The Lover's Cost

Power Shift

"Ugh, it's been hours," Heather whined, flipping through the pages of a grimoire she had read perhaps hundreds of times. She glanced out the window, where the sky had turned deep, dark purple with streaks of pink. It was early morning when the mistress left, and now the sun had set.

"Try to be patient," advised Aldous from the floor. He curled up on the carpet, his cloudy tail surrounding himself. "I hope she never comes back..."

Heather rolled her eyes. "You'd sooner give an animal control officer a chance..." She grumbled, shutting the book. She wanted her friend to trust her and her mistress. She turned her frown upside down. "Aldous, sorry about all this. I know you're going through a lot. Can I get you anything?"

The dog smiled, his ears perking up. "Thank you," he said. "Maybe just a blanket."

Heather raised her eyebrows and fetched the biggest throw blanket she owned. She knelt down by the canine and tossed the fabric over him. "I figured you'd be warm with all that fur!" She teased.

"I thought so too," Aldous said. He shifted beneath the blanket, then pressed his huge head into Heather's chest, nuzzling her.

She chuckled and pet him, rubbing behind his big ears. "This reminds me of that sleepover at...what was his name?" Heather rubbed her chin.

"David?"

"Yeah! Dork Dave!" Heather snapped her fingers. She laughed, "Remember? He invited a bunch of kids over! You and I messed him up real good!"

Aldous bit back his giggle. "Pouring chocolate syrup into all his food was a bit mean..."

"Psh, chocolate mustard sounds great to me!" Heather said with a wry grin. "You got all tired out and I had to tuck you in. Just like this. Ha, what would you ever do without me?"

The canine smiled endearingly, showing his fangs. "I don't know..." His voice was soft, kind.

The two smiled at each other briefly, admiring their friendship. Heather finally patted his shoulder playfully and promised, "We'll get you turned back somehow! Don't worry, bud."

"I can't wait," Aldous hummed, raising his head and wagging his tail.

A flicker of blue energy flashed in front of them, spreading out into an ethereal, flat square. The shape resembled a floating screen. Its eerie glow ensnared the attention of Aldous and Heather, as well as any happiness in the moment.

Heather tilted her head. This spell was used by deities to make announcements across their world. She'd witnessed these moments several times, yet the screen did not display Pierce. It instead showed the image of his advisor, shaken and pale. "Yeesh, she could use some sun," Heather muttered.

Aldous nudged her with his paw to shut her up. They both turned to the distressed advisor. "Everyone...I..." Jewel began. She trembled, her eyes glassy. "It falls upon me to deliver grave news. Pierce has been in a coma for several days now. We don't know why. What's more...is..."

Heather's eyes drifted aside. Guilt crashed into her, but she shooed it quickly. Everything was going as planned. The ends justified the means. She and Aldous watched Jewel sputter and choke on her words for another moment. "Spit it out already!" Heather shouted as if the advisor could hear.

"I've just...received news that..." Her struggle was not of a political figure in distress over the state of the world. It was not a battle with empathy for others. It was deep, emotional, personal pain – reminiscent of the pain one feels after losing a loved one. "The...the celestial king has been...overthrown."

Jewel looked like she could faint, and Heather like she could scream in joy. "She did it...the mistress did it!" She cheered. Aldous simply lowered his head but Heather proceeded, "How did she defeat beings with so many wings, though? She's amazing..."

"I only hope this goes as well as you claim," Aldous murmured.

"This...will come with many changes. I and the deities of every world are being kept up to date. I...I don't know what the...the queen...has planned for us, but...be on the lookout for further updates," Jewel explained with a voice like winter wind. The magical screen dissipated and vanished.

Blue light faded from the room; all fell silent.