The Black Dog

Liana worked well as the newest Royal Advisor. Eight months later, she was talking in the throne room privately with the king when Wiggins walked in.

"Your Majesty, the Royal Family of Kivan is here. They're waiting just outside the doors."

"Of course. Thank you, Wiggins."

"Shall we continue this later, sire?" Liana asked.

"yes."

"Then I'll go."

"Wait, stay here."

"Are you sure, Your Majesty?"

"I insist."

Liana stood on his left side while Queen Coraline and Princess Felicity sat in their throne on the King's right. The Royal Family of Kivan walked in.

"Welcome to Kaelivin," King Kyle said.

Liana faintly recognized the three women and two men that had entered.

"King Duncan, Queen Vanessa, lovely to you the two of you again. And your children!" Queen Camille exclaimed. "Prince Joseph, and the twins Yvonne and Ruth. My how you've all grown up."

"Thank you," King Duncan said. "It's wonderful to be back here."

"Yes, we are happy to see Joseph wed Felicity," Queen Vanessa said.

Prince Joseph pointed to Liana. "Is she my fiancee?"

"No, I'm not the Princess."

"I am," Princess Felicity said.

"Oh, sorry."

"Vanessa, where is your oldest? Did he not come with you this time?"

"No, he-"

"I'm right here."

Liana's head shot up. She saw none other than Dorian Ironshade standing in the doorway. he began to walk forward.

"Oh, for mercy's sake."

He heard her.

"Lily?"

"Hi."

He stood next to Joseph, completing the family.

"You know, when you started chatting me up in the tavern, you could've mentioned who you were."

"I did tell you. I'm the magistrate of Retonda."

"And yet, you're a prince."

"Like you talk to mers?"

Liana winced. "So? Elsie's an old friend."

"It's an old job."

here eyes flared with anger, but then she sighed.

"Son, you know this woman?" King Duncan asked.

"Yeah, I met her when she was in The Old Bards in Retonda."

"And you are?" Queen Vanessa asked snottily.

"Lily Aliman, Your Majesty," Liana said calmly.

"Oh really? I thought I heard the mermaid call you Liana."

"Dorian..."

"What?"

"Damn bastard," she muttered.

"I heard that..., Liana."

"Oh for mercy's sake, just leave it alone."

Dorian smirked.

Then, the lights began to flicker.

"Oh, fuck."

The royals all stared at her. Dorian had a concerned look on his face.

"Again?" he asked.

"I think so."

"Princccesss. The Masssterssss are angry. The black dog hasss been sssent."

"By the gods, no," Liana breathed in horror.

"Yesss. Sssoon, the dog will sssniff you out and find you. Your time issss up, Princccesss."

Dorian caught the shadow creature's attention.

"What, mortal?"

"Is there any way for her to remain outside of Hell?"

"Dorian, don't. This is my problem."

"Not anymore. Not after that night."

"What?" his parents gasped.

"Ooh, did you two have sex?" Princess Yvonne asked.

"Yvonne!" her twin cried.

"No! He saved my life though."

"Tell me, shadow, how can she extend her time in the living world?"

"One mussst be tied to the living."

Liana's eyes widened as she realized what was required.

"I'll be the tie."

"No, Dorian. Don't."

"Why not? You shouldn't have to be dragged back there."

"No, later, it doesn't matter. I'm destined for Hell. And the price... did you figure it out?"

"I'm guessing your life is tied to mine. So be it."

"Oh, no," Liana said. "That's not what's required."

He gave her an odd look/

"You mean marriage, don't you, shadow?" Liana asked.

Dorian's eyebrows shot up.

"Yesss, a true tie."

"I can't ask that of you, Dorian."

Suddenly, they all heard a snarling.

"The Black Dog!" Princess Felicity cried.

The dog ran forward, straight for Liana. Dorian pulled out a sword and stood in front of Liana.

"What are you doing?" she yelled. "You're going to get yourself killed!"

"For the gods' sake, Lily, Liana, whoever the hell you are, will you marry me?"

