Jasmine looked at herself in the mirror, swelling with pride…
…and with child.
She sang a little song under her breath for the first time in weeks, rubbing her fingers over the precious bulge in her stomach. She was alright now. Everything was alright within her own little world. She was pregnant with what was sure to be a son, Aladdin sat on the divan with a bright smile on his handsome face, proud of her and as in love as ever. Birds chirped outside and the whole world smelled of flowers.
And Mozenrath was no where to be seen.
A kick hit firmly in her belly and Jasmine nearly squealed in joy, her face turning towards the Aladdin. 'He kicked.' She mouthed in silence, uncaring that her words did not seem to escape. What did that matter when Aladdin was holding his hand to her flesh, feeling the swell that made her his wife.
A giggle, high pitched and child like, caught her attention. Jasmine turned to answer it and was mildly surprised to see herself standing no longer in her bedchambers, but in the palace gardens. 'What? Hello?' she called and the giggle answered. From behind one of the statues she could see a shadow, perhaps half her height, with it's hands held to it's mouth in glee.
Jasmine smiled and ran forward. "Come on now…come out…I won't hurt you." She smiled and the shadows turned. The child's laugh came suddenly from behind her, across the garden pool and near the gates. She could see the young figure, a boy, dressed in simple palace day wear. As the child turned, she caught a glimpse of her eyes and Aladdin's lips.
"So there you are…" she said his name, but again it made no sound from her lips. "I have been looking all over for you. Your father wants to see how big you've grown." She smiled and held out her arms, following him through the gates.
The boy smiled and shook his head. "Chase me mother…" his voice sounded strange, far away and echoed. "Come and chase me." He turned to run and suddenly seemed very far away.
Jasmine giggled and ran after him, gathering up her skirts to play hide and seek among Agrabah's buildings.
Barae was very careful not to disturb Jasmine as she slipped slowly from her bed and stood up, eyes still shut. She did not have the dumbfounded look of most sleep walkers, but instead a purposeful and steady stride. He extracted himself one again, letting her breath hit the chilled air and guiding her towards the hallway.
He came in close, opening his wide mouth to speak in a frightening voice. 'I
Wanna go outside mama. Please, take me out to see the river boats.'
"River boats." Jasmine whispered softly and began to head towards the private gardens for visiting ambassadors.
Barae slithered close to the wall and watched the young woman glide down the hallways in her silky night gown. For a brief moment, he considered tampering with her mind in a different way. Diriel's tastes might run to men, but the same was not true for all his ilk. But no, he had a mission he had not yet completed. Time was wasting and he was not at his best during the daylight hours.
Mozenrath lay on his couch, unsleeping. Half a month had passed now with sixteen days left to go. Mozenrath knew he was not the only one within these walls counting every sun rise and sun set. And though each dawn gave him a little more hope, each dusk reminded him how long was still to be waited out. But little by little it passed. Enough now that he was starting to allow himself more contemplation than he'd had the luxury for recently.
He felt…badly…for causing Aladdin and Jasmine's tiff. It was not as though he was consciously aware of what he was doing. He had not set out with the intention of making Aladdin…want him. But it would be a lie to say he did not provide encouragement even when Aladdin had told him his intentions. He had even…hoped…a little more than he should have when the hero Sultan took hold of his arms and showed such sincere concern for him facing down Diriel.
And Jasmine had been kind to him. She did not like him. He could tell that. And he didn't really feel as though eh had the right to blame her. Not after all he'd done. Aladdin was the forgiving sort, but then he'd always had that luxury. But as much as she might resent his presence and Aladdin's possible desire for him, she had not done a great many of the things she could have done to him. Execution, would have been the worst case scenario, extreme torture right under it. And yet even when she had worried that Aladdin might have betrayed her, she gave him her protection.
"If Aladdin ever threatens to be rid of you I won't let him."
If she was really that threatened by his presence she would not have given her word to protect him. But then she had refused to give reason why she did so. Mozenrath had an inkling, and it was as comforting as it was shameful.
She pitied him.
By now his past was obvious. If Aladdin knew about it from the bird then no doubt Jasmine knew. And if those two knew then the djinn was likely to know. It was humiliating to realize how many might well know how he had been used through out his life. Even more so to have to look at them from day to day. And yet for all that they did not find him disgusting or repulsive. Well…not any more. He was here, in the palace he had tried so many times to conquer, being treated as a 'guest'. Being extended the same courtesy and protection one might offer a dear friend.
It was humiliating and comforting at the same time.
He could deal with humiliation. Hadn't he dealt with it for a while now? But somehow it was different with these people. He actually wanted their respect, unlikely as he was to have anything but their sympathy. Mozenrath wanted them to see him as a equal. For once in his life he actually felt as though he was deserving of…
It will never happen. Mozenrath silently confirmed as he drank a glass of water. And I have no right to want it. Better to remain a slave. I can handle that. I could even…want that.
