In This Life And The Next

Aurora must have drifted off because when she woke, she was alone once again. She got up, got dressed and went in search of Alec or food, whichever could be found first.

She found both in the great hall. Hazel and Laura sat at a table and in the middle of the hall, Liam was sparring with Caspian. There was more food in front of Hazel and Laura than either one could eat in a single sitting and as it was, they were both picking at the food on their own plates.

“I hate this.” Hazel whispered and reached for Aurora’s arm. She gripped her like she was an anchor and Aurora didn’t try to dislodge her hand even as she tried to eat. “As though I couldn’t protect myself.” She added.

“I have no doubt that you can.” Aurora said and picked at the roasted meat on her plate. “But it’s not just you that they fight for. And this job, this has fallen to Alec so many times-”

“But it’s Caspian that fights.” Hazel pointed out. “I am older and a better fighter-” She cut herself off and took a drink of wine from her cup as Caspian ducked away from Liam’s advance. He was a good fighter, quick and light on his feet, brutal when he had to be. He was an interesting combination of his older brothers and Aurora could pick out where he had learned how to fight.

It was only the middle of the afternoon, but it seemed liked Liam and Alec practiced with Caspian for hours. The personal guard stood around and Hazel and Laura watched with increasing worry. Michael showed up shortly after Aurora and offered a few opinions on John’s fighting style. He and Alec spoke briefly and Michael bowed his head before Alec hauled him into a hug, much to everyone’s surprise.

Alec and Aurora took their dinner in their room and fell asleep to the sound of each other’s breathing.

The next day was no less difficult though there was no sparring. It was a lazy sort of day and if Aurora had known no better, she would have thought that it was the prelude to just another week of ruling the kingdom.

The relaxation was brittle, though. The whole of the court jumped when a servant dropped a jug of wine and it broke on the floor. Alec spent most of the day with his brothers, though he seemed like to keep Aurora at least within eyesight.

The day passed far too quickly for Aurora’s tastes. Before she knew it, people were standing around the great hall and speaking quietly to the three princes and leaving the hall until all that remained were the personal guard, Luke, Michael, Aurora, Jessica, and the royal family. Alec sat on the raised dais and his eyes were distant. Laura left first, then Hazel and Jessica left hand in hand with Victor, Ben, Ash, and Sam. Liam and Alec and Caspian sat quietly. Aurora watched them from her seat at the table.

“I believe I am going to go try to sleep.” Caspian said softly.

“See that you do.” Alec murmured and turned to him. He gave him a smile and stood. He pulled Caspian into his arms and hugged him tightly. Aurora turned away when Caspian buried his face in Alec’s neck, like a son would with a father. The truth of the matter was that the description wasn’t far off. “I would give the whole of the kingdom for this not to fall to you.” Alec murmured.

Aurora knew that she would never forget the sound of Caspian’s sobs.

***

Aurora didn’t sleep that night. She lay awake next to Alec who was able to sleep after hours of tossing and turning. For a few moments Aurora was furious with him; his youngest brother was going to be killed by his greatest enemy the next day and here he slept .

Then Aurora realized that this would probably be the last time that Alec slept untroubled.

So she held herself still and watched as the sun rose behind a tapestry hand over her stomach, she was starting to show along with Jessica, her thoughts filled with worry but she didn't have time to dwell one them when a polite knock sounded at the door and Aurora put a hand on Alec’s shoulder.

“Come in!” Aurora called out.

A servant came in with Ben and Alec sat up and swung his legs out of bed. She had two mugs of steaming coffee in her hands and Aurora took hers, grateful due to her lack of rest.

“I believe this is the first time I have come in here since Aurora joined us and you were dressed, sir.” Ben said. He was attempting for humor but Alec could only summon a faint smile. The servant helped Alec get dressed in simple black trousers, boots, and tunic. Even his gloves were black when Aurora noticed him pull them on. The belt he wore was also black and the only relief was the green on his otherwise black cloak. The servant helped Aurora dress in muted blue and white and they were off.

