46

BRICE

My internal clock is what wakes me. I'm usually up around 3AM but I'd slept in after last night's events. Based on the light outside with no sign of the sun yet, I guessed it to be between 5AM and 6AM.

I looked down at Soleil cradled in my arms running my fingers across her cheek and through her hair. She was sound asleep.

I had been abstinent to conserve my power and had thrown it away in the heat of the moment. I don't regret anything that happened last night but knew it would cost me. The question was, how much?

Getting up, I ready myself for a morning swim and leavd my girl in bed. We hadn't talked much after sex but I could hear the worry in her mind. She was anxious that things between us would change - that I wouldn't want her anymore now that I'd slept with her.

She was right on one count - things had changed. We would never be the same. But she couldn't be more wrong on the other. Like Cod had warned, I was bound to her. She couldn't get rid of me if she tried.

Then there's my ability to now read her mind. I hadn't shared my discovery with her though. She'd already mentioned something about boundaries when I walked through her last dream. The word was laughable. There would be no such thing between us – not after last night.

Making my way out to the water, the crisp air is refreshing. I swim out and then across, moving against the tide. So much for abstinence, I berate myself expecting to feel the lethargy that comes after a strong nut, especially after having harnessed my sexual energy for so long.

To my surprise, it never comes. I actually feel stronger than ever. When the timer on my wristwatch goes off clocking my daily 33km swim, I'm surprised I had set a new pace for myself. What usually takes me 4 hours only took 3 and I could have kept going.

I'd swam the English Channel countless times setting my own record at 5 hours and managing to shave that down to 4 in the last year. One of my Labours would be crossing the North Sea from Sangatte, France to Lindesnes, Norway. My endurance would be tested over the 850km stretch. If I could maintain my current pace, I would only be in the water for 3 to 4 days.

I was curious about this change and found myself swimming toward the portal that would take me to the God's plane. I hadn't heard from Cod or felt his presence hovering over me in the earth realm which meant I had to go to him. I was interested in finding out what else this blood magic entailed other than binding myself to a virgin.

After being spun around and spit out by the whirlpool, I emerge on the other side to the endless day's bright blue skies. Similar to my last visit, soldiers roam the streets. On my way to the palace, I find myself slowing down and gravitating towards the spectacle that's taking place in a makeshift ring.

I stand on the sidelines watching the two hulking men go at each other. They move at the speed of lightning and every time they clash it sounds like the clap of thunder.

My second Labour would be a fight to the death. I had no idea who my opponent would be. Watching this combat, I wasn't sure I would survive if I was put up against one of them. I'm convinced these trials were designed to kill me.

The two behemoths came to a standstill when one holds a sword at the naval of the other, dragging the cast metal up to his neck. His opponent stands defenseless, his weapon lying a couple of feet away on the ground. A thunderous applause moves around the ring like a wave as the spectators cheer. I hate to admit that even I'm impressed and a little scared.

"Little god," says Jett, one of my sparring coaches. "Have you come here to watch or are you up for a fight?"

The answer was neither. However, I couldn't reveal the real reason I was here as it would highlight my lack of discipline. My pride has me stepping into the ring in acceptance of the thinly veiled challenge. On Earth, I was more god than man and here it worked in the reverse. I was more of a man and therefore weaker.

I steel my spine in preparation for the beating I'm about to take. Thierry had ensured while training that I never faced any serious injury. But without him here, I knew that Jett wouldn't hold back.

Jett gathers some armour and uses his magic to shrink down the breastplate, helmet, and sword to fit me.

"Hmmm... I will give you one of my newest recruits," he says. "SPLASH!" he calls out.

A tall, lean man steps forward. He towers over me by a foot and probably weighs at least 250 lbs. He's not as big as either of the men that had previously been in the ring but I'd be a fool to think I could take him or any of these men. Their whole lives revolved around battle. They were made to be soldiers while I was in the process of proving myself worthy to be a king.

We make our way to the center of the ring and square off. I stand in armour while my opponent is bare except for the loin cloth shielding his modesty. Even though Jett called him "a new recruit" he seems confident if he doesn't see a need for a weapon let alone amour. I will most likely be paying a visit to the healing pools after this.

As soon as the gong sounds, all I can do is swerve to the side to avoid the flying fist directed at my face. Unfortunately, he's fast and I catch the blow he lands on my back aimed at my kidney. I fall to my knee trying to catch my breath as the crowd cheers. I can't go down without a fight. I have to at least land a blow to save face.

I rise quickly and swing my sword while Splash's back is turned as he basks in his premature victory. I graze him leaving a blue streak. That gets his attention. He comes for me blow after blow. I duck each one and can see he's getting pissed.

"Do you plan to bore us with your avoidance tactics?" cries out one voice.

"Did no one teach him how to attack?" says another.

"At least he managed to get in a wee swipe," jeers someone else.

