Connected to the King

Battle Ground

The shuffling of the bed caused me to stir. When did I fall asleep? I groaned and raised my arm to stretch only to cast my sight down to my chest.

When did I undress myself? I slowly open my eyes fully to see that it was still night. The only bit of light was coming from the fireplace as the embers had died down but were still glowing. I attempted to push myself up only to be held in place by a bulky object and place my hand on it. My fingertips traced the length down to a hand and I turn my head to see that it belonged to Marcus. His soft snores told me that he was still fast asleep.

I pressed my hand to my forehead and let out a heavy breath before I reached down and slowly removed his arm from around my waist.

"Where do you think you're going?" Marcus grumbled.

I froze and turned to face him as I sat up. Is he awake? Raising a brow, I scooted to the edge and swung my feet over, hopping off the bed I then realized that yes, I was indeed naked.

Rolling my eyes, I tiptoed over to the bathroom as quickly and quietly as I could to relieve myself and wash up with the lukewarm water that remained to clean our hands.

Panic rose in me as a shuffling noise sounded from the main room. This couldn't be my own emotion as I was calmer and sleepier.

"Aurora, where are you?" Marcus whispered with a worried tone.

I chuckled at him, "I'm here, don't worry I didn't go anywhere. Just needed to relieve myself."

Marcus poked his head into the bathroom, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he yawned. "Come back to bed. It's cold without you." He mumbled.

I couldn't help but smile at Marcus' sleepy face as he waited for me to come back to bed. I waddled over to him and gave him a peck on the cheek before moving past him and back to our comfy bed.

Once I reached the edge I climbed back into the plush comforter. I pulled it just enough to cover my torso and bare ass, leaving my back and legs exposed. It was the perfect blend of being covered but not overwhelmingly hot.

Marcus' warmth invaded my back side as he hopped back into bed. I happily scooted over to give him room and let out a sigh of content once I reached the colder half.

I snuggled into my pillow as Marcus wrapped his arm around my waist and tucked the other one under my neck. Instinctively I melted into him and let out a low purr when he kissed the back of my neck, slipping his knee between my legs. Once comfortable I slowly drifted back into dreamland.

I pushed the main gates open and gasped at the sight of the desolate field before me. The bodies of men and women lay slain in pools of blood, the castle was enveloped in flames as was Marcus’ flag. The wolf in the center stood tall as the fire around it blazed.

"Marcus! Where are you?" I screamed, my eyes frantically searched as I grabbed the sides of my teal gown and began running around the bloodied land. I needed to find him quickly.

A pile of bodies beside a blazing fire just a few feet away caused my heart to leap from my chest as my lungs heaved for air. Tears spilled from my eyes as I saw Marcus' lifeless body amongst the others. His eyes were clouded over and lifeless. I fell to my knees after I closed the distance between him and I.

"No! No, no this can't be true. This can't be true!" Pressing my forehead to his I cupped his face and whispered an incantation to heal him only nothing happened. His body remained still as I continued my unearthly sobs.

"You can't leave me. I just got you back!" I shouted between sobs.

"Oh, but he has, princess and now you're mine." A loud growling voice sounded from behind me.

My cries died down into sniffles as I rose and turned to face the man responsible. To my surprise it was Theil standing beside Luthor whose eyes were clouded over with a dull green glow, "Namieté flomegrea tú, portrevesta? Why Nedget, why do you want me so badly?"

"Hané grealta, mortì eś lo tù. Because your mother didn't promise you to Luthor, she promised your soul to me. You're going to be the source of energy I need to awaken my undead army. Do you not remember what I told you? Your mother’s coven was to remain untouched by me if I had you." He smiled maliciously.

"I will not. I will kill you!"

I was pulled from my dream by a gentle shake and wet tears falling onto my skin as I opened my eyes. My body wracked with every heavy sob that left my lips. "Why won’t he just let me live my life!" I cried.

"Aurora, I need you to breathe and tell me what you saw." Marcus wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his lap.

I covered my face with my hands, simultaneously wiping my ever-pouring tears as my lungs fought for air. "Nedget, he's coming much sooner than we thought. I was really hoping my father was lying when he said Nedget or Luthor or whomever it is was coming this way. He took over Theil's body and… Luthor is under some sort of spell and is getting closer."

"How much time do we have?" Marcus asked in a low tone.

