Albion the Sapphire Lich

This was one of my first long works, and I remember being real scared. I hadn't done anything long at the time in years and was worried I'd forgotten how or peter out as I wrote. But I really loved it, and I continue to love doing longer stories.

Female Reader (suffers conversion disorder, leaving her partially deaf and non-verbal) x Male Lich (pov in last segment)

Originally Posted November 8th, 9th, and 10th

I have never attempted to hide my disdain for humans. In fact, it used to be something I would relish in. I was young once, although that may seem impossible for something like me. I was once bloodthirsty. I was vengeful and cruel. I fought in countless wars that were carried out in several different names. Sometimes it was the same war just in a different era. Now that I look back, I actually can’t tell them apart anymore. As I grow older and wiser I can see that, no matter what banner I fought under, war is the same dance.

I retired from bloodshed. I dropped my sword and took up the dagger of solitude. I built walls around me, protecting my kingdom and people from man. Because, even though I had promised to never raise my sword in battle again, they still came for me. I am sure, all monsters at one point or another witness such disdain. I’m am certain other humans do it.

After a while, the humans left me alone. My castle’s walls continued to grow and my people were finally safe and at peace. Although, it became a rite of passage for haughty young knights to come to my castle and try to challenge me to a fight. They would break down the doors and burst in, armor brand new and shiny, their voice over-confidant. Their sword as new as a virgin.

I did promise to never raise my sword again, but sometimes, these children are just too much fun to toy with. I did not become a lich by accident. Magic is how i came to be. Magic is often my weapon of choice these days. I enjoy making the little toy soldiers dance and seeing the looks on their faces when I appear to them. I always try to take a different form, that way the stories will grow. I go so enjoy hearing the stories about me. Call me vain but it is one of the few things in life that gives me joy.

I have made friends in my time, man and monster alike. I have even taken apprentices who have become powerful witches and wizards in their time. I even have kings and royalty alike who come to me for advice. The Rakshasa king, Amit, is one of the people I call a true friend. His letters always bring some joy into my life. Lately, his new wife has been writing me too. It is her letters, he descriptions of children and married life, that have begun to make me think. I have never been one for companionship. Given my immortality, it seemed pointless to seek it out just to watch it die in a few years.

Every once in awhile I take one a form more palatable to humans. The village near mine is bright and lively. They hold festivals quite often and I enjoy going to watch the dances and listen to the music. I have such a weak heart for music. This time when I go, there is something strange taking place. Rather than the usual dances and music, the town seems somber and quiet. There is a crowd gathered in the center of town, but it is full of people that seem strange and foreign to this village I have become fond of. As i move through the crowd, I see men I recognize by reputation alone. There are dukes and warlords here, men of ill stature. Not the kind of men who usually visit here. As I come closer to the front, I see something that makes my guts churn.

It is an auction, but human lives are what’s for sale.  I have seen such things before during many of the wars I fought in. Villages that had been taken over and ravaged were then sold for parts. The once peaceful inhabitants no more than cattle to their warlords.

This auction is nearing its end. There are but a handful of people left. The auctioneer brings up a girl who does not look up from the ground. The auctioneer describes her as not being a good listener. Almost immediately a man raises his hand and shouts out his bid. I know this man. The sound of his voice causes me great anger. He had once tried to build an alliance with me and coerce me back onto the battlefields. He used fear and pain to control his people. I had nearly ripped him to shreds once, I wouldn’t mind doing it here for nothing.

I look up at this girl who doesn’t even flinch when the auctioneer shouts out. She lifts her head enough that I see her face. Her eyes. I cannot tell you what happened in that moment. I raised my hand and shouted out a bid much higher than any that had been uttered in this auction. She was sold and given to me. And as I took her chains in my hands I realized I had no idea what to do with her.

She looked up at me, eyes dazed over. She looks lost, as if she cannot decipher reality from dream. I remove her chains and take her home. Once there I pass her off to one of my staff. I tell them to clean her up, feed her, tend to whatever injuries and wounds she has. I then tell them to give her a warm bed, a hot meal, and anything she asked for until she was well. I did not want to see a tired, beaten animal. I wanted to see a healthy, bright, young woman.