Their laughter spurs me into action. Splash moves systematically in a sort of practiced rhythm; I anticipate his next move and instead of avoiding him I block the attack with my forearm. He's caught by surprise. I use that to my advantage and with my free hand, plunge the sword into his side.

His eyes widened in shock. I step back, unsheathing the sword from his flesh. He falls to the ground in a heap. I look at the blue blood on my blade that now also spreads across the red clay under our feet.

The air around us is silent for a moment until a roar goes up. The crowd is cheering. I could have sworn they were against me a moment ago.

Jett walks over to me and raises my arm in victory.

"It looks like you've ascended, little god," he says with pride in his voice.

*

I make my way to Thierry's chambers feeling good, great in fact. I'm on top of the world. A rush like no other pumps through my veins. Whether it's a winner's high or the rush of newfound power flowing through me I have yet to determine.

My mood dips when I spot Cod on his back, the room in disarray. I rush over to his little body surrounded by papers. His eyes are still and wide open. For a moment I think he's dead. That is until I shake him and he springs to his feet, his eyes moving rapidly around the room before settling on me.

"Master Brice! What are you doing here?" he asks, gathering the scattered papers on the floor.

"I came to see you. Any word on Thierry."

"No, young master. And I gave you my word that I would bring you news if there were any developments or I found something."

"Well, I needed to ask you something and it couldn't wait."

"What is it, my lord?"

"What can you tell me about blood magic?"

Cod straightens and presses the overflowing pages in his hands to his chest. He looks nervous but then again he always looks like he's on the verge of an anxiety attack.

"It depends. What do you want to know?"

"Other than the power to bind what else is associated with the old magic of deflowering a virgin?"

"I'm not sure," he says, rubbing the back of his neck and sending half the papers he gathered back to the floor. "It's not a topic I'm well-versed in."

"Tell me what you do know. Why did you warn me against sleeping with Soleil?"

He drops the rest of the papers.

"You slept with her?"

I roll my eyes at the theatrics.

"That's none of your business."

"Then what are you asking me?"

He bends over starting the cleaning process all over again.

"So, what if I did?"

"You pompous, rebellious, god-child... Lord Thierry didn't want you getting attached. Now you are. It will make things more difficult."

"What things? Was the only concern regarding the matter my attachment?"

"The main concern is loyalty. You're bound to Lord Thierry by blood because you're family and now you're bound to that girl – a girl he has not approved of - because you're lovers. Family and lovers - those are the strongest bonds in existence. There is another he has chosen for you. He was in talks with the other gods regarding a union between their kingdoms. How will you bond with her now? It's more than just what you desire for yourself. There are alliances at play and you're complicating things. He won't be pleased. Master will be upset and blame me as always," he grumbles the last part.

"Are you telling me that Thierry is arranging a marriage on my behalf? Behind my back?"

"Technically, it's above your head not necessarily behind your back. She's quite the beauty. And I can bet my left gill that you would have had no objections if you weren't attached. Now look!"

He was probably right. I couldn't picture myself with anybody but Soleil now. I hadn't even looked at another girl in months and even when I tried hooking up with Celine it was in an attempt to get Soleil out of my system. This definitely complicates things if I was expected to marry someone else.

"Back to the topic of blood magic, is it possible that hers could enhance my powers?"

"What do you mean?" asks Cod, placing the papers on a table before moving to clear a different section of the floor.

"I went for my usual morning swim and noted that I've become faster."

"That is par for the course. Your power should be increasing at this stage."

"I shaved off a whole hour."

He shrugs nonchalantly.

"I fought one of Jett's new recruits on my way here. I managed to cut through him. I've never been able to do that before. Jett told me I've ascended."

"And it seems that you have. Your trials and Labours are there to hasten the process of your evolution. Your mortal body wouldn't be able to handle that much power in your younger years but as it matures in the next decade, you will ascend to your peak."

"So, my sleeping with Soleil has nothing to do with these changes?"

"Not that I can think of, no. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"It depends on the power in her blood. She's a seer. Have you gained her ability of sight?"

"Not that I've noticed but I can now read her thoughts and I can also do this:"

I chanted the foreign words and the old chest appeared.

"You can speak the Merovian tongue?"

"Is that what it is? Truth be told, I have no idea of the words meaning, but they came to me after we'd been together along with this:"

I bend down and unlock the chest allowing him to take a look at its contents. He runs his fingers underneath the lip of the lid, tracing a script I hadn't noticed before.

"To be opened upon her return," he reads.

I take a closer look and for the most part, the script is illegible to me. He picks up my drawings of her and stares at it for a minute before moving on to the books. His eyes quickly scan the pages.

"This is your personal diary, my lord."

I take it from him and note the same illegible script so I hand it back.

"What does it say?"

"I... It's... Uhm...Hmm," He hands the book back to me and rubs his neck. "They're your personal thoughts and feelings, my lord. Rather intimate thoughts and feelings."

He moves on to another book and pages through it while I try to decipher my own hand.

