Family of Lies: Sebastian (39 page)

“Do I have to tell Turren all of that?” Pembrost asked.

“Yes!” Harris said. “Next time you will choose wiser which of us you serve.”

“H
OW
KIND
of Trenton to let his new puppy run,” Kevin said as he rode beside Sebastian.

“If he puts out a water dish, I can’t guarantee my behavior will be civil,” Sebastian said.

“Has he done anything to you in the carriage?”

“Nothing that soap in my mouth won’t take care of,” Sebastian said.

“Did he…?”

It took Sebastian a moment to figure out what his brother hinted at and shuddered. “Kissing, only kissing. Gods, I don’t want to think about that.”

“Making any move against your will is enough to warrant what he’s got coming,” Kevin said.

“You guys have a plan for getting the children out of the way?” Sebastian asked.

“We’re working on it,” Kevin said. “We’ll be in Anerith soon.”

“At least I have my cloak back. He doesn’t want anyone else to look at me.”

“Maybe that prince of yours is worth more than his blood and he’ll come,” Kevin said.

Sebastian rolled the ring in his hand that had been inside the lining of his cloak. “I hope so too.”

Feoras trotted to their side and grabbed Sebastian’s reins. “You’re wanted back in the carriage, Sir Orwell.”

“Eager to get his filthy hands back on my brother?” Kevin growled.

“I have it on good authority that you’re fondest of the seer,” Feoras said. “She doesn’t have to ride a horse. Walking with her hands tied in front of her can be done.”

Sebastian climbed off his horse and smiled at Feoras. “If you touch my sister, I will use your body as fertilizer and watch as the earth consumes you vine by vine.”

“That’s an ugly mind to go with such a pretty surface,” Feoras said.

“I pray to every god that you’ll find out how ugly,” Sebastian said. “Lead the way, errand dog.” He felt Kevin’s stare on his back, but his brother made no move.

“You would make a good husband for the boss,” Feoras said. “Strong and vicious.”

Sebastian ignored him as they walked to Trenton’s carriage. Feoras held the door open for him. Sebastian stepped inside and made for the opposite bench when Trenton cleared his throat.

“Beside me,” Trenton said.

Sebastian glared at the wizard but obeyed him.

“Ah,” Trenton said before Sebastian sat down. “Sit next to the window.”

“Why does it matter?” Sebastian asked through gritted teeth.

“Something has come up. You’ll see in a moment.”

Trenton slid to the side, giving Sebastian room but still closer than he wanted. An arm wrapped around Sebastian’s waist and pulled him in so part of his leg rested on Trenton’s thigh.

“Remove your hood.”

Sebastian snatched it off and glared at Trenton. The other man smiled and leaned toward him. Sebastian had no choice but to wait for Trenton to kiss him. It was a soft touch of the lips but thankfully no tongue that time. Someone knocked on the door, and Sebastian sighed in relief.

“Enter,” Trenton said.

The door opened, revealing Dalia and two chained prisoners.

“We found these two on our trail. My intelligence informs me that you know them,” Trenton said while squeezing Sebastian’s hip.

Lieutenant Adams and Sergeant Hooper stood transfixed at Sebastian’s face. “Are you an angel?” Adams asked.

Sebastian snorted. “As far from it as possible.”

Adams blinked. “The cranky Mister?”

“What an interesting name for my betrothed,” Trenton said.

“Betrothed?” Hooper repeated.

“Yes, and I wish I could send you back to give Prince Turren the news, but I don’t think he’s a man who listens to reason. The question is whether or not you’re good hostages. It’s up to you, Sebastian. Do I gut them and leave them on the road, or should I take them with us?”

“What do you want?” Sebastian asked.

“Your attitude needs tweaking.”

Sebastian grabbed Trenton’s chin and kissed the man hard. “Are you happy now?”

“Getting there,” Trenton said. “Throw them with the Orwells. Oh, you forgot one thing,” he said while smiling at Sebastian.

Sebastian kept his face straight and his voice free of emotion as he said, “Thank you for sparing them.”

“Anything for my beloved,” Trenton said as he cradled Sebastian’s neck and dove in for an open-mouthed kiss. He pressed his tongue against Sebastian’s, sucking on it before pulling away. “He’s not going to save you,” Trenton whispered.