"From the looks of it not long. We need to prepare. Marcus…"

He placed his hand under my chin and tilted my head up. "What is it? Did something else happen?"

I bit my lower lip as it quivered, my eyes spilled more tears as these words left my mouth, "He-he killed you."

Marcus narrowed his eyes and pressed his lip into a fine line, "I am not going anywhere. Don't you worry your pretty little head over it. I promise I'll be right here." He lowered his lips to mine and kissed me with a sense of urgency as his arm squeezed around me.

I inhaled his manly scent. Listening to his heart race. I could feel Marcus’ scared emotions through our connection, but I didn’t want to make matters worse by continuing to worry. Pulling away from him we sat and stared into each other’s eyes and focused purely on the blooming warmth that radiated from me.

Reaching up, I cupped his face and smiled sadly. “I will try not to worry about all of this. If you say you can protect me and yourself then I’ll trust that you will do just that.”

Marcus pulled me back to him, placing my head on his chest while he adjusted himself. I pressed my ear over his heart and listened for a moment. Its erratic beating began to slow. “I promise that nothing will happen to you. Even if I have to give my life to ensure your survival.”

Taking in a heavy breath I glanced up at him, “Marcus, I don’t want you to risk your life for mine. You know what would happen otherwise if either one of us were to die or were hurt. Our connection is strong and has been for a while since I gained the power of my ancestors. I just need to find a way to get rid of my mother’s binding magic so I can do my part in protecting us.”

“Then we will do this together.” He smiled and leaned down, capturing my lips once more.

I pushed myself to sit up, our lips never parting as I straddled him. His hands roamed over my hips and down to my thighs as I pulled the comforter from between us.

His lips traveled to my collar bone then back up to the crook of my neck, his free hand gripped the back of my hair as I tilted my head to the side, exposing my skin to him.

My breath hitched as he nibbled on my neck. "You ready?" He whispered into my ear. I nodded and wrapped my arms around his neck as he bit down. I moaned and squirmed in his arms as he lapped at the iron infused fluid.

With his free hand he reached down and positioned himself at my aroused entrance and slowly thrusted into me. Pure bliss wracked my body. Gasping I let out a low moan and reached down his back, clawing at his skin with each thrust.

"You sly bastard you." I huffed.

"You really thought climbing into my lap naked was a good idea?" Marcus chuckled. "And it's been a while since we did a blood exchange. I don't want you to think I don't love you. Being a part of you was one of the best things that has ever happened to me." His tone deepened, turning lust filled.

I reached back and interlaced our fingers, pulling away from him. I looked at him with hooded eyes. "Is that so?" Smiling at him I leaned forward into the crook of his neck and pressed my lips to his skin, running the tip of my tongue along from the underside of his ear toward his shoulder.

Marcus sucked in a sharp breath as I sit down with enough force to break his skin. I wiggled my hips as I lapped away at the pooling blood.

Once our exchange was complete, we took advantage of what we had started. Both of our drives were beyond satisfied as we laid entangled in one another, drifting back to sleep.

A loud banging caused Marcus to jolt out of bed as I stretched under the covers. My body felt renewed as my energy levels had risen and my mind was clearer than before.

"Who the—"

"My King! There is a large group of men approaching the front gates from some sort of portal!" The voice shouted.

"They are here already?" My eyes widened as I quickly sat up. "How the hell did they get here in such little time?" I rolled out of bed and ran over to the wardrobe; Marcus had already thrown on his brais and grabbed his sword before rushing out of the door yelling commands at everyone.

"Marcus!" I shouted after him and quickly pulled a plum purple gown and slippers on as I ran out of the room after him.

A large blast of energy shook the castle grounds. I inhaled sharply, “It’s them.” I muttered. The clashing of metal against metal and shouting echoed throughout the castle as I sought out to find Mariam, but first I needed to find my father. If Nedget was in the castle, the first person he would go looking for is me.

Where the hell are they? I shouted in my mind as I frantically continued my search through the various hallways and maidens’ chambers. Hoping to find a familiar face but to my disappointment there were none.

I traveled through the blood spilled corridors that were littered with the corpses of Luthor and Marcus’ men but pushed on as my stomach turned.

"Your highness! Why are you not in your chamber!" Mariam's voice shouted from the end of the hall.

"I was looking for my father and you! Do you know where he is?" I hollered back.

