Narinder stared at the Lamb before him. Aym and Baal shared his look of mixed concern and disbelief.
"Mir̃alai? What happened?" She did not reply, nor did she look at him. Her eyes cast downward. This only confirmed his fears. "No, surely you didn't..."
"Just let me die, Narinder." Mir̃alai muttered, her fists clenched.
"I will not." He said sternly, "You will go back and tend to your cult."
"You cannot force me to live! Let me pass on!" She snapped, looking up at him.
"Mir̃alai, you are not thinking clearly. You would never abandon your Followers this way."
"Why must you torment me?!" She cried. "You do not control me anymore!"
"My intentions are not to torment you, nor to control you." He spoke calmly. Before Mir̃alai could argue, all of their attention was pulled to a shaft of golden light that had flashed in the Domain. Nykka had appeared underneath the Godly ray. She looked at Narinder with heavy concern.
"What has happened?" She turned her head and gasped softly upon seeing Mir̃alai. "Oh no, dear... Sweet girl, you shouldn't have." She approached Mir̃alai who took a few large steps back to avoid her.
"Do not touch me." She glared. "This is all because of you."
"It is not that simple, Mir̃alai..." Nykka said in a calm tone. "Please, let me help you."
"You cannot help me, witch." Mir̃alai glared, taking another step away for good measure.
"I do not wish to be enemies. I want you to be happy, dear." Nykka held her hand out towards her, but did not step forward. "I beg of you, trust in me. I cannot stand to see you in such a state. I will mend what has been broken." She spoke in a motherly way. Mir̃alai eyed her warily, but did not budge. "It is okay, I promise no more harm will come to you. You have suffered more than enough, sweetheart. You have fought this for far too long, and you need rest. I can help you rest. I can give you the relief you so desperately desire." Mir̃alai seemed to be coming around. She took a hesitant step towards Nykka. The Bishop gave an assuring smile, extending her hand out further. Mir̃alai lifted her hand slowly and finally took Nykka's. "Thank you..." Nykka said softly and leaned down to pull Mir̃alai into a warm embrace. She held the Lamb close to her chest, rubbing her back softly. The Lamb's rigid form seemed to melt in her arms, hugging Nykka tightly in return. "There we are..." The Bishop sighed softly. Narinder could see from his place that Nykka's fingertips were glowing softly, and tiny balls of deep blue light drifted up through Mir̃alai's back. They seemed to be absorbed into Nykka's hand. Nykka winced a bit, but held the Lamb close despite the discomfort she seemed to be feeling. After a short while, Nykka released Mir̃alai. The Lamb was a bit dazed, looking up at her vaguely.
"What did you do...?" She asked, her tone much different. She no longer sounded as if she were choking back tears. Instead, she spoke in her normal speaking voice.
"I mended your heart, dear." Nykka said with a bit of a sad smile. "I took some of the burden off you, so you may move on. It will still hurt, but it will be bearable."
"I-..." She looked from Nykka to Narinder, then back to the white Bishop. "Thank you..."
"It was my pleasure. Please come to me if you need to talk to someone. I am an excellent listener." She felt Mir̃alai's cheek a moment then looked back at Narinder. "Send her back, Nari. Before someone discovers her body." Narinder nodded and waved his hand. Mir̃alai disappeared in the same flash of black light she had appeared in. Once she was gone, Nykka wiped her eyes with a shaky sigh. "Oh, that poor girl."
"Are you alright...?" Narinder asked with a small frown.
"Yes, I am fine... It will pass with time." She assured him. "You should have let me speak to her sooner..."
"You should have told me you would be able to fix it." Narinder shrugged. "Had I known, I would have had you speak to her.."
"Ah, it does not matter now. She will feel much better in the coming days." Nykka approached Narinder's throne and kissed his cheek softly. "I am going to rest."
"Very well, I will see you in the morning then?"
"Yes." She smiled sweetly at him before disappearing in a ray of golden light.
"I have never seen power like that..." Aym was looking at the place Nykka had been moments ago. "She can alter emotion?"
"Yes, she gained that ability through meditation." Aym and Baal shared a look, but neither dared speak. Narinder had a feeling he knew what they were thinking. Every now and then, the thought that she may be controlling him crossed his mind. Though he could usually dismiss it quickly. Seeing Aym and Baal consider the same theory made him a little more wary of the idea than usual. "She is not controlling me." Narinder assured them, and perhaps himself.
"Of course not, Master." They said quickly, seeming panicked that Narinder had so easily deciphered their expression.
