Sebastian startled awake, growling low as the pounding on his chamber door intensified. He could hear Aiden’s voice, but couldn’t make out what he was saying. He rolled over, disentangling himself from the beauty next to him who was also rousing from the commotion. He quickly put on his eye-patch and his dressing robe before going to the door and throwing the latch.


    “What in the bloody hell could be so-” He began to snarl, but his words stopped when he saw Aiden’s face.


    “Sebastian, the south wheat field is on fire! It’s spreading fast and there are several homes that are in its path.” Aiden said and Sebastian’s heart skipped. He turned back into his room, shouting over his shoulder,


    “Wake my brother! I’ll need his help in case anyone has been injured by the flames!” As Aiden left to fetch the man, Sebastian began to dress quickly.


    “Sebastian?” The sleepy question stopped his frantic motions as he looked back to the bed. Grace was rubbing at her eyes, looking at him worried as she noticed the anxious air about him. He went to her side and knelt down, cupping her cheek.


    “Sorry love. There’s an emergency that I have to go to.”


    “An emergency? What’s wrong?”


    “There’s a fire. Me and Liam are going to go help now. I’ll be leaving Aiden here with you and Annabelle so that-”


    “Shouldn’t I go to help as well?” She asked, sitting up as her eyes lit with fear. He lifted up to sit on the edge of the bed and took her hands in his.


    “No. I need you here, where it’s safe. I’ll be able to work faster if I know that you are here.”


    “But-” She began to argue and he gave her a quick kiss to silence her words.


    “No. Now go back to sleep love.” He said. She glared at him, however he could only smile at the look.


    “As if I could sleep while you are off fighting a fire.” She scoffed and he chuckled, kissing her again as he rose.


    “Don’t worry love. Many times I have eluded nature in her attempt to end my life.” She managed to clock him in the side of his head-luckily she wasn’t that strong-before he could dodge.


    “Don’t joke like that you arse.” She muttered. As he was about to respond he heard Liam and Aiden returning so he pulled the covers up over her just in time. Liam came in without thinking.


    “How in the hell did a fire start in the middle-Ah! Shit! Sorry Grace…” The last was muttered as he quickly pivoted on his heel and placed a hand over his eyes. Sebastian wondered who was more red as he left his chambers dragging his brother out and winking at Grace as he shut the door behind him.


    “I have sent word to the stables to prepare the horses.” Aiden said and Sebastian nodded, pushing Liam ahead of him now as they quickened their pace. When they made it outside there were three horses already saddled and waiting. Sebastian took the reigns of the same stallion he had ridden earlier and mounted. He looked down at Aiden.


    “Aiden, you to stay here.”


    “With all do respect Cap’...I feel you could use my help.” Aiden said, not looking comfortable about Sebastian leaving without him. Sebastian gave him a hard look.


    “We can’t leave them without proper protection. There is no one I trust more than you to keep them safe. I’ll have to take a few men with me so I would be more at ease if you stayed.” Aiden looked like he wanted to argue, but there was also understanding in his eyes as he sighed and nodded.


    “I’ll send Charles and Lenny after you.” He said and Sebastian nodded turning his horse to leave. Liam frowned as he looked over his shoulder at Aiden before pulling up alongside his brother.


    “Clearly I’m missing something. Protection from what?” He asked, but Sebastian shook his head.


    “Later. Right now focus on what we need to do.”


    “Hmm. I’m beginning to lose count of how many secrets there are surrounding this family now.” He muttered and Sebastian chuckled, not being able to help the grin that tugged at his lips.


    “Well...As of tomorrow there will be one less.” He said, glancing up at his home where his wife was no doubt annoyed and pacing impatiently. He spurred his horse into a gallop, Liam following right on his heels.


    ‘I promise love. When I return, you and I will finally talk and there will be no more secrets between us. Wait for me one more time and I won’t disappoint you.’


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


    Grace was indeed pacing as she looked out the window. The windows of the small library faced in the direction of the fire that Aiden had told her about. He had tried to reassure her, but she could see the unease in his eyes as well. She knew that he had wanted to go with the others and understood his sentiment completely. It was hard sitting at home, knowing that someone you cared for was in a dangerous situation. The only comfort she got was that she would know the minute they beat the fire as the orange glow in the distance would disappear. It was a small comfort…


    She sighed again and wondered if she should try to read to distract herself even a little. She turned and attempted to scan through the titles lining the shelves, but found her eyes shifting to the window every few books. Grace cursed softly and returned to pacing as she tried to tell herself that he would be fine. He was smart enough to avoid any serious injury and Liam was beside him if he did get any small ones.


