The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux
a/n My muse said a chapter would be good. Note: I will delete most of the last chapters on 1/30/2021- in anticipation for moving to my site.
Last Time: Aunt Catherine was escaping, and Elizabeth tried to stop her.
Darcy
No, the light dome doesn't hold Aunt Catherine; we don't know why or how my Aunt Catherine is closer to the wall. No matter, we need to fight. Maybe we should kill her; but she is my aunt.
A battle ensues; masked armed figures appear, many of them all of which have giant concentrators. They try to get to my aunt, but the dracs keep them at bay. We are all fighting. Hopefully, nobody will be hurt.
"Take Salome out," I order Bartlett. She is fuming but obeys, not soon enough as it turns out.
Anne stays, but Catherine manages to escape, wounded but gone. She is being helped, disappearing into the shadows.
My aunt doesn't go far; a strange weapon appears, flung by an unseen hand that nearly separates the head from her body, but whoever is helping her pulls her away, but not before a stream of fire consumes half of her body and hopefully her head. Anne is screaming as she vanishes, still screaming; we don't know what happened to her.
From the shadows, the dark warrior appears. We don't know if he killed Catherine. He looks sad; "She will destroy this word if she is alive. I hope I killed her; she would have never given up. I think the ones helping her are your lady's people. They want her. Even If Catherine survived, she would never be whole. It will be long before she can come back if she doesn't die. If she does, her powers will be greatly diminished, I made sure of that, and she will look monstrous. The ones that took her are at a disadvantage but will try again. They also took Anne, a weakling, but they will use her. They want your lady; one of them does to take over a realm."
Lizzie stares at him. He is not a demon. He has no horns but longer sensors. His skin is darker, reddish, while ours is grey like smoke; his hair seems made of licks of fire. Before, the helmet covered his hair; he has wings so like ours. He is a handsome male, judging by Lizzie and Tony stares, very handsome. Other warrior females are all staring, open mouth, endearing. He smiles and doesn't have serrated teeth. I wonder they are pointy like mine. He chuckles, "The teeth you saw are for scaring others. He moves his hand to show serrated teeth; he waves the hand again, and the jagged teeth are gone. I hear female sighs; yes, he is very handsome.
He smiles, straight at Lizzy, who seems dazzled. Strangely, I am not jealous. Lizzie's females marry two males; women are scarce amongst them. When I look at Lizzie, she blushes. I don't mind, but I want years, many, with Lizzie, alone. We will see. I understand our time moves fast; I suspect he won't mind.
My dracs have changed their mind about the 'demons,' I still don't know their name. It seems their helpings we have made a difference. My dracs are flying around Z'riel bidding for his attentions, but not Queen Cleo. She bares her teeth while she changes into her chubby self, demanding Lizzie picks her up. Lizzie's trio, one female and two males, are climbing up my leg, looking like a strong mix between a dog and drac; they haven't learned yet. I bent to pick them up, and they lick me. I know they are trying to be invited to stay; we will see. They were fierce fighters, that is certain.
I am called; Salome Fitzwilliams was gravely injured during the fight. She wasn't the only one.
The demon, err, Z'riel, runs to her side. Bartlett is crying in anguish; an arrow hit her in the upper torso; the arrow is still in, oozing a green something. It is poison. She is dying. I am upset. Elizabeth is going around healing those not poisoned.
I growl, my uncle is crying," I wish Catherine were here; I would kill her with my hands. Maybe you don't know. My father was married twice. He said his first wife was wicked; he saw her committing heinous crimes. Drinking blood from tenant children nearly killed one. My grandfather came right on time; he had no choice but to kill her. Catherine was a baby when her mother died. I guessed she was bad from the start. I think Catherine killed my father or killed his human body."
When Z'riel, the king, hears this, he understands why Catherine was how she was. I introduce him.
"Uncle, it is a long story, I will explain later, but, for now, we are his brethren, probably from long ago; but we have gifts we don't know about. His name is Z'riel."
"What are you?" My uncle asks.