The days passed and I actually forgot my recent purchase. Nothing around me had changed at all. Until one day when I went to my study and found a lovely creature sitting in my chair. Her hair had been sheared away into a short crop. She was clean and bright, dressed in a soft gown. She’s looking at a book, rubbing her hand over the page. She doesn’t seem to notice my presence. She makes no movement when the heavy doors close.

The maid tending to her comes to me, taking my hand and leading me aside. “She’s healthy as a horse, my lord, but there is one thing I should tell you about the poor thing.” She clutches her hand over her chest. “She cannot hear.”

I glare towards the girl as she continues to pet the pages in the book. “She can’t hear?”

“Not a peep. She doesn’t speak, either. She’s as eager to please as a kitten though.”

I go to the girl’s side and kneel beside her. She glances at me then and while her eyes do show fear she doesn’t move or try to run. She clutches to the book and meets my eyes. Her knuckles turn white and I shake my head at her.

“Do not fear me.”

She tilts her head.

You scoff. “How do I speak to you?”

She glances to the book and points at something. Looking into it you see her finger run over the sentence that reads. “I want to help.”

You sigh and nod. “She can read,” you murmur, “that’s good.” You go to your desk and write on a piece of paper for her telling her everything she needs to know. She takes the paper and after reading it clutches it to her chest and nods.

You turn to the maid in charge of her. “Let her do as she pleases. You can write to her and communicate through ink. She wants to help around her, let her.”

The girl eagerly returns to the maid, taking her hand as she leads her out the door. Unlike before, now everything changes. The girl always seems to be by my side. She cleans my study and fixes the old tapestries and curtains. She even goes as far as to dust every book in the place. She carefully removes them from the shelf and wipes them down. I sometimes even catch her reading them. Her eyes wide with wonder as she reads ancient tomes and texts.

I try to scare her off. I had meant for her to help the rest of the staff, not be under my foot all day and night. I growl and snarl at her, but I forget she cannot hear me. I take different shapes in hopes of frightening her away. Instead, her eyes go wide with fear but she smiles. She actually just smiles!

One day, as she cleans the fireplace I watch her. She’s gained weight again. The kitchen staff says they love her. They enjoy feeding her and could watch her go through pastries. You were glad though. You found you enjoyed the curve of her hips when she moved. You then shake your head and clear your throat.

“Don’t think that way, old man,” I growl at myself.

Her head raises and she looks at me as if she heard me.

“Go back to your work. I didn’t ask you to do it but you go ahead and do what you want.”

She smiles and nods.

I stare at her. “Can you hear me?”

She touches her ear and looks into the fireplace where she starts scribbling in the soot. I go to her side, seeing what she’s written out.

“Sometimes, I cannot understand. I can you.”

I kneel down beside her, putting my hand on her back. “Amazing,” I whisper. I turn and look at her, her cheeks are flushed bright red. I take my hand away, wondering if perhaps my touch scares her.

“So, you can hear some?” I ask.

She looks up at me with those doe eyes of her’s and she nods.

I look at her words in the soot then back at her. “Do you mind telling me when this started?”

Her eyes look distant for a moment then she nods slowly. We stand and I let her sit at my desk. She takes a pen and paper and starts writing. It takes her a long time and she uses several pages to tell her tale. She then passes the pad of paper up to me.

“My name is Ria. I have never told anyone here that. I would so like to hear you say my name, my lord. I grew up in a small village towards the East. My father once served the Rakshasa court but retired due to an injury. A few years ago our village was attacked by a man who claimed he was a king. He wasn’t. He was just a man with an army. He took everyone in the village as hostage. He killed the men who did not comply and he sold the women. My father was one of the men who tried to fight back. I watch as the fake king tortured my father. For four days I watched as that man tried to make my father scream. But my father did not make a sound. My father never said a word or cried the entire time. My mother killed herself in front of me. She could no longer take my father’s torture and she bit through her own tongue. I was so traumatized I went into myself. For a long time I refused to see. I refused to hear and speak. I still cannot find my voice. I fear that it is gone forever. But I do not miss it. I could hear your voice when you bid on me at the auction. It was the first time I had heard a voice in ages and understood it. Until now, voices and sounds have not made sense. It is like in dreams, when you try to hold a conversation. You know they are speaking and yet you cannot figure it out. There is no sound, yet somehow there is. I do not expect you to understand me or even believe me. You can call me broken and ugly if you like, it no longer bothers me. But you are the first master who has been kind to me. You have not touched me. You have not said anything unkind. I know you have been trying to scare me, but I am sorry to say it will not work. I no more fear you than a shadow in the closet. I have real fears, my lord. I have seen true monsters. You are no more a monster to me than the man who killed my father. You are a warm flame in a cold night. A gentle touch after a nightmare. I am afraid you will grow tired and frustrated of me. I know I cannot be understood and this is the longest I have stayed somewhere before the people begin to grow impatient and hate me. Your staff may be orcs and goblins and specters, but they are kind. I am happy to be here. I have never been happy anywhere. I will do anything I can to stay.”