    She turned at the soft knock on the door, Aiden coming in with the same worried look badly hidden on his face. She attempted to smile at him and knew it also lacked conviction. He came to stand beside her so that they were both facing the window.


    “He’ll be okay milady.”


    “You sound like you''re trying to convince yourself more than me.” She lightly teased and he chuckled, looking down at her, his blue eyes lighter than they had been before. He scratched the back of his head and sighed,


    “It’s only going to get harder to hide things from you from here on out…” He smiled then and bowed to her.


    “However, I look forward to the years ahead. Now, since neither of us are going to get any sleep for the next few hours, allow me to fetch you some tea.” He said and she nodded, grateful for his reassuring company.


    “Also Aiden, if you could, please check in on Annabelle. I never got a chance to see if the noise woke her.” She asked and he nodded, leaving the library and once more she was left alone with her thoughts. She tried a second time to look for a distraction and found a random book to flip through. She skipped sentences and wasn’t following the plot very well, but it did help time pass. When the door opened again she shut the book and turned.


    “Perfect timing Aiden. How about we play a game of chess to-” Her voice froze in her throat as the book slipped from her fingers, crashing to the floor.


    “A chess game sounds wonderful my dear Grace.” Malcolm grinned. A flash of silver had her heart racing and her throat tightened in fear as he kept the pistol aimed at her chest while he moved closer. His steps slow and calculating, meant to keep her on edge as his face remained pleasant. She flinched when the pistol pressed against her chest as he came to stand directly in front of her.


    “Now, how about we have a heart to-” He pressed the pistol harder into her and his cold eyes narrowed.


    “Heart.”


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


    Sebastian wiped the sweat off his brow, his eye still stinging from the smoke lingering in the air. He accepted the bucket and rag offered to him to wash off the soot that clung to every inch of him. He would have to call for a proper bath when he returned home, but at least they had managed to save the homes and most of the field. He looked around the smoldering field until he spotted his brother, clothes just as stained as those around him. He was checking on the breathing of a man that had been submerged in the smoke for too long trying to beat down the flames.


    He was grateful that his brother had come along and that the man was such a capable physician. His help had been just as valuable as the men hauling water from the well. The number of serious injuries had been small and Liam had been able to treat them immediately to prevent fatal outcomes. Sebastian sighed and finished drying off his face before tossing aside the rag. Now that the immediate danger was dealt with he was growing anxious to return to Grace to ensure she was safe.


    He would have to remain patient for just a while longer though as there were still details to be handled here. He still had to wait for the authorities so that they could get to the cause of the fire in the first place. How had a random fire broken out in the middle of the night during the wet season? There was an ominous aura about it all and it was triggering his instincts telling him there was another threat lingering nearby.


    “Sir.” Sebastian turned to see one of the men that Aiden had sent after them. He raised a brow to indicate he could speak. Lenny gestured over his shoulder at a man sitting on a stump, fidgeting as his eyes darted around, his hands clasped tightly in lap. Charles was standing guard beside the man, his large arms crossed to make him look larger than he was. It was a scare tactic that was apparently working on the scrawny man.


    “Found ‘im trying to sneak off while everyone was occupied with the fire. Hands are badly burned, but the rest of ‘im is clean. He didn’t get those from trying to put the fire out. And none the folks ‘ere can give us a name.” Lenny said and Sebastian felt a cold sweat form on the back of his neck. He hardened his expression and led the way to the nervous man. The minute he noticed Sebastian striding towards him, his eyes widened and the fear of god was reflected in his gaze.


    “Give me one reason I shouldn''t have my men hang you here for attacking my property and endangering everyone.” Sebastian said, his voice low and cold, making the man shiver as he began to whine. The man’s face fell into his hands as a soft sob escaped him.


    “I had to...I had to...He would have hurt them otherwise…He said he would hurt my girls.” The man whimpered and Sebastian’s blood ran cold. He lashed out and grabbed the man’s collar, hauling him to his feet as he yelped.


    “Who? Who was going to hurt them?”


    “I don’t know his name! I swear it, he never said it, but he broke into our home and threatened my two girls! Please believe me! They are only little girls I-I had to do what he said!”


