by Nina Monroe
“He will be secure in the tower. There is a windowless room on the second floor that may be suitable for Seraphina. If Garrett has lied and escapes, he will most likely check the dungeons first,” Willem said as he put his hand on Will’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for what has happened.”
“I knew my father betrayed me, but I didn’t know how thick the plot was until now,” Will responded emotionlessly before he looked to Tamzin. “I need to get you two back to bed.” Will took Tamzin gently by the arm and helped her stand as she still cradled their son. He watched as Tamzin stood, she winced lightly and tightened the grip she had Liam. Liam didn’t seem to mind the movement as he snuggled further into his mother’s chest.
Though Liam wasn’t even a full day old, Will could not wrap around his head that the tiny baby was a part of him. Tamzin brushed his dark hair and she wept with happiness when Jacque told her, while they were underground, Liam’s lighter colored navy eyes would most likely change to Will’s ice blue.
As they left the War Room, the couple found Katya waiting outside with her arms crossed over her chest. Will was reminded how young his sister was. She was barely fifteen and would probably be wedded in a few short months, but how she paced and bit her nails, she was still so immature and unworldly.
She nearly leapt in excitement when she saw Tamzin and Liam. Though Katya had not spent much time with Liam since his birth, Will could see that she was adamantly excited about being an aunt. Nicola was the same way. After Will and Tamzin spent time together following Liam’s birth, Nicola held Liam for almost an hour until Willem demanded to see “his first grandchild,” as he put it.
Will’s first thought was to correct him, to remind Willem that they shared no blood, Will found that he traded in a cold, calculating, and seemingly disloyal father for a mother that tried to make amends, though Will was unsure if he was ready to forgive her; a stepfather that had been unfailingly kind to him and Tamzin since they arrived, and accepted Will’s child without a second thought; a younger brother and sister who thought he was beginning to bond with, something Will had never experienced before. And now there was Liam, the child that everyone was already in love with, Will included.
“I could have tended to Liam for you!” Katya said as she peered at the baby from the side. “You must need some rest, Tamzin.”
“I will let you watch him soon, Katya,” Tamzin smiled as she leaned against Will for support.
“But not now,” Will interrupted as he steered Tamzin towards the stairs. “She needs a long bath and rest.”
“Will,” Tamzin scolded lightly as she adjusted Liam in her arms. “Katya, would you mind asking your mother for some lavender oil that I can put in the bathwater?” Tamzin asked sweetly as Katya continued to stare at Liam.
“Of course!” Katya squeaked before she curtsied. “I will have the girls bring up the warm water very soon!”
“Katya, you don’t have to curtsey. We’re sisters, remember?” Tamzin smiled before she felt Liam fidget slightly in her arms. “I think he’s hungry.”
“Bring the warm water in a half hour or so,” Will said to Katya as he pressed his hand into her lower back. Slowly, Tamzin walked up the stairs and winced every few steps and Liam’s soft whines became soft cries.
“It’s alright, my love,” Will heard Tamzin murmur to their son as Will looked, out of the corner of his eye, at their small family. Tamzin was still exhausted, as evident by the circles underneath her eyes and her slightly pale skin. Her normally shiny hair was thrown up at the top of her head and held together with pins. Her face was still slightly puffy, but it didn’t diminish her beauty. Liam was still tiny and wrinkly, though he opened his eyes more and was looking at Will.
When he was born, Will was amazed to watch Liam cling to his mother after Nicola put Liam on Tamzin’s chest. It was like Liam knew exactly who Tamzin was and his birth cries slowed and stopped after only a few moments on her chest. It was the only moment of peace, before everything started to slide downhill. Will was unsure if he had ever seen anything so memorizing, in that quiet moment.
With his hands under her arms, Will practically picked Tamzin up and carried her down the opposite hallway and into their chambers. When he closed the door behind them, Will did pick up Tamzin and gently deposited her on the bed. Tamzin rolled to her side and placed Liam on the bed next to her. The sleeping baby continued to slumber and Will sat down on the bed next to them.
A battle was won, his baby was now born, and Tamzin was safe.
It should have been an excellent day, an accomplished day, but he felt nothing like that.
“What happens now?” Tamzin asked.
“I don’t know,” Will said before he touched her bare leg and sighed. “Everything I have ever known is a lie.”
