Sebastian climbed up the palace porch stairs. Justus was at the entrance to welcome him. "My lord, glad to have your back," Justus said with a bow. Sebastian nodded with a noncommittal gruff sound. He made to walk past Justus but stopped short. "Did no one realize that one of the towns was attacked?" He asked. Justus's eyes widened, "my lord, I've been busy with palace activities and I haven't gone out much. If there was, I had no idea. Pardon me, my lord." Sebastian's eyes narrowed at him, "none of the soldiers noticed?" "If they did, they definitely did not inform me," Justus answered quickly. Sebastian tilted his head, a strange look on his face then he walked in abruptly. Justus heaved a quiet sigh. Getting to his quarters, the delicious aroma of carefully prepared meals wafted into his nostrils. His stomach grumbled almost at once. "You never cease to amaze me, my lady," he spoke, very pleased, walking into the bedroom. She was standing by the bedside, awaiting his arriva
"Aurora," Sebastian sighed again. She blinked innocently at him then turned to the stunned vampires. "Quick, tie them up and get them into the caves. It's almost sunrise." They did as she said, tying the werewolves up with strong silver chains and taking them to the caves where they dwelled. "I requested that you don't use your powers, Aurora. I don't want any harm to come to you," Sebastian spoke as they followed after them. "No harm shall come to me, Sebastian. I did what I had to do. The vampires were tiring out and the sun almost rising, that would have been a massacre." "I do agree but in the future…" "I will look after myself," she smiled up at him, "come on, Bastian, you worry too much." They went into the caves. "I offer my gratitude, I appreciate your help," Sebastian smiled at the war-beaten vampires. Aurelius tisked while the rest snorted or made non-committal noises. "As if," one of them spoke, "you do not need to thank us, lord Sebastian. We have simply done what
"You came here all of a sudden. Is anything the matter?" She asked once they settled in for the morning meal. Big steaming kettles and moist pastry were brought in and tea poured out for them. "Where's Julian?" She asked the maid who poured tea for her but the maid bowed and walked away without a word. Her eyes narrowed. Another stared at her, her lips moving but no words coming out. "There's something terribly wrong, Aurora," Sebastian frowned, noticing the strange atmosphere, and only then did she remember the invisible sound barrier she created. She sighed and whispered to the wind. "My lady, you seem not to hear a thing of what I say," "I apologize," Aurora smiled at the maid who had been speaking, "what do you have to say?" Sebastian looked at his wife and at the maid, still perplexed then he came to the realization. "Prince Julian has requested absence from the meal, my lady," the maid spoke. "Is he not well?" She inquired with concern. "I do not know." "As he pleases,"
"Prince Julian," Aurora sighed, rubbing her jaw, "Justus only began acting strange when he arrived." She turned to Sebastian who was busy packing up a large satchel. "Do you wish to visit the clairvoyant immediately?" She asked him, already feeling sad. "Yes, I must. The faster I find answers, the faster we put an end to this menace." He zipped up the satchel and rose from the mattress. His sharp eyes quickly surveyed the room then he unstrapped his sword and bow from the wall. "I wish I could go with you," she sighed, wrapping her arms around herself. "I will be fine," he said, coming to her. He kissed her deeply and placed one last peck on her forehead, "if you feel lonely, whisper to the wind and you'll find me." She nodded and escorted him out to the stables. "I will stop shortly at the cave before moving on. Wish me well." She waved enthusiastically at him as he rode off. Once he was out of sight, her arm fell. "Oh Sebastian, please be fine," she sighed. She turned and
Sebastian went into the caves and to Gaius. He had to try a different method before going to see the clairvoyant. "Where is the unknown?" He asked coldly. Gaius roused from his pain-induced sleep at the sound of Sebastian's voice. He struggled up despite his chains, his body hunched from the torture the silver chains kept him in. "Release me," he spoke, spitting out greenish blood, "and I'll tell you." Sebastian locked gaze with Gaius, his eyes turning a deep red. "Where's the unknown?" He asked again, slowly this time. Gaius gaped. Something in Sebastian's gaze drew the answer from the depths of his soul and out… out… out… "Te… Teno… aaaaargh!" Gaius shook his head wildly, his breathing tense, "get out of my head! Get out of my head, you cursed bloodsucker!" Sebastian took slow steps forward until he was crouched down and looking into Gaius' tortured face. "You know that term," he tilted his head, "tell me, you've lived in my empire for a while, haven't you?" Gaius looked aw
Justus patted his collar again then rolled his shoulders. Marriage wasn't so bad. Lord Sebastian and empress Aurora were doing well. He nodded. Livia didn't seem like the kind of woman to cause trouble. Anyway, if she did, he'll banish her. He was a prince after all. He cracked a fake smile that vanished as soon as it appeared. The door to the mother and daughter quarters cracked open then a mop of auburn hair appeared then a fair face. He blinked. The face's mouth dropped open upon seeing him. "Your honor," Livia stepped out at once looking all pretty in a dusty pink tunic and her hair styled grandly. Her beauty had him lost for a second. "I didn't mean to peep at you, I only wanted to see if you were present. Please do not take offense," Livia spoke quickly, her face scrunched up in worry. Justus cleared his throat, shaking his head slightly. "It's no problem. Follow me," he ordered, walking away at once. Livia looked lost for a bit. "Just like that?" She muttered in a grumble
"Zeus blessings," Aurelia whispered, squeezing Livia's hand before letting go. Livia walked up the altar to meet the prince Justus who stood there waiting, looking all dashing in his princely robes. He took her hand, surprisingly gentle. The priest of Jupiter rose and Justus cut off her locket. He sprinkled them with the water of god Neptune and purified them with the burning coals of god Vulcan. "When and where you are, I then and there I am; when and where you will be, I then and there I shall be," Justus recited, looking stiffly into her eyes. She smiled and repeated, "When and where you are, I then and there I am; when and where you will be, I then and there I shall be." "And may the blessing of Jupiter and Juno and…" "Hurray!" Flowers and flowers rained down upon them as they processed out, hand in hand. The feasting came next and she watched as Justus drank himself to a stupor. She tried to stop him but he roughly pushed her hand off. Thankfully no one noticed… except the
Aurora retired to her chambers and lay in bed, not bothering to undress or blow off the oil lamps. The maids would have done so but she dismissed them. She pulled the covers up to her chin and a deep sigh escaped her lips."I miss you, Bastian," she muttered, staring at the empty space where he would have been lying, "I seem to be doing a bad job taking care of the empire because of this sole reason."She sighed again and shut her eyes, calling on her helper. The wind howled in her ears and she let it be her eyes."Sebastian," she murmured, her mind traveling with the wind, "where are you?"Sebastian jumped over boulders and rocks. He was almost close, close to the clairvoyant. She was a harsh creature with bad manners but she beared no grudge against him for what his predecessors had done to her people. He didn't know whether to be wary of her or to trust his instincts.By nightfall, he descended into the hidden flatlands where she dwelled, along with a few other clairvoyants.Behind