Narinder grew back into his role well, it was not long before dead souls began to appear before him as they had during his last reign. His task was simple: send them on to the afterlife. Most of these souls were those who died of age, or illness. Some sacrificed at the hands of the heretics, some in tragic accidents. Of course, few were willing to move on. He'd often have to sit through their pleas, or offers to bargain their way back to life. All he would ever grant were words of consoling. The only soul he had ever returned was Mir̃alai's, and he only did so as means to an end. He hadn't seen the Lamb since her appearance in his Domain. He took this as a good sign, she at least hadn't resorted to suicide again. That was progress in itself. Narinder thought it best he leave her be for the time being, assuming that seeing him may spark those feelings in her again. As for Nykka, she visited him often. Even with separation, their bond remained as strong as it had been during their time in her cottage. The white Bishop's duty was to create life. She strung together souls and sent them on to inhabit the land of the living. He occasionally visited her Domain, and it was a sight to behold indeed. A lush, jungle paradise bathed in the golden rays of sunrise. The forest was alive with the sound of tropical bird calls, the colorful creatures could often be spotted flying through the densely populated jungle. Plants of all kinds grew there, and it seemed Nykka had grown nearly all of them herself. Her throne was pure white, sitting upon an ivory platform. The platform jutted out of a beach composed of white sand. The beach bordered an ever-expanding, blue ocean.
The Bishop of Death sat upon his throne, leaning back comfortably. A book floated before him, the pages turning with a short wave of his finger as he read. Aym and Baal sat at his sides in silence. All was as it used to be. The only difference being Narinder no longer felt an unbearable frustration, something he surely didn't miss. A golden beam of light appeared in his Domain, and he glanced up from his book to see Nykka appear before them. She had a sweet smile on her face as she approached his throne.
"Hello, Nari..." She purred and kissed his cheek.
"Good evening..." He smiled in return, his book disappearing.
"I see things are dull here as well." She chuckled and sat down on his lap, smoothing out her robes.
"Ah, yes... I suppose that is a good thing in my case." He shrugged, putting an arm around her. "At a loss for inspiration?"
"No, I could never be." Nykka laughed, "I must maintain balance though, overpopulation is a concern... So, I am taking a break." She put her arms around Narinder's neck and pressed a deep kiss to his lips. Her fingers felt through the fur on the back of his head. He felt his face heat up as he returned the kiss, holding her close. Nykka broke it with an airy giggle. She rested her cheek against his to speak quietly by his ear. "I was hoping to pass the time with you..." Narinder smirked and waved a hand.
"Aym, Baal. Leave us."
"Where shall we go?" Aym asked as the twins stood.
"Anywhere but here." Narinder chuckled and kissed Nykka's neck tenderly.
"Yes, Master." Aym said and left the Domain with his brother at his side. Once they were gone, Nykka shifted to straddle Narinder's lap, she kissed him again with more passion. Narinder felt that same electrical surge in his chest that seemed to hit him every time things became intimate. This time though, the feeling caused him some concern. He broke off the kiss early, pulling back enough to look at her properly. Nykka tilted her head in confusion.
"Yes...? Is something wrong, love?"
"I-..." He hesitated a moment, worried he'd offend her. "Nykka, I do not wish to upset you." She seemed to grow concerned by this, sitting back with a slight frown.
"What troubles you, Nari?"
"You are not controlling me, are you?" He asked boldly, feeling it was better to just get on with it.
"What?" Her brow furrowed. "Controlling you?"
"Yes..." He confirmed apprehensively, "I worry that you may have been altering my emotions."
"Narinder..." Nykka crossed her arms indignantly. "How could you think such a thing?"
"I feel... different around you, I will not deny it is a good feeling, wonderful if I am being honest. It is so starkly different from what I am used to though. Sometimes it seems the happiness I feel around you is almost alien."
"Do you... Do you hear yourself? I am sorry, darling, I mean no disrespect, but you are being ridiculous. Are you truly upset because I make you happy?"
"No, no that is not what I'm saying." Narinder said quickly.
"That is what you are saying."
"No, I only wanted reassurance that what I feel for you is genuine." Nykka seemed to become upset further by this statement. She stood up from his lap, brushing off her robes with a little huff.
"I cannot believe you would accuse me of such a vile thing. I only use that ability to help others, I'd never use it so selfishly."
"Nykka, please... surely you understand my concerns."
"No, I do not." She glared, "I thought you trusted me."
"I do...!" Narinder insisted in exasperation, standing from his throne to be even with her once again.
"Then how could you think that of me?"
"I didn't think you had done it, it was merely a passing thought. It's come up in my mind on occasion, and I only wanted a little reassurance. Nykka, you're being unreasonable, love. It is trivial, really."
"Trivial?" She muttered and clenched her fists, "You are tactless. If I had been controlling you, you would know." Narinder sighed and rubbed his temple, beginning to feel frustrated.
"I apologize, I did not mean to offend you."
"Why would you ask then, Nari?"
"Had I known you'd be so upset, I wouldn't have. You must admit it is unlike you to act this way. You are usually so understanding... I have never had to second guess myself before, why should I now?" Nykka looked off, crossing her arms. Her expression shifted to one filled with guilt.
"I... I have a confession." Narinder was taken aback by this.
"...yes?"
