I don't really have anything to say aside from keep letting me know what your birthday gift to Logan is if you have a girl in his Selection:-P

Chapter Twenty-One

❂Of Truest Heart

Lady Lilith

When the alarms began, the Great hall spiraled down into a fit of panic. I turned to Violet and flashed a smile, "Finally, something interesting."

The inventor gaped at me, "Are you crazy? Someone could die!"

I shrugged, "I might be crazy but all these bad things...they happened so often where I lived, I simply learned to find them absolutely fascinating." Adam yelled at us to move. He waited until all of us evacuated until he sprinted to catch up to the herd; however, in the rear.

Once we arrived into the safe room, Adam ran over to where Prince Logan, his brother, and parents conversed in a hushed tone. Logan's eyes shifted to Adam, "Is everyone okay?"

Adam shrugged, "We just got here."

Worry plastered on his face, Logan swiftly strode over to where we gathered. He scanned through the girls, making sure everyone was accounted for. "There are only thirty of you..." his eyes widened.

Lucille frowned, "Lady Sawyer said she was going to the bathroom, but she never returned. I didn't realize…"

The sound of a gunshot echoed softly out of the safe room and everyone flinched. One of the girls sniffed, another's shoulders shook as she silently cried. Circe's hand covered her mouth in shock.

I rolled my eyes, "So we are all just going to sit here, cry a little, and pretend it's a plan? That's just boring."

West glared daggers at me, and engulfed Cassia into a reassuring hug. Ash sat completely still, unfazed by anything going on, and Logan nervously paced in the corner.

"Logan, pacing isn't going to help Lady Sawyer – just drive us all insane." Queen Mila scolded.

"Bash is out there too!" He hissed, "And god knows he's in no condition to be running from rebels."

Queen Mila scowled, "Since when did you care so much about Aretha's boy?"

Logan glanced at King Edmund, fear eminent on his father's face. The King shook his head in a pleading manner, but Logan's eyes narrowed, "Why don't you ask your husband."

This my seized interest. Family drama.

Eyes narrowed, she looked expectantly at King Edmund, Luce and Brooks looked worriedly at Logan, and I was really wondering what I was missing here. "What does Logan mean, Edmund?" the queen seethed, anger fuming in her eyes.

Edmund looked helpless, "I don't think now is the right time to discuss this, Mila."

"Then when is? Now seems like the perfect time."

"Mila-"

"There are rebels infesting my home, and my son is worried about someone who he never has before, I think I deserve to know the truth."

None of the girls dared to speak, even I wasn't stupid enough to interrupt the showdown between the married couple.

"I feel nothing for her now…just obligation to her after what happened-." He started, his face pale.

"And what exactly happened?" Mila snapped, seeming exhausted with his games.

Princess Úna frowned as she sat next to Lucille, "Your Majesty, with all due respect, there are rebels swarming the halls, any shouting could draw them to us. Then we are all dead and they can easily usurp Illea."

"I am not yelling." The Queen growled, "Edmund, are you Sebastian Le Tourneau's father?"

Ashamed, King Edmund stared at his feet, and the other girls gasped. I had to admit, I was shocked too.

Well…what do you know? Lord Sebastian? More like Sebastard.

Lady Sara

Lord Sebastian, a 21 year old man, the best hidden secret in Illea, all until now. King Edmund staring at his feet was all the insurance that Queen Mila needed to know that it was true. The Queen's face crumpled, she did love her husband. "We aren't done with this conversation, but Princess Úna is correct. The only thing we can do now is stay quiet."

Edmund nodded solemnly, knowing that he'd just lost any trust for the women he was to spend the rest of his life with.

After the conversation ended, the crowned prince began his rounds, informing us that he understands if we would prefer to go home, understanding the danger we were in. While I'd be worrying about my family every day, I – in particular, was not ready to go home just yet. Though it seemed that Anna Macabee and Thalia Lune where fairly shaken up.

Aaliyah glanced fearfully at Logan and he smiled warmly at her, my eyebrows furrowed and I flashed my new-found-friend a quizzical look. She shrugged and mouthed, "I'll tell you later". I nodded curtly, my curiosity bubbling in my chest.

Delantie turned to Astra in one jerked movement, "Astra, there was something I wanted to ask you about…but I forgot."

The street magician raised an eyebrow, and the former-eight continued, "I was about to go sleep when I heard this faint scream, I think they said something like, 'eo ad inferno, Enzo.'" Her eyes squinted as she tried to recall the Latin-like words.

Astra stifled a laugh, and everyone stared at her in shock, "What? I have to hand it to whoever said that, they've sure got class shouting that at the top their lungs."

Interested now, Logan stopped pacing and leaned in towards Delantie, "You said Enzo, right?" The girl nodded, "That bitch…" the prince mumbled, and his mother frowned at his word choice. He swung around and faced Astra, "What did she say?"

Astra's face went blank and emotionless, "She said, 'Go to hell, Enzo.'"

Edmund looked shocked, "Who did?"

The kings son barked out a laugh, "You know very well who. That girl you kept in prison. The one who nearly strangled my brother to death."

"Half-brother." Mila corrected, bitter about the situation.

Logan rolled his eyes, "Brother all the same."

A loud, rippling sound sliced through the air – a gunshot. Another one. Everyone fell silent, deciding it was best to remain that way.