Ah yes, want. It was clear to him now how much he wanted Aladdin. Before he had been only aware of earning his keep, carving out a notch for himself in his 'new master's' life so as to be indispensable. It had been a recent revelation, albeit a shocking one, to realize he did not need to spread his thighs to keep him place here. Aladdin simply would not take advantage of him.
Was it horrible that he wanted him too.
He could sense the desire when the came close, energy between their bodies snapping like lightning. Mozenrath could sense the heat building through Aladdin as accurately as if he'd been on fire. And, in a way that made him shiver, Mozenrath felt his own body return the heat. He realized he was willing, eager even! If Aladdin walked through those doors, seeking comfort and affection while Jasmine raged at him, Mozenrath would open his arms and provide it with every ounce of his being.
Guilt. It cropped up on him silently, knowing where to poke and prod. Guilt at himself for betraying the kindness of the Sultana. Guilt at himself for physical want. Maybe I really am a whore. A dirty slut good for nothing but bed pleasures.
No! He was not that any more! He had told Diriel that he was no long any ones property. What he did with his body from now on was no one elses choice but his own. A whore had no options. A whore gives when they are told and takes the payment. Aladdin he could have for no one but himself.
Or maybe he was being too hasty. His body had been…frustrated…as of late. The confusing mix of emotions combined with the physical preparation of being used each night was making him a little edgy. Mozenrath had been taking a great many cold baths as of late.
A sound hit his ears and he turned to see the door click open. "Hello?" Mozenrath asked carefully, curious as to who would call this late at night, and maybe a little hopeful.
Aladdin walked in the door, looking a little odd…for himself at least. There was a quirky, uncharacteristic smile on his face, like maybe he was thinking something clever. "Ah, your still awake…good." There was something odd about his voice, it sounded a little off.
Mozenrath felt his breath still as he saw what Aladdin was wearing. A long robe made from a translucent material. His figure was clearly visible under the fabric, though specifics could not be seen. "Aladdin…" Mozenrath whispered and did not move from the bed. Dared he believe it?
Aladdin did not move in like hawk for the kill. He sidled up to the bed and slipped onto the covers gently. "It's alright Moze." He said, hissing his syllables a little. Was he nervous? "I'm here to take care of you." He said and firmly slipped a hand around Mozenrath's neck.
A freezing cold sensation spread over Mozenrath's spine and he jerked away, throwing himself as far from this being as possible. "You are not Aladdin." He said in a quiet but firm voice.
The psyudo-Aladdin frowned, and threw himself atop Mozenrath. His weight pressed into Mozenrath's chest, forcing the struggling sorcerer to the bed. "Don't scream!" the entity said in a dark voice. He slapped his hand over Mozenrath's mouth, pinning the sorcerers hands above his head. "Now now…just because you were clever enough to figure things out doesn't mean your friends are." Mozenrath's eyes widened and he tossed himself too and fro, trying to get out of the hard grip.
"Do you not know the meaning of silence!" the creature wrenched his grip, twisting the arms painfully and digging his 'nails' into Mozenrath's cheeks. "What's the matter?" his voice lulled back into a seductive tone. "Isn't this what you want?" The Aladdin face smiled at him and the sheets on Mozenrath's body seemed to glide away onto the floor. With startling realness Mozenrath could feel the hard press of a phallus at his thigh and gasped. "Yes." The hissing again. "You do want this don't you? Just relax Moze…I can make this very pleasant or very hard on you."
With a flare of anger Mozenrath bit down on the hand as hard as he could. The Aladdin thing reared, his whole arm evaporating into black smoke. A horrible, low hiss escaped and Mozenrath spat. "You are not Aladdin!" he accused. "Don't you dare touch me you fucking thing!" he hollered.
A hard back hand sent him sprawling, still from the Aladdin face. But as he rose, Mozenrath saw the familiar white hair and golden body stand above him. "No…" he began, watching as the glowing red eyes and deadly fangs of his master drew closer. "No! You are not Diriel!" he hollered. "He can not come within the borders! He can not!" Mozenrath's voice was far from high pitched and frighten. He stood with his own bold tenacity and glared. "Whatever you are, you are nothing that had touched me before. Who are you demon?"
The Diriel laughed, shifting between Aladdin and Diriel as he shook. "Clever sorcerer." He made a growling sound in the back of his throat. "He said you were quite clever though."
"Diriel sent you." Mozenrath said darkly.
"Of course. But I did not expect you to see the ruse so quickly." The thing pulsed out of the forms and into a thick black fog, swirling around the room. "But how clever are you? Can you see the rest of the plot hum?"
Mozenrath's first thought went to Aladdin. He ran past the creature to the doors, flinging them open…
…and coming face to face with a chasm.
"Wha…what the…?" Mozenrath gripped the door frame, looking out into the abyss. "I'm dreaming…" he realized suddenly. "I'm dreaming…none of this is real."
