Lovers Quarrel
I froze, reading the paper, saying I was to be wed off to Kain. My stomach churned as the Lord of Astria brushed my hair out of my face. I felt stuck. I felt like everything I worked for was just yanked out from underneath me. I avoided Sebastian's wondering gaze, as I knew I had to do what I was told.
"No!" Lilly screamed in me as a small tear dropped from cheek. I can't defy my clan. I wanted to, God, I wanted to. But I can't have a war between the two, especially with Sebastian having a war brew between him and the dukes. What was making me even more unsettled is the fact my signature on the paper was obviously not mine. Wait.
I pushed away from Kain's hold. His smell was overpowering, causing my head to spin. It wasn't that wonderful scent that rolled off of Sebastian; it was more like being stuck around a campfire's smoke that refused to dissipate. Cutting off all the air until you can't breathe. I inhaled the fresh air I could once I took a step back.
"That's not my signature." I firmly said as I wiped my cheek. He dropped his grin as he flicked a look at Luna.
"Oh, don't be so silly, Lilith. That is, see?" She pointed at it smiling that overly sickening sweet smile of hers. I shook my head, standing my ground.
"No, it's not. And Luna, I'm allowed to take missions when there's no one else available. The contract that came in arrived while you were out, along with the rest of the guardians. It was just me available." I felt a flicker of hope arise as I saw Kain suck his teeth, glaring at my sister.
"So, until my contract with the Aster family is up, I will not be leaving. As for that signature..." I looked at Sebastian. "Prince Sebastian, if I may ask for a piece of paper and pen?" I smiled sweetly at him causing his face to relax. He nodded, reaching his hand out to me.
"Come." He firmly said as he glared at Kain.
"No, she's staying here. How will we know you're not signing her signature just to keep her to yourself?" Kain grabbed me roughly, causing me to wince. Luna shot a glance of disapproval. Knowing her, she didn't like two men fighting over me.
"I'll go with Sebastian, you know, to make sure he does nothing." Luna walked up next to him, grabbing his arm. He pulled his head back as disgust crossed his expression as he ripped his arm away from her, moving to go grab what I needed. I was soon left alone with this conniving man.
"You know, even if it's not your signature, we're owed something from your clan for the inconvenience you left us with." He turned, his eyes tracing my body. I wrapped my arm around myself as I took a step backwards. He took a step forward as that terrible grin crossed his face.
"Why not marry my sister?" I took another step back, him matching it by moving forward. I was soon pushed up against a wall. He put his arm up, trapping me as I pulled my face away from his.
"Pfft, you and I both know your mother wouldn't let her be with a man like me..." He leaned down, his mouth next to my ear. "You're expendable. That's why you'll make a good breeding horse for my clan." He nipped my ear. I head-butted him. He flung his head backwards, cursing as I moved away from the wall.
"Well, hate to break it to you, but..." I pointed at my neck as he adjusted himself, rubbing his forehead. His eyes narrowed on the bite mark. He started laughing.
"And? You can be marked multiple times. It's useless unless you mark the man back..." He was on me before I could react. His hand snatched my jaw as he shoved my head back against the wall as his mouth hovered over my bite. "And I know for a fact you didn't do that yet." He flicked his tongue out, running it along my neck. I shoved him off of me as Sebastian turned the corner. I saw his face curl into a look of pure murderous intent.
Troy luckily intervened.
"Sir! There seems to be an issue at the front... involving... Marie Spry." His face dropped as Sebastian pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Jesus Christ! Was there a crow sent out to everyone saying, please bug Prince fucking Sebastian today?!" He stormed up to Kain, shoving him out of the way and placing the paper and pen in his arms as he grabbed me and took me along with him. I turned, sticking my tongue out at him and Luna. Lilly laughed in approval.
"It's about time you stand up for yourself." She huffed as I turned and let Sebastian take me to the front. He was cussing loudly as he threw the doors open. A slight breeze kicked up, sending a scent through my nose. I froze as Sebastian released me; he stepped forward, standing in front of Marie.
"Sebastian, how are you doing?" She smugly asked, flicking a glance at me as she tucked a golden curl behind her ear. Lilly emitted a low grumble.
"Cut to the damn chase Marie, I'm extremely busy." Sebastian refused to step closer to her. She sighed, pulling out a small rolled-up piece of paper, extending it to him. He looked unamused, folding his arms.
"Just fucking read it to me. I'm tired of people handing me shit I do not intend to read." He huffed out as he stared daggers into her. I took a step towards him.
"She was in the slave ring..." I whispered, my words not reaching him. I felt fear overcome me as I realized my body wouldn't move forwards. This is the first time I felt like this.
"It says, "The Dukes of Astion hereby declare martial law against the prince. Due to his inability to make decisions due to being mentally unfit. We already got approval from Prince Edwin Aster from Estra, who is next of kin to King Henery Aster, to make decisions in place of the prince until his father arrives at Estra and is brought up to speed of what is going on"." She rolled the paper up; an evil smirk crossed her face as she reached into her bag she had.
"You know, if you offer to marry me now, I can have all of this dropped." She stepped forward to him. I started to panic. Something was off. It wasn't just the fact she tortured me and planned on selling me to God knows who. Something else was screaming at me.
Kain and Luna strode up next to me. I found myself reaching out to Sebastian as Marie approached him.
"Sebastian! She kidnapped me!" I blurted out as she was already on him, grinning. Before I could do anything, there was a collar around his neck, as he was brought to his knees. She muttered words as he wrapped his hands around the collar. Kain chuckled as he clicked his tongue. Luna shrunk behind me as Marie held two fingers up. The runes on the collar read differently than the ones that were on mine.
"I wonder what it'd be like for him to slaughter you." She smiled as he stood up next to her, his face blank. My heart sank as she flung her hand in our direction, ordering him to attack us. Kain crossed his arms across his chest as Luna shuddered behind me. Sebastian's gaze locked with mine. Lilly whimpered as Sebastian closed the gap between us easily.
Kain placed himself between us, grabbing him. Sebastian easily backhanded him out of the way, sending surprise across the man's face. No, no, no. I panicked, springing forward at him.
"Sebastian!? Snap out of it!" I pleaded as I reached up, grabbing the collar. I heard Marie tsk as a jolt of pain ran through me. I saw Luna writhing on the floor as I fell. Her armor snapped back into her body, causing her to gasp. Useless. Everyone is useless! I gritted my teeth as I shoved myself off the floor, only to be grabbed by Sebastian and choked out.
"You see, I always get what I want." Marie placed her hands on Sebastian's shoulder, then his grip tightened around my throat. My vision crossed as I saw an army of men appear behind Marie.
"I'm gunna take over this palace and Sebastian and I will be Prince and Princess until his father comes home to officiate us." She chuckled as she directed her men to come forward. She placed her hands up, muttering a spell as the barrier disappeared. With a clap of her hands, her father appeared behind her.