Lucia's Point of View

Pendragon Estate

The door opened, and Marina rushed in while Alwin and I were in somewhat of an appropriate position. Climbing off him and adjusting quickly, I tried to fight the blush on my cheeks. I was fixing my dress while my elven counterpart mostly cleared his throat.

“We have a problem.” Marina said without commenting on what she walked into.

Her tone was serious enough that my embarrassment vanished. “What is it?”

“Come with me.” She replied before floating out on some water. However, she quickly added, “Alwin needs to be resting anyway.”

Looking back at Alwin, I bit my lip in frustration. “Go.” Alwin told me. “Given everything that has happened, I doubt Marina has any reason to lie.”

With a short wave, my feet carried me to the main entryway, where Cassidy awaited. “Floyd caught us at Sherry’s.” The redhead told me immediately. “We should expect company soon.” A few succubae were taking food into the kitchen to be put away. “Where’s Arthur?”

Taking a deep breath, my eyes closed. “Okay.” When my eyes opened, Marina was there watching me in concern. I didn’t react to her overly close inspection of me. “Marina, get ‘our’ brothers ready. Should it come to a fight, we need to be prepared. Tell them not to attack unless provoked, but I want no casualties if we come to blows. Restrain them or render them unconscious.”

“You seem to be handling this remarkably well.” She commented.

“We have no other choice. Find them.” She swam through the air using her water, and I turned back to Cassidy. “Arthur is away to finally kill Graham. I doubt he was expecting visitors so soon.”

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Cassidy quickly frowned at that. “When’s he gettin’ back?”

I shook my head as I walked down the stairs. “I don’t know, but we will be fine until he returns. Trust me. Still, we cannot rely solely on Arthur’s Guardians. Find Ayda and Aydalia. Tell them what’s happening.”

“Ah can do that.” Stepping beside me, she began to whisper. “Ya expectin a fight? If Arceana and Elincia come here while Arthur’s gone…”

My voice lowered to match hers. “Doubtful, but I want to be ready just in case. Arceana has not been in her right mind, and if she’s ordered us to be purged as traitors, then we’re going to be resisting as traitors.”

She looked at me in surprise for a moment before she nodded. “Ah’ll find those elves. Think they’re checkin’ on Alwin?”

I cleared my throat as I felt my cheeks grow slightly warmer. “No. I was just with him. They are likely with Freya working on the Succubae’s problems.”

Cass quirked a brow at my behavior. “Alright. Ah’ll take a look around. Ya need Austin and Rennal?”

“I would like them to stay with the children and remain out of sight.” I told her, and we both turned to her brother and the Elf. “It would be best to keep them as uninvolved as possible.”

Rennal put a hand on Austin’s shoulder. “It would probably be for the best, but we can assist wherever it is needed.”

Cass smiled at that, but I quickly replied. “The offer is noted. However, keeping the children calm at this time would probably be best. Round them up quickly. If either of the Priestesses teleports in…”

All three of them went to work as I stood in the entryway. Part of me was expecting them to teleport in at that moment. Just saying it made me anxious. It was amazing how quickly things changed from just a few minutes ago. Alwin and I were having a moment, and now, we’re preparing for a possible battle against members of my own family. A pit formed in my stomach at the thought.

Moving to the front door, I opened it, and a burst of cold wind greeted me. “Should you really be going out there alone?” Greigh asked from behind me. “You might catch a cold wearing only a dress.” Ziah seemed to snort in amusement at that.

“I’m sure Arthur would be happy to know you’re worried about my health.” I responded before closing the door once I saw that no one was there. “I… I just wanted to see if they were here yet. Part of me expected them to be standing out there.”

“We’re going to be fine.” Ziah commented optimistically. “After what happened, I doubt they would do something threatening. Besides, emotions were high at the time. They’re… Well, they’re still high, but not as bad.”

“Ayda and Cass are not doing well.” Greigh stated. “No matter how they seem, both have continually been exposed to the death of loved ones. Ayda, Cass, Kine, and Floyd were all extremely close.” He said in a tight tone.

I eyed him for a moment before I saw Ziah look down. “They weren’t the only ones. You two were also close to Kine. At least you trained with him often enough.”

Ziah sighed. “The deaths just seem to keep on piling up. Alwin and you surviving is a miracle. A lot of good men and women died on that mission.” Her jaw clenched. “Some were guards I knew.”

Resting my back against the front door, I responded. “I just want this to be over with. All this pointless death and all the bickering. If Arthur could help the Priestesses see that he’s not their enemy, everything would get instantly better.”

The door started to open while I was against it, and I stumbled forward. “It would make many things better,” Kheri’s voice cut in as she stood in the doorway. “But I doubt everything would be resolved.”