Connected to the King

Departure

Mariam and I stood at the gates to the castle wrapped in our bear fur lined ponchos. My gown and robe were simple. An emerald shade of green with red embroidery on the ends of the sleeves and skirt. Mariam had wrapped my tresses into a low bun with two single strands that framed my face. I couldn't thank her enough for getting me ready in time for Marcus’ departure. Especially after the previous night.

I watched on as anxiety flowed through my veins as Marcus saddled up Gaius. While double checking his supplies I managed to catch his eye. He smiled and ran over to me, the gravel beneath his feet crunched and kicked up dirt with every step.

“I didn’t think you'd be here to see me off.” His voice was soft as he brought his hand up to stroke my cheek. "How are you feeling?"

My stomach turned into knots as butterflies fluttered around my heart. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Why would I have any reason not to?” A quick flash in the back of my mind reminded me of the night prior. I placed a hand on my cheek, knowing it was tinted a shade of pink.

“Oh? Someone remembering something?” He raised a brow at me as a smirk played across his lips.

I shook my head and smiled. “Oh, nothing of the sort, Marcus.” I teased as I wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug as my heart fluttered with nervousness.

“I’m going to miss you. Is Mariam going to be with me until you return?” I asked as I glanced up at him. Freaking giant… I’ll never get used to this. I sulked.

Marcus cleared his throat as he pulled away from me. His warmth followed as the brisk air enveloped me once more causing me to shiver.

“I left a few good men in charge of your safety while I am away. I am doing a bit more research on this blood thing we have but also, I need to investigate Dominic. He is to remain locked away until we return.” His gaze shot over to Mariam. She nodded in understanding of something unspoken.

Wandering thoughts riddled my brain, I wished I knew what they were thinking. Is there something between them? Is there something I'm missing? I thought to myself. Wait, what is this overwhelming feeling of dread and jealousy? I couldn't possibly be falling in love with him. No, this situation is only temporary. My mind raced. I shook my head and chuckled to myself.

“Aurora? Care to share?” Marcus’ voice pulled me back into reality.

My eyes shot straight up to his. “Oh, uh. It's nothing, I was just thinking of something ridiculously funny from my childhood.” I lied but kept a small smile on my face to hide it.

“Mm, if you say so.” Marcus shrugged it off as he stretched out his hand and beckoned me to take it.

My eyes shot to his outstretched hand and fear entered my thoughts. Why, why me? I hesitated for a moment before I placed my hand in his. Marcus gently pulled me through the threshold of the gates to an open field and pointed out into the distance. My legs shook.

“When I leave, look out to the horizon across this field every day if it brings you comfort.” His voice soothed.

I let out a dreadful groan. The fear of no longer having him beside me brought me a moment of grief. What if my mother found out where I was? What if she sent Thiel to retrieve me? I thought to myself, I quivered at the fearful thought. “What if—”

Marcus picked me up and wrapped my legs around his torso as he held onto my thighs. I let out a squeal. I wasn't used to being picked up all the time and he's done it more than enough in the past few days. A force deep inside stirred. I couldn't help but crave the affection given to me. The heat rose in my cheeks as our eyes locked. The sound of my heartbeat throbbed in my ears. A mixture of emotions flooded my veins.

“I just said I left a few good men in charge of you. Don’t fret little one.” He leaned down to kiss my forehead and put my tensed muscles at ease.

I nodded in response as I closed my eyes. My chin was slowly forced up as his lips met mine in a tender kiss. Marcus pulled away slowly as both of us opened our eyes at the same moment. Our gazes spoke of passion for one another.

“My King, it’s time.” Maxwell’s voice sounded from behind Marcus. “Oh, ew. C’mon really?” he chuckled before he ran back.

I unwrapped my legs from around him. “I guess I better let you go then.” I slid from his arms and straightened out my gown. I couldn't help but smile at the thought.

Maxwell and Gavin jogged over to speak with Marcus. Excusing myself, I took the opportunity to speed walk across the gravel courtyard back to Mariam, who stood in the same spot as we left her. I smiled as our eyes met.

