Promised To The King

A Storm Is Coming

EVERETT'S POV: 

    The ride home seemed like it lasted an eternity. Everyone had decided to continue the ride in silence. Which reminded me, when Hayden finished parking the car I was going to rip him a new one for the embarrassment his chicken s**t behavior caused. I watched out the window as he drove us to the front of the castle. He dropped us off quickly and went to drop the car off. 

    As we walked into the palace, everyone stepped out of our way. Theodora and Alcide flanked my heels as we approached the throne room. 

    I glanced at Alcide before he went his separate way. "Tell Hayden I wish to see him when he returns." 

    He nodded and turned to walk away. Knowing him, he planned on meeting the chicken before he made it inside. I laughed a little as I walked through the doors of the throne room. I walked in to come face to face with Cora, Amias, Axton, and Elanor. Amias and Axton stood behind my throne waiting for me, as Cora sat in hers with Elanor by her side as always. All of their eyes flashed from me to the witch by my side. Elanor in particular had a fearful reaction when she first saw her. As if she knew her. That certain reaction made me curious. I would have to look into that later. 

    I walk in and sit in my throne with Theodora still standing by me. I laugh a bit. "Oh, did I forget to mention Theodora here? Meet my new advisor." 

    All of them stared at her in shock. "Dear, is that necessary? I thought you didn't want a witch in your kingdom?"

    "Need I mind you who you are speaking to Cora? You will not show her any disrespect. She is here to help us find the traitors in our kingdom. You know, the ones that got Eldric killed and injured me." I hissed watching her. 

    She looked at me still baffled, but seemingly nervous. "Yes, of course. It is probably for the best. We haven't been able to find much out about the traitors while you were gone." 

    "Of course you didn't, you are so f*****g useless." I hissed as Hayden walked into the throne room. "I want everyone except myself, Theodora, and Hayden to leave the room. Now!" 

    Everyone quickly gets up to leave. ANd of course, Hayden stands there shaking. I roll my eyes as he breaks the silence. "Al...Alcide says you need to see me, my king?" He says shakily kneeling himself to the floor. 

    I stand up and walk across the floor to see him. I knelt to get eye level. "Listen and listen well. I will not repeat myself. You need to grow a pair of balls. To be in my army, I need you to be fearless. You made me look like a joke in front of the entire kingdom of Akasha!" I said rising quickly and kicking him in the face. 

    He screamed and put his hand over his broken nose. "Yes sir. I am sorry. I am still new to all of this." 

    I kicked him in the ribs this time. "I don't want to hear your pathetic excuses. Do you like serving me? Then do your f*****g job! Now get out of my damn face." I said walking to my throne, dismissing him as quickly as he came. 

    Theodora waited until he was out of the bedroom to burst out laughing. "Someone that weak is really in your army?" 

    I laughed knowing it was the truth. "He is kept to be a sacrifice. But he is not supposed to look weak." I watch her every movement. "Now that we are alone, we do need to discuss things." 

    She smiled. "Oh, and what is on your mind?" 

    I watch her as she steps in front of me to meet my eye contact. "Witches typically have one ability they are born with, aside from their magic, right?" 

    She nodded slowly. "Yes, they do. Let me guess, you are wondering what mine is?" 

    I nodded. "Tell me how you are going to be useful to me? How will you earn your keep?" 

    Her smile grew wider. "I am a lie detector." 

    I smirked. "I see. Tell me, my dear wife, is she always honest with me?"  

    She watches me, choosing to answer carefully. "My king, she does know the traitors. I paid close attention to the four you had in the room. Your wife, well, she knew of the attack beforehand." 

    Anger rose in me with every word. "With your lie detection, do you just know when they lie, or do you see the lies and accomplices as well?" 

    She watches me and takes a step back. "I can see the entire lie, as well as who helped her played the charade. All they have to do is speak the lie." 

    I looked at her. "Who else?" 

    She watched my anger rise higher and higher. "Amias met them at the river, Axton let them in, Cora prepared Blakely, and Elanor, she communicated all the plans from Silas to Cora." 

    I looked at her completely baffled. "How was Elanor able to pull that off?" 

    Her smile grew wider. "That is where it gets interesting. You have known her all these years, allowed her to get close to you, to your throne. Little did the great king know, you had allowed a witch to infiltrate your kingdom."

                                                                                     --------BLAKELY'S POV

    I woke slowly as the sun peered through the bedroom window. I blinked my eyes quickly trying to erase all signs of sleep. The memories of last night flood back to me as I feel Silas pull me closer to him. 

    "God, I could have watched you sleep forever." He smiles breathing into my hair. 

    I feel a blush creeping to my cheeks as I glance beneath the cover only to realize there was no clothing. He chuckles noting my reaction. He plays with my hair slowly and kisses my head. I can't help but smile as each touch sends sparks throughout my body. A light knock sounded on the door taking his attention from me. 

