Hello everyone!
I'm sorry I took so long to update, but even though this chapter has actually been ready to go for the last few days, Ernie's charger broke down on me, so I had no way of uploading it. Still, better late than never, right?
Ernie: Thanks. Go. To...
Phoebe-Cole-lovers-foreve: Yes, you guessed right. The flashback scene between Talia and Cole was supposed to remind you of the scene between Phoebe and Cole in Enter the Demon. I altered some of the dialogue to fit. I believe Cole is hard on the people he loves. He might have fallen in love with Phoebe, but he's still a demon and demons are hard by nature. He's also very much aware of how hard the Underworld is for anyone, never mind a young girl growing up. He just wants Talia to be prepared for everything and he often resorts to 'tough love' for that. Talia is her father's daughter and she understands that.
Chantedly: Entrancing is fine by me, darling! I'm glad you thought my little story made for such a pleasant little break. I hope you don't kill me after this chapter...
Sweetone: I'm so very glad you like the action in the last chapter, sweetie! This chapter's got some action too, and a bit of drama... I hope you enjoy it just as much!
Ori: I love sword fights too! I had a single lesson once, as part of a drama course I took in school. I loved it and I wished I knew more! Hmm... as flattering as the 'virtual season' comment was, I'm not quite ready to start on any other 'seasons'. Not until after my exams at least, at the end of May. Forgive me?
I'm glad you like Talia. She really is a real person to me, and if through my words you can see her half as real as I can, then I've done my job. I honestly hope you don't decide to lead a mob after me, when you read this chapter... There's a certain surprise you might not like, but on a more cheerful note, I've finished the one-shot you requested. Please check it and review!
Meow: This is the last proper chapter, although there is an Epilogue to follow. I can't tell you how glad I am to hear that you'd read a Talia sequel even if it wasn't based on Charmed. Wyatt and Talia are my favourite characters, with Cole as a close third of course. There is quite a bit of the demonic lover boy in this chapter, although it might not be what you were hoping for.
Paige: Of course I give you credit for reading my story! I can't tell you how much it means to me to hear that anyone likes it. Keep reading, it's not over yet!
Svata2004: Never be too sure! The show should have taught you that. Hope you like this chapter!
Mickis: It has been one hell of a ride, hasn't it? I'm so glad to hear that someone else feels the same way. This chapter is a little sad, but I did my utmost best to make it wonderful for readers like you, who have been with me for quite a while. I can't tell you how much your reviews have meant to me. There were times when I couldn't wait to update, so I could read one of your reviews!
Bob-the-bear: Have you been checking out my other stories...? Wow, you are the kind of reviewer every writer wants! I really, really hope I don't disappoint with this chapter!
Lauren: Hey, have you reviewed before? I'm sorry if you have and I don't remember you. Ah well, all reviews are good reviews! Even the one and only flame I got for this story was good. How else am I supposed to roast my marshmallows? No, I've enjoyed writing this story too much to let it go, especially when I'm so close to the end...
.
Eek! I've done it again! Every time I tell myself that I'll keep the thank yous to a minimum, and every time, I end up blabbering like an idiot writing mini essays to practically every reviewer. I'm hopeless!
Right, a few public announcements.
This is the last chapter of this story *sniff, sniff, sob* and I was a complete wreck writing it! I locked myself in my room and refused to speak to anyone, until I was done! Still, I'm very proud of it and I think it was worth it. I've been told by the one, the only, the wonderful, Nightcrawler that it plays on the heartstrings, and that was the best compliment I have ever had about my writing! I hope you all enjoy it!
Also, I've written a one-shot that features Talia and Valdis in all their glory, by request of my wonderful reviewer Ori! It is rated R, but please, look it up read it and review. Self-promotion, I am no stranger to thee!
.
Chapter 41: For Love's Sake
Talia watched in horror as Josh was hit by Perdicus' fireball. The blond was thrown back with the impact, landed violently on the cold, hard ground, and stayed there.
A mirthless laugh left Perdicus' lips at her reaction and she refocused her attention on him. Talia's eyes narrowed.
"Talia...!"
Talia's attention wavered at the sound of her mother's voice, but her eyes did not leave the aging demon who was still laughing.
"Mom, take care of Josh, he's been hit with a fireball!" she yelled not allowing herself the luxury of hope, before launching herself back at Perdicus.
Without second thought Phoebe and Wyatt hurried to the blond boy lying deathly still, sprawled uncomfortably over the stands.
Perdicus' laugh was cut short by Talia's attack. Did he really think that the Phoenix would be reduced to tears at the attack on her mortal? It was her anger he had wanted to achieve with his death, and anger he did achieve, but now Perdicus had a great problem before him. Yes, Talia would be angry with her father, furious, but he had to stay alive to enjoy it. And that was easier said than done when the small girl with the now short hair, was throwing herself at him with a scream of unrestrained rage.
