Cinderfella

Story: Cinderfella 2: A New Life

Chapter: 3 Justice and Death

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

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The story never ends. As long as I'm alive, I will write. Again, guys with short hair, few beards unless I say otherwise, and none of those ballooning pant things. Pants! Your imagination is right with everything else.

Justice and Death

As Seth and I relaxed, I heard a bell. The tone and what it meant I didn't get alarmed about. Seth raised his head at the sound.

"Is it okay if I see you?" Demetrius' voice asked softly.

"Sure," I answered.

Demetrius came in the room out of the shadows.

"Where the fuck were you!?" Seth growled, demanding very angrily. "Erik and I were almost killed! I was seconds from being raped! They were going to rape both of us! Me, which Erik was supposed to watch happen!!"

Demetrius nodded sadly, "I saw."

"You saw!?" Seth repeated sitting up more. "You saw and did nothing!!"

I put my hand on Seth's chest as got more understandably upset, "Easy, baby, he couldn't."

Seth looked at me in disbelief. "Couldn't? Why not?"

"He wasn't allowed to," I explained.

"He wasn't allowed to!?" Seth questioned incredulously. "Not allowed by God!?" He sat up now, his legs over the side of the bed. "I don't believe it. I just don't fucking believe it!!" He shouted. I understood his fury. He was angrier than I'd ever seen him, using language he would never use, normally.

Demetrius was now crying. "Don't you think I would have if I were able to?" He waved at the two of us. "I love you two! It was killing me to see it and not be able to do a damned thing!" He sobbed. "I would die for either of you! You are my sons!"

Seth hung his head. "I just don't understand. A being that could help, isn't allowed to."

"I'm not God! I don't understand either, but I wasn't allowed to stop this," Demetrius explained. "I would have done anything!"

Seth sighed as I scooted up behind him. "Seth, this was supposed to test us." I grinned at Demetrius. "Shape us a people, as a couple."

Seth turned to me, tears coming down. "For what? Why?"

Demetrius shrugged, "I don't know. But life will always shape us. That's just the way it is." He said simply.

Seth shook his head. "She hurt us." He said sadly.

"Physically. But we got through it." I said hopefully.

Seth reached down and cupped his man orbs gently, "It still burns."

I frowned. "Your body is trying to heal itself."

Seth chuckled, "She used that vice thing like she was trying to crack nuts." In a less stressful event, it might have been humorous. "I guess she was."

"But the damage will repair. It's not permanent," Demetrius assured. Then he wiped his face to rid the tear tracks and smiled. "I can help." He held his hand out and a small bundle appeared. "Ice."

It would occasionally get cold enough for water to freeze in this area, but that season hadn't gotten here yet and rarely here. Well water is cold, but the body warmed it too fast.

"Don't worry," Demetrius said with a smile. "The pouch is waterproof and won't leak, but the ice will help." He handed me the pouch.

"This may be a shock," I cautioned to Seth who nodded. Gently placing the pouch between his legs, he inhaled suddenly. Then I watched as a smile formed and he relaxed. "I take it this is helping."

Seth settled against me. "You have no idea," He said enjoying the cold against him that was reducing the heat.

Demetrius looked pleased he was allowed to help. "All you have to do is call me, I'll bring it every time you need it. Though, I think a day or two more is all that's needed."

"Why are you here?" Seth asked calmly.

"Why?" Demetrius repeated not understanding why he was asked that. "I was worried about you."

Seth chuckled, "No, I mean why are you, Dara and Lukus here? You have these long lifespans, and you can access magic. Why waste your time with us mere humans?"

Demetrius nodded, "Ah, well...that's a good question. I wish I had a good answer." He came around the bed in front of Seth, having seen the magic work, neither Seth nor I was startled when a chair nearby slid over as Demetrius sat down without thought to check if it was there. It was. "I'll answer that by asking another question. Why not? Humans are interesting. We, creatures like myself, are very few. So, our interactions with you are very few. Boredom is one reason. If you go through life with no challenges, it can be quite boring. Interacting with you two has never been boring, I can assure you." He chuckled. "Two humans, in a relationship like yours, is not as rare as you think, but to have one accepted by many, because of who you two are, is extremely rare. Naturally, we wanted to get in on it. I did, anyway."

"So, we entertain you," I said.

"On many occasions, yes." Demetrius nodded, "We are not that different, really. We are human but descended from a different mother. The same father. Half-kin. Eve being your birth mother ancestor and ours being Lilith, Adam's first wife."

"We got that," I smirked.

"Are there others like you, not so kind?" Seth asked.