    Sebastian released the man’s collar, shoving him so that he fell back into the dirt. The man trembled at the fury burning in Sebastian’s eye as he knelt down as well.


    “What did you do exactly?”Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    “He told me to set the fire. Th-That it was the distraction he needed to get what he wanted. I didn’t understand everything he said-wasn’t in his right mind-but he swore that when he saw the orange glow he would leave my family alone. I was trying to leave to check on them to make sure he really didn’t hurt them.”


    “Depending on your next answer I’ll decide what happens to you. What did he look like?”


    “Uh...Real-real handsome fella. Wouldn’t have him pinned for a thief by the looks. Big guy with blue eyes...Oh! And he had a big scar on the hand that held the gun.”


    Sebastian cursed and stood up quickly, shouting for his horse. His heart felt like it would crash through his ribs with how fiercely it was racing. He ran to the beast and swung himself up into the saddle, turning for home frantically.


    “Sebastian! Sebastian what in the hell-” Liam shouted, running towards him.


    “He’s going for Grace!” Sebastian shouted in pure terror as he spurred the horse’s sides, urging it into a break-neck gallop. He bent low over the animal, squinting against the stinging wind as he prayed that he would make it there in time.


    ‘Not a second time! I will not lose her again.’


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


    Grace felt her body tremble as Malcolm made her leave the library and head out into the hall. He told her to head for the sitting room, it was the ‘perfect’ place to welcome her husband home. She tried to find something to say, but since she had no clue on what he wanted yet, she had to quietly bide her time. This may be another mercenary sent by the person who had them kidnapped before or an entirely different enemy from Sebastian’s past. When she neared the stairs she saw a slumped figured propped up against the wall.


    “Aiden!” She shouted, trying to run to him but Malcolm caught her arm roughly and pulled her back.


    “Oh don’t worry about little Aiddy, he’s just taking a nap.” Grace whipped around and tried to strike him, but he dodged easily.


    “You bastard! You better not have-”


    “What? Killed him? Of course not. I would never seriously hurt him, despite what he did to me.” Malcolm said, seeming genuinely insulted at the implication. Grace frowned in confusion, but he pushed her forward before she could ask any more questions. She looked over her shoulder at Aiden, hoping that he was really alright and would wake up soon. When they entered the sitting room he motioned to the winged chair set against the far wall.


    “Right there should be fine, and no tricks or you’ll find out what a bullet through your leg feels like.” He smiled as she sat in the indicated chair, glaring fiercely at him. He went to the liquor cabinet and opened it whistling.


    “Damn, haven’t seen the good stuff in ages. No wonder Sebastian hung up his captain’s sword.”


    “What do you want with him?” Grace asked. Malcolm took out two glasses and poured brandy into both as he casually answered her. His manner would make it seem like he was a regular visitor and not an intruder. Grace almost wished he was ranting and raving like the first man, that had been less frightening than this quiet and calm exterior.


    “I believe that I already told you why I wish to meet with your husband. I am looking for my dearest Eveline. I’m afraid my patience is running thin and his constant avoidance of the question is rather tiresome.” He said turning with the glasses in his hands. Grace’s eyes went to the gun he had left sitting on the sideboard before returning to his as he came to her.


    “As soon as he tells me where she is I will be on my merry way and you will never see my shadow again.” He said, holding out the glass to her with a smile on his face. Grace smacked the glass away and made to lunge for him. He dodged swiftly and she crashed to the floor with a grunt.


    “Such a waste of good alcohol. Now, would you prefer to return to your seat or stay there on the floor. Either is fine with me.” He said, sipping at his drink while going back to retrieve his gun. Once he had it in hand he sat comfortable in the other available chair and propped his feet up on the table.


    “Are you sure you wish to stay down there? Looks rather uncomfortable.” He said, but she only glared, remaining where she was, sitting up, but not making to move.


    “As you wish. Hmm, now where-ah yes.” He said snapping his fingers as he grinned.


    “Eveline. I mentioned her to you at the party we met at. She is the love of my life and that husband of yours stole her away to sea. I had assumed that he would bring her with him as it is impossible not to fall in love with that girl. So imagine how annoyed I was when she appeared to be nowhere in sight while you were prancing around by his side.” He said, the first signs of anger seeping into his blue eyes.