"We were Protectors before the fall. I joined a rebellion and was punished. A few hundred didn't join me and went to different places. The lad, Ian, was from my people. Catherine's mother had some of our blood, beautiful, but wicked. We are called demons because of my angry rampages after the fall. We have no women and no children. We can talk alone later. I will return the females still not given; though you will be surprised, they love their companions. They have children but no females." Z'riel explained.
Healing
"Let me see the wound," Lizzie wonders if it is the same living thing they pulled out her mother; she says so. Maybe we should call Louisa. I think of Charles, but not now.
Z'riel stands by Salome, "We must pull it now, or the babe will die." He goes on his knees. His fingers look like hot steel. "Please lift her tunic."
Bartlett's hands shake too much, so Richard's mother does it. She cannot stop crying.
We all feel hopeless; it is not an arrow; she has a blade embedded. How? We have no idea. They used an arrow.
He starts cutting with his fingers; Lizzie has her hands over, quenching the blood. It isn't a straight blade; it is slender, to fire with an arrow, with a curvy tip. If someone had tried to pull it, it would have torn her up.
Slowly, he moves it out. Isee something moving, similar to what we saw in her mother. The small growth is cut after Lizzie points it out.
Afterward, Lizzie finishes by neutralizing the poison.
Z'riel lays his hands over her belly, and it glows. We see the tiny fetus and applaud; there are two. Salome opens her eyes, "What is happening, my babe?"
She saw the smiling, whatever was looking at her. Z'riel is happy. She smiles, flirting; Bartlett laughs, "Bad girl, flirting with your savior."Salome is playful and a flirt, but she only loves her husband. She lightens up Bartlett's sad mood.
Elizabeth glows with happiness. They go around healing. T'ik says, "This weapon is new. I am taking it to show it. My cousin was one, but who else? "
Tony was injured, not severely, two of the dracs were injured as as well, along with others. If not for Lizzie Z'riel, and Louisa, we would have several deaths. There are more wounded but not as bad.
Lizzie
When we account for everyone Z'riel walks with William's dogs, Cleo despises him; she recognizes him. She bares her teeth until he pulls a stinky jerky out of a pouch. He gives small pieces to the other dogs. Cleo approaches him; no wonder, the little dear a glutton; so she sits to look at him. He pulls another piece and gives her a half. She accepts it daintily and sits by his feet to eat it.
"There is a large rodent-like monster that attacks our livestock. We make jerky from it to feed our animals. They like it, " Z'riel chuckles. Oh, dear me; he is rather handsome. When we saw him first, Tony whispered to me, "Tik said that in his world ladies have two consorts. Not now, in years from now, if I had to choose, it would be him." I am no sure I agree with her; the idea upsets me a little. William looks at me and winks; I feel my face burning.
Z'riel walks to check more wounded. Seven dracs follow him, wanting more jerky. I follow but holding William's hand; I love my Shadow King.
"Please allow some of my men to stay," he asks William after we finish taking care of most of the wounded.
"Why, to steal out women?" William asks him, distrustfully.
"No, we never will steal again. We can talk; too many escaped. They took Catherine's partner. He no longer has wings, but he is wicked and will certainly help her daughter and Catherine. I don't want anything to happen to my Lady Elizabeth. I have high hopes for the future." He moves in front of me.
To my great surprise, he goes on one knee, takes my hand, and kisses the top, but a small kiss. "My life for yours." He stops and looks at me with great surprise.
William is looking at me, also looking surprised; he is touching his lips lightly.
"My Lady, you already are carrying new life. To early to tell how many or if male or female. Now, I must make sure you are well protected." His words make my head spin a little.
William picks me up and kisses me, a passionate kiss. When he lets me go, he cannot stop grinning. Strangely, he looks at Z'riel, who looks dumbfounded; he is frozen in place, how odd.
"William, I want to tell my sisters. I will be accompanied." He nods, and I run with several dracs. I laugh when I look back, and I see Cleo staying behind. I am beside myself with happiness. I hope the news is true. How I love my King of Shadows, I cannot wait to be with him. I have some plans for tonight. He has turned me into a wanton.