    Harlow walks in quickly. "Thana needs to..." She paused as she looked at me, then back at him. "Oh god. I am so sorry." She says hiding her eyes quickly. "Blakely, I will see you in 30. Silas, Thana needs to know what to make you for breakfast. Oh god, I didn't need to see this." She turns walking out quickly. 

    I wrap the cover around me quickly around me feeling completely humiliated and try to climb out of the bed in a hurry. The cover gets tangled around my legs and I fall to the floor with a loud thud. Suddenly I hear Silas erupt in laughter. 

    He crawls out of bed slowly and I see him in all of his glory. He kneels next to me. "Baby, are you okay?" He says trying not to continue his laughter. 

    I glare at him. "Thank you. I am so glad I live to amuse you." 

    He laughs a little and starts unraveling the cover from my body. He picks me up and lays me on his bed slowly he laughs a little as I sink into it. 

    I laugh. "I could lay in this bed forever." 

    He smiles and kisses my head. "A queen should only sleep in a king." 

    I laugh a little and push him gently. "I have to get dressed before she kills me." 

    He laughs and kisses me deeply. "Ugh. Fine. I already have your outfit in the closet. Get dressed. I will miss you." He smiles. God, he had a smile that could light up a room. 

    I laughed. "I will miss you too." I kiss him before he leaves the room. 

    I laugh a little and get dressed quickly. More yoga pants and a tank top. I pull my hair back and get going still surprised that she let me sleep in a little. I walk down to the kitchen quickly grabbing the granola bar and the orange juice she left for me. Hey, at least it is a step up from the water she gave me yesterday. I laugh a bit and watch Thana cook for Silas as I eat. She keeps herself busy and the food smells amazing, so much so I can feel my stomach growling. Damn this light breakfast bullshit. I suddenly wished I had eaten more dinner before we...you know...oh nevermind. 

    "Sorry love," Thana says as if she read my mind. "Harlow puts her girls through rigorous training in the beginning, but, she normally is always right when it comes to these things. It won't last forever." She offers a sympathetic smile as my mouth practically waters at just the smell of her food. 

    I nod a bit trying to force myself back down to reality. "It's fine. I can do this. There is always hope for lunch." I laugh a bit and get up to walk to the training grounds. 

    As I walk out Harlow looks a little off compared to yesterday. She smiles at me gently as she walks to meet me halfway. 

    "Hey Harlow, you ready to get started?" I asked as she approached. 

    She looks at me still with that same concerned look. "Blakely, before we start, I wanted to tell you how truly sorry I am. I just wanted so desperately for you to gain control of this. I went about everything the wrong way." 

    I cut her off quickly with a hug. "It is okay. Honestly, I know you were doing what you felt you had to." 

    She smiles and returns the hug. "That's part of why I wasn't going to wake you yet. Today is going to be laid back, we will just work on keeping the power under wraps while feeling intense emotion, but I have other ways to do it now. Keep in mind, today will be the only laid back day you get from me. Understood?" 

    I laugh and follow her as she turns to walk to the middle of the field. "Awe, Harlow is a big softy." I tease poking her in the ribs. 

    She laughs and brushes me off. "The quicker we get this done, the quicker you can go...do whatever it is you and Silas do." She blushed remembering this morning. 

    I cleared my throat feeling a blush rush to my face. "Alright then. Let's get started, boss lady." 

    She nods quickly, as eager to get away from that subject as I am. "Alright, tell me something. Do you want to ensure Silas' safety?" 

    I look at her baffled. "Of course." 

    She smiles a little. "Of course you do. If you can not control this, how do you expect to protect him?" 

    At those words, my imagination decided to go wild. I imagine his face, his bloodshed, my father's laughter. I feel tears burn my eyes. She was right. How could I protect the man I loved if I couldn't even do something as easy as control these godforsaken powers. 

    The storm clouds start to gather again. I hear Harlow's muffled voice. "Blakely, control it. Prove to me you can control the power within and protect him!" 

    I tried so hard. I felt the sparks at the tips of my fingers. I clench my fists and looked up at the sky in desperation. Thunder sounding in the air. I needed to get it under control before Silas worried again. I wanted him to know that I can do this. I can control myself. I can save him. I closed my eyes and even my breathing. Being sure to not shake the emotion away. I imagined the same little ball of light within me. I imagined it surrounding us, causing the storm. Lightning struck across the sky as I attempted to pull the strands of light, or, my power back inside of me. I called to my power begging it to return, I bent it to my will. Forcing it to flow back through my veins. I felt the sparks in my body as the raging storm calmed. As I opened my eyes the storm clouds had disappeared. 

    Harlow smiled watching me. "Good girl. You have learned to control not your emotions, but the power within." 

                                                                               --------SILAS' POV:

    I listened to the thunder roar overhead. According to Harlow, Blakely was known as a witch of the storm. Just like Harlow can foresee the future. I looked out of the window of my study, watching my beloved trying so hard. She had been out there for 4 hours already, it was 1:00 pm, almost time for lunch. On the bright side, the storm hadn't gotten worse, so she wasn't letting it take over. That was a good sign, at least, I hoped it was. 