“Not everything,” Tamzin said as she sat up and felt him shift into her arms. “In this place, you are surrounded by love. I love you, your baby loves you, as does your mother and her husband. Every person in this palace wants what is best for you.”
Will was silent for a moment, before the door burst open. He was half expecting to see the girls with Tamzin’s bath water, but found Paul instead. He was out of breath and heaving, with his hands on his knees.
“You need to come down stairs immediately. Both of you,” he said breathlessly as he lurched forward and grabbed Will by his armor. “I have never seen anything like it before!”
Alarmed, Will rushed down the hall, and left Tamzin behind. As he arrived in the entranceway, he saw what his uncle had spoke of. Coming through the gates of the compound and waiting in the training yard were thousands of soldiers. On a horseback was a man wearing Roth colors and another man who wore the colors of his aunt’s territory. Both men dismounted from their horses when they saw Will standing in the entrance.
“William Thurston, His Royal Highness Turner Roth and Her Royal Highness, Queen Isabelle of the families Bradford and Thurston have sent men with their royal decrees,” the first man began as he took a scroll from the inside of his cloak and extended it down. As he extended the scroll, he began to read:
“The Northern Territories of Roth and Bradford and Thurston, after countless meetings, have decreed that Gregory Thurston, who has laid claim to Johansson Territory, are now enemies of the Realm. With this, the King and Queen have decided that one leader must emerge from the nations to unite the North against the South. With the consent of King Turner, Queen Isabelle, and King Aidan Bradford, the Northern Territories and all those loyal to the North have named Prince William Thurston and Princess Tamzin Thurston the King and Queen of the Realm. All families have sworn loyalty and fealty to the King and Queen and those who have not are enemies of the Realm. With this, Roth, Bradford, and the Northern Territories submit all powers to William and Tamzin Thurston.” The man unsheathed his sword and held it up to the sky, followed by the thousands of soldiers behind them. “Long live the King!”
“The Thurston King!”
“William the First!”
“The King of the North!”
“The King of the Realm!”
Will turned behind him and saw Tamzin standing in the entranceway, her eyes wide and their son wailing.
Will Thurston was now the King.
To Be Continued...
Unconditionally Teaser
Will Thurston has experienced many things in his life, but not once has he comforted an enemy combatant on the field as he died. It was also the first time he helped murder a fourteen year old boy on the field.
Will cursed his father as he sliced through the boy as he tried, in vain, to stab Will in the neck. His Northmen had taken part in another landslide victory against the ill-trained Johansson men, but it was no victory. More often than not, Gregory Thurston had sent boys and even children to fight the revered Northmen and each time, Will sent children back to their mothers on carts for the dead.
More than once, Will attempted to stop the boys from attacking him and the Northmen, but it had been drilled in the
ir minds that it was better to die than to live a good life where you didn't stand up to the usurper Will Thurston.
"It won't hurt any longer," Will whispered to the whimpering boy and Will felt his eyes water with fresh tears. His skin was covered in grime and mud, along with the blood of his enemy. The Northmen and the Roth Archers walked amongst the dead and pulled off what supplies they needed. Some took new swords, fresh boots, or impressive armor. Gregory Thurston sent boys to fight, but he gave them the best gear for the job.
"You're nothing but an usurper and you will burn in hell," the boy said as he spat in Will's face. Undeterred, Will continued to hold onto the boy's hand as he died, when the final drop of blood dripped out of the wound in the corner of his neck. Will released his hand and stood and wiped the boy's spit off his face. It was not the first or last time this would happen.
"I don't know why you bother?" Will heard Garrett say behind him. Will turned to see his friend...brother, and sighed. It had been two years since the last major battle with their father, and no one had seen or heard from Gregory in those years. There were the minor battles, like today, to defend the outskirts of Will's collective territory, but nothing to end the war, or even make a dent in the standings.
"I cannot imagine what it is like to die, but I know that I wouldn't want to be alone when it happens," Will said as he adjusted the sword at his hip. Death was not a conversation Will and Garrett discussed often, especially after what had happened. Garrett understood death more than most people...
With more questions needing to be answered and the final showdown looming, look for Unconditionally, the final installment of the Unarmed Trilogy in the early months of 2015!