“So, what did you want to do today, milady?” Mariam smiled in return, folding her hands in front of her.

I tapped my chin in thought. “Is there anywhere you would like to go? I haven’t the slightest idea.” I chuckled.

The blaring sound of a horn caused me to cover my ears in shock as it signaled the troops to fall into formation. Maxwell ran back into the courtyard ahead of Marcus and saddled up on his horse as Marcus sped walked back into the courtyard and straight over to me. He brought his lips to mine, bit the corner and lapped at the crimson fluid that poured from the open wound. I winced and whimpered against his lips before I willed the wound shut.

The warmth of his lips against mine willed every fiber of my being closer to him. My heart throbbed in sadness as he pulled away from me, his warmth slowly dissolved into the crisp autumn air.

Marcus kissed the top of my head as I brought my hand up to my lip wiping away the liquid, I had confirmed was my own blood. He spoke before I could ask, “I needed to make sure our bond stayed strong while I am away. Since we don't know how long it lasts.”

I nodded at him and smiled, “I hope you are victorious, if not your men here will know because I will be dead. Don't get yourself killed, Marcus.” I brought my hand to stroke his cheek.

“Aurora, Marcus, please we have to go.” Maxwell called over.

"Just a second!" I reached for Marcus’ knife on his belt and pulled it free from its sheath. "I don't know how long this is going to last but I feel that little bit isn't going to hold our connection very long." I pressed the blade to my index finger and pricked my skin. I sucked in a sharp breath and held my finger out to him. "Here."

He raised a brow at me, "What was that for?"

"We don't know how long our connection lasts. Let's just be safe since we don’t know how long you’ll actually be gone for… You’ll be able to see through my eyes, and I yours for now."

Marcus sighed, bringing my bloody finger to his lips he gently sucked in my finger. Once he finished, he licked his lip, flipped my hand over and kissed the back of it as he grasped it. "There, do you feel better now?”

"I do, I’ll be able to check on you. Now off you go."

He turned on his heel and jogged over to his black stallion. Once settled he raised his arm, “We ride!” With that command all his men began marching as he and Maxwell took the lead by horse.

I let out a long shaky breath and turned to Mariam. “Well, how about that walk? I need something to keep my mind off… well everything right now.”

Mariam took my hand and smiled. “Of course, milady, might I suggest we eat lunch? We’ve been out here all morning and skipped breakfast.” She chuckled.

Breakfast? Oh goodness I had forgotten the most important meal of the day. My stomach let out a low rumble only Mariam seemed to hear. She shook her head at me and guided me back into the castle. Just for good measure I activated my power of our connection.

The space between the tree line and his army closed quickly as his horse ran at full speed, the rush of air that passed by him and his heavy breathing echoed in my mind.

Be safe. I thought before cutting the connection.

Once in the dining hall, Mariam handed me a wax sealed letter, I turned to her with a worrisome look, my lips pursed with question. “What’s this?” I whispered to her.

She placed her fork down on the table and quickly wiped her lips with her napkin. “You’ll see when you read it in your chamber later.” She raised her brow at me, whispering just as low as I was.

I made an “o” face and quickly pressed my lips together as I slid the letter into my sleeve. “I never got an answer from you Mariam… about how you knew I was coming here.” I bit my lip in anticipation.

Mariam huffed at me and turned to face me as she took my hands into hers. “Let’s not talk here, we can go to the garden, my most favorite place in the castle.” She beamed a smile at me so bright I thought her teeth would fall out.

I jumped to my feet with excitement, her hands still in mine. “A garden!” I squealed. “Why didn’t you speak of this sooner?” I asked.

She pulled her hand from mine and thumped me on the head. “Silly girl, you never asked.”

We rushed out of the dining hall. Mariam guided me down a maze of autumn cooled corridors; I could barely keep up with her pace as we shuffled along.

“There are so many hidden passages in this place, it'll take you decades to remember them all.” Mariam whispered to me as a few maids strode past us, their heads huddled together as they too whispered secrets to one another.

“Are all of the maids here full of gossip and weird energy?” I asked Mariam as we turned down what seemed to be the final corridor before the garden.

