[u]Part 42[/u]
[b]The Ring, Illyria[/b]
"Are you okay?"
Max could hear the concern in Liz's voice, even though he was slightly distracted. He was staring across the clearing at Kyle and Tess, who were standing with Hamor. As much as all four of them had wanted to experience the judgment, Hamor had insisted that they needed to be slightly separated in order that no one could question the outcome. Each couple needed to be judged on their own merits. It could happen at the same time, but far enough away from each other so that no one could argue that either judgment had influenced the other.
The general was obviously in the process of explaining to their friends exactly how the ritual worked, was handing both of them a single orb as he spoke. Max narrowed his eyes, his heart starting to pound. He finally put his arm around Liz's shoulders, sighing. "I'm fine. I hate this, but I'm fine."
"Max, it's the only way," Liz reminded him. "And it's not like we're not going to pass. I mean, c'mon." He glanced down at her. She was smiling up at him, her certainty shining on her beautiful face. "It's [I]us[/I]. We are meant to be."
Max lowered his head and kissed her on the top of her silky head. "I know that. It's just that this is all a complete waste of time. I just want to go home."
And it was the complete truth. Whatever judging meant, he knew that all four of them would pass with flying colours, if no one was allowed to interfere. His main problem with the whole situation was that he didn't enjoy getting involved with things he didn't understand and he didn't understand the Ring, nor did he entirely trust that this ritual would proceed without intervention.
Nasedo was still alive somewhere. Max clenched his jaw, his anger over this fact barely dormant. He had made a pact with himself when he had first come back to Illyria for Liz that he would not leave until the traitorous shapeshifter was dead. He had failed and it still galled him to no end. As long as Nasedo lived, he would never leave them in peace, particularly Liz.
Max could not blame Nasedo for thinking himself in love with Liz. She was the easiest person in the universe to love after all. However, Max didn't buy it. Not even a little bit. Nasedo had proven more than once that all he wanted was to destroy absolutely everything that Max held dear, for what reason Max couldn't even begin to guess. If there was one thing he had learned by now it was that the methods and madness of the Illyrians and Dernians were just as far beyond his comprehension as the Ring was.
And, yet, Max knew without a shadow of a doubt that Nasedo would start with Liz. If he couldn't have her for himself, he would kill her.
"We will go home," Liz reassured him quietly, pressing her forehead against his chest. Max could feel his anger cooling, her calming influence over his emotions as strong as ever. "Right after. But when we come back here with Jenny, we'll have already been accepted by your people. There won't be any more secrets or hiding. We [I]have[/I] to do this Max."
Max swallowed. "We don't [I]have[/I] to Liz. There is a way out of it."
Liz tilted her head back, stared up at him. "Max."
"I could just open the portal," Max coaxed. "It would be so easy. We could go home and you'd be safe."
"Max, you know that you can't open the portal," Liz argued. "Isabel opens the portal back to Earth."
"Well, I could try," Max replied. "It [I]might[/I] work." Somehow, deep down, he knew that if he tried, it [I]would[/I] work. He couldn't explain it, but he just [I]knew[/I]. He had felt it the instant he had stepped into the Ring. Something was different here today. He had no idea what, but it just [I]was[/I].
He wondered if he sounded like a coward. He didn't feel like one, even though he had examined his feelings fairly thoroughly to make sure that he wasn't just scared. But it wasn't that. Somehow, he knew that this was wrong. They were not supposed to be doing this.
Liz frowned, reached up and touched his face. "Max, what is this [I]really[/I] about? I knew there was something wrong." She shook her head, her voice rising slightly in frustration. "Tell me. You promised me there wouldn't be any more secrets."
"I'm not keeping anything from you. Not really. I just don't think this is the right time for this." He paused, glanced over her head again. He could see that Kyle and Tess were both ready to begin. His eyes met Tess's across the distance. While he could not read her expression, he could feel her excitement through the four square. She knew that this was right for she and Kyle. And he believed her. He thought it was too. But why did he feel differently about he and Liz? Why?
"Why?" Liz demanded. "Max, there has to be a reason."
He felt a shiver descend his spine. Hamor was making his way towards them, followed by two guards who were carrying the orbs that Max and Liz would need for the ritual. "I had a dream." Max blinked, wondered why he had said that. And, then, abruptly he remembered. He knew [I]exactly[/I] why this didn't feel right.