I have to stop reading even though there is much more on the page. I look down at this girl and her small smile. She has seen the worst of the world in such a short amount of time. But it has not killed her kindness. If anything, it has only made it grow. You reach out to her, touching her cheek and feeling the dampness on her cheeks. She leans into your touch and you indulge her.

“You are free to live here,” you tell her. “It is your home. And you are not broken.” Her eyes widen at these words. “You are healing. Broken does not mean worthless and ugly. You take your time healing, Ria. I have nothing but time.”

Tears flood from her eyes then. She crumbles and I try to hold her up. I have never seen such pitiful tears. I have seen the tears of men as they beg for their lives. Tears as they regret their lives. I have never seen tears like these before. They are soft and warm. I can feel her relief and her joy, I can also feel her grief. It is sweet. I hold her until she is finished. Despite my protests she finishes cleaning the fireplace. When she is done, is his black and gray with ash.

“You look a sight,” I huff as I turn her hands over. Even her nails are black. “You really fit into my palace now.”

She grins, wide and warm.

I take her hand. “Follow me, I’ll see you get a proper bath.” I lead her down through the castle where the baths are. It is a natural hot spring where the dormant volcano is. It warm the waters and creates a luxurious spa. I sometimes believe my friend, Amit, only likes me for these baths.

“You can bath down here,” I tell her.

Ria grips my hand and looks up at me, concerned.

“Do you not wish to bathe in private?” I ask, seeming to understand her concern.

She turns bright red again and shakes her head. Ria looks back up at me and her lips part, as if she desperately wants to tell me something.

“I’ll stay,” I growl. “But I will not look.”

She glances down at herself and presses her lips into a tight line. She begins to unbutton her dress and I turn away. I hear her dress hit the ground and then the slosh of the water as she eases in. I sit on the edge of the pool she’s bathing in and she takes my hand, holding it as she sits in the warm waters.

“I do not understand,” I reply as you lace your fingers with mine. “Why do you like me so?”

She looks up at me and smiles.

“Ria, you do not have to like me because I do not beat you.” I shake my head and sigh. “My past is just as covered in blood and vengeance. I do not raise my sword anymore, but that does not wash me of the innocent blood I have bathed in.”

Ria squeezes my hand tight and shakes her head. She takes my palm and starts spelling out letters in the center.

“Stop. Past over. Kind now.”

I sigh and ruffle her short hair. “I wish the past could be over,” I murmur to her. “But I’m sure you know how it does not leave you alone.” My hand runs down her face.

She smooshes her cheek into my palm and she frowns. She closes her eyes, leaning into my touch so I do not pull away from her.

“You remind me of a cat,” I reply. “But I do not want a pet.” I run my finger over your bottom lip. Your lips part and a small gasp escapes.

“I have longed for a companion to fill my lonely days,” I murmur. Ria’s cheek flush again and she looks up at me, her lashes fluttering. “I did not think a human could ever capture my attention like this. But I am never afraid to be proven wrong.”

Ria sits up enough her breasts are uncovered by the water.

“Perhaps I shall make you my bride.” The idea even startles me. I had never considered such a thing before. Even with Amit’s wedding and his constant bragging on his wife and twin children. I had known that taking a mortal as a mate would be a cruel joke to us both. She looks at me expectantly, her eyes wide and lips parted. Perhaps she has considered it more than I ever have.

“Do not look at me with such eyes,” I whisper. “You make me feel cruel.”

She shakes her head and opens her mouth as if she so desperately wants to talk.

I place my finger over her lips. “You do not have to talk for me to understand. I am undeserving. You should not have such strong emotions for a creature like me.” My eyes glow as I look at her. “Your love is deserved elsewhere.”