T
HE
TEMPLE
coming into sight gave Sebastian relief because it meant Trenton had to stop touching him. Trenton’s hands kept wandering lower, and hostages or not, Sebastian wasn’t sure he could stop himself from killing the man. He cursed whatever force had made him magic-blessed and put him in this situation. The temple was like any other religious building stretching for the sky with a metallic symbol adorning its tip.

“Brothers of the Carsidua Order are residents here. They have honor, so you will play the eager groom and not a man off to execution. If they catch wind you’re here by force, I will make them perform the ceremony and kill them afterward,” Trenton promised. “I’ll find appropriate clothing,” he said as he walked off and snapped for Dalia to escort Sebastian inside.

“Do you have butterflies in your stomach, young Orwell?” Dalia asked.

“Not yet,” Sebastian said. “But if I do and they upset my stomach, I’ll be sure to aim for your face.”

“Charming,” Dalia said and grabbed Sebastian’s elbow. “Let’s dress up the pretty groom.”

“I’m fine with my cloak.”

“You’re not marrying a peasant your father has lined up, but Trenton. Someone around here probably stole expensive clothing the first time we were here,” Dalia said.

“And you can’t let loot go to waste,” Sebastian said. Dalia and three guards led him to a bathing chamber, and the guards were dismissed.

“Their loyalty to Trenton is unquestionable, but you would tempt the strongest wills,” Dalia said. “Take your clothes off and bathe.”

“Any chance of you joining your friends outside?” Sebastian asked.

Dalia pulled a stool away from the wall and sat it close to the tub. “So you can find a weapon and try to kill Trenton? Hop in the tub, lovely, and I promise I’ll only watch.”

“Wonderful,” Sebastian muttered. He turned his back on Dalia and undressed. He heard an intake of breath after he dropped his drawers, and rolled his eyes.

“Seriously, how is Caspian responsible for half of that?” Dalia whispered.

Sebastian sank into the water and hoped she would stop talking.

“You must be Cynthia’s greatest prize. Blond, those same green eyes, and her height. It must break her heart watching you torn away from her.”

Curiosity getting the better of him, Sebastian asked, “Why are you keen on hurting her?”

“On the night we left Larnlyon, Trenton attempted to persuade Caspian to leave with him again. Your mother wouldn’t have it. Eight months heavy with her first child and pointing her finger in Trenton’s chest as if he was a common magician. I told her if she was concerned about her baby having a proper home, I would take care of the problem then and there with my knife.”

Sebastian frowned and looked at Dalia. “A question. When you were a child, did you enjoying hurting small animals?”

“You’re a funny man, Sebastian. Of course I wouldn’t do it without Trenton’s permission, but that bitch took it as a real threat,” she went on without answering the question. “When Caspian suggested we calm down with tea, I should have kept a better eye on my cup when your mother shoved it at me.”

“Leadman’s tongue or darkening root?” Sebastian asked.

Dalia’s eyes narrowed. “You poisoned my soldiers, didn’t you?”

“No one saw me in your camp, so have fun proving it. What did Mother slip in your tea?”

“Darkening root. She must have taught you well, and if you dream about using those skills on Trenton, I will slaughter your entire family.”

“You should really speak to a professional about all these violent thoughts you have,” Sebastian said.

“I’m filled with happier thoughts because even though fey laws stopped me from harming her, today I can hurt her another way. Wash away the last of your freedom, lovely boy.”

Sebastian continued bathing, but in his mind he pictured Dalia coughing up black blood and wracked with horrible stomach cramps. He sighed.
If only Mother had used a stronger dose.

“G
REAT
,
THE
only thing Prince Turren sent were two castle guards,” Alice said when the two guards were thrown in the room with the Orwell family. “I’m having a hard time believing the prince loves him.”

“We’re doomed,” Kraven said.

“Aren’t you two of the escorts Sebastian had when he left Harold’s?” Kevin asked.

“Yes,” Lieutenant Adams said. He looked at the guards standing in front of the door. “Don’t underestimate the prince, because he has all kinds of tricks up his sleeves.”

“Who’s your companion?” Lord Orwell asked.

“She’s the one who twisted my arm when I went to see Sebastian. If she puts her hands on me again….” Kevin stalked to her, but Lord Orwell grabbed his shoulder.

