The Red String Of Faith

Chapter Seven


Sebastian stood by Jamie with a worried look on his face as Theron cleansed the boy wound with a special water. Theron took a look at the boys wound one more time before covering it up with a bandage.

“Theron why is his wound getting bigger and bigger?” Sebastian asked his brother,not bothering to even mask his worries for the boy.

“Sebastian the dagger is dipped in the blood of a Nary. Their blood has the power to stop the wound from closing, the longer the poison stay in his body the bigger the wound will grow. It will continue to do so until the boy dies of blood lost. You will need to send someone to the mountain of Chakra. And return back here in two days with the antidote.”

“I will go.” Jeffery announced as he enter the chamber. He had heard everything before he chose to enter the room and volunteer to go.

Sebastian shook his head.

“I will send Nicholas.” said Sebastian. He put his hand up when he saw Jeffery wanting to argue with him “Jeffery your people need you,. If something happen to you what would become of your people? I know how you must feel for I feel the same way.” said Sebastian. “No matter how important Jamie is to us we still have a duty to fulfill as King.”

Sebastian turned his attention back to his brother, Theron. He opened his mouth to say something. But Theron stoped him when he spoke up.

“I know what you want to say Sebastian”. Theron said with a soft smiled. “You want me to be here with the boy while you find Anders. And also in case Anders send someone else to finish the job.”

Sebastian nodded his head. He thanked his brother then left the room, leaving Jeffery alone with Theron.

Jeffery went over to Jamie. He reached down and held the boy hand. “This time I will be the one to take care of you.” he whisper softly his voice full of sadness. He remembered how Jamie used to hold on to his hand and sing him a lullaby. He remembered the tears that ran down Jamie’s cheek as he lay there still as a rock unable to move a muscle from the poison that Arian had injected in him to keep his mouth shut. If he hadn’t gone looking for Arian and threaten to expose him that day, Jamie would have had a much better childhood. That was the one thing he regretted the most in his life.

Theron put a hand on Jeffery shoulder. “Go do what you want to do. I'm sure that your people will understand, Jeffery. After all you did return to them and became the best king that they ever had.”

Jeffery placed Jamie’s cold hand back on the bed beside him. He turned around and forced a smile for Theron. “Thank you Theron. Please take care of him for me until I return.”

Theron gave a slight nod of his head. Jeffery took one last look at Jamie then he left. Theron sat down on the stool next to Jamie’d bed. “You are one lucky boy, Jamie. If you were not a silver Zhanthia that dagger would have killed you instantly. Be thankful to the silver Zhanthia bloods that runs in you, little one.” Theron whisper softly to the sleeping boy.
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“Your highness. The Nary people do not give the poison they make out of their blood to anyone. From what I know you must give something back to them in exchange for their poison."

Sebastian nod his head in agreement with Nicholas. He frowned. “Nicholas while you are there find out what Anders used to exchange with the Nary King.”

“Yes your highness, but before I go I must inform you that the King of Siren’s son is missing.”

“When did he go missing?” demanded Sebastian as an uneasy feeling came over him.

“He went missing right before Jamie was targeted your highness. The strange thing is that we can find no trace of him anywhere in the castle. Not only that, Leon consort Arian is also nowhere to be found. He took his clothes and left with only a note stating that he was leaving Leon for a better position.”

Sebastian frown got bigger. He could not help but feel that there was a connection. And deep inside he had a feeling that Kade being missing and Jamie getting stabbed had something to do with Arian.
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“Caelane stop crying if you continue they won't let you in to see Jamie.” Leon said as he tried to comfort his son. Seeing his son like this he did not have the heart to tell him about his dad. He pulled his son in for a hug. He still cannot believed that Arian would leave his young son behind, all for a position.

Eli opened the door to Jamie’s room and smiled at the two. “Theron said that you two could come inside to see Jamie.”

Caelane rushed inside as soon as he heard the Okay from Eli. Leon shook his head at his sons behavior before entering the room as well. Eli chuckled and shut the door.