Demetrius frowned, "Of course." He nodded, "Just as there are people of your kind that aren't that nice. Deena is one."

Seth and I laughed at that.

"She is one that isn't nice. You bet," Seth agreed.

Demetrius leaned forward. "You must see this through."

"See what through?" I asked.

"I mean," Demetrius said. "Go to the trial and witness the outcome. Only when she's gone, and you both know it, will this be over."

"We know what the outcome will be," Seth said quietly.

"Seeing it will confirm it in your minds," Demetrius said calmly.

"It will be a good reason to go to the capital." I agreed. "We can see your father."

"Our father." Seth grinned as he corrected me.

I laughed, "Our father." Then I smiled, "Also, we need to plan a trip to the capital of A'Dore."

Seth grinned. "That's a good ways." Remarking about the distance.

"A long trip with you is always good." I shrugged. "If we do it right, we can be there for Christian's thirtieth birthday."

Seth nodded, "He'll be an old man." He looked at me. "What'll you think when I get that old?"

I chuckled, "Pretty confident. Your father is now in his fifties. You take after him and he looked great until the sickness took over. Even then, he looks good. We have a couple of decades to go."

The next day, as in the sun rose again, since we hadn't gotten to bed when the sun rose that same day, and we started to get back into the swing of things, but I wouldn't leave Seth. Seth was getting better and even began walking easier. Do I have to spell it out? An injury like his made friction hurt in a very sensitive area on a man. Demetrius was good to his word, while the burning stopped, the ice to keep the swelling down was miraculous. It was that morning when we got a knock at the door.

Grace greeted the guests and had them wait while she came to us as we relaxed in our room.

"Ezekiel and Gabriel wish to see you two," She said. "Shall I bring them up?"

Seth grinned, "Our saviors? We'll come down."

At the bottom of the stairs, we saw two familiar faces smiling at us.

"Glad to see you up, Sir Seth." Gabriel grinned, "Considering." He pointed at Seth's crotch.

"Man," Ezekiel groaned sympathetically. "I got kicked in the sweets by a horse once. It hurt for days!!"

Seth nodded with a grin. "Apparently there was no permanent damage." He looked at the two knowing the answer before he asked the question. "It was very early when I saw you that night. What were you two doing up?"

Gabriel blushed. "Do you really want to know?"

"Pretty slick with the girlfriend thing," Ezekiel smiled. "For a second, I thought you were making fun of us, referring to the other as a girlfriend."

"But I told him, you wouldn't do that," Gabriel said. "It had to be you needed help but couldn't come out and say it."

"And you were right," I said. "Thank you."

Then Ezekiel sort of lowered his eyes a little. "Can we get something from you?"

Seth looked at me. Then at them. "What?"

Gabriel raised his hands when he realized what Seth meant, "Oh, no, not money or anything. Don't think that." He said hurriedly. "Just a favor."

"Such as?" I asked.

"We thought about what you said," Ezekiel said. "About telling our parents."

"We'd like it..." Gabriel continued. "Could you be there when we do?"

I grinned at Seth. "Well, we do owe them."

Seth nodded smiling, "We do, don't we?"

"We weren't kidding about our fathers' wanting to kill us when they find out," Ezekiel said.

"And if you're there..." Gabriel added. "They won't be as angry." Then he thought. "Well, they will be angry, but less likely to strike a while with you there."

"Or not at all." I put as a possibility. "Sure," I grinned.

Both seemed visibly relieved.

"But it will have to be in a few weeks," Seth said. "We'll be off to Blethos' capital tomorrow, for the trial in a few days. It'll have to be when we get back."

"No problem!" Gabriel assured. "Thank you!" He took Seth's hand, which Seth groaned as he took the hand with the broken fingers. "Sorry!" He said quickly, "So sorry."

"Way to go, Gabe," Ezekiel muttered. "They said they will help us, and you hurt the poor man again!"

"I didn't think," Gabriel said, then took Seth's other hand. "Sorry." He said again.

Seth nodded with a smile. "No problem."

I put a hand on their shoulders as I headed them to the door. "And to show there are no hard feelings, I propose we do it here."

Ezekiel's eyes grew, "Here!? At the manor?"

"If that's okay with you." I grinned. "Grace will make a great dinner, we'll talk and then let your parents know what's going on."

"Then if there's a big problem," Seth walked with us. "You can stay here for a night or two until they get used to the idea."

Gabriel and Ezekiel looked at each other smiling, "It almost makes me hope they do have a problem," Ezekiel said to Gabriel. "Good eats, and hot water right out of pipes!"

"I know!" Gabriel nodded as they walked out.

