~
“GRAB HIM,” Lorsan bellowed as he watched Trik reach for his Chosen as she disappeared through the mirror.
Trik felt hands grasp his arms and pull him away from the mirror where his love had vanished.
Trik fought their hold as he roared into the great hall. The pain in his chest ripped through his body and he flung those who attempted to hold him away, their bodies crashing into mirrors and walls. He knew that he needed to get control of himself. He would need to fool Lorsan now or he would be locked up and never be able to get to Cassie. His body shook as he tried to regain his composure. His head slowly rose as he looked at his King.
“You were going to leave me?” Lorsan’s face was shrouded in darkness as his eyes bore into Trik.
“Did you not just hear my Chosen yelling that I had lied to her? I obviously had no intention of leaving you. I had hoped that she wouldn’t find out,” Trik lied smoothly. He needed Lorsan to believe that he was loyal, that he had no intention of defecting. Lorsan continued to stare at him, searching for any deceit in his words.
The room was still and everyone held their breath as the Dark King deliberated over his dark assassin.
Finally Lorsan spoke.
“You are not to see her again.” He paused waiting to see Trik’s response.
“She is my Chosen,” Trik growled.
“And she has made her choice. She cannot accept you as you are. What more is there to discuss with her.?”
Trik glared at his King but did not say anything more about it.
“Are we done?” He asked.
“Do you have somewhere to be?” Lorsan asked.
“If I remember correctly, there is a crop of Rapture being bottled tonight. Am I not still in charge of this venture?”
“Yes, you are. Fine go and take care of it.” Lorsan motioned. “Trik I meant what I said. Stay away from the human.”
Trik turned and walked to the mirrors. Without looking back or acknowledging the King’s words, he stepped through.
Lorsan turned and caught Alok’s eye. “Keep an eye on him.”
Alok nodded and headed to a mirror to follow Trik to California where the crops and labs were.
Ilyrana walked over to her mate and lifted her hand to his face. He closed his eyes at her touch.
“Leave us,” he announced to the hall and a few moments later they were alone.
“Do you believe him?” He asked her.
“No,” Ilyrana answered. “She is his Chosen, and I saw the way he looked at her. He was going to leave you, but it was going to be in his time, not hers.”
“What should I do?” Lorsan’s eyes opened and met his Queen’s.
“Keep an eye on him. If he seeks her out, then we take her. She is his weakness. If you have her, then you control Trik.”
Lorsan nodded and pulled her to him. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck.
He grieved. He was a Dark King. He held power over a great Kingdom, and yet for the loss of one assassin, he grieved.
“He was more than your assassin,” Ilyrana picked up on his thoughts. “He had become a friend.”
“You are the only one that I can trust,” he pulled back and looked down into her face and ran his thumb across her cheek. “Through all of these years still only you remain faithful.”
“And I always will.”
“No matter what?” He asked.
She nodded.
“Things might get ugly before all is said and done.”
Ilyrana kissed him gently and then looked into his eyes. “You will always come first.”
Lorsan pulled her close and laid his head on top of hers. He thought of what had happened that night and of Trik’s deception. He knew it would come down to him taking Cassie. He would have to take her to break Trik. And he would. He would break Trik and have him humbled on his knees before him begging for mercy.