Spellbound

Chapter 11: Promise Kept

"Are you sure about this?"

"For the hundredth time, Jasmine, yes, I'm sure."

It had been several days since the battle at the palace, several days since she'd told her friends about the bargain with Mozenrath, several days since Mab had made her terrifying appearance in Agrabah, and spirited poor Puck away. She could still remember how it had ended, with the feel of Mozenrath's lips on hers, and his arms, both of them flesh and blood, wrapped around her. When her friends had emerged from behind the throne, she'd turned from him, for just a moment, and she'd run to Jasmine and hugged her, both of them giddy with relief.

When she'd turned back, Mozenrath had disappeared.

Sadira had not been the least bit surprised. He made not have had his gauntlet, but he still had other magics at his disposal; she should know, after all he'd taught her.

And she knew exactly why he had left.

Aladdin of course, was completely clueless. After an awkward moment, he had declared that Mozenrath had left because he knew that without his gauntlet, he stood no chance against him.

Sadira had just looked at him then, this … this boy she'd once been so infatuated with. She'd looked at him, and quite suddenly, she'd known that even if Jasmine hadn't been in the picture, it would never have worked between her and Aladdin. Oh, on the surface, they shared many things in common. But on a deeper level …

"You don't understand, Aladdin. That's not why he left at all. He's afraid, all right. But not of you."

"No?" She had heard in his voice that he was still a little angry with her. "What's he afraid of then?"

But she'd just shaken her head. "You don't understand," she'd said again.

It wasn't long after that exchange that Sadira had announced her intentions. They had protested, of course, as she knew they would. In the end, Jasmine at least seemed to have some level of acceptance and understanding, but Aladdin remained completely baffled by her decision.

"Sadira, listen, you don't have to do this!"

"I know that, Aladdin," she said calmly. "The whole point is that I want to."

"Sadira, look. I know I never felt about you … the way you wanted me to feel about you. But … you are my friend, despite everything, and I do care about you. And as your friend, I'm telling you – you can do better!"

"Aladdin –"

"What is this about, Sadira? Is it about gratitude, because he showed a moment of humanity for once in his miserable life and decided not to kill you? That's pretty shaky ground to build a relationship on –"

"If you recall, he also attacked Mab, even though he knew it was a potentially suicidal move on his part," she retorted, a touch snappishly. Yes, she had deceived him, but she'd made up for it. Besides which, her life was her own, and she did not need to justify her actions to him, no matter how much of a well-intentioned hero he was.

"Okay fine, but –"

"But nothing. He needs me," Sadira said simply. "And … I don't think anyone's ever really needed me before. I have to go to him."

"Sadira," Jasmine said softly, "If you he hurts you…"

Sadira just smiled. "He won't hurt me," she said. "Not ever."

They'd made a few more feeble protests, but in the end, the princess had reluctantly but sincerely wished her well – and so had Aladdin, after a sharp elbow in the ribs from Jasmine.

After that, she'd returned to her place, to pack her things. A simple spell made the entirety of her household compact and easy to carry. She took special care with all her magic scrolls.

Her eyes fell on the final spell scroll, and before she rolled it up, she noticed it was a summoning spell. Well, a summoning spell for objects, to be more precise. A shame she couldn't use it summon something else – like say, a friend who was in peril –

"Where are you going, gentle mortal?"

Sadira gave a yelp and whirled around. "Puck!" She was so happy and relieved she couldn't even scold him for startling her. Before the little trickster could say another word, she'd enveloped him a crushing hug.

"You're alive! You're alright!"

"Yes, much to my surprise, and I'm quite touched you were so worried but – ouch! Easy there, I'm still a little sore." Sadira released him, gingerly, and he winced, but then he grinned at her.

"Oh Puck, I thought Mab would have …" She couldn't finish.

"Yeah, you and me both."

"How did you convince her to spare you?"

"I didn't," he said softly. "Oberon did. He … he stood up for me." Puck sounded as though he were still surprised by this. "And then, naturally, he and mommy dearest got into a huge fight, which ended with Mab threatening Titania's life. And that didn't go over well at all with her son, shockingly enough. But for his sake, she decided to be …" He rolled his eyes. "Merciful, and declare Titania eternally banished from Avalon instead. Should she set foot up the island again, Mab has stated she will kill her on sight."

"Wow," Sadira said, trying to process all the information he'd thrown at her. "I bet Oberon didn't like that."

"That's putting it mildly."

"Will Titania really stay away?"

"Well, if she's smart she will, at least until things cool down. But then, Oberon is currently restricted to Avalon himself, on mommy's orders, and if she can't see him …"

"She loves him," Sadira said softly. "She loves him, and she wants to be with him. She knows her place is at his side, no matter what."