Darcy
The news makes me happy; an heir is coming. How I wish I could tell my parents, it would make this day almost perfect. We won, for now. My only regret is not killing my aunt before; I hope she is dead. I am still in my shadow form. I am Shadow, and Shadow is me. Since I accepted to be the King, we became one. I look at my new 'ally.' He has picked up the traitor Queen Cleo, begging for more jerky. She is relatively free with her affections, I see.
"I saw you. You kissed Lizzie with me," I tell Z'riel, "and I felt when your lips touched Lizzie's hand. This shouldn't happen. We have not agreed to anything. I thank you for today, understanding how difficult it was attacking your child, Catherine. However, I don't know what to make out of it. It isn't right."
He sighs, "I didn't wish for it. I shall explain. We are connected on our mutual admiration for your Lady. It goes further than that. I am sure she is my one. I felt as you must have felt when you first saw her. Because of that, whenever we are in proximity, we will feel like we are the one with her, whenever the other touches her. I was hoping you would consider me as the second consort."
I knew he would propose this. I explain that I am not ready to take that step, maybe in some years. Secondly, she would need to accept it. "You will need to prove your change." I look at him. I notice he is not as red as before. He looks different.
"I can stay away. Your years are but weeks to us. I have something else to tell you, today I could do things I haven't in a long time. I wasn't able to heal like today. I feel the darkness attached to me falling. And if you wait, I can bring you, visitors. They can only come occasionally, for now. It is the best I can do until I find out more." Z'riel is gone.
Swift and Pick are back. They sit by Cleo, hoping for more jerky. It seems they are easily bought. George has come to talk to me. Before he can ask what is going on, Z'riel reappears.
"Father," we both scream. We see our fathers. They are back. Not humans, on our shadow-form.
They hugged us. My dogs climb up my father, drac-dogs hold great affection for my father. Before he talks, he bends to pick up both. They cover my father's face with licks.
Z'riel stands behind. "He brought us from the far-lands. We are his brethren and have another form. It makes it possible for him to bring us." My father says.
I thank Z'riel profusely, inviting him to stay for the celebration we are sure to have. My father just told me they could stay for two full days; though they cannot hold the human form, not yet. Their mortal bodies were extensively damaged, but there might be a solution.
On our way to see Lizzie, my relatives see them. Soon we are a very large group. A day of jubilation, no time to dwell on enemies. I want time alone to love my wife; she is pure temptation. For now, there is much to celebrate. I don't want anyone else for a human lifetime. We will have to move on after that.
King of Shadows -Pemberley...
—
Characters
Fitzwilliam (William) Darcy: King of Shadows or Shadow King - Other Form: Shadow (Lumia)
Elizabeth Bennett- Lizzie - Adopted - Other form: Fae-like
Wickham George: (Lumia) Georgina's Brother. Other Form: Stone. His mother was a Darkling who was the daughter of Anne's father.
Von-Stern: T'ik E'jeil, son of the King of the south- Husband to a pretend Bennett's adoptive sister. - He kidnapped Lizzie- Other form: Fae like-
Von-Stern Wife, in reality, his mother pretended to be Bennett's adopted sister. Other form: Fae like
Salome Fitzwilliams : (Lumia) Bartlett's Wife
COL Richard and Lord Bartlett Fitzwilliams (Lumia) Darcy's cousin
Reginald Hurst Louise's Husband- Other Form: A Hunter
Pick, Mucky, Swift, Cleo- Terrier Dragon-Dogs (drac)
Mrs. Reynolds (Lumia)-Pemberley's housekeeper.
Mary Bennett
Lydia Bennett
Louise Hurst-Caroline and Charles Sister
Elizabeth's brothers
Lady Catherine- Darcy's Aunt Darcy's aunt from the maternal side. Daughter of a Demon King.
Lady Antonia Hurst- Tony or Toni- Reginald's cousin Caroline's Foe - Other Form: Hunter -
Kitty Bennett
Johnathan- Footman -(Lumia)
Jane Bennet-
Ian, a stable boy, turns out to be more than human.
Anne, Lady Catherine's daughter, her father is not human- Her sister was a dark creature.
Z'riel Protector King lady Catherine's father
