Chapter 8: Mum

Someone’s voice called to him through the dream. He felt his arm being squeezed by someone’s soft hand.

“Please, just don’t die. Forgive me for all the times I’ve been rude. For all the times I insulted you. And when I said I hated you. Please forgive me, Cedric.”

The voice was drowned in the vast darkness surrounding him.

He awoke to the rustling of wings, something walking across his chest, claws digging into his skin. Cedric opened swollen tired eyes.

A crow was perched on his chest – a white raven with cloudy white eyes gazing into his soul. It looked at him, its chest moving up and down, and he stared back. The crow cawed and flew up, only to be blocked by the tent they were in.

It headed for the exit, vanishing into the bright sunlight. He felt dizzy from the light, and tried to move, but regretted it when a sharp pain pierced his shoulder. He looked down and realized he was lying bandaged on the bed.

The tent had a mix of herb and blood smells, with clothes and medical supplies scattered around. The bandages on him smelled bad.

“So you are finally awake?” Eligh came into the tent, “You’re lucky. Training’s off today, prince.”

Cedric let out a fake chuckle. “Where are my mum and sister?”

“They’re fine. You should worry about yourself.”

He touched his bandaged shoulder. “We were ambushed and ... I wasn’t ready.”

“No, you weren’t. But no one ever really is. You can’t be ready for a fight; you can only prepare for it. That’s something you gotta get.”

Before Cedric could say anything, his mother’s voice called out from outside the tent.

“Cedric! Cedric, are you okay?”

Seraphina rushed into the tent, going straight to the bed. Blunder came in after her, taking a place beside Eligh.

“I told you he’d be fine, Your Majesty,” Blunder chuckled.

“Cedric.” Seraphina took her son’s hand and kissed his forehead with her soft lips. “I was so worried about you.”

He was happy to see her, to feel her soft kisses, to smell the scent of mommy’s lush hair.

“I’m okay,” he said languidly, closing his eyes under the barrage of her kisses.

While Blunder was talking to Eligh, Cedric took the opportunity and gently pulled her closer to him.

He dug into her plump lips. The taste of her mouth mingled with the scent of healing herbs. Seraphina’s eyes widened in surprise, indicating she wasn’t fond of such affection. She put her other hand on Cedric’s chest, trying to push away and break the kiss, but he held her too tightly. He didn’t care about anything. He needed that kiss.

Finally, she broke free of his grip and wiped her lips.

Eligh left the tent, and Blunder came closer, seeming not to notice.

“How are you feeling? We thought they got to you before we did, Cedric,” said Blunder.

“They?” asked Cedric.

“Cult. They must have found a secret passage through the mountains and snuck into the valley. I took your mother and sister to the library as soon as the camp was attacked.”

“What Cult?” asked Cedric. He could still feel the heat of the kiss on his lips.

Blunder looked at Seraphina judgmentally, her lips glowing with saliva as well.

“Didn’t you tell him and Elowin about the Cult?”

He noticed Seraphina blushed. “We didn’t want to scare him and his sister.”

Blunder shifted his gaze to the prince. “The Gargantua Cult. They serve the King of Solarion, though he rejects all ties. Their goal is to wipe out the descendants of the Eclipsian Dynasty, and they’ve come for you, Cedric.”

He felt a little uneasy.

“When I didn’t find you in the tent, I assumed they had already taken you, so I tried to rescue your sister and mother. The Exarchy found refuge for them in the library.”

Cedric felt even worse at the mention of the Exarchy. He remembered the last thing he saw before he passed out.

“The Exarchy? She...”

Seraphina shook her head.

“She was killed by someone who was hiding in the library,” said Blunder.

It seemed to Cedric that Blunder had turned pale. Was he talking about the creature he had seen last night?

“It wasn’t a man, though it looked like one. It wore a cloak, moved like an animal, and didn’t even need a sword to tear the Library guards apart. The way it butchered the Exarchy ... It seemed to be personal.”

“Lord Blunder!” exclaimed Seraphina.

“Your son saw it all for himself. Eligh gave the creature a fight and was the only survivor. I got there too late, it was as if the thing heard the call and headed away.”

“I saw it leave the library when I was in the village. It left a trail behind it.”

Blunder narrowed his eyes. “You were in the village? What were you doing there at night?” he asked angrily. It was the first time Cedric had ever seen him so upset.

