A/N: Hello again; the writer's bug is back and biting! LOL; so…gonna get this outta my system. Hope you all like; as always, plz review. Thanks to my new reviewers, and those simply showing as 'guest.' Wish you guys would login in so I can say thanks more specifically! LOL. And thanks to my new reviewer, Asj Johnson. I took your advice and changed the story summary to show Mozenrath. Thanx for pointing that out Onward!
XXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX
Aladdin & the Heirs of Magic Ch. 34: Faithfulness
"Master should sleep more," Xerxes softly admonished when Mozenrath tried to sit up. He grimaced when his master didn't answer, but failed all the same in his goal.
Mozenrath hissed as his protesting body slumped back onto the ornate cobalt couch/bed.
"You worry too much over me, Xerxes," he muttered finally.
"Master not think of health, of healing."
"I am healing."
"But not fast as usual."
"I will."
Xerxes sighed; his master had always been stubborn…always too driven by getting what he wanted to think about what it often cost him to get what he wanted.
More often the price was higher than the prize; Xerxes thought of the Gauntlet fleetingly.
Mozenrath rubbed his forehead; Xerxes thought in frustration.
"You're too loyal, Xerxes."
Xerxes smiled at that. His master only said that when he was pleased by the eel's faithfulness, but would never admit to it. "Can never be too loyal to master," he said simply.
He heard his master snicker at that. He groaned as he tried to sit up again. This time he succeeded on getting himself slightly propped up on his right side. His hooded eyes met Xerxes's.
"Xerxes, tell me everything that has happened."
The eel nodded and began.
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
When Jasmine returned to Aladdin's room, she caught sight of Mozenrath on the lavish bed she had originally bought for her fiancée. But, he had deemed it far too soft to sleep on and so across from it laid the cot he used now.
Xerxes was curled up beside his master, watching him breath quietly. He smiled in greeting as Jasmine came in and she returned it.
Who knew the little eel could grow on you so?
"Princess marries today," Xerxes reminded her in a hushed tone as she drew near to him and Mozenrath. The white marble walls of the high-ceilinged chamber only highlighted the greyish undertone of Mozenrath's normally alabaster skin. Jasmine gratefully observed though that the dark beneath his eyes and the sallow pallor did look much better than when they first arrived at Sadira's.
Thank heavens she acquired the Elixir of Life then. Jasmine caught a glimmer out of her peripherals and turned to the small table at the wizard's bed side; atop it, the golden goblet with the powerful Elixir sat, shining in the full sun.
Jasmine noted to herself they couldn't forget to return it later today. Sadira had promised two days and no more. Well, she had gotten it late yesterday night—day one. Today was day two.
They had to get it back to the guardian's by tonight.
"Princess unhappy," Xerxes observed.
Jasmine looked over at him, trying to smile again but couldn't. "This isn't how I imagined my wedding day," she confessed with a sigh. "But, we're alive; that's all that really matters."
Xerxes nodded. "Genie making day special outside."
That perked Jasmine's curiosity. Xerxes nodded to the open lattice doors leading to the large balcony. Jasmine made for them, her brow furrowed.
Genie's making the day special? That could mean anything; with Genie more than anyone.
Outside, Aladdin and Abu, with Rajah—who was brooding and twitching his tail in disgruntlement; most likely over Mozenrath's presence—stood near the balustrade, gazing at the city below.
"Jasmine," Al said when he heard her light footsteps. He rushed up to her and gave her a quick kiss. "I was wondering when you'd come. Did you see what Genie's been up to?"
Jasmine smiled and shook her head. And, surprise, surprise, Al wrapped an arm around her waist and led her to the railing.
Genie below was having a heyday of it. Decorations were growing like glittering; ruffled weeds all over the tan-colored buildings. Streamers, confetti and flowers adorned every crevice and niche; but, Genie's 'chaos' was tasteful; everything was patterned in a lovely, elegant framework.
She even caught a choir of Genie's in blue robes singing by the wedding pavilion. She giggled; unable to stop herself. For a moment, it felt like how she imagined her wedding day would feel: light, wonderful…carefree. The smile fell from her face.
"He's been chatting with guests, helping the sultan seat everyone," Aladdin recited excitedly, not noticing; tallying on his fingers, "he's been doing the parking, the whole feast is prepared—he made half of it," Al chuckled, "I think he's forgotten he's not the one getting married."
