by Sam Argent
“We could use arrows!” Luke shouted to his husband.
“On their way!” Kevin shouted back. He took a bow and quiver from a dead merc and stood at the end of their hallway with Alice at his back. “I aim high and you low,” he whispered. Alice nodded and kneeled at his side. Both of them notched arrows, and Kevin mouthed down from three. On one, they shot down one side, pulled back, and then shot down the other.
Queen Anne picked up two shields from the dead and ran into the juncture. With her shields pointed in both directions at their attackers, fire flowed off her body as she chanted. Two dogs of blue fire formed and ran down both sides. There were cries to run and the sound of boots retreating. Kevin glanced down the hall and saw it quickly emptying.
“Did you find Sebastian?” Kraven asked as he threw another bottle out the window.
“No,” Lord Orwell said. “He must be on an upper floor. What are you throwing at?” He walked to Kraven’s side and looked over Kraven’s shoulder. Trenton’s soldiers were spread out, trying to avoid the exploding bottles, and couldn’t get to the entrance. “That is smart thinking.”
“I know,” Demetrius said. “I don’t know how we get upstairs. We need a force to hold the hallway so nobody can come up behind us, and the queen is needed to fight Trenton.”
“Demetrius?” Kraven called out. “Either I drank too much liquor or that’s Cecilia’s husband.” He pointed out the window, and as the Orwells joined him, a band of trolls launched themselves at the mercenaries. “That is him.”
“I don’t know how long it will take them to reach us. That’s still a large force out there,” Lady Orwell said.
Boots stomping down the hall made them run to the middle. In bright armor, Captain Pembrost led the new arrivals, and the queen waved him over.
“Upstairs we go,” Kevin said.
“Wait!” Captain Pembrost shouted as the Orwells turned to go. “Have you seen the prince?”
Lord Orwell frowned. “You just got here and you’ve already lost the prince? You are the world’s worst babysitter.”
Captain Pembrost grunted in frustration. “I don’t have time for this.” He sprinted past the Orwells and ran up the stairs.
THE SPIKE’S point almost touched Trenton’s neck as Sebastian adjusted his grip. Right there was the perfect spot. Trenton suddenly jumped off Sebastian, and Sebastian shoved the spike up his sleeve. Trenton spun and faced the door, but a portion of the wall blew out. Turren stepped into the room with his broadsword unsheathed.
“Get away from him, you bastard!”
Sebastian’s head fell on the pillow and he covered his face. So close to killing him and Turren picked this time to show up? He sat up and got off the bed.
Trenton frowned. “You’re not under my spell.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes and removed the ring from his pocket. “Your people suck at searching prisoners.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Trenton said. “He dies and you will never hope again.”
If I wound him, maybe Turren and I can link our magic to finish him off. But for that to work, Sebastian needed an opening. “Is my family safe?” he asked Turren, hoping to distract Trenton.
“All have been retrieved. I gave May to one of our wizards, and the rest of your family is with my mother,” Turren said. He pointed his sword at Trenton. “How dare you force Sebastian to marry you! He is kind, sweet, heroic, and would never do anything as awful as—” Sebastian rushed Trenton and stabbed him in the neck. The spike didn’t go into the kill spot, and Trenton’s eyes glowed with rage. Pure magic struck at Sebastian, slamming him into a wall and making him slide to the floor, stunned.
A powerful mass of magic gathered where Trenton and Turren stood. Red light filled Sebastian’s vision. “Turren, run,” he whispered. A white light flickered near his throat, and Sebastian struggled to move. He touched the amulet and warmth filled his hand. An entity so vast that it made Sebastian’s breath stutter invaded his mind. It took hold of his magic, and instead of nearby wood or plants calling to him, life of all kinds answered the joined magics.
Like the amulet’s namesake, the heart of every living thing in that castle was Sebastian’s to command. He could imbue the exhausted with power, or stop every heart from beating. Sebastian looked up, and Trenton stared down at him with wonder on his face. Oh Gods, he feels it too. The long needle dropped out of Trenton’s neck, and the wound began closing. Sebastian reached for the power to stop Trenton’s heart, but a barrier blocked him from using it. Despite Sebastian’s failure, magic flowed out of the amulet, and through their mixed auras, Sebastian felt Trenton commanding the magic to do his bidding. The wizard pointed his finger at Turren, and life seeped out of the prince’s heart.