She nodded and stopped short of a set of newer looking oak doors. “They all do, but in the end it's none of my business what they gossip about.” She yanked the door open and ushered me in.

Her words lingered in my mind for a few moments before the appearance of light showed onto the ground in front of me. Butterflies invaded my stomach as I followed the trail of light. Once my eyes landed on the beautiful, vibrant colors of flower beds and lush trees full of life that had yet to die, I gasped in delight. I haven't seen anything this vibrant in years. I thought back to the coven. It was very rare that the elders would permit me to garden around our home.

I lost my breath as I took hesitant steps towards the door’s threshold. I placed my hand on my rapidly beating heart. “This, this is beautiful, Mariam.” I turned to her, “Thank you so much.” My eyes began to water when I turned back to the beautiful sight of the irises and tulips, all arranged in perfect rows. The seasonal flowers that I would expect to be dead were very much alive and flourishing. I stepped into the garden and took in a deep breath as the scents of lavender and lilies around the garden invaded my nose.

“Is this a—”

“Dream? No, my dear I’m afraid it’s not.” Mariam finished after me. “Come, come.” She urged me to follow her to a benched area beside a small pond that was surrounded by small patches of mix and matched smaller yet colorful flowers.

As we approached the tree stump bench, I remembered the letter Mariam handed me during lunch. I turned to her as I sat down. “Can I read this here?” I asked as I pulled the letter from my sleeve.

Mariam gave me a motherly look and nodded. “Go ahead, you were going to find out sooner than later.” She chuckled. “You’re too impatient.”

I unfolded the letter and stared at the white wax seal. It was plain. I raised my brow in question as I hesitated to break the seal.

"Well go on then." Mariam ushered. "I thought you were excited to read it?" She approached, sitting beside me.

My stomach fluttered with the wings of butterflies to read it. I've never received a letter before, and the anticipation ate away at my screaming nerves. With a shaky hand I carefully pulled the seal part and flipped the top of the envelope open.

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as I pulled the folded note out. Glancing at Mariam with worried eyes I turned my gaze back to the paper as I flipped it open.

Dear Aurora,

My, my, little sister how you have grown. I've been worried sick about you since I heard you ran away from the coven. I saw you with our aunt Mariam. A wonderful woman that Mariam is. Anywho, I will be visiting you soon to rescue you from that wretched king. I hope he hasn't done you any harm sister or I will have his head on a peg in the village center. We have much to discuss.

May we meet again soon.

Your loving brother,

Sebastian.

A single tear slipped from my eyes onto the paper, staining it. I quickly shifted my gaze from the letter to Mariam. My eyes held questions I was too anxious to ask. "Y-you? Aunt Mariam… is that why I felt drawn to you?" I asked with a shaky tone.

Mariam reached over, moving a strand of hair that had fallen in front of my face and she smiled. "Yes dear. I saw you in one of my visions and that's how I knew you were coming. Those gowns and robes belonged to me once. But some I had to make by hand and by that, I mean." She grinned, twirling her finger at a limp flower bunch beside us.

The colorful patch grew and bloomed as her magical ability healed the withered bunch. I let out a low gasp, bringing my hand to my mouth.

"Oh my, Aunt Mariam." I whispered. Every fiber of my being was jumping in circles as I watched her magic at work.

She brought a finger to her lips to silence me for a moment, "No one must know we are related. You need to keep that a secret, milady, at least for now." Chuckling, she rose from the stump, offering me her hand. I took it and rose. "Now that this is all settled, what shall we do now, hmm?"

“Wait, why must we keep this a secret?”

“If your mother finds out I’m here with you she will cause even more trouble than before. The last thing we need is her to come and stir any more trouble for you.”

"Then let's go bake a cake!" I offered, bouncing on the pads of my toes. "Pretty please?" I begged.

Mariam let out a hysterical laugh as she grabbed my shoulders causing me to settle down. "Yes, milady, let's!"

~~

After spending time with Mariam, I started to trust her more and more. She had answered my questions about my mother and why things took a nasty turn. I needed the background and history to it all so I could understand exactly what unfolded.