"A dream? What do you mean?" But Liz's voice was quiet, as though she was not entirely surprised. Max looked down at her again, felt himself getting lost in her eyes. He pulled her tightly against him so that he could concentrate.
"The night you left Earth with Nasedo, I had a dream," Max recalled, the whole thing returning now with such vividness, he wondered how he ever could have forgotten. "It was our wedding Liz. At the time I thought it was just that - a dream - but now I'm beginning to realize it was something else entirely. It was a vision. This isn't how we're supposed to be accepted. [I]Let this union heal the breach that exists. So it is written in the stars, so shall it be.[/I]" He was murmuring it under his breath, not even really thinking the words. And, yet, they came as naturally as breathing. He felt Liz tense against him, as though in recognition.
"It was why I knew you weren't dead," Max told her. "Because of that dream. I [I]know[/I] it's going to happen. But not now. It's just not right. The people who really matter aren't here. Because it's not just our union that matters. We're already one Liz. We don't need any stupid ritual to prove that. It's enough that [I]we[/I] know it." He was frustrated because he knew that he was explaining it all in a deeply muddled way, but he just hoped that she understood.
There was a long pause. He could almost feel Liz's heart beating against his chest, he was so in tune with her. "Okay."
"Okay?" He pulled back slightly, looked closely into her face.
"I trust you Max," Liz said simply. "If it's not right, it's not right." His relief was so great, he actually felt weak in the knees. Liz seemed to know it too, because she grinned teasingly at him. "Have fun explaining all this to Hamor."
Max sighed, glanced over at the general, who was waiting patiently nearby. He kissed her on the temple, then moved away. "I'll be right back."
"Oh no you don't," Liz exclaimed, hurrying after him. He paused, turned and stared back at her. "Where you go, I go. I don't trust this place. I'm not risking some random portal opening and you falling through it without me."
Max grinned. "Well, when you put it that way." He held out his hand, felt warmth wind its way up his arm when her small hand clasped with his. "If that's my destiny, then I'd much rather fall through a portal in your company any day."
************************************
"Nothing's happening." Kyle knew that his tone was plaintive, but he didn't particularly care at the moment. His stomach was in knots and he was tired of waiting. This stupid judgment had been held over his head for the better part of three days and he just wanted it [I]done[/I].
"That's a good thing Kyle," Tess reminded him patiently. They were facing each other, both holding a green orb. "We don't want anything to happen."
"Well, how long do we have to wait until they proclaim us judged? And isn't this all a little anti-climactic?" He complained. "I mean, shouldn't there be shooting stars or something? This is turning out to be a little boring."
"I prefer boring to being fried," Tess shot back, beginning to sound annoyed. But as he watched her, a strange expression abruptly crossed her face.
Kyle blinked, stared at her. "What? What's wrong?" He looked around nervously. "Is something happening?"
Just his luck. He had fallen in love with the wrong person after all! Was it really all going to end this way, on some distant planet, randomly struck down in his prime by a lightening bolt?
But Tess was now grinning wickedly. "You want shooting stars Valenti? I'll give you shooting stars."
And, as her eyes snapped shut, he knew exactly what she was about. "Oh dear Lord." He made a grab for her, but it was too late. He could feel the mindwarp taking control even as his hands came to rest on her slender shoulders.
Kyle pulled Tess against him, stared around in amazement as the entire sky came alive. The very stars seemed to be raining down around them. He could hear the exclamations of surprise and wonder from the Illyrians and Dernians gathered outside the Ring to witness the judgment.
When he finally met Tess's eyes again, she was smiling innocently up at him.
"What are you doing you crazy woman?" Kyle demanded, although he couldn't help but grin back at her. "They're all going to think we're being incinerated."
"No they won't," Tess replied. "They love it. They know I'm doing it. They can all feel a mindwarp as easily as you can."
"I don't get it," Kyle said, shaking his head. "What is the point of all this?"
"To let every single person on this damn planet know how much I love you," Tess told him. "So that they can see and feel even a little bit of the wonder I do when I look at you."
"I think I may shed a tear," Kyle told her, retreating into sarcasm, knowing she would understand. Of course, he was trying to hide the fact that he actually [I]did[/I] feel like crying at the moment. He didn't think his heart was supposed to feel like this, wasn't supposed to feel so.well, [I]big[/I]. If it happened too many more times, it just might explode right out of his chest.