Ben led them down and down, further down the stairs then Aurora had been. He stopped them at a door and let out a breath. He turned to Alec and his eyes searched Alec’s for a long moment. “I could go in his stead.” He said.

Aurora wasn’t surprised by the offer. From what she could tell, Ben was probably Alec’s best friend, outside of Liam.

“No.” Alec murmured and put a hand on Ben’s shoulder. “It is the job of the royal family.”

Ben looked away and nodded.

Alec opened the door and Aurora followed him in. There were only three other people in the room; Liam, Blake, and Caspian.

Caspian was already dressed in his armor. Liam was sitting and watching Caspian pace. The room was probably a dungeon at one point, as Aurora noticed that there was only one entrance and there were smaller rooms set back and away from the larger opening that they occupied. The only light came from torches mounted along the wall. Blake stood against a pillar and he looked pale and sick in the light.

“Alec.” Caspian murmured when Alec stepped in. Liam didn’t stand and Aurora had to wonder if he was still angry about Alec’s decision.

“Brother.” Alec said softly. He dropped Aurora’s hand and approached Caspian swiftly.

Everything happened too quickly for Aurora to realize. Alec struck Caspian hard , as hard as she had seen Alec strike anyone, and Caspian collapsed at Alec’s feet. Liam was on his feet in a second, but it was too late, Alec already had his sword out and pointed at Liam’s neck.

“You won’t kill me.” Liam said and stepped forward.

“No.” Alec agreed and pointed his sword down, closer to Liam’s dominant arm, the arm that he used the most when he fought. “But I can hurt you and Blake will make sure you do not die.”

Aurora took a step forward and her whole world tilted. She stumbled and fell to her knees.

Liam looked over at her . “What did you do to her?” He asked.

“A sleeping draught. Chloe’s.” Alec answered. “Paid a servant to slip it in her coffee this morning.”

"She is with child!" Liam hissed.

"It won't harm her or our child, I made sure."

“Alec-” Aurora choked out and she fell to her hands and knees.

“Blake.” Alec murmured and nodded to Aurora.

Blake helped Aurora over on her back and placed a cloak under her head. “Don’t let him-” She started to beg.

“I am pledged to the throne and this is what he has asked of me. I cannot refuse him.” Blake whispered.

“To the pillar.” Alec said and Liam circled Alec and Aurora moaned. “Sit.” Alec ordered and when Liam hesitated, considered for a second rushing his brother, Alec ran the edge of his sword against his brother’s arm and drew blood. “I do not wish it to come to injury, Liam.” Alec murmured. “If I am killed, you must be ready to take the throne.”

Liam sat.

Aurora watched through half lidded eyes as Blake tied Liam to the pillar and Alec went into one of the back cells and came out with his own armor. He began to strap it on with Blake’s help and it was only another moment before all that was left was the helmet with the face shield.

Even after Alec stepped out on the field, unless it was John, there would be no way to tell the difference between Alec and Caspian. They were almost the same height. They moved similarly and even their hair color was close enough to be near the same.

“Alec, no-” Liam wept and struggled against his ropes. But Blake had bound him tightly and Aurora could barely keep her eyes open. Blake was now lifting Caspian and with Alec’s help, they bound him to the other side of the pillar, just behind Liam.

“Hey.” Alec said and knelt in front of Liam. “Father didn’t say many things that were right but he did tell me one thing that was. Take care of your brothers and sister . The king gave me one job. One order that I intend to follow through to the letter. I was never going to let either one of you step out on that field. It’s my duty to take care of the kingdom but it was always my honor to grow up by your side, Liam.” Alec paused. “Remember your promise. Take care of Raven for me. If you can’t ride her, give her to Jesse. Kiss your babies for me.” He leaned in and kissed Liam on the forehead and Liam leaned into the gesture. “Be good.” He whispered at last, before pulling away.

Aurora struggled to keep her eyes open. “You did me the highest honor by loving me.” Alec murmured and kissed Aurora. “Kiss our baby for me, I’m sorry. But this must be done.”

The last thing she felt was Alec’s hand on her cheek.