His heart sank as he recalled what had happened. His fellow soldiers were likely all dead, Matt, Pale one, and the girl—whose body he had used to shield himself from an arrow—came to his mind.

“What have I done,” he thought.

His silence continued, and Seraphina took a moment to intervene. “My son needs peace, Lord. Does it matter how or why now? The important thing is that Cedric was not in the camp when the attack occurred. He’s safe and I would like some alone time with my son now, if you don’t mind.”

The Lord’s lower lip trembled, but he pulled himself together quickly. “Yes, of course, my lady. I’ll leave you to it; I need to speak with the newly elected Exarchy. Let the prince rest.” He bowed and stepped out.

Finally, they were left alone. Seraphina lowered the entrance canopy to the tent. As she recoiled, Cedric kept his eyes on her lush big ass under her dress.

He remembered their shared prophecy and pictured her in a beautiful wedding ceremony outfit. He bit his lip, holding back a rush of emotion at the thought of her leaving father and letting Cedric between her legs to fulfill the prophecy. And perhaps he could even conceive a child with her, 19^th descendant.

No, this was too much. He’s not crazy.

She returned to the bed with a frown. “That kiss was not the right time, Cedric! They could have seen us! What were you thinking?”

“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t resist,” he looked at her, observing Mum’s neckline and hips. Seraphina noticed his look, but he didn’t care.

“You sound just like your dad, Cedric. You’re scaring me.” She lifted his chin to the level of her face. “My eyes are here. I was worried about you. I thought something happened like you got caught or even worse. What were you doing in the village?”

He was so tired he didn’t even feel like lying. He didn’t have the energy to make up a version. “I went out to spend time with the girls. Nothing big, just pampering. I have needs too, Mum.”

“WHAT?” Her hands suddenly clutched at his neck, he thought she was going to strangle him. “You left the safety of the camp because you wanted to fulfill your animal needs?”

It was hard to tell from her expression whether she was trying to decide to strangle him or not. She looked very angry.

She quietly removed her hands, glided them over his chest, and stepped away. “You’re so irresponsible. Sometimes I forget you’re just a teenager.”

What happened next was their mutual mistake. Things took a turn for the worse due to a misunderstanding. Seraphina said sarcastically, “If you’re struggling with your needs so much, maybe I should handle it.”

Of course, she didn’t mean it that way. She would never, ever. She just wanted to shame her son for his rash actions, but Cedric replied confidently.

“I wouldn’t mind.”

Seraphina, taken aback, covered her mouth in shock.

“Cedric! How can you ... how can you say that?”

He realized too late what a foolish thing he had said. “Sorry, Mum. I...”

But Seraphina wasn’t listening. She hurriedly left the tent.

“Good job, Cedric.”

He dressed, not without the help of servants, and went out from the tent, holding on to his walking stick.

Outside, the camp smelled of death and looked miserable. There were wounded soldiers everywhere, wrapped in bandages. Smoke still continued to billow from a few tents and the village. The library on the hill looked pathetic. Some female priests seemed to be trying to rebuild what was left of the steps.

Walking was tough. His entire body hurt a lot, and the stitches in his shoulder were coming undone. With each step, he felt like he might fall, but someone behind caught him.

“Don’t fall here, Prince,” Eligh said, guiding him toward. “I thought you already learned that lesson.”

“Thanks.”
“I’d like to escort you to the Lord’s tent where an important meeting is taking place.”

As Cedric walked, the soldiers turned to look at him. Some stopped and nodded, while others kneeled as he passed.

“Some soldiers witnessed your bravery in battle,” said Eligh. “Others have seen you trying to summit to the Library, almost stumbling with each step. When they later saw you being carried out of the library, everyone thought you might not make it. While you were resting there was a lot of talk, and it seems some people now think you’re not as useless as they thought at first.”

He watched as more and more soldiers bowed their heads, but there were also those who passed on.

“I don’t deserve it.” Cedric heard a familiar cawing, a crow flew in circles right overhead. Making another circle, it disappeared behind the edge of the forest.

Eligh was silent, and then Cedric asked. “I heard you fought back the creature from the library.”

“It wasn’t a creature,” Eligh said coldly when they had almost reached Blunder’s tent.

“A man? I saw hoofprints.”

“It wasn’t a man either.”

“Then who?”

“I don’t know.” Ethel skipped forward, letting him into the lord’s tent.

