The Red String Of Faith

A/N:This chapter is beta by Kylee sorry for taking so long to update this story everyone.  here it is the new chapter for this story

 

Chapter 39.

“Caelane is it just me, or is your stomach getting bigger each day?” Devin commented on one of their daily walks around the castle.

“No it isn’t just you Devin, my stomach is getting bigger each day. The doctor told me that it is a normal thing. It is a sign that the baby is growing.”

Devin moved closer to his friend and slowly placed his hand on Caelane’s stomach. He felt a kick and quickly pulled his hand away. “It kicked me Caelane!” he said in utter shock.

Caelane laughed like a little kid. “I know. It surprised me too when I first felt it. Even Anders got a shock the first time he felt it.

“Talking about Anders, where is he?” Devin asked his friend.

Caelane shrugged his shoulders. “I don't know, but I think he might be in one of those boring meetings with his advisers and the council. You know the things kings do.”

Devin laughed. “True, and you know what? I am glad that you and I aren't kings,” he said.

Caelane laughed again and nodded his head, agreeing with his best friend. “Devin, when I see Anders later tonight, I will ask him about letting you come along.”

“Caelane, you don't know how happy I am that you are going to do this for me. I know that it is selfish of me to have you ask Anders if I could go as well.”

“Devin, you want to see your brother. You miss Nicholas,” said Caelane. “I still can't believe that you missed seeing him when he was here with Jamie.”

"I know. I can't believe it either. Imagine, my brother he was so close and I didn't even run into him. How absurd can that be I ask you?”

“Maybe you two were not supposed to run into each other yet,” Caelane told his friend.

“Maybe you are right,” Devin agreed.

The two continued their stroll for another good hour before Caelane announced that he was too tired and also hungry for some apple pie. They both made their way back to Caelane’s chamber, and they made it just in time for their noon meal.

Devin didn't leave Caelane until Anders showed up looking as mean as always. Devin knew by now that Anders behaved mean to everyone except for Caelane. The man had a soft spot for his best friend Caelane, which Devin thought was very sweet.

“I trust that you guys are having a great day,” Anders said as he came towards them with his usual stern look.

“Oh we had a great day alright Anders. Devin came for a stroll in the garden with me,” Caelane said as he got up to see his friend to the door.

“Devin, I'll come to see you as soon as I have great news for you about what you asked of me,” he whispered. Devin nodded his head and left.

“So what is it that you wanted to ask of me Caelane?” Anders asked, making it known that he had heard the whisper between the two boys.

Caelane went over and sat down on Anders’ lap. “Well you see Anders...” he began.

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“Where did you go?” Jay asked as soon as Devin returned to his chamber. He had been waiting almost two hours for Devin. He wasn't very happy that Devin had kept him waiting, especially since he had stated the night before that he would be over to see him.

Devin sighed and closed his chamber door. He walked right past Jay to open the window and let some fresh air into his room before answering. “I was with Caelane if you must know,” he answered without looking at Jay.

“Again? Why do you spend so much time with him Devin? You two aren't little boys anymore. Don't you care if I get the wrong idea or not?” Jay didn't get to finish as Devin whirled around and snapped at him sharply.

“Why should I care how you feel? You obviously didn't care about how I felt when you forced the stupid potion that your uncle gave me down my throat without regard to my feelings what so ever!”

“What did you expect me to do Devin? I asked if you were going to drink that potion and you told me no. To me it was like a slap in the face when you refused to take the potion and you told me that you wanted to return to being a little boy again. I couldn’t have that no matter what."

Devin sighed and turned away from Jay once more. “You are a selfish man Jay.” After a long moment of silencs, he spoke up again.

 “Jay I am just a little boy in a grown up body. One who wishes to be a little boy once more. Why did you take away my chance of living my childhood to the fullest?” he asked softly. “Anders gave me a choice when he gave me the potion, but you, you took away my right to--,” Devin couldn't finish as he started to cry over the loss of the chance to ever return to his ten year old self again.

Jay went up and put his arms around Devin. “I am very sorry Devin. I don't blame you for hating me for what I have done.”

“I don't hate you Jay. I am just very angry with you.” Devin mumbled as he allowed Jay to wrap his arms tighter around him.

“You don't hate me because you like me right Devin?” Jay asked hopefully.

“I do like you Jay, and that is why I am very angry at you for not respecting my wishes.” Devin looked up at Jay. “Really you are so selfish. When we first met, you were all high and mighty. I even thought that you were a little---”

Devin didn't get to finish, as his chamber door swung open and Caelane came in without knocking.

“Devin, exciting news! Anders said that you and Jay can come with us to my brother’s wedding,” Caelane said excitedly.

Devin’s face brightened up and he went to his friend and hugged him. “You talked to him for me Caelane?” he asked his friend.

