Annie Nicholas: Koishi

With a cry, he dropped them before he crushed their bodies with his poor landing. On his side, he faced the gate and watched his mother step through the magical veil, a thick coat of lava on her flesh. It wouldn’t harm her, but it would cook the invading dwarves. Sadly, it would also destroy his hoard.

His mother didn’t bother to shake the dripping lava off as she skewered with the tip of her tail any dwarf who tried to leave the erupting volcano on the other side of the gate. There weren’t many stragglers.

The strong magic in the gate kept the blast from crossing. The eruption would only be on the Inverness side. As he stared, the gate flickered. The water-like surface vanished for fraction of a second.

“Did you see that?” He raised his head. The gate had never changed once in all the times he’d looked at it. Why now?

Sandra stepped in front of him and blocked his view. She cradled his head. “I have the saji. I’m going to save your stubborn ass before that stupid gate zaps you away again.” She gestured to Urgle. “Give me your water skin.”

The goblin handed over the bottle hanging from his belt with a shrug.

She poured the liquid in the saji and fed him. The healing magic coursed through his flesh in a flash of heat. Tissue knitted back together and blood restored from his loss. Unfortunately, the fluid she fed him oozed down his throat, destroying all his taste buds in its path.

He roared at the after taste and shifted to his human form, hoping the flavor would improve in that shape.

Sandra clung to him. “I think it’s killing him instead of healing.”

“No, honey. He’s fine.” His mother knelt next to her. She’d shifted to her human form as well. “You gave him goblin ale. Don’t ask how they make it.”

Sandra assisted him to sit. “Stopping being a baby. You’re not dying.” She brushed the hair from his face and grinned.

“I like her.” His mother nodded and eyed the necklace he wore on his neck. “That gold holds a lot of love. Did she give it to you?”

He gathered Sandra in his arms. “You came back to help. What about–about us being so different?”

“I don’t care.” She hugged him tight as if nothing could pry him from her arms. It felt nice. He rested his head on her shoulders, ready to sleep there for a week.

“Dwarves gone?” Urgle asked.

He gazed at the gate. It flickered again. “Yes, I think they’re dead. Your home should be cleared. Go get your people. I’m setting you free.”

A huge grinned spread across Urgle’s face. “After fighting, mostly just females left.” He bowed low and left their group.

Sandra raised her eyebrow. “I think you just gave him a harem.”

“Every male’s dream.”

She swatted him.

“Hey, I was just injured there.” He rubbed the spot, thrilled to have his feisty human back in his arms. His spirit had never been so light and he so happy.

“And you will be again.” She gave him a meaningful look, something he planned on exploiting as soon as they were alone.

His mother made a disgusted noise. “Well, at least, she’ll keep you in check.”

“Mother!”

“I knew the two of you would be the death of me, which is why I left–”

“Don’t let me keep you from your busy schedule.” Whatever family ties they’d reconnected were snapping fast. He didn’t want to hear about loving his food too much. He narrowed his eyes and met her glare.

“Ishi, she fought to keep you safe.” Sandra hands soothed the heat of his anger.

“You don’t need to defend me , daughter.”

Sandra went stiff in his arms. “What did you call me?”

His mother opened a pouch on her belt and pulled out an amulet. “I left earlier to retrieve this. I saw how infatuated you were, Ishi. I’ve never had a male express such love about me. I think such a thing should be preserved and cherished.” She set the necklace around Sandra’s neck. “Even though I know you don’t believe it, dear son, I do want to see you happy.”

Sandra gasped and jerked. Her eyes widened as she gazed at the jewelry. The metal melted into her flesh. “What is this?”

“It will give you the lifespan you need to love and care for my son.” She caressed his cheek. “I can’t be the mother you want, Ishi, but I can give you someone who can love you like you need.” With that, she rose and shifted. “I have wars to start and battles to fight.” She leaped into the air and took flight.

Sandra touched the golden tattoo around her throat with her fingertips.

“Does it hurt?” He lifted her tangled hair for a better view.

“No, just a little cool. Is this the kind of magic you spoke of? The stuff wizards don’t make anymore.”

He nodded his head. “It’s very rare. I don’t even know that there’s anyone alive powerful enough to have wrought such magic.” His mother must have gone to her secret hoard. This piece was a treasure of untold worth, but it didn’t compare to the woman who wore it. “I love you.”

She gave him a shy smile. “That’s good. Otherwise, this would be a little awkward.” Pulling him into her arms, she stared into his eyes. “I love you too.”

“That’s a good thing, considering I plan on keeping you a really, really long time.” He molded his body against hers and watched the gate fizzle away. “That’s bad.”

She turned. “Where did the gate go?”

“I think I broke it.” He sat straighter. Was it possible? He rose and approached where the gate had once stood. The water-like surface had vanished. Waving his hand, he met no resistance or trace of magic. “It’s…gone.”

Sandra stood with her hands over her mouth. “I’m trapped here?”

Surprise shot through his body. “No!” He shook his head and gathered her close. “There are other gates.” He swung her around in his arms, delighting in her cry of surprise. “But I’m free. The gate was destroyed in the eruption. I don’t sense its call anymore. I’m free!”

His beautiful, young Sandra had breathed new life into him. The gate had set him free.

“What are we going to do first?” She grinned and trusted him to make plans for them both.

“Let’s start with a nice inn and a meal. Then I plan on keeping you naked for at least a week.”