Page 50 of Entangled

Sebastian turned to see that Nereus had shapeshifted into a dragon now, flying through the sky breathing fire.

“Can this get any worse?” mumbled Sebastian. “Retreat!” he called to his men. “Save yourselves. Go back to the castle.” Sebastian would fight to the end, but there was no need for his men to die as well. Nereus wanted Sebastian to pay for his uncle’s horrible acts and there was no way out of this now.

“Nay, you must tell them to fight,” yelled Drell from atop his horse, doing nothing to assist any of them. “Kill the creature. Kill the Blackseeds. Take the kingdoms of Mura for yourself. That is what your uncle would do.”

“Nay,” spat Sebastian through gritted teeth. “I will no longer listen to bad advice.”

“I am your advisor. You must listen to me, my king. I know what is best.”

“We see what your advice has done. I will not let my men or any of the Blackseeds die because of the past stupid choices of my late uncle.”

Drell was about to protest again when the dragon’s talons knocked him from the horse. Then the dragon breathed fire, killing Drell, burning his body instantly.The dragon flew back up into the sky while Sebastian ran over to find only charred remains of his advisor.

“My king, is he—” Farrimond ran up and stopped abruptly, staring down at the burnt mess.

“He’s dead, Farrimond. As will be the rest of us soon. I command you to guide the army back to Macada Castle now! Close the gate and take your posts inside the fortified walls. Protect my kingdom and everyone in it.”

“I will, my king.” Farrimond bowed. “But what about you?”

Sebastian looked back up to the sky. The dragon was still breathing fire, about to attack the Blackseeds, who were now emerging from the water after having been swept to sea by Nereus’ wave.

“It is me who Nereus wants. I will stay and fight, but first I must see to the safety of the Blackseeds.”

“You’re going to stay and risk your life for the lives of our enemies?” asked Farrimond. “I don’t understand.”

“No matter what happens to me, I want you to promise me that you will make sure everyone at Macada Castle knows that the Blackseeds are no longer our enemies.”

“They’re not?” asked Farrimond.

“They are here risking their lives to help us. They are allies now. Make sure no one ever forgets that from this day on. Now leave! Here comes the dragon again.”

“I will do as you command, my king. But let me stay to protect you. Or at least let me send over your squire to help fight for your life.”

“Nay. Take Hitch with you and don’t let anyone turn back. This is my fight. Even if it ends my life, which it probably will. Now go!”

Farrimond ran off, doing as ordered.

Sebastian heard shouts from the Blackseeds, seeing that the dragon was about to burn them all to a crisp the way it did to Drell.

“Nay! Leave them alone. It is me you want,” shouted Sebastian, running down the shore to save his new friends. “Come get me, you bastard!” Still holding his sword, Sebastian reached his arms up into the air, sacrificing himself for the good of so many others.

The distraction worked. The dragon flew toward him, forgetting about the Blackseeds. It swooped down from the sky directly overhead. Sebastian prepared himself for the burning fire that would end his life. Instead, he felt the sharp claws of the beast digging into his flesh as it grabbed him and lifted him up into the sky and then flew out to sea.

“Aaaaaah!” he cried from the intense seering pain. He swiped at the dragon with his blade, managing to slice the dragon’s stomach. The dragon shrieked and pulled back, causing Sebastian to drop his sword. It fell into the sea with a splash and disappeared.

“I did nothing to hurt your family,” he yelled to the dragon. “That was my uncle who did horrible things but he is dead now, so has paid for his mistakes. All I wanted was to marry your daughter, Merrow. I love her and want to live out the rest of my life by her side.”

With Sebastian still in his clutch, Nereus in his dragon’s form shapeshifted, turning back into a sea nymph. They hit the water hard, going deep below the surface. Nereus still held on to him, pulling him deeper and deeper under the waves. Sebastian held his breath but realized he would run out of air soon.

Then the sea god released him, and a booming vibration traveled through the water. Nereus in his sea god form shot back up to the surface, leaving Sebastian alone beneath the dark, deep surface.

He was running out of air quickly and had never been this far down in the water before. It was much too far to swim to try to make it to the surface. He would never make it there before he drowned.

That’s when he saw colorful ripples of water swirling in a circle up ahead. There was an opening. The portal! He could see Melite and Galene giving their mother the breath of life, pulling her along with them. Their brother, Nerites stood at the side of the portal. It seemed to be closing quickly. Then he noticed Merrow, swimming along behind them.

I love you, Merrow, he thought in his mind, hoping she would hear it since it was the last thing he’d ever convey to her before his body perished in the sea.