Chapter11: Freedom, blessed freedom!

Gazing up the hideous lava face one thought flicked through Alex's mind, we're in deep shit. Judging by the expression on her fiancé's face and his whispered prayer to Thod, he was thinking the same thing, in contrast the Chief Believer looked about to start a less than dignified happy dance.

The face leered down at them and gave sadistic smile apparently believing Alex and Dain's tremors to be in fear; Alexeika wished that was the case.

Apparently holding hands and invoking Thod and Riva before Ashnod had a strange effect.

The instant Dain whispered Alexeika began to get a strange sensation from the point she drew her magic from. At first it felt as though a small brook was bubbling up in the back of her mind and pooling there. After a moment it seemed however it needed more space for the gushing waters' energy as it began to spread down her spine and coursing through her nerves causing the afore mentioned tremors.

A song began to build up as Alex let her conscious slip back into the sea-strong waters similar to the one she had used earlier on the Chief Believer. The tremors ceased as Alexeika felt a warm presence merge into her mind and she became acutely aware of a similar presence in Faldain.

'Hush my child,' The warm voice whispered in her mind, 'your Prince is safe under my consort; we will lend you our power to defeat Ashnod.'

'Excuse me, but as you are currently in my body, could you at least tell me who you are?' Alexeika asked some what grouchily whilst staring at the still gloating head, receiving a disconcerting deep chuckle at the back of her head

'Riva my daughter, you called us great need so we came.' The voice replied, 'but hush we must talk later first we have one giant evil lava head to defeat.'

'how-'

'Don't worry we have a plan.'

"Now little Netheran Princeling I may exact my revenge upon the heir of Solder; I have waited a long time for this." Ashnod rasped opening his maw and leaning forward to swallow them whole.

Alexeika felt a sudden tug from the goddess in her mind and wrapped her arms quickly around Dain as a deep blue shield stopped the incoming fire from, well, burning them to a crisp. The Chief Believer was now standing with his mouth open while Ashnod returned to his original position spluttering black smoke.

"Curse you Riva, how dare you enter my domains, now you shall pay the price for this folly." Ashnod spat baring his teeth, glaring at Alexeika who'd spun to face him forcefully.

"Do not forget my abilities Ashnod, we shall not be as forgiving this time." Alex felt Riva reply, shocked at the great voice that issued from her being.

"Ha! Little goddess, females know nothing of war, I shall defeat you with ease!" came the reply as the head moved around the side by the Chief Believer, whose mouth had quickly closed.

"She said we, little brother; and do not think my wife knows nothing of war!" Faldain replied in a voice not his own stepping forward with a glowing green sword in his arms. Alexeika smiled as a shimmering blue blade appeared in her right hand and with only the slightest remorse slit her dress to allow freedom of movement, the action not unnoticed by Faldain.

The fiery face grinned and slid into the believer's body materializing its own deep red sword bringing it up to guard like hers and Dain's. "We'll fight on the field of skulls so there'll be no advantage." She felt Riva reply and a strong tug pull her into the second world and to the field in a heartbeat.

The first to arrive was Ashnod and in a second his sword was racing towards her chest, she blocked and counter thrust as Dain appeared. The duo began the first attack duet from the eldish sword dance and felt their bodies slip perfectly into each new routine. Block, step, parry, turn, slice, step, thrust, back. Each time blades met magical energy exploded and screeches split the night.

By the fifth dance they could see their opponent tiring, his sword's red glow dimmed down to the light of an ember and his moves slowed slightly allowing Alexeika her first strike. The light from his sword died completely by the start of the seventh dance yet he fought until the eighth where Faldain gave a mighty swing that sent his head clear off.

Silence fell over the pair before Alex dared to whisper "Is he dead?"

"Ashnod? No, but his servant who he occupied most certainly is. That and his power has been lessoned." Came what she assumed was Thod's reply, a deep wholesome voice as Faldain strode over. Alexeika felt him sent and mental comment to his consort and her affirmative response.

'Alexeika my daughter I must speak with you before we return you two to Grov.' Riva softly said. 'You have much magical power in your system, more than even you or your teachers realize that I have been restricting you access to.' Alexeika gave a mental start. 'Now the reason I have done so is to protect you from the harm it may bring, your energy is tied tightly to the moon and fluctuates like the tide, it is my presence that has enabled you to control it this night, my knowledge of the moon and seas. You are now however a woman grown and your connection to these things luckily has leapt under your feminine affections for this prince, whom I must admit is quite a handsome catch!' Alexeika felt the weird sensation of two parts giggling inside her mind and grinned, 'My point is the charm against your powers lasts, well, to your marriage night. So it might be best to make sure there is no one near your chambers and to expect the unexpected.'

Alexeika felt a twinge of apprehension at the thought and twisted the band around her finger, 'Do no fret you will be fine, and have the time of your life I don't presume!' Riva whispered back causing another smile and a covet glance at Dain, 'Your Prince and you are something of my husband and my protégées, the eld will recognize our presence immediately; oh and stop trying to pretend you don't secretly like those dresses Thia bundles you into!'

