SOWING SEEDS.

CHAPTER 75: SOWING SEEDS.

Caspian woke up the next morning, but earlier than usual. He remained in bed, covered in his snuggly blanket. The night was cold. But more cold was his heart.

He barely got any sleep. He kept turning from side to side, finding a suitable position as though it was his body that was hurting. But it was something different. Something he had never felt before.

Tired of rolling from side to side in bed, he finally got up. He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. He went ahead to wash his face and got dressed. Then he headed out. The guard on duty at his door followed him.

It was time for breakfast, but Caspian followed a different way and headed outside the fortress. The soldier wondered why he didn't go to the dining hall, but he couldn't question him as it was not in his place to do so. So, he just followed him quietly.

The servants gave way as they ran into him. His cold demeanor was terrifying. It's not like they were used to him being jovial, but he seemed colder than usual.

He got to a point and stopped. He took a deep breath in, and out, closing his eyes. As he opened his eyes, he spotted Cormac in the garden. He saw that he looked sober as well. Unlike he would have done, he decided to walk over to Cormac.

He approached him slowly and stood beside him, looking forward at what Cormac was also staring at. It was a beautiful fountain of water.

"It's a unique fountain, eh?" Cormac said, still facing forward.

"It is," Caspian replied, facing forward as well.

"With all the changes that have happened over the centuries, this fountain has remained. Attached to it are a lot of memories. Mostly painful memories anyway. But pain is part of life," Cormac added.

"It unfortunately is," Caspian responded. "Couldn't get any sleep as well, huh?"

"I thought I was the only one," Cormac replied, chuckling. Caspian found himself chuckling as well.

"Do you think she's happier there?" Caspian asked.

"Since she so chose to remain there, I believe she is. She seemed really sure of her choice. Her heart wasn't in any state of disarray as it used to be when she was here."

"You could tell, huh?"

"One of the perks of being one's sire. A sire shares an unusual bond with the one he or she sired," Cormac answered.

"That makes me almost jealous," Caspian joked, causing both him and Cormac to smile.

"Well, you have no reason to feel almost jealous."

"What do you mean?" Caspian asked furrowing his brow as he turned and looked at Cormac.

"I'm not quite sure if she feels it, or hasn't fully understood what she may be feeling since she's like a newborn, but I sensed a strong affinity for you growing within her."

Caspian maintained his furrowed brow as he looked away from Cormac at that point. Cormac didn't try to be more elaborate than that. He knew Caspian understood what he meant. His facial expression said it all.

"I never got to applaud you for how you fought at the Games," Cormac said, wisely changing the subject.

Caspian scoffed and chuckled.

"So all this while you were holding back whenever I had an altercation with you," Cormac said.

"All those petty encounters never warranted such level of violence. I saw through the schemes of Lord Xander," Caspian said.

"That sly bastard. I thought by now his hate for Lycans would have watered down."

"He must have suffered a loss during the Great Wars to have such an unbending resolve, even challenging the Queen," Caspian said analyzing.

"Wow! For a commoner you sure are full of surprises. Critically thinking like one groomed for rulership," Cormac complimented. Caspian just chuckled, saying nothing.

"Actually, he did suffer a great loss. He lost his only son to the Lycans in a sudden ambush. There was nothing he could do to save him," Cormac explained.

"No one goes unscathed during wars."

"Absolutely no one," Cormac said in concurrence. The duo remained silent at that point for a while, as they both went into their thoughts.

"You know, I may have had a wrong notion of you," Caspian said, opening up.

"Most people usually have that to say about me," Cormac laughed softly.

"I'm surprised to admit this to you, but I see you have a good heart. I never thought vampires had it in them to be the way you are. I thought you all were cold-hearted," Caspian admitted.

"In that case, it must have been a great risk for you to come over to Rivendell."

"Well, the heart makes you do unbelievable things. Doesn't it?"

"It sure does," Cormac replied, smiling. He knew what Caspian was talking about.

While they spoke in the garden, Amelia passed by, above in the fortress, escorted by some soldiers. She spotted Lord Xander up ahead. As she got close, he noticed her presence and turned to her.

"Your Sovereign," he bowed respectfully.

"Lord Xander, what are you doing here? Have you had breakfast yet?"

"No, Your Sovereign. I haven't had breakfast," he replied.

"So, what are you doing, standing here?" Amelia inquired.

"I was just musing on my contemplations until I came up on that sight," he replied, pointing at Cormac and Caspian.

Amelia looked and saw the duo. She furrowed her brow.

"Since when did those two get along?" she asked.

"Exactly what I've been wondering also," he responded. "Lycans and vampires are mortal enemies. Whatever makes the two come to the point of momentary peace is because they must have a common goal," Lord Xander replied.

"In this case, what goal do you think it may be?" she inquired.

"Definitely not one that may delight you to hear, Your Sovereign."

"What do you mean?" Amelia asked, looking curious.

"Well, I didn't all that was said, but I did hear Cormac expressing his grievances about you to the Lycan. He blames you for endangering Aleena's life. He is happy that she is away, and most likely dead, as her absence would stop you from progressing further with whatever you have in store for her."

Amelia began sulking as she looked down at Cormac. She walked away, saying nothing else.

As she left, Lord Xander smirked.

'How gullible she is,' he said within himself, still maintaining the smirk.

'And she does have hidden plans,' he said as well, wondering what they were.