Sixty-Four Samkiel

Jaski placed a plate heaped with soft baked goods between Killium and me. He smiled at her in thanks, and she hummed softly as she took a seat. Their love was nearly a physical bond. It was inspiring and comforting.

I forced a quick smile. “I am glad to see you two are still together.”

Jaski smiled at Killium. Her eyes were so filled with love that it felt as if I were intruding.

Killium smiled as he nodded. “Almost two thousand years, give or take.”

“I remember,” I said with a grin. “Jaski made you work for it.”

Jaski laughed, the sound filling the room with warmth. “It was good for him, and I was worth it.”

Killium squeezed her hand, but he looked at me, his expression growing serious. “I still cannot believe it, Samkiel,” he said, swirling the green liquid in his glass. “The sky does not lie, and neither do the realms. You died, or so we all thought.”

Jaski leaned forward, magic swirling in her eyes. “It is truly remarkable. You are here, whole, but different. I cannot tell what has changed, but you seem fully resurrected.”

Killium let out a brief whistle. “So many will be envious should they learn you have managed this.”

“Correct,” Jaski said. “Necromancy is forbidden. It is illegal in all the realms because of the effects. Not a single soul has been brought back from the Otherside that did not come back wrong.”

My pulse quickened. I knew that. I knew the stories. It was another reason I was so upset when I learned what had happened, but it had been months since my return, and I still felt the same. I ran my hand over my side, that dull ache still present. Perhaps not all the same, but I hadn’t come back wrong.

“Well, I can tell you now, I am not craving brains.”

They shared a glance before bursting into laughter. I sipped my drink and watched them.

My fingers tapped against the glass I held, combating my nerves and erratic thoughts. I couldn’t tell them the truth. I couldn’t tell anyone. If the wrong people found out that Dianna had brought me back to life, she would be hunted for the rest of her life. What she’d done was unprecedented. No one in my long life or before had succeeded, and those who tried were destroyed.

All those previously resurrected came back as barely more than corpses, flesh-eating monsters, or the really dangerous ones who hungered for brains. I just couldn’t tell them. Dianna and I were going through something, but she would always be my first priority. Instead of saving the realms, I would level each of them if it meant keeping her safe.

“So tell me,” Jaski prodded, “what powerful witch or warlock loved you enough to attempt something so deadly?”

Killium chuckled. “Now, now, Jaski, you know Samkiel. Why would you assume love?”

She smiled as she leaned her chin on her fist. “Only love would make someone do something so absolutely reckless.”

Heat flared across my chest as I remembered Dianna saying those three little words. I sat up a bit straighter and cleared my throat. “No witches or warlocks. The spear meant to kill me . . . well, it missed. I assume I was close enough to death that the spell broke.”

They stared at me and then my abdomen as if they could see the wound. I hoped it worked. I hoped they didn’t know I was lying.

“Well, I can tell you that Nismera does not know—”

“And it has to stay that way.” I made sure every word I said had power behind it. I would not risk Dianna.

“Of course,” Jaski answered, touching my arm. “Your secrets are always safe with us.”

“You should seek out The Eye, though,” Killium said. “They are dying to get an upper hand over her.”

“I will.” I smiled. “Also, I will not lie to either of you. There is someone in my life who is very special to me, special enough that I need your help.”

Both of them perked up at my words.

“There is?” Jaski beamed. “Tell us everything.”

“I will, but first.” I dug in my pocket and pulled out the stone, placing it on the table between us. Killium’s eyes widened. I knew as soon as he saw it, he’d know what it was. Jaski let out a low whistle, her hand running across the bristles on Killium’s shoulder.

“Gods, Samkiel, you traveled very far for that.”

I nodded. “That and one other thing.”

Killium laughed and slammed his drink back. He grabbed the bottle and refilled my glass before pouring more of the sluggish fluid into his cup. I rubbed my hand over my face and sighed before telling him where I had been, what had been going on, why I was back, and of her.

“I’ll need a few things added. I need a very sturdy weapon.”