Leon saw the boy lying on the bed and beside him was a man that looked very familiar to him. The man turned and gave him a gentle smile. Acknowledging his presence. The man is the one that bandaged his hands for him when they were injured. ‘There is no doubt about it.’ Leon thought not realizing that he was staring at the man with wide open eyes.

Theron turned away from the King of Siren and looked down at the boy sitting on the bed beside Jamie. The little boy was crying. Theron reached out and patted the boys head. He leaned forward and gently told the little boy that Jamie would be fine.

Caelane wiped his tears away and smiled at the pretty man. “Will Jamie be able to play with me tomorrow?” he asked innocently.

Theron shook his head. “He won't be able to play tomorrow, you will have to wait for him to fully recover first.” Theron explained to the boy.

Caelane nods his head in understanding. “Can I stay here and watch over him too.” He asked the pretty man.

Theron turned to the boy father. “Is that alright with you?” he asked.

“When Caelane gets like this it’s hard to pull him away. If it’s OK with you then I'm fine with it.” said Leon.

Caelane crawled out of Jamie bed and ran over to his father. He hugged him tightly. “I love you father.”
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“What the hell do you think you’re doing here. You bastard.” Nicholas demanded.

“I came for the same reason you are here.” answer Jeffery.

Nicholas raised his fist and landed a punch right on Jeffery’s face knocking the man down to the grass. “You are not here for the same reason I am. I am here to get the antidote for my King’s consort. And you are here for your own selfish reasons.” Nicholas glared down at Jeffery. “Let me tell you this Jeffery, no matter what you do you can never make up for what you put Jamie through. If I were him I would never forgive you ”

After giving the man a piece of his mind Nicholas turned and left, heading to the top of the mountain where the Nary lives. Jeffery managed to pull himself up, rubbing his jaw. The man sure laid a hard one on him. But he cannot blame Nicholas for what he did, he was right. He was here more for himself then for Jamie. He wanted to do what he could to make up for what he put Jamie through. Jeffery dusted the dirt off his pants and chased Nicholas.

Jeffery and Nicholas walked side by side silently as they make their way to the top of the mountain. Every time Jeffery tryed to break the tension between them Nicholas gave him a glare along with the words shut up. Jeffery sighed. Did the man still hate him for leaving him at the alter twenty years ago? If he did then he really had to think of a way to make it up to him.

They both came to a stop when they reached the castle gate. A female Nary guard stoped them and asked for them to state their business. Nicholas took out the letter with the kings seal and handed it to the guard.

“Wait right here please.” the female guard said before she disappeared inside. They waited for almost half an hour for the female guard to returned.

“The king will see you now.” Said the female guard. She opened the gate for them and led them to her king.

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The King of Nary played with his new pet. He reached into the cage to pet it. His new pet bit his arm and scramble away from him hugging his knees. He found it very amusing. This pet was a great exchange. All it needed was a little bit of training then he would have it obeying his every word. As he thought this the door to the throne room opened revealing to him Nicholas and Jeffery. He turned away from his new pet and smiled at his guests.

Nicholas couldn't believe his eyes. Huddling in a big bird like caged was none other than Kade. The boy was completely naked. Nicholas had to force his eyes away from the boy and calm himself down. He needed to know how the Nary King got his hands on the boy. All though he had no doubt in his mind that the boy was kidnapped and brought here against his will to be used as an exchange for the Nary poison. Nicholas put up a calm face that masked his true feeling. He bowed to the King of Nary and stated his purpose.

“Your highness King Thaddeus of the Nary country. I came here as my king has ordered, to retrieve the antidote for his highness consort.” Nicholas said in a calm and composed voice.

“I have read the letter from your king stating that I owe him a favor and I therefore have no choice but to give you the antidote.”

Thaddeus called for his guard to show Nicholas and Jeffery to the parlor room where someone would come and bring the antidote for them.

“Your highness if you do not mind me asking what did the person exchange with you for the poison.” asked Nicholas.