The trip to Blethos' capital was easy. The carriage was readied, and we headed out. Arriving we entered the palace and were shown the room we'd had our first night together. Only we were surprised as a new door was there in the room. Opening it I was grinning at what I saw. Samuel had taken the room next to it and added a tub and toilet! Next to the tub was a tank for the hot water to heat up.

"I guess he's begun adding to the palace," Seth grinned looking over my shoulder.

"Yes," Samuel said behind us suddenly. "The hard part was getting the water up here." He smiled. "Pumping water up a pipe was a bit of a trick. We're pumping fresh well water, but then I thought, the power of the river would help. But we got it worked out. What do you think?"

I hugged him. "I think it's great. Hi, Sam!"

Seth put a brotherly arm over his brother's shoulder. "Pretty slick. How are you?"

Samuel nodded, "I'm good. Terry's good and Michael is always good." He grinned.

"And Dad?" Seth asked quietly.

Samuel then frowned, "He's not too good." He sighed. "He's gotten so much weaker. Even from when you saw him last." He shook his head. "He barely has enough strength to be up more than a few hours a day. We were told it wouldn't be long now."

The knowledge it was going to happen was bad enough. Realizing it was happening was so much worse.

"The fact that the threat the Thorne's posed is nearly at an end...." Samuel said, then shrugged. "At least it will give him some peace."

"Is Deena here?" I asked.

Samuel nodded, then shrugged. "She wanted to live at the palace. Her last days are here, only in the dungeon." He pointed at the floor. She was far below the floor.

Seeing Alex was again shocking. His strength was nearly gone. Most all of his hair was white now and his body was withering away. But he smiled broadly when Seth and I came in his room as he rested in bed.

"Hi, sons!" He greeted brightly.

"Hello, Dad," Seth greeted, and we both hugged the man.

"Are you two okay now?" Alex asked us, looking at both of us as his fingers ran over the bruise that was healing on my face.

Seth nodded, "I still have two fingers to heal yet, but almost good as new."

The bruise on my face had gone from black and blue to a faded mark that was going away. "It'll all be healed," I told Alex.

"It's almost done," Alex said. "One more thorn to scrape off the rose."

"Were they always against the crown?" I asked.

"Not as openly," Alex said. "They were cagey about it. I was always told my great uncle, Arthur's grandfather, was a bit mad if you know what I mean. But they married well and seemed to be fine. That madness must have skipped a generation."

"But picked up on by Arthur's children," I nodded. "But justice will be done."

Alex nodded, "And I intend to be right there when it happens."

The day of the trial started like any other. The sun came out, birds sang, no indication that anything was amiss. But it was the last day for one person. It was a rare case that King Samuel ruled on. There were judges that also knew the law and enforced them. But Samuel didn't think a ruling by him was appropriate. He was directly involved. Not as a victim, as such, but closely related to Seth and me. But the trial was in the palace. In the royal courtroom where many were assembled to see the trial. All, including King Samuel rose as the judges came in. Alex was told to remain seated. The judges' names were announced as they sat.

"The first case." One of the judges said, reading his paper in front of him. "Rollin Wilkins, bring him in, please."

The same man, the one with the dirty blonde hair was brought in. He still looked awful as the night I saw him. Only now he wore a sack of cloth, gray and covered him barely. In shackled hands and feet he stood in the middle of the floor on the ornate mosaic tile.

"Rollin Wilkins. You are charged with a few assaults, not just the one that you were apprehended committing in Royal Valley, assaults where you cut your victims, several in which earned you the name of The Slasher. How do you plead?"

The man glared, "I didn't do nothing. I'm innocent."

"We have witnesses that say otherwise that is documented," The judge said simply. "Because you were not implemented directly in the death of any citizen of Blethos, nor were you witnessed to commit any other crime, for the other crimes you are found guilty except for the assault on members of the royal family. The sentence is life at Galgor. The penal colony on the island of Galgor." The judge struck his wooden mallet. "It is so ordered."

Guards pulled him away which the man didn't resist.

"The next case is Deena Thorne. Bring her in, please," A judge said.

What I saw made my heart ache, but not because I felt sorry for her condition, but how a human being could do the things she'd done to end up here. Gone was the pretty young woman. Bathing apparently was not a priority in the dungeon. She also wore a gray sack of cloth. Her hair was rich and full before, now hung in a tangled mess and she was dirty. Her face, arms and any portion of skin was smudged with dirt. She knew she was in big trouble, but a part of her was still not believing this was happening and held defiance.

"Miss Thorne," The judge began. "You are charged with assault on royal members of the family of Blethos; which alone merits a death penalty. And you are charged with a murder of a citizen of Blethos."