"He might be in the front lines, Aurora, you can't go out there!"

I quickly turned on my heel and ran as fast as my legs would push toward the main gates. Instead of staying on the lower ground I decided to take the high point on top of the castle walls and looked down at the c*****e that ensued.

My eyes quickly scanned over the erratic battlefield. Men and their swords clashed against one another; the eyes of our enemies were clouded over with the same dull green glow as Luthor’s did in my dream. Blood and melted puddles of snow riddled the open field. Why did this all seem so familiar? Eyes widening, I remembered my vision.

I extended my arms in the direction of the oncoming horde of soldiers and shouted at the top of my lungs, "Traveil!" A burst of high wind slammed into the soldiers, sending them flying in every direction.

My father's shouting caused me to freeze, "Exraveat la mura, necant previel tú!" He chanted as he slammed his fist into the ground.

The earth shook, small cracks along the surface caused soldiers on both sides to stumble as they fought to keep their balance. To my surprise half of Luthor's army was caught on the other side of a giant chasm that formed between their front lines and those engaged in battle.

I held onto the wall as a castle tower came crumbling down behind me. I needed to jump. Closing my eyes, I climbed onto the edge and looked down. Large chunks of the stone were sent flying past me as the tower leaned in my direction.

"Aurora jump!" Maxwell's voice sounded from below.

My nerves were shot, my heart throbbed into my ears as I shook. "I can't! It's too far down!" I shouted.

"You don't have a choice, you'll be crushed! Hurry!" He screamed back with open arms. "Please jump!"

I shook with intense fear as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and fell off the edge, screaming all the way down. I waited for my body to hit the ground, but it never did. I quickly opened my eyes and saw that Maxwell had indeed caught me.

"i***t! Hurry you need to get back inside, Aurora it's too dangerous for you and my niece or nephew to be out here!" He placed me on my feet and ushered me toward the main gate.

I grabbed the sleeve of his tunic as tears poured from my eyes, "I can't leave you all out here!" I cried.

"You don't have any options in this matter, I know if something happens to you it will happen to Marcus. Your safety is all I care about right now. Now go!" He quickly pushed me away from one of Luthor’s men. Their swords clashed against one another as they both held their ground.

I glanced up and saw this man's eyes, they were clouded over. "He looks… dead." My voice shook.

"Flamenecta, inforniecia." I chanted as I extended my hand toward the man. "Maxwell, move!"

The man before us burst into flames, his high-pitched screeching caused everyone around us to stop and cover their ears. A white light shot out of his mouth as his body dissipated into ashes, blowing away with the wind.

I huffed and panted as Maxwell turned to me. "Where is Marcus? I need to find him now!" I cried.

A searing pain shot across my chest from my shoulder to the top of my stomach, my gown saturated in blood. Yelping, I fell to my knees clutching my sides. "He's been hurt! We need to find him quickly." I pressed my hand against my chest and focused on healing the wound.

"s**t!"

My love, where the hell are you?

On the other side of the damn castle. His breath was labored. I knew he was injured but still fighting.

I'm coming to you!

No, stay the f**k away, I've got Luthor over here and he’s moving like the undead.

Maxwell pulled me to my feet and scooped me into his arms. "I'm sorry for this, Aurora but I need to get you out of here." He tried to sympathize with me as he ran back into the castle.

Luthor is on the other side of the castle. I sent to my father.

What? How do you know? He replied, seemingly out of breath.

Marcus, he's in hand-to-hand combat with him. I sniffled through our connection.

I have this bastard, Nedget out here in Theil’s body. I can't focus on the two of them. He shot back.

Take care of Nedget I will murder Luthor.

Good.

"Maxwell, take me around back, we need to help Marcus!" I begged and pleaded with him.

"You can't help him, but I can. Go to the upstairs foyer above the back entrance. At least I know you'll be safe up there. You'll be able to use your magic without being too exposed."

Once inside Maxwell set me down in front of the pillars and jumped down from the top of the staircase, landing with a loud thud as he began fighting off more of Luthor’s men. Killing them swiftly with each swing of his sword.

"Aurora!" My father's strained voice sounded from below.

My eyes frantically searched the crowd below as my father came staggering in, he clutched his shoulder with one hand and held the head of Theil in the other. A blue pendant glowed on his chest as his eyes found mine.