    I watched her concentrated face. Harlow had forbidden me from leaving the palace until they were done. Deep down, I knew she was right. I would only distract her. At a time of war, I don't think we can afford any distractions. I watched the clouds overhead, hoping for any change. Finally, the storm clouds began to clear out. I looked back down at her, her face so strained and concentrated. She looked so tired. If she could just overcome it once, she would be able to get a better hold on it. Her training process was a bit more rushed than most, but we couldn't afford to spend years training her for a war that could happen any second. 

    As I watched her, her features relaxed a bit as she opened her eyes and stared toward the sun. Even when she looks exhausted, she was captivating. She looked stronger with every second. I smiled at her success and walked out of my study to her room. I decided to do some things to make her relax a bit. I ran a nice hot bath. I spread rose petals across the water again. I placed a few hot towels on the sink for her along with her one of my t-shirts and a pair of jeans I had Harlow go get for her yesterday. After the last few days, the last thing I thought she would want is a scratchy standard princess gown. I quickly left the room before she came up. I wanted her to relax before seeing me. 

    I walked quickly back to my study and waited for Harlow to come in and talk about her progress. I poured me a little whiskey to calm myself as I heard her knock on the door. 

    "Come on in Harlow," I said leaning back in my chair. 

    She came in and smiled brightly. "Well, it happened. She finally gained control." 

    I looked at Harlow a little concerned. "At what cost this time though? What did you tell her?" 

    She looked at me. "I told you, I had figured out a way around heartbreak. I used her love for you instead. I told her if she wanted a chance at ensuring your safety, she needed to learn to control it, or there was no hope of her fighting by your side if you should ever need her." 

    I looked at her. "Better than yesterday. But still, what kind of King would I be if I made my Queen defend me?" I laughed a little. 

    She laughs. "Yea, well. We shall see huh?" 

    I laugh and shake my head a little. "So, besides her obvious success. How is she doing? Can you pull this off?" 

    She laughed and rolled her eyes. "Do you doubt me?" 

    I laughed and tried to backtrack. "You? No. Absolutely not. I would never doubt you." I said mocking her. 

    She rolled her eyes. "Blakely is doing fine. She will be able to handle this. She is doing well under the circumstances. Most witches know about their gifts and start their training at 6 years old. Every witch in my coven has years on her, but I will work her and get her to where they are in time." She smiled. "It will be far from easy, but it will get done." 

    I smile a little. "That is good to hear. I just wish we had more time."

    She smiles. "Yea, well, she will be fine. Now on to other matters. What the hell were you thinking? Getting that poor vulnerable girl into your bed so early on? Silas, Jade raised you better than that."

    I flinch at her words. I knew she wouldn't let that s**t go. "Harlow, she isn't just some girl. She is the future queen. She is my whole life." 

    She looks at me, all amusement wiped from her face. "Oh, you asked her? You are engaged? We should throw the engagement party then." 

    I look at her baffled. Damn, she has a way of trying my patience. My hand on my whiskey glass tightens. "No, not yet. But she is the one. I didn't just f**k her Harlow. We made love. Two completely different things."

    She looks at me. "All I am saying is act like a f*****g gentleman. Like mama raised you." She pauses standing to look ut the window. "What is that? Mail? Normally they don't come out here unless it is important." 

    I stood slowly to see what she saw. I nodded. "Come on, I don't have a good feeling about this." 

    We walk down quickly to meet the young boy bringing me my mail. Normally one of my guards went to the post office to grab it for me, but this seemed urgent. As I walked out of the palace he was stepping out of his car. 

    "Urgent mail from the king of Eudaimonia. Addressed to King Silas." He announced. 

    I smiled warmly, trying to hide my nervousness. "Thank you for bringing it to me." 

    As he handed me the scroll, he gave me a knowing look. A look that felt all too familiar. He gripped my hand tightly for a moment. My breath caught in my chest. A witch. One that I knew well. The witch of deception. Elanor. I felt worry strike through to my core. I knew whatever was in this scroll, it couldn't be good if she had to wear a disguise and bring it to me herself. 

    I looked at her, concern etched in my voice. "Yes, I understand. Be safe. I will see you soon." 

    She nods and quickly gets into the car. I look at Harlow a little worried. She returns the look and we both turn our attention to the scroll in my shaking hands. She nudges me, practically begging me to open it. But I knew, once it was opened, there was no going back. I sighed and decided to take the leap. With shaky hands, I opened the scroll slowly. 

    Harlow looked at me, her worried eyes scanning my reaction. My mouth dropped open and I felt a single tear. The king...was crying. She looked at me, her worry growing more and more. "Silas, what is it?" 

    My voice breaks as I speak. "It...it's an order of execution."  

    Her mouth drops and she takes the scroll from my hands. "I didn't see this. He made a split decision. Last minute. He evaded my sight. He knew we wouldn't get there in time to save her." Her voice sounded shaky. It seemed borderline between broken and outraged. "There is a storm coming."