Caelane nodded. “Yes I did, and he agreed, stating that you and Jay need to have a little talk with your brother and Jamie’s husband. I don't know what he meant by all of it. I don't really care, as long as you are coming with us,” Caelane said.

“Thank you Caelane. You are the best friend ever!” Devin told Caelane.

“And you are my best friend too Devin,” Caelane replied. The two friends laughed and hugged each other while Jay watched from where he stood, feeling slightly jealous of the friendship that Devin and Caelane shared.

 

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Thaddeus wrecked everything in his sight. “Damn you Sebastian! I should have known that it was you behind all of this.”

“Your Highness, why don't you and I join forces and take Sebastian down?” the man standing before him suggested.

“Our ancestors made a promise to not war against each other. No matter how much I want to kill him, I can't.”

“But Your Highness, no one can blame you since it was Sebastian who broke the promise,” the man said with a sly smile.

“You are right. Sebastian started this and he shall pay for his hand in taking my pet away from me,” Thaddeus said.

“Your Highness, just before I came here to see you, my high priest told me that Sebastian’s youngest child will grow up with power so great that if one is to marry him, they would have the power to rule all the kingdoms in this world. Not only that Your Highness, his beauty will bring any Zhanthian to their knees.”

Thaddeus’ eyes widened and a grin came to his face. Now how could he pass on something as great as that? He would force Sebastian to betroth his youngest to him, or else it would be war.

Jeffery’s father smirked when he saw the gleaming look in the king of Nary’s eyes. His plan had worked.

He would be rid of Sebastian and his son Jeffery. Then there would be no one left who knew his secret.

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“Sebastian! Sebastian!”

Jamie woke up with sweat running down his forehead. He glanced over at his sleeping husband by his side and sighed in relief. It was just a dream. No, it was a nightmare, a terrible one. One he hoped would never come true.

Jamie looked out the window and saw that the sun had already began to rise. Not wanting to go back to sleep, he got out of bed quietly and grabbed a basin and a towel and headed down to the stream. He was surprised to find Nicholas up as well, sitting on a big rock staring up at the sunrise.

“You’re up early Nicholas,” Jamie commented as he approached the stream.

“The same goes to you Jamie,” Nicholas said, turning around to greet Jamie with a smile. “You look like you had a bad dream,” he added.

“I did,” replied Jamie and he bent down to take off his shoes.

“I had a terrible nightmare of Sebastian dying and calling out my name as he took his last breath, his body covered with a hundred arrows.” He shivered as he told Nicholas.

"You know Jamie, that kind of nightmare is considered a bad omen,” Nicholas said as he turned around so that Jamie could undress and slip into the cold water.

“What do you mean Nicholas?” Jamie asked as he started to wash his long hair.

'Our people believe that if you dreamt of a loved one’s death, it means that their time is near,” Nicholas explained.

“Surely you’re kidding me Nicholas!” said Jamie looking up at Nicholas.

Nicholas turned around and glanced down at Jamie bathing in the stream. He faked a smile and replied with a chuckle. “Yes I am kidding Jamie. It is just stupid superstition. Our people had nothing better to do than to make it up,” he told Jamie.

“Thank God for that,” Jamie replied, but somehow Jamie couldn’t help but feel strongly that Nicholas wasn't kidding.

When Jamie returned to the cottage, he was just in time to feed his youngest baby Fey. He fed him and rocked him back to sleep. As soon as he was done, little Jeff the oldest of the triplets decided that he also wanted to be fed.

Jamie fed Jeff and put him back in the crib thanking God that little Ana didn't start crying to be fed as well. He hurried off to the small kitchen and started preparing the morning meal before everyone else woke up. Nicholas came in and helped him and he was thankful for that.

“Jamie, this is very delicious. Where did you learn how to cook like this?” Jeffery asked his son Jamie.

“Eli,” replied Jamie with a smile as he poured fresh cold water into the mug for Sebastian and then proceeded to do the same for his father and Nicholas who silently ate his morning meal beside Jeffery. “Eli is the best cook and also a good teacher Father. He taught me many things back in Zhanthia,” he added after he was done filling everyone’s mug with water.

“True Eli is a good cook. It’s a pity that someone chased him out,” Nicholas commented right before he drank his water.

Sebastian ignored Nicholas’ comment and turned to Jamie. “Are you sure I can’t kill him?”

“Yes Sebastian,” answered Jamie and he turned to his father.

"Father could you and Nicholas watch the kids for us today? Sebastian and I need to go into town to grab a few things that we are low on,” Jamie asked his father.

"Sure. You and Sebastian just get whatever you need and hurry back,” answered Jeffery, who was more than happy to watch his grandchildren. As for Nicholas, he merely nodded his head.

“Very well then Jeffery, but be warned, if I return and see even the slightest scratch on my children, I'll have your head.” Sebastian threatened his father in law.

