Plasma Frequency Magazine: Issue 12 Read Online Free

The young man jerked, a single breath expelled from his body, and then no more.
    Eridanus rose, shaking . It would appear natural, but he could not lie. He could only confess to Adiarwen, bow under the weight of her ire, and then flee. He said a silent farewell to humanity as he moved for the door.
    Voices outside made him pause . "You are allowed to see him, star-heiress, but you must remember that—"
    " I know perfectly well I can do nothing against you." Adiarwen's voice promised vengeance, though it shook as she spoke.
    Eridanus stepped back . There was no way to avoid this scene, short of abandoning his physical form, and he owed Adiarwen closure. He closed his eyes and waited, but could not blot out the image of Jainor's face.
    " Eri?" The puzzlement in her voice passed as her steps advanced to the bed. "Jainor, love, I—" A sharp intake of breath, a rustling of fabrics, fingers scrabbling. "Jainor!" she shrieked.
    Eridanus ' eyes wrenched open as if Jainor's spirit had drawn a hand over them. He could not have gone to her if he wanted to, for the guards, alarmed by the shouting, crowded her, checking what he already knew. One guard straightened. "Your highness, please believe us when we say—"
    She raked their faces with puffy eyes and nodded stiffly . "There was a chance. We always knew there was a chance he would not make it."
    She whirled to Eridanus, her body crushed to his, her sobs in his shoulder . He flinched without noticing any pain. He couldn't bring himself to touch her, his arms limp at his sides. What could he possibly say?
    Adiarwen noticed his distance in a way more instinctive than conscious, eyes coming to his . "Eridanus? Please...you're the only thing I have left."
    The words, the simple words, swept away his resolve and all the noble intentions . Some day, some time...but not now, not one more betrayal. He would keep his peace until he could not. In the meantime, knowing the truth and bearing the weight of false pretenses would have to be punishment enough.
    He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight . "I'm not going anywhere."
    Adiarwen straightened, eyes flaring in fury . "Nothing holds us here," she said, celestial fire building in her voice. "We leave now. We'll take him home to be sent to the winds as his people would want. Most importantly, Eridanus...we ride." She was free, and even in the grip of shock and loss, she glowed. For an instant, Eridanus let himself forget the price that had been paid.
    Then it swallowed him, and she was the only, untouchable light in the darkness.
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    LINDSEY DUNCAN is a life-long writer and professional Celtic harp performer, with short fiction and poetry in numerous speculative fiction publications.   Her contemporary fantasy novel, Flow, is available from Double Dragon Publishing.  She feels that music and language are inextricably linked.  She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is currently attending culinary school.  She can be found on the web at http://www.LindseyDuncan.com

Take Two Sips of Witch’s Brew
    By John H. Dromey
    It's hard to get good help these days, especially if you live in a cave. Actually, Agatha doesn't really reside in a hole in the ground; she only works there. Most of her leisure time is passed, pleasantly enough, in an enchanted cottage equipped with all the modern conveniences. That's a far cry from how it was for her in the beginning, though.
    As a child, Agatha was a good little girl, but that was just a phase she was going through. Although in her outward appearance she was the spitting image of her mother, she was rebellious enough not to emulate her mom in chewing tobacco, even after it became abundantly clear just how handy that habit might be for someone of her heritage. When an angry mob tried to immolate the materfamilias, that resourceful matron spat on the ringleader's burning matches, one after another, thereby delaying the ceremony long enough to untie herself from the stake and escape.