Cedric entered. There were people gathered inside, about ten captains and generals, Blunder was sitting at a small table with rolls of letters and candles. Everyone present bowed at the sight of the prince, even Riley, who stood behind Blunder.

Seraphina was sitting near the entrance on a chair with her legs crossed. She looked away when their gazes met, folding her arms across her chest.

“You’re just in time,” remarked Blunder.

He seemed to have entered a moment of heated negotiation.

Cedric cautiously sat down in the empty seat next to his mother. “Where is Elowin?”

But Seraphina didn’t answer. She stood up, trying to get herself away from her son.

“We need to figure out our next steps. Staying in the valley is too risky,” the Lord continued. “How’s the search for a way to stop the Eclipse going? Are you close to a solution?”

Everyone’s eyes went to Seraphina and Cedric. But they were both silent, having nothing to say, frankly.

“We...” Cedric spoke, but his mother suddenly interrupted him.

“We have almost found the answer, but we need a little more time to search.”

“How much more do you need? We won’t survive another attack,” said one of the general who stood closer to Blunder.

“As long as it takes” replied Seraphina. “This is about saving the world. There can be no rush!”

“We can rush if our enemy has similar plans,” added another captain. He had dark skin and a beard. “We interrogated a cultist and found out that Gargantua intends to use the Cosmic Eclipse’s power to murder our king and wipe out his entire army.”

“Murder the king?” Shocked and pale Seraphina fell back; Cedric picked her up right in time and set her in a chair. He squeezed Mum’s hand tightly before he said.

“Then perhaps their target was not only me, but the library as well.”

Everyone looked at Cedric.

“The answer isn’t there. Someone pre-destroyed some of the pages about the Cosmic Eclipse.” He felt Seraphina squeeze his hand painfully. “But I know where to look for the answer.”

“Where?” asked Blunder. The room fell silent as everyone focused on Cedric. Only Riley, with his white pupils, grinned mysteriously.

“I...” Cedric felt the weight of everyone’s gaze, reminiscent of the day the Cosmic Eclipse was announced, when he first discovered the 18th descendant’s special destiny.

The Exarchy had clearly hinted to him that he should look to the spirits for answers. Though he did not yet understand how to do so.

“Prince?” the bearded captain asked as the pause visibly lengthened.

“I can’t really say. You’ll just have to trust me.”

This response was disappointing.

“Trust you?” said one of the generals, a short, broad man with gray hair, getting up from his chair. “You haven’t earned that right, kid. Our best men died protecting you. And all you give us is secrets?”

“Rosco!” Blunder interjected.

The angry general approached. Eligh stepped forward, positioning himself between the general and the prince.

“It was madness to follow this insolent, useless child in the first place. We risked our loyalty to the king, and for what?” He turned angrily to Blunder. “That’s your fault, Elias. We need to return to the king and settle this. Our boys deserve to be buried home.”

“You know we can’t do that. I’m sorry.”

General Rosco clenched his fists angrily and was about to walk out, but stopped. “And you,” he jabbed a finger at Eligh. “don’t you ever dare stand in my way!”

After these words, he left the tent.

“He’ll calm down, sooner or later,” reassured the bearded captain.

Blunder slouched in his chair, rubbing his eyes. “Meeting is over. Disperse the troops; we don’t know where Gargantua used the passage. Send scouts; maybe their camp is still outside the valley. Conrad.” The lord turned to the bearded captain.

“Yes, my lord?”

“Send a messenger to the king. Report what we have seen - the creature that lurked within the walls of the library.”

All the captains and generals looked at the Lord. “We don’t know who or what it is, or where it’s headed next. Is it connected to the Cult? We don’t know. The king needs to know this thing is roaming in his lands.”

Conrad nodded and stepped out of the tent. Outside it was already getting dusk.

Seraphina hurried away as soon as the meeting was over.

“Seems like she’s still angry at me,” thought Cedric.

“Let’s go.” Eligh roughly grabbed the prince’s arm and lifted him up. “I hope you have a good reason to keep your mouth shut, lad. The lord is already being eaten alive by everyone for dragging them into this adventure. And you’re not helping him in any way.”

“I understand.”

Eligh walked away, Cedric glanced up into the sky, but no crow appeared in the dim twilight sky this time.

What if he was mistaken?

He went back to the tent, feeling the need for more rest and recovery. Cedric wanted to think how to win back his mother’s favor.

By the way, where is Elowin?

