The ringmaster storms out of the bedchamber. She is now fully dressed. The hearty breakfast Joaquin prepared has gone somewhat cold. He whispers an incantation over the food to slowly raise its temperature. He uses one hand to beckon the ringmaster to rejoin him at the circular eating table. With an unhappy scowl, she moves in the direction of the table.

  Joaquin pulls out a chair for the ringmaster and she casually sits down, leaning her black cane against the right side of the chair. Joaquin pours each of them a new glass of wine and sits down across from his furious lover.

  "You are angry with me, Master?" Joaquin questions.

  "No."

  "But you are angry?"

  "Of course, I'm angry. What kind of a question is that? You are not Percy. Speak with some intelligence. At least, Percy had a reason to be so dull. He was confused. You do not share his plight. The essence that was within you ceased to exist. You are a new being. Made by my own design. Act like it!"

  Joaquin remains silent. He simply sips his wine with a knowing smirk. Joaquin's silence is even worse, to the ringmaster, than if he had replied with a pithy remark. She sighs and knocks over her full glass of wine with a sweep of her hand.

  Leaping up from the table, the ringmaster storms out of the tent. She is on the search for new lovers and new familiars. Perhaps the portal will be merciful and send her someone worthy of her worst wrath.

  Joaquin watches the ringmaster storm away, his grin growing in both size and intensity. He has much to prepare for while the master is away.

  ====================================

  The ringmaster returns to the tent many hours later. Disappointment is written all over her face. Of all the couples she encountered this day, none were even remotely worthy of her skills and craftiness. Has love fallen by the wayside? Does noone believe in love anymore? What good is a test when love is nowhere to be found?

  Crossing to the circular table, the ringmaster is surprised to find two purple roses resting on a platter at its center. Joaquin. The poor sentimental fool. Joaquin, whose former lover had fought so hard to save him. Joaquin, the intended vessel for Percival's horribly blended essence.

  Joaquin appears behind the ringmaster as if bidden. He places both hands on her shoulders and turns her around. Kissing her tenderly, Joaquin cups one side of his lover's face.

  "I have prepared everything," Joaquin whispers into the ringmaster's ear. "All that is left...Is for you to perform the ritual."

  "Joaquin, I have already told you--," the ringmaster begins to say.

  Joaquin silences her with another passionate kiss. He shakes his head as they separate.

  "I know what you have said. I also know what you feel. I feel it also...Through you. Whenever we are close. Or when we touch. You don't have to suffer anymore. With the ritual...All will become one."

  "Yes, Joaquin...All. Which includes Percy. That same dagger which contains Percival's essence was used to end Percy's life. If true love can corrupt a spell...The energy of vengeance will destroy it. The spell of transference will serve no purpose. I have told you...Percival is lost to me."

  The ringmaster begins to cry. Joaquin studies her face, unable to reconcile what he is seeing with what he knows of his master.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  "It was my jealousy and wrath which condemned Percival to that cursed crystal ball in the first place. If I had not been so angry...So impulsive...I would have my Percival. We could have continued our game of love and lovers forever. I feared he was falling in love with another. And in my fury, I..."

  Joaquin uses one hand to lift the ringmaster's chin. He kisses her yet again. And again. Pecking her lips and her cheeks, Joaquin wipes away her tears. He stares down into her beautiful green eyes.

  "With the ritual...All will be one, Master. You can have everything you desire. Or nothing at all."

  "I have you, Joaquin. And that is enough."

  "Is it? Then, why do you weep? Why do you stare at that dagger for many hours? Why do you keep it on your wardrobe? Perhaps this is your test. Perform the ritual."

  Joaquin kisses the ringmaster's slender throat. She sighs and melts into his embrace, considering all he is offering.

  @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

  The wily Brewster stares at the ringmaster with a wide grin, blinks twice, winks, and becomes Percy again. Kissing the ringmaster on her painted lips, he stares down into her gorgeous green eyes.

  "I wasn't lying. You are a great kisser. The best."

  The ringmaster chuckles and leans in for a kiss.

  @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

  Joaquin lies on the wooden platform. The same platform where Harriet's blood was spilled within the magic stab chamber. The same platform where Percy had begged for his desired lover's life.

  The ringmaster stands beside the platform. She traces the shape of Joaquin's face with a polished fingernail. Joaquin's shirt is completely open and drawn back to reveal his muscular chest. The ringmaster runs her hand down his neck and over his left pectoral, halting above his beating heart.

  "This may not work, Joaquin. If it doesn't...I will lose you too! Please, reconsider what you are asking me to do."

  Joaquin reaches up a hand and cups the ringmaster's face. He offers her a wide grin and an energetic wink.

  "I can never be happy...Knowing you are so unhappy. If this is how I can ensure your happiness...I do it gladly."

  "You don't know what you're saying, Joaquin. You may cease to exist. Or you may end up more confused and mixed up than Percy. I don't want to lose you as well."

  "You won't," Joaquin says. "I promise. Do it, my love. Perform the ritual. Free yourself. Whatever fate awaits us...It was what had to be done."

  The ringmaster's face contorts as she stares down at Joaquin's exposed chest. Raising the pulsating dagger into the air, she clenches her jaw and mentally recites the incantation necessary to transfer her long lost lover.

  "Do it!" Joaquin whispers. "Do it now!"

  The ringmaster releases a sorrowful yell and stabs downward with the dagger. Joaquin's eyes widen as the weapon enters his chest. A look of pain crosses his handsome features and his mouth opens. No words come.

  Purple light escapes from Joaquin's chest cavity, from around the metal of the blade. Joaquin's eyes dim and then lose their focus. His head lolls to the side. The ringmaster gasps loudly and backs away from the platform. She grips her black cane, prepared to send Joaquin's body into the void. The sight of it is already doing damage to her heart.

  A loud cough causes her to slightly lower the cane. As the ringmaster watches, Joaquin's chest once again begins to rise and fall. She steps closer, not believing her eyes. He's alive? Yes, she can feel him. There is life in that body.

  The ringmaster falls on her knees beside the platform, she runs her hand over Joaquin's right cheek and kisses his lips.

  "Joaquin? I'm so sorry, my love. You came back to me. I'm sorry."

  The ringmaster stops talking as Joaquin's hand lightly touches the back of her neck. She looks down at his placid face and gets a surprise. Joaquin's eyes are no longer purple, but brown.

  "Joaquin? No, not Joaquin. Oh my...No. Percy!"

  Wrenching free from the reanimated Joaquin, the ringmaster once again raises her cane. Joaquin's body slowly sits up and turns to her.

  "No, Master. Don't," Percy says in Joaquin's voice. "I don't wish to hurt you. I would never hurt you. I love you."

  The ringmaster keeps her cane leveled as Percy uses Joaquin's body to climb from the platform and stride in her direction. He once again takes on the form he has so often used to seduce her. The ringmaster searches Percy's face as he stands in front of her, appraising her. Performing his signature move, Percy nearly swallows the ringmaster's mouth with his own. She does not resist. When he has made his intentions clear, Percy separates and whispers in her ear.

  "We are all one now. I will be anything you want me to be, my love."

  Carrying the ringmaster to her bedchamber, Percy proves his words to be fact.

  The End