"I may have..." She sighed, looking at him. "...May have pulled some strings in the beginning." Narinder raised his brow, staring at her. "You had been so resistant, I took it upon myself to help you along."
"Nykka..."
"You were fighting it for your ego's sake, Nari. I only eased that part of you." She insisted hopefully. Narinder felt anger begin to boil just beneath the surface, the same bitter feeling of betrayal he knew far too well. He knew it. He knew the way he fell for her was unnatural, connection, or no. Anger also rose as he recanted the argument they had just had, she was so defensive and unreasonable despite her guilt. Nykka could clearly sense Narinder's rising temper. "Love, I swear I did not force you to love me. I only quieted your doubts."
"That is hardly different." Narinder glared, "I knew there was something wrong. I had never been so torn before, it was because of you."
"No, that wasn't me!" She insisted desperately, "You were torn because of your ego, not me. I helped you pass it. You would have come to that conclusion eventually, I only sped you along."
"I could have decided against it..." He crossed his arms.
"Do you regret your decision?" Nykka frowned.
"Do not guilt me. You should have allowed me to come to my own conclusion." Narinder growled. "Not manipulate me! You just spent the last few minutes making me feel like shit for asking a simple question! And I was right!" He hissed.
"Do not raise your voice against me, Narinder." Nykka said, her tone more solid. "You need to calm down before you say something you'll regret." Narinder took a step away from her, holding his glare.
"Leave me."
"Nari, come now... If you do not regret your love for me, then why must you be angry with me?"
"It is a matter of principle, Nykka. You betrayed my trust, then did so again by lying to me. I will not stand for betrayal, I have been betrayed too many times." Nykka stepped towards him.
"Let me-"
"No. I do not want you tampering with me. I have every right to be angry, and you will not take it away."
"You want to be angry, you want there to be a problem. Just allow yourself to be happy."
"There is a fucking problem! You cannot force people into giving you what you want!"
"For goodness sake, Narinder." Nykka huffed and raised a hand. Her fingertips flashed red and Narinder felt a sudden rush of calm overtake him. The shift in temperament had been so drastic, that he felt dizzy. When he regained himself, he looked at her with his brows furrowed to form a sort of dazed expression not unlike the one Mir̃alai wore after Nykka mended her heart. The White Bishop sighed and shook her head. "There... You could feel that, yes? That should be proof enough for you, I did not force you into anything." She said coldly and vanished in a ray of light. Narinder sat down on his throne, rubbing his head with a sigh. Perhaps she was right, he had no regrets... so, what was there to be angry over?
Narinder contemplated this for the better part of an hour before finally standing from his throne. He had come to the conclusion that both he and Nykka overreacted, she to his question, and he to her answer. He needed to apologize to her, it was all there was for it. He focused his mind, and a black portal appeared beneath him. He sank gracefully through to teleport into Nykka's Domain. Her Domain was beautiful as ever. Flowers in bloom, the trees singing the tune of a thousand song birds, and the distant hush of waves against the pearly beach. He walked along the dirt path through the jungle until it disappeared into white sand. Instinctively, his eyes shifted to the throne standing grandly above the beach. But it was empty. Narinder scanned the shoreline until he spotted his beloved some short distance away, sitting upon her knees with her back towards him. As he approached, he caught a glimpse of what she was doing. Glowing white strands of light dangled from her fingertips as if they were bits of yarn. She shifted her hands with delicate precision as she wove what appeared to be a crow made of pure light. Narinder stopped once he was a few feet behind her, feeling a bit hesitant to interrupt her concentration.
"Yes?" Nykka asked, her tone a bit sad.
"I came to apologize..." She nodded a bit and pulled her hands away from the luminous silhouette. When she did this, the light faded away, leaving behind a very real crow. It ruffled its feathers, tilting its head to look at Nykka. The corvid cawed before hopping up onto her shoulder to clean underneath its wing. The white cat stood, brushing sand from her robes as she turned to look at Narinder. The crow on her shoulder eyed him curiously, head cocked.
"Very well..."
"I am sorry for raising my voice against you, I overreacted. Though, I stand by my opinion that you should not have tampered with me, I will agree that it hardly matters now." Narinder finished his apology and stood a bit awkwardly through the silence that ensued. Nykka considered this for nearly a minute before she finally spoke again.
"I accept your apology." She said and lifted a hand to her shoulder, the crow jumped onto it with a loud caw. Nykka lifted her hand and watched as the bird spread its black wings and took off towards the forest. Narinder had been fully expecting her to give an apology in return, though it seemed she was not willing to do so. He bit on his tongue to prevent himself from pointing this out, he did not wish to fight with her again. It simply was not worth it. Nykka watched him appraisingly. "Is there something else you'd like to say?" The way she said this sounded more like a dare than a question.
"No, nothing, love..." He insisted tiredly, "I only wish to put this behind us."
"Good." She smiled, "Then behind us it shall be."