Puck gave her a pointed look. "Alright, now you're just projecting, little mortal." He gestured to her packed belongings. "Is that where you're going, then? To be with brooding boyfriend? Oh, you don't even have to answer, I can tell by that goofy smile on your face."

Sadira laughed lightly. "You just, wait Puck. One of these days, you'll fall in love –"

"Bite your tongue!"

"– And I just hope I'm there to see it."

Puck put his hands on his hips, pouting. "To gloat, you mean, more like." But then his expression softened. "Ah gentle mortal, this thing you call love, she smiles way too much. Still … I'm happy that you're happy." For just a moment, Puck was serious, and very sincere.

"But enough of this mushy stuff! Now I must take my leave of you." He leaned in conspiratorially, and told her, "Me and Raven and Coyote, we've got a plan going, and we're gonna prank Odin real good!"

"Uh … you and who and who are gonna prank … who?"

"Oh that's right, I forgot, you don't know all the players. Suffice it to say, a bunch of us high-tailed it out of Avalon after the latest brouhaha. The ones I mentioned, well … Odin is basically an old grump, and Coyote and Raven … they're brothers, and fellow tricksters." He winked at her. "Not as clever as me, to be sure, but they're still good for having a little fun. Heck, we might even let Anansi in on it. I bet there's some little part in the prank I could find for him to play, something that's so simple even he couldn't screw it up." Puck snickered.

Sadira smiled at him. "Well, enjoy yourselves, then. But try not to get into too much trouble, will you?"

Puck gave her his wide-eyed, innocent look, which would have been utterly convincing if she hadn't known better. "Trouble? Sadira, has no one ever told you?" His voice dropped to a whisper. "You're only in trouble if you get caught." He laughed again, and she laughed with him, and then he vanished, in a flash of light.

Sadira rolled up her final spell scroll and took one last look around to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything. Then she began her journey.

It didn't take that long. She used a simple transportation spell to get to the Land of the Black Sand. She could've materialized at the gates, or perhaps even in the Citadel itself, but she thought it was better this way. She needed to be able to walk through this place without flinching at the darkness, or the Mamluks.

She needed to get used to it.

The crystals above her glowed blue as she made her way. Aladdin and Jasmine had once told her that Mozenrath had put them up to alert him when a magical presence entered his kingdom. She was glad they were lighting up; she wanted him to know she was coming.

As she made her way, she passed some of the undead soldiers on their patrol, and for an instant, fear gripped her. But they did not accost her; they just followed her movements with unseeing eyes until she passed them. It was a bit unnerving, but nothing to panic over.

Finally, she approached the great doors of the Citadel. She spread her hands, focusing her magic, and they opened at her command.

When the doors parted, Mozenrath was standing there. His expression was difficult to read.

"Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" He asked softly, after a beat.

"Yes, but why should I bother with it? You never did."

"You … you never had a door," he muttered, and Sadira let out a little laugh. She dropped her belongings at her feet, and rushed over to him, and they wrapped their arms around each other.

When they pulled back, she started to say something, but he cut off her words with a kiss. There was something both desperate and demanding in the press of his lips on hers, but she wasn't frightened. She just felt breathless, and giddy, and home.

"What are you doing here?" He whispered, when they'd finally paused to catch their breath.

"You know exactly what I'm doing here, Mozenrath. After all we've been through, did you really think I'd let you get away that easy? Don't you remember what I said back in Agrabah? I won't leave you, not ever."

He closed his eyes. "Yes you will," he said. There was a quaver in his voice that she'd never heard there before.

"No, I won't –"

"You don't understand, Sadira." His voice was low and intense. "Everyone that I … everyone that I have ever loved, has left. Has died."

"Are you saying that you love me?"

"I … I can't …"

"Yes you can. Because I'm never leaving you, and I don't care how afraid you are of –"

"I am not afraid, little witch!" He snapped at her. But she just kissed him again, lightly.

"Liar," she said softly. "I know you are. But it's okay. I plan to spend the rest of my life assuaging your fears."

In that moment, any last vestiges of composure or coldness in him were broken. He cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her, and kissed her. "You … you can never leave me," he whispered, in between kisses. "Not ever."

"I won't," she breathed. "Not ever, I promise."

"I … I love you, Sadira."

"I know, Mozenrath. I know, and I love you too."

Author's Note: Yup, this is the last chapter. Sorry to spring it on you like this, but I kind of didn't realize this was the end until I started writing it. Oh, and Puck was very pleased you guys were worried about him (you know how he loves attention).

Okay, now here's a request from me: If someone can make a YouTube video of our two favorite sorcerers using the song "Spellbound" by Lacuna Coil (where do you think I got the title?), I will be so, so happy and grateful. I will also do a one-shot follow-up to this story which incorporates at least one suggestion from said person.

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, everyone! I would not have finished this story without your encouragement. Mozenrath/Sadira forever! I still can't believe they're not cannon.