Page 54 of The Final Battle

No one spoke right away and the sound of the door opening had everyone bursting into action, but they quickly realized it was Jade and Zan returning. They both paused, looking wary seeing something in the other’s expressions.

“What did we miss?“ Jade asked.

“I just explained to them that in going to the summer home we are meeting the Lost King and his wrath head on,“ I explained. “They were just about to tell me how they felt about the situation.“

“You don’t really want us to do that, little bird, what we think you won’t like,“ Jade stated.

“All the same, you have every right to speak your mind and be heard,“ I countered. “I won’t say anything, I’ll just listen.“

Cole walked up to me and cupped my face in his hands, holding my gaze intently. “Cassarah, you are now carrying our children. I know you understand this, but it worries us to no end, since we’ve seen you pull some crazy stunts. As Izel reminded us, there is no one who has a heart as big for others as you do. We just need to know that applies to doing everything possible to keep you three alive and healthy. None of us have said it, because like you, the news was shocking and unexpected, but we are over the moon that we will be father’s someday in the near future. All that we ask is that you protect them with everything you have, while we do the same for you.“

My heart ached at his words. While in a way they hurt, feeling like they didn’t trust me to protect the children growing inside me, but I also understood why they would feel that way. The last time we were in a battle, I did take risks that would certainly put them at risk. Then there were events that have unfolded recently that could have caused me to lose them. I’d promised that I would hear them out and I would. I needed to understand their fears so I could help them move past them the best way possible.

I covered his hands with my own and smiled. “Thank you for being honest, my love.“ He pressed a kiss to my lips and stepped back with the others. “Does anyone else have something to say or did he speak for the group?“

“Little bird,“ Jade said, crossing his arms. “I need you to look me in the eye and tell me that putting your life on the line is no longer a thing you’ll consider.“

Holding his seafoam green eyes with my own I answered. “My life is no longer my own, Jade. There are two other lives that share mine and I will do everything in my power to protect them so that I will get the joy of being their mother.“ I paused, taking a calming breath before I continued. “But hear me when I say, that I’m not going to be treated like an invalid just because I’m with child. No one is going to lock me away for the last few months of my pregnancy just because I grow too round. The fact that I’m going to be a mother has nothing to do with how I will rule the kingdom I’m in charge of. None of you will be able to keep me from having a normal life before or after these children come into the world. I love each and every one of you more than life itself and I understand you want me to be safe but don’t put me in a bubble. I will only resent you.“

“If you allow us to keep you safe, Cassy-Bear, then we will happily let you live the life you want. Each of us wants our lives to be filled with joy and happiness. None of us want to strip that from you in this new journey, but for that to work we need to do this together,“ Dayson interjected.

“I agree with everything you’ve said, even if it does sting a little that you’re convinced I won’t protect myself,“ I shared, dropping my gaze at the bowl still in my hands.

Someone knelt in front of me, took the bowl and set it aside, then grasped both my hands.

“My heart,“ Zan crooned, causing me to lift my gaze. “That is not what we believe, but we also know how strong your conviction is. Ending this battle is all we’ve been focused on the past months, it’s consumed our every thought. All we want is to know that this mission you’ve been set on doesn’t overshadow the future we now see growing inside you.“

He reached out and placed one hand on my stomach. “I never thought I would have a family of my own, no one would want to risk the chance of their child being born blind. This is the greatest gift that I could ever possibly receive, and it scared the hell out of me that it might be ripped from us before it can ever start. The Lost King is not one who believes in the sanctity of life.“

“What Zan said, none of this is an attack on you.“ Gavin assured me. “This is all because we don’t trust the Lost King not to play a trick on you or somehow force you into a situation where you put yourself in danger. Each and every one of us wish we could take you out of this fight, but we won’t. You need to see this though, it’s your purpose in life, and the fates have decided you are the one who will bring this war to an end. We just wish it wasn’t the case, but we will be beside you the whole time.“ The others all nodded in agreement.

“Now that you all got that off your chests, I suggest we get some dinner and then call it an early night so everyone is well rested for the world to implode around us,“ Becka interjected, breaking the tension that had been hanging in the room. “Let’s get this bodice on you and we can join the rest of the court for dinner. It would be best for them to see things happening as if we didn’t kill two people today.“

That made my stomach lurch again, making me quickly grab the bowl and empty my stomach of what was left from lunch. A cloth was handed to me to wipe my mouth, along with a goblet of water.

“Do we think we could keep the talk of death, killing, and corpses to a minimum?“ I groaned. “That seems to be incredibly upsetting at the moment.“

“Damn, if I didn’t know you were pregnant, I would have thought you’d gotten soft on us,“ Becka teased as she took the bowl from me. “Seems you were going to start showing signs soon enough.“

“You might be my best friend, but I kind of hate you right now,“ I muttered as she helped me redress.

Becka planted a sloppy kiss on my cheek. “That’s how it works with sisters, get used to it. Now pull yourself together and let’s get this show on the road, we need this to be believable!“

Chapter twenty-nine

Cassarah

Thankfully, dinner went off without any further incidents and we enjoyed the meal with the king, queen, and Prince Phillip. It was decided that he was going to remain at the castle with the king and keep an eye on things. We arranged it so that all of my people would follow along with us, since we were leading everyone to believe that I would be out there for some time. The king would have men at the ready if they needed to come to our aid, but my feelings were this battle wouldn’t be an all out attack.

Abbott and Cole spent the night with me, and we did little else but hold each other as we slept, needing the reassurance that everything would be alright. I kept waking as nightmares plagued my dreams of all the people who’d died in the past few days. Their dead eyes and condemning words, making my sleep fitful. Each time I would awaken sweating and panicked, Abbott would soothe me, humming a song I didn’t know. His tone was deep and at some points he would whisper the words of hope and love in my ear, chasing away the shadows. Cole buried his face in my chest, wrapping his arms around my middle holding me tightly so no matter what, I knew I wasn’t alone.

I was thankful when the sun rose in the sky and I could get up, ending the battle I was losing. Washing my face with cold water shocking my system seemed to help. Becka had packed my things last night, leaving out what I was going to wear or need for the day. It was refreshing to wear my leather pants and billowy shirt with the leather vest that fit snuggly, instead of the heavy fabrics and corsets. The guys were still asleep, so I wandered out to the balcony to take in the view and breathe some fresh morning air.

My father and I had talked about taking a trip to see the Celedon Sea before I was introduced to the court and married off. Of course, Mother squashed that plan, saying it was improper and much too far to travel with a girl so young. It made me wonder what caused Mother to be so fearful of the world around her that she dared not step out of turn.

The sound of someone walking up behind me made me pause but the moment they settled their hands on my hips I knew it was one of my men. “Did you end up getting any sleep last night, little mouse?“ Cole asked.

I let out a heavy sigh. “I suppose some, but it wasn’t a great night for rest that’s for sure.“