"Going back to normal after
someone had died was never
easy. When that someone
had been brutally killed,
all bets were off."

~~Seanan McGuire

****************

~Nova~

Nevada helped me get Michael to one of the guest rooms located on the bottom floor. Neither of us had a lot of energy left after what we had done and had agreed that trying to carry him upstairs as dead weight was a bad idea. It was still amazing that we had been able to do that, everything other times we had tried had always ended in some sort of catastrophe or another. 

I was more than grateful to her for helping me, even a little surprised although I probably shouldn’t be. Nevada had always had a big heart, never wanting to see anyone suffering and always tried to do the right thing. I envied her at times for being that way because she was pure in a way I would never be. If anyone ever deserves to be gifted wings by the gods, it would be her.

We went our separate ways after that, me heading towards mine and Robbie’s room in desperate need of a shower. It wasn’t even noon and I was completely drained of energy already and covered in someone else’s blood. Tearing my shirt over my head and kicking my sweats off, I tossed them both in the corner of the bathroom to throw away afterwards. They were ruined and I wasn’t even going to bother trying to save them.

The hot water steamed up the bathroom, creating a near impossible to breath atmosphere, but I didn’t care. My muscles were aching and tight with tension, a mild headache already forming in the back of my skull. As I stepped under the water, it instantly ran red. I watched mindlessly as crimson colored water streamed down my body from my arms and other random places that I had no idea how it got there to begin with. Michael’s blood turned pink as it swirled with the water, becoming diluted as it slipped down the drain.

My chest ached, my heart breaking as I pictured his eyes staring up at me, full of fear and pain as he begged me not to let him die. Closing my eyes, I dipped my head under the water and let the scalding drops mix with the tears that forced their way down my cheeks.

Everything had been so good these last few weeks, even as exhausting as training had been, my life seemed happy for once. I was happy and things with Robbie had been more than perfect, a contentedness I never thought I would have for myself. I should have known better than to get comfortable; I should have known that it would soon crumble around me like it always did.

Deciding I had lingered long enough, my skin pink from the heat of the water, I scrubbed my body and washed my hair with Robbie’s soap, wanting to surround myself in him as much as I could. For all I knew, he may not want to be around me for a while and I didn’t necessarily blame him if he didn’t. I hadn’t been nice when I had spoken to him over Michael but I couldn’t fathom why he wouldn’t trust me after I had given him every part of me, parts that no one had ever come close to having.

Stepping out, I quickly dried off and wrapped the towel around my waist, eyes still blurring and my nose running. I was a mess and I knew it, my thoughts broken and scattered as I entered the bedroom in search of clothes. Robbie was mad at me and Michael had nearly died, the Braelyn Kingdom had fallen which meant shit was about to explode. Chaos was trying to swallow me whole and I was damn near ready to let it.

“Can’t decide on what to wear?” Robbie’s voice asked quietly, startling me.

I had no idea how long I had been standing in front of the open closet, towel clenched in my hand to hold it up while I bit the tip of my thumb on my free hand, lost in thought.

“What?” I asked in confusion, turning my body to look at him.

“You were staring at your clothes,” Robbie explained then frowned as he scanned my face. “What happened?”

“Huh?” I mumbled, unable to process what he was saying for some reason.

“Have you been crying?” he asked, taking a few steps closer. “Wait… are you still crying?”

“What? No, I'm not and I haven’t,” I lied, although I sniffled while turning away from him. “Nothing happened.”

Robbie sighed, clearly not believing me. Moments later, his arm wrapped around my chest from my right shoulder to my left, the other hand resting lightly on my naked abs just below my navel. I could feel the heat from his body against my back, something I still wasn’t entirely used to but definitely loved more and more everyday.

“I’m sorry I reacted that way,” he apologized quietly, his warm breath fanning my cheek as he propped his chin on my bare shoulder. “I do trust you, baby, I promise.”

"It didn't feel that way," I mumbled, looking at the floor.

"I know," he agreed, "but I can't help it. That man doesn't just want to sleep with you, little Tink. He actually has feelings for you and you're mine."

I gently removed his arms, stepping out of his embrace, ignoring the loss of heat on my skin. 

"So, because you have a problem with how someone else feels about me and I can't control how he feels, I was supposed to just let him die?" I asked slowly, trying to understand without getting irritated. 

"Well, no I guess not but…," Robbie started, his words trailing off as he reached for me But I shrugged him off. 

I raised my eyebrows expectantly, but as I suspected, nothing followed. Shaking my head, I turned away and snatched a pair of basketball shorts from the open dresser drawer, completely giving up on real clothes. I tossed the towel away angrily and angrily shoved my legs into the shorts, a rush of lust drifting over me as Robbie watched my every move. 

