The moment played over and over in my head. I'd been in many situations where I should have died; been on the cusp of death. But Tyrfing had prevented me from ever feeling the true sting of death, even when Anders cut me down on the Rig all those years ago. I could now add being burnt alive to my repertoire.

  The twisted bitch kept bringing me back. I could not even have the sweet release of death here. I longed to join Serena in the afterlife, to hold her, be close to her beautiful soul once more. So desperately did I want death, that Morganna deprived me of it, each time as she brought me back to life, only to kill me again. And again.

  When she got bored of being a dragon, she would change back into normal form and cripple me, fling me around like a doll, from floor to ceiling. I felt my bones break and heal, over and over. If I lost consciousness, she was sure to awaken me. If I died, I was revived only to fall prey to more torment.

  After it all, when she was done playing with me, I was returned to my room, like a discarded toy. And then she'd treated me like nothing had ever happened. She would be chipper and playful every time she saw me. I was forced to take meals with her if I wanted to eat. She would tell me she couldn't be more proud of me; I had impressed her with my fortitude and will to stay alive.

  But there was no will. Only her foul magics that kept me trapped here. Physically, I would heal. But I could feel my mind slipping away from me. Which was a new, terrifying prospect.

  For years, my mind had been a razor's edge, keeping Tyrfing at bay, and keeping all the secrets of my soul locked in the background of my subconscious. Now, I found myself jumbled and lost. I could sit for hours staring at the wall, lost deep inside myself.

  Being able to access my original Artifacts had been a shining moment for me, but even that had been quickly diminished by Morganna destroying me over and over again. But I could feel them there, and it gave me a small comfort that I no longer had to hide them.

  A gentle knock at the door brought me from my thoughts. I looked at the door, from my spot in the center of the bed and grunted. Morganna opened the door slowly and poked her head around the corner, her raven hair falling off to the side and around her face.

  "Do you intend to spend the whole day in bed? Are you not well?" Her voice was soft and comforting, but it made me feel sick.

  "I'm alright." I managed. My voice was hoarse and I almost choked on the words. How long had I been sitting here? Had I truly lost track of time here? Was that some other realm of magic she had control over?

  "Will you sit with me for dinner this evening? I miss your company." She entered fully, wearing a black sheer fabric that left little to the imagination. I couldn't help but stare. For all her twisted mind that made her repulsive, she was very comely.

  "If that's what you want." I found myself answering. Almost on reflex. Like a beaten animal. Truly, I was a pet.

  "My dearest Chase, where has your fiery spirit gone?" She giggled and I felt the corner of my mouth turn up in a crooked smile. My mind screamed defiance at my body.

  "It's still here. Trust me." Before, that would have come off as a veiled threat. Now, it seemed more like an invitation. I was helpless against her. As she slinked closer, like a predatory animal, I found myself trying to melt into the wall. I looked for shadows I could leap into, try to escape in a panic, but I knew too well she would catch me.

  I would know death many more times before I was free of this damned place.

  Morganna, the mighty Morgan le Fay of legend, crawled onto my bed, up over my legs and sat in my lap. Her violet eyes peered into mine, so close that our noses touched. I cringed. I wanted to throw her off. Flashes of her clawing my eyes out mixed with the powerful suggestion of passionate kisses. As always, her magic seeped into me, intoxicating, polluting even my most violent thoughts. I could reject it; this magic of hers was in my blood.

  "Do you fear me, Chase Morgan?" She purred into my ear, nibbling on the lobe.

  "Like nothing I've ever encountered, you incessant cur." I growled. I didn't bother flinching or giving her the satisfaction of a reaction as she bit hard on my ear lobe, drawing blood.

  "Why must you scathe me with such insults? You and I could be like King and Queen here in Camelot. Together we could unleash our powers on the world, and no mortal would ever be able to stop us. They would kneel at our feet." She stroked my face, and I felt her magical suggestion surge into me, compelling me. And with that warmth, she healed my ear.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  "I have no interest in whatever incestuous domination you have planned. Be it your brother, your son, or me. I will not play a part in this." I spat back.

  She just stared at me, unblinking.

  "Not willingly it would seem, at least." She smirked and I could feel my blood run cold. "I'm wounded by your hideous words. How could you speak to me in such a way, after all I have given you?"

  Her hand moved from my face to my chest and she began to unbutton my shirt. I pulled away, but there was a surge of magic that tingled through my body; like sticking a fork in a power outlet.

  "Why do you still resist me? I have been nothing but kind to you." She pouted, as she finished unbuttoning my shirt and went for my belt.

  "Yes, killing me over and over, leaving me with the scarring phantoms of death has been so kind." I tried to edge across the bed, away from her, and she shocked me again, before crawling towards me, her hips swaying.

  "I apologized for that! Sometimes, I just get a little...out of control when I'm upset. In my defense, you say such hurtful things to me. And lets not forget the time you ran me through with that nasty sword of yours." She purred. To make her point, she grabbed a hold of my nethers and squeezed so hard I jumped.

  I used the force to make for the edge of the large bed, throwing myself over the edge to the floor. Morganna grabbed my pants and yanked them from me as I fell. I scrambled to my feet, in nothing but my open dress shirt and my unmentionables.

  My instinct was to call my armor and sword, to put my own magic at the forefront of my mind to try and repel hers. I could feel my magical energies coursing through me, waiting to be called upon. But I ignored them, lest I feel the pain of death, over and over and over...

  Morganna giggled and blushed like a school girl, her eyes scanning me voraciously. She slid across the silk sheets of the bed, and started to remove the sheer fabric that covered her. She fondled herself, staring me down with her bright violet eyes. Full of magic, full of madness and lust. In any other situation, I might have been aroused. But I was nothing but terrified of this malicious, crazy enchantress.

  "Do you not find me appealing, my sweet Chase?" She cocked her head and pouted, her raven curls cascading around her.

  "Don't do this. I have no desire to lay with you. This is wrong and I need you to stop." I tried to appeal to her better reason. She stopped, covering her breasts as if suddenly filled with shame. And then her eyes flashed like she had a marvelous idea.

  "Perhaps I could take a form that is more appealing to you?" She grinned wickedly, sliding her legs off the bed. She shifted in a mirage of colors. Her body reshaped itself and her features changed into someone far too familiar.

  On the edge of the bed, Serena stared at me with her big green eyes, standing at the foot of the bed, wearing nothing at all. I fell to my knees, crumpling to the floor. I was flooded with emotions then; anger that Morganna would disgrace the image of my love, astonishment that Serena was standing before me, and sadness from the knowledge of what was to come.

  "No. Please don't do this." I pressed my eyes as tightly shut as they would go, but even her laughter had changed. The soft sound of Serena's voice, down to her smell, just as I remembered her. When I opened my eyes, Serena stood before me, and she reached out to brush my hair from my face, then pulled my head against her bare stomach.

  "Hush my love. There is no need for your tears. I am here." She whispered as she stroked my hair lovingly. Her voice, her touch, all of it is too familiar. A memory that had stayed pure and untouched by anything, not even Tyrfing, for years.

  It was then that it occurred to me that I had not felt much other than anger since Serena died; anger at the world, at myself. And when it wasn't anger, I just felt hollow. Tyrfing had prevented me from feeling literally anything else. It had protected me from everything, even myself.

  My mind and body screamed. I changed my mind; I choose death over this horrid prison. I choose death over being with Morgan le Fay. My body would deny her. My mind would repel her.

  But I could not refuse Serena Kokinos, the love of my life. The only good thing to ever come from me being in the Order of Vigilance.

  I collapsed, sliding down to her feet, putting my face into the floor. I cried more than I ever had in my life in that moment. I was truly broken. This powerful sorceress, the reason for my magical blood, had found every single way to torture and torment me. I was beyond grief, my mind spiraling.

  I don't know how long I was hysterical for, but I knew that she would refuse to change back until she got what she wanted. Softly, she removed my shirt and rubbed my back, humming to calm me. I could feel the warmth of her body pressed against me. So soothing, so real.

  Without Tyrfing I had no defenses against her. The more I resisted, the more her intoxicating magic gripped at my heart and mind. Or perhaps there was no magic at all. Perhaps I only justified it that way.

  When she rolled me onto my back, against the fur rug on the hard stone floor, I knew she had won. No amount of closing my eyes could tell my body that this was not an exact replica of Serena. Every detail, every blemish, every scent, every sigh was perfect.

  When she crawled on top of me and straddled my waist, I knew I could not resist her in this form. Perhaps I never could have resisted her at all and this was merely a kindness on her part.

  As she stripped me of my remaining clothes and dignity, I assured myself that this was a kindness, another gift she was giving me, the gracious host that she was.

  She leaned forward, pressing herself to my chest, her hair creating a curtain between our faces. She smiled, the dimples of her cheeks just as I remembered them.

  "I love you." She whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. When she withdrew, I could see a little bit of Morganna in the smirk that crossed her face; she knew she had me.

  "I love you too, Serena."