Seetva pointed her finger atCadmus and a powerful bolt of energy shot forth and hit him on thearm. Cadmus gasped as he released King Zanton, who collapsed on thefloor, choking and gasping for breath. Cadmus’ men leapt forward asCadmus turned savagely on Seetva.
“For that, witch, I’ll killyou as well,” he growled.
Seetva let out a fluid bewitchinglaugh. “Cadmus, you have always been an intelligent man. Surely youaren’t going to let your anger blind you.” She stepped over tohim and ran her hands up his hard, muscular arms, continuing to weaveher hypnotic spell. “I’m glad you’ve come to Haklute. I’vemissed you.”
Cadmus swung an open hand intoher cheek and sent her flying to the floor. “Don’t weave yourmagic on me, witch!” he spat out, staring down at her coldly. Hewalked over to the liquor cabinet and poured three drinks. “Get up,both of you.”
Seetva’s eyes were like spearsas she got up. “You dare hit me!”
“I could’ve killed you byusing just a little more force, but I held back to see what you haveto say.”
“Don’t ever touch me again!”she hissed.
Even with her rapidly swellingcheek, King Zanton thought she looked exquisite. Her skin wasflawless, her eyes luminous and her luscious bronze hair fell in athick mass around her shoulders.
Cadmus scowled. “You didn’tknow I’ve been training in the black arts with Samrat Condor. Youthought you’d just weave your spell on me.”
“I didn’t expect suchruthless treatment from an old lover.”
“Lover? What do you know oflove, Seetva? A man has to sell his very soul to sleep with you. Thatis not love.”
King Zanton rose to his feet andsaid in a raspy voice. “You were lovers with Cadmus?”
“No, not lovers,” Seetvareplied. “Cadmus is right. I used him just as I use you.” Seetvahanded King Zanton a drink and he quickly downed it. As Zanton pouredhimself another, he glanced at his Borithon sword that hung on thewall. He thought of sliding it from its sheath and imagined thesatisfaction it would bring to thrust it into Cadmus’ heart— ifthe man had one.
Cadmus’ eyes narrowed onSeetva. “So, what are your plans?”
Seetva picked up a glass and tooka sip, wearily watching Cadmus. “I meant what I said. If you evertouch me again, I’ll kill you. You may have studied the black arts,but you will never be as powerful as I am.” Her sharp, shrewd eyesbore into him. “I’ve been teaching King Zanton sorcery. My planis to kill Prince Erling and Michio Kimes, then take over Jaipar.”
“Easier said than done, witch.”
“It’s possible if we abductToemeka Ganti Kimes. She’s Michio’s wife and Prince Erling’sformer Coalition partner. When they come after her, we’ll killthem.”
“Toemeka!” Cadmus exclaimed.“She’s here on planet Borko?”
“You know her?” King Zantonasked.
“She worked under me at theJaipar Military Development Center. Turns out she was an undercoveroperative. She stole an important invention and it was on her accountthat Erling plunged a knife into me. So I have reason to want revengeon Prince Erling.”
“And on Toemeka,” Seetvasaid.
“Revenge?” A soft look cameinto Cadmus’ eyes and he stroked his large chin. “No, that isn’twhat I wish for her.”
With a look of suspiciousjealousy, Seetva stared at Cadmus. Zanton wondered if the witch hadfeelings for Cadmus or just wanted to control him as she did mostmen.
***
Michio woke up to the sound ofToemeka moaning in her sleep. He reached over.
“Toemeka, what is it?” heasked.
“No… no!” she cried out.
He shook her, gently. “Wake up,honey.”
“Michio?” She looked at himwith confusion, then moved into his arms, trembling. He stroked herhair and at last she quieted. “I had a terrifying nightmare. Idreamed Cadmus was chasing me. I kept running from him and hiding,but he always found me. It was so real, but it can’t be—he’sdead—Erling killed him.”
“Cadmus can’t hurt youanymore.”
“He can still attack me in theInner Worlds.”
“He can’t hurt one of Bakka’sstudents. You have the Master’s protection.”
“Is it enough?”
“It’s enough unless you allowfear to make an opening large enough for Cadmus to get through.”
“When I’m with you, I feelstrong and safe, but sometimes when I’m alone I’m afraid. I hatedworking under him at the MDC. He was always watching and threateningme. But I stayed to develop the oscillator that helped overthrowGeneral Bhandar.”
“You’ve been through a greatdeal, but it’s over and you’re safe now.”
“I know. I’m blessed to bemarried to you.” She kissed him, snuggled into his arms and soonfell back asleep.
Michio lay awake a long time,thinking about Toemeka’s dream. Was Cadmus attacking her from theinvisible worlds? An uneasy feeling settled over him.
***
The next morning Michio awoke tofind Toemeka nursing the baby. His heart filled with love andhappiness as he watched them. Baymond was only a day old and he stillhad that new quality about him that made him look as if he wasn’tquite in the physical world yet.
“You’re finally awake,”Toemeka said.
“I had trouble getting back tosleep last night after you told me your dream and I’d had verylittle sleep before that. You were in labor a long time.”
“I’m sorry I woke you.”
“I was glad to be of comfort.I’ll make you some breakfast.”
After he brought up a breakfasttray, Michio took a shower and fixed himself something to eat. He wasjust about done eating when he heard the front door open and Erlingcalling out, “Mich! Where are you?”
“I’m in the kitchen.”
Erling walked in, greeted him,then turned a chair around backwards and sat down, leaning with hiselbows against the chair back. He was attired in a casual shirt andslacks. Becoming ruler of Jaipar hadn’t changed him much. He wasstill easy-going and uninterested in power. Yet leadership seemed tocome naturally to him.
“I’m surprised to see you,”Michio said. “I know government matters are pressing.”
“True, but I wanted to see howToe is doing. She had a difficult labor.”
“She’s much better.”
“How did your first night as anew father go?”
“Rough. The baby woke up everyfew hours and Toemeka had a nightmare about Cadmus.”
Erling raised his eyebrows.“Cadmus, huh? I’m sorry to hear it. She’s suffered fromnightmares ever since I’ve known her. They started after her familywas killed. Any trauma seems to trigger them now. Cadmus wantedToemeka for his mistress and she hid it
