“What the hell?” he murmured as we stepped into the room.
The king was not there, instead, Lucan stood in his place, fumbling through a stack of papers on the desk. He came to an abrupt stop upon our arrival, peering over his glasses at us.
“Oh! Hello, Mr. Hawthorne…Miss Willawood. To what do I owe the pleasure?” Lucan’s voice reflected his surprise.
Sebastian gripped the edge of the desk, splintering the wood as he leaned into Lucan's face. He glared at the king's advisor, who fidgeted uncomfortably at the intimidation. “What are you doing in my father’s study withouthim here?'' His head cocked as the words slid off of his tongue in accusation.
Lucan looked down, fussing to put the papers back in order. “I…He moved your meeting to the throne room. Mr. Sinclair was supposed to inform all of the head guards to attend.”
“Fucking Sawyer,” Sebastian scoffed, then glowered back at Lucan. “You didn't answer my question.”
“I am gathering some information that the king requested be sent to the duke.”
Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest, unintentionally flaunting his muscles under his fitted shirt. “And what information might that be?”
“Just some data from the first year's coursework,” Lucan jumbled his words, scurrying to finish his task.
“Interesting,” Sebastian sneered, his suspicion obvious. He was being awfully harsh, in my opinion.
Lucan pushed his glasses up on his nose and stepped out from behind the desk, gathering a stack of papers in his arms. “Very well, I must be on my way now. I have to make sure this gets delivered in a timely manner.” His voice shook, then he waited for Sebastian to move so he could leave.
I didn't think he would, but Sebastian let him go.
The king's advisor hurried out of the room, picking up speed when he entered the corridor.
I turned to Sebastian, whose knuckles at last unclenched. “First of all, it's hot when you act all intimidating. Second of all, what the hell was that?”
“Fuck if I know.” He spun on his toes, heading right back out the way we came. His pockets filled with his hands as he rushed us down the hall, not giving me any indication as to where we were going.
“Why were you being so cold towards him?” Lucan had never done me any wrong. He didn't seem to have a mean bone in his body.
“He knows better than to be in there without the king.”
“You don’t believe him?” I asked, jogging after him.
“Nope.”
“Well then shouldn't we tell someone?”
Silence.
I sneered at his disregard for my question. “Where are we going?”
“Throne room.”
Right. We still had a meeting to attend. I glanced around the hall—I really should have known the castle better by now.
Sebastian burst into the throne room, throwing the doors open, loudly announcing our presence.
King Hawthorne sat on his throne, his crown sparkling in the candlelight above him. Duke Sinclair stood beside him, and the head soldiers were in formation—minus Jocelyn.
Lucan’s words became more incredulous by the second as he was nowhere to be seen.
“Sorry we’re late,” Sebastian bellowed as he strutted to his place in formation. “Someonefailed to inform us of the change of location.” He gave Sawyer a sideways glance.
“I couldn't find you,” Sawyer huffed.
“You didn't even try.” Sebastian rolled his eyes to the veil above.