////

I cannot describe my fascination with him. I suppose after years of being under the rule of heavy-handed men, he is an oddity. I had never seen anything like him at all either. He is quite astounding. Sometimes he never keeps the same shape. The one he does keep quite consistently is tall and dominating. The skin on his chest is pulled taut, showing the jagged rib cage beneath. His shoulders are broad and spiked. His face is hollow, it’s covered by a cage of armor and there are dark blue eyes glowing inside. Sometimes his face looks like a skeleton, sometimes a glowing billow of blue flames. I’m not exactly sure what his face looks like.

The castle isn’t a bad place to live. The staff may look strange and frightening, but they’re all happy. I’ve never been in a place where everyone was happy with their lot in life. It took me a long like to realize that it was not some sort of trick or magic around here. Not even close. The creatures here were all here of their own free will. I had never been anywhere of my own free will.

I was also surprised that no one here got aggravated with me. Everywhere else I went, it didn’t take long for the staff and my masters alike to grow sick and tired of me. If anything, the people here seemed more than happy to work with me. It took me a long time to not flinch when someone came near me or when someone waved for my attention. I still have a hard time believing people are this nice. I had always been told that the monsters in the Lich’s court were cruel and unbearable. If this was cruel, then I must not understand nice.

The lich’s kindness to me made me feel an affection for him. I was all but happy to serve him. I so wanted to show him I was worth keeping and worth caring for. I only told him about myself because I felt safe too. I felt if I told him, there would be no reaction. Nothing harsh, nothing cold. He would just accept. And he did, but more than that he told me something I had never even said to myself.

“You aren’t broken.” His words, I could always, for some reason, understand them. I could hear him unlike anyone else. But these words, I took them in and held onto them. “You are healing. Broken does not mean worthless and ugly. You take your time healing, Ria. I have nothing but time.”

I felt free for the first time.

Then, later that evening, he said something else to me. “Perhaps I shall make you my bride.”

I had never felt deserving. I had been ruined long ago. I was not fit for someone like him. But at the same time, I wanted it. I felt for once I actually deserved something. I wanted his love, I wanted to show him mine. I had never felt so full before, in heart and spirit. I felt reborn because of him.

He gave me my own room that night, one right next to his. There was even a door that connected the two.

“Keep it locked,” he told me. “I do not plan on doing anything but do keep it locked.”

I think perhaps he was more worried about what I may do that him. I can’t blame him though, I was already imagining what sleeping beside him would be like.

“Ria,” I love the way he says my name always makes me smile. “You do not have to stay here,” he says. “I can give you what you need. You can see the world, travel. You can save every poor soul you come across. But know that I do not hold you here.”

I nod to him and then write down for him my reply. “I want to stay. And if I travel, I want to travel with you.”

He sighs and ruffles my hair. “Put me out of your thoughts and plans, Ria. Think for yourself and your wants.”

Easier said than done, I think. He’s nearly taken over every thought in my head. Which is new, considering I used to keep my head to empty. It was easier thinking nothing than daydreaming something.

I’ve never had a bed before. And never could I have hoped for something as grand as the one he’s given me. It’s massive, like an island. It’s soft and warm and I have so many pillows and blankets. I love it. But even so, I grow afraid in the night. I’ve never slept alone before. I’m used to having someone beside me. The darkness is suffocating, the quiet is a stranglehold.

I slip out of bed and tiptoe to the door that connects our rooms. I say a quiet prayer to God, hoping he has not locked his side. I turn the knob and the door opens. I step into his room, it’s quiet here too. I wonder if he sleeps. That’s something I hadn’t considered. I look around, his room is decorated nearly identical to mine. Only above the fireplace is a massive weapon. It’s like nothing I have ever seen before. It’s massive, twice as long as me and I bet nearly three times as heavy. The blade is serrated at the tip and then razor then on down. The handle is pitch black and twisted to perfectly fit his hand. I feel strange looking at it. I feel fear and terror rise up from my belly. My nose burns and when I touch it I find it is bleeding.

A whimper escapes my throat as I see the dark red liquid on my fingertips.

“What are you doing here?”

I turn and look up at him, my eyes burn and blood drips on my tongue as my lips part. His hand touches me and wiped away the blood.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he growls. “That weapon is not for the likes of your eyes.”

I want to ask him what it is. It looks like a sword but somehow it feels alive.