Suddenly, someone entered the tent. Before Cedric could look up to see who it was, Seraphina’s body quickly settled on top of him, trying not to crush her son.

“Uff ... what are you doing, Mum?”

“Shh. Tell me something, dear. Why did you say that?” She ran her hand down his neck, in the same place where she’d clasped her hands together this morning.

“Said what?”

“That you wouldn’t mind if I helped you with your man needs. You know it’s a bad and inappropriate thing to say. Mums shouldn’t deal with their son’s needs. You know that.”

He blushed thickly. “Well ... You just caught me in a moment and I ... I didn’t mean it, Mum. I’m sorry.”

“So you didn’t mean it now, huh? I think I starting to realize what’s behind all the kissing, the attention, the hugging. Isn’t there anything you want to tell me, dear? I know I’ve been behaving very inappropriately as a mother for the last few weeks. Especially,” she sighed, recalling the incident in the library. “when I saddled you that one time.”

“Wow. Did you really just say saddled, Mum?”

“Be quiet and listen, Cedric! I was lonely, okay!? That’s why I acted like that and did so many stupid things. After all, I’ve never been so far away from your father for so long. Don’t judge me, and now tell me. Do you like me?”

“Like you? Well, yeah. You’re my Mum.”

“Not like that, dummy. Do you like me as a woman?”

“What? No, of course not, Mum. I just can’t...” He attempted to come up with something believable as two lovely shapes, his mother’s breasts, hung right in front of his face. “I can’t like you as a woman because you are my Mum!”

“Are you sure?” She grabbed him by the neck again.

“Yeah. I’m sure!”

“Are you sure you are sure?”

“Mum, yes!”

She looked at him carefully, then exhaled in relief. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for this awkward conversation, dear.” She removed her hands from his neck. “Elowin once said that you had a soft spot for me, but I didn’t take her words seriously. She said if I cornered you, you’d confess right away. I decided, for the first time, to take my daughter’s advice, and maybe I shouldn’t have. It got a bit awkward.”

“Screw you, Elowin. Whenever you are right now,” Cedric thought.

“I’m sorry, dear.” Seraphina was about to stand up when he firmly grabbed her thighs, gripping his fingers into her skin.

“Wait, don’t go. Please.”

“What? Why?”

“I ... I like it when you sit on me like this. Just don’t go.”

He blushed even more.

She smiled. “You enjoy me sitting on you? It’s a bit strange for a mother to hear that from her son. But okay, if that’s what you want.” She gently kissed his forehead and then lay down next to him, keeping her thighs over his lap. She covered them both with a warm blanket.

“Why even start the conversation by jumping on me like that?” he could feel her warm breath and the beating of her heart. His mother smelled so nice.

“You probably forgot, but when you were a kid, I used to do this all the time when I needed to pry something out of you. But you weren’t so big and strong before.” She ran her hand over his bandaged chest. “Now you are so tall and full of energy.”

“Yeah. I guess I forgot.”

“Thank you for helping me at the meeting today. You were so brave. Just like your father.”

“Could you not compare me to him every time I do something important please?”

She smiled. “It might be tough, but I’ll do my best.”

He loved the feel of her head on his chest, her hips on his groin. How had it come to this? How could he think of his mother in such a wrong way?

With her no longer angry, it was the right time to tell her something important.

“There’s something I have to tell you, Mum. I found out about a prophecy that says about us.”

“Us?” Seraphina slowly raised her head, her emerald eyes fixed on him.

“That day when you straddled me. Well, I came across a book that mentioned something about the 18th descendant of Starborne and the last descendant of Leronse having to get married. It’s talking about you and me, Mum. We should be married.”

“WHAT? That can’t be true. Maybe you misunderstood something, sweetie.” She tried to get up. “It can’t be us.”

“I didn’t believe it either. How can we be married? We’re mother and son.” He sat up more comfortably, letting his cock rest against her groin.

“There must be ... a mistake, Cedric,” she gasped, seeming to feel his cock on her vagina, but he held her too tightly for her to budge.

“There’s no mistake, Mum. Maybe this is one way to stop the Eclipse. Maybe it’s meant to happen? You and me, Mum. We have to embrace it.”

He rubbed against her pussy, feeling her weaken in his arms.

“What are you saying? Don’t, sweetheart. Let me go, please. We can’t,” Seraphina whispered.

“Maybe I do like you as a woman, Mum. I didn’t know why, but maybe it’s to fulfill this prophecy between us?”