“He’s gone” he mouthed to me with a smile on his face before he collapsed to the floor. "Emmret! Get my father out of here, please!" I shouted from above causing the attackers to stop and turn toward me.

Emmret's sword sliced through the man that stood before him and ran over to my father, helping him to his feet. Emmret brought him to the base of the stairs. Setting him down on the step he turned back around and faced the horde that was now coming toward him.

Maxwell's face strained in anger as our eyes met. "Woman! I told you to stay put!"

I stood frozen in fear as I stared down between the pillars as the clashing of metal, the screams of men, and blood splattered against the castle walls. Fear gripped me as I lost physical sight of Marcus. He wasn't in his armor and that worried me the most.

"Your highness! You need to go back to your chamber, now!" Gavin shouted at me as he struck a man down with ease.

I gripped the sides of my gown, my legs unwavering. "I can't leave him to die! You know I can't!" I screamed. "If he dies, I will die, remember?" I turned my head to face him.

The look of horror painted his face. "What are you saying?"

"Marcus and I are connected. I am connected to the King!"

Gavin strode up to me and grabbed my shoulders and shook me. "What the hell do you mean you're connected to the King?" He paused for a brief moment, "I thought that magic crap you two did was because of you!" He sneered. Although his anger was not directed at me, I still flinched at his words.

I stared at him with widened eyes, tears threatened to spill from their corners. "I... I thought you knew. The blood exchange that Marcus and I do. I thought you knew!"

Gavin released me from his hold and took off running in search of Marcus. "We must protect the King at all costs!" His voice traveled through the corridors as he disappeared from my line of sight.

“Where the hell are you?” I sniffled, closing my eyes I searched for his energy before connecting his sight to mine.

Marcus was breathing heavily as he held his sword pointing to the ground. Luthor’s body stood a few feet in front of him with a missing an arm. “You die today.” Marcus sneered.

I held my hand out, pushing my power to his sword as he brought it up and lunged at Luthor. “Notra’ por tunetse’ volmados’” I chanted.

“You will no longer loom over Aurora’s life!” Marcus shouted as he brought the blade down slicing through his flesh with everything he had. Blood sprayed from Luthor’s wounds as he crumbled to the ground.

I watched as the dull glow in his eyes faded, leaving behind his clouded eyes.

I disconnected Marcus’ sight from mine. My heart throbbed in my ears, my hands shook as a wave of sadness and overbearing fear pushed its way into my mind. My voice shook “He’s dead.” Breathing heavily, I stepped back until my backside was flush against the wall and raised my hand in front of me as I zoned out. "Frameil, gortú prevailta, enflántardeś." I chanted.

The castle filled with smoke as the screams of Luthor’s men poured into my ears. "I want them all… to die." I sniffled. "They will all burn…"

I glanced down at my hand as the center of my palm glowed red. "None of them will leave this place alive." The smell of burning flesh permeated the air as the screaming finally died down. Closing my hand, the smoke and flames dissipated around the castle.

I sucked in a breath and slowly exhaled as I shifted my gaze upward toward the ceiling.

The eruption of cheering and the clashing of their weapons against their shields rang through the castle. I squeaked at the unexpected noise and quickly covered my mouth, awaiting the noise to die back down.

"Shut it!" A familiar voice boomed from the lower courtyard. "Where is she?" The voice shouted.

"She's upstairs." Someone replied to him.

Quickened footsteps echoed through the hallways below then appeared at the end of the corridor I was in. It was as if time slowed down to mere trickles as I turned to face him.

Once my eyes landed on Marcus my tears flowed freely from my eyes. I scanned him from head to toe as he stood there drenched in Luthor’s blood. His chest heaved as he stood staring at me. I gripped the sides of my gown and ran as fast as my legs would allow.

Once I reached him, I buried my face into his chest and sobbed. "Why? Why did you disappear like that? You don't have any armor, you had nothing to protect you!" I shouted as I brought my hands up and lamely pounded on his chest. "What would anyone have done if something happened to you?" I gazed up at him with tears spilling from my eyes, my lip quivering.

"I did have something to protect me." He brought his hand to my cheek, stroking it with his thumb as he wrapped his arm around me. He lifted me and squeezed, tucking his head in the crook of my neck. "You, I have you to protect me. Remember…" Marcus pulled away from me and stared into my eyes. "Now and always."