Grayer
Arabella has been getting more and more comfortable with the idea that we have claimed her as ours. Everything feels so right. I have never been happier, and I can tell that my brothers feel the same.
Sure, we have the same worries as Arabella, but it’s nice to have something worth fighting for. And I will always fight for her.
I watch Arabella as she talks to our horses as we pack up our gear.
Her smile is infectious. I wonder how I can make sure to see that smile every day.
She must catch the feeling of my eyes on her, as she slowly turns to give me the smile she reserves just for me.
My heart skips a beat. I may need to see a healer if this keeps up.
“Can I help you, my dark prince?” She asks as she walks up to me, laying a hand on my chest. I pull her in closer for a kiss and rest my forehead on hers.
“Ride with me?” I plea. She nods at my question, and I help her up to my horse.
Since we have been wearing our bandanas and hoods up, the exit out of the city thankfully is without the usual fan-fare. Arabella continuously scoped the area, taking every single sight with awe. When did our hearts get so cold that we lost the beauty of our world?
“Did you all ever do a tour of all of Velora?” She asks.
“We did when we were younger, about seventeen?” Koi replies.
“It was after we were permanently moved to the castle; it was Hendrickson’s and Mendez’s bright idea to have us stay at the castle after what Archer went through. Now I am wondering if it was always part of a bigger plan,” Sylas ponders.
“I still can’t believe Victor of all people hijacked a person.” Arbella shivers.
“We should have fucking known.” Archer bites out.
“How so?” Arabella asks.
“When we would visit the castle in the summers, Hendrickson was always a jovial and kind man. Almost like a father figure.. But a few summers before we permanently moved to the castle is when he really changed. He still seemed kind, yet he became more reserved. Pushed for more taxes and rules. Really should have known.” Koi shakes his head.
“So they really have been playing the long game this whole time. No wonder Bernice was so confident that you all would be married to her daughters.”
“Never.” I growl, pulling her closer. She lets out a sigh, yet still rests her head back on me.
As we enter the forest trail, a bear pops out. I am assuming it’s Max, since Arabella is still quite comfortable.
“I thought our horses would have been more spooked with a predator appearing from the bushes?” Koi thinks out loud.
“I talked to the horses to let them know I would be expecting my dear bear friend” She smiles, looking at Koi. The big sap smiles back lovingly. If hearts and devotion could be visible in one’s eyes, I feel like I would see it now. Is that what I look like when I look at her? I hope so.
“Gray, could we stop so I can hang out with Max for a bit? I want to fill him in on the plan.”
“He is coming!? Also-Wait, you would rather ride with the bear!?” I ask indignantly but still stopping my horse all the same. She shrugs as she dismounts, heading towards Max. Yes, I check out her delectable derrière as she walks away.
“Yup,” She pops the p and looks back at me with a smirk. “I choose the bear.”
She gets on Max and they take off in fast run. As she tries to stay on the rough ride, she laughs freely. She is a lunatic. I love her.
Our journey is quite long. Arabella rides ahead of us, and we all stay in a peaceful silence, monitoring our girl. Thankfully, my brothers relented and agreed that I would stay extra close to my Duchess while we are in the castle.
Distress was on Koi’s face. I know he worries about me, he always has.
But even he couldn’t argue that one of us needed to be by our girl.
And the best individual for the job is the person with the most offensive magic.
Burning someone to a crisp is much faster than drowning someone’s lungs after all.
* * *
The days of traveling back to the castle are fraught with increasing anxiety as we approach the city.
We took it easy, not only for our horses but also to prepare ourselves mentally for what could be facing us when we get back.
Arabella has been getting more despondent the closer we get, as the reality for us sets in.
The first look at the castle has us all holding our breath. I dismount from Maeve and go to Arabella, who is already looking towards the castle, pensively. I put my arms around her as she softens in my embrace.
“It’s going to be okay, Ella.” I whisper as she turns around to wrap her arms around my waist.
“We don’t know that, Grayer. I just-” I thumb away the loose tear running down her cheek. The others join us. She looks at all of us. “You all need to focus on taking down Victor, getting back your crowns. The kingdom needs you. Do not worry about me, please.” Her voice breaks in the plea.
“Not happening, Sunshine,” Koi says as he places the listening device from the Mercenaries onto Arabella’s shirt collar. “We are all a team. Including you.”
She looks like she is going to say something else, but instead closes her eyes and nods as more tears fall.
We are surprised that we encounter no barriers as we approach the castle. No traitorous enforcers or magical spells deterring us. It is almost too easy as we enter the desolate castle that is normally booming with activity and people.
The castle is in complete darkness as we enter; none of the candlelight sconces are lit.
So I send my flames to the candles, revealing the menacing faces of Victor, Bernice and the three other betraying council members.
Paul Clarsef, Adrianna’s father and portal master, stands between Councilman Harvey Mendez and Councilwoman Dawn Stalkton.
Dawn is a master witch, and Harvey is a necromancer—though they outlawed necromancy, his exceptional combat abilities make up for it.
“Really, Clarsef? I thought you were smarter than that. Betraying us for a false attempt at power? What do you get out of this!?” Archer asks while I get closer to Arabella who hasn’t broken eye contact with Bernice.
“Sorry, boys, it’s time for you to realize that it is the council that needs to manage all of Velora.
You could have had it all if you had just stayed the pampered little princes.
First you discarded my daughter and now you discard the Baudelaire sisters?
Was it so hard to take the pussy that was offered to you? ”
“Don’t degrade my daughters like that Clarsef, remember your place.
” Bernice snaps but quickly turns back to us.
“Now, boys. There are two things that can happen here. You can either turn in my murdering whore of a stepdaughter and take your places along my daughters. Especially once you release my daughters from the dungeons. That is not where ladies of their station belong. OR you will all face your deaths today. All of Velora will hear of the tragic murder by the harlot you allowed in your beds.”
Arabella snorts, and it makes me smile. There is that fire.
“Where is Lo?” Arabella asks before we can even tell Bernice to shove it.
Victor lets out a cruel laugh; that’s when we all notice the sack by his feat. I feel Arabella tense up.
“You mean the little rat?” He grabs a fistful of strawberry blond hair from the bag.
Arabella takes in a sharp breath. “Did you know that her magical hair will make me quite a bit of gold? And all the spells I can create with this! A sorceress who holds her magic in her hair is pretty rare. So, I am keeping her at a discreet location until she can grow me more hair. Shame a pretty little thing like that will be stuck in a tower, lonely for the rest of her days. Remember this, Belly, this is your fault for being selfish.”
“Where. Is. She.” Arabella asks as she vibrates with anger.
“Enough out of you, Belly. Now what will it be, boys?”
“No, Bernice,” she says, voice sharp as steel. “You won’t have them. They’re mine. I won’t let you take someone else I love.”
Love.
The word crashes through the room, ringing louder than any battle cry. There’s no time to react as her dagger flashes in her hand. She’s already sprinting toward Bernice, fury in every step.
I don’t hesitate. My feet move before thought can catch up. I will not lose her, not again.
Victor hurls a vial to the ground. Glass shatters, and thick smoke billows out, shadowing the room in seconds. I cough, eyes stinging, barely able to make out Arabella’s silhouette through the haze.
Two unmistakable shapes appear beside us.
“You bitch,” Bernice hisses through the fog. “I knew you’d be a constant problem.”
Then Clarsef steps forward, arms moving with practiced precision, a glowing portal rippling open behind him. I don’t think—I just grab Arabella’s arm as the world around us tears away and vanishes.