auguste

 blood covered his person as he had to fight his way through to search for his people, especially his concubine. he managed to get her and the others to safety and he stayed behind to make sure they were safe. he couldn’t rest unless he knew this fight was over. he was on alert when the french prince came up to him then he blinked at his words– instantly realizing his face from his portrait his bother had given to him. the flame sword vanished from his hand and he bowed his head to him. “i could say the same to you. it seems your kin have not been able to use their talents of light.” his eyes flickered to the side, seeing someone rush towards them. a stomp of his foot was given and a wall of flames erupted from it to create a shield of fire behind the prince. “watch your back— husband.” he hummed before his sword returned in his hand. “go—.” he motioned towards the hall from the throne room closest to them. “it’s safer outside the throne room.” he grabbed his hand and pushed him forward, following behind him. “i fear your brother would have my head if i do not protect you.” he mused.

-

if it weren’t for the immediate danger, auguste might have had to dissect the surge of feeling in his gut in reaction to such a display of power. even as son to the former sun king and brother to the current, auguste had rarely seen the full effects. now he would be married to someone with such power. he swallowed roughly and adjusted his hold on his sword, too distracted by his racing thoughts to catch the incoming attacker. the sudden warmth against his back made auguste’s eyes widen, and he spun around to face the danger he narrowly missed. he took several steps back and nearly bumped into the man who could make him flush just by calling him “husband.” gritting his teeth, auguste blinked himself out of it and refused to react to jainyu hand in his. although he rolled his eyