Obsidian Ring

Chapter 14

Liberation is never achieved without sacrifice.

As Caisimir fell, Aislinn turned around, feeling a slow change in her body beginning to take place. Her mind's eye had been opened, the whole of the underworld accessible to her now. She was unaware if there had been any changes in her appearance as well, but that was not as important. Right then, the most immediate danger was...

...gone.

Volos had simply vanished, his hooves still leaving an imprint on the purple ground.

Precisely because of this, he has seen things that we haven't lived long enough to see; he knows things that we don't, Caisimir had said. Now, she knew why. She also knew why Caisimir had made it an objective to eliminate Volos every time he resurrected. It was not for fun, and it was not out of wrath.

It was because Volos could see the future.

Is this what he wanted all along? She found herself wondering, slightly annoyed that Volos was the one creature that held any form of mystery in this realm. Her eyes wandered out of the coffeehouse, staring off into the distance. She saw the beast transporting himself to a mountaintop she hadn't previously known existed. She blinked.

A minute later, Caisimir stood again, tapping her on the shoulder to remind her of the present.

"I feel played," Aislinn said.

"I know," he assured, "I always do. And now you know."

"Ahem!" came a clear sound of feigned coughing. Etta had awakened and seated herself at one of her tables, spectating the two before her like a motion picture. "I request an explanation."

Etta stood a handheld mirror on the table, directing it at Aislinn.

The most noticeable change was her attire: rather than mahogany, it was now a porcelain white. She knew, also, that her old wagasa stayed propped up against the wall in her house, but she did not acquire a new one as queen. Aislinn's hair had grown longer and darker, reaching her waist now. Her skin was lighter; her lips had turned into a lilac color.

When she saw the color of her own lips, she turned to Caisimir to observe his. The dark purple color of his smile had now faded to a lighter shade, although it remained a darker shade than hers.

"And that too." Etta once again sliced through the idyllic atmosphere, pointing at their hands.

It was only then that Aislinn realized Caisimir had been holding her hand—not entirely, but two of their fingers on their left hands had interlocked.

But that wasn't what Etta was directing attention to. As Caisimir lifted their hands, two rings were revealed: one on her hand, the other on his. Hers was accessorized with an obsidian gem, his with a snowflake obsidian one.

"Well?" Etta prompted. "I get that Lord Devitt is really the king now; but...?"

Aislinn tugged at Caisimir's hand. "Tell her," she urged.

He sighed.

"I do owe you explanations."

Fifteen minutes later, Etta opened her eyes, waking from a memory that almost felt like a dream. Her smile was gone, replaced by the frown that both Caisimir and Aislinn recognized from that same memory.

The woman in red stood up, pacing back and forth. It felt like an eternity had passed before she decided to speak again.

"When you told me you were going to snatch the throne, I thought you were bluffing," she said slowly, recalling the reunion between herself and Caisimir. "Who would have thought? Not only did you take the throne, you also took my memories. Why?"

There she halted in her steps, turning only her face to Caisimir.

"We are all happier without the burden of the past," he answered.

"True," Etta said, beginning to pace toward Caisimir and Aislinn. "But I am quite certain that even Ace here appreciates having her memories intact."

Beside him, Aislinn nodded.

"I cherish those memories," Etta said, "I regret the words left unsaid, and I would much rather keep the pain if the lesson stays with it. And seeing as you are the king, you may already know this, but..."

Caisimir nodded. "If you should find solace in your confession, do so."

Etta stopped two steps away from him, straightening her back. To Aislinn, the woman had never looked more confident and sure—not in life, nor in hell. She wore no smile, but her gaze nevertheless remained as piercing as ever, as though she, an ordinary inhabitant in the abyss, could see through the king's soul.

"I hated the world around me. I hated the system, I hated the environment. Everything was chains and locks to me."

During her speech, Caisimir listened intently, although he couldn't possibly be surprised by the words themselves.

"I hated marriage, but never my husband."

Next to Caisimir, Aislinn smiled; then, she lifted a hand to cover her lips, not wishing to ruin the picturesque scene.

"You just happened to be the closest thing."

"I know," he answered, smiling. "And it's okay."

She didn't even say she hated her marriage, Aislinn thought. I like this ending.

Shush, love, Caisimir returned softly, this is not the end.

They exchanged a glance.

Etta spread her arms wide, slowly stepping back.

"Release me from this hell," she commanded, her psychotic grin restored. "Caisimir Devitt, you know how."

Caisimir sighed.

Aislinn started, her eyes darting between the previously married couple. "That's cruel," she commented, "I can do it."

"No, Ace, please, no." Etta laughed. "I've already died once by fire, I don't want to go through that again."

"Oh."

"Are you sure you want another life on earth?" Caisimir asked, scythe already in position.

"How long has it been since I was last there? Surely things must have progressed."

"Two centuries, my accomplice. But I'm afraid you will only be disappointed again."

"Then, that means I will most likely see you again," Etta concluded most casually. "Stay lingering for another twenty or thirty years, I'll be back."

Defeated, the king breathed a chuckle, shaking his head once.

"Farewell, my inspiration."