“What are you even doing awake?”

I want to tell him I’m afraid and I don’t want to be alone. Instead, I cast my eyes down to the ground and grasp my hands around the hem of my nightgown.

“If you don’t want to sleep alone, then I can come and sit in your room.” I look up at him in awe. I feel like he can understand me. “I didn’t consider it would be a problem.” He takes something from a table and leads me back into my room. I crawl back into bed and he pulls the blankets over me. The fire springs to life as he sits down on the bed.

“Don’t let me bother you.”

I grab his hand and press the letters into his palm with my finger. “Thank you.”

He sighs. “Just sleep. I’m sure you have not had many.” He tucks me in and moves to sit in a chair by the fire. I watch him, wanting him beside me in the bed but knew it was too much to ask for. I close my eyes, his presence even near me is a huge comfort. I drift to sleep easily and for the first time I dream outside the village I grew up in.

I see his sword. It is dripping with blood. I feel cold as it comes closer to me. The ground below my feet is made of bones and corpses. They reach up, grabbing me and begging as maggots spilly from their lips. I kick at them and try to run, but they are all around me. The sword raises and I see the dark figure wielding it. I see the terrible body beneath and the dark blue eyes of the lich staring down at me. He swings the sword down and I open my eyes.

I sit up, drenched in a cold sweat. I gasp and pant, reaching into the darkness to claw it away.

“Was it there?” The lich whispers through the darkness. I see his eyes there as well. “Did he try to frighten you?”

I nod and wipe my face.

“He cares not for mortals. He wants you to know that.”

I open my mouth to beg him to come closer. I want to cry for him to hold me and kiss me, but I cannot make my voice work.

He touches me and I grab him. I clutch to his chest and press my whole body against him. He is cold to the touch but all I feel is peace. He strokes my hair and the back of my neck. His long bony fingers trace the curve of my spine. I tug on his robe, tilting my chin up. I do not care how I look. I want even a taste of love from him.

He presses his finger to my lips and shushes me. “Do not look at me that way. I cannot bare it.”

I shake his hand away and raise up. I press a kiss to his mouth. It is hard and sharp, but I press closer anyways. I pull back but he clutches me close again. He kisses me, pressing me into the bed. His massive body hovers over mine and his dark blue eyes cut through the darkness.

“Ah-” the sound escapes my lips and he pulls away from me.

“I will not be another monster to you,” his voice whispers in the darkness.

“Ah-” I have not made sounds in so long. I want to force them out. I want to claw at my throat to make it work.

“Why do you love me?” He growls. “I am not worthy. I will watch you die while you cling to love to save you. I cannot bare it.”

I reach out to him, grasping his hand and shaking my head. I want the words to come so bad. I feel tears of frustration run down my cheeks. I squeeze his hand, hoping he understands that I am already saved.

“How can you only be human?” He whispers right into my ear then kisses my cheek. “You impossible creature you.”

I meet his kiss again, clutching to him in desperation so he does not leave my side again. He holds my face between his palms, his dark eyes looking at me. “Please, sleep now,” he whispers. “I promise, this time, he will not come to you again.”

I nod and ease back into the pillows as he pulls the blanket over my shoulder. I fall back asleep and no dreams haunt me the rest of night.

Come morning, I find him still in my room. He’s pouring over a book and when I tiptoe closer, I see it is a book of poetry. He slams it shut when he realizes I am reading from over his shoulder.

“How can you be so quiet?” He growls at me.

I kiss him and he presses close.

“Your breakfast is waiting for you,” he clears his throat as he stands up. The table is set and he removes the cover from over the dishes. The kitchen staff knows the foods I like now and they’ve made me a wonderful breakfast.

The lich sits beside me but doesn’t eat. He watches as I do. He sighs and I glance up at him. He eases in and I think he might kiss me. HIs tongue licks my cheek and he pulls back.

“Much too sweet,” he grumbles.

I giggle and then my eyes widen. I’ve never laughed before. At least, never out loud like this. Another laugh comes from my mouth and I feel the tears splash down my cheeks.

“Not the way I intended to season you but,” he kisses my cheek. “I can see that you are happy.”

I beam at him and nod.

