A Walk in the Dark Chapter 9 by Maggie Finson

“Dammit!” I actually stamped a foot with that one and glared at anything that could even by accident be the least offensive object or person in the room. “First it’s the making little Dhro’aaa thing, now this.”

“Well, the first one would probably more fun.” Sam shrugged.

I narrowed my eyes and gave him one of those ‘go there and you are sooo dead’ looks girls seem to have down pat by the time they’re five or six years old. “That is NOT going to happen.

“At least not in the near future.” I let out a sigh and just sat down without throwing anything or setting something on fire. I had to be kind of careful with my temper because of that ability and had learned that the hard way. In my own defense, it was only an empty wardrobe. And the fire was kind of pretty even if the smoke in our rooms was annoying…

Watching my maids frantically trying to put the fire out had made me feel kind of bad, though.

“Dahlia, it’s what you are, and you should know by now that neither one us of can fight that here.” Sam soothed. “I’m the ‘up in your face and poor you.’ Type. You’re the ‘keep looking over your shoulder and it won’t do you any good if you do type’. He answered. “We just have to deal with what we are now.”

“Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” I muttered.

“You don’t seem to like being one of most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen in my life, either.” He countered. “You deal with that. Settle down and deal with this, too.”

His first statement had parts of me so warm I had to glow in the dark. And no, I was not, was NOT, going to cave in to them. The second part made sense too, damn him for being so practical.

“But what now?” I almost whined. “Kae’song actually wants me to go out and KILL someone.”

“Do what you have to, love.” He answered simply. “We don’t have a lot of choice when he specifically tells us to do something, do we?

“No.” I shrugged and let myself just kind of fall into his hug. “We don’t. So I’m going to go out there, and just — kill — someone who had the misfortune to displease Kae’song.”

“Not your fault.” He softly told me. “You are what you are, Dahlia, and in my opinion that is one very incredible, impressive woman. And yes, I know you aren’t willing to admit that to yourself yet, and I’m not pushing for you to do that. But by the gods, you are and have been since we got here, the most incredible, beautiful, smart and determined, woman I’ve ever met in my life.”

At least he didn’t say he loved me. But part of me sooo wanted him to do that.

I sighed, settled back into his arms and nodded. And yes, my head was against his chest again. Biology. I was female, and the body wants things that the mind might find repulsive at times and just ignores that kind of thing. “Thanks, Sam.”

“I love you, Dahlia.” He answered, which set alarm bells ringing, had things in my head mustering defenses, and scared part of me.

I just told all those things to go find something else to do. “I love you, too.”

“About time you admitted it.” He hugged me tighter and even I couldn’t see it given that my face was pressed into his powerful chest, I knew he was smiling.

“Sam.” I hesitantly moved away from his arms and put one hand on his cheek while I just looked at him. “I give you this promise, freely and without reservation. You are the love of my life, I will be with you, there for you, defend you, and yes, love you, no matter what happens. You and I are meant to be together, and by all the gods watching, I can’t and won’t deny that. I love you Sam, you are more than life to me. You are one of my reasons for being. The most important one.”

I took a deep breath and went on though parts of me were protesting, setting up defensive bunkers and screaming for me not to say the next thing that came out of my mouth. “Now take me to bed and show me how much you love me.”

And ohh, that was sooo good when he did. As for details? None of your damned business.

Well, one problem had been taken care of. I was female with all the drives and urges and let those have their way with me. And yes, it was fun, and felt good.

But I’d been a guy! Guys don’t make desperate, sweaty, needy love with other guys.

News flash here. I wasn’t a guy any more. Not at all.

And the girl — woman — female — whatever, that I was, wanted more of it with my lover, my consort, my champion, my husband.

But I didn’t conceive. I discovered that I could actually shut that part of things off with just a thought. Talk about fool proof birth control. But really, I wasn’t about to let Kae’song have any power at all over children I could have.

“ That was nice.” I whispered into Sam’s ear while squirming to make our spooning even more intimate.

He obliged by setting his hands, gently, on my breasts and chuckled. “Yeah, it was. Though just ‘nice’ doesn’t cover things. I saw fireworks and felt the Earth move.”

“I didn’t think guys were supposed to be all that romantic when they aren’t on the make.” I laughed and pushed myself into his back. “But you’re doing good here.”

“Thanks.” He answered and snuggled a bit tighter. “I hate to bring this down, but what are you going to do about what Fu Manchu wants?”

“Like I have a choice?” I asked. “He has my oath. I have to do what he wants.”

“Yeah.” Sam sighed and hugged me. “I’m so sorry about that.”

“Not your fault, love.” I replied. “I’ll do it, I have to and yes, I know I’m good at that kind of thing, but I won’t enjoy it.”

“I know.” He answered, then rolled me over and started doing such wonderful things…

I was still kind of glowing when I finally got to Kae’song’s chambers.

“You have need of me?” I questioned quite carefully to show there was no subservience in me but I knew I had to do as he asked.

“Yes, my dear.” He answered, giving me knowing look. “There is a group of merchants in the town of Hanas who seem to have forgotten just who rules here. I need you to give them a message for me. It is past time for you to use some of that training you’ve been receiving.”

“I see.” I nodded and looked at him. “I don’t suppose this has anything to do with letting people know that you have a Dhro’aaa assassin at your beck and call?”

“That would be part of it, admittedly.” He answered then shrugged. “But this ‘Merchant’s Association’ requires some persuasion. You are to kill one of them, publicly and so there is no doubt that he has been assassinated and who ordered it done.”

I really hated this man, but knew I’d do what he wanted whether I really wished to or not just then. I was also sure there were ways around that, too, but needed more time to figure those out. “Anyone in particular or should I just chose one merchant at random?”

“You choose, my little beauty.” He answered with a smile that almost made me sick it was so possessive. “Just make certain that your choice is one who is both prominent and wealthy.”

“All right.” I said and gave him another little nod. “I’ll just pretend my victim is you.”

He just laughed in response.

Then Sam entered the room and he looked from him to me. “Your consort will remain here while you perform your duties.

“I want your oath, warrior, here and now, that will not leave the citadel until your lady has returned with proof of her success in this venture.”

“If I don’t?” Sam questioned.

“Then I will negate her ability to choose when conception occurs.” Kae’song answered while watching me.

“Then you have it.” Sam glared at him.

“That isn’t enough.” The mage answered.

“I,” Sam let out a sigh, “give my oath that I will not leave this place until Dahlia, my consort has returned with proof of the success in her mission.

“Is that enough you bastard?”

“It is sufficient.” He answered then favored me with a nasty grin.

“Then give me the information I need to do this thing and let’s get it over with.” I growled.

“Oh of course.” Kae’song handed me a scroll. “All you need to know is on that. Learn it well and quickly because you leave tonight.”

“I’ll get it done.” I told him and hated myself more than a little for saying that and even contemplating the murder of someone.

But just then, I really didn’t have a choice in the matter.

Dammit. Like I’ve said before, being this really cool magical being really sucks at times.