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“It’s time,” said Nick emphatically. He raised his sword and severed Eldon’s head.
It grew eerily quiet, as if time itself stopped. The hair on the back of Nick’s neck stood on end and he could hear his blood pounding in his ears. Wisps of electricity emanated from the neck of the body, swirling as if looking for something or someone. When they found Nick, they embraced him in a dance of sparks, gently at first and then with more intensity. Jerked like a puppet, Nick rode the storm stoically, his arms flung wide, rising to his toes as if he wanted to reach the sky. As the quickening dissipated, Nick swayed slightly on his feet feeling wrung out.
“So that’s what it’s like,” he muttered but he felt exhilarated, as if he were alive for the first time in a long time. He shoved the body and its head down the long narrow hole, kicking Eldon’s sword after him. Checking his watch, he saw that sunrise was still several hours away. Feeling invigorated, he drove away from the airport. After picking up coffee, he sat in his car and called Bert.
“Nope, sorry buddy. Nobody even close to that description on the plane.”
“Shit. Thanks for trying.”
“He’s dead Bert. Dead people do not get up and walk away. Give it a rest.”
“Then where did his body go?”
“How the hell should I know? Figure it out for yourself; I’m going to bed.” His exasperation was not faked. Without waiting for an answer, Nick closed his phone, curled his gloved hands into fists and leaned his head on the steering wheel. Part of his brain felt slightly alien as if another person were intruding on his space. Gradually that lessened as if the energy he had assimilated found empty nooks and crannies to occupy. Nick was glad he did not have the man’s memories or desires to deal with. Kyra had tried to explain the quickening to him, but words were inadequate for the experience.
Cold forced him to finally start the car and he drove back to the palace as the sun broke above the horizon. Kyra knocked on his door and poked her head in to see he was cleaning his sword. She came in, closing the door behind her.
“How was class?” he asked.
“Kristian hit on the princess again which did make for some excitement when she slapped his face. The professor did not know what to do.” Sitting beside him on the bed, she asked, “Something happen today? I figured you’d still be asleep.”
“You’ve been a good teacher, Kyra. I guess you could say I passed today.” He finished with his sword and tucked it away in its sheath. Stashing it under the bed, he turned to face her. “It was necessary.”
“It usually is,” she responded. In a fit of uncharacteristic tenderness, she laid a hand on his arm. “Are you okay?”
He covered her hand with his own. “Yeah.”
*****
Five years and many miles later, Nick could still feel the touch of her hand on his arm. Kyra had not been one to show any sentimentality. Ferocity, great passion, but not tenderness. Once she had explained that tenderness was a form of weakness, which could threaten her survival. In her opinion, any form of weakness should be eliminated if one wanted to be a good warrior. I should probably tell Bert about Eldon he thought to himself.
Now he looked up to see her standing in the doorway, looking beautiful and very feminine in a dress of icy blue.
“You looked,” she said after they had greeted each other.
“Mere coincidence,” he countered. “You’re late.”
“It happens,” she shrugged. She accepted a glass of champagne from the waiter and scanned the room. “We aren’t the only immortals,” she remarked.
Keeping his face straight, Nick said, “I’ve checked it out, and we’ll be fine. Shouldn’t have to fight anyone until after dessert.”
“Unless of course I challenge you,” answered Kyla. Further conversation was delayed since dinner was announced. Kyra tucked her hand into Nick’s arm. “We’re at the same table, aren’t we?”
“Yes we are. Be prepared for supersonic squeals when the princess sees you.”
“Still? You’d think she would have outgrown that by now.”
Princess Madeleine did try to restrain herself but was noticeably thrilled to see her former mentor and body guard. “I still don’t see why you had to leave when you did. Both of you at the same time and you didn’t even say goodbye,” she pouted over dessert.
“As I explained to the king; you were getting too close to us,” said Kyra smoothly. “That makes our job more difficult.”
“That’s what Papa said too.”
After dinner and the requisite speeches and presentations, the band began playing a sedate waltz. The king and queen started the dancing followed after a discrete time by others. “First the old people dances and later a disk jockey will play better music,” Princess Madeleine assured her table mates.
Forestalling the princess, Nick asked Kyra to dance. “It’s been a long time,” he said to her.
“Five years is not a long time unless you’re ten years old.” Her tone held a warning.
He whirled her around the floor gracefully a few times before answering. “I know. There can be only one. You told me that more than once.”
“Just being a good teacher. I’d like you to stay alive as long as possible.”
“Then how about I fire you as my teacher?” Impishly, he dipped her.
She laughed as he pulled her up. “I’m not sure you can do that, but it is good to see you again.”
When the song ended, they left the dance floor. “Why Kyra, it’s been ages.” Amanda stepped in front of them.
“Hello Amanda.” Kyra’s voice dripped icicles.
“Where are my manners?” answered Amanda smoothly. “Nick Wolfe, Kyra Albright, may I present Kristian Almquist.”
“We’ve met,” replied Kyra. “Didn’t the princess punch you in the nose for being too forward?” Kristian looked uncomfortable while Nick kept his mouth shut.
Undeterred, Amanda said, “Well, I’m thirsty. Shall we go find a drink, Kristian?” She led him away.
“She’s the one, isn’t she?” Kyra looked at Nick’s face. “Never mind, I know I’m right. Listen, you’d better dance with the princess before she has a temper tantrum in front of everyone.” They walked back towards their table.
“Like you ever let her temper tantrums change anything,” answered Nick. “Anyway, she didn’t really have a lot of tantrums. Not a bad kid, all things considered.”
“Listen who’s calling who a kid. You’re not a lot older than she is.”
“I feel a lot older.”
“I think you were born old. Just think, you’ll have years of being old.”
Nick’s response was cut off by Princess Madeleine who claimed him for a dance. One dance turned into two after which he danced with the Queen. Dancing with the two most important women at the party made him a very desirable partner among the other women there. As the music switched to a more contemporary beat, he boogied with any number of lovely partners.
It was growing quite late and Nick was enjoying a needed drink at the bar. A soft step and the familiar buzz alerted him. He turned, expecting Kyra, only to see Amanda, still looking fresh in her azure dress. He put his drink down and asked, “Would you like to dance?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” The music was softer, slower, so arranged by Amanda before she had approached Nick. “This is nice,” she sighed as he took her in his arms. “How did you end up with such an ice queen as your date?”
“I take it you don’t like her,” Nick replied. “How did you end up with Princess Madeleine’s reject?”
“Kristian may be a bit smarmy, but he’s very rich.” Amanda shrugged. “But it doesn’t matter; I’ve sent him home. He only came to try to win over the princess and she was far too smart to fall for him.”
“That was kind of you,” smiled Nick.
“I didn’t want you to feel bad, especially since Kyra left a while ago.”
“I know,” Nick admitted. “She’s not much for parties.”
“Or commitments.”
“Do you know every immortal alive?”
“Most of them,” said Amanda.
The music died down. Nick looked around at the dwindling crowd. The royals had left sometime earlier and many guests had taken that as a signal to depart. “It looks like the party is over. Shall we go home?” He held out his hand which she took.
“That sounds nice.”
~The End~
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