Second Betrayal

**Trevor's POV **

Sweetness, with my little peanut, her beautiful presence stronger and even more mesmerizing than ever. And by God's blessing, Shiuku's mark wasn't forced on her yet. The awakened glow radiated solely from her. I was so damn proud I almost missed the shift beside me.
Unfiltered self-hatred and horror swirled around the assassin's suddenly heavy aura like his sins literally weighed him down. Like he desired forgiveness and redemption. Remorseful or not, this assassin killed many innocents, ruined families, and destroyed mine before we ever had a chance. Using Izzy, a fucking human life made into a bargaining chip.
One clean blow was all it took to reveal our enemy's identity. The assassin's cloak fell off, her mask in half. Stunning, familiar eyes stared back at me from a heartbroken, swollen face.
Don't forget, she's the original mark. The woman willingly chose to work for Shiuku as his personal assassin. And I had questions that needed answers now.
"Where is Shion?" I was damn near growling when Kalum's tears surfaced in my head.
The assassin turned her head, closing her eyes.
"Look at me! You may be okay with hurting children, but that is my nephew. A son of my sister. If you had even an inkling of what parental love is, you'd kill yourself before harming a child. Mine isn't even born yet, but I already bleed for him/her. Right now, I am barely holding back from draining all the water out of the oxygen around your head for taking my pregnant Cupcake and little bun, wagering her their lives for your goal."
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught my sister walking behind a shaking Natalie. Shion slept, shuddering on her back. The little demon was pale but did not appear to have any physical injuries. That just left us the countless emotional ones the evil assholes delivered.
With renewed hatred, a ring of water stolen from the air the assassin breathed formed around her entire body. Wrinkles from dehydration formed on her skin. Besides an occasional squirm or tremor, she made no move nor called on ger elemental power.
"Mom!"
With that single word ringing in my ears, I felt a sharp sting in my heart. A pair of hands clasped mine, breaking my concentration. The water splashed onto the assassin's body as her breathing began regulating. Absolute chilling silence filled the torture chamber. Neither woman seemed pleased by the steady rising and falling of the assassin's chest. They stared at each other, wearing unreadable expressions. Something I'd never witnessed with Natalie, not even when the mere thought of me terrified her. I'd take that hatred and fear all over again to spare her from this reality.
*Natalie's Mom. The woman she idolized as a child. The 'good' assassin.*
"Natalie…Cupcake…I, Sweetness." Damn this was new.
Every sentence lodged in my throat. What was I supposed to say? My choices were either to kill the assassin here or arrest her under the orders of King Ulrich. Killing her quickly would be a kindness, really. The Dark King's rage flowed about him like a second skin. He was sure to personally torture this woman like Sir Alaric and Prince Roy.
My free arm wrapped around Natalie, resting above her belly. I may not have the words, but I wanted to support her. A hand or presence, good or bad, holds more power than anything to come from a mouth or tongue.
"You forced innocents to obey, become slaves. You tortured children; their parents in front of them." Natalie's voice came out soft as a whisper in the wind. "You took my true love from me… My Mom."
I gritted my teeth. So that's what happened to the man. But it wasn't the time for petty jealousy. My kid was growing inside her.
The assassin cocked her head up at me. A silent plea etched into the long worry lines down her cheeks. Still numb, I left Natalie's stomach, reaching for a pair of handcuffs. There was no chance I could watch the life drain out of a dimmer version of Natalie's eyes.
A faint sound resounded throughout the chamber. The handcuffs were tossed away by none other than my Cupcake.
Natalie's fingers crawled up to her Mother's throat. She spoke in a hushed tone. "You became a Monster."
As if I needed another reason to hate fucking Demon Lord Shiuku. He is a Master at manipulating situations and people. Just one more year, you sick bastard.
I hauled Natalie upright as a slice of wind grazed her stomach vertically, ready to take the life of our unborn child. Whoever the woman who raised Natalie was, died alongside her morals long ago.
With my Sweetness wide-eyed, I tugged her safely behind my back. Ice spiked from under my boots, aiming for Natalie's Mom. The assassin dodged the lines of shards chasing after her. Never been happier for my sister's presence. Without being able to call on her wind any longer, this dance would end soon. Already I saw her movements slowing down, my ice closing in.
"Close your eyes, Sweetness."
"No!"
Natalie started to charge forward but was stopped by my arms; my ice melted, leaving a wet trail in the broken cement.
"I'm sorry, but your Mother is a danger. I cannot let go."
"Arrest her, but" Natalie talked in her Mother's direction, sparing few words. "I'll fight her."
I placed myself in front of Natalie, carefully keeping my back away from the assassin.
Natalie barely composed herself after everything unfolded in the last 24 hours. We're all fragile, in a way, any living creature, human, or demon.
"I won't let you, Cupcake." I tried to keep my voice gentle. "You're carrying my baby. I forbid you to fight. I will handle this situation."
"I know Mom."
The assassin took a long blade from her ripped cloak. There was an undeniable hesitation as she reached for an elemental power to flow.
Preparing myself, I retorted, "You expect me to give her another chance at my son or daughter's life? Hell no. Just listen to me and stay back."
"I understand what she's thinking. I can-"
"Not this time. I'm going to be your knight in shining armor whether you wished on a star for it or not!"
Natalie tried to wiggle out of my hold to little avail. "She wants to lose."
