with it, yes.”
“And what about the other lands, are they shifters too?”
“Upon my word, what a curious human you are.” I laughed and said,
“That’s a bit of an oxymoron, don’t you think?”
“How so?” he inquired raising a perfectly shaped brow.
“Well, considering you’re talking to a human and all… curiosity is kind of in our DNA and is in our nature.”
“Ah, but of course, how could I forget all my history?” he said teasing me, making me smile.
“As for the other lands, my brother Regin, was granted the Land of Souls, hence why he is often referred to as the King of Sin.”
“Catchy, well in the human realm that name’s sure to get him a date.”
“Yes, I am sure,” he agreed wryly, before astounding me again when he added,
“Well, he is the equivalent to your Devil.” My mouth dropped a little before I could speak again.
“Wow… so I take it that he's the bad boy of the family?” The King’s face lost all humour as he said a single, stern sounding word,
“Indeed.”
“And what about your other brother, I take it he is the King of the Land of Gold.” It was in this moment that any other emotion fled him and sorrow inevitably took its place, and I soon knew why.
“My brother, Callon, he was the peacemaker of the family, the last of the sons to be born.”
“So, the baby of the family… wait, what do you mean… he was…?” This was when it dawned on me.
The sorrow.
“Unfortunately, this is the part of the tale that certainly darkens our history.”
“Go on,” I urged softly.
“My father ruled all four kingdoms until the time came when he was to leave this world, as back then we were simply Princes born with a single purpose, to one day rule. It was all we knew, our whole focus was our kingdoms. Whether it was taught in battle and how to wield a sword, or learning the delights of politics,” he said grinning when I made a face like I’d just smelled something bad.
“Our whole life was centred around the day we were each to become King, but it was one always to be soured by the loss of our father.”
“You loved him?” He released a heavy sigh, admitting,
“Yes, very much so, he was a good man… but then, towards the end…” This was when his face darkened and I gave him the time he needed, not wanting to push too hard. A decision that paid off when he said,
“He changed. A madness gripped him and not long before his final resting days, awful news came to us here in the city that my brother Callon… he had been killed.” I gasped and my hands flew to cover my mouth.
“Gods,” I whispered, pained by his loss.
“The news came via our uncle, my father’s only brother, Haleth. He told our father how it happened, despite his state of mind being in a fragile place.”
“Oh no, I think I see where this is going,” I whispered as gently as I could. Not only from fitting the pieces together but also from the waves of frustration, anger and pain I could feel coming from Auberon.
But there was one emotion that overruled them all…
His Guilt.
17
Family of Betrayal
“Tell me, what happened?” I asked having a bad feeling about what he was about to tell me next.
“He told my father that Carn’reau had been responsible for his death.” I sucked in air through my teeth and even started shaking my head, knowing for myself that I could never imagine it to be true. His uncle was a liar! I mean it wasn’t to say that we were best buddies in Hell or anything, but even I could see how loyal he was to Lucius. And that in itself told me how loyal he would be to his own family. I just couldn't imagine it.
“And so I see on your face, that you to do not believe this,” the King said as my own feelings were clear.
“No, I don’t. I may not know your brother well, but I have witnessed his loyalty to Lucius, I know he wouldn’t do this.” At this I surprised him.
“You know of my brother?”
“A little, I mean he tried to kidnap me once, for Lucius that time, but I know what you’re thinking, and trust me, kidnapping attempts happen a lot and kind of come with the job description when being a Chosen One… a little tip for you there and one to remember for the future, yeah?”