She watched as the dog drew nearer and nearer. fear crept up along her spine. The dog crouched, ready to pounce. Dorian held his sword at the ready.

"Yes!"

Suddenly, the dog disappeared. And so did the shadow creature, but not before it spoke one last time.

"Your time hasss been given. Ussse it well."

Dorian looked at Dorian.

"You didn't have to do this."

"I wanted to."

"But aren't you like the Crown Prince of Kivan or something? I've just damned you."

He turned to his parents.

"Not anymore."

"What?" King Duncan asked.

"Son?" Queen Vanessa quivered.

"Joseph can be king. I don't want the throne, never have. I abdicate my position in line."

"Dorian, no. This is your life we're talking about, your birthright. I can't ask you to give all that up."

"I gave it up when I became the magistrate of Retonda."

"Brother, do you mean this?" Prince Joseph asked.

"I do."

Liana addressed the Royal Family of Kivan, "I'm sorry."

"This is what you want, son?"

"Yes, Father."

"Then, I guess we can't stop you."

Liana looked up, shocked at how understanding King Duncan was.

"LIANA!"

She froze.

"Oh holy shit."

Dorian gave her an odd look as Vander, Harmon, King Russell, and Queen Coraline burst into the throne room.

"Russell?"

"Camille?"

"Yeah, you're siblings. We get it. What the hell are you guys doing here? How'd you even get here?"

"Elsie created a portal for us," Harmon explained. "Liana, you're needed back home."

"Why?"

"The mages have grown stronger. thanks to you, Sonicans have risen up and demanded that they have rights equal to those of the Mainlanders."

"Oh, by the gods."

"It's a full world war, Liana. We need you," King Russell said.

"To do what? Quell the uprising? Or support it?"

"You're the Princess of Salencia, sister. It's your duty to stop the mages."

"And yet, as the Mage Queen, I also have a duty to the mages to help them, Harmon."

"What the hell are you people talking about?" Dorian asked.

Harmon turned to look at him and asked, "And you are?"

"Dorian Ironshade."

"My fiancé," Liana added.

Her family choked.

"What?" Vander spat out.

"Daughter?' King Russell asked.

Queen Coraline remained silent, and Harmon confused and hurt.

"How can this girl be your child, Russell? She has magic in her blood. The Davine bloodline has never had magic in it before."

"That's because I married a descendant of the last rulers of Sonic."

"What?" Liana and Vander cried.

"Father?" Harmon asked.

"It's true," Queen Coraline said.

"I'll admit, when Harmon was born, I was relieved when he didn't have any magical potential. But when you two were born with magical capabilities, Liana especially, I worried. And now, my dear girl, look at who you've become. The most powerful mage since the time of the royal mages."

"Why did you never tell me I had Willow blood?"

"Or me?"

"We didn't think it was important. We were wrong. And how do you know about the Willow blood?"

"Because I know Sonic's history," Liana said. "Erwoe is the old palace."

Liana sighed. "So, now I have to clean up another mess my ambition has caused. Lovely. Alright, I'll come home."

"I'm going with you."

The families began to protest, but he insisted. Dorian glanced at her family.

"They don't know, do they?"

She swallowed.

"No."

"Then, I'm going."

"What don't we know?" King Russell asked.

"Nothing!"

"Liana..." Harmon began.

"What will happen if I don't go with you?"

"I, I don't know."

"Then, I'm going."

She sighed, knowing she wouldn't be able to change his mind. Liana turned towards her father.

"What about King Erik and Prince Leo?"

"The peace has been made. Prince Leo told his father the truth."

Nodding slightly, she took a deep breath.

"Alright, let's go."

She and Vander created a swirling portal that would take them back to Dressna. Queen Coraline stepped through with King Russell and Crown Prince Harmon right behind. Dorian looked to Liana, and she nodded. then, he too stepped through. then, she made Vander go. Once everyone else was gone, she started to close the portal. Liana slipped through just as it sealed behind her.

The next thing she knew, she was standing in the throne room in the royal palace. Liana turned towards Dorian who was marveling at the sight of the gold gilded palace.

"Welcome to Salencia, Dorian," she said.