"Lose her grandchild! Your mom isn't getting a second chance unless it's behind bars in the presence of Jacob, me, Devon, or King Ulrich." I hated this, but I couldn't risk losing her, even after how many times her true love was thrown in my face. "Just close your eyes, please, Natalie!"
I don't want to see the sting of betrayal any further smothering your beautiful glimmer.
"Who is my daughter to you?" for the first time the assassin spoke.
I smiled awkwardly. "My obsession and lover. One you won't take away." Not like him.
Three clicks and bangs echoed off the walls. Instinctively, I knocked Natalie on her back as a bullet pierced my shoulder. A cocky, grinned man stood at the entrance, cackling with glee and lowering the gun to Natalie. God damn, these modern weapons were getting old! Time to show why members of the DSS do not put their faith in guns.
"That show was quite enjoyable! My thanks, Natalie, Trevor, Anna. You all deserve a bow! Ah, but time has run out for our next act must begin. So if you'll let Demon Lord Shiuku's spokeswoman go, I won't have to end-"
The good thing about water sprayed across the floor is that shooting a quick whip of water is as simple as lifting my forefinger. A shame for our newest enemy, the bullet got blocked internally, with some crystallization of the particles, adding pressure until a tiny boom sounded. The smoking weapon skidded to the floor before the newcomer could finish his Supervillian rant.
"You might be new to the party, but no one is hurting my little obsession. Also, I'm rather tired of you guys making me look incompetent in front of said obsession."
The assassin turned to bolt away while Mr. Sunshine strolled casually the opposite way, arms up humming that he tried.
"Love, let's compromise."
Shion, Natalie, and Aileen were still the main targets. So Dr. Jekyll lives another day, but I'll be damned if the assassin was getting away again. So Natalie explained how paid shadow killers such as her Mom fight.
Sliding on my water, I caught up to Anna in little time. Taking her out took even less, knowing the pattern she fought in. Once I had her rhythm mastered, she brought out a wicked piece of silver, sharpened and weighted perfectly. Instead of using my water ability, or own strength, I waited patiently for my her to strike. Putting her own speed, and left swinging tendencies against her, she fell within a few minutes. Strangely, the older woman's aura brightened at the feel of handcuffs on her wrists. During my chase, Aileen found some guards to help escort our captive. It was decided that she be tied in a secret room under Queen Sekai's supervision. Another oddity, the King had retired for the evening early and would not be leaving his chambers any earlier than sunrise 'on the morrow'.
Sir Alaric, a name I'm proud my sis can say without crying, had something planned; seemingly in reguards to the royal families and our loved ones. Aileen agreed, stating he was probably happy Anna was captured. Whatever the next stage was, it would be more enjoyable for him with higher stakes from both sides. It was the way the man thought.
"For conspiring against the Lord of Vernen's family, I should have you beheaded, but since our escape rescued my son, I shall exhibit mercy. They were going to keep him hidden from you despite your engagement?" Correct, Prince Trevor?
I nodded, hating hearing 'Prince' rather than brother.
"I sentence Natalie Bresh to Prince Trevor's quarters for investigation until further notice." My sister ordered, carefully observing me. "Talk, get some answers. Maybe you'll see true love is unbreakable."
Low blow, sister.
I held my arm down, which my Sweetness grabbed without comment. Despite how upset I was, my Sweetness' strawberry scent calmed me considerably. I could focus on her and start formulating what to say.
On our way to my chamber, we passed by Jacob. Near him was Lydia, being fitted by pinchy-fingered ladies. Natalie gripped my arm harder as Jacob quietly shut the door too late. A brave maid snickered a snide remark about my Mistress; still, she kept her lips sealed, scaring me.
"Welcome back to the best bed in all the land." I grinned, trying to cheer her up, and collided with said bed. Pretending it was part of my plan, I patted the mattress a bit too hard, causing a spring to bust. "Umm, I think you need some time then? I'll, uh, just go to the couch. Tell me if you want a warm body snuggling you, Cupcake."
"Alaric was so thrilled. Something's coming." Natalie stared at her steady hands, clenching them into soft fists. "We have to win."
She spoke, okay, that's a step! To think I believed she'd push me away again at the mention of her true love! If she was talking openly, she was still smitten with me.
"We will. We had a few early on hiccups, but we're getting back on track. Of course, underestimating Sir Alaric's same-named son would be a deadly mistake to sweep away our victory before my celebration could be thrown."
"I'm selfish, ya know." Her face was cracking as she shifted near me. "All this and all I can think of is you're marrying Lydia… You'll marry her…"
If only I could calm her fears, but lies were what got us here in the first place. Oh, but how I wished too. "Neither of us is doing it willingly. I think Lydia finally acknowledged her feelings for a certain stable boy."
Ignoring my attempt at humor, Natalie placed her hand on her stomach. "She agreed."
"Lydia fears her Mother and Father. She's a puppet; her emerging wings cut too soon." I bent over to kiss my baby and then each of Natalie's fingers, awkwardly hunting for a way to help her. I loved her so much and she had no idea how I was dying to make her my wife. Only mine.
"Izzy…Mom…Shion…Lydia"
If only I could make her smile. "If I do not marry Princess Lydia, Izzy's dead. But I swear-"
"Shhh…Please, no more. At least for a night. " Natalie placed her hands on my lap, inclining her head, matching her posture from the brothel. "Use me. Make me forget everything, Master."