Four

Cassius sighed as he listened to his father drone on about his sister’s upcoming wedding.

            They stood and sat in the conference room where his father normally conversed about military strategies and politics. Gods and all that existed, he was worse than a woman. “It needs to be perfect,” he’d say. And Gods forbid that it rain or one thing go wrong during the nuptials. It’s not like Sennia event wanted to be married; she was probably the most reluctant other than the groom. Cas was the eldest of the three royal children. He was damn lucky that his highness hadn’t yet thought of betrothing Cassius; he wouldn’t stand for it. He’d prefer to choose his own bride rather than make some political alliance or ensure peace within his kingdom.

            Reaching the age of six and twenty, Cassius’s clock was ticking. Well, most Broslans were married with five offspring by his age; so he was out of the loop. And his father was in tip-top shape, Cassius will be an elder before he takes the crown. Kicking his feet up onto the conference table that was thin and long made of dense stone, receiving much noted glares from the various planners and his father, Cassius smirked and crossed his boots, pulling his eye covers off as he did so. Those things were so annoying sometimes, he wished he never had to wear them.

            Sennia was the smart one, choosing to have her nose in the royal library than be out traipsing after males. Velorina was very much like their mother: adventurous, intrepid, and carefree. Oh, how he missed the only female he really loved besides his sisters. Sennia resembled her the most with her golden locks and bright blue eyes whereas he and Vel took after their father. Vel’s eyes were green while his were silver because of-

            “Your highness,” Cassius recognized Flarin’s voice. Though he was blurry, Cassius could see him standing in front of the king.

            F**k me, Cassius thought to himself. He zoned out, instead choosing to focus on the map of the seating arrangements. Of course, he would be seated at the right hand of his father who will then be flanked by Sennia, her would be husband, and then Vel. She was always the third seat, out of the conversation.          

            To be perfectly honest, Cassius wanted Velorina to rule Ieslal. She would be fit to reign, actually and he’d even devised up plans to make her queen once his father passed and received the crown. He was too busy staring out the window that overlooked the gardens with tombs of kings past when a nasty look was sent his way. It was spacious and green with several colored bushes all trimmed into the kings who’d ruled Ieslal once before.

            His father stood before him, scowl upon his face. Flarin stood off by the end of the table, arms behind his back, leer on his face. If Cassius ever became king, he’d get rid of Flarin once and for all. That piece of s**t Broslan had made his life a living hell. And not just his, but his sisters’ as well. They could do absolutely nothing for fear of being tattled on by Flarin. Cassius leapt to his feet. He was the same height and size as his father but a little leaner due to his mother.

            “Leave us,” the king ordered the planners, caterers, and other not as important advisors in the Broslan tongue. His eyes were a dark green indicating he was not thrilled with his son’s recent doings. Cassius could see the king’s hands twitching at the thought of punishing his heir. For some strange reason, his highness enjoyed flicking his wrist while it held a flog or a horse’s tail whip. He reveled in the way the strip of leather sounded as it collided with soft flesh and the whistling through the air.

            He braced himself for what was to come once the castle was no longer paying attention on him but the wedding.

            “Flarin tells me you had a visitor this morning. Is that so?” His father’s voice held that tone of curiosity but he knew it was much more sinister than he intended. “That bloody orphan girl, a human no less.” He scoffed. King Davorin despised humans and elves and anyone that was not a Broslan. His Highness fingered the hilt of his bejeweled sword that never left his side; Cassius had half a mind to yank it from the scabbard and use it upon the two standing before him. “You know I do not allow anyone on our private chamber floors other than the slaves and nobles. She’s nothing, boy and you let her touch you? That is beyond the absolute worst you could do, as an heir to this kingdom,” he swept an arm about the map that lined the far wall with all the kingdoms on them. They were in the northern region of Asna, closer to the mountains and cooler weather, with Edrein in the center but closer to the Eastern coast, and Drovalor on the southern peninsula. Wild Lands covered the rest of Asna though it was not very much.

            Cassius threw his arms out to the side. “Go ahead, do what you always do but spare her, please.”
            He felt as if he was begging because he really was. Some small part of him felt the need to protect that girl and he was willing to listen to it, to do what needed to be done. Of course, he had absolutely no idea as to who she was but something about her eyes betrayed her appearance of innocence. She seemed broken and misused, as if a great tragedy had befallen her.

            The king smirked. “You will choose your own punishment while we,” he pointed to Flarin and himself, “will discuss her fate. As if all that I have done as not veered you from your ways. Fit for the crown you are not!”

            Cassius felt the need to roll his eyes up to the clouds. He did not care about the throne or the power. Yet, he could not express himself freely for concerns of what his father might do to him. Lest he speak his mind, his hide would be broken. Instead, Cassius kept his eyes on his father’s, staring down the older Broslan as he had always done. Respect, fear, and courage. That was what Cas needed to stand up to his father. His father would never rid him of his life; the king needed an heir and he would not allow any of his other children to inherit the throne. He required his only son too much.

            And that’s what would be the death of Cassius.