Sebastian
Rain heavily poured down outside the palace as my heart thumped against my chest. The hole in the ceiling was barely patched as it dripped water onto my head, causing me to stare blankly at the small hole.
It took months for Sir Garrett to get out of the woods. He was in and out of consciousness. His words made no sense. Cranston and Annalise worked around the clock, taking shifts to keep him alive.
I gathered what villagers I could during that time, rallying them up to prepare for war. A lot of them were hesitant, of course, but what choice did I have? I had no idea who was on Edwin's side.
Lilith trained the able-bodied in hand-to-hand combat, while Troy and Victor trained them in swordsmanship. Even Annalise joined, along with several of the women we rescued.
I paced back and forth in my room. My worry kept rolling off me and affecting Lilith. I still have heard nothing from my uncle. No terms of surrender, no declaration of attack, nothing. And that was worrying me more than anything.
I sat on my bed, my head hung low as Lilith entered the room. Oh, how her scent brought me comfort. She sat at the edge of the bed next to me, placing her hand on the middle of my back.
"Sebastian, we need to do something to help ease the tension..." She wrapped her fingers around my chin, lifting my face towards hers.
"You haven't shaved in months." She smiled as she ran her fingers over my newfound beard.
"I'm sorry, little lamb..." I barely whispered out as Azazel rumbled in me. We haven't had Lilith under us since her last heat, which was last month. Even then, it was difficult for me. My mind was a mess, which ended up affecting her as well.
She wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into her. She pulled me down on the bed as she held me.
"I know it's rough, but Sir Garrett will pull through and we'll figure this all out." She nuzzled her forehead against mine as I inhaled a deep breath.
"Everything will be fine as long as you're with me..." I whispered out as her grip tightened on me. We ended up falling asleep in that position. My dreams were plagued with battle scenarios and facing my uncle. They all ended the same. I was standing over Lilith's lifeless body.
I awoke gasping as Lilith stroked my head.
"Another nightmare?" She coaxed, as I closed my eyes, trying to relax. Azazel was growling. My unease was making him upset. I placed my hand on my forehead as I nodded. I could feel Lilith's worry as it seared through my bite mark.
"You need to relax..." Azazel grumbled. I shook my head. I've never been in a war. I've never had to worry about my parents, my family, or my kingdom being taken from me. I'd gladly hand it over if I could live a life with just Lilith, but my uncle has my parents. My uncle hurt my mentor. My uncle is now my enemy.
I sat up, staring out the window as Lilith sat behind me, wrapping her arms around me.
"I wish I could do something to help ease your mind, Sebastian..." She kissed my neck, my body erupted in goosebumps as I turned to her. Worry furrowed her beautiful face.
I leaned in, gently kissing her as she ran her hands up to my face, cupping it. Strangely, I did not want to have her body writhing underneath me. I just wanted to be comforted. Feeling what I wanted, Lilith pulled my head to her chest as she held me.
Day rolled around; I was up pacing the throne room as Troy entered. He shook his head at me to imply that no crow had arrived from Estra yet. I took a seat next to the throne, staring at the emptiness my father had left.
I leaned forward, placing my elbows on my knees as I looked up at Troy.
"Send a crow to Estra. Tell my uncle that we need to have a discussion about these events." I sighed as Troy nodded. I needed proof that my parents were still alive. I then could make my moves accordingly. Exiting the throne room, I made my way to Sir Garrett's chambers.
I reached my hand out, knocking before I opened the door.
Garrett was sitting up as Annalise helped feed him the soup. He smiled weakly at me as I went and took a seat in a chair next to his bed.
"Prince Sebastian..." He said hoarsely.
"I'm glad you're finally eating." I placed my hand on the bed, patting it.
"Are you able to tell me what happened, Sir Garrett?" I asked as I leaned back in my chair. He nodded. Annalise picked up the dishes, bowed at us, then left the room.
"We arrived in Elise at our scheduled time. Your mother sent that crow to you once we had a courier hand us a letter from the dukes." He paused, placing his hand on his chest as he took a deep breath.
"Take your time Garrett..." I reassured him as he nodded.
"Well, apparently, the dukes sent a crow to Prince Edwin. They've been conspiring to overthrow your father. The kingdom was behind your father, though, which made it almost impossible for them to gain the traction they needed..." He winced as he continued. "The people all agreed when the word about your kidnapping of Duke Spry came out. They spun it and fed lies to everyone saying how you've become mentally unstable, and your instability was affecting how your father ruled. They used the sex trafficking rings and the drugs being distributed as leverage, saying your father paid the dukes to bring it within the walls of Astion." He leaned his back on the headboard.
"I'm sorry Sebastian... They stormed us and killed most of my men. I... I tried to fight. Even your father took up a sword." He looked away from me, ashamed.
"Is... are they still alive?" I whispered out as I stared straight ahead. A lump formed in my throat as the silence felt like it lasted forever.
"Yes... but your uncle..." He turned towards me. "Your uncle has had this planned, Sebastian. He will not send you terms of surrender. He already has several clans backing him up and his army..." He coughed as he tried to sit up more. I leaned over, helping him as he reached for some water.
"He has the warriors of Astria, the giants of the Northen Seaside, and the orcs. They all have the same goal..." He looked at me, muttering those God-forsaken words that triggered rage to burn through my body. "May the old way's become the new."
That's all I needed to hear. My mind snapped into play as I helped lay him down so he could rest.
I stormed out of his room, looking around for Kain. I needed answers, and I needed them now.
I made my way to the foyer, running into Victor, who was heading out to the courtyard.
"Hey, Victor," my voice caused him to halt. He stood there at attention.
"Have you seen Kain?" I questioned as I walked up next to him
"Yes, sir, he's out back working with the blacksmith in the forge." He tilted his head in a nod as I dismissed him