Dawn of Arcane Destiny

Chapter One Hundred Three

Hopelessness had always been a familiar feeling to Lillia. She felt it acutely that night when Drayce, apologetically, shackled her to the bed.

"I'm sorry, Lilly, but we just can risk you getting out again." He said. She nodded in understanding. She doubted either were going to be sleeping that night anyway.

"How did your meeting with the general go?" she asked, trying to keep her mind off the fact that she was going to be chained up all night.

"Well. We agreed on a draft. It was sent out this afternoon like Caelum wanted. I don't know if it will be enough time, but one can hope." Drayce said. "I don't know if time will ever be on our side again."

"It's so unclear." Lillia agreed. "Zathrian is locked up tight, right?" If her hands hadn't been locked up, she would have rubbed at her neck. She never wanted a similar experience ever again.

Drayce nodded. "I think he's the first prisoner the dungeon has ever had that wants to stay locked up. I don't blame him. I almost would rather stay down there than experience what's coming next."

He sat next to her; their backs propped up against the head board. Lillia didn't feel restful at all. Her stomach kept tying itself into knots and untying itself again. "Well on the bright side, we'll likely never go through worse." She said with a strained chuckle.

"Yes, I suppose not." Drayce said taking her hand causing her shackles to clink. "We really should try to sleep. We likely aren't going to sleep for a week after this." He said with one short laugh.

"Oh Zavian, I hope you're wrong."

"Me too." He said as she settled down under the covers. "Are you comfortable enough?"

"I was more comfortable in the Well of Tethoris. After I thought you'd died."

"Message received. Well if we manage to destroy Keir, then we won't have to do this ever again." Drayce said. He looked apologetic, but Lillia couldn't entirely banish her annoyance.

He put out the lights and all was silent.

That was, until hours later when she'd finally fallen asleep, the castle fell under attack.

***

It was their wedding night all over again. Drayce was out of bed before his brain was fully awake. He grabbed his sword and unsheathed it, letting the scabbard drop to the ground. A moment later Caelum was in their room bolting the door shut.

Drayce leveled his sword at Caelum. "First thing I said to you after my parents died?"

"You didn't say anything. You didn't talk for a month." Caelum said between panicked breaths. Drayce nodded lowering his sword. "How many girls have I kissed?" Caelum asked glancing around the room.

"Three. One of them was on a dare, the second one was your first attempt at wooing a girl, the other one was Ella Rose." Drayce wasted no time. Those silly questions were simply to test if they were under Keir's influence or not. "Is it the Soulless?"

Caelum nodded, his face grim. "This is the first attack I think." Outside men were shouting, scraping blade on blade as they clashed with their foes. Some screamed as they were injured and left for dead.

"This isn't good." Drayce said. "If all they attack is the castle, then the people could care less. If we die, all the better for them."

"I know."