Connected to the King

Painful Loss

A couple of days had passed since the incident with Marcus as I did my best to avoid seeing him. I had locked myself away and laid in bed during those days as nausea and fatigue swirled through my body. What is this feeling? Am I falling ill? I haven't felt normal for a little while now and I've had very little energy if any at all to use the restroom let alone eat.

Word had spread that Dominic had escaped the dungeons with the help of some of the guards that he was acquainted to. Those same guards were hung after a brutal beating from Marcus. This action led me to believe that things were going to be different and extremely difficult from here on out. I hoped I could figure out a way to help him heal from whatever it was that had its hold on him.

A slew of emotions invaded my mind as I laid curled beneath the comforter. A warm sensation pressed against my back; my muscles tensed as an arm wrapped around my waist.

I slowly turned my head, peeking over my shoulder I saw Marcus still fast asleep behind me. The bile in my stomach rose making me throw his hand off me and rush to the bathroom to expel the contents of my stomach into a nearby bucket. I heaved and huffed as another wave of nausea rushed in from nowhere causing me to wretch back into the bucket a second time. By this time, I had noticed Marcus standing by the doorway in silence.

Pushing myself away from the bucket I rested my head against the cobblestone wall, fighting for air as my vomit left a foul taste in my mouth.

"Aurora what's wrong? Are you okay?" Marcus’s voice vibrated into my ears causing them to ring.

I covered my ears and shook my head, "Please… just leave me alone. Just go away." I whimpered. "Bring me Mariam and Dr. Weiss." I huffed between breaths, pulling my hair away from my face.

"Aurora, I—"

"Bring me my maiden Marcus, please for the love of everything just bring me my maiden and the damn doctor." I cried.

"Oh, my goodness Aurora are you alright dear?" Mariam's voice appeared in the doorway. She rushed to my side and helped me to my feet. "Milady what happened?"

I gave her a sorrowful look as if to ask if she knew what could be wrong.

"When was your last cycle, milady?" She asked.

"I haven't had one since before I got here. It had just ended when I ran away…" I thought about the timeline when Marcus and I had first been intimate and facepalmed. "No, no, no, no. This can't be." I ran my hand through my hair.

"You… you're pregnant?" Marcus stuttered over his own words as he approached me. He held his hands in a nonverbal way to tell me that he meant no harm.

I stepped back as Mariam moved away from me, "I'll get the doctor." She bowed her head and quickly left the chamber.

I brought my hands down to my lower abdomen and turned away. "Please… don't." I pleaded.

Marcus wrapped his arms around me in a blanket of warmth and rubbed my back as he lowered to his knees before me. He gazed at me, "Is this true? Are you pregnant with my child?" He asked.

I sniffled as tears escaped my eyes and nodded. "It is… but if you can't get your mind in the right place, he or she will not be around you." I sniffled, wiping my tears.

Marcus’ eyes traveled down my body and stopped where my hands laid. Gently he pulled my hands away from my stomach and planted a soft kiss before resting his head against me. “Look Aurora, I—I can’t believe I’m saying this… but I’m sorry. I never meant to do anything to harm you.” He let out a heavy sigh before rising as Dr. Weiss and Mariam returned.

"Milady I heard we are going to be expecting an heir out of you." He chuckled as he set his medical bag down and opened it. "My King, if you'd excuse us, I have to give Aurora here a full exam to make sure she's healthy enough to carry a child. This may take a while." He shooed Marcus out of the chamber and closed the door.

"Now, Aurora." Dr. Weiss turned to face me with his head tilted down as he peeked over his glasses. "Are you excited?" He raised a brow at me.

I couldn't think as another wave hit me from nowhere. I leaned against the wall for a moment, waiting for this wave to pass, "I didn't think I could get pregnant the same time I lost my virginity, Dr. Weiss."

"You… you were a virgin?" Both Mariam and Dr Weiss asked at the same time.

"You can't be serious. You're almost thirty and he is your first?" Dr. Weiss jutted his thumb in the direction of the room as if he were pointing to Marcus.

I nodded and fell to my knees as I leaned over the bucket and vomited once more. "Is this ever going to end?" I whined wiping my mouth with the back of my sleeve.