Thaddeus turned to his new pet. “This pretty boy here is what they gave me in return for the poison.” answered Thaddeus. Nicholas asked if he could get a closer look. Lucky for him the Nary king didn't seem to mind. He went over to the cage and spoke in the boy language. Kade look up at Nicholas with big eyes he nodded his head and wiped his tears stained face with the back of his hand.

“Tell me Kade who brought you here?”

Kade wanted to answer but couldn't, his step dad and his lover had given him a strong dose of poison that ruined his vocal cord. He could no longer speak; all he could do is mouth out what he wanted to say. Nicholas smiled sadly at the boy when he realized that the boy could no longer talk. He made a promise that he would let his father the King of Siren know where he was. He also promised the boy that he and the King would do what they could to get him out of there once he returned.

Kade nodded his head and sadly watched the two men leave, tears running down his cheeks. He never once thought that he would be in this situation. “Help me father.” he said but no sound came out.

“Don't look so sad my pet, I promise you that you will grow to like it here.” Thaddeus said with a smirk.

Kade turned his face away from the man. He wished that the man would just go die somewhere. The sooner the better. He hated the man to the bone for treating him like he was nothing. But the person he hate the most was the person he thought he would never come to hate, his step dad.
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“You want to know what the boy mouthed out to you Nicholas?” asked Jeffery.

Nicholas nodded his head, as he continued to go down the mountain with the antidote in his hand. Jeffery stepped in front of Nicholas and that earn him a glare. Jeffery smiled he found the man’s angry face pretty cute. “Don't get mad at me just yet. I just wanted you to know what the boy said. I can read lips you know.” Confessed Jeffery.

Nicholas gave the man a skeptical look. “Really then tell me what did the boy said, Jeffery?”

“If you really want to know I suggest you ask in a nicer tone.” Jeffery stated with a smirk. Then he turned around and continued down the mountain. He knew that Nicholas would come chasing after him demanding that he answer.

Nicholas ran down the mountain and spun Jeffery to face him. “Tell me you bastard or I will knock your teeth out.” He threatened.

Jeffery smiled. “Very well, if you must know, the person responsible for putting the boy in that situation is none other than Arian.”

Nicholas shook his head he couldn't believe that, that man would go as far as that for a stupid position. He can't believe how selfish the man could be. Is this the kind of man that Jeffery left him for. He looked up at Jeffery.

“You know Jeffery till this day I still don't understand why you left me at the altar to marry a man like Arian. The only reason I could think of is that you ere blinded by the man’s beauty. I was just a scrawny little fifteen year old boy who had a crush on you.”

Jeffery was rendered speechless. He didn't know what to say. At that time he haden't even met Arian, not until he went to Siren. He wanted to tell Nicholas the true reason why he left him at the altar. But when he opened his mouth all he could utter out was “I'm sorry”

Nicholas waved Jeffery’s apology away and started down the mountain once more. He had no time to waste with Jeffery, he need to get to the castle by night fall.
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Theron took the antidote from Nicholas and poured it straight into the wound. He and Sebastian watched as the wound slowly closed itself up pushing all the poison out in the process. Theron then wiped the boy stomach clean with a warm cloth. He stood up and steped aside for Sebastian.

Sebastian sat down and took the boy’s hand in his. He held on to it tightly as he waited for Jamie to open his eyes and look at him. Nicholas and Theron left Sebastian alone with Jamie.

Jamie slowly opened his eyes and raised his hand to shield the light from his eyes. ‘Why am I still alive?’ he thought for sure that he had died after getting stabbed. He tried to sit up but was stop by a hand. Jamie looked up to see whose hand it belonged to.

Sebastian smiled at the boy staring at him with his mouth opened wide unable to believe that the king was there by his side.

“Your highness what are you doing here in my bedchamber?” asked Jamie.

“Watching and waiting to see when you would open your eyes for me.” answered Sebastian. "You scared me to death when Demetrius found you and brought you to me. The sight of you laying motionless as you fought for your life made my heart stop beating." said Sebastian.

Jamie’s heart skipped a beat and a strange feeling came over him. He lowered his gaze.

“I'm sorry for making you worried your highness.” Jamie apologized softly.

