Connected to the King

A Visit from Mother

For weeks I had spent my nights tossing and turning. The nightmare that continued to occur was on repeat. I woke up crying, wrapped in Marcus’ arms but nothing could settle this nightmare.

My body shook as waves of unparalleled fear poured into my heart, pumping it's venom through my veins. Each night I tried to sleep and each night I was woken up by my heavy sobs.

Marcus and I couldn't do much in preparation for the impending arrival, but my father had made sure to take care of everything alongside Maxwell and Mariam. Even Lily had come to the castle from the village to assist.

I never heard from my brother again and I was deeply saddened by the broken bond because he could not remain loyal to just one person. Sebastian had always been a snake, but I had hoped over time he would have changed.

Marcus wrapped his arm around me as we laid entangled in one another. The heavy bags under our eyes gave away our level of exhaustion.

With my head tucked under his chin and my leg over him I tried to steady my breathing, knowing he could feel how scared I was through our connection. I refused to leave the room.

"My love, we need to get up." He stroked the back of my head and sighed.

"I know. But I'm so tired and I'm sure you're equally as tired." I complained, tracing his backside with my finger.

"Mm, I know what might help you right now." He rolled me over onto my back and stared down at me.

I ran my hands over his chest and arms. Scanning over his features I wanted to burn the memory of this man into my mind for eternity.

Smiling lazily, I wrapped my arm around his neck and pulled him to me, capturing the salty taste of his tear-stained lips.

Our passion for one another pushed us past the edge over and over during the time we spent in bed that morning.

Marcus and I finally pushed ourselves out of bed to join the others for lunch. We had agreed that we needed to see our friends and family after taking our meals in our room away from everyone.

I tried to roll over and scoot to the edge of the bed but was unsuccessful. Pouting, I glanced up at Marcus. "Dearest, can you help me out of bed? I'm… stuck." I extended my hand out to him.

Marcus chuckled softly as he took my hand. Using his other hand for the support he pulled me out of bed and into his arms as I regained my bearings.

I let out a heavy breath and waddled over to the wardrobe and scanned over the assortment of gowns. "What color are you wearing today, love?" I asked.

"I'm going blue, why don't you compliment me with this one?" He reached over my shoulder and grabbed a deep purple gown from its hook and untied the back for me before helping me into it.

I leaned back into him as he tied the back for me, holding my belly as Arina kicked and squirmed in her ever-growing state. Grabbing Marcus’ hand, I placed it over her as she kicked even more.

Marcus let out a soft chuckle and turned me around, kneeling as he placed soft kisses around my belly. “She is getting more and more active every day.” He smiled.

Nodding, I grabbed his hands and pulled him to his feet. “She is, and we are running out of time. She will be here in another month or so. I can feel it.”

A soft knock wrapped the door causing the two of us to turn as Marcus made his way to the door, shirtless.

“I wonder who it could be?” I whispered, using my foot, I pushed a pair of black slippers out of the wardrobe and slid into them before approaching the door.

“Marcus, Aurora.” Maxwell's voice sounded from the door as he pushed it open. “Are you going to be joining us for lunch today?” He asked.

“We are.” Marcus replied before reaching over to his blue tunic. He quickly pulled it on and grabbed his sword.

Marcus extended his free hand to me and smiled, "Let's go if you're ready." I quickly ran my hands through my hair before grasping his outstretched one.

The three of us had made our way down toward the dining hall, Marcus and I walking hand in hand. I felt the sudden urge to turn around and go back but hesitated for a moment.

I squeezed Marcus’ hand as anxiety and frustration pushed its way into my chest, "Maxwell, is my father still around?" I asked.

"Hmm? Yeah, he should be patrolling the area with Emmret. Gavin is holding down the front." He replied.

I stopped and held my stomach, something was definitely wrong, but Arina’s frantic kicking pushed me to worry even more than I already had been. "Marcus, I need you two to find my father, quickly." My voice shook as I pushed myself against the wall, sliding down to the floor.

"What is it? Is it the baby? Is she coming soon?" Marcus knelt before me, placing his hands on my knees.

I shook my head as my breath quickened. "It's my mother, I think the baby is picking up on her magic. She's nearby."

"Maxwell, go find Roluth and bring Mariam here. I'm not leaving her side." Marcus commanded.

Maxwell's armor clinked and clanged as his heavy footsteps ran down the hall. I was worried and shocked at the moment as to how Arina is able to pick up on everything I can't. Is it just my magic my mother bound?