This girl was going to be the death of him.
Well, at least he would die a happy man. Kyle shrugged, lowered his head, and met her waiting lips.
*****************************************
Liz leaned back against Max's chest, watched the show to which Tess was treating them.
"Well, if he didn't believe she loved him before, this should about do it." Max's voice rumbled from his chest, sending a flash of desire down Liz's spine.
"He knew. I'm just glad that he's finally accepted that he's worth it," Liz replied softly. She knew she was grinning like an idiot, but she couldn't help it. Her eyes fell from the sky to Kyle and Tess across the clearing. They were kissing like maniacs, completely oblivious to anything around them. As Tess became more distracted, the shower of stars faded away, the blonde's mindwarp beginning to disappear without her full concentration.
And, yet, the Ring still glowed in a way it had not before. Liz gasped, blinked, unsure that she was really seeing what she thought she was.
"Max, is that what I think it is?"
"A portal!" Max's tone was just as amazed as her own. "I can't believe it. Izzy's coming for us."
Hamor was still standing nearby. Liz turned her head to gauge Max's stepfather's reaction to this new development. The general had accepted their decision to not go ahead with the judgment without reservation. He had never wanted it for them in the first place, believing inherently that Max, as king, was allowed to do whatever he wanted anyway. It had been Tess he had wanted judged, not Max. Liz had rolled her eyes slightly at that, but had been relieved none the less. The last thing they needed right now was to turn their allies against them.
The Illyrian general somehow did not seem surprised by the portal. All he said was, "You will return?"
"Of course," Max replied. "I promise we will come back and end all of this once and for all." He pulled away from Liz, moved towards Hamor and clasped his hand. "Thank you for your loyalty."
The older man nodded. "I will hold the planet secure for you while you are gone."
"Max, we need to hurry!" Liz urged him gently, worried about how long Isabel would be able to hold the gateway back to Earth open. They had no way of knowing what was going on back there. At the very least there would be Stonehenge security guards to worry about.
She could see Tess and Kyle had finally become aware of their surroundings again, were coming towards them quickly, both clearly having realized what this meant, their excitement evident. The very thought of seeing Max's sister and all of her friends again had Liz practically jumping out of her skin in anticipation as well.
"I know," Max acknowledged. He took her hand, addressed Hamor again. "Young Jaxon is your second while we are gone."
"But he is Der." Hamor stopped abruptly, looked sheepish. "I will have to grow used to the new state of affairs as well it seems." He shook his head in wonder. "I cannot believe that it is truly over." He paused, straightened and said formally, "You can trust that I will work with the Dernians your highness."
"I know it. But be careful. It's not quite over yet," Max reminded him. "It will not be over until Jennetta is sitting on the throne. You can trust Jaxon though."
"It is only a matter of time now," Hamor replied. "Hurry back my king." The greying general bowed, backed away.
There was a long moment of silence as Max and Liz both stood staring at the portal. "Is this really happening?" Liz finally whispered. "Is it really almost over?"
"This part of it is," Max assured her, squeezing her hand. "Illyria and Dernia will be reunited in peace. It's not what I came to do, but it's happened anyway. [I]Let this union heal the breach that exists.[/I]"
Liz turned her head, looked at him. "I don't get it." It was something he had said before, something from his dream she knew, but she wasn't really sure how it applied here.
The way he was looking at her.It made her heart start to beat more quickly. "I came for you Liz, absolutely no other reason. It was just pure luck that everything else happened the way it did."
"I think you give yourself far too little credit," Liz told him, shaking her head.
Max shrugged. "No I don't. I think by now I know myself. If it wasn't for you Liz, I never would have come back here. It was because you were brave enough to come to save me from Tarsus that it all happened."
"But we were all going to come here to put Jennetta on the throne," Liz argued. "Max, it [I]would[/I] have happened. You would have done it eventually."
"Not so soon. Not for a long time. I was already beginning to realize that it was too dangerous with Tarsus running around. I just never got a chance to tell you all that before the fire."
"But [I]eventually[/I]," Liz said. "You would have done it eventually."
"Okay, I think I'm hearing things." Kyle's voice made Liz look over at her friend, who was now nearby with Tess. "Are you two really fighting about who is more responsible for fixing things on Illyria when there's a portal standing open not ten feet from here?"
