I felt a jolt as my eyes shot open. I was wrapped up in a blanket and propped up on Cathleen's shoulder. We were all sitting down on a wagon that was being drawn by an unknown creature. It looked like a horse, but rather than having hooves, it had claws like an eagle and had two thick horns that protruded next to the ears.
Sylas had his arm wrapped around Cathleen's shoulder. "Are you sure you want to change our original plan?" Sylas asked, stroking her hair.
"Yes. I think that would be the best choice for us and the child." She looked down at me with a warm motherly smile.
"I understand, sweetie. But what are we going to do about Colton? He's expecting a 50 share of the money, but if we never get the money..." Sylas trailed off, looking over towards his sleeping comrade.
"I'll deal with him," Cathleen said bluntly.
Sylas looked over at his wife with a worried expression.
"Very well..."
What are they saying? A change of plans? Are they going to kill me? Abandon me? Give me back without a fight? Different scenarios went through my mind, but it all became clear after what Sylas said next.
"Cathleen, I know that you can no longer conceive, but even so, we could get the money and adopt another kid... why must it be the prince?"
"He reminds me of myself. He's different. There is no doubt the Royal family will use his existence merely for political gain. This child deserves a real childhood. Something I never had, and something he wouldn't get if he were within the palace."
Those words hit me to the core: this person, Cathleen, There was more to her than meets the eye, and I could tell that she did care. My birth mother, despite having a loving smile, I could tell that what Cathleen said would eventually come to pass. My father, on the other hand, was another story. It was evident that he loved me for the political gain... but nothing more. I had only been in this world for a week, and already, my life was hectic and confusing. I know I shouldn't feel like this. I know I should want to go back. But I didn't. Because Cathleen appeared more like a mother figure to me than the queen ever would.
"Well, welcome to the family, Seraph," Sylas said, smiling at me. He placed his hand on my head and brushed my hair out of my face.
I know I shouldn't want this. But I did. I wanted a family; I didn't care if they were rich or poor. I just wanted someone to hold me and tell me I was going to be okay.
Sylas looked over at the baby that nestled close to his wife. He smiled. The kid sure was cute. The cart stopped, and the couple got off. Cathleen gently handed the sleeping baby over to Sylas.
"Please hold him for me." She said.
Cathleen stepped away from the two and walked over to the sleeping Colton. She pulled a small vial out of her pocket and poured the contents into his mouth. The man jolted up, coughing. He looked over at Cathleen, who was standing over him.
"Can't- Move." He coughed, face turning blue.
He began writing in pain, unable to breathe. After about 5 minutes, Colton slumped over. Dead.
"That takes care of that," Cathleen whispered. "We better hurry now. It's almost morning, which means Helena will be in soon to check on the prince."
"The boats are waiting for us. Let's go." Sylas clutched the baby to his chest and grabbed his wife's hand as they walked to the port.
Cathleen looked back towards the wagon. Colton was gone.
"It looks like the poison worked well," Cathleen murmured.
I woke up to the sound of an airhorn, or at least a sound similar. I opened my eyes and peered over Sylas's shoulder. It was the ocean. My eyes widened in shock. In my past life, I had never seen it before. It was indeed a sight to behold. The water stretched for miles on end, and small waves rocked the boat. I dont know how long I was sleeping for, but already the port was far behind us. I looked at Cathleen, who was at the rear of the boat. She had her hand just above the water. Her hand glowed for a brief moment, and a burst of wind pushed away from the water, propelling the boat further. So that's what it was. She was using magic. I couldn't help but stare. I was mesmerized at the water rippling from the force of the wind. Cathleen looked up at me and gave me a warm smile. I looked at her and smiled back and fell asleep once again.
The boat pulled up to the dock of a small port town in Castia. Cathleen took the baby out of Sylas's arms so that he could tie up the boat. Seraph was sleeping very soundly in her arms. She couldn't help but smile at the baby.
"Let's go home, Cath," Sylas whispered, helping his wife out of the boat.
"Let's." She beamed.
My eyes opened as I heard a click of the door. It was a quaint rustic home. It looked very cozy. The door shut behind us, and I listened to the thumping of footsteps from across the hall. A little girl, probably four or five years old, with black hair and caramel skin ran up to the two.
"Mommy! Daddy! Your home!" She squealed, clutching her father's leg.
"Hi, honey! I'm sorry we haven't been here in a while, but we are staying here for good now!" Cathleen said, looking at her daughter.
"Lorena, has your neighbor been taking good care of you during the day, as we asked?" Sylas looked down at her.
"Yes, Daddy! She gives me really good bread!" Lorena giggled. Her eyes suddenly shot up towards me.
"Who's this?" She asked, pointing at me
"Well, Lorey... this is your new baby brother!" Cathleen stroked her daughter's sleek black hair.
The little girl's eyes widened. "Really?" She gasped
"Yup. You better be a good big sister and teach your brother, all you know." Sylas chuckled.
Cathleen kneeled to let her daughter have a better look at her brother.
"He has black hair like me!" She exclaimed happily.
I sighed in my head. She was a cute kid, for sure. I reached out my small chubby arms towards her. Might as well act cute for her. I sure as hell dont want a mean older sister.
Lorena squealed once again and lifted me.
"Careful Lorey dear," Cathleen said, her hand still underneath me, preventing her daughter from dropping me.
Lorena sat down on the rug next to the fire and put me in her lap.
"Hi, baby brother!" She looked at me with big eyes, trying to see my reaction.
I smiled at her, and her eyes lit up.
"I always wanted a little sibling!" She said, bouncing me up and down.
I also always wanted a sibling that would protect and care for me. More precisely, I always wanted a family, and now I had that.
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