"Marcus, we cannot let her come here. We can't." I shuddered.

"Trust me, love everything will be alright." Marcus grabbed my hands and pulled me to my feet. "Let's get you something to eat and get back to our room, okay?"

I nodded and let out a shaky breath as we headed toward the dining room. "Please, let this day pass without incident." I prayed.

Once we had reached the dining hall Marcus quickly pulled my seat out for me and waited for me to get comfortable before rushing off. I had no idea where he was going.

"Aurora. You need to eat quickly and get back to your chamber. Your mother is on her way here as we speak." My father shouted as he entered.

I turned around in my seat and watched as his figure stormed toward me, fists clenched. "I mean it, Aurora, you need to eat quickly." He shouted once more.

My plate was placed in front of me with a heavy clank against the new granite table. I turned back around and drank the soup down as fast as I could before tearing into the salad that was placed beside it.

The warning horn blared as I finished off the last forkful of food. I froze mid chew, dropping the utensil onto the table with a clang.

"Oh no…" I muttered and searched the area for Marcus and Mariam. "Where is everyone? Do not approach her, father, you need to tell everyone to back off!" I screamed as I pushed myself from my seat, with one hand under my belly I ran toward the front gate.

"Aurora, it is too dangerous for you to go out there!" Lily shouted after me.

My breath became heavy as I ran, the exhaustion had finally caught up with me. I didn't know what else to do but face this woman head on. I couldn't sit here and do nothing.

Marcus appeared at the end of the corridor to the front gate, swiftly grabbing me as I tried to run past him. "No, you don't. You don't need to be here. Your father and Mariam have it covered."

I fought against him, pushing him away, "Marcus, I need this to end!" I screamed, "Let me go. Please." I cried.

"Aurora, darling I know you're here somewhere." My mother’s voice echoed through the castle.

I shut my eyes as tears threatened to fall, I lowered to my knees, held my head in my hand and silently cried.

"Roluth! Keep her at bay!" Marcus' voice boomed across the main courtyard.

"With pleasure." He replied as he began chanting something I could not hear.

I gazed up at Marcus with teary eyes as Lily ran past us, not daring to stop for a moment. A dark yet heavy aura hung over the castle as the bright summer afternoon skies shifted into darkness. My mother’s powers were beyond my own in my current state. I didn't know by how much, but I knew Mariam could subdue her long enough for my father to hopefully finish her off.

Screaming and powerful pulses of energy pushed through the castle. My father's grunts and my mother's screeching continued on for what seemed like hours but were only mere minutes.

I heard the shrieks of Mariam and the cries of Lily. Even my fathers shouting over and over again. It wasn’t until the air went still and I couldn’t hear anything when I began to panic. I gathered enough courage to push myself up from the ground and out of Marcus' arms, rushing outside to see the field covered in holes and riddled in disheveled ground.

My eyes widened as I scanned the area as tears streamed down my face. "Why, why do you hate me so f*****g much mother!" I screamed, sending a wave of energy in her direction.

The force of the blast pushed her away from Mariam as the swordlike energy was brought down to strike her. My father was tossed to the side before he was able to stop her magic. Unfortunately, I was already too late, Mariam had been wounded.

Once the magic in the area had died down, I glanced around in search of my mother, but did not find any sign of her.

I gripped the sides of my dress, striding over to Mariam as quick as I could while keeping my guard up. "Where did she go?" I huffed.

"My, my, Aurora, how much power have you consumed? Is Marcus feeling a little drained yet or has he not figured out your true intentions." Her voice sounded as if she were near.

I knelt beside Mariam, ignoring my mother's words as I checked her wounds. I lifted Mariam's head as I scanned over the large gashes across her face and chest, "I am so sorry Mariam." I cried.

Mariam took in a deep breath as her chest heaved for air. I cradled her in my arms, my forehead pressed against her as I hovered my hand over her wounds. I knew I could never take away the scars, but I knew I could at most, help her pain.

"Where is Lily?" My father croaked.

My head jolted up as my frantic eyes searched the desolate field. I sniffled as I pointed out a limp body not too far from where we sat. "There, father over there!"

The clanging of armor shuffled past us toward the body, it was Maxwell and Marcus. I held my breath as Maxwell picked up the lifeless body and strode back over to where I sat.

Once Mariam's eyes landed on the deceased body of her sister, she let out a gut-wrenching wail that shook the surface of the earth.