“You’ll get more than a twisted arm, you fool,” Lord Orwell hissed. He glanced at the guards and whispered, “Remember what she looked like then and compare it to now.” Lord Orwell released his son and glared at Adams. “I am sorely disappointed in the prince. If we escape, I will not allow Sebastian to see him again.”

“You’re being unreasonable, my lord,” Adams said. “Prince Turren will come with an army. You’ll see.”

Lord Orwell whispered to Hooper, “I hope you have a plan.”

“Nope,” the queen said as she dropped the illusion and pushed her hand toward the door. Both guards and the door blew out of the room, and the Orwells stared at her.

“My opinion of the prince has risen, but please keep in mind that my children are spread throughout this place,” Alice said.

“It might take a while to find them because there are a lot of people coming,” Queen Anne said. She walked to the open hole and picked up one of the fallen guard’s swords.

The Orwells stepped out of the hole, and Lord Orwell approached the queen. “Go to Sebastian and we’ll carve a way through these fools.”

“Trenton has hundreds, and Sebastian is the only elemental among you.”

James shrugged. “That’s only a problem if they attack us all at once. There are many floors in this building, and we can create enough havoc to distract them until help arrives. There’s probably a whole army coming since you’re here.”

“I’ll take you at your word as the Silver Forest’s protectors,” Queen Anne said. She swept out her power in a wide swath, knocking down soldiers headed in their direction. “That should be a good start,” she said and ran down the hall.

“Collect weapons and search for anything we can use for spells,” Lady Orwell said. “Temples mean lots of herbs to work with.” She smiled grimly. “We will teach these bastards what happens when they take one of us.”

T
HE
GREEN
velvet cloak draped over a white shirt and pants that clung to Sebastian’s body. It was the nicest thing he had ever worn, and he wanted the damn thing off. Even Cecilia had never dressed him like a doll. A priest stepped forward and held Sebastian’s hand.

“I am honored to bind the soul of a magic-blessed to his chosen. Will she be the only witness?”

“No, there are two more joining us,” Trenton said as he pried the priest’s fingers off Sebastian.

Sebastian looked back as the doors opened and Feoras led May in by the hand.

“I thought it fitting she gives out the rings.” Trenton smiled.

“I’m sure you did.” Sebastian returned the wizard’s smile and wished Trenton had met the same fate as his mercs in the forest. His niece was obviously being used to ensure he didn’t make a last effort to escape. May looked happy as she clutched a small pouch to her chest.

“What a darling child,” the priest said. “Please stand next to each other and hold each other’s hands.” The two men obeyed and the ceremony began. “Place a piece of your aura in this bowl,” he instructed as he raised a silver bowl full of water. Trenton immediately put his hands around the bowl and closed his eyes. Red power streamed into the water, and the priest frowned at the bloody appearance of the liquid.

Sebastian looked away from May’s bright smile and reached for the bowl. It felt weird adding his aura to someone other than Turren, but he summoned his magic and pressed it into the bowl. Green mingled with the bloody red into an ugly brown.

“Now drink to combine your magic,” the priest said. He offered the bowl to Trenton, and he drank deeply.

The priest then turned to Sebastian, and Sebastian took a breath before sipping the unappetizing, dark mixture. Their magics crawled down his throat, and it tasted worse than any potion he had swallowed. He eagerly handed the bowl back to the priest, who seemed less enthusiastic than when the ceremony had started.

“Please exchange rings,” the priest said. “Your turn, little one,” he whispered, winking at May.

May opened her bag and pulled out a ring. First a ruby one she pushed on Sebastian’s finger. She removed a second ring, an oval peridot, and moved closer to Trenton. Trenton stuck out his hand, and May lunged at the wizard, sinking her teeth into Trenton’s wrist. Blood dripped down May’s chin, and Trenton threw her to the floor. Sebastian jumped in front of her before Trenton or Feoras could grab her.

“You shouldn’t have made her do this,” Sebastian said.

May wrapped her arms around Sebastian’s waist. “I won’t let the bad man hurt you!”

“What is going on?” the priest asked. “I won’t finish unless I know this man is willing.”

Trenton took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood off his arm after healing it. “You’re going to finish or I’ll burn down this temple with your people and his damned family in it! Feoras, take the bitch before I kill her.”