Afterlife

By Otakuprincess

Author's Note: Oh. My. God. I am alive and well, everyone. And I'm back. I got so many reviews for chapter 6, I can't possibly respond to them all. Thank you, everyone, for reviewing and predicting the events of upcoming chapters. You've all been waiting, and here it is...chapter 7.

As always, Garth Nix owns the beautifully written and uniquely defined Old Kingdom Series. Kirel, however, is completely mine, as well as this story.

Lirael broke away from her kiss in a fury.

"How dare you!" she cried, calling forth Charter marks of binding. The necromancer pulled her close to his body. She could feel his heart beating steadily, even through the thick material of his clothing. She struggled, her cursing muffled by a strong hand over her mouth.

"Stop squirming, stubborn little Lirael. It's me, Sam."

The necromancer pulled off his robe and put his mask in a pocket, revealing a handsome man in a royal surcoat; one that proclaimed him the last of the blood line of the wallmakers. A single sword hung at his side, opposite from the bell bandolier. The man's face was smooth and still gave the appearance of a younger soul, but his eyes were weary and full of sorrow. Lirael fell into them with a splash.

"Sam? How in the world did you find me! Why are you even here? I thought ---"

"You thought I'd left you."

Sam released his hold on Lirael and turned away. Sam had known that this would happen, had seen this day as if in the mirrored lakes he so often traveled by. It had been nine long years...would Lirael take him back?

Lirael watched Sam turn away with sadness, and slowly draped her arms over his broad shoulders.

"Oh Sam, you don't know what I've been through since you left...Nobody realizes the truth, and everyday is worse than the day before. Every day you're gone, I just want to walk into Death and let the river carry me away..."

"I know, Lirael. It was my fault, but...I needed it, Lirael. How's my darling Kirel?"

"Yes, she's fine," Lirael said weakly. "Probably back in Belesaire with the Dog."

Lirael collapsed suddenly and Sam whipped around to catch her. Her golden hand gripped his firmly, and she looked up into his eyes once more.

"Why did you leave me, Sam? Why?"

"Lirael, the kingdom was in an uproar. What did you think I would do?" Sam replied, a stinging note in his voice.

"I thought you would stay and support your family." Lirael said shortly, getting to her feet and brushing off her surcoat. "I thought you would be a father."

Lirael and Sam shared a few minutes of silence, of staring into each other's eyes and simply listening to the wind play its soft melody. Lirael was glad to have him back, and the same time, angry for his departure. What would she tell her daughter? Or her sister...or her brother in law. Or, for that matter, everyone else in the kingdom? If Sam was back, everyone would know...this time, her secrets would not be kept under lock and key.

"Sam, are we going back to Belesaire?"

"I don't see why. I have a small workshop down by Ganel. You could bring Kirel with you, and---"

"Please, Sam." Lirael pleaded. "I may be Abhorsen, but I'm not strong enough to do this on my own. Not with the responsibility of caring for Kirel...I've left her in others' hands far too often in these past years. She needs you...I need you. Please come back to Belesaire."

Sam sighed heavily. "If you think it's best, I will return."

"Thank you."

Lirael kissed Sam softly on the lips before sitting down and weaving charter marks in the air.

"You may as well find something to do, Sam. If we don't want to walk back, I'll need a couple of hours to configure these charter skins."

Sam nodded and walked off to find some food and more firewood. Lirael looked up to the night sky and counted the stars. She felt a great weight, as if they were all looking down on her.

"I told you when I became Abhorsen, you can't expect everything" Lirael spoke to the twinkling lights. "And I was right. Some things are completely unexpected."

Author's Endnote: Did you guys like it? I'm sure I will receive plenty of flames concerning my Lirael/Sam pairing, but please bear with me. I'm not completely stupid, and I'm not incest happy. Whether you like the pairing or not, please continue reading. There is more to this story than meets the eye.

Until next chapter, may the charter be with you!