The Queen of Elysium

Chapter 14 - Duel at Dawn

Lucifer turns, not quite believing his ears. Morpheus? Surely it cannot be.

From behind a white marble column steps a figure clad in black; it is indeed the one oft-called the Dark King. Morpheus must have been masking his power, for now it radiates out. Despite it being midsummer's day and the lowest ebb of the Morpheus's power, it is threatening enough to cause Lucifer to pull his own power to the fore.

There is no love lost between them and Morpheus has never bothered to mask his contempt. Still, he was not the worst. Lucifer's 'elfling' status led some purists to bay for his 'tainted' blood. Thankfully, his golden-yellow eyes marked him as the next Guardian of the Light and his father, King Cosmos, took him away to live in Avalon as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, he had to periodically return to Alfheimr, where his greatest tormentor as a boy was his own half-brother, Antares. It was a victorious day when he had returned as a young man, equal in stature and superior in power to Antares, and was able to bring his brother to his knees.

Lucifer pulls himself back to the here and now. The presence of Morpheus is unsettling and his words confounding. My rose?

"Morpheus, are you not normally ensconced in your mountain retreat?" He manages to keep his voice even.

"Nothing would keep me away from witnessing my rose bloom," Morpheus asserts from his position, leant casually against the column.

His knowing smile adds to Lucifer's unease and he stands protectively in front of her. Without seeing him move, Morpheus is suddenly looming over them. 

Not in the mood for games, Lucifer demands, "What do you want?"

"The same as you, youngling," Morpheus's tone goes from condescending to righteous, "to claim Elissa as my queen."

"She is mine!" he counters with passion and shakes his head thinking that Morpheus must be deluded. Jealousy burns like acid as watches the Dark King approach Elissa and lovingly cup her cheek. She gazes back at him in some kind of thrall.

"You are so beautiful. You have the eyes of a dark queen." Morpheus's voice is more tender than he thought possible.

Envy, possessiveness and aggression battle for control and Lucifer growls, "Get away from her."

"Unlike you, youngling, I can withstand the siren's call of elven heat."

"Well old man, perhaps you have lost your vigour."

"Oh, I can assure you that is not the case. I have had hundreds of solars of experience to hone mastery of control."

.....

This is ridiculous. "Enough!" Elissa demands.

They ignore her and one of them opens their mouth to continue the verbal slanging match. Irritated, she places her fingertips on each of their chests and give them both a zap of electricity. Two sets of eyes turn their full attention upon her and both visibly darken.

Eek. They look like they could devour me. She is completely out of her depth. Note to self. Don't get caught in between two powerful kings.

Taking a few steps backwards, she rationalises, I am not retreating, just getting into a better strategic position.

There is a wicked sparkle in Morpheus's eyes. "We both lay claim to Elissa. I say that we ask my rose who she chooses."

Putting her hands on her hips, she emphatically asserts, "I don't choose either of you."

"There is another way to settle this," Lucifer says and cracks his knuckles. That is all the warning given before he sends a spout of fire at Morpheus.