He blinked a few times, trying to ride the confusion that clouded his thoughts. The worse part was that he had no idea where he was. Just surrounded by trees.
Cain…
There was that voice again. Where was it coming from and why was it so familiar? It sent chills down his spine and for some reason he began to run. Fear was eating his soul, but instinct drove him forward.
There was no path to follow or anything to tell him something had been there, but he was sure he was following something. Then he heard it… laughing.
He awoke to icy water hitting his arm. Sitting up quickly, Cain came face to face with Azkadellia. She smiled apologetically to which he smiled back. He wiped the sleep from his eyes and glanced out the window.
"It's mid-afternoon, Mr. Cain." Az said quietly, "You've been asleep for a few hours. Jeb is waiting outside DG's room for you. I'll stay with her if you want."
"Thank you, Princess. Please, you can call me just Cain or Wyatt." Cain said, getting out of DG's bed and stretching. He made his way to the couch and sat down to pull on his boots.
"Alright Cain. If you don't mind, call me Az." She countered, giving him a sly smile as he redressed with his usual attire. Cain just rolled his eyes as another smiled crept on his lips. I'm beginning to like that. He nodded to Az before finally leaving the room.
True to her word, Jeb was leaning against the wall, talking to Glitch and Raw. Though Raw was the first to notice Cain, motioning to the others to turn.
"Look who's up." Jeb joked, crossing his arms, "'Bout time you got up."
"I hope you feel refreshed." Glitch added.
"And why is that?" Cain asked, raising an eyebrow and glancing at each man.
"Going for walk." Raw answered, "Relax outside."
"Yeah, Az is watching DG and we all are going to talk." Jeb said, getting serious, "The Queen and Ahamo are waiting."
"How long have they been?" Cain asked, getting unnerved, "Someone could've gotten me up earlier."
Cain had been sleeping in the young Princess' room, in her bed, next to her. Though not a promiscuous man, he was older and starting to have feelings. Obviously Az had no problems, but what about Ahamo and Lavender? He didn't even want to know what they would do to him.
"Father? You look like you got caught doing something wrong." Jeb laughed, "Don't worry."
"Easy for you to day." Cain huffed, but Glitch and Raw's stifled laughed caught his attention, "The hell's so funny?"
"Come on, I'll tell you on the way." Jeb answered, putting his arm around his father's shoulder.
As the men left the palace, the look on Cain's face was priceless. So much that Jeb and Glitch were on the ground in hysterics. Raw just smiled, leading the way down the path.
"I don't know what to think." Cain admitted to Raw, ignoring his son and friend, "Whether appalled, shamed, or… proud."
Raw had to chuckle, though it sounded more like purring than anything, "Raw guessing all."
Cain knew very well that Raw never guessed on anything, but the Viewer had grown confident. Hell, he'd adapted wit and sarcasm from DG. Even when he had visions and such, he seemed to hold his own better.
"So let me get this straight. You and Az…" Cain asked, turning to Jeb, "Are together. After a day you two are in love?"
"Yes, father we are in love. But you forget I've been here with you for a few months now." Jeb answered, trying to sound formal.
"Either way, you two were getting bandages ready and began to talk." Cain watched his son nod, "In less than a day, you two really found out you enjoy one another's company." Again, a nod from Jeb, "And you said, 'Why not keep relationships in the families? My father and your sister, you and me.' Right?"
"Something to that extent." Jeb again tried to compose himself.
"And she fell for that lone and you two are dating?"
Now even Raw was holding his gut. Cain, though finding the situation funny too, was still in shock.
Jeb furiously shook his head and tried to answer his father, "No. That was, was what I said, afterwards." He said between laughs.
"That hell did you say to swoon her?" Cain asked wide-eyed.
"Can I see what it's like with an older person, Princess?" Glitch answered on his knees.
Cain threw up his hands and walked down the path to the Gazebo. He could see Lavender and Ahamo sitting on one of the benches, talking quietly. The others followed close, trying to compose themselves to which Cain rolled his eyes.
The Queen greeted him first, hugging the man respectfully, "I take they told you?" She asked with mirth in her voice.
Cain nodded and took a seat opposite of Ahamo. The Queen greeted the others before sitting back next to her husband. Jeb sat next to his father as Raw and Glitch sat on a bench between the others.
"So, why are we here?" Cain asked, getting to the point.
"We finally know about the Briar." The Queen stated, "Something has altered its nature."
"It is used in magical potions and such, but more of a healing, not that…" Glitch added, "Some other plant has… merged to what we saw."
"So what do we do?" Jeb asked, finally serious
"We need to find the other plant and figure what went on from there." Ahamo answered, "See if its some natural thing or not."
"What are you hinting at?" Cain stared him dead in the eyes, "There is something you afraid to tell?"
Lavender and Ahamo exchanged glances, before looking at the others, "Longcoats. Specifically, Zero." She finally answered.
Cain just sat stunned, the air in his lungs sucked out. Even the others were taken back by the news. It had to be the longest minute before someone was able to get their voice back.
"How do you know?" Jeb asked, looking at the Royal couple.
"This note…" Ahamo answered as he reveled a ripped piece of paper, "Stating that this wasn't all, signed Zero."
"Just when we thought it was over." Glitch responded sadly, looking to Raw.
"It's never over." Cain stated, getting up and heading back to the Palace.
"Will he be okay?" Lavender asked Jeb.
"We think, we…" Jeb stumbled for an answer.
"As Jeb loves Az, Cain and DG are starting the feel the same." Glitch answered.
"Our daughters are in love, hon." Ahamo laughed, "This is so sweet."
"You don't mind?" Jeb asked in disbelief.
"We know all about love, child." Lavender answered, "Just know we will be watching. Now go help your father."