Sebastian lifted Jamie head up, and slowly leaning in, kissed Jamie.

Jamie’s eyes shot open wide, he was completely dumbfounded. He didn't expect to be kissed. He didn't know how to react. What was he suppose to do when kissed? All sorts of question were running through his mind when the king finally pull away. He gave him such a confused look that it earned him a chuckle from the King. “You are still as innocent as the day I met you.” Sebastian commented.

“Have we met before?” Jamie asked when he realize the kings comment had a hidden meaning.

Sebastian smiled, “We have Jamie, ten years ago in Siren.”

“Would you mind telling me how we meet back then? Because I don't remember meeting anyone like you before.” said Jamie. He was a bit ashamed for not remembering the king.

Sebastian shook his head. Refusing to tell the boy, “I think that it is better for you to remember on your own.”

Jamie pouted his lips like a little kid, Sebastian found that pretty cute he let out a low laugh. Jamie couldn’t help but smile at the laughing King. He vowed to himself that he would try his hardest to remember how, when and where he had met the king.
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Jamie learned the following day that his dad had left the King of Siren for another man. Jamie was not surprised at all with the news. Considering that his dad would do almost anything to live a life of luxury, even killing him. He spend most of his time that day comforting little Caelane. Reassuring the boy that everything would be alright even without his dad around, and that he should count himself lucky for he still have a father left that loved him with all his heart. Little Caelane wrapped his arm around Jamie and thanked him for making him feel better. Jamie wondered when his dad would learn the true meaning of happiness.
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Jamie stared at his reflection in the mirror. Today was his wedding day. Because of what had happened to him the King moved the wedding a day earlier. He sighed as he waited for Eli to return from the castle kitchen. His eyes locked on to the wedding robe lying on his bed. Today he will officially become a consort. A position he rather not have, Jamie thought with a sigh. Little Caelane came up and sat on his lap. He smiled down at the boy.
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Eli entered the kitchen and place the tray in his hand on the counter. He took a drink of water then headed back to Jamie’s chamber to get the boy ready for the wedding. He stopped and picked up a red rose lying in the middle of the castle hallway. “Who left this here?” he thought. Then a voice that he hadn’t heard for a long time spoke to him from behind.

“Hello Eli.”

Eli turned around and gazed into the face of the man that vowed to love him with all his heart, ten years ago, when he was just a peasant.

He shook his head and backed away. This man who claimed to love him with all his heart had left him to marry a prince. The man had broken his heart so badly that he vowed off all men. As if that was not enough the next day after he left him the man gave order to his friend to have his way with him. He would've been raped and left for dead that day if not for Sebastian. If Sebastian hadn't come along and offered to married him in name only he would have suffered a great deal. He shook his head refusing to remember more. What does he want now? Why is he here?

As if reading his thoughts the man slowly walked over to him. Eli took a step back.

“What do you want Conor?” Eli demanded to know as he took another step back.

“What I want is you Eli.” answered Conor with a sly smirk.

“It’s a bit late now, Conor. I'm happily married to a good man. Now leave.” he shouted out the last part.

Conor shook his head and came at Eli so fast that he didn't have time to react. He punched Eli hard in the stomach knocking him unconscious. Then he picked Eli up and carried him away.

Jamie heard noises outside his door. He opened it to see Nicholas shouting out orders.

“Nicholas what’s going on?”

“It’s nothing for you to worry about, now get back in side and get ready for your wedding.” Nicholas demanded as he pushed the boy back into his room and shut the door in his face.

Jeffery ran up to Nicholas. “I will guard Jamie you go find Conor and get Eli back. Before the boy start asking for him.” said Jeffery.

Nicholas nodded his head. And forced himself to thank the man before heading off. Conor could not be far. When he finds the bastard that killed his brother he would murder him with his bare hand.

Jamie was listening in on the conversation on his side of the door and he gasped, “Eli” with his hand over his mouth. He hoped to God that Eli would be alright. “Please let Nicholas find Eli on time.” He prayed for Eli safe return.