(Lychorida)

"Shit." I murmured again. Edward's pulse had slowed down so I took my fingers away and so did he.

"His father, the king, is dead." I turned and translated for Ki, who had come closer from the window.

"That ruins the plan." He signed quickly, I nodded. "What do we do? Do you still kill Sara?" I shrugged.

"I'll have to talk to Jim, he'll know what to do, I hope so anyway."

I snapped my head back around as I heard the Prince say something.

"I've never heard a lady swear before." He muttered, a small smile on his face as he looked up at me.

"You've never met me." I winked. "Do you want some water?" I signed as I spoke and Kiro fetched the water for me.

Kiro came back with three glasses of water and we sat and drank, saying nothing. At least an hour passed before the next servant popped up. "Price Edward, Lady Lychorida. Come quickly." He hissed, I left Kiro in there.

Edward didn't follow the servant but broke into a run. I kept up with him as he darted around corridors and back passages.
He stopped at a great stone door which was slightly ajar. Inside was a huge bed, the old man in blue robes from the feast stood by it and a scrivener sat at the foot of it. A priestess with blue tips in her hair stood in the corner, whispering. In the bed was the King. He was pale and there were bloodstained handkerchiefs littered around him.

"Your son is here, your majesty." The man in blue robes whispered to the king and Edward hesitated by the door. I took his hand and led him in.

Edward dropped onto the side of the bed, looking at his father with a look I had only seen two other people share; my father and James.

I stepped back from the bed until I was level with the old man in blue, clasping my hands in front of me because I felt awkward.

That priestess was starting to get to me, her whispers drilling into my head, but then the king began to speak and she was silenced.

"Perfect timing." He chuckled, but wheezed as he did.

"Why?" Edward smirked, like it hurt him to do so.

"You're nearly nineteen, you've found yourself - your mother has found you - a wife and let's be honest she's very good to look at." The king laughed heartily and coughed. He jumped when he saw me.
"Come here, girl." He addressed me and I stood in front of the bed. "You be good to him eh? He's a good lad, bring forth many more good lads to rule after him? Off you go then, where's my wife? Ought to say goodbye."

The man in blue stepped forward. "She's with the children, sire."

"Ha! Of course she is." The king laughed and wheezed. "Listen here, little mushroom." He beckoned for Edward to lean in even closer, Edward laughed at the nickname. "If ever she stops loving you, find someone else. You need strength to rule, you're too hard on yourself. Rule like I taught to, preserve our line. I love you." The king coughed again. I grabbed a leather cup of water from the table and leant across to let him sip it, but he had gone still before I could get there.

Edward realised that he was gone and took his hand, muttering incoherently, his fists clenching.

"Prince, you have to leave now." The man in blue robes spoke without a drop of sympathy.

"No." Edward whispered, then shouted. I took him by the shoulders but he elbowed me off, I took him by the shoulders anyway and dragged him out, hissing that there would be time to mourn later, he hit me anyway but as soon as we passed the stone door he collapsed into a chair. I don't think he cried any more, but his head was in his hands.

"I'm sorry." I muttered and took his hand. It was awkward and I wanted to leave, but I didn't know the way. It would've been wrong to abandon him anyway. "I'm sorry." I said again. I felt enormous sympathy for him; if he couldn't deal with it when death was expected, he would not be able to deal with it when he realised that I am the death which is unexpected. Edward should have seen it coming, he should've been prepared. I'll have to teach him that.