Her fist connected with his jaw and she spun round to bring the blade to his neck. He blocked her blow weakly. She came at him again and again. There was no way to fight rage like this. Beaded sweat formed on Perdicus' forehead with the effort of staying alive. Small cuts appeared all over his body as her sword cut blood-red kisses onto his flesh. His breath came in short, shallow gasps as he tried in vain to keep up with her furious jumps and slashes. She wasn't even giving him the chance to breathe, never mind shimmer to safety.
"PERDICUS...!"
Everyone at the football pitch froze. The snarling face of the Source emerged from a wall of flames as he approached the two fighters. Where Cole stepped, large burning footprints exploded on the green grass.
Phoebe and Wyatt, crouched over the crumpled figure that was Josh, watched from the stands helplessly, completely forgotten by the three figures below.
Perdicus looked into Cole's black eyes; the Source's eyes. He saw his doom there, his own painful death. He swallowed. The game was up. There was no hope. He had sacrificed everything he had, his very life, on the altar of his own ambition. He had placed his heavy bet, and he had lost.
"Father..." Talia hissed. "Come to see the results of your handiwork?"
Cole's eyes never left Perdicus to look at his daughter, but when he finally spoke his words were directed at her.
"I told you before Talia. I didn't order any of this. It's all been one big scheme to set us against each other and get both of us out of the way. Lord Perdicus," he drawled, stretching the title in a most mocking manner, "is the head of a conspiracy in which several Council members are involved. A bid for power, I presume, hey Perdicus?"
Anger flashed in Perdicus' eyes.
"You half-breeds don't belong in the higher levels of the Underworld! You are not worthy of the throne!" he snarled at Cole. "You are only half a demon; an insult to everything the Source stands for! I remember well what happened sixteen years ago my liege. How you turned your back on the Underworld for love," he spat the word out as if it tasted foul on his tongue, "for the love of a Charmed bitch!"
Fire shone in the depths of the Source's black eyes, and a fair distance from Perdicus, on his right, and with her blade still aimed at him, the Source's daughter growled with the effort of holding back the rage that gripped her. She struggled to keep the Phoenix from leaping out of her and tearing the demon limb from limb.
But Perdicus wasn't finished.
"And as for you Princess," he hissed, "most of our people were shaken to the core by your betrayal, but not me! I expected it from the very beginning. You are half-witch after all... And not just any witch, half-Charmed! Had someone else been the Source, you would have never been allowed to live, never mind be showered with power and titles! Your very existence is an insult to everything our world stands for! Of course you turned your back on the Underworld; it was in your mixed, half-breed blood! You are an abomination Talia, you UNGRATEFUL LITTLE BITCH!"
"That is ENOUGH, father!"
All those present turned to see the latest addition to their party. Valdis advanced threateningly in front of his father.
"What are you doing here, boy?!"
"Give it a rest father. It's over."
Talia's eyes which had been burning with rage during Perdicus' little speech, widened at Valdis entrance. Perdicus was Valdis' father?!
Valdis locked eyes with Talia. Something shone in their grey, steel depths. Was he asking for her forgiveness? Talia's mouth opened in a silent scream of horror and she unconsciously took a step backwards. But his daughter's reaction went unnoticed by the Source.
"Come to finish your father's work Valdis?" Cole asked coldly.
Valdis didn't dare answer.
"I trusted you, I took you under my wing, and I had Xander train you personally! And you betrayed me in the worst way possible. Why?" he demanded.
Valdis didn't dare meet his mentor's eyes.
"My life is forfeit, my liege. I have betrayed you and I no longer deserve the honour to serve you. I have no excuse my Lord, but what I did, I did not do out of spite or ambition. You must believe that."
"Then why Valdis?" asked Cole softly, yet firmly.
Valdis stayed silent looking at the ground between his feet.
Talia had brought a hand to cover her mouth in horror and disbelief. Valdis was one of them! He had schemed with her father's enemies, with her own enemies. He had been part of a conspiracy whose aim was to destroy both her and the only family she had known for sixteen years. He had made her doubt her father, herself, had caused her pain and anguish, torn apart her convictions... and he had played mind games. She had believed his kisses, his sweet lies. Was it really almost two weeks ago that they had spent that one fateful, magical night in each other's arms? She had even dared to think...
~"You're in love with her, aren't you?" Xander suddenly asked.
There was silence
between them as the two demons stared at each other. Valdis was the first to
lower his eyes.
"Is it that obvious?"~
She had overheard Valdis' conversation with Xander. She had allowed herself to believe in the possibility that he might actually love her. A bitter smile rose to her lips. How naïve of her...