    “If she’s not here and you haven’t been able to find her for years, then how do you know she’s even still ali-” The cocking sound froze the words in her throat as the gun was aimed directly at her face and his eyes narrowed coldly.


    “Finish that sentence and I will amend what I said about your leg.” He growled and she swallowed the rest of her words, narrowing her own eyes at him.


    “Of course she’s waiting for me. She’s a strong girl, but easily manipulated which is why I always had to protect her. Both her and Aiden.”


    “Aiden again...How are you connected to him? He’s not the kind of man to associate with a lowlife like you.” She hissed and he chuckled.


    “Ironic considering the man that he has been employed to is possibly darker than I am. However, our bond is much deeper and not so easily terminated. After all...You can’t change who your family is.” He said smirking as Grace’s color paled and her eyes widened in shock.


    “Your-He’s your brother…”


    “My sweet baby brother. Was always such a troublemaker and a handful in his youth, but I never imagined he would betray me so…Playing his part in taking Eveline away from me. Love is a dangerous and powerful thing, driving any man mad. It could even pit brothers against each other if they love the same woman.”


    “Aiden loved Eveline too?”


    “As I said, she was impossible not to love. Any man that saw her beauty would instantly fall under her spell.” He stopped and looked her up and down.


    “Maybe I can see why he chose you. At first glance you two are similar. Her hair was darker though and her eyes were the same as the sea at night. You are merely a lesser imitation compared to her.” He said and she felt an unwanted sting in her chest as her fears were once more pricked, but she pushed them away not falling for the goad.


    “Doing all this will not guarantee that she’ll even want you. What if she does want Aiden or...or Sebastian?” Saying that another woman could want her husband made her burn with unwanted jealousy that she couldn’t prevent from seeping into her heart. She couldn’t help the feeling even with everything else in front of her. He snorted and shrugged.


    “I’m sure once I get her alone I can remind her of the love we once shared.”


    “You mean you intend to kidnap her and force her to love you back.” She accused disgusted. He simply shrugged again, not reacting violently as she expected him to at the suggestion.


    “I don’t really see the difference in what I intend to do with what Sebastian did to you. Didn’t he force you into a marriage and then trick you into loving him when he knows that he doesn’t feel the same for you?” He said and she cringed at the truth of his words. He laughed at her face and tossed back the rest of his drink, slamming it down on the table suddenly and turned his eyes to the door. Grace turned when the doors were thrown open, slamming against the walls as ‘Hell’s fury’ walked in.


    “Welcome home Sebastian. Do forgive the late visit, but I didn’t want to wait another second to greet an old friend.”


    “Sebastian.” Grace sighed in relief and his eye turned to her, also looking relieved to see her. It didn’t remain as it looked at Malcolm and hardened again, his teeth clenched as he snarled at the man.


    “Let her go. This has nothing to do with her.”


    “Let her go? I don’t see any bindings. In fact she was hospitably offered a chair and chose the floor. Oh! I also borrowed some fine brandy, thank you.” He said, standing and walked over to where she was on the floor. He grabbed her arm, forcing her to her feet once more, the gun pressed into her side. Sebastian’s hands fisted and she could see him shaking with rage.


    “I swear if you hurt her...”


    “Now why would I do that?” Malcolm asked as he suddenly shoved her towards Sebastian. Even though she was surprised, Sebastian caught her quickly and moved so he was hugging her while also shielding her.


    “You seem to think that I am some sort of monster? Honestly I’m hurt that everyone seems to think so when I am simply a man full of sorrow at the theft of his loved one.”


    “You are a monster. A sick bastard who shouldn’t be breathing. The only reason I haven’t killed you yet is because we have never been this close...So thank you.” Sebastian whispered, pushing Grace to the floor while also drawing his own pistol. He moved fast, but Malcolm was already prepared and the shot rang through the room. Grace screamed as Sebastian fell to his knees, clutching his arm. The force of the shot had knocked the weapon from his hand, skirting out of reach. He clenched his teeth and hissed in pain, but still glared up at Malcolm with a fighting fire.


    “That was not very smart. I’m a bit disappointed, I thought you were so much more clever than this. Oh well, legends are rarely true.” He said cocking his gun again and aiming at Sebastian once again a crazed smile now in place.


    “So I will give you a simple choice. Tell me where Eveline is or die.”


    “Shoot me then you bastard, I won’t let you have her.” Sebastian hissed and raised his chin defiantly. Malcolm sighed and lowered his gun.


