Sharp Flowers

Part 15

I wake up with Sebastian's morbid request still lingering. A frown furrows across my forehead. How could he ask me to do such a thing? I take a deep breath, pull myself up, and start prepping myself for the day. I scoff to myself, chuckling, and finally, I sigh. God, what the hell? You ask me to be your wife, now you ask for me to take your life someday? I clench my jaw and ponder what to make of the man? I mean- what I'm doing, and what to make of it all. I slip on my clothes and head out for the study to read a book before breakfast and morning chores. The castle hums with people waking and prepping for breakfast. I find Henry in the study, sifting through letters and documents.

"Morning, Wilkson, sleep well?" I greet him. He gives a nod of acknowledgment.

"Morning Raven. I did; it's good to be home at last. Sleep in my own bed, where's there's heat," Henry answers, "I haven't traveled in a long time, so it was nice to get out of the castle but tiring," he admits, "How about yourself?"

"I slept fine," I blurt out, "it's good to see everyone in good spirits again. You know, there's no place like your own home," I say with an awkward shrug. Henry offers a weak smile, brows arching. He sits up straighter and closes his book to talk more.

"Do you miss home?" he guesses. God, I can still see it. I can still smell it. The pure forest air, the smell of incense burning, everyone's swords on the wall. It's so clear and fresh in my mind like it was just burned down yesterday.

"A little, sometimes, not much anymore," I tell Henry. I miss it with every fiber of my heart. It's okay, Raven. I hold my tongue, my tongue words failing me. "I wonder about Peter sometimes. No one could have known when he left that it'd be the last time he'd ever speak with our parents," I ramble on and admit a heavy sigh. Plus, Peter said the final prayer for our parents, our final goodbye, and hopes to put them to rest.

"Raven, if I may ask, what happened to your neck there?" he asks. I stare at him, blinking in an ignorant stupor. My fingers graze my neck, and I realize it; it's the bite marks Sebastian left. He glances around, figuring we're alone, "Did Sebastian hurt you?"

"N-n-no, no, no, it was an accident. Kisomen didn't mean to; he felt awful," I blurt out all at once, my face flushing warm, "He didn't hurt me," I swear.

"Raven, you mustn't forget that Sebastian is dangerous. He can crush men bare-handed without breaking a sweat. Sebastian thirsts for blood," Henry reminds me, "You should be more cautious," he advises.

"He hasn't hurt me, and he won't," I disagree, "I trust him, whole-heartedly. He's a good man," I swear on his behalf. My face flushes the more flustered I become. "Sebastian never asked to be this, he was cursed, and he's suffering it alone," I argue. My heart aches, but I can't help my worrying for him.

"True, the man was cursed, but he made that decision," Henry reminds me.

"He sacrificed himself for his country. You're hiding at your desk. Have you no sympathy?" I snap at him, not having meant to raise my voice. I scoff, shaking my head at all of it. How dare you, Henry. I storm out of the room, ignoring Henry calling to say something more. Forget him, the selfish bastard... Sure, Sebastian isn't human, but he's slow to anger. The gentle monster is just a goof at times. I shake my head, huffing and sighing. Even if Henry is the tiniest bit right, I can't bare to see Sebastian suffering so. I whip around the corner, nearly running into Peter.

"Raven, what have you storming around the castle?" he mocks, laughing. I straighten up.

"Nothing," I lie, "What are you rushing off to?" I inquire.

"A report for Henry. Jessie's improvements on our swords, spear tips, and shields have been wonderful. Our towers are holding better," Peter states. He eyes me closer. "Are you okay?" he inquires. I slap my hand over my neck, "Did he attack you?" Peter asks, taking a deep breath, brows furrowing together.