"Alexeika, I have warned your husband against Prince Gavril's treachery, you'd best be warned too." Thod-in-Dain's-body cut through the females' inner dialogue as he moved swiftly over to where Alexeika stood, smiling down with Dain in those beautiful eyes.

'Riva, what do you say to us kissing them senseless?' Alexeika internally queried.

'I think you are becoming more and more like me each day.' The goddess replied as they snaked Alexeika's arms around Dain's shoulders and proceeded for several minutes to do just that.

After several minutes lost in duel passion the deities brought the two lovebirds to the frantic fathers in the palace before quickly leaving them collapsed at their parents' feet. Unable to resist the frantic call for sleep Alexeika's eyes and head dropped onto her fiancée's shoulder as they fell asleep in each other's arms before the entire court.

When Alexeika awoke she was no longer in Dain's warm arms but in her soft bed with a beaming father smiling down from a chair by her side. A sparrow was chirping outside her window and a small bouquet of white roses were in a jar on her table.

"I must admit Princess Thiatereika was most upset at the disservice you did to that dress." Ilymir commented softly, chuckling at the blush that spread across her cheeks, "but she seems appeased by that pretty band around your finger."

Alexeika stared at her father blankly before she remembered Faldain's proposal and a giddy smile slipped across her face. Ilymir leaned down and kissed her brow, "I am happy for you pet, he is a good man. Now perhaps you had best recount last night's events; you gave me quite a scare."

Alexeika recounted the nights' details not sparing a single detail and was rewarded with a look of dumb shock at the end. "I am beyond proud to have ye as a daughter pet." Her father replied with an awed voice that caused further blushes to stain her cheeks. "Now what are we waiting for! Let's get you up and dressed to see your friends and your prince;" Ilymir paused and looked thoughtful for a moment, "you realize I will have to bow to you once this is over, the shame!" Alexeika giggled and allowed her father to help her get out of bed before getting changed into a dress she had secretly loved, yet refused to wear before.

As she entered the royal audience chamber and was greeted by a mass of giggles from Thia she began to doubt her choice of dress. It wasn't frilly or frumpy, it was just-

"Pink! Alex I never thought I'd see the day when you would wear a pink dress!" Thia exclaimed before dissolving into giggles and receiving a steel blue death glare.

"Hmm..." Dain commented twirling her around once before pulling closer and looking down, "I personally like it; it has an enchanting cut to it." He glanced down again with a smirk before giving her a short but strong kiss.

"Faldain if you get that distracted when your wife walks into the room you'll never manage this country and I will be forced to leave it to Thiatereika and that Lanyl fellow she seems to fancy!" Tobeszijian called from across the room causing Ilymir to laugh and the young people in the room to blush furiously.

Alexeika began to curtsey but was waved off as the king approached. "Nonsense princess, we shall soon be family; no need for formality. Now perhaps you and my son can regal me your adventures before I send you and Thia off to organize these damn weddings." Tobeszijian asked smiling and gesturing to a soft couch which she and Dain settled themselves upon.

The story was recounted slowly, with much interjection between all parties before it was finally concluded. At the end Faldain asked one question she was not prepared for, "Alexeika what did the goddess say that made you start and blush over last night?"

Alexeika felt the same heat come across then at the keen eyes that hit her, "She...er...made some comments about your looks and..." her voice dropped to just above a whisper, "The wedding night."

The other three burst into loud laughter as Alexeika looked uncomfortable, Faldain just smiled before whispering in her ear. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you enjoy yourself." He promised before sealing it with a sweet kiss.

"Come Alex, you and I are going to pick up Sandrina and mob Phereasa for dress designs and start planning." Thia said rising as the two separated.

"Oh speaking of which how is Sandrina?" Alexeika asked hoping Thia got her meaning, she was not let down.

"Weeks of work have paid off!" Thia replied with a grin before saying goodbye to the men. Outside the room the two giggled happily before linking arms and chattering about shoes, dresses, flowers and all things girlie.

AN: Sorry it's a bit short but I haven't had much time so I've split this chapter so you'll have something to read...next update; Gavril does his final mean bit and the weddings approach in the next two updates then its done!(knowing me that'll mean I'll think of something evil to put these two through and it'll be even longer but fingers crossed!) Note to self never ever come up with evil inescapable situations you must free your characters from again...I spent ages trying to figure out a plausible way to save these two for this chapter...sometimes I swear I am obsessively evil to my poor characters I'm surprised they don't leap from 'The Chalice' and stab me with Severgard and Truthseeker! All hail me, I got another chapter out before my HSC tests!

By the way when I have finally completed this piece I intended to put in some deleted scenes from other characters' point of view including a discussion that's been brewing in the back of my mind between Alex and Thia's fathers on 'how fast daughters grow up' and I'll put in some scenes from the view of our darling prince from all the times Alexeika appears to be fainting (I honestly swear I didn't intend for her to collapse so much!) and from some fun classroom experiences!

AmberMyst: yeah I admit it does seem the least romantic of places but really the fact is if they were going to die I think Dain might have wanted to at least get that off his chest, express the full depth of his emotions/commitment to Alex... 'if tomorrow never comes' kinda complex...at least that was the logic behind it...