“I know.”
He pulled back from our embrace just enough so that he could see my face while still keeping his arms clasped behind me. “We’ve been slacking with our training. You and Sawyer had a good pattern going, but when I got back it started to slip. We need to get back to it.”
“Do we have to?” I groaned, not having missed my training sessions.
“You need to be prepared.” He pulled away from me for real now so he could begin pacing around his room. “You need to continue wielding so that you can be as strong as possible. I pray to Caius that my father is right about Draemor’s intentions, but he wasn't there in Craterra. He didn't see what I saw. Didn't hear what I heard.”
“What did you hear?” I pried, even though he refused to tell me last time I asked.
He looked back at me, his eyes narrow slits. “No.”
My nose scrunched, but I dropped the subject.
“This isn't the end. Draemor wouldn't just retreat after all of that. This must be a ploy.”
“Can you talk to your father again? Maybe if you get enough soldiers on your side, he’ll listen.” I tried to help, but knew the idea was useless.
“He’ll never listen. You should know that better than anyone.”
I had seen Sebastian scared before, but this was different.He seemed really, truly, terrified. And it was making him come off as an ass.
“Well what else is there to do except for at least try?”
“We brace ourselves and draw up a plan in the event the castle is attacked. We can’t count on him to do it, and I sure as fuck don’t plan on dying. Or letting you die for that matter, in case it wasn't obvious. If Draemor’s army does attack, my father is going to turn to the head soldiers for guidance, and I’ll make damn sure we have a plan in place for when that happens.”
My heart skipped a beat. “When?”
He noticed my voice crack. “I meant if.”
“You did not.” I took a step back. “You really think this is going to happen? There is at least a slim chance that Beaumont is being honest.”
He hung his head, rocking it slowly to the side. “I would bet my life on a gamble that he's not.”
“Someone’s a pessimist,” I quipped.
“I’m not being pessimistic, I’m being realistic. Don't act like you weren't just arguing the same point back in the throne room.”
“I’m not disagreeing with you. I’m just saying that there's a chance.” Because there was. Until we had reason to believe otherwise.
In a heartbeat, Sebastian's hands were cupped around my face, directing my eyes into his. “Donotlet your guard down.” He emphasized each word. “Not for even a single second. And don't trustanyonebesides the few you know for sure that you can.”
I huffed a breath of frustration, but kept my eyes locked onto his. “And who might that be? You and myself?”
“Why are you being so argumentative right now?”
“I’m not,” I shot back. “I’m genuinely curious as to who I’m allowed to trust.”
A sound somewhere between a growl and a plea releasedfrom deep in Sebastian’s chest. “Fine then. Yes. You can trust me. Pia and Kohen. Sawyer is still being a dick, but you can count on him, too. Besides that, no one.”
“What about?—”
“No.”
I bobbed my head in comprehension, realizing I didn't get a say here.
Sebastian dropped his hands from my face, and though the moment wasn't right, I found myself craving his touch back.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I focused on the matter at hand. He was entirely right. Even though it was possible Beaumont was being honest, we should still have a plan in place in case Draemor attacked. The king obviously wasn't going to do it, so that left it up to us.