"Why, Valdis?" Cole repeated impatiently.
"For Love..."
Valdis' voice was soft, yet it echoed and rang in the empty football pitch. Time froze as Valdis looked at the girl whose image haunted his dreams and every waking hour for months. Talia forgot to breathe and her heart rose to her throat.
A speechless Cole looked from his former protégé to his daughter and back again.
.
Momentarily forgotten by everyone around him and in as much shock at his son's pronouncement as everyone else, Perdicus twisted his face in disgust and hate as he looked at the petite brunette with the unevenly cut hair and drawn sword, through narrowed eyes.
His right hand clenched involuntarily. When his fingers unfurled, a fireball lay in the centre of his palm.
.
A familiar glow in the periphery of his vision captured Valdis' attention as the fireball left Perdicus' hand. Perdicus' shout of triumph, mingled with his son's cry of warning as Valdis threw himself in front of Talia.
A gasp left Talia's parted lips as a strong, familiar body flung itself at her to land them both on the cold, wet ground with a thud that forced all the air out of her lungs. In the background she thought she heard her mother screaming. She was vaguely aware that Perdicus' triumphant yell was cut short as she frantically worked to look at the dark haired young man that lay protectively on top of her.
"Valdis...?" she called.
She brought her hand up in front of her eyes to find it covered with crimson blood.
Oh no...please no...please no...
She pushed Valdis' warm body off her and sat up. She turned him round to look into a pair of grey eyes that immediately locked with her own.
"Talia..." Valdis croaked, and bile rose to the back of her throat as she took in the huge, gaping wound that was a bloody, half-charred mess on his chest.
"WYATT!!" she screamed.
"I'm right here," answered the blond boy who already stood next to her.
She looked at him with her panic-filled eyes and it broke his heart.
"Cure him!"
There was sorrow written all over his face.
"I can't Tal. He's a pureblood demon. My powers don't work on him."
"Father?!" she called frantically.
"I can't Talia," came Cole's deep voice from somewhere behind her. "Healing may be part of my powers, but it isn't exactly the Source's forte. Healing is a power of the Light."
"You are the Source! There must be something you can do!" she demanded.
He shook his head sadly.
"You know how our world works Talia. There's nothing like a whitelighter's powers of healing for the warriors of the darkness. No demon cares if another is hurt. Valdis needs potions and charms, but he doesn't have the time for them."
Talia's eyes watered as she looked into Valdis' pain-filled, grey orbs. Realization hit her like a ton of bricks.
Cole looked at the younger demon pityingly.
"I'm sorry sir..." the young man rasped. "I've let you down."
"You have not let me down, Valdis," Cole firmly assured him. "You have saved my daughter's life, and for that, I thank you."
Valdis looked back at the girl in whose arms he now lay.
"Don't cry Talia..." he said raising his rough hand to cup her smooth cheek. She leaned into his hand never breaking eye contact. "What I did...I was jealous of Josh. Watching you day after day...I fell in love with you. I knew I could never belong in the side of the Light. The only way I could think for us to be together, was for you to return to the Underworld. It was selfish of me...and it was wrong. Will you forgive me?"
Tears fell freely on Talia's cheeks.
"You had nothing to be jealous of," she sobbed, "it was you I loved, not Josh! No one's made me feel the way you have, and that night, at the cabin... you knew who I was, the things I've done, but to you I was just Talia, not a Princess for you to flatter or a freak to fear, just Talia... I woke up from my nightmare and you were there to hold me, and I felt safe, protected. And it scared me, because you are a demon, and I turned to the Light. You weren't supposed to make me feel like that. And that's why I left. I fell in love with you that night, and I've only just realised it, and now you're..." she broke off, unable to continue.
Valdis' face lit up throughout her speech and now, his hand squeezed Talia's in his.
"Say it..." he said, "I want to hear you say it, Talia."
Talia swallowed another sob.
"I love you, Valdis."
"Again..."
"I love you."
Valdis coughed and spluttered in Talia's arms. She held him tight as the tremors racked his body. Blood trickled from his mouth.
His coughing stopped and he was left gasping for breath as Talia, terrified, looked on.
"Kiss me...Talia...one, last time. Kiss...me."
She leaned over him then and covered his lips with her own. Her tears mingled with his blood. He gasped, and she felt him tense against her and then suddenly, relax. A sob caught in her throat and she felt her heart shatter in a thousand pieces. She opened her eyes to see his, looking back at her. But they were empty, dead. The tears fell down her face like rain and she hugged him to her, rocking him gently. Through the heavy mist of her sorrow, she felt her father's heavy hand rest comfortingly on her shoulder.
.
A/N: Please don't kill me...