"This is... fascinating."

"What is it?" I ask, snatching the book out of his hand.

I still can't read it but this one has diagrams of some sort in it.

"That's your playbook. It appears that you used Amba as an amplifier for your power."

"What is Amba?"

"I believe she is or was Soleil."

***

By the time I make it back to the beach house, the sun is shining high in the sky. It must be around noon. The pool house is quiet and when I enter the bedroom, I can see Soleil's dark hair peeking out from the white duvet.

How is she still asleep? I join her in bed and pull the cover away from her face.

"Rise and shine, mon amour!" I coo and pepper her face with kisses.

Her eyes flutter open and she looks up at me drowsily. She's adorable.

"Brice?" she says looking a little confused.

"Oui. Time to get out of bed. You must be hungry."

"Nah ah," she protests.

"You don't want to eat?"

"No, I'm tired. Maybe later," she yawns again.

She rolls over and her eyes flutter shut. I'm about to yank her out of bed and carry her to the shower with me when I hear my phone vibrating on the side table. I reach for it and answer when I see it's Hidde.

"Whatsup?"

"You said I should call if something comes up or we run into any problems."

"Okay. And?"

"Well, something's come up and we have a problem. Meet me at the carport. Now."

He hangs up and I take a deep breath. Today has already been a long day and it looks like I have more shit on the way.

I look down at Soleil who's gone back to sleep and let her be. At least she's not planning on leaving like she was last night.

I'm dressed in jeans and a tee when I enter Hidde's SUV. The car is already running with the gate wide open.

"Where to?" I ask him as he backs out.

"The office. I called Divin and he flew in. He wants to settle this matter with the Erasmus family before they can even think of finding a lawyer and making a case."

"I'm assuming you're talking about that little prick from last night."

Hidde doesn't respond. He just gives me the side eye and focuses on the road ahead.

We arrive at my grandfather's offices. He comes from a long line of lawyers. This branch mainly deals with property litigation.

We're led to the boardroom by a middle-aged secretary and find our uncle at the head of the table dressed in a grey suit sans the tie.

"Nephew, it looks like you've been busy. What did I tell you about your temper?"

I narrow my eyes at him and take the seat next to him not at all in the mood for a lecture.

"The parents of a Jan Erasmus should be arriving soon. I will do all the talking. You will keep your mouth shut unless asked. You're simply here for show. This meeting wasn't on my itinerary today so don't waste any more of my time. Understood?"

"Perfectly."

A few minutes later, an older couple are escorted in by the same secretary. They look like your regularly run-of-the-mill kind, not at all the snobby type based on their attire.

They take their seats across from Hidde and me. Once they settle in and introductions are made, the balding man looks at me with disdain.

"My son is lying in a hospital bed with a concussion, broken nose, and fractured jaw because of you."

Is that it? He could be lying at the bottom of the ocean – dead. They're lucky I'm in a good mood otherwise I would have told them as much. Instead, I follow Divin's advice and keep my mouth shut.

"We're in talks with our lawyer. We won't let you get away with this," says Mrs Erasmus

"We called you in to settle this matter. There's no need to drag this out through an already overburdened court system. I'm sure you'll find that we've been generous. This should cover all medical fees as well as account for your son's pain and suffering." He slides the cheque over to them. "We'll also need you to sign an NDA," he slides a set of papers over to them as well.

Mr Erasmus' eyebrows shoot up to his non-existent hairline and his eyes widen. I wonder exactly how generous we're being.

His wife is not as easily won over though.

"Do you think you can buy us off? Buy our silence? My son may have sustained permanent injuries."

Her husband picks up where she left off catching wind of her indignation.

"He had a bright future ahead of him. You stole that."

"Now, now. Don't get ahead of yourselves. I don't think you know your son as well as you think you do and if I'm wrong on that front then I'm sure you're already aware of how precarious his future is. Are you ready to defend your precious son against a class action lawsuit on child pornography and sexual harassment?" counters Divin.

The woman looks stunned, her mouth hangs open enhancing the frown lines around her mouth even more.

"What are you talking about?" Mr Erasmus asks.

Divin takes out the phone I handed over to Hidde last night, taps on the screen, and slides the device over to the couple.

"This is not the first time Mr Jan has recorded young girls in compromising situations without their consent. It is, however, the first time he's been confronted about it. Most of those girls are minors and I'm sure the judge will not take kindly to that. No one would blame my nephew for defending his girlfriend's honour against a serial predator. In fact, I'm sure in the court of public opinion, he'd be regarded as a hero," finishes Divin with a smug smile.

Their indignance quickly morphs into worry and shame as they look through their son's phone. His mother has to look away after a few minutes.

"As I said before, our family has been generous. We value our privacy but don't mistake our generosity for weakness and think we're afraid to meet you in court." Divin removes a pen from his jacket and places it in between him and them. "The choice is yours."

2024 / 05 / 19

WC: 3332

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