After War Storm

Cal

I showed the Taylors to their room, saying I would be back in a bit, before heading back to Evangeline's room.

When I got there, a lot more people than I expected where in the room. Evangeline was there, though that wasn't a surprise since it was her room. Ptolemus also is was also there, probably to comfort his sister as she had been very close to Ti, and Wren was with him. Cameron and Kilorn were also here, as were Julien and Sara. Most surprisingly, however, was Farley.

The whole gang's here I thought sarcastically, expect Mare is lying on the bed unconscious.

Farley was looking at her with the closest look to sympathy I had ever seen her wear. She normally looked fierce or determined; she never let her true emotions show. Granted, she still wasn't entirely but it was as close as Farley got.

She looked up when I entered, but she was the only one. Farley gave me a nod, eyes grave. I nodded back.

The atmosphere in the room was suffocating. Everyone's was looking worriedly at Mare as Sara looked over her. Cameron was curled into Kilorn's side, silent tears running down her cheeks. It was rare for Cameron to be this emotional but I understood why she was. I assumed she was placing a lot of blame on herself for what had happened and seeing Mare like this was only making it worse. If anything happened to Mare because of this, I knew she would feel guilty for that as well. As much as I was in pain because of Ti's death and knew it was partially the fault of several of the people in this room, I wouldn't want anyone to hold themselves responsible, knowing I am also partially to blame for leaving my son.

Someone was responsible, though, and I was determined to find out who they were. And when I did, they were going to wish they had never done anything to harm Ti and most likely beg for death too. And I would give it to them, but only after I'd had my fun.

"Is she alright?" I asked Sara once she had stepped away from the bed.
"She's fine," Sara told me, looking to me for the first time,, followed by Julien. His eyes were full of grief. "She's just exhausted. I don't know what she did with her ability but she used so much power she wore herself out and then passed out. She ask so causes a blackout in half the palace but that's besides the point. She'll be fine and should be awake in the next few hours. If she's not, come and find me and I'll do some more checks."
"Ok, thank you, Sara," I said and she nodded and made her way out the door, followed by Julien.

"Cal, if you want to talk later, I'll be in my office," he said to me on his way out.
"Thank you, Uncle," I answered as he shut the door behind him.

"I think we're going to head out too," Kilorn stood up, his arm around Cameron and they left together.

"Evie, if you need me come find me, alright?" Ptolemus said to his sister.
"I will, thanks Tolly," she replied as they hugged each other before Prolemus and Wren left together.

"Cal," Farley said, walking over to me "I really am sorry about you losing Ti, I know he meant a lot to you even though you'd only known him for a short while."
"Thank you, Farley." I'd never seen her be sorry about anything.

"I know you know Mare but you didn't see the bond she made with Ti over the last year and a half. Be careful with her, once she wakes up. She suffers enough from the problems from her past, in her nightmares especially. I don't know what losing Ti on top of that will do to her."
"I will do. I'll help her in any way I can."

"You've both lost so much and you're lives were just getting better, with the two of you getting back together and I am very glad she has your comfort now." I wasn't entirely sure where this was coming from. "I'm going to Montfort," she said "to see Clara. These events have made me realise what it would be like for me to lose her and I need to see her as sons s possible. If I brought her back with me, would you and Mare mind? I know having a child around might not be the best thing for you but-"
"It's fine, Farley. I wouldn't mind at all and I'm sure Mare wouldn't either." I didn't mind now but maybe actually seeing Clara would make me feel differently.

No, seeing her would be nice. I hadn't seen her in so long.

"I won't tell Mare's family about Ti," Farley said "They should hear it from her, but I don't know if she'll be ready to tell them."
"I'm sure she'll tell them as soon as she is."
"Well, I've got to get going," Farley announced and then she turned to the door. "I'll see you soon. Give Mare my condolences and this note when you think she's ready." She handed me a note. "And don't read it."
"I won't," I answered immediately, seeing the warning in her eyes. "But when will I know when she's ready to read it?"
"Just when you think she is," Farley answered, turning and leaving the room before I had a chance to say anything else.

"I'd better take Mare to a different room, so you can have your room back," I said to Evangeline who was sat on one of the sofas.
"She can stay if she wants, I'll just sleep on the couch."
"I think she'll probably need her own room, when she wakes up, so she has a place to grieve."

Evangeline nodded slowly and turned to face me as I made my way over to one of the arm chairs and sat down.

"I know you probably don't want to take about it, but I asked Cameron what happened and I just wanted to see what you think happened."
"The last time I saw Ti was when Cameron came and got him. I was in here, with Ti, and Cameron came to get him. We spoke a little bit about how you and Mare were doing, then I asked her about Kilorn, she got embarrassed took Ti and left. Next thing I heard, he had been found dead," she whispered the last word.
"But Cameron says you said you would keep Ti until the next day."
"Do you think I'm lying to you, Cal? Why the hell would I lie about this?!" I knew from that and the look in Evangeline's eyes that she was telling the truth.

I know she can act and can lie perfectly but I also know she wouldn't lie about this. We grew up together. I know she told me the truth.

Which meant, Cameron lied? That didn't seem right. I was desperate to know what had happened but no one knew! It was extremely frustrating.

"What did they do with the body?" I asked quietly.
"I think they took it downstairs," she told me. Downstairs meaning the very bottom floor of the palace, below ground, next to the dungeons.

As long as we had the body, I was alright. Felicity would need the body to bring Ti back.

I stood up and walked over to the bed where I lifted Mare up into my arms, her head resting on my shoulder.

As I left, I caught Evangeline's gaze and noticed something in her eyes that I hadn't seen before: guilt.

Everyone was feeling guilty.

Ti was a baby and we all knew that we had all played a part. Mare and I had left him, though I'd never say that to Mare; she shouldn't bare any guilt, Evangeline and Cameron and lost him though that part was still confusing, and no one else had been there.

"Don't blame yourself, Eve," I told her as I opened the door to leave "this isn't your fault."

I carried Mare to a spare room fairly near ours. I would need sort out the room at someone and I should probably go and tell someone about the destruction of the training centre but I'll do that later.

I lay Mare down on the bed and sat down in a chair next to her.

As much as I wanted to go and find Felicity and work with her on her ability, I couldn't leave Mare's side, at least not until she had woken up.

I would wait until that and then go and get Felicity and begin some training.

We didn't have very long if she was going to bring Ti back since the body wouldn't last very long.

I hoped she could learn fast enough and that she'd be able to save him.

I think I'd been sat there for almost two hours when Mare's eyes fluttered opened.

-~-

I know it's not that long and that not much happened but I know you wanted an update so here it is. I was going to have Cal trim Felicity before Mare work up but I guess not. Honestly I don't even know what's going to happen half the time 😂.

Anyway, next chapter should hopefully be up within the next couple days and will be from Cal's PoV again but after that, we should be able to get someone else's because it's been Cal for awhile now. If you ever have any requests for POVs for future chapters or chapters already written, just comment and I'll do them. Xx

Hope you enjoy. Please keep reading and voting and commenting ❤️. Also thank you so much for 8k reads 💖💖💖