No! That’s not what I want! Sebastian clutched the amulet, hoping the damn thing would listen to him. Turren is the last person I want dead. You’re around my stupid neck! Do what I say!
Blue light sputtered on the end of Turren’s sword. Like Queen Anne’s, Turren’s magic dripped from the sword in flames, but Turren’s flames were wider and longer.
“Turren! Drop the damn sword and protect your life!” Sebastian shouted.
Turren rubbed his chest with a grimace, and looked from Trenton to Sebastian. He shook his head. “He has no right to hurt you like this.” The flames died down, and Turren stumbled.
The room blurred as Sebastian struggled to his feet. I’m not letting this arrogant shit take Turren away from me. And you’re not using me to do it. Sebastian tugged at the amulet’s chain, not caring that he scratched his neck badly. Get off me! The strange entity in his mind took on a questioning tone like a child who didn’t know what it did wrong. Whatever you are, you’re killing the man I love. Something gripped Sebastian from the inside, and it was as if his mind were put into the back of a carriage while a mysterious white figure took the driver’s reins of his body. In that brief moment, it looked through Sebastian’s eyes and felt his hatred for Trenton. It also felt Sebastian’s love for the prince who barely stood on trembling legs. Sebastian blinked, and he was fully in control of his body again. What in all hells was—Sebastian collapsed to his knees and threw up the brown mixture of auras binding him to Trenton. When he stopped heaving, Sebastian grasped the amulet and poured Turren’s drained life energy back inside him.
Trenton glared at him. “I’ll use my own magic to finish him.”
“Fuck you,” Sebastian said as he raised his hand and pointed at Trenton. Like a candle snuffing out, the amulet went dark, and the world’s magic at his fingertips disappeared. Sebastian blinked. “Seriously?” I want you to work, and now you fucking turn off?
“Sebastian, my lovely, when I deal with you, you’ll wish you were still under that love spell,” Trenton said as the floor buckled under the strength of his gathering power.
As Sebastian watched, Turren’s legs steadied, and he roared as his sword’s flames burst out anew. The flaming sword became a conflagration that blocked out Trenton’s magic. Turren swung his blade at the wizard, and a line of magic erupted from the sword. Magical flames cut through Trenton and continued into the wall. There was a loud cracking sound and the wall collapsed. Trenton fell to the floor in two pieces.
“Bastian!” Turren cried out and dropped his sword. He ran to Sebastian and sprawled next to him. “Are you all right? I’m sorry he almost overcame me. You hit the wall so hard, and I couldn’t think properly.” Turren brushed Sebastian’s hair out of his eyes. “Are you all right?” Tears filled Turren’s eyes, and Sebastian sighed.
“I had him, you idiot. Why do you always have to do everything the hard way?”
Turren grinned from ear to ear. “You’re just fine.” He frowned. “I think I used too much magic.” Turren’s eyes rolled in the back of his head and he passed out.
Sebastian quickly checked for a pulse. The prince’s heart beat fiercely, and to prove his worries foolish, Turren began snoring. Sebastian shook his head but winced when pain arced across his temple. “Ho
w can you be such an idiot?” He leaned forward and kissed Turren gently.
“Isn’t that just the most romantic thing you’ve ever seen, James?” Kevin asked from the doorway.
“The prince and his adorable grumpy pants,” James said, nodding. “They’ll write tales about those two.”
“Shut up and get someone to heal me,” Sebastian said.
“Right away, my lord,” Kevin said. He shouted into the hall. “Sebastian’s safe and sharing an intimate moment with the prince.”
“What!” Alice shouted in outrage.
“It’s fine, Mama,” May said from the hall. “The prince beat the shithead’s friend, so he’s allowed to kiss Uncle Sebastian.”