There was another long pause. Max and Liz looked at each other then back at Kyle. Liz could feel herself starting to giggle. "No, I swear we weren't."
"You were so!" Kyle exclaimed. "I heard you! They can't even [I]argue[/I] about normal things." Kyle directed this at Tess. "'Max, you're [I]so[/I] wonderful!' 'Not nearly as wonderful as you Liz.'" His imitation of them was so accurate, Liz could feel her face reddening.
"I think it's cute," Tess said, sounding a little giddy, if Liz was not mistaken. "It wouldn't hurt you to say I'm wonderful every once in a while."
"I do," Kyle complained. "I just did a few minutes ago."
"You so did not," Tess replied, not mad, just amused. "I told you I loved you so much it felt like stars falling from the sky and you didn't say [I]anything[/I]."
Kyle stared at her, clearly at a loss for words. It was such a rare moment, Liz decided it was time to take advantage of it. "Okay, we'll stop arguing, if you two stop arguing," she suggested.
"Agreed," Tess said, as she pushed the still silent Kyle towards the portal.
Liz looked at Max, who was watching her, a small smile on his face. "What?"
"I'm still right."
"No arguing. I just made a pact."
"I'm not arguing. I just happen to be right," Max replied smugly.
Before she had a chance to retort, Max was pulling her towards the column of light. She had just enough time to close her eyes before stepping into it, could hear a now disembodied Kyle say, "I didn't [I]need[/I] to say anything Tess. My toe-curling kisses should have told you all you needed to know." She started to laugh, almost overcome by joy.
The transport was not painful, nor was it long. One instant they were on Illyria, one instant they were not. She did not remember her one other journey through a portal clearly, but she knew it had not been nearly as easy as this. She did not pass out this time, was perfectly aware when they arrived at their destination.
It was only when she again opened her eyes that Liz understood why. She stared around in amazement, her laughter dying on her lips. Panic began to crawl through her, the only thing holding it at bay Max's warm hand, which was still clasped firmly around hers.
"Oh God," she murmured, still disbelieving that things could have gone from so wonderful to so horrible in a split second.
Because, in the end, nothing could ever be simple for any of them. There was no other explanation for why she, Max, Tess and Kyle had not ended up on Earth at all.
[b]The Ring, Illyria[/b]
"Are you okay?"
Max could hear the concern in Liz's voice, even though he was slightly distracted. He was staring across the clearing at Kyle and Tess, who were standing with Hamor. As much as all four of them had wanted to experience the judgment, Hamor had insisted that they needed to be slightly separated in order that no one could question the outcome. Each couple needed to be judged on their own merits. It could happen at the same time, but far enough away from each other so that no one could argue that either judgment had influenced the other.
The general was obviously in the process of explaining to their friends exactly how the ritual worked, was handing both of them a single orb as he spoke. Max narrowed his eyes, his heart starting to pound. He finally put his arm around Liz's shoulders, sighing. "I'm fine. I hate this, but I'm fine."
"Max, it's the only way," Liz reminded him. "And it's not like we're not going to pass. I mean, c'mon." He glanced down at her. She was smiling up at him, her certainty shining on her beautiful face. "It's [I]us[/I]. We are meant to be."
Max lowered his head and kissed her on the top of her silky head. "I know that. It's just that this is all a complete waste of time. I just want to go home."
And it was the complete truth. Whatever judging meant, he knew that all four of them would pass with flying colours, if no one was allowed to interfere. His main problem with the whole situation was that he didn't enjoy getting involved with things he didn't understand and he didn't understand the Ring, nor did he entirely trust that this ritual would proceed without intervention.
Nasedo was still alive somewhere. Max clenched his jaw, his anger over this fact barely dormant. He had made a pact with himself when he had first come back to Illyria for Liz that he would not leave until the traitorous shapeshifter was dead. He had failed and it still galled him to no end. As long as Nasedo lived, he would never leave them in peace, particularly Liz.
Max could not blame Nasedo for thinking himself in love with Liz. She was the easiest person in the universe to love after all. However, Max didn't buy it. Not even a little bit. Nasedo had proven more than once that all he wanted was to destroy absolutely everything that Max held dear, for what reason Max couldn't even begin to guess. If there was one thing he had learned by now it was that the methods and madness of the Illyrians and Dernians were just as far beyond his comprehension as the Ring was.