“So, Mariam. What exactly did my mother do to gain all her power? I know that Cecilia was the High Witch before her, but no one really told me how she died. I thought High Witches were… everlasting?” I asked as we sat in the garden one chilly autumn afternoon.

Mariam shrugged her shoulders, her gaze locked on a wilting flower at her feet. “The first time we had ever encountered Nedget, your father wasn’t strong enough to take him down on his own. She asked the ancestors for more power and without a hitch it seems they had given it to her.”

My brows furrowed. “So, you mean to tell me they just gave her that power and for what? What exactly did she use it for?”

“Oh, a little bit of this and a little bit of that but she mainly used it to save your father’s life. Giving him the boost, he needed to take Nedget and lock him away in the void, bound by magic. But the problem with that is the magical binding that held him weakened over time.”

I turned my gaze to the flower. Mariam waved her hand over the flower nonchalantly, “Is that why there was a need for sacrifices?”

Mariam nodded her head and sighed, “Sacrifices involving the children of the High Witch and every child pertaining to that bloodline until the end of time. Since Cecilia had no children, Minerva, your mother, couldn’t use her as a scapegoat.”

A knock came to the door of the garden. Both Mariam and I glanced at one another before looking toward the door. “Who knew we would be here?”

“Gavin would.” She whispered.

“Milady, you have a visitor at the front gate.” Gavin’s voice sounded from the other side of the door.

I pushed myself up from the ground and dusted my gown off. “Well, I’ll go and see who it is.”

Mariam bowed her head to me, “As you wish. I’ll be here when you get back.”

As I left the garden, I rolled my sleeves up and opened the large doors, revealing Gavin on the other side. “Hello.”

Gavin bowed his head slightly, “Milady Aurora, I will escort you to the front gates.”

“Alright, but first could you tell me what this man looks like? I don’t believe anyone would or should know that I am here, so this is a little surprising.”

Gavin glanced over his shoulder and saw someone walking down the corridor. A hood over his head concealed his identity to us.

I stepped back, the energy radiating off this man reminded me of someone I once knew.

“Sir, you were told to stay in the front.”

“You were taking too long to retrieve the one person I came here to speak with.” The man sneered. Pulling his hood off, revealing his identity to me. His grey eyes seemed even more lifeless than before, his black hair draped over his shoulders and paled skin screamed undead.

Was he dead? Was this an apparition? How did he find me? No one knows where I am.

I sucked in a sharp breath when my eyes landed on none other than Theil an old coven mate. “What are you doing here? How did you find me?” I whispered.

“Aurora, you really have the worst manners.” He grumbled, his dull grey eyes stared into my own, his scarred lip twitched.

Shaking my head I clenched my fist, “You shouldn’t have come here.”

“You have a duty to your people don’t you remember?” He c****d his head at me, rolling up his sleeve revealing the swirls of tattoos on his skin.

“Theil don’t do this. I am not coming back!” I shouted, pulling my sleeve up to my elbow. The black lines from my back moved toward my arms, pulsing a dull yellow light. “I don’t want to hurt you. Just leave.”

Thiel smirked, turning his eyes to Gavin then back to me. “You’re pathetic.” He sneered before he waved his hand behind him, opening a portal to an unfamiliar place. “I’ll be back, one day. You will fulfill your duty whether you like it or not.” He smirked before stepping into it and disappearing altogether.

I held my breath, waiting for that portal to disappear. My nails dug into the palms of my hand as I clenched my fist even tighter. “That bastard.”

Gavin placed his hand on my shoulder and turned me around to face him. “Who the hell was that?”

Releasing my breath I closed my eyes for a moment, “His name is Theil. He is one of my old coven mates, nothing I can’t handle.”

“What did he mean by you had a duty to fulfill? Did you come here to kill us all?” He asked in a fearful tone.

I shook my head before glancing up at him, “No, Gavin I’m not here to kill you or anyone here in this castle. I—"

Mariam’s voice cut me off, “Aurora, we need to go back to your chamber and get you ready for dinner milady.”