“I don’t care who he beat!” Alice walked into the room with an arrow notched and looked down at the two men. She rolled her eyes and slapped Kevin upside the head.
Pratchett shoved his way into the room and whistled at Trenton’s body. “Sebastian might be marrying a man worse than Mernon the Black.”
“What are you talking about?” Sebastian asked.
James smiled. “That’s a conversation for when we have privacy. By the way, Cecilia is here, and she’s madder than a hornet that we kept the Trenton business a secret from her.”
“I thought she would be in labor by now,” Sebastian said.
“She was or did,” Kevin said. “But she was so worried about us that she made Berados magic a wagon that could carry her and the baby without jostling them.”
“I don’t know if I should be flattered or scared,” Sebastian said.
Pratchett snorted. “I always choose the latter with her.”
CHAPTER 37
SEBASTIAN STRETCHED his hands over his head while Queen Anne transferred her energy to Turren. “Thank you for coming for me.”
Queen Anne smiled. “My boy loves you dearly, and I like you. We wouldn’t forgive ourselves if we failed today.”
“I don’t normally glorify death, but the way Turren cleaved him in two leaves me satisfied.”
“The ridiculous thing about this whole situation is that the soul binding wouldn’t have worked for long,” Lord Orwell said from a nearby chair. “I tried to tell him, but Trenton only listened to himself.”
Turren’s eyes opened and he smiled weakly. “I’m not dreaming. You’re safe?”
Sebastian stroked Turren’s hair. “Yes, you brash fool, I’m safe.”
“It’s only brash if I fail. I succeeded, so it’s bravery,” Turren said.
“Not just brave,” Lord Orwell said. “I was frightened that none of us could beat Trenton, but you surprised me, young man. If your intentions are honorable toward my son, I will respect both your wishes.”
“Let things between our sons run their natural course instead of trying to force a union,” King Harris said.
“My son’s reputation is probably ruined by that farcical marriage. We may know that Trenton kidnapped my family and threatened to kill all the priests, but others will talk. There aren’t too many with notable backgrounds who would have my son after this.”
“Sebastian is innocent and I won’t let rumors spread.” Turren sat up. “But.” He placed Sebastian’s hands in his. “I will give you all the time you need, because I will never force you to marry me.”
“I know,” Sebastian said. He gently kissed Turren and reached into his pants pocket. His cloak hadn’t been found, but his clothes had been with the Orwells’ belongings. He pulled out the sapphire ring and slid it on his finger. “That’s why I accept your proposal.”
“Wait a minute. How long have you had that ring?” Lady Orwell asked.
“Since before Father’s old friend paid us a visit,” Sebastian said.
Lady Orwell blinked. “You received a proposal from a prince and needed to think about it?” She shook her head and stared at him.
“Why are you staring at me?”
“I’m trying to solve where your father and I went wrong in rearing you.”
NOW THAT both of them were on their feet, Sebastian had to visit Cecilia. He needed a cloak to go outside.
“Sebastian?”
“Hm?” Sebastian mumbled.
Turren whipped off his royal robe and laid it on Sebastian’s shoulders. “Do you mind?” he asked. Sebastian shook his head, and Turren tied the robe in place.
It was heavy and lined with fur. Sebastian tugged the hood over his head, and Turren grabbed its ends. Golden sigils appeared on the cloth and disappeared. Sebastian touched the spell with his magic, and it was identical to Ophelia’s work. “You didn’t tweak anything, and you still can’t see me.”
“Whomever you want to see you is your choice, and even though I made the new spell, I should have your permission too. But I didn’t increase its magic so I can still touch you,” Turren said as he brushed his hand down Sebastian’s cheek.
“Ah, there’s my disobedient prince.” Sebastian smiled under his hood. He grabbed Turren’s neck and kissed him, removing the memory of Trenton’s lips.
“Let’s go meet the last Orwell.”
“UM, SEBASTIAN, what are you doing?” Turren looked over his shoulder as Sebastian dug through the pockets of uncollected dead soldiers.
“Mercenaries travel to many countries, making it hard to track the owners of their loot. Their treasure is usually distributed among people who’ve killed them.”
