Broken, but Not Defeated

Chapter 65 (Wesley)

   I rush over, almost tripping over a root. I barely register the water crashing back down.

"Is she okay? Please tell me she's okay," I plead, looking at Rowan. Caldina pushes me out of the way.

"Put her on the ground, where I can check on her," she orders, dropping to her knees. Caldina closes her eyes and places her hand on Juliana's forehead. Suddenly, she recoils.

"What, what is it?" I ask. Caldina just stares at Juliana, she doesn't even seem to hear me.

"Caldina, tell me. Please," I beg her.

"The water its..." Caldina pauses, and looks at Juliana like she's seen a ghost, "It's talking to her."

"What!" Katrina laughs.

"That's not possible," Kathrine says, looking at Caldina like she's losing her mind.

"They're right, Caldina. Quit making up stories." Levindal says, "Now come on it won't be long before the king knows that we're here."

Something flashes across Caldina's face, and she shakes her shoulders as if trying to get rid of the feeling.

"Caldina?" Lyra asks, squatting next to her. "I believe you," she whispers, before shooting her older brother a glare.

"Thanks," Caldina says, not sounding grateful at all. "Rowan, I believe she just needs sleep, can you keep an eye on her?"

"I'm not leaving her, Caldina," I say, folding my arms.

"I know, Wesley, but the king is going to be more willing to listen to you instead of the Fae, Witches, and Doryukans, despite our titles.

"Speak for yourself," Katrina mumbles.

"That's enough, Katrina," Kathrine snaps at her sister.

"Fine," she mutters, stalking back to her horse.

I argue, "Then we stay and wake for her to wake."

"If we do that, the city will have closed all its gates and won't let us in," she retorts.

"But you said they had to let us in because of our titles," I snap, looking down at Juliana who has her head resting in Rowan's lap. Rowan runs his hand over Juliana's forehead and hair.

"Wesley, they may have taken Juliana parting the river as an attack, therefore they don't have to open the gates for us," Caldina explains, standing.

She has her hand on the pommel of her sword. The guards have drawn theirs too. Lyra pulls out a wicked looking sword, but instead of the straight sword her brother has, hers is curved and has a black handle with a red diamond attached.

"Good to know," I say, drawing my own weapon.

The riders ride around the bend, the leader quickly reining in his horse at the sight of us. His helmet hides his face.

"Lord Wesley," he says. I haven't heard that voice in ages.

"Commander West." I reply, nodding my head in acknowledgement.

"You can put your swords away, I'm here to escort you," Commander West replies, pulling his helmet off.

"And why should I trust you? You would have killed Cole and I," I snap. The others pause in sheathing their swords.

Commander West sighs and drags a hand down his face. "I was following orders."

"Whose orders?" I ask.

Commander West just stares at me before he sighs again. "Your father's," he mumbles. My mouth hangs open in disbelief. I knew there is no love lost between my father and I, but to have us killed? His heir!

"Actually, Lord Wesley, you're supposed to be dead."

"Who did my father appoint as heir?"

West looks at the ground, avoiding my stare.

"Who did he appoint as heir?" I snarl, barely holding back my rage.

"Your cousin, Dorian," one of the guards sneers, looking over our group with a look of disgust on his face.