Abbernathy and Magick's End |Trilogy Now Complete!

(14) - A Little Plant Shop of Great Importance -

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WITHOUT THE EVERNIGHT, Axion had no magick to draw upon. The shadows would not come when he commanded, they would not pool beneath his feet, and give him access to anywhere within the Eridan. He would have to walk like everyone else, one foot in front of the other.

After returning to Aelurus, he delivered the news of his abdication. The Shadlings were shocked, the ones who knew Axion beyond his title as Night Prince and Shadow King, Shadlings like Oskar, less so. They couldn't trust a man with their well-being who couldn't pay his tab on time. He would let the Shadlings decide on a new leader for their Glittering Glade - a king, a governor, whatever they desired.

Abby prepared to leave the following night, Margo telling her she had something to do but would be joining them later, Lucy vowing to go, despite whatever Reven may say, Axion answering with only a coy smirk when she asked if he would go too.

But she was sure he'd be there. Ean was an overcast city that didn't get much sun, and because of the myriad of factories and late-night shifts, there were plenty of sandwich shops open at all hours. Plus, the citizens already knew him - as the strange bandaged man who hung around Abby's plant shop. It would make a good home, if Axion let it.

In the morning, Abby went to the great hall, where Archmage Mattias was in the middle of summoning the portal that would take her home. The black and white furred Aelurian swayed as magick's blue light misted around him. His arms dipped and rose, the world cracking, the room splitting in half and peeling back.

Axion slunk into the hall behind her, so quiet she yelped when he touched her shoulder.

"Jumpy," he said, bemused. "Eager to get home?"

"Your touch," she said, glancing at where he touched her, "still carries a chill."

He leaned in, more at ease with getting close to her than he had been. "I'll be more careful next time." A mischievous grin split his face, and Abby sighed.

Next time.

She was at his mercy, wasn't she?

His grin widened, which in turn, made her grimace worse. If it really came to it, Abby would dust off her ivory boots, slip them on, and give his crotch a pummeling. She didn't know if such tactics could work on a former Shadow King's shadowy bits, but she'd try if he got too close.

Abby suspected he wouldn't though; Axion had become gentler lately, more sincere. Often he wore his blouses rolled to the elbows, his collar unbuttoned. It left him more exposed than he'd ever been, giving her glimpses of large swaths of his stars. His Aureate veinings had become more prominent too, permanent fixtures in the tapestry of Axion's universe. Aureate and Shadling, Axion no longer suppressing one to appease the other.

A door creaked opened behind them. Margo ambled in, a clay pot in hand. Abby gave her a gentle smile, one the mouse wizardess returned.

It made Abby's heart swell, knowing her friend was capable of smiling again, and willing to leave her rooms. Abby nodded at the pot she carried.

Margo stiffened, her lips a hard line. Radiance, grey and dull, clouded around her. "Calleighdia's remains," she said, clasping the pot to her chest. "I don't know where she was born, but I figured I could sprinkle them over the ruins of the Un mage's conclave in the mountains. After saving me, it's least I can do."

Abby clamped a hand on Margo's shoulder. The mouse wizardess shrank under her touch, but she didn't pull away like Abby had expected. Another good sign. "I'm sure she'd like that."

Margo snorted, and her mouth curved, her whiskers following suit. "I'm sure she'd hate it and call me a stupid, sentimental ratta."

"She'd be the idiot then," interrupted Axion. Margo's eyes flew to his. "If she would deny such an act of kindness." Her radiance softened, a soft pink parting the gloom.