Page 12 of These Sinful Kingdoms

I quickly closed the door, turning to leave when Fabian shouted from his room. I stood still, waiting to see if the little demon was just playing a game when he should be sleeping but when the terrified whimper came from his room right after, I moved without thinking.

I pushed open his door, flicking on the light to search for the threat but found none, just a sleeping boy covered in sweat and crying out in his sleep from the nightmare.

My heart ached for him. I understood PTSD, my own time serving in the army had seen to that, but he was just a boy. I don’t know what he had seen in the months he was gone, and I would forever live with that on my conscience, just like I lived with the fact I couldn’t save Aurora from her father.

I could, however, give him the comfort that he needed. As I walked towards the bed, I gently cupped his face.

“Fabian. It’s okay. You’re safe.” I whispered as he thrashed about and then jolted upright in the bed, terror in his eyes.

“Hey, buddy. It’s okay. It’s Kingston. You are at home and safe. Just a nightmare.” I whispered as he looked around the room, searching for the enemy.

“Kingston.” He gasped, his voice breaking before he wrapped his arms around me. It took me by surprise, this little kid was forever pushing my buttons, his smart mouth driving me crazy and sometimes I wondered if he actually hated me.

“Shhhh. It’s okay. I promise you I won’t let anything bad happen to you again, okay? I will always be here to keep you safe.” The words were meant to comfort but I knew deep down in my soul, I would keep that promise. I failed him and his mother once, I would never do it again.

“I can hear the screams from the people they kept with me. The men they tortured. They always come back at night.” He whispered as he buried his face into my chest.

This poor boy had seen things he shouldn’t have at his age, and it was easy to forget what he went through with how strong he was during the day.

I ran my hands over his back and kissed the top of his head. I may have only known him for a few years, but he was family to me.

“I know, buddy. I can’t take away the past, but I can take away your fears now. You aren’t alone. You are safe here okay.” He nodded, and pulled away to wipe his nose.

“Kingston. Can you stay until I fall asleep?” He looked so young and innocent in that moment and the fact that he trusted me so much broke something inside me.

“Of course. Scoot over and I will sit here until you sleep. Luca and your mother are here too so you are safe.” He sighed, laying down as I sat next to him on the bed and stroked his hair from his face.

“Do you want me to tell you a story?” I asked, remembering the stories my dad used to tell me before I went to sleep. He smiled and nodded; eyes closed.

“There was once a young boy called Arthur who was the son of a king. Arthur was special and had to be hidden away in a monastery to learn the different ways of his people for his land was torn between two beliefs.” I started the tales of King Arthur, my favorite as a boy, and the tales I had wanted to one day tell my own children, children I would never have.

Movement at the door caught my attention and I looked to see Aurora watching me, a smile on her face as she leaned against the door and listened.

When I was sure Fabian was asleep, I tucked him into bed and pulled the door almost closed, leaving it open just a crack.

“Thank you, Kingston.” She said softly and I nodded, not sure what to say. She frowned at me and then looked to her bedroom door with a sigh.

“He is lucky to finally have his dream come true. At least one of us gets that.” I said suddenly, aware of the bitterness in my tone.

She watched me, something in her eyes seeing through to my soul so I looked away.

“Why are you here, Kingston?” She questioned and I sighed, running my hand through my hair.

“Luca never told me that you got home safely. I needed to check you were okay. I was just leaving when I heard Fabian.” She glanced at the clock on the wall.

“It’s after two am.” A question lay beneath the words, and I looked at her bedroom door, then back at her in her lightweight robe. I knew she was naked beneath it, her body freshly fucked by the man who had longed for her longer than I ever had, and I let the jealousy rise to the surface.

“I couldn’t sleep. I needed to know you were okay. Now I know you are more than okay and in the arms of a man who will treat you right.” I bit my tongue to stop myself from saying anything stupid.

“Kingston. Why do you sound pissed off about this? Don’t you like Luca?” I saw the confusion in her eyes and the frustration I had felt all these years at not being able to tell her how I felt, at her not understanding that I was there because I loved her came flooding out.

“No. I think Luca is a great guy for you and he will treat you well. I am not pissed off, I’m jealous.” I held my breath as her eyes widened and she took a step back.

“Jealous? What of?” She whispered and I laughed, a bitter sound that made her flinch.

“As if you don’t know, Aurora. I am jealous that he is the one who finally took up the courage to tell you how he feels. I am jealous that he has touched your skin, worshipped your body, and kissed your lips. I am jealous that he has what I desperately want but now will never be within my reach. I am jealous I didn’t say something first, even though I doubt you would have gone for someone like me anyway.” I was pacing now, her eyes following me as I walked the length of her lounge room.

“Why don’t you tell her now, Kingston? Do you think I don’t know how you feel? I may have said something myself, but I wouldn’t stand in your way either.” Luca said from the doorway, a pair of boxers loosely sitting on his hips and hair messy from sleep as he stared at us.

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