////

(Lich POV)

Ria has been here for almost six months. Every day she brings a little more light to the castle. Every day I feel a little less cold. We’ve learned to communicate now through our hands. One of my staff taught us sign language so that she could talk to me without the hassle of pen and paper. Although, most times, I feel as if I can understand her without words.

She tells me she loves me every moment she can. Her hands move and it makes my old heart feel young again. I have been too afraid to say it. I feel my words would be a cage around her and hold her here. I want her to feel free and to make any decision in the world. I will not keep her trapped.

She kisses me and it is like spring. Everything is new and fresh, the world is green. I do not know exactly what power she has, or if this even is one at all, but she holds me. No mortal has ever held me before. Many have tried and many still do. But with a kiss or a smile, this creature holds me captive.

“Have you ever loved someone before?” She asks me one day. He hands moving fluidly.

I sigh and raise my hand, signing along with her. “I can’t answer because I do not know. Or perhaps, I can’t remember.”

“How could you ever forget?” She asks, worry in her eyes.

“Before I became what I am, I was once mortal like you.”

Her eyes widen and she clambers to my side. She signs frantically and I have to grasp her wrists to calm her down. “Speak slowly. Say it again.”

She sighs and rolls her eyes. She signs again. “I want to know this story. Tell me everything. How did you use to be mortal? What happened? How old are you really?”

I push her hands down. “I don’t wish to tell you about my past. Not now at least.”

The look in her eyes is powerful enough to melt the forever ice up north. I kiss her cheek and she nods to me. “I won’t push for answers then,” she tells me.

“I appreciate it,” I murmur into her ear.

The day goes along as normal. Until the evening when there is a loud commotion at the gates. One of my knights comes to me but I already know what he has to say. Another knight has come in an attempt to prove his worth.

“Ria,” I pull her to my side and grasp her shoulders. “Go to your room and hide. Lock all the doors and do not let anyone in until I come for you, understand.”

She raises her hands. “What’s wrong?”

“A pest problem. Nothing serious but I am being cautious.” I kiss her forehead and she smiles brightly at me.

“Be safe then, my lord,” she tells me. “Come back in one piece.”

“I’ll try,” I whisper and send her off to her chambers.

Pesky knights like this have never been truly anything to worry about. Sometimes they do cause damage. Very few times have they hurt any of my staff or the villagers outside. It’s only when I smell smoke I begin to worry. I rush towards the doors but my knights are trying to close them, pushing with all their might. They’re blown back, the doors are ripped from their hinges. I swipe my hand out, guarding myself against the doors and flying debris from the explosion.

Another explosion follows it and I am not quick enough to block from this one. I’m hit and ember singe my robes and catch them on fire. I see a figure stomp into the hall was. His armor is not silver, but pure black. He stands in the doorway, staring me down.

“Sorry to drop in, hope I’m not interrupting.” His voice is a low, gravelly rumble.

I snarl, tossing my robes away and taking my war form. Heavy, dark armor covers my body and I stand heads above him. “Get out,” my voice roars quietly.

He laughs. “I didn’t come here to be told leave. I came here to hear you begging” He inches closer to me. “This isn’t some silly game to me, lich.” He hisses my name like a dirty word.

I snarl, reaching my arm out to him when I hear a soft noise behind me. I turn and see another dark clad knight with Ria under his arm. I flinch, but try to give no reaction. I cannot fuel them and wind up hurting her.

“Found her in the chambers next to his,” the second knight laughs. “Looks like the old fucker is a dirty old perfect as well.”

Ria shakes her head and stares at me with wide eyes. She tilts her head down and I see her hand moving. She spells out the word ‘sword’. My sword, I realize what this knight is after.

Another armor-clad man comes out from behind the second. “Found it, my lord.” He raises my sword above his head.

“Get rid of that thing!” I roar at him.

“Don’t move,” the second knight laughs as he pushes the blade under Ria’s throat harder. “Or your little toy here won’t be any fun.”

I see a droplet of blood slip down the knife and my body becomes filled with a white-hot rage. The third knight delivers my sword to the first and he holds it before him. His laugh is dark and irritating.

“Such an amazing blade.” He points it at me. “Now let’s put it to use.”

“Put it down,” I command. “Mortals weren’t made to withstand it.”

“By it,” he laughs again, “do you mean yourself?” He inches closer to me, the tip of the blade pressing against my chest. “A lich’s sword is very much a part of them as their own limbs. In fact, one could say it was their true nature.” He looks down the blade and behind his armor, I could feel a wicked grin. “You have a rather nasty nature.”