Lord Bash

I felt something dripping down my nose and onto my lips. My fingers unconsciously wiped at the bottom of my nose, a dark red liquid dotted the tips when I pulled away. Shit. I did not need a nosebleed right now. Especially not a post-strangulation induced one.

I looked over my shoulder at Sawyer followed close behind me, her heterochromic eyes filled with utter terror. She was strong. But no one could ever be that strong. Hell, even I was scared.

My eyes scanned the halls for the nearest safe room, I was positive there was one in this hallway. 100% sure.

I was about ready to smash something. Where the hell was that safe room? My hands frantically pushed against the wall, trying to find some hint that our safety was possible.

I wasn't going to let Sawyer get hurt. I feared that I cared about her much more than I should.

No. I will not be like my parents. Nothing can happen between us. Nothing, Bash, absolutely nothing.

A hidden door in the wall clicked, and with an extra shove, silently opened. "Hurry!" I whispered, gently pushing one of my brother's girlfriends into a metal safe-chamber.

Once the door was sealed, I finally allowed myself to breathe. "Bash, are you okay? Your nose is bleeding."

I shrugged, "Nose bleeds happen to be a side effect from almost being strangled to death, love. I think the real question is, what is with that card you found in my hospital bed."

Sawyer looked at the now folded King of Spades in her hand, a confused expression wiping across her face. "Bash, what does this mean?"

She outstretched her palm, putting as much distance as she could between herself and the playing card.

-x-

Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall,

Humpy Dumpty had a great fall;

All the king's horses and all the king's men,

Couldn't put Humpty together again.

So up rose his brother,

With more support than the other;

And all the king's horses and all the king's men,

Wouldn't serve that king ever again.

-x-

I cupped my chin and turned to Sawyer, "I'm not a writer. I have absolutely no idea what it means. Humpty Dumpty has a brother who then killed them? I don't know."

"I don't think a cracked egg's brother killed all of the king's supplies."

"Well, what else do you suppose it is?" This whole card thing was starting to aggravate me, and I'd only just read it.

Footsteps ran down the hall outside the door and Sawyer's hand snatched mine and gripped tightly. My heart skipped a beat, but I ignored the feeling.

Neither of us dared to speak another word in fear of being killed, despite the awkward air looming over us. We'd have to speak about it at some point, but Sawyer also knew that now – when Rebels could very easily slaughter us all – was not the right good time or place.

Lady Scarlett

Someone was pounding on the door. "Your Majesties?" It called out, and Logan sat up.

"That's Officer Chase." He called to his mother, who hadn't acknowledged her husband's presence, let alone mere existence, ever since finding out that Sebastian was his son.

She looked over to one of the maids, "Open the door, please." The maid dipped down into a curtsy that almost reached the floor, and she stalked silently to the thing keeping us all safe.

When she opened it, everyone was preparing themselves for the worst, but an older man – in his early thirties – walked in. He had short, brown hair and green-gray eyes like Nala's.

"Officer Chase" as Logan called him, evaluated the condition of the Selected and the Royals. He really did look like Nala…Scarlett stop, it's not your place to pry.

My eyes fell back onto Logan as he ran his fingers through his hair, a habit most of us Selected now recognized happened when he was nervous as hell. At least it wasn't something gross, like biting his nails. I didn't mind his whole "running his fingers through his hair" it was kind of hot sometimes.

I shook the thought out of my head. People probably died tonight and you want to think about how the crowned prince has attractive habits? Let's not.

"It's clear." Officer Chase informed the terrified bunch of humans.

Aster and Sparrow let out a sigh of relief and I smiled.

"How many casualties?" Queen Mila asked, authority prominent. She was no longer a heart-broken wife.

The guard bit his lip, "Five dead so far, more injured. Not too much damage done to the building itself."

"Have Lord Sebastian Le Tourneau and Lady Sawyer McAlister been located yet?" Logan interrupted.

"No, Your Highness, we weren't aware that they were missing. I'll send some people to look for them right now."

"I want to go." The prince admitted.

"No – absolutely not." His parents replied in unison, but Logan was already walking out the door, his blue eyes dulled with mixes of emotion. Gilt. Anger. Love. Frustration. Confusion. Obligation. It was dizzying just to think about.

I turned to Ambrose and Clare, "You ready?"

Ambrose nodded slightly and Clare said nothing, but they followed me as we exited the room.

Broken glass littered the floor, and the carpet had a crimson stain smack dab in the middle. Aster's hands instantly went to her mouth in shock, and we all treaded carefully.

I took a step forward and glass crunched beneath my foot. I shot a glance behind my shoulder to Gavin, and she gave me a weak smile, but nothing more.

Even Fairy didn't have something lighthearted to say.

Eris looked glad to finally be out, usually she would've been in the middle of the action, but she still remained solemn. Five lives were lost. Five families lost a son, husband, uncle, or cousin.

And nobody knew if the numbers were going to rise.

Nobody knew, and in all honesty, nobody ever wanted to find out.

Sooo…whatchu think?

I tried to include more girls . I got in way over my head with getting to 35 with only 3 throw away girls. So it's been rough trying to include everyone. But I figured I'd be murdered if I didn't give yall some closer on Sash.

Bye Lovelies!

Next time on Of Truest Heart:

"I want them both gone. I don't care how, I don't care why, but since I have to continue living this way, I don't want them in my home."

~Hailey