And, yet, Max knew without a shadow of a doubt that Nasedo would start with Liz. If he couldn't have her for himself, he would kill her.
"We will go home," Liz reassured him quietly, pressing her forehead against his chest. Max could feel his anger cooling, her calming influence over his emotions as strong as ever. "Right after. But when we come back here with Jenny, we'll have already been accepted by your people. There won't be any more secrets or hiding. We [I]have[/I] to do this Max."
Max swallowed. "We don't [I]have[/I] to Liz. There is a way out of it."
Liz tilted her head back, stared up at him. "Max."
"I could just open the portal," Max coaxed. "It would be so easy. We could go home and you'd be safe."
"Max, you know that you can't open the portal," Liz argued. "Isabel opens the portal back to Earth."
"Well, I could try," Max replied. "It [I]might[/I] work." Somehow, deep down, he knew that if he tried, it [I]would[/I] work. He couldn't explain it, but he just [I]knew[/I]. He had felt it the instant he had stepped into the Ring. Something was different here today. He had no idea what, but it just [I]was[/I].
He wondered if he sounded like a coward. He didn't feel like one, even though he had examined his feelings fairly thoroughly to make sure that he wasn't just scared. But it wasn't that. Somehow, he knew that this was wrong. They were not supposed to be doing this.
Liz frowned, reached up and touched his face. "Max, what is this [I]really[/I] about? I knew there was something wrong." She shook her head, her voice rising slightly in frustration. "Tell me. You promised me there wouldn't be any more secrets."
"I'm not keeping anything from you. Not really. I just don't think this is the right time for this." He paused, glanced over her head again. He could see that Kyle and Tess were both ready to begin. His eyes met Tess's across the distance. While he could not read her expression, he could feel her excitement through the four square. She knew that this was right for she and Kyle. And he believed her. He thought it was too. But why did he feel differently about he and Liz? Why?
"Why?" Liz demanded. "Max, there has to be a reason."
He felt a shiver descend his spine. Hamor was making his way towards them, followed by two guards who were carrying the orbs that Max and Liz would need for the ritual. "I had a dream." Max blinked, wondered why he had said that. And, then, abruptly he remembered. He knew [I]exactly[/I] why this didn't feel right.
"A dream? What do you mean?" But Liz's voice was quiet, as though she was not entirely surprised. Max looked down at her again, felt himself getting lost in her eyes. He pulled her tightly against him so that he could concentrate.
"The night you left Earth with Nasedo, I had a dream," Max recalled, the whole thing returning now with such vividness, he wondered how he ever could have forgotten. "It was our wedding Liz. At the time I thought it was just that - a dream - but now I'm beginning to realize it was something else entirely. It was a vision. This isn't how we're supposed to be accepted. [I]Let this union heal the breach that exists. So it is written in the stars, so shall it be.[/I]" He was murmuring it under his breath, not even really thinking the words. And, yet, they came as naturally as breathing. He felt Liz tense against him, as though in recognition.
"It was why I knew you weren't dead," Max told her. "Because of that dream. I [I]know[/I] it's going to happen. But not now. It's just not right. The people who really matter aren't here. Because it's not just our union that matters. We're already one Liz. We don't need any stupid ritual to prove that. It's enough that [I]we[/I] know it." He was frustrated because he knew that he was explaining it all in a deeply muddled way, but he just hoped that she understood.
There was a long pause. He could almost feel Liz's heart beating against his chest, he was so in tune with her. "Okay."
"Okay?" He pulled back slightly, looked closely into her face.
"I trust you Max," Liz said simply. "If it's not right, it's not right." His relief was so great, he actually felt weak in the knees. Liz seemed to know it too, because she grinned teasingly at him. "Have fun explaining all this to Hamor."
Max sighed, glanced over at the general, who was waiting patiently nearby. He kissed her on the temple, then moved away. "I'll be right back."
"Oh no you don't," Liz exclaimed, hurrying after him. He paused, turned and stared back at her. "Where you go, I go. I don't trust this place. I'm not risking some random portal opening and you falling through it without me."
Max grinned. "Well, when you put it that way." He held out his hand, felt warmth wind its way up his arm when her small hand clasped with his. "If that's my destiny, then I'd much rather fall through a portal in your company any day."
************************************
"Nothing's happening." Kyle knew that his tone was plaintive, but he didn't particularly care at the moment. His stomach was in knots and he was tired of waiting. This stupid judgment had been held over his head for the better part of three days and he just wanted it [I]done[/I].