“I won't let anything happen to my grandchildren Sebastian,” Jeffery said, looking up from his plate. “I will protect them with my life if I have to,” he added.

Jamie glared at Sebastian, shocked that Sebastian would threaten his father’s life. "Sebastian you can't just threaten my father life like that. He is your father in law!” he pointed out the fact to his husband.

“So?” Sebastian replied, like there was nothing wrong at all that he had just threatened to kill his father in law.

Jamie stood up and pulled his husband out of his chair and dragged him into their room for some privacy. “Really Sebastian, what is wrong with you? He is my father for God’s sake. Don't you know how to show respect to your elders?” he asked his husband with a frown and hands on his hips.

“Let me make this clear to you Jamie. When it comes to you and our children, I am willing to kill anyone. You and the children are my life.”

Jamie’s anger melted right away. He shook his head at his husband and leaned into his chest and put his arms around him. “Sebastian, for me please?” he pleaded softly. “It is only for one day, and we aren't going to be long. We will be back before noon,” he added.

“Alright.” Sebastian finally agreed to let Jeffery and Nicholas watch over his children.

They both returned to their spot at the table and as soon as they sat down, they heard Lawrence’s voice from right outside their door. The door swung open and Lawrence walked in, looking like he had been riding for four days and four nights without any sleep.

“Water!” they all heard Lawrence say, and Jamie quickly handed him his cup of water.

“What are you doing here Lawrence? Why aren't you with my father?” Sebastian demanded to know.

“It was your father who sent me here to find you, Your Highness,” Lawrence replied after drinking his fill of the delicious cold water. “Damn, this place is very hard to find!” he added.

“Why?” Sebastian asked the question everyone wanted to know.

“The king of Nary told your father and the King of Siren that he won't war with the king of Sythia if...” Lawrence took a deep breath and said the last sentence very quickly. “He wants your youngest child in return.”

“Fey!” everyone in the room uttered loudly in horror.

Sebastian kicked the table and it split in half, sending all the dishes and cups scattering all over the floor.

“Return to my father and tell him this means war.”

Lawrence nodded his head and as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered the letter the king’s father entrusted to him to give to Jamie.

“What is this?” Jamie asked when Lawrence handed the letter to him.

“The king asked me specifically to give it to you,” replied Lawrence. He bowed and left.

Jamie unfolded the paper and read the letter inside silently, then he looked up at his husband. “Your father said that he want us to betroth our youngest child to Lawrence.”

Sebastian took off right away and Jamie hurried after him. “Sebastian where are you going?” he yelled after his murderous looking husband.

“To kill Lawrence!” came Sebastian’s reply.

“You can't kill him. He had no idea whatsoever about all of this. Your father even said so in the letter!” Jamie said as he looped his arm around his husband’s strong one and dragged him back inside their cottage, where Jeffery and Nicholas were enjoying a good laugh at Sebastian’s predicament.

“Your Highness, I did warn you that one day the things you did would come back to bite you,” remarked Nicholas.

“You, out now!” Sebastian demanded loudly, looking even more murderous than ever.

“Sebastian! Nicholas is our guest so don't be rude!” Jamie scolded.

“Jamie,” Sebastian said as he looked down at Jamie. “I won't allow anyone to marry my sons. They are my treasure, just like you are the air I breathe. Without you, I'll die and without them I…”

“Sebastian, I agree with you. Our children are our treasure. I love them just as much as you Your Highness, and because I love them, I don't want to decide their future for them.” Jamie cut his husband off with a gentle smile. “Besides, I wasn't finished. Your father wanted us to betroth our youngest to Lawrence to save him from Thaddeus.”

"I am very much capable of saving my son from that bastard. In fact, I am leaving first thing in the morning tomorrow to murder him myself!”  Sebastian stormed away and Jamie got a very uneasy feeling.

Jamie slumped down on the chair and poured his heart out. “I don't want Sebastian to go Father. I have a terrible feeling that if he goes, I'll never see him again!” Jamie felt his father’s arms around him and he looked up at his father.

“I trust my feelings Father,” he muttered and buried his face in his father’s white shirt. “Why does all of this have to happen to us? Why us? What have I ever done to deserve all this misery Father? All I want is to just live a simple life with my husband and my children,” Jamie sobbed into his father’s shirt.

“Jamie, just like I said earlier, I'll protect my grandchildren with my life and that applies to you as well. You are the reason why I kept living Jamie. As your father, I won't stand for anyone getting in the way of your happiness,” Jeffery told his son as his eyes reflected his murderous rage towards the king of Nary. At that very moment he made up his mind to follow Sebastian and murder Thaddeus. He would give his life to see to it that Sebastian returned to Jamie’s side.

A/N:just so you guys don't  bite my head off I'll just say this nothing bad is going to happen to Jamie baby  Fey.