Tera woke nestled into the warmest, most comfy cocoon she had ever achieved in bed. Her naked body was molded against Sabin’s, her arm curled around his torso. Only a sheet was draped across their lower bodies, the pink comforter a mass on the floor. Lifting her chin, she took in the handsome face of her gentle, yet passionate lover.
“Good morning, Tera.”
If it was possible, his face was even more handsome than it had been the day before. His eyes were calm, liquid blue, like the sea, both transparent and deep. “Your eyes are so beautiful.”
“As are yours, Dryad. You have an earthly beauty that puts all others to shame. The mossy shade of your eyes makes me think of making love to you on the forest floor, and staying there for all eternity.”
The insides of her stomach tightened with a welcome anticipation. “I could live with that.”
The dreamy blue quality of Sabin’s eyes became laced with steely gray. “I wish I could. But if I were to forsake my duties, the Knights of the Fog would be right to hunt me. I would be charged with treason for abandoning my post.”
Tera still felt hopeful, though. She trailed her fingers down Sabin’s hard chest, “You guys don’t get vacations from time to time?”
“To be honest, I hesitate to think of leaving you once this is all over. Now that you’ve tasted passion, I would kill another before they tried to give you what I can.”
“You’re kind of a downer in the morning, aren’t you?” She smiled mischievously at Sabin to try to lighten the mood. “You’re lucky. I was born of a man-hater, remember? After you leave, I’m sure Artemis will be back to whip me into shape.”
Sabin rolled her on top of him so that their noses were touching. “You are my perfect one. Know that you have changed this immortal’s life completely. No matter how many eons of life I have, I will never know life like I have during this time I have spent with you.”
Tera nestled her face deeper against his, and parted his lips with her own, sliding her tongue against his slowly. Her hands traced every inch of contoured muscles as they kissed. Sabin also worshipped her curves as he smoothed his palm along her body, resting on her rear. Flipping her over so that she was on bottom, Sabin smiled. “I hope check-out isn’t anytime soon.”
Tera’s face lit up, her soul feeling fulfilled by Sabin. For a moment, she thought she might finally believe in the idea of a soul mate. “Time doesn’t exist for me when I am with you.”
“That’s the spirit, my darling.” Once again, the couple dove into bliss together.
• • •
Fog hung thick around the heavy stones that made up the prison in the Realm of the Fog, where those who broke the laws of the Portal Realm were held. The tall cylindrical towers that encased the mystically enforced jail were far from any portal. Here in the middle of nowhere, the prison appeared eerie amidst dark violet sky and hazy gray fog. The cells were crowded since the diversity of creatures that traveled in the realm could become quite creative in their violent hostilities toward each other. Just two weeks prior, Sabin had subdued and sent Azra, a Quetzalem female, into the prison for torching a succubus. Quetzalem, a humanoid/dragon cross, appeared stunning at times with their beautiful angel-like wings, but were infamous for their fire-breathing antics. Many vampire species for example, could be torched until they were nothing more than ash.
Third-degree burns were a serious crime in the Portal Realm, especially since for many immortals, flame was the only way they could perish.
Azra appraised the two other Quetzalem demons in her cell. Both were male. Nero she recognized, his tarnished copper scales and matching wings were torn and dirty from whatever events had brought him to the prison. Normally, a Quetzalem’s wings would magically mold into the skin, but his were so damaged they simply hung pathetically. Nero’s eyes were glazed over with permanent fury.
The other Quetzalem, Azra did not recognize. She certainly would have remembered his handsome face and glittering blue scales. The creature’s dark, golden eyes were framed by black hair that hung like lethal blades against his shoulders.
Now the dragon demons sat back against the cold wall of her cell and listened in on the fresh chaos. It seemed as if three Knights of the Fog themselves had been sent to the prison. They cursed in a variety of languages, their usual telepathy communication obviously not whetting their anger.
• • •
“Damn Sabin!” The Knight called Zeth roared, his face twisting with anger. Two fists slammed against the dark stone wall, a faint crack hinting the Knight’s rage. “I can’t believe that high and mighty bastard sent us here.”
“High King Breasal!” Sodor yelled, commanding the presence of the legendary being in charge of the order of the Knights.
Rowen laid a calm hand on Zeth’s shoulder before he could throw another punch at the wall. “Sabin and I have worked closely for eons. There must be something we do not know. And Sodor, have more respect when summoning our master.”
The High King Breasal was the ruler of guidance and protection for travelers and explorers. The immortal law keeper had a reputation as a man to be reckoned with, but he spent much of his time living on an otherworldly island. Only one night every seven years was his island visible to the human eye.
Now High King Breasal was either utterly unmoved by Sodor’s summons, or had already planned to leave them there. Rowen growled, “His Mighty’s lack of presence implies that you have greatly offended him. You should get on your knees and beg forgiveness. Then perhaps he will come.”
Sodor did sink to his knees, but did not speak for a moment. Instead, he took two balled fists and slammed them into the stone floor beneath him. Frustration left a desperate icy-blue fire in the Knight’s eyes. “Rowen. You have always been a voice of reason. I think you may be right. Something else is at work here.” His voice was an eerie calm for a moment, but then the warrior exploded. “Why else would we be left here to rot in our own prison?”
“Recall our encounter with Sabin. He did not even think to fire his weapon at us. Even after we shot him twice. Blood soaked his chest. I’ve seen Sabin withstand much pain, but this . . . Sabin knew our bullets would not kill him. He knew his heart was innocent of the crimes we accuse him of.”
Just then, a presence entered the room via astral projection. Her hair was long, thick black dreadlocks that looked much like snakes. Gold rings were clasped around various dreadlocks, and a sumptuous gold crown graced the top of her head. Only the gold of her crown was covered by a blood-like crimson coating. Sheer black fabric clung to her curves, held in place only by a brooch shaped in the form of a golden apple. “Do you recognize me, Knights?”
“Your broach is the apple of discord. You are the Goddess of Chaos.” It was Sodor who spoke, but they all had recognized her. “You cast the apple that led to the great Trojan War. You are more detrimental to humankind than the Goddess of War herself.”
Eris’ full black lips parted and a deep-throated laugh erupted from the Goddess. “Oh Gods, you do me such honor in your praises, Knight.” With a gaze the color of smoldering embers, she smiled at Sodor. “Perhaps then, you will be the one to do my bidding this eve?”
Realization flooded Rowen. “You pushed the Nunanish through the portal barrier. You have been behind the confusion. You have been getting off on the mayhem and violence.” He shook his head in disgust. “We will have no part in your plans, Goddess.”
But Zeth was still a dark picture of fury huddled in the corner of the cell. His eyes were a blazing purple fire as the image of the Goddess floated toward him. Curling a pointy, gold fingernail against his chin, lifting his gaze to hers, the Goddess of Chaos tried to fuel his fury.
But dismayed by the Goddess’ attempt to use him, Zeth also rejected her motions. His eyes became narrow slits, his massive shoulders held like a warrior’s. “I may be a madman, Goddess, but I am also a Knight of the Fog. My fury will be unleashed, I promise, but only to undo what havoc you have caused.” Zeth gritted his teeth and for a moment, he looked very much like an animal, dangerous and on the edge of attack. “Perhaps, Chaos, it was wise for you to come in astral form.”
“How dare you?” Eris hissed, and her black dreadlocks swayed, appearing for a brief moment like an awakened nest of snakes. “I was merely seeking entertainment, Knight, but now I fear things are getting personal.” She smiled cruelly, her expression both sensual and sinister. “Do you know, Knights? Fury breeds the best kind of chaos.”