"What!?" Deena blurted.

"You killed Devon Collins, a guard in the employ of the people of Blethos that was to guard the royal members of the family of Blethos. Which you admitted, attested by Prince Erik or Blethos and by Rollin Wilkins."

"The guard!?" Deena repeated. "He was nothing! A nobody!!"

The crowd and the judge took a deep breath hearing that.

"I doubt his wife and children would agree," the judge said sadly and in a little shock. "He had rights! Not only as a guard and a citizen of Blethos but as a human being! You ended a life. You took a man's life!!"

"He was in my way!" Deena angrily spat.

This was seen as impossible to the judge as he shook his head. "I don't get it." He said trying to understand. "Does she hold no life sacred?" He looked up at Seth.

Seth rose. "Only her own, Your Honor."

"Sit down, you pervert!" She bellowed at Seth. "I don't care what they say, you are cursed! You were always cursed! You're a sodomite! Probably taking it up the ass as much as you give it to HIM!" I swear, she had spittle coming out as she pointed at me. She was clearly insane! Not because she didn't like homosexuals, but she just was!

"SILENCE!!" The judge stood with a shout. Even Deena stopped startled as she looked at him in shock. "If you don't or can't I'll have you gagged!!" He said leaning over the desk toward her, but they were pretty far apart. Still, he was a little terrifying. "Deena Thorne, as you are clearly not in control of yourself. You deem your worth is more than anyone else; it is the judgment of the court that you are to be put to death as payment for the life of Devon Collins which you admit you took for being in your way. For the protection of all citizens of Blethos and for a threat to the royal family of Blethos as long as she draws breath, this sentence of death is to be carried out immediately!" He picked up the gavel and slammed it down with a loud whack. "It is so ordered!"

Only then did a man come in, dressed in black, the black hood on and a large and wide bladed ax he carried at his side, did Deena's eyes grow and the reality hit her.

I stood up, "Your Honor, if I may?"

The judge looked up, "Of course, Your Highness."

"In light of her crime and admission of guilt, shouldn't her holdings and any accounts be awarded to Mr. Collins widow?" I asked. "It will be little compensation to her, but she should be comforted not having to worry about the loss of her husband's income and the welfare of her children."

The judge nodded with a smile, "It is so ordered." He pounded his gavel again.

"What!?" Deena balked. "This can't be happening!" She yelled as a couple of guards took her by the arms and began dragging her away. "This can't be happening!!"

Seth shook his head. "Only now is she seeing the truth," He said to me quietly.

"If by her death?" I said equally quietly to Seth. "Yes, she sees that she is going to die." I nodded. Then sighed. "It's a pity." I looked to Alex, who was looking very sad. I put my hand on his. "It's almost over. Dad." I tried to quietly assure some comfort.

Alex looked up, smiled at me with a nod. "I know. I just keep thinking, was there something I could have done?"

Seth shook his head. "I don't think so, you saw she was clearly unbalanced."

"Still," Alex said as Deena was hauled out of the court.

I had seen executions. I hated that they had to happen. Were we playing God? But the law said it was going to happen no matter if I or Seth or anyone else objected. It was the law. In a part of the palace, I never had been to. Death sentences had not been needed in a while. I looked on from a balcony near the execution yard. There was a gallows ready, but in Deena's case, the wood block with the groove for her neck. The marks on the wood told me it had been used before. Then we saw Deena being hauled, not by two guards, but four! She was fighting for her life! Seth put his arm around me, beside him was Alex as Seth took his father's hand. Alex had barely enough energy to stand but wasn't missing this. Nor would he allow Seth or me to help him.

"No! No! NOOO!!!" Deena was screaming as she was put in position, chained her arms down in the fitted metal that held her in place as she struggled, and the leg cuffs attached to each knee; forcing her legs apart and held down. "NO!!" Her discomfort was not even considered. Any comfort or discomfort would be ending in a few seconds.

We watched the executioner raise his ax.

"God have mercy on your soul," I said as the heavy ax blade came down with a loud "WHACK!!! Deena's head rolled off on the ground. I might have imagined it, but I swear her eyes blinked a few seconds afterward.

Seeing Deena Thorne's execution was gruesome. In many ways it was anticlimactic. The only emotion I had was pity. Pity that a life was wasted! For Seth, it was the end of a nightmare he endured for two decades. For Samuel, it ended a life of witnessing his brother being tormented by these people and denied a life with his true family. For Alex, denied the opportunity to know or raise his sons, I could not even begin to comprehend the Hell he lived for those two decades.

Alex made a sound and began to collapse.