He presses the tip deeper into my chest and it pierces my flesh. “I want your power,” he growls at me. “And the best way to become a lich is to kill a lich.”

“No! Please!” Ria’s voice rips through the air.  I’ve never heard it before, but I know it better than my own.

I grab the blade in my fist, gripping it until my black blood spills. I push back as I step towards the knight. “Do you think you can kill me with my own weapon?” The sword begins to change shape. The hilt moves into my hand, wrapping around my fist and arm. The knight now holds the tip and it begins to press into his belly. It cracks the armor as I push closer.

“You can run, but it won’t help.” I rush towards him as he screams. The rest is a blur. I come to what feels like years later. I stand in the center of my hall, the bodies of the knights laying in pieces around him. My own knights lay scattered about. There is shrapnel and debris from the bombs. Fire is glowing outside. But Ria is safe and in my arms. She clutches to my stomach, her cheek smeared with my black blood as she holds onto me.

I pet the back of her head. “Fear not, my love,” I growl and my sword clatters to the ground. “I can only pray you forgive me.”

The next few days, I tend to the damages. I give shelter to those in the village whose homes were destroyed. I supply food and water to the people. Ria stands beside him. She hasn’t said anything about that night. She sticks close to me and she hugs me when I am quiet for too long. She holds my hand, lacing her fingers with mine.

Her words still ring in my ears. Her plea for my life. I wonder how long it has been since she found her voice, and she used it to beg for me. I kiss the top of her head and she beams up at me.

“Why do you cling to me?” I ask her one night as she gets ready for bed.

“Because you need me to,” she replies, her hands moving slow.

“What?” I laugh.

She moves into my lap and lays her head on my chest. “You need me close. Or else you wouldn’t recover.” Ria lays her hand on my chest. “I can feel it.”

I hold her hand to stop her from talking. “How can you read me so well?”

“Because I love you,” she replies.

I sigh and give in. “I love you too,” I whisper.

“I know you do,” she signs and kisses me.

I kiss her back, petting her cheek as she holds my face between her small palms. She pulls back and wipes a tear from her eye. “It’s the first time you’ve said it. But I always knew.”

I touch the cut on her throat where the knight had held the blade and frown.

“It will heal,” she reassures me. “It could have been much worse. It could have been you.”

“I couldn’t care less about myself,” he growls.

Ria glares at me, a sour look on her face. “No,” she says loud as a bell. Her voice slashing through every cobweb in my mind. “You don’t get to talk about yourself like that anymore.” She says the rest with her hands.

I chuckle. “It is going to be very hard arguing with you when you have a trump card like that tucked away, my love.”

She beams and snuggles against my chest. She lays her hand where the sword had stabbed me. The wound is still there. It is healing but it hurts still. I only feel relief when she touches it. I hold her close and kiss the top of her head. Her affection and warmth do more for me than I ever feel I can possibly do for her. It feels strange to me that she has so much more power than I do.

“Will you be my bride?” I ask.

She sits up too fast I was sure he neck would snap. Her eyes are wide and her lips parts. She makes a small sound then nods her head rapidly. I laugh and hold it so she really doesn’t break her neck.

“Then, please,” I whisper to her. “For whatever life you wish to share, give it to me.”

She wraps her arms tightly around my neck, still nodding.

I sit her back and stand up. Going to the dresser in my room I open a drawer and pull out a small box. I give it to her and she opens it. Inside sits a ring. Her eyes well up with tears and her bottom lip begins to tremble. She sniffles, nodding still.

I take the ring and slide it onto her finger. “I promise, you will always be safe. You will always be loved. But more than that, you will always be free.”

“Yes,” her voice trembles as she squeezes my hand. “Yes. Yes.” She bounces on her heels and begs me to wrap her up in my arms.

I kiss her again, holding her fast. It may be brief and over too quick, but I want to give my life to her. I want to die with her. I am ready to finish this journey. I have buried my sword and given it back to the earth. As the earth takes it back, so will I become mortal. Tethered to Ria, her life is mine. And until she lets go of this hand, I will stand beside her. The road we now journey is ours to share and I have never been more afraid and excited in my entire life. I will love her forever, even if I am no longer here.