"That's a good thing Kyle," Tess reminded him patiently. They were facing each other, both holding a green orb. "We don't want anything to happen."
"Well, how long do we have to wait until they proclaim us judged? And isn't this all a little anti-climactic?" He complained. "I mean, shouldn't there be shooting stars or something? This is turning out to be a little boring."
"I prefer boring to being fried," Tess shot back, beginning to sound annoyed. But as he watched her, a strange expression abruptly crossed her face.
Kyle blinked, stared at her. "What? What's wrong?" He looked around nervously. "Is something happening?"
Just his luck. He had fallen in love with the wrong person after all! Was it really all going to end this way, on some distant planet, randomly struck down in his prime by a lightening bolt?
But Tess was now grinning wickedly. "You want shooting stars Valenti? I'll give you shooting stars."
And, as her eyes snapped shut, he knew exactly what she was about. "Oh dear Lord." He made a grab for her, but it was too late. He could feel the mindwarp taking control even as his hands came to rest on her slender shoulders.
Kyle pulled Tess against him, stared around in amazement as the entire sky came alive. The very stars seemed to be raining down around them. He could hear the exclamations of surprise and wonder from the Illyrians and Dernians gathered outside the Ring to witness the judgment.
When he finally met Tess's eyes again, she was smiling innocently up at him.
"What are you doing you crazy woman?" Kyle demanded, although he couldn't help but grin back at her. "They're all going to think we're being incinerated."
"No they won't," Tess replied. "They love it. They know I'm doing it. They can all feel a mindwarp as easily as you can."
"I don't get it," Kyle said, shaking his head. "What is the point of all this?"
"To let every single person on this damn planet know how much I love you," Tess told him. "So that they can see and feel even a little bit of the wonder I do when I look at you."
"I think I may shed a tear," Kyle told her, retreating into sarcasm, knowing she would understand. Of course, he was trying to hide the fact that he actually [I]did[/I] feel like crying at the moment. He didn't think his heart was supposed to feel like this, wasn't supposed to feel so.well, [I]big[/I]. If it happened too many more times, it just might explode right out of his chest.
This girl was going to be the death of him.
Well, at least he would die a happy man. Kyle shrugged, lowered his head, and met her waiting lips.
*****************************************
Liz leaned back against Max's chest, watched the show to which Tess was treating them.
"Well, if he didn't believe she loved him before, this should about do it." Max's voice rumbled from his chest, sending a flash of desire down Liz's spine.
"He knew. I'm just glad that he's finally accepted that he's worth it," Liz replied softly. She knew she was grinning like an idiot, but she couldn't help it. Her eyes fell from the sky to Kyle and Tess across the clearing. They were kissing like maniacs, completely oblivious to anything around them. As Tess became more distracted, the shower of stars faded away, the blonde's mindwarp beginning to disappear without her full concentration.
And, yet, the Ring still glowed in a way it had not before. Liz gasped, blinked, unsure that she was really seeing what she thought she was.
"Max, is that what I think it is?"
"A portal!" Max's tone was just as amazed as her own. "I can't believe it. Izzy's coming for us."
Hamor was still standing nearby. Liz turned her head to gauge Max's stepfather's reaction to this new development. The general had accepted their decision to not go ahead with the judgment without reservation. He had never wanted it for them in the first place, believing inherently that Max, as king, was allowed to do whatever he wanted anyway. It had been Tess he had wanted judged, not Max. Liz had rolled her eyes slightly at that, but had been relieved none the less. The last thing they needed right now was to turn their allies against them.
The Illyrian general somehow did not seem surprised by the portal. All he said was, "You will return?"
"Of course," Max replied. "I promise we will come back and end all of this once and for all." He pulled away from Liz, moved towards Hamor and clasped his hand. "Thank you for your loyalty."
The older man nodded. "I will hold the planet secure for you while you are gone."
"Max, we need to hurry!" Liz urged him gently, worried about how long Isabel would be able to hold the gateway back to Earth open. They had no way of knowing what was going on back there. At the very least there would be Stonehenge security guards to worry about.
She could see Tess and Kyle had finally become aware of their surroundings again, were coming towards them quickly, both clearly having realized what this meant, their excitement evident. The very thought of seeing Max's sister and all of her friends again had Liz practically jumping out of her skin in anticipation as well.