"Oh, no honey this is the beginning you're going to feel like this often. I suggest you rest until this passes. Until then, no more fighting with the King."

I craned my neck at Dr. Weiss as Mariam lowered her head, pinching the bridge of her nose. "What did you say? Fighting with Marcus? He was the one who injured me! He started all of this and now… it's like I am treading on thin ice just being around him. I don't want him in my chambers, I don't want that man near me!" My voice cracked as I shouted.

I slowly pushed myself to my feet and shuffled past the doctor and headed straight for my bed only to see Marcus sitting on the edge with his head in his hands.

"I want you out… now!" I cried pointing to the door. "I need to rest and with you around I won't be able to do that." I swallowed hard and stood motionless waiting for his response.

"Aurora, I don't want to fight. I-I don't know what came over me. Now that you're pregnant I promise that won't happen again." He pleaded as he gazed at me.

"You made that promise that day you left and then again when you came home, the same day you did this to me." I pulled my sleeve up and showed him my palm. My healing abilities have not kicked in and I scar had formed on my palm. "I don't know why I'm not healing but this isn't a situation I want to be in. If I can't even heal, what makes you think the next assault isn't going to push me over the edge." I sneered, "I wanted to kill you in your sleep that night Marcus." I confessed the thoughts that ran through my head that night after I came to.

Marcus rose from the bed and turned to face me. His muscles flexed as he rubbed his wrists. I couldn’t help but notice his brais hung low on his hips exposing his V leading down to his groin. I quickly shook the thought from my head and turned away. "A man like you can never be tamed. You will always be a tyrant. Pregnant or not, you are still a threat to me." I muttered under my breath, thinking I was in the clear. Oh, was I wrong.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood rigid as the chair beside me was sent flying across the chamber, crashing into the wall beside the fireplace. A vase with flowers Heather and another maiden had brought to me was sent to another side of the chamber. The bedside table smashed against the cold stone on the floor as Marcus. With his focus not on me but everything else in the chamber I took the opportunity to run out of the chamber as Dr. Weiss and Mariam followed me calling for me to stop.

I turned down corridors in an attempt to get through to the main gate and passed by many of our servants and soldiers. My breath caught in the wind as I continued. My eyes stung with the cold breeze that hit them in the chilled corridors as I pushed on. I turned my head to peek over my shoulder and ran into someone. I was sent crashing into the ground.

"Aurora! Don't you run from me!" Marcus’s voice boomed and echoed down the hallway.

"My, oh my what do we have here?" A familiar voice hissed.

"Dominic, how did you get out of the dungeon?” I narrowed my eyes at him, c*****g my head to the side in confusion. Waving my hand, I dismissed the thought not giving him a second to think, I pushed myself up from the floor, dusted myself off quickly and prepared to run again.

Dominic stuck his arm out to block my way and glared down at me, "Where do you think you're going?"

"Anywhere but here." I spat, "Traveil." I held my arm up toward him as a force of wind pushed him out of my way into the opposing wall and took off once again. I didn't make it far before a few more of Marcus's soldiers stopped me at the end of the hallway.

"Milady, we can't let you leave." One spoke in an apologetic tone. His eyes showed that he pitied me.

"I don't want to hurt you all. Please just let me leave." I begged.

"Aurora, please just return to your chambers. We will have to get this sorted—"

"I can't," I screamed, clenching my fists in frustration. "He destroyed it."

"The only reason it's destroyed is because you can't seem to keep your mouth shut woman." Marcus's breath fanned my neck.

I closed my eyes and brought my hand over my stomach as a dull ache made its way from my hips toward my back and shook my head. "No, Marcus, you can't seem to keep your hands to yourself."

"I knew you wouldn't do the blood exchange willingly after our spat in the dining hall. So, I did what I had to do." He sneered, grabbing my arm and spun me around to face him. His body flush against mine.

I pulled my arm from his grasp and stepped away from him, “Why do you need to be connected to me so badly?” I huffed and shouted. “You didn't know if I was going to be willing to do anything or not. You never asked. You take without asking, you do as you please without a word because you are King. But you vowed your life to me to keep me safe… and ever since your return you've done nothing but cause me pain. Marcus don't you f*****g see the bigger picture." I explained. “I’ve been in fear since you've been back, I thought this would have been a time of glory and fame and we could spend more time together and…” I stopped as a moist sensation traveled down my inner thigh.

