Chapter: Mating Reason
Maribel came stumbling in, and Nadeira noticed her wide arms, leading a line of crying children.
All of their faces were red, and just how badly their small bodies were shaking. Some clung to each other, some dragged their feet, all sobbed at the same time.
Nadeira's chest tightened. She rushed forward. "Maribel… what happened?"
"They were hidden," Maribel replied immediately. "Locked in another room. I broke the door."
The children whimpered, one girl was simply clutching Maribel's skirt.
Nadeira crouched down. "It's alright now. You're safe." She wanted to cry too, but she kept her voice calm.
Caspian stepped forward, and when Nadeira glanced at him, she immediately noticed his pale face and tensed jaw.
He turned to the guards who were frozen by the door. "Gather the carriages. These children go to the king."
The baron's guards hesitated.
Caspian's voice thundered. "Now."
They scrambled out of the room.
Nadeira held a small boy's hand. His lips were almost blue. "Will he… come back?"
She shook her head. "No. He can't hurt you anymore."
The boy buried his face into her sleeve.
Soon, the group moved out of the Baron's mansion.
The children clung to Maribel and Nadeira, while Caspian walked in front like a shield. Orrisian and Nyxmaris followed close.
When they reached the palace gates, soldiers stopped them, shocked at the sight.
"Open!" Orrisian barked while his tone left no room for argument.
The gates opened. People stared as they passed. Whispers followed, but no one dared block their way.
Nadeira's goal was to make sure that every child would go back to their parents right now. She knew that nasty little bitch wouldn't be kidnapping orphans or lower class children.
In his mindset, such children were dirty and not worth his time, no matter how beautiful they were.
Even if he didn't dare to use them for his insane imagination while they didn't turn to a proper age, the baron enjoyed torturing them and breaking down their spirits like it was a normal day.
Well; that finally stopped now…at least, it's what Nadeira thought…no man ever would go out without having something to be proud of…and fortunately, Nadeira took away the only thing he loved to boast about.
When they went Inside the throne room, the king had this skeptical expression covering his whole face, such a proud face...
But the moment his eyes fell on the children, his mouth opened slightly, and maybe a small confusion went through his body.
Caspian's voice filled the room. "Bow to them, king. They are victims of your noblemen."
The king blinked, stunned. "What is this?"
Nadeira stepped forward, children still holding her skirt. "You will find out soon. For now, they need their parents. They need to go home."
The king's brows drew low. "Where did these children come from?"
Nadeira met his order for answers glare with no fear. "From monsters who wore titles. From men you gave power to."
Gasps rang through the court. Some nobles muttered, others shifted their shoulders very uncomfortably.
The king slammed his staff down. "Silence!" He glared at his guards. "Find their families. Return them safely."
The children were led away gently by the palace servants. Some were still crying, some looked too quiet, but they followed with hope in their eyes.
Nadeira let out a shaky breath. She wanted to collapse but continued to stand firm no matter what.
Caspian faced the king. "You see now? This is your house, your majesty. This filth happened under your roof."
The king's lips pressed thin, but he said nothing.
Nyxmaris smirked, stepping forward. "The sea sees everything. And it will not forgive."
The king looked uneasy. "I will look into this."
Orrisian's voice was demanding. "Not look. Act."
The awkwardness in the room was stranger than any joker out there. Nobles lowered their eyes as well. Even the king seemed small under their voices.
Finally, he nodded. "It will be done."
The princes turned away, dismissing him. They didn't bow. They didn't even ask permission.
Nadeira walked behind them, her hand brushed Maribel's arm. "They will be safe now," she whispered.
Maribel nodded, though her face was too exhausted. "I hope so."
The group left the throne room…
Back at their own mansion, the energy felt different somehow.
Nadeira helped Maribel sit. "You did well today," she murmured softly.
Maribel looked down at her hands. "They looked at me like I was… their hope. I don't deserve that…I'm just a golden…fish…"
"You do," Nadeira raised her eyebrows. "You saved them. And you're not just some fish, Maribel! You're my friend and someone with better morals than us, humans."
Before Maribel could reply, a sudden wave of water shimmered in the middle of the room.
Nyxmaris frowned, eyes narrowed immediately. "The sea calls."
Orrisian's face hardened. "We're summoned."
Nadeira stood up from her spot. "What does that mean?"
Nyxmaris touched her shoulder lightly, his smile was so slow. "It means we go where even you cannot follow."
She grabbed his wrist. "Wait. What about Caspian?"
Caspian was still, and quiet. The colour of his face seemed to be vanishing little by little, his eyes looked unfocused.
Nyxmaris and Orrisian didn't answer. The water swirled higher, wrapping around them.
Nadeira's heart pounded. "Don't leave like this! What if something happens?"
Orrisian gave her a little smirk. "Then we'll return faster."
And with that, the water swallowed them. In a blink, they were gone.
Silence filled the room…
Nadeira turned to Caspian. "Caspian? Are you alright?"
He staggered. His knees buckled.
"Caspian!" She ran forward, catching his arm.
His weight pulled her down. He collapsed on the ground.
Nadeira shook him. "Stay with me! Don't you dare-"
He closed his eyes, whispering, "Too… much…"
Her chest tightened. She looked around helplessly. "Maribel! Help me!"
But Caspian was already slipping, his body weak as if life had been drained from him.
And the room felt colder.
"No! Maribel! What should I do?"
"It's the mating process, my lady…they need physical contact to survive after they found their mate."
"What? How can you think of something like this when Caspian is dying."
"I'm afraid, my lady, but mating with Caspian is the only choice to save him right now."