"I know," Max acknowledged. He took her hand, addressed Hamor again. "Young Jaxon is your second while we are gone."
"But he is Der." Hamor stopped abruptly, looked sheepish. "I will have to grow used to the new state of affairs as well it seems." He shook his head in wonder. "I cannot believe that it is truly over." He paused, straightened and said formally, "You can trust that I will work with the Dernians your highness."
"I know it. But be careful. It's not quite over yet," Max reminded him. "It will not be over until Jennetta is sitting on the throne. You can trust Jaxon though."
"It is only a matter of time now," Hamor replied. "Hurry back my king." The greying general bowed, backed away.
There was a long moment of silence as Max and Liz both stood staring at the portal. "Is this really happening?" Liz finally whispered. "Is it really almost over?"
"This part of it is," Max assured her, squeezing her hand. "Illyria and Dernia will be reunited in peace. It's not what I came to do, but it's happened anyway. [I]Let this union heal the breach that exists.[/I]"
Liz turned her head, looked at him. "I don't get it." It was something he had said before, something from his dream she knew, but she wasn't really sure how it applied here.
The way he was looking at her.It made her heart start to beat more quickly. "I came for you Liz, absolutely no other reason. It was just pure luck that everything else happened the way it did."
"I think you give yourself far too little credit," Liz told him, shaking her head.
Max shrugged. "No I don't. I think by now I know myself. If it wasn't for you Liz, I never would have come back here. It was because you were brave enough to come to save me from Tarsus that it all happened."
"But we were all going to come here to put Jennetta on the throne," Liz argued. "Max, it [I]would[/I] have happened. You would have done it eventually."
"Not so soon. Not for a long time. I was already beginning to realize that it was too dangerous with Tarsus running around. I just never got a chance to tell you all that before the fire."
"But [I]eventually[/I]," Liz said. "You would have done it eventually."
"Okay, I think I'm hearing things." Kyle's voice made Liz look over at her friend, who was now nearby with Tess. "Are you two really fighting about who is more responsible for fixing things on Illyria when there's a portal standing open not ten feet from here?"
There was another long pause. Max and Liz looked at each other then back at Kyle. Liz could feel herself starting to giggle. "No, I swear we weren't."
"You were so!" Kyle exclaimed. "I heard you! They can't even [I]argue[/I] about normal things." Kyle directed this at Tess. "'Max, you're [I]so[/I] wonderful!' 'Not nearly as wonderful as you Liz.'" His imitation of them was so accurate, Liz could feel her face reddening.
"I think it's cute," Tess said, sounding a little giddy, if Liz was not mistaken. "It wouldn't hurt you to say I'm wonderful every once in a while."
"I do," Kyle complained. "I just did a few minutes ago."
"You so did not," Tess replied, not mad, just amused. "I told you I loved you so much it felt like stars falling from the sky and you didn't say [I]anything[/I]."
Kyle stared at her, clearly at a loss for words. It was such a rare moment, Liz decided it was time to take advantage of it. "Okay, we'll stop arguing, if you two stop arguing," she suggested.
"Agreed," Tess said, as she pushed the still silent Kyle towards the portal.
Liz looked at Max, who was watching her, a small smile on his face. "What?"
"I'm still right."
"No arguing. I just made a pact."
"I'm not arguing. I just happen to be right," Max replied smugly.
Before she had a chance to retort, Max was pulling her towards the column of light. She had just enough time to close her eyes before stepping into it, could hear a now disembodied Kyle say, "I didn't [I]need[/I] to say anything Tess. My toe-curling kisses should have told you all you needed to know." She started to laugh, almost overcome by joy.
The transport was not painful, nor was it long. One instant they were on Illyria, one instant they were not. She did not remember her one other journey through a portal clearly, but she knew it had not been nearly as easy as this. She did not pass out this time, was perfectly aware when they arrived at their destination.
It was only when she again opened her eyes that Liz understood why. She stared around in amazement, her laughter dying on her lips. Panic began to crawl through her, the only thing holding it at bay Max's warm hand, which was still clasped firmly around hers.
"Oh God," she murmured, still disbelieving that things could have gone from so wonderful to so horrible in a split second.
Because, in the end, nothing could ever be simple for any of them. There was no other explanation for why she, Max, Tess and Kyle had not ended up on Earth at all.