A sharp yet cramp like feeling radiated an unfamiliar pain through my lower back and hips. I clutched my stomach and keeled over, screaming in pain. “Wh-what’s happening?” I stammered and cried as the iron infused, crimson fluid seeped through the fabric of my gown. My eyes widened as I shifted my gaze to Marcus and then to the onlookers.

Marcus’ eyes widened, his lips parted as he quickly yet gently scooped me into his arms without hesitation and took off back toward Dr. Weiss and Mariam.

“Is this really happening? All in one day?” I cried as I rested my head against his chest. “Why didn't I just stay at the coven and die an honorable death?”

“Don't say that.” Marcus huffed as he kicked the door to his chamber open and laid me on the bed. I watched as he rushed back to the doorway and shouted for Dr. Weiss.

“If I never left, I wouldn't be here today. I wouldn't be in this much pain. I would be dead already, swift death.” I slurred as my vision began to dim and then darken altogether.

~~

I don’t know how much time passed before a soft voice called out to me. The muffled voice pulled me back into consciousness.

"Aurora? Milady? You're breathing so I know you're alive. If you can hear me, squeeze my finger." A soft womanly voice called out to me.

I laid still and squeezed the finger within my hand in response. The pain continued to radiate throughout my lower torso and my legs ached. "W-what happened? Is the b-baby, okay?" I croaked.

A cool hand stroked my cheek, I peeked my eyes open and saw Mariam and two other maidens standing beside Dr. Weiss. A sullen look on their faces confirming my suspicion. My body shook at the unspoken confirmation as I placed my hand on my stomach and silently cried. "Why didn't I see this coming? Mariam why?" I sniffled, using all my strength to roll onto my side.

"You've been under a lot of stress, not to mention the assault. You weren't healing properly because of the baby. I'm sorry milady." Dr. Weiss attempted to soothe me before taking his leave.

"Aurora, did you want us to keep you company? Or would you rather be left alone for now?" Mariam whispered.

"Can you bring me paper and ink? And help me over to the fireplace?" I asked, completely ignoring their question.

Mariam smiled and nodded as she grabbed my hand and gently pulled me into a sitting position. The maidens assisted with bringing my legs over the edge of the bed and pulling me to my feet. As I rose, I ignored the pain as best as I could as the girls guided me over to the fireplace.

"Are you going to write a letter to someone milady?" One maiden asked.

"Yes. But it's not going to go anywhere. I just need to get these thoughts out of my head so I can burn them. I-I just don't know what to do." I gazed at the blonde woman beside me. I smiled softly at her features. Her medium length hair was neatly pulled back and tied in a ponytail with a blue ribbon. Her facial features reminded me of one of the girls in my coven. She had a slender figure that resembled a teenager and her soft hazel eyes showed me purity.

"What's your name? And yours?" I asked the maidens as they lowered me onto the bearskin rug.

"Brooke and Emily." Brooke answered. "Emily can't speak."

"Well, maybe I can help once I feel better." I smiled. "If you wouldn't mind… Could you two prepare a bath for me? I don't like the smell of blood and dirt as much as the boys do and I just want to soak."

"Of course, milady, we will prepare that right away." Brooke squeezed my hand as she and Emily took off into the corridor to grab the supplies and water.

Mariam returned with the paper and ink I had requested and knelt beside me. "You're going to call for Sebastian, aren't you?" She asked in a hushed tone, handing me the two.

"I need my brother, Mariam. This can't go on. I can't stay here if Marcus is going to continue to do these things. If you could deliver it, I would forever be grateful. Just don't tell anyone." I whispered.

"Oh, child you already know, but you don't have to go anywhere, just write your letter, think of the person you want it to go to and throw it into the fire. It'll make its way there. No normal human would be able to trace it." She winked at me.

I looked at her in shock, I’ve never sent a letter this way before. Everyone I’ve ever needed to talk to was within walking or riding distance.

Grabbing the quill, I quickly wrote my letter to Sebastian.