“You never seemed interested in jewelry before,” Turren said.
“It’s not for me,” Sebastian said as he moved on to another body. “Ah-ha!” He held up a large emerald ring. “This will do.” He stood just as footsteps entered the hall.
“What are you doing here?” Lord Orwell asked.
Sebastian frowned at his larger stomach. “Why am I not surprised that you’re stealing from the living?”
“Excuse me?”
“Those are liquor bottles, and I’m pretty sure they belong to the temple. They were coerced into helping Trenton, so you don’t have a legitimate reason to steal from them.”
“If I had a legitimate reason, they wouldn’t be stuffed in my coat,” Lord Orwell said. “Besides, there will be plenty on these ruffians to cover all damages.”
Turren looked at them and frowned. “I think we should see your sister while I have some plausible deniability left.”
“That is wise,” Sebastian said.
SEBASTIAN KNOCKED on the carriage door, and his marriage-brother bade them to enter. Inside, faint magelight lit Cecilia sitting against a bedframe with a babe in her arms. Even so soon after childbirth she was gorgeous: violet eyes and black hair inherited from their father’s side, and a petite body that hid a personality as strong as Diana’s.
“You broke our record, Sebastian,” Cecilia said.
“Ten years without a kidnapping attempt.” Sebastian shrugged. “Father gets full blame for this incident.”
“The scoundrel has grown into quite a man.” Cecilia smiled as she looked at Turren. “Broad shoulders and everything.” She smirked. “But my husband is bigger.”
Berados stretched his huge hand over Cecilia’s legs without disturbing their baby and held it out to Turren. “I’m Berados of the Brog clan.”
Turren grasped it warmly. “I will be forever grateful to your clan for your perfect timing. I didn’t know if we would save him in time.”
“She was sure that you were in danger, and while a few of the Orwells can be insensitive, not all of them would miss her first birthing.”
Sebastian nodded. “Even Diana has been to all of Alice’s births.”
“Which brings me back to you asses. How dare you keep me in the dark? Ophelia’s death vision coming true, and not one damn message.” Cecilia’s lips trembled. “My whole family could have been killed, and I’m left ignorant thinking Pratchett got everyone too drunk to leave the house.”
Sebastian leaned down and looked closely at his new niece. She had her father’s wider-than-human cheekbones and freckles. “Don’t be so negative and tell me her name.”<
br />
Cecilia’s smile returned. “Mabel after Berados’s aunt. They’re closed for now, but she has Auntie’s dark brown eyes with orange flecks. They remind me of the stones by the lake that Diana chips off for healing tonics. So many hours of labor alone, but she was worth it.”
Sebastian frowned. “They probably spoiled you rotten because they felt sorry for us not being there.”
“I was in the process of being spoiled, but you louts wouldn’t answer any mirrors,” she hissed, and the baby girl woke up crying.
“Let me hold her.” Berados held out his arms.
“You traveled nonstop for days and then fought a battle. Sebastian needs to take responsibility,” Cecilia said.
“No,” Sebastian said. “We are not doing Quiet Time.”
“What’s Quiet Time?” Berados asked.
“I have been forced to do it four times. Berados has a troll’s stamina. He’s perfectly fine to hold Mabel.”
“Sebastian, take off your hood,” Cecilia demanded as Mabel’s cries grew louder.
“Fine!” Sebastian took off his hood, and Mabel quieted instantly. She stared at Sebastian in wonder, and Cecilia sighed in relief.
“Wow,” Berados said. “That’s the quickest she’s calmed down.”
“It lasts among the children until they turn five or six, and then Sebastian is just another uncle,” Cecilia explained. “It works even better when he’s holding them. You may take her, Sebastian, and let us sleep,” she said while holding out her child.
Sebastian sighed and carefully took the tiny baby. “Only today am I doing it for free.”
Cecilia laughed. “No, little brother, all this drama is worth at least a year of Quiet Time. And if I go into labor again and you lot aren’t there, half of you better be missing limbs. Now that we have that out of the way, what did you bring me as a birthing gift?”
Turren blinked. “I have nothing.”