“This is wonderful.” Jaski clapped her hands and leaned forward. “Have no fear. We can do just that. I’ll need to stabilize it first.”

“I can’t believe it,” Killium said. “The last time you rushed to me in a fuss, you needed a pregnancy test for a maiden. You couldn’t even remember her name, and now you show me this.”

I lifted a brow and took a deep gulp of my drink. It eased my nerves, my muscles, everything. I sighed and placed the glass down.

“Yeah, that was a long time ago, and I was very, very young. A lot has changed. Plus, you helped tremendously. I got the procedure done shortly after. The Hand did, too.”

The room grew silent.

“I’ll do what I can. For you both.” Jaski stood and picked up the stone before walking out of the room.

Killium filled his glass, his face turning grim. “I’m sorry about that. I heard what happened to them. How Nismera sold them all to the most ruthless.”

Killium slid the bottle toward me, and I poured myself another. “I plan to retrieve them, but there is something I need to do first. It’s imperative.”

“I’ll do it. It’s been a while since I made any, honestly. These realms require a different form of magic.”

I nodded and tipped my glass toward him before taking a sip.

Killium leaned back, the glasses atop his head glimmering under the kitchen light. “So she is the one?”

“My one and only,” I said, finishing my drink and setting my glass down. I met his gaze.

“I hear the mark works wonders for those lucky enough to have it,” Killium said. “I’m sorry you never received it, but this is good news.”

I nodded, spinning the glass on the table. I couldn’t tell him Dianna was my amata. Then he’d ask about the mark and why it wasn’t there. I couldn’t tell him what she gave up so I could live no matter how much I trusted him. Dianna’s life and safety would always be my top priority, and if Killium ever threatened her, I’d slay him.

“Yes, a very good thing indeed.” I glanced up at him. “You know me well. I grew up knowing my amata was dead, and I wanted no one like that ever. Then she showed up and dropped a building on me as if it were nothing. I think it started then. Definitely not lust or love, but intrigue nonetheless. Maybe it was my ego, but no one had ever challenged me as she did.”

He chuckled behind his glass. “That’s what you need.”

My brows flicked up in agreement. “We didn’t get along at first, but we were forced to work together. So I spent time with her every day, and whatever intrigue I felt for her grew like an ember until it burned me from the inside out. She is so fierce and brave and courageous. She knew who I was, knew the stories, and didn’t care. Her loyalty knows no bounds, and she risked everything for her sister. Only a fool would not love a person that astounding. She drives me absolutely insane. Sometimes in a wonderful way, other times she’s downright maddening.”

Killium reared back, laughing. “That, my boy, is love.” He took another gulp of his drink. “I’d love to meet the being who finally tamed the great Samkiel.”

“One day, everyone will know who she is,” I said, the corner of my lips quirking. “Speaking of great love, how have you and Jaski been?”

Killium cleared his throat, the guards behind me shuffling. “We almost didn’t make it past the Clearing.”

“Clearing?” I asked.

Killium nodded and reached for that bottle once more. “It’s what we called it when Nismera first took over. She went from world to world, eliminating all who followed you. Clearing the world of you, some said. If they did not bend to her will, she wiped them out. Hundreds turned to ash with that damned light. She knew about me and my tinkerings.”

Tinkerings.He said it so casually, as if he hadn’t helped the gods craft some deadly things. Killium was an elemental, and the power he bore beneath his skin to shape and wield the elements was unparalleled. Put him and Azrael together, and we could supply all the realms ten times over. It was just a shame their ideals did not match. Killium built weapons for peace, Azrael for the highest bidder.

“She found you?”

He chugged another glass before slamming it down. “We were the first on her list since we were the ones that showed you all how to make the rings. Once Azrael fell, I knew we had to flee, but she found us. Jaski almost died getting us to safety. Her magic has been unpredictable and difficult for her to call forth ever since. She used too much too fast and for too long. It fucked with her.” He motioned toward his leg, the steel around it reflecting in the dim lights. “And Nismera left me with this.”

