, bushy grey-and-black beard as if it soothed him.
"Begin," the king said, a single word heavy with command.
The knight wiped his brow and spoke, voice shaking. "Your majesty, there are reports that General Bloodthorne was spotted at the northern border, heading toward No Man's Land. Our scouts followed the suspected man but never returned. Only one witness recognized him. The Inspectors at the checkpoint matched the face to General Bloodthorne."
The king stopped stroking his beard. "Edric Lucian Bloodthorne was one of my most trusted generals. You expect me to believe he survived the surprise slaughter by that terrorist force, the Ashen Dawn, and then deserted his post?" His tone snarled. "His homeland! Do not come to me with such treachery." He yelled, a sound with a hard edge.
The knight flinched. "My apologies, sire. How would you like me to proceed?"
"Get rid of everyone at the northern border. Behead them for their blasphemy. I will not tolerate this stain on our kingdom's hero."
"Right away, sire," the knight said, bowing, and hurried out.
The king waved one hand and a man in butler's attire, an older soldier who had seen too many wars, stepped forward. "My king, how can I serve?"
"Is that report true?" the king growled.
"Yes. The general was also spotted in Perlin with a woman that matches the description of the moon witch, according to our spy's." the butler answered from behind the throne.
"Those stupid demon bastards couldn't even get rid of one measly general. What are we paying them for?" the king spat. "And his father?" he demanded.
"Still refusing to talk. Every torturer we send comes back with their minds melted speaking gibberish," the butler said.
The king's grip on the armrest tightened until he broke a piece off. "Fools! Take me to him! Find Edric and bring him to me, alive!" He stood, throwing his cape over his shoulder.
The butler bowed. "Yes, your majesty. And the woman?"
"Kill her or give her to the demon nobles since they want her so bad I don't care. We cannot have anyone knowing Edric is alive. If the people found out, we'd have another uprising."
They descended a long spiral of stairs, the butler carrying a torch shining light on the mossy stone as they descended. At the bottom, a giant steel door opened. Inside, chained to the wall, sat a man: long black hair, bright blue eyes as clear as arctic water. His hands and feet were bound in a cruel iron contraption. When the door opened, he smiled and chuckled.
"Well, if it isn't my lovely younger brother," the chained man rasped. "Finally moved your fat ass off the throne to come see me. I wondered how long it'd take." His voice was dry humor under a layer of cruelty.
"Tch. Disappointed to see you're still alive, Valerius," the king snapped.
Valerius pushed himself up. He wore only a cloth around his waist; his body was a map of old scars, but he still looked like a god of muscle, despite little food and worse treatment.
The king, though massive, felt smaller next to his older brother. "Never felt healthier," Valerius said. The king's jaw tightened.
"So, dear brother, why are you here?" Valerius asked with false sweetness.
The king laughed cruelly. "It seems your bastard son is still alive and well, and he's found himself a woman. You might be a grandfather, too bad you won't live to see it." The king's laughter filled the chamber.
Valerius said nothing, just stared at the ground. The king smiled wider. "So, ready to talk? If you do I might even let you see your son before I kill him."
Valerius stayed silent.
"Figured. As selfish as always." The king hissed
The king rolled his eyes and left, the butler locking the door behind him. Valerius raised his head; his eyes, brighter than before, and took in a small grin. "So you're still kicking, kiddo," he murmured.
The king and the butler stood out side the door. The king's expression filled with gnarling anger. "You will find Edric without fail! I want to rip his beating heart from his chest as his father watches. Maybe then he'll think twice about making a fool of me." The king said through gritted teeth.
Far from the palace, in a black tunnel that smelled of damp and rot, a tall figure in black descended toward a dim chamber. His eyes were a purple abyss; black wings folded behind him like a raven's shadow and disappeared in light. Water dripped as his footsteps approached echoing through the tunnel like an hourglass losing sand.
The Flesh King lay on a crude bed, coughing and bandaged, he was being washed by the big man who carried him away, Oryx. He opened his eyes as the figure halted. "Come to finish me off?" he rasped.
The figure looked him over, boredom flickered in his eyes. "I told you to gain control of No Man's Land. I even gave you a portion of my power so it would be possible for a worm like you. And now I find you here like a beaten dog liking his wounds."
"Go fuck yourself." The flesh king spat.
The man smiled, revealing pearly white fangs and shook his head, as he lifted the Flesh King's bandages to inspect the wounds. "They got you good."
"He," the flesh king paused "left me alive on purpose," the Flesh King grunted. "He could have easily killed me." He said with a soft voice, grateful he was still breathing and then a flicker of terror spread in his eyes "That man, he's truly a monster. The whole time we fought he looked… bored."
The visitor's purple eyes gleamed with excitement. "Stronger than me?" he asked, curiosity in his tone.
"No one's stronger than you, Lord Abbadon angle of the abyss," the Flesh King managed, bowing despite his injuries.
"Yes." Abbadon lingered on the word, then said, "I suppose… Well, does this… monster have a name?"
"He called himself Lucian," the Flesh King whispered. "But someone of his caliber would already be known and I've never heard of the name before."
They both sat and thought for a moment, the flesh king replayed the fight in his head over and over as if it was ingrained Into his soul. Abbadon simply studied him.
"Rest," Abbadon said. "Despite your flaws, I still have use for you. For now, you may live." He turned to leave, pausing only when the man washing the Flesh King, a broken, trembling servant, knelt and shook like a wet cat. Abbadon's face twisted with disgust before he vanished as ominously as he'd come.
"Arrghh!" the Flesh King yelled when Abbadon was gone. "As soon as I'm healed, we'll leave this place, mark my words."