Chapter Nine: Don't Mess With Princes of the Sea
The throne room doors almost broke up by the force…A huge rush of cold energy filled the hall, bringing the scent of the ocean.
Three men walked in, and silence fell like a dropped blade.
Caspian, Orrisian, and Nyxmaris entered like there was a storm behind them. Their aura was power itself.
Every soldier, every courtier, every noble secretly watching Nadeira dropped to their knees without hesitation.
"The princes of the sea," someone whispered, trembling.
Even King Aurelian who got here just a few seconds earlier shifted his shoulders uneasily.
Nadeira's head moved up and she felt like every facial muscle started freezing inside her cheeks.
She had never seen such a command.
Levius was still clawing at the water bubble suffocating him. His face had turned crimson, his mouth looked open, but in some silent screams no one could hear.
"Release him," Caspian's voice rang out like some old steel.
The water obeyed instantly, collapsing to the floor. Levius fell to his knees, coughing and gasping.
Caspian dared to walk closer, his shadow fell across the crown prince.
Only then did Nadeira notice the bruise across his cheekbone…like he was in a fight. She wanted to ask, but the room was too dangerous right now.
Levius spat water, rage like cold wind flashed in his eyes. "You-"
A sharp kick from Nyxmaris sent him sprawling back onto the floor. The hall gasped, but no one moved.
"You dare put hands on her?" Nyxmaris hissed.
Orrisian bent low, curling his lips into a cold smile. "You dare harm one chosen by the sea? Foolish boy."
Levius struggled to rise, but Caspian pressed a boot to his chest, pinning him down. His voice dropped to a growl. "You humiliate her. You strike her. You think yourself strong, yet you are nothing before us."
The guards who had dragged Nadeira shrank back, trembling.
Then, to everyone's shock, King Aurelian appeared from his corner. He had this shadowed expression on his face, but it wasn't with pride…more like with fury.
He reached Levius and struck his own son across the face with the back of his hand.
"You insult the sea in my house?" the king roared. "Do you want our kingdom drowned?"
The hall filled with fearful murmurs. Nobles bowed their heads lower.
Levius bled from his lip, but still tried to speak. "Father, I-"
"Silence!"
Caspian's foot pressed harder. "You will not raise your voice again."
At his signal, Orrisian and Nyxmaris conjured water from thin air. Two streams wrapped around Levius, coiling like serpents, lifting him up off the ground.
He kicked and thrashed, but the water only pulled tighter.
"Wait!" King Aurelian shouted, but his voice cracked.
"This is only a warning," Caspian stated coldly. His eyes had that hot rage, making even the king shake. "Offend the sea again, and you will not wake."
The water constricted until Levius's eyes rolled back and his body went limp. They let him fall like a sack of grain, lifeless but breathing.
The silence was unbearable to hold... Then Caspian turned his eyes on the king.
"Remember this."
The king swallowed, sweat glistened on his brow. "I… I understand."
The princes said no more. They only walked back to Nadeira and Maribel. Orrisian lifted Maribel carefully, his touch felt surprisingly gentle.
Caspian reached for Nadeira's arm, stabilising her as though she might fall.
"We're leaving," Nyxmaris declared.
And no one dared to stop them.
When they reached the mansion, the doors closed behind them, shutting out the night.
Maribel had fallen asleep in Orrisian's arms, her golden hair fanned across his shoulder.
"Put her in her room," Caspian ordered curtly. His voice was commanding, yet edged with something more than anger.
Orrisian carried Maribel away, while Nyxmaris lingered by the door. Nadeira followed slowly, exhaustion started weighing on her limbs.
The moment she was gone from the hall, Caspian turned to face his brothers.
"You two planned this," he snarled. His fist shot forward, slamming into Orrisian's chest the moment he returned. Orrisian staggered back.
"What-"
"Do not play the fool with me!" Caspian roared like thunder. "The letter to Levius. You wanted her dragged there. You wanted her humiliated so you could act as the saviors and hurt Levius."
Nyxmaris raised a brow, clearly having no sympathy for the crown prince. "And if we did?"
Caspian grabbed him by the collar, and dragged him close. "If you ever use her as bait again, I swear I will break both of you."
Orrisian lowered his smirk like it was such a natural thing to do. "You're too protective, brother. She is not glass."
"She is ours," Nyxmaris said coolly. "And the world must see it."
Caspian shoved him back with a growl. His bruised face darkened further. "She is not yours to gamble with. She is not some doll you throw around once you're done playing with her."
"You care too much. Care leads to weakness."
Caspian's fist clenched again, but Nadeira's voice floated from the corridor. "Is everything alright?"
The brothers stopped talking.
Caspian exhaled for way longer than he usually would, shoving past both of them. "Sleep, Nadeira. Rest. Nothing here will harm you."
But his glare promised his brothers the fight was not over.
Both brothers didn't understand Caspian…why he was reacting this way when they finally got the opportunity to harm Levius.
"The fight with father made him this way."