"Dad!" Seth gasped holding his father up. I was immediately on Alex's other side. "Get the palace physician!" Seth called in sudden panic to no one and anyone.

Samuel, who had been on the ground level to witness the execution, looked up startled and was instantly in motion to come upstairs.

Seth picked his father up easily and carried him quickly through the palace to Alex's room. Putting his father gently on the bed he covered the man gently, Seth continued to hover over his father. "The doctor's coming, Dad, hang on."

Alex shook his head. "We both know what's happening, don't we?" He smiled as Samuel rushed to his father's bedside.

"Dad!!" Samuel was crying now. He also knew what was happening. "You can't go. I need you!"

Alex laughed weakly. "I don't want to go, Son, but no one really asked me. It's just going to happen no matter what I do or say."

"Aw, Dad," Seth was crying now with his brother. Okay, I was, too. "This isn't fair. We were just getting to know you. I was beginning to know you."

Alex shook his head. "It isn't fair. You're right, but that's what is happening." Then he smiled, running a hand over Seth's face, then Sam's. "You are both so beautiful. My sons." Then he looked at me. "All my sons are beautiful." His hand reached for me weakly. I shortened the distance that was needed reaching, coming to the other side of Alex, taking his hand.

Terry came in with Michael, now two years old, she was looking very worried. Of course, Michael didn't know what was going on, but he wasn't smiling. He knew whatever was happening, it wasn't good.

"I'm just sorry I won't be here to watch Michael grow up." Then Alex smiled, "But what do I know? I might be. There are moments I'm certain your mother sees me." Then he got a far-off look. "I pray I'll see her soon. Not a day ever went by I didn't think of her. I never met another to tempt me to marry again." A tear ran down his face, then he looked back at his sons. "How I loved your mother. She is the one person I cherished in my life. And the lives we made together." He looked up at Terry. "Don't let Sam by with anything. Keep him on track."

Terry nodded. "I always have." She smiled running fingers in Alex's hair. "Don't worry about him or me."

Alex nodded with a knowing smile. Then he looked at me. "You came here and brought my family back to me. I am so grateful to you. That you love my son as fiercely as you do was kind of shocking. But easy to see." He chuckled, "He's a good man." He said about his son.

I nodded, "I know."

"You are as much a son of mine as they are," Alex swore. "Since he's my son, know that he can be quite stubborn."

I laughed at that, "I know that, too."

Then he looked at Michael. "My precious grandson. I have some letters I wrote for him. From a former king to a future king sure, but also from his grandfather personally to him. I know he'll grow to be a good man, and hopefully a great king."

Terry sat on the bed, letting her son crawl to his grandfather which he curled up beside. "Well, I wasn't sure, but I know now." She smiled at Samuel. "I didn't even tell you yet." She smiled at Alex. "You'll have another grandchild." She rubbed her midsection. "In about seven to eight months."

Alex smiled even wider. "That's wonderful!" He sighed again, but very happy, "Both my grandchildren will be born from love. That's how it should be." He looked at Samuel. "When it's time, you allow Michael to marry who he loves. Understand?"

Samuel nodded, but he was too upset to speak.

Alex nodded. "Now, I'm very tired. Just let me rest a moment." He closed his eyes and his breathing settled as he drifted off.

I took Terry's hand. "We better give him some space."

She nodded, gathering her son who whimpered a little at being taken away. Seth and Samuel remained as we left Alex's room.

This was one time that the passing of events just seemed to drag. I sat with Terry and Michael in their quarters. It was a couple of hours later when the door opened. Samuel walked in.

"He's here," Sam said to Seth who was in the corridor. Then he walked over with his brother. "It's over. Dad died a few moments ago."

I've said it before, knowing what was happening and have it happen were two different things. It still hurt. Seth walked to me as I stood up for Seth, he just gathered me up and hugged me. "I'm sorry." It was all I could say.

Seth wept quietly, "He just didn't wake up." He sniffed a little. "It was very peaceful."

I hugged him tightly, "That's more than any man can hope for."

Samuel let his wife go a little. "Of course, we need to let the people know. Plan the funeral, all of Blethos will want to see him."

I nodded, "We'll help you."

The announcement went out all across Blethos and her towns. People began gathering in front of the castle as people came in throngs to express their grief and support to the family. Alex was very much loved. And the Church was there, not that Alex cared for any of them much. Alex was on display just briefly and people were allowed to see him as they came through the palace to do so. It would have been bad for the family to allow their father to begin stinking, so he was buried by his wife. Seth and I returned to Royal Valley shortly after that. Neither of us were in too much of a hurry.