"Oh no you don't," I bit out with a glare. "You don't get to act like that and still think I'm just gonna hand myself over whenever you want me. If you can't trust me around other people, we have a problem that I really don't think needs to be ignored."

Robbie sighed loudly and sat on the edge of the bed with his hands clasped between his knees and his head down. My hands twitched to go to him, pull him into my arms and take away the stress and tension in his body. But I didn't, instead I remained where I was and bit the inside of my cheek.

"You're right," Robbie finally agreed quietly, still not looking at me. "I'm a possessive asshole that wants to break everyone's hands that have ever touched you, blind the eyes that dare to look at you and destroy anyone that even thinks they could be worthy of your attention."

"Robbie…"

He stood from the bed, closing the distance between and pulled me close with his hands gripping my waist.

"But here's the problem," he whispered, eyes on my lips, "I'm one of those unworthy people and I sure as hell don't deserve you, but I was blessed by the gods to have you. Just the idea of someone looking at you the way I do, wanting you… it makes me want to lock you away in a tower like the princess in that human folktale."

"I'm not a princess," I replied stupidly, momentarily forgetting that I was mad at him with the heat of his body so close to mine.

"No, you're a prince," he smiled, "and I'm the jealous bodyguard who fell in love."

I closed my eyes for a second, forcing my thoughts back from disarray.

"I don't mind you being jealous or possessive," I told him, threading my hands into his dark hair. "It's kind of hot actually, but you need to trust me."

"I do," Robbie argued instantly. "I just don't trust everyone else with you."

"You don't need to trust anyone with me but me," I reassured firmly, making sure he was looking at me. "I don't want anyone else and it doesn't matter what Michael feels for me or what any other person in the world feels for me. Nothing will change the fact that I love you and only you."

"I know." Robbie kissed me gently. "I'm an asshole, babe, and I'm sorry my temper tends to get the best of me."

Smiling against his lips, I didn't bother to respond as our lips met again. The kiss was slow, tender in a way that was almost new for us. It was an apology wrapped in an 'I love you' that sent shocks of heat straight to my groin. Reluctantly, I pulled away with a groan and rested my head on his shoulder before stepping away.

"As much as I would love to see where this is going, we need to see what the plan is for dealing with the royal deaths." My heart sank thinking about what it could all possibly mean for the days to come. "It's going to be ugly soon."

"Fine, but I'm going to take my fill later," Robbie pouted. "Get dressed and meet me in the kitchen. Food then war council, in that order."

"I want pancakes!" I called after him as he left the room, a smile on my face and a small weight dissolving in my chest while another slowly slid into its place.

●●●●

Coming downstairs a few minutes later, after changing into a pair of jeans and a button down shirt, my ears were immediately assaulted by raised voices.

"I want answers, Dominic!" Alana demanded, her words loud and filled with grief. "How does someone just walk into the palace and kill my fucking family without anyone seeing a goddamn thing?!"

"I don't know, Lana, but I promise we will find out who did this and they will pay," Dominic replied, his voice much lower but still raised.

I found everyone once again in the living room, the couch that Michael had laid on was nowhere to be seen. August and Nevada were leaning in each other's arms against the empty fireplace while Robbie lingered in the doorway as if he had just happened upon the scene. His eyes met mine, worry swirling in his amber depths and he held his hand out for me to take.

"How? How do you plan to do that?" Alana snapped, her lip curling. "You want to stay locked up in this house while the rest of the world is dying and find answers… where? The fucking broom closet?!"

"What's happening?" I whispered to Robbie as Dominic's face hardened angrily.

"Alana wants to leave," Robbie answered quietly, not looking away from the arguing duo.

"I'm trying to deal with the bigger picture, Alana," Dominic growled, obviously fighting for control of his temper. It wasn't often he called her by her real name either which was even more proof he was close to exploding. "We can't go out there unprepared."

Alana's eyes brightened, magick sparking over my skin and my eyes instantly flicked to Nevada as they widened. She looked just as surprised as I was, shock mixing with worry on her petite face as she watched her parents fight.

"How much more prepared can we be?!" Alana practically shrieked. She jabbed a finger on each hand toward Nevada and I, my body tensing reflexively. "Those two literally healed someone from the brink of death an hour ago! They are stronger than anyone I've ever met or heard of in history, just like the prophecy said. We have the equivalent of a nuclear bomb within our reach, a level of magick that could level cities or bring long awaited peace to the world. And we are encouraging them to hide, lock themselves away in a hovel in the woods and do nothing!"

"A hovel," August repeated flatly with a raised brow.

"That is not what we're doing! If they go out there without knowing what they're doing they could get hurt or killed or worse!" Dominic shouted, emerald eyes flickering with suppressed magick. "I will not have my children at risk of harm or destroying who they are to go on a witch hunt! We know nothing about what happened!"

"But we could if we would just try!" Alana cried, tears welling in her eyes.

