End Game – Chapter nine

Thane's Memories

I stand heading toward the exit of the cave which Tabitha has shown me. Once outside, I swiftly traverse the rocky trail back to the top of the outcropping moving down to the beach to my and Irikah's house. I do not call it a home because it is not a home to me anymore. On the way to our house, I meditate and pray to Aminkira and Arashu to steady my emotions so as not to kill Marik or Irikah. Reaching our house, I move silently to Kolyat's room knowing the window is unlocked. Without a sound, I raise Kolyat's window slipping in. Stealthfully, I tread to Irikah and my bedroom opening the door seeing Irikah and Marik naked spooned next to each other asleep.

At the sight, a red haze glazes my vision as my body prepares to assassinate them both, before a vision of Tabitha, my Siha, relaxes my body calming my emotions. I bow my head, "Thank you, Arashu for showing me my true love, my Siha, which you have sent me." My eyes black orbs of nothingness, face neutral, voice devoid of all emotion, "Irikah, we need to talk." I state simply as I turn the lights on.

A look of dazed shock and fright shows on Irikah's face and in her eyes as she grabs a sheet covering her and Marik, "Thane," she gasps.

Terror written across his features, Marik stammers, "Krios…this is not what it seems."

I lean against the door way, "I saw Kolyat. He said that his mom was not feeling well and that Marik was helping her feel better. I did not know that having illicit sex helped a person feel better." I state with no inflection in my voice.

Marik glanced nervously over at Irikah, "I had better leave." He glanced at me then back to Irikah, "Will you be okay with him? Should I call anyone?"

I smile to myself as I reply straight forwardly, "If I wanted you dead, you two would already be dead. You do remember my profession." Marik's eye ridges raise as I continue, "I will wait in the living room, Irikah, and Marik you can change your pants when you get home."

I sit in one of the chairs stretching my legs out before me closing my eyes. I hear mumbled cursing as clothes are hastily thrown on and the front door open and close roughly. Catching the scent of Irikah, I open my eyes to see her wearing a sheer green silk robe only as she sits on the couch allowing the robe to open.

My voice dark and deep, "Please close the robe, Irikah. I do not wish to be seduced and you reek of Marik."

She closed the robe, insolent look on her face, "What do you want, Thane? Why did you come? To gloat? What was I suppose to do? You are never around. I want to feel loved. I want to feel wanted," she sneered at me.

I bring my legs in placing my elbows on my knees, steepling my fingers together leaning forward placing my chin in my hands, "Irikah, I am not mad at you. I am as much at fault on this as you. We need to discuss this in a calm dispassionate manner. We need to consider Kolyat."

Irikah leaned forward, her voice rising, "Calm…dispassionate. You are the coldest calculating emotionless person I know. You are not a man…you are a professional killer…hired thug. Consider Kolyat? If you ever considered your son, you would be home, not continually taking contracts."

I lean back in the chair rubbing my right hand across my eye ridges, sighing audibly, "I do not wish to argue with you Irikah. If it is agreeable to you, I will have my attorney get with your attorney to work out the arrangement of a name only marriage."

Irikah looked stunned as she sat back, tears brimming her eyes, "You would stay married to me?"

I ghost a smile before replying, "I have always believed in the old ways. "Political marriages, in name only, were done in the past. You can keep my name if you wish it. I will keep an account step up for you and Kolyat to live comfortably. I do not want Kolyat's life disrupted. You may keep your lovers, but do not let your lovers dishonor my name or my family's name. I still care for you deeply, Irikah. You are the mother of my son. I do respectively request that you change your status band though."

Irikah stood up as Thane did the same. She moved over to him, tears streaking down her cheeks into her neck frills, "You would do that for me? You still care?" I pull her into a hug, holding back a growl from smelling Marik all over her, "Yes, I still care. Be happy in the future you have chosen, Irikah."

Pulling myself out of her grasp, I go into the bathroom gathering two towels and one blanket from Kolyat's room before exiting through the front door. I travel quickly back to the cave to be near Tabitha. Upon entering, I hear her calling out in terror as I race through the tunnels gathering her into my arms.

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