18

A sound.

Ianto did not know what it was but it woke him and he sat up with a sharp intake of breath, turning to find Jack awake and rising as well "What the hell was that?"

"Distant thunder?" Ianto asked softly, rising to walk to the balcony that overlooks the courtyard, looking to the horizons in the hopes of seeing rainclouds. So hot and sticky, it would be welcome for the crops.

"See anything?" Jack called out as he rolled in the bed to watch his beautiful mate in the moonlight.

Ianto frowned as he strained his eyes "Weird. Something is glowing to the… over there in the distance like… almost like the sun is trying to come up again."

Jack was behind him, hands on his hips as he snuggled into his back and looked in the same direction "Huh. You're right, it IS glowing… maybe the Capitol is putting on a light show? That is over there."

A soft ping sounded, then something new. Alarms.

Ianto swung to watch Jack's face and as Jack turned to run for a robe it hit…. The shockwave slamming into the castle and Ianto was thrown back, Jack leaping to cushion his fall as they lay in shock.

"Jack? What…."

"Are you OK" Jack asked shakily, getting to his hands and knees and helping Ianto sit up "By the Gods, what the hell was that?"

"It is as if the Gods breathed out a sigh for some reason" Ianto said as he got to his feet and assured Jack that he was fine, no harm. Ianto looked again at the glow "It's stronger now… Jack… Jack is…. Is that… flames?"

Jack ran for the Vid-screen that was still pinging softly and touched the screen, the face one familiar but not the one he had wanted to see "Your Highness… here has…. We are unsure if it is an accident or sabotage but there has been an explosion in the city… the Royal House is gone, the surrounding keep in ruins… several of the outer village dwellings also gone… it is estimated that several hundred have lost their loves…. Highness… my… my king… I …"

The man stopped talking, a sob escaping as he turned to listen to someone off-screen then look at Jack again "Highness …. I fear your father is gone… I … they all are."

"Oh gods" Ianto said softly as he cinched his robe tighter around the bmp "Gordon, are you telling us that the royal family have been assassinated?"

"Yes Prince Ifan… it seems so. They took out several another families and servants... night staff… guards… over a hundred soul within the castle itself, another hundred or so outside in the surrounding guest dwellings … The High King… his siblings… his son … all gone."

Jack had started to weep softly for his beloved father, sitting on the bed to grieve as Ianto focused on the more important and horrible thing that was happening here "Who else?"

"My … mi' lord?"

"Who else is there alive in the bloodlines. Tell me… the High King's son… what other is in line…"

The man stared at Ianto silently and he knew. He sat heavily beside Jack, his hands on the bump and he knew why they had been contacted so soon after the blast. "Thank you Gordon. Please… see to your people."

Ianto rose and closed the call, then turned to watch Jack weep. After considering, the reached to the screen and touched a series of buttons, the screen in the Guard House coming to life as those in the room froze "Attention. This is Prince Ifan … This is… fuck … his is His Majesty king Ifan … all hands… all hands. The High King and his family have been assassinated. All Hands… to arms. I want protection around this keep, I want it swept for any sign of terrorism and I want guards with my babies … protect your royal family… protect your kings! "

He watched the world come to life, swinging as he reached out, his hand almost there to close the screen to see Rhys staggering into the room to stand and stare at Ianto then with a sigh Rhys did the thing Ianto knew he would have to get used to.

Rhys took a knee and bowed "All hail the kings."

The world before, they people they were before this dark morning now gone forever and Ianto stared back then turned back to the screen to watch those in the guard house take their knees and bow heads. Ianto struggled with his tears to stare back. Ianto drew himself up and reached back to place a hand on Jack's shoulder before replying "Thank you Rhys. High Majesty Jackson and myself need service. Come… serve to kings."

Ianto let them take time to realize what was done, what he had said and one by one they rose from their knees to rush for their arms … to serve the new rulers of their realm.

By the time Ianto cut the feed Jack was on his feet, his mind engaging finally as he pushed his grief aside "What do I do."

"Wake the advisors, turn up the lights in the War Room and draft your first official statement as the King" Iain said softly as he turned to face him, reaching out to place his hands either side of his face, then kissing him gently.

"And you?"

"I am calling my daddy. We are in danger and night now I need protection from whomever is doing this. Regicide I something no realm should see… let's make sure we are safe. Our babies are." Ianto said as he kissed Jack again "Now go… get dressed and head to the War Room… begin to assess our damage here. Also… you will have distant family wanting to reach out, reassure themselves that there is still a head of the family."

"Me" Jack said morosely.

"US" Ianto corrected firmly "I am with you all the way."

Jack felt the comfort in the nod and nodded back, heading to his fate.

Ianto turned to the screen and took a cleansing breath before beginning his own work.

Good thing that little bitch had reminded him that he has the crown.

He would have to wear it now.