I crossed my arms, leaning back a tad. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help.”

“Still got that shining self-righteousness, I see. Thinking you can save all the realms, boy?”

“Someone has to try.” I tipped my head toward the guards. “So, is that why you are hiding beneath a brothel with mercenaries?”

The said mercenaries’ eyes widened, and they avoided my gaze.

He chuckled. “Not just a brothel, a meeting place for those looking to rebel. The ones with the same symbol on the side of their head as yours. Although, yours isn’t quite right.”

“Smart.” I nodded, my lips turning down. “You need better protection, though.”

I thought back to when I’d entered and wondered just how many rooms weren’t being used for their intended purposes.

He coughed a laugh. “Those are N’vuil mercenaries you’re talking about.”

I focused on them, and the three of them looked as if they wished to be anywhere other than near me. “Shitty mercenaries. If I can disarm them that quickly, they won’t be able to survive Nismera if she finds you.”

Killium clicked his tongue. “No mercenary could stand up to you, Samkiel. You are the untouchable king. You will cause a stir, given you’re the only one who has ever come close to wounding or killing Nismera.”

“I don’t plan to cause a stir just yet. I still have some things I need to do first, which is why I’m here.”

He nodded. “Yes, yes. I don’t know where the Everrine is. Last I saw, she was in the Zelaji realm, and it has since been destroyed and cultivated by a rather nasty infestation.”

“I’ll start there then.”

“Did you bring what you need for this weapon?”

“Yes, and I can help if you need a bit of power. I don’t want to hurt Jaski.”

“Always so kind. I knew I liked you better than the old gods.” Killium stood, and his mercenaries came to attention. “With your power, I’ll only need an hour to craft it.”

An hour wasn’t bad. I’d assumed he would need longer. It was good news, to say the least. I feared for the tavern I’d left her in and all the beings in it if I were gone too long. But I couldn’t talk to her yet. I needed to make sure this was done first. Then, we would have a discussion. It wasn’t fair to her, and I knew it. My absence would only cause those demons she so desperately guarded against to come roaring back, but I needed time to think and plan.

We left his small kitchen, heading back into Killium’s shop. He had gadgets and items stacked everywhere. Jaski placed a helmet over her head and moved at lightning speed, her arms going so fast she looked like she had six. Green magic clung to her slight form, and sparks flew in every direction. Smoke curled against the ceiling, and the vent above her buzzed. Above the noise, I could hear her humming contentedly. I stepped around another table, lightly tapping on one circular hanging contraption. It buzzed ominously, and I pulled back.

“That’s a new project for a Prince in Sundunne,” Killium said.

I turned toward him, a single brow raising. “Are you supplying weaponry to rebels, Killium?”

He only smiled at me as Jaski flipped back the face guard of her helmet and turned to hand him the dust fragments she had made. She said nothing as she walked back to her station. Killium grabbed a few metals before settling at his table. He leaned forward, dragging a complex piece of machinery close, adjusting some dials and flipping a switch. It whirled to life as he placed his goggles on his face. Sparks flew into the air as he worked, both of them set on their separate tasks.

I grabbed a seat next to Killium, telling him exactly how I wished for it to look and what I needed it to do. An hour turned to three before he was done, but it was still much better than I expected. I stood and stretched before pulling my cloak back on. I took the package he handed me and tucked it securely into my pocket. His mercenaries had watched us the whole time and now pretended to have more interest in the items around Killium’s shop than me.

Jaski wiped at the sweat on her brow and grinned at me, leaning into Killium’s side.

I fastened the last thick button on my side, the cloak hanging to the back of my thighs. “When I rebuild this world anew, I will return for you, friend. As long as I live, you will always have a home and business.”

“Even if it is mildly illegal activities?” Killium asked, wrapping his arm around Jaski’s shoulders to support her.

I smirked, placing the hood over my head. “We will work on that.”

He nodded, his eyes shining with unshed tears. Jaski patted his chest. “You were always one of the good ones. You and your father. I am glad you are back. Maybe there is hope after all.”