Copyright © 2006 Dina Vigil
All rights reserved, Freya's Bower.
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Nikkha's stomach twisted, watching her father beam with pride at having successfully bargained with a god. He bowed and turned to leave, sparing no word or glance for the daughter whose life he'd just given in sacrifice. Tears stung Nikkha's eyes as she cast them to the floor and waited for Lord Sihn's command. She knew exactly what awaited her in his arms. She'd witnessed it countless times over the years. It was ecstasy and pain, rapture and despair. He would take her life force into himself until there was no more breath left in her body. And another will be sent to serve him.
"Nikkha."
The soft whisper of his voice brushed her ear, and when she lifted her eyes, Sihn was standing before her at the foot of his throne. He reached out to stroke her chin with his fingers, his face soft with compassion.
"Tell me what you feel," he commanded, his fingers tracing the delicate line of her jawbone upward.
Nikkha shivered, and one fat tear rolled over the rim of her eye to meander down her cheek. "He is not the father I remember," she rasped, unconsciously leaning into the cup of his hand on her cheek.
"No. He is not."
"I do not fear death, but I..."
"What, Nikkha? What do you fear?"
"I do not want to leave you, my lord. To think it hurts more than I can bear."
Sihn stepped closer to Nikkha, sliding the hand on her cheek slowly into the raven silk of her hair. "Why?"
Nikkha caught her breath at the question, mesmerized by the tender glow of his eyes. Her heart leapt, and her scalp tingled where his fingers touched. Never before would she have had the courage to speak her heart, but now it seemed the most natural thing.
"Because I love you, Sihn. I will always love you."
* * *
Copyright © 2006 Dina Vigil
All rights reserved, Freya's Bower.
Tears glistened in Nyssa's eyes as she watched Dammuz unfold his arms and hold his hands out before him, staring at them as though he could still see his brother's blood. She reached out to touch his shoulder, her heart aching for the pain she sensed within him.
"It was not your intent to take his life. It was an accident."
Dammuz shook his head. "The anger was so strong that I did wish him dead, but only for a moment. It does not matter if that wish was gone once the anger left me."
"You regret your actions? You mourn his death?"
"Every day," he whispered hoarsely. "I am not worthy of your gifts, Lady."
Nyssa smiled and let her hand slide upward to cup his cheek. "I have seen your courage and your determination. I have seen your heart, and all that you are. There is none more worthy than you in my eyes, Dammuz. Fight for me. Give me my throne, and I will give you yours."