Dear Sebastian,

I missed you so much, thank you for the confirmation that it was you I saw at the village market. I'm sorry I haven't had time to write you back. But I need your help.

Things have taken a turn for the worst here and I'm in fear that if I stay, I will perish. My problem is… Marcus has a blood tie to me. He will know where I am always. Before anything else gets out of hand. I need your help to escape. Please.

Your loving sister,

Aurora.

I waited for the ink to dry and folded the paper in half, I concentrated on the recipient and threw the letter into the fire. To my surprise the letter burned quickly but the dark blue hue of the smoke confirmed that it had reached its target.

The door to the bathroom creaked open slowly, "Milady, your bath is ready." Brooke called out to me.

"I'll be right there." I replied.

Mariam offered her arm to me as I attempted to push myself from the floor. My body ached in response as my stiffened joints moved. I grabbed her arm and let her assist

me while I stood and walked toward the bath. The trio helped me undress and get settled into the lavender and honey scented bath. As I lowered myself in, the heat from the water soothed my aches, causing the tension in my muscles to melt away. I let out a satisfying groan and leaned back into the tub as Mariam pulled a chair up behind me and began washing and brushing my tresses.

I closed my eyes and submitted myself to the pampering. "Thank you, ladies, I am forever grateful." I whispered as sleep quickly enveloped me into its darkness.

~~

I was unsure of how much time had passed as I awoke in bed. The comforter was tucked in around me. "Who moved me?" I grumbled as I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I scanned the room, not seeing anything out of place. I stretched my arms to the sky and let out a squeak.

"You always were adorable when you slept, sister." A voice called out of the dark corner across the room.

I froze and shifted my gaze to a shadow figure standing beside the fireplace. "Sebastian? Is it really you? Why can’t I communicate with you through telepathy?" I whispered.

“Because I have a block up at the moment. We would need to be somewhat near each other.” He replied.

I lowered my head, shaking it, “That’s fairly annoying. How long are you going to be here?”

"Only for a moment. I can't stay long; the coven and Luthor already know I'm here. I just needed to see you." He replied, his voice equally as low.

I was shocked to say the least, why would the coven be concerned about Sebastian’s whereabouts? Wait, why did he mention Luthor? “Bash, what do you mean Luthor knows you’re here?”

Sebastian stepped out of the shadow and quickly made his way toward me. "I don't have a lot of time, but I received your letter. What the hell happened?" He whispered; his iridescent eyes fixated on my own. His shortened snow-white hair was tousled as if he had just crawled out of bed.

Tears brimmed my eyes as he knelt before me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed, pulling him closer. "Everything was fine until he left for war." I sobbed. "When he came back, it was like a monster took his place."

Sebastian wrapped his arms around me and rubbed circles into my back, "He was always a monster, don't let him fool you."

I tucked my head into his shoulder and sobbed even louder. Causing my guards to unlock and open the door, Sebastian quickly pushed himself out of my embrace. Gavin poked his head into the room. "Aurora, are you okay? Why are you crying?" I turned back to Sebastian to see that he was no longer standing in my chambers, I then turned back to Gavin.

I shook my head, "Gavin, I'm so scared. Could you stay with me for a while?" I asked.

He nodded and pulled the chair from the corner and positioned it at the foot of the bed. "How are you feeling? We've all been worried sick about you and… we are deeply sorry for what happened." His voice cracked.

I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave him a sad smile. "It's not your fault. It's no one's fault." I thought for a moment, "Okay, I lied it's a smidgen Marcus's fault" I chuckled trying to lighten the mood.

Gavin scoffed as he chuckled as well, "See, Aurora, you always know how to find the good in things. I really hope he doesn't f**k this up with you, we need a Queen and so far with all of the mutual respect you've been receiving from the villagers and even the lords you have gained quite the audience."

My heart blossomed at the news, gaining the trust and even some sort of respect of the people was something I thought would take a lifetime. I couldn't help but smile. "Gavin, you have no idea what that means to me." I sniffled as tears streamed down my cheeks.

"Don't sweat it milady. Now get some rest. If you need anything else just let us know."

I gave him a curt nod and let out a heavy sigh as I laid down and pulled the covers back over myself and fell asleep.