Free Flames of Awakening: Faemoch Cycle Book 1 by Michael Reynolds Page B

but I do
not think it will last for more than an eternity. But, because she did fail, I
have to make certain judgments. Aren't you interested to find out what
decisions I have to make concerning you?"
    She paused as if to let him answer
and then smiled evilly when he couldn't open his mouth.
    "On the one hand," she
continued, "I could use you. Or, I could release you to enjoy the chaos
that will be created. I have decided to force ... let ... you make that choice
for me."
    She grabbed Bergar's head by the hair
and snapped it up. Bergar was transported back to the small room at the top of
the stone tower. Jaxius knelt in the middle of the destroyed room, tears
cascading down his cheeks. Bergar's own body lay desiccated in the
blood-covered floor. And Tolian lay crumpled near the door, not breathing.
    "Look. See the scene we have
laid out before us. Your friends have defeated my creature. She was but one of
a great many. A calculated risk taken, granting me the opportunity to collect
the prize that I have before me."
    She licked her luscious lips as she
watched Jaxius grieving for his lost companions.
    "He is special, you know. I
shall not tell you how or why, of course. But know that he is very special
indeed. But I offer you a choice today. It will not be a good or fair choice,
but you have more alternatives than most other mortals receive here.
    "You can go back to the world of
the living. Have your body back, with my blessings, and live."
    Bergar raised an eyebrow, not
trusting the dark goddess.
    "You are correct to assume that
it is not as plain as all that. You may re-enter your body. Just. As. It. Is.
You can have eternal life and freedom. However, your body is rotting quickly
thanks to the final spell my witch cast upon you, just before you left the
mortal realm.
    "The other option," she
grinned a toothy grin, "is to enter your almost dead friend's body.
Inhabit the same body. Share all with the bard and live out the blissfully
chaotic life that you must live.
    "The choice is yours, Bergar,
eternal life in service to a queen and High Goddess. Or, you can live a half
life with a pathetic storyteller. Which is it, then?"
    She paused. This time it was her turn
to cock an eyebrow, but not from distrust.
    Bergar's mind raced. At first he
thought the decision would be easy. Surely Tolian could stand to have a little
bit of manhood in his head. But the more he thought, the more he pondered how
weak he would be. And how he would lose his own identity. He would no longer be
heir to the clan-head. His father would not know him.
    However, if he chose to live as a
walking corpse, then his people would surely not accept him. Moreover, they
would most likely kill him. That is, if Jaxius didn't slay him where he rose. Undead
abominations were just that ... abominations. That was his answer, though. The
release of well and truly dying. He could choose that path and be slain to
return to his proper life after death.
    "I know what you are thinking.
You are thinking that you will just get yourself killed again, so that you can
go back to that 'happier' place. The one with the forests and animal droppings.
Well, let me explain to you another bit of information. If you die as an
'abomination,' as you call it, then you are mine. Forever."
    Never. He would never spend eternity
being tormented by this foul witch. He would choose to invade Tolian's body and
share it with him. A half life with the prospect of finding a way out of this
mess was better than eternity under this one's heel. And surely the bard
wouldn't mind. It would fuel his stories for years.
    "I choose to share my friend's
body," Bergar said slowly, surprised to find his lips once again in place.
    "Very well," she said
smiling. "Off you go. I shall certainly enjoy watching this!"
    She lifted Bergar up by his jaw from
the ground until he was face to face with her. Her red eyes blazed brightly,
and Bergar squinted to see. Finally the blinding red light engulfed all of his
vision,