“Humf,” Bellator says, crossing his arms over his chest. “That clears a few things up.”.
I look to Steve for clarity, but all he whispers is, “Witch.”
As if that’s going to clear anything up for me. I've seen what happened inOz, and I have no intention of being attacked by a wicked witch.
“As King of Imperia, I speak on behalf of the impish when I decline your offer. We will not be looking to activate that in the future,ever.”
The creature,witch, smiles at Bellator. Her eyes flashing red for the briefest of seconds. “Unfortunate.” She makes a deep bow and then in the same flash of black smoke that she arrived in, she disappears.
“What is this need for people to have power?” I sigh. Steve walks us both back to our seats as Bellator consults with some of his advisors, now dressed in the softest of blues, whites and golds. A stark contrast to those who served the Emperor.
Reaching over, I take hold of Steve’s finger, smiling up at him, feeling the strength of thebond humming away inside me. Bellator looks back at us both, a wide grin on his face.
Watching over the crowd, laughing and interacting with each other, it’s the first time I feel like I belong. The impish are happy; the stain that tarnished them has been removed. My heart feels full, and my bond with the two orcs who complete me in only the way a soulmate can, feels strong. Today is the start of a new era for Imperia. We are a city of light, one of hope.
Long live the Orc King.
My orcs.
My bonded.
Epilogue - Beau
HELL AIN’T A BAD PLACE TO BE - AC/DC ?
Why in the heaven do they make these damn castles so fucking big? I've been trying to leave this bastard place for the past twenty minutes, and every door I open seems to go anywhere but the exit. I needed to find a bathroom before we made the walk back to the Gate, telling the others I'd meet them outside. I thought I knew how to get back, but apparently, navigating this labyrinth is far more complicated than I first thought.
The staff working today's ceremony are too rushed off their feet to help me, the last imp saying to take a left, then third door on the right, another left, and then second door on the right. Which meansthisis the door to the outside.
Yanking the handle, the door flies wide open revealing a poorly organised store cupboard and two imps going at it.
“Argh, come on! Where the fuck is the door out of here?” I'm frustrated. It’s too hot, too bright and there is far too many smiling faces for my liking. Smiling wide like the woman kneeling on the ground.Fuck. Apparently it’s not two imps, but one.
Taking a knee, I bow, dipping my head so low I'm practically looking at my crotch, my balls slowly withdrawing into my body.
“My queen, forgive me. I did not know.” The Devil visits Realm five periodically, checking in to see if anything of interest is happening. Make sure we’re on top of all of our contracts and such, but each of those visits are short, sweet and to the point.
“Oh Beau, you do not have to bow to me. Today is the new King’s day.” My palms get clammy, did I bow to the King? I can't remember, maybe I should go back to find him and double bow just in case. “I can hear your brain from here Beau,” she chuckles. “I assure you, he will not remember if you bowed or not. He is too smitten with his new love.”
“Yes, yes. I'm sure you're right. Um, my Queen… you appear to be bleeding.”
Standing from where she kneeled, she steps further into the light, the imp maiden she is with dragging her fingers up and down the smooth skin of her arm. Her bright red dress pants have a tear in the thigh, a blooming patch of fresh blood soaking down her leg. The black silk top she wears shows off herample cleavage, nipples budding beneath the fabric. Shaking my head, I try to clear my thoughts. The Devil can be a temptress as much as a warrior, and based on the heavy lids of the maiden, she is currently the former.
“Ughhh, I love the burn of a fresh cut, don't you? I may have accidentally spilled some cleaning chilli on the wound, you know how it goes. The burn of an open wound being doused in a spice so strong, you canfeelevery cell it touches. Naturally, after a pleasure so great, I was a little razzle dazzled when I stumbled across this poor lamb.” She looks longingly at the maiden, licking her lips. The maiden begins to lift her dress again, eyes begging to return to what they were doing. “I went to the arena to smell all of the blood that had been spilt. It was beautiful to see all the different shades merged together. Anyway,” she waves her hand in the air, the other digging in her pant pocket. “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”
“I assure you my Queen, I would.”
“Diana, Beau. Let the new royals have their titles, at least for today,” she winks at me. “So, I walk in, and the beherit is still in the arena. When I say I giggled like a schoolgirl in the boys' locker room, I did. Don't tell anyone but I took a little souvenir from the fight.”
Opening her palm, the hard beak of the beherit stares back at me. “My Qu– Diana, is that the?—”
“Yes,” She squeals, bopping on the tips of her toesin excitement. “I climbed inside that beherit belly and cut out the beak. What a glorious keep sake, and it will look perfect in my teeth room.”
“Teeth room?” I have no clue why I asked that, best I don't know.
She smiles wide, a little too wide so all of her teeth are visible, eyes rolling to the back of her head before flashing a glowing red. “You simply must get a teeth room, Beau. They are so relaxing to unwind in. All of those sharp teeth, tiny little daggers threatening to jump out and cut you. Don't ask me if I've ever prayed for an earthquake while I'm in there. Guilty! I have. All of those teeth falling down on me,” she sighs.
“Diana,” the maiden moans, her fingers tracing along her clavicle.
