I offered him a grin as a thank you, then turned my attention to Kohen, waiting for his approval as well.
He caved with a hearty sigh. “Okay, I'm in, too. But I think we should attack from inside the dungeon, that way we can start right through the passageway when you're finished. Can you work from the ground up?”
“Guess we’ll find out,” I replied, rolling the sleeves of my shirt up to my elbows.
I turned to Sebastian, who looked completely devastated. I took his hand in mine, pulling him off to the side to give us a little privacy. His eyes refused to meet mine.
“What's going on?” I asked.
“I thought we were in the clear now that the sacrifice has been taken care of.”
“What are you talking about?” We couldn't just bein the clear. We were in the midst of a battle for the gods' sakes.
He raised his gaze, giving me the eye contact I'd been waiting for. An anguish filled breath poured from his mouth. “There's things I haven't told you…things I swore I was going to, but never did. I know there's no time to explain it all right now, but I really need you to trust me.” He shook his head. “I can't lose you.” His lip quivered.
“You aren't going to lose me,” I assured him, but he was persistent.
“No, Maeve, you're not listening. I know things about this war and its potential outcomes that you don't?—”
“A goddess just gave me her damn magic, Seb! I can do this, I know I can. Why are you so insistent on fighting me on this? ”
“I'm not trying to fight with you, I'm trying to make you understand!”
We were interrupted by Sawyer calling back to us. “Hey. Uh, sorry to interrupt what sounds like a veryendearingmoment between the two of you, but there’s been a change of plans.”
Sebastian and I shot our heads towards our friends, who were face to face with King Beaumont and a hefty group of his soldiers.
Chapter
Forty-Eight
The king of Draemor looked different than I had expected. He was much younger than King Hawthorne, and was almost, dare I say, handsome.
He was tall. Very tall—more than Sebastian’s six and a half foot frame.
His hair was short, cut only an inch or so from his scalp and was auburn in color. He wore armor that matched his soldiers, but there was no mistaking him for a king.
Sebastian pulled me behind him, though trying to hide was pointless.
“Ah, Sebastian Hawthorne, Crown Prince of Caelestis. How lovely it is to see you again,” Cyprian hummed as he stepped towards us, a devious smirk splayed across the sharp edges of his cheeks.
Sebastian drew his sword, still holding me behind him.
The king of Draemor tapped a finger to his chin. “Last time I saw you…Hmm, let me think. Oh right. The last time I saw you was when I sliced your mother’s skull from her body.” He smirked at the release of his twisted comment.
Sebastian's grip tightened at the reminder of the worst dayof his life, but he stood his ground, not giving in to the king's attempt at breaking him.
Beaumont took another few steps for us, the muscles of his arms flaring as he moved. He walked right by Sawyer, Kohen, and Pia, then stopped in front of Sebastian.
The dark king angled the tip of his sword into his neck. “Step aside,” he demanded.
Sebastian tilted his head back, giving him even more access.
“Do not test me, boy. I will not hesitate to deliver you the same fate as your bitch mother.”
“Don't youdarespeak about her in that manner,” Sebastian growled, teeth bared.
My heart thumped in my chest. I knew how this would play out. Sebastian would do anything to protect me, even if it meant giving his life. I couldn't handle losing another person I loved.
