Chapter 6 #3
“Why wouldn't he? You have something no one else in the world has. If that isn't reason enough, then revenge would be my second guess,” the king replied.
“Revenge for what? For the war?” It had been twenty years.
Way to hold a grudge.
“For the war, yes. But I may perhaps be the reason he had to take the throne at the ripe age of twenty-one.”
My eyebrow arched.
“He killed Beaumont’s parents,” Sebastian added nonchalantly when he noticed the confusion on my face.
My other brow followed the first.
“Draemor’s former king and queen,” Sebastian further clarified, a smug look on his face.
I gave him a sideways glance of irritation.
No shit.
With no other explanation, I swallowed audibly and fell back into my chair.
“This situation is hypothetical, of course.
As I said, we will take every precaution to prevent any harm from coming your way.
For now I feel as though you are safe living in your dormitory, but if at any point that changes, your room will be moved to the soldiers' housing which is directly attached to the castle,” King Hawthorne stated.
“And may I remind you, that what happens beyond the borders of Caelestis is out of my control. Which is why I must emphasize that you are forbidden to leave the castle grounds during your time at the academy, unless approved beforehand.”
I twiddled my thumbs as I rocked back and forth in my seat. Angry wasn’t even close to describing the rage I felt. I wanted to fight this, but knew it was pointless. What King Hawthorne wanted, he got.
“So who’s my knight in shining armor?” I sneered.
King Hawthorne looked towards Sebastian. “That would be my son. He is the best soldier we have, and he will do everything in his power to keep you well protected and…intact.”
The realization set in. “Oh, come on.”
I had wondered why Sebastian was even here, but it all made sense now. The matching blue eyes and the general lack of regard for the king and his property—Sebastian was his son. I had completely forgotten that I asked Delani about that during the ceremony.
Once the shock factor wore off, the denial set in. Sebastian had been nothing but a standoffish ass with the few words he’d even spoken to me. Now I was stuck with him knowing my every move for the next two years? The thought made me fume.
“What about Jocelyn? Can't she be my guard?”
“While Miss Coswell is a talented soldier, she is only one year graduated from the academy. You will be in much better hands with Sebastian.”
My nose scrunched and I groaned in annoyance. “Is there anything else you need from me, or may I go?” I had to get out of here. I’d deal with this issue later.
King Hawthorne tapped a finger on his desk as he wracked his wretched brain to see if he missed anything. “Actually, there is one more thing.”
“Of course there is,” I muttered through gritted teeth.
“The first gala of the year will be tomorrow at dusk in the great hall. I will have a selection of gowns delivered to your room in the morning. Caelestis’ greatest weapon must be dressed appropriately,” he chimed.
Lovely. I'm expected to be a weapon of war and a debutante.
“Is that all?” I asked again, and when he nodded, I rose from my seat and showed myself to the door, not holding it for Sebastian who I knew trailed behind me. He caught it with his hand regardless, then closed it behind us much gentler than he had on our way in.
I marched to the wall across from the study and laid my hands against it, extending my arms fully and pressing my forehead against the cool rock. I stayed in this position for a minute, focusing on my breathing so that I didn't lose control in front of Sebastian—again.
The amount of stress that I had endured since Jewel-Light should have been enough to break me down. But I kept it together. This was not the place to show weakness. Those moments were to be saved for the confines of my room. Well, besides the throne room, it would appear.
I took a final few deep breaths, then pushed off of the wall and walked straight past Sebastian and down the corridor. I didn't care what the king’s orders were.
I don't need a bodyguard.
Sebastian called after me, but I ignored him.
His footsteps echoed behind me, and in an attempt to leave him behind, I picked my pace up to a jog.
I sped down the corridor, taking the same path that I had with Jocelyn. Taking a sharp corner, I picked up speed and raced through the hall. After a minute or so I glanced over my shoulder once and didn't see anyone following me, so I sighed and slowed my legs back to a walk.
I was almost to the main gate when Sebastian was suddenly just there—right in front of me and taking the impact of my body as I crashed into him for the second time since we’d met.
My body ricocheted off of his and shock consumed me as I steadied myself and clenched my fists.
“How did you do that?” I snarled.
“There’s more than one hallway in the castle,” he pointed out with a wicked grin.
I rolled my eyes. Obviously.
In an attempt to pass, I stepped to the side of him, but he grabbed my shoulders and stopped me. His hands were large enough to cup the entirety of my joints. His hold on me was firm, preventing me from moving forward.
My brows furrowed as I bent my neck to look at the smugness on his face.
My eyes traveled through his, wandering in the shades of blue that swirled in response to the lanterns that illuminated the corridor.
He had literal cosmos circulating within his irises, and they were the most captivating eyes I had ever seen.
I snapped out of my admiration for this man and reminded myself of why I had tried to get away from him in the first place. If the king was his father, then the man before me was likely just as corrupt.
Lowering my brows, I snarled, “Let me go.”
“Sorry. No can do.”
I wiggled my shoulders, trying to get out of his hold. “I don't need you to take care of me,” I hissed.
Sebastian tightened his grip. “Good. Because that's not my job. I’m not your house maiden, I just have to keep you alive.”
“Let go!” I yelled, not caring if any bystanders heard me.
He didn't budge.
I pursed my lips at him and my eyes started to burn with the sting of salt. “Please,” I begged, with no luck.
“I will let you go when you stop fussing. You’re causing a scene,” Sebastian growled under his breath, his eyes darting around the corridor.
“I don’t care.”
His grip tightened even more.
The odds were not in my favor, but I dared to ask anyway, hoping the gleam in my eyes and the cracking of my voice would be enough to convince him. “Can I please just have this one afternoon alone before my every waking move is monitored by you?”
Sebastian stared at me, pondering my request. His gaze seemed to soften, and after a few moments, his hands went slack, falling from my shoulders.
He nodded slowly. “Fine. But you are to go directly to your room and stay there. I’ll have lunch delivered to you.
” He stepped to the side, giving me room to pass, and I didn't hesitate.
I sauntered the rest of the way to the main entrance, and when I looked back, he was gone.