"Smart boy." Barae chuckled at him.
"If I'm dreaming, then I can just wake up." Mozenrath said and pinched himself hard.
Nothing happened.
"Not that easy fool not that easy." The black fog chuckled like dry leaves and moved closer to Mozenrath. "I can keep you asleep for many hours Mozenrath…unless you give me what I want. And by then your friends…well…" he made a gesture of slicing across himself and blood gushed from the opening.
"And what do you want?" Mozenrath said, dreading the answer.
The thing shifted back into Aladdin, now naked as the day he was born. The psyudo Aladdin strolled closer, grasping Mozenrath's hair and snapping his head back. "Diriel is very angry with you whore." He made a brazen move, grasp Mozenrath's genitals and squeezing them hard. "You've betrayed him…with a street rat no less."
"Don't call him that!" Mozenrath snapped defensively and was backhanded again. Blood welled up from the corner of his mouth and Mozenrath winced. "I did not betray him anyhow." He said defensively. "Aladdin and I have done nothing."
"Ah but you desire it. And so does he. It won't take long before flesh meets were minds have already ventured." The Face of Aladdin glared down at him. As if it were a snake, rope twined out from behind the things wrists, binding Mozenrath's hands and feet. The sorcerer fell to the floor and looked up at his attacker. "You want to help your little beloved then Moze?"
Mozenrath nodded. Afraid of what was coming next.
"Diriel is very angry with you." The thing repeated. "You deserve to be punished." A long whip appeared in the psyudo-Aladdin's hand. "Let's see how much you love him after he's beaten the flesh from you."
Dreams may not be real, but they can hurt just as much. Especially if your tormentor is the one you most trust. Mozenrath could not but feel the eyes of Aladdin him as his image lashed the hard leather against his exposed body again and again. Blood came from him in bucket loads, spreading on the floor, clotting his hair and streaking his face. The beating continued for what seemed like hours, until he felt all strength leave him and all his eyes fogged with agony.
"Not even a scream for me sorcerer. How disappointing." The Aladdin face grinned.
"It's not real. It's just a dream." Mozenrath said, though he didn't sound like he believed it.
'Aladdin' chuckled and shook his head. "Very well, I have done what I was told. Wake up Moze. You might just be in time to save her."
Mozenrath sat straight up in bed, his eyes wide and fearful. He did not wait to question the reality of his dreams but flung himself from the bed, clutching a robe and barely getting it tied before he hit the door.
Jasmine laughed as her child jumped fro stone to stone on the walking path. "Come on mom! The river is just outside this door! We can watch the boats and maybe go sailing!" he said excitedly and took her hand, leading her to the little door in the private gardens. It was mainly a servants entrance, kept so that slaves and such could come in and out without disturbance. But it was also useful if one wanted to take their little royal child out without a big fuss.
But the little one seemed to be struggling with the large brass handle. "Here. It's quite heavy. Just let me." Jasmine said and reached for the door knob.
Aladdin was wrenched from his dreams as loud banging came from his door. He threw on a robe and pulled the doors open, eyes still hazy. "Who in the world…'
There was Mozenrath, streaked in blood and looking up at him with an almost insane glare in his face.
…so bent and twisted she was barely recognizable! The dark hair he had caressed so many times before now lay limp against her honey colored skin. Not a breath stirred from her mouth. Her eyes did not move to look at him…
"What did you do to Jasmine!" Aladdin hollered, throwing Mozenrath against the wall. "What did you do to her you sick bastered!"
Mozenrath was in shock as Aladdin reared up and hand and struck him to the ground. This was worse than any dream beating. His whole world seemed to crumble in one instant from under him and he screamed.
It was just enough to halt Aladdin's next enraged blow. It was as if a fog had cleared from his mind and he saw that the blood did not come from another, but from hundreds of tiny cuts in the sorcerers flesh. Had the man been cutting himself intentionally? "Moze…oh Allah Moze I'm so sorry…"
"Don't touch me!" Mozenrath shrieked and recoiled from him on the floor. He had screamed so loud that servants were poking their heads from the bedrooms, wondering who on earth could be causing such a commotion.
"Moze…please…I'm so sorry. I had this horrible dream…"
"Dream…wait!" Mozenrath sat up shakily. Right before he had woken up…hadn't that creature said her? "Aladdin where is Jasmine?" he asked quickly.
Jasmine suddenly felt terribly cold. The vision of her little boy faded from sight and something seemed to be taking it's place. Someone tall stood in front of her, a golden statue with long flowing white hair. "What…!" her eyes fluttered open and she shook herself. "What in the world…?" Glowing red eyes pierced her vision as Diriel calmly shut the servants door behind her.
"Hello Sultana." He said calmly.
Mozenrath's arms burned with the signals at the same moment Jasmine's scream echoed in the air.