The Taste and Price of Victory

Freedom

Amira stood tall beside Kengi in front of the King and Queen. Her head pounded, her face beginning to bruise from where she had been hit. She was wearing her robe, staring directly at the King and Queen as if daring them to question her or challenge her as she bowed stiffly beside Kengi.

The King's eyes traced her form,"Well, it appears my General has returned." His eyes gleamed like a predator assessing his prey,"I take it the war was won?"

Amira's stomach rolled as she assessed him, forcing her voice out at a natural tone,"Of course, Your Majesty."

He clapped his hands together,"Wondeful!" He turned to his wife, the Queen,"Isn't that just spelndid, love?"

The Queen kept her face neutral as she spoke,"Of course, my love. It's astounding."

Kengi intervened before they could continue talking,"Your Majesty, since the war is over, Amira and I would like to leave and live by ourselves. We want a peaceful life alone." His voice implied they would either way.

The King let out a laugh,"I don't think so. You see, I have to evaluate Amira's skills before I dismiss her from being my General. After all, she did claim Captain Kai verbally... assaulted her."

Kengi's eyes blackened,"Have you ever heard the stories of soul mates? Have you heard of the stories of the magic that one man had that kept him tied to the past, leaving him to find the woman that would balance out his darkness?"

"Of course. Soul mates are widely spoken of all across my realm. I like to believe that the Queen and I are soul mates. As for your story, I don't believe I've heard that very one."

Kengi's voice was deadly,"The Queen and you are most definitely not soul mates. The soul mate bonds have worn down throughout the centuries, and they no longer exist. However, if your soul is tied to the past, then a soul mate bond could exist."

"And," he continued,"If you have magic, tied to your soul, you will find your soul mate."

The Queen spoke before the King,"What are you trying to say?"

He offered a small smirk,"I am the boy from the story your husband hasn't heard. I am the child his parents gave up for themselves. I have magic tied to my soul, and Amira is my soul mate."

The court erupted in gasps, murmuring beginning to grow through the room. The King and Queen were shocked, eyes wide, staring at Kengi.

Kengi kept his gaze calm as he stared at them, enjoying making them squirm,"Now. Amira and I would like to leave and be left in peace. Will that still be a problem?" His hands clenched, the air around them crackling slightly.

Amira placed a hand on Kengi's arm, murmuring,"Calm down."

The King stuttered,"N-no! Not a pr-problem at a-all!" He motioned for the guards to open the door,"Please, f-feel free to l-leave in peace!"

Kengi took Amira's hand off his arm, holding it as they walked silently out of the throne room. When they got to Amira's room, he opened the door for her, shutting it after she entered.

Amira faced him, eyes soft,"You didn't have to threaten the King for me, Kengi. I would've managed to get free sooner or later, regardless."

Kengi smiled softly at her, hand tracing lightly over her cheek,"I would do anything for you. I would threaten any king if it meant I could have even another second with you." 

She murmured,"The whole soul mate bond has gotten to your head, hasn't it?"

He offered her a smirk,"Nope. This is all entirely purely me. I am a hopeless romantic, after all." He leaned down, lips brushing her ear,"Don't expect too much from me, now."

Amira laughed softly, the sound echoing through her room, warming Kengi,"Of course. Besides, we can't always have high standards for each other, can we?" She smiled up at him, eyes soft and truly happy, no sign of her trauma. 

Kengi's voice was soft,"Exactly." He looked deep into her eyes, offering her a small smile as he leaned down, pressing his lips to hers tenderly.

Sparks flew between them, heat rising between them. Before things could get too heated, they moved away from each other, panting slightly.

Amira smiled slightly, leaning against the wall for support,"Let's go find our new home, shall we?"

Kengi murmured,"Should we leave this room with one last memory of us?"

Amira raised a brow, smirking slightly,"You're scandalous, Kengi. However, we definitely should."

So, they started their perfect, new beginning by leaving the place that had haunted Amira for so long behind.

Word Count: 739 words

Well, everyone, the end is near... There will be one last, final (or not so final) chapter for this story.