    “I swear, this is becoming quite tedious. Alright then.” The second shot went off in a deafening roar. Sebastian shouted and fell to the carpet, blood now seeping from his side as well. Grace went to him instantly, falling to her knees and pressing her hands against the wound to stop the bleeding.


    “Sebastian!” She cried as her fingers became stained with his life essence. He forced himself to sit up and tried to push her away, but she wouldn’t budge.


    “Okay. Let’s try this again.” Malcolm said aiming for his heart this time. Then he raised the gun and tsked himself.


    “No. No, this won’t change your mind. How about this.” He said, pointing the gun at Grace, his eyes going as cold as ice.


    “Where is Eveline?”


    “Don’t...She’s an innocent in all this.” Sebastian said, trying to move to shield her, but cringed as more warm blood seeped past Grace’s fingers.


    “Don’t move...I can’t stop it if you do.” She said, but he ignored her and continued to sit himself up.


    “Eveline was sweet and innocent until you got inside her head. I think I’ve made it pretty clear over the years that I don’t care who I have to go through so I’ll ask only once more. Eveline. Where is she?”


    “I can’t tell you where Eveline is...Even if I knew I wouldn’t tell a bastard like you.” Sebastian rasped, his breathing coming out in painful huffs as he tried to push his body beyond its capacity.


    “Why would I knowingly let a monster who would attack his own sister get anywhere near the poor girl?” Sebastian said and Grace gasped as she looked up at Malcolm to see his face finally breaking into full rage. The crazed look in his eyes flaring brightly as he sneered down at them.


    “ I didn’t attack her! She loves me the same as I love her! It’s your fault she even thought of leaving me! You and Aiden filled her head with lies and stole her from me! Now return her you damn thief!” He shouted, the gun shaking in his hand as he glared threateningly. Sebastian gritted his teeth and shouted,


    “She was terrified of you! All I did was offer her a means to get away from a madman that was obsessed with her. Eveline wants nothing more than for you to burn in the deepest part of Hell!”


    “Don’t lie to me! She would never leave me willingly! You took her because you wanted her for yourself! Then when you couldn’t make her love you back you got yourself a cheap copy.” He said, his demented eyes turning to her once more.


    “If you raced so hard to get back to her then you must care a little about her…” He mused before smiling once more, only now it didn’t have the calm facade to hide the depravity.


    “Now I’ll take something from you. It won’t hurt as much, but it may help loosen your tongue.” He whispered and aimed.


    “NO!” Sebastian shouted, throwing himself at her suddenly, shielding her just as the final gunshot rang through the house. Grace cried out as they fell to the floor, warmth flowing over her stomach as his blood stained her clothing.


    “Sebastian! Sebastian no!” She cried as she rolled him over, sobbing as she looked for the new wound.


    “What?” The confused rasp came from behind her and she turned to see Malcolm hunched over, clutching his chest. He coughed, his lips turning red as he looked up shakily, crimson seeping between his clenched fingers.


    “Eveline...I...I lo-” He whispered before falling limp to the floor. Grace looked around confused until her eyes found the real source of that gunshot. Annabelle was trembling profusely, the pistol held in a death grip as her fingers turned white. Her sister looked at her with tears streaming down her face and confusion raging in her eyes.


    “Grace? What’s going on?” Anna whispered, but Grace had no time to answer as her focus was solely on the man lying next to her. His eye was shut, his breathing shallow and ragged as if it hurt to draw in air.


    “Sebastian?” Her voice shook as she called to him. He groaned, clenching his jaw as he slowly opened his eye. She felt more tears blur her vision as it was just as murky as his blind eye and she sobbed, clutching at his shirt.


    “No...You''re going to be okay...You will…” She said, giving him a shaky smile. He coughed as a weak chuckle escaped his lips. His hand reached up and cupped her cheek, caressing it softly. He smiled and rasped,


    “Thank God you''re alright...I’m sorry Grace. It wasn’t...wasn’t supposed to be...this-hngh!” He coughed more and grabbed his side, breathing heavy as he tried to get enough air back into his lungs. Grace pressed her own hands to his side again.


    “It doesn’t matter! You will be just-” He cut off her words as the hand returned to her cheek, pulling her face close to his. He pressed his lips to hers and whispered,


    “I’m just grateful that I got a second chance to say it...I love you Grace... Have always...loved you…”


    “Sebastian? Sebastian!”