You have come here
In pursuit of your deepest urge,
in pursuit of that wish,
which till now has been silent,
silent . . .

Point of No Return from Phantom of the Opera

Mozenrath stood silently watching the empty streets fill with light. It was the morning of the ceremony. A day he had been silently dreading since the agreement that was made what seemed liked ages ago now. He sighed, leaning against the cool, marble rail separating him from a long fall towards the ground below. His arms were shaking a little, an image Xerxes had seen many times.

The sorcerer was in pain. The power surging through his body, the power that he had fought so hard to keep was slowly killing him again. Once, not all that long ago, he had tried to swap bodies with that meddling street rat! But it had failed, though he had gained new strength.

All in all not a total loss.

But he could not try that little trick again.

In his gloved hand a dark flame grew. He could just take some of her life force. Slowly drain it until there was almost nothing left, no one would notice her growing weaker if he was careful. He shook his head, extinguishing the flame. He needed these warriors. If he played his cards right Amaya would be beside him as he took from Princess Jasmine and her father the kingdom they so loved.

Mozenrath grinned. To watch his wife as her friend and allies fell at his hand would bring enough joy to make all this worth it. He turned back to his room, straightening his white tunic that he was to wear and placing the turban on his head.

"Soon, I will show him that the power handed to him isn't worth anything without sacrifice."

His eyes sparkled a little at the thought. Revenge was always so sweet.


In her own chambers Amaya had just put on her lovely white gown. It fell to the floor, with golden roses creeping up the skirt. Hugging her body enough to be a little more then modest the dress was sure to turn a couple heads.

Just as she had planned.

She may be getting married, but that doesn't mean she could not turn a few heads in the process. She grinned, spinning a little watching the skirt sway and move. Around her waist she placed a golden v shaped girdle, the perfect addition.

A knock on her chamber door made her jump a little. She had dismissed her servants, claiming to wish to dress alone as her final act as a single maiden. Reluctantly they had agreed, though they had seemed a little hurt by her dismissing them.

"Yes?" she asked, her voice a little shaking. Who would be disturbing the bride at this time in the morning. She was not to walk down the aisle, and so not to leave her room, for another hour or so.

The door opened to reveal a beautiful young woman, with raven hair and icy eyes. She wore a green gown fit for a queen, with a silver circlet in her hair. She stepped in, shutting the door behind her and locking it.

"You look beautiful," she said with a smile. Her eyes seemed to almost draw tears but they were quickly brushed away.

"Thank you, but… Who are you?" asked Amaya, trying to seem rude but this was a woman she could not recall seeing before. Though something in her was drawn to the woman and she vaguely recognized her.

"My name is Ishtar," said the woman, straightening to her full height. To prove who she was she held out a cloak, touched by the soils of the Underworld. Amaya knew the sight of the cloak at once, having seen it before in Destane's keep.

Amaya fell to her knees before the goddess, her head bowed. Her heart seemed to stop for a moment, "I did not mean to seem rude."

Ishtar laughed, drawing the princess to her feet and smiling at her, "You are fine, little princess. My sister told me her nymph who has been caring for you over heard a wish you made. I wanted to grant it. A wedding present if you will."

Amaya could not believe the words she was hearing. The goddess of love and war was often harsh and cruel, yet she seemed kind and gentle now.

"What is the catch?" asked the princess.

"Nothing, only that you understand that you play a dangerous game challenging fate," the goddess replied. "Now, sit down dear."

Ishtar took the princess's nearly black hair in her hands and tied it up into a bun, a few curls cascading down. She took the red rose from the table and placed in her hair, to help hold down the veil. She then placed a chain around her neck. It was a rose made of lapis.

"Wear this always and he will none will resist your charms. It is not too strong, but it should be enough to unharden his heart," the woman said, touching the princess's neck lightly.

"How could I ever repay you?" asked Amaya, turning smiling towards her.

"I am sure we can think of something. For now, walk down the aisle with confidence," she said rising and walking towards the door.

"Oh, and if his attentions ever wander…" Ishtar pulled a small vile from her side. "Pour this onto an article of clothing of his. Trust me, it will be well worth it."

After speaking her thanks again Amaya took the vile, tucking it away in the chest at the foot of her bed. She turned back towards the woman but she had already left.

But a small lion cub remained. He bound towards Amaya, curling up at her feet. She smiled, picking him up and holding him close to her chest. Around his neck hung a small piece of lapis, its intense blue hue catching her eye. She smiled, one last gift from the goddess.

she called him Cath Palug. Or Cath for short.