"Aladdin," Jasmine hesitated. Her betrothed sounded towards the end…grieved? Mournful?
Regretful?
She winced; please, don't let it be that.
"My father asked if we're still marrying today," she said, unable to keep the tentativeness out of her voice.
Was Aladdin getting cold feet?
She felt better when Al tightened his grip on her little waist. He put his head down.
"Jaz…I wanna marry you right now."
Jasmine smiled—sadly—aware more was coming.
He looked up at the ecstatic processional below. "But…."
There it was: but.
"You're not sure," Jasmine supplied, her tone empty.
"I've never been so sure of anything in my life," Al said, his voice quiet, but firm; unyielding. "It's my dream to be with you, always."
"It's mine too," she said, running her fingers through his hair. Abu and Iago sensed where the conversation was going, and suddenly were fascinated by the other end of the balcony. Rajah soundlessly trailed behind them; hating distancing himself from his friend in her dejection; that's when he was always there to comfort her.
Aladdin wound his other arm around Jasmine's shoulder, holding her close. He rested his nose on her head, breathing in the fragrance of her silky hair.
"All I want is for this to all go away; so we can marry and think of nothing else," he admitted, his tone heavy and burdened.
Jasmine nodded. "I know; I want that too."
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mozenrath never thought the moment would come when he wished he was back in that wretched dungeon…but now that Xerxes had filled him in on all that he'd 'missed' between blacking out from blood loss and now…well—
It was horrible; everything was horrible.
The street rat. He had to have been saved by the street rat.
Xerxes sulked beside him, probably thinking Mozenrath blamed him.
"You saw no other way, Xerxes."
Xerxes nodded, still looking…chastised. "Only wanted to save master."
"I know." Faintly, he caught voices nearby. Aladdin's no doubt; but he had been asleep when the princess came in…but they seemed to be getting closer, so he'd know soon enough.
Mozenrath seethed; he had no doubt that they only rescued him because they knew that he was the only one in history to ever battle Desdane and win. And so, they felt they needed him.
And they were right; they did, not even Aladdin's endless luck would save him from Desdane. Xerxes's tale about them being rescued by another magician proved that well enough.
Used; again, he was being used…first by Desdane, now by them.
He choked his anger back down. Later…first, he'd heal. Then he'd have his most extravagant revenge on his old "master"…and then Aladdin and his comic relief would pay for trying to manipulate him with 'kindness'—as if he were ever fool enough to be taken in by that!
He wanted to fully give in to his rage; that safe feeling of power and invincibility that enveloped him whenever he allowed his fury full release.
But…he suddenly realized the healing magic that permeated his body wasn't genie magic.
What!?
The…other magician healed him. Shock allowed his intrigue swallowed him whole and he forced himself to sit up, every inch of his body wailing in protest—plus Xerxes hovering over him, his tail twitching anxiously.
"I'm all right, Xerxes," he murmured, squeezing his eyes shut to stave off vertigo. He shuddered and blinked away the blurred images until they were replaced by clear ones.
Why would a strange…unknown magician heal him? Magicians were rarely allies…and never did…selfless acts of magical healing for each other.
Did she expect a payment? That had to be it, Mozenrath deduced. But, there had to be more to it than that.
Not only was his completely broken and maimed body repaired…but the gaping cavities where Desdane had ripped out his magical cores were…replaced.
His magic was replenishing itself. Amazed disbelief made him lightheaded. He delved within himself deeper, just to be certain.
Yes; every single iota within him where magic dwelt was healing, mending. His magic would make a full recovery.
He couldn't stop himself from gulping; stupefied. His magic was vast and formidable; what this magician would have had to expend of herself to accomplish this…he reeled inside, thinking about it.
But…why would she?! For what gain; because of Desdane only…for some reason, that didn't seem plausible to Mozenrath.
A glitter of gold caught his eye. He turned.
The Golden Goblet of the Elixir of Life before him.
How!? How had that street rat-!?
No; it wasn't him, but the other magician.
Mozenrath was about to ask Xerxes just who this mysterious sorceress was…when he heard:
"…but, is it a good idea to get married today?"
"Yes, it is," he heard himself say in reply.
XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A/N: Ah, writer's bug speaks, and I must obey. Leave a review! Thanks for reading