"And we will when the time is right, when they're ready," Dominic promised, stepping closer to her cautiously with his hands raised.

Alana spun on her heel, eyes bright with tears and excitement as she looked at Nevada.

"You could dream walk!" she exclaimed, pointing at Nevada who shrank back. "You could go there and - "

"No." It took me a moment to realize the word had come from me and I shook my head before repeating, "No!"

"It's not up to you." Alana glared despite the pain streaming liquid down her cheeks. 

"It's too dangerous and you know it," I argued, my own eyes narrowing. "I can't believe you would even suggest that."

"But she can do it. You can!" Alana turned back to Nevada with a hopeful, pleading expression. "You could go to the palace and see what's happening or what happened; look for clues or maybe surveillance logs. Something!"

"I've never done it on purpose," Nevada answered, cowering away from her mother's gaze. "I don't even know if I can or what to do when I get there. What if I end up somewhere else?"

"You'll be fine, just -," Alana was cut off by a growl from August.

"No!" August snarled. "If she says she isn't ready, you aren't going to force her or guilt her into doing anything. I respect that you're her mother and I feel for the great loss you've just experienced, but don't put that weight on her shoulders."

Alana's face crumpled, her knees giving way as she collapsed on the floor. Great sobs wracked her body, shoulders shaking as heart wrenching wails filled the room. Dominic kneeled beside her, her pain mirrored in his eyes had he wrapped his arms around her small, quaking figure. 

My heart felt heavy as I watched her, this incredibly strong woman who was always with a kind smile and spoke words of encouragement whenever we needed it. I cared for Alana, even if I had resented her in the beginning, but she had recently become a solid point in my life. Seeing her hurting like this, her heart broken in a way no one could fix, was painful and hard, leaving invisible bruises in its wake. 

Robbie pulled me into his side, offering silent comfort to the sharp sting of the scene in front of us. Nevada cried silently in August's arms, her blood shot eyes watching her mother before meeting mine. Something unreadable flashed across her face but I didn't get a chance to dwell on it before she turned away.

Dominic scooped Alana up in his arms, cradling her small body against his chest, muffling her sobs in his shoulders. 

"I'll be back," he told no one in particular before disappearing up the stairs.

"What are we going to do?" Nevada asked, sniffling.

"I think the only thing we can do is keep working on what we have been," I shrugged, feeling just as helpless.

"And there hasn't been any leads, as far as we know, about why or who," August added, silver eyes hardening as he pulled Nevada closer. "I would assume this has something to do with Torch but the Folmorian and Braelyn had already declared war for reasons we haven't yet heard. Which doesn't leave us any closer to figuring this out than before their murders."

A phone rang, cutting into the conversation and Robbie loosened his hold on my to slide his phone from his pocket. Frowning at the caller ID, he pressed the device to his ear.

"Reyne?" Robbie asked warily and paused as he listened. I felt the muscles in his back stiffen and his jaw clench. "And you're sure about this?"

I couldn't hear anything from the other end of the call except muffled words but Robbie glanced at August who had obviously been listening. August's eyes held a dark glint as he held the silent conversation with his progeny. 

"Fine, but stay put for now," Robbie finally said, a hint of command in his voice that made me shiver. "Prepare to move on a moment's notice and keep an eye on the situation. If the clans shift allegiance, things will escalate quickly."

I watched Robbie's face, a rumble rolling through his chest as he growled. "Stay alert, brother."

He ended the call and shoved his phone back in his pocket, looking at all of us just as Dominic returned alone.

"Well, fuck. What did I miss now?" he asked, sounding exhausted.

"The vampire clans have been meeting behind the council's back and seem to be preparing to mobilize," Robbie informed us all. "The reason is still in the dark for us but word has reached the Blood Onyx pack that there is someone gathering allies. By tomorrow, the human government will be pulling their people underground, civilians included unless they so choose otherwise."

The room was silent, nobody even breathing for a moment as we took it all in. 

"The closest clan to us is located about an hour west," August said, looking at Robbie. "Reyne has agreed to assist should a threat arise?"

Robbie nodded. 

"So, the war is coming," Nevada whispered, fear coloring her voice.

"No, the war was coming," I corrected, rubbing a hand over my face. "Now it's here."

"I always hated sleeping with my boots on," Dominic muttered in disgust. 

"It's better this way than the heavy armor we used to wear," August added.

Dominic snorted. "Gods, that shit was terrible."

"So much for food then war council," Robbie whispered in my ear as he pulled we towards the kitchen.

"Yeah, but I still want pancakes," I told him with a smile.

Who knows when we will have the chance again?

********************

A/N: Yay for chapter 2 done so soon!

Things are escalating quickly I think. What are we thinking? Feeling?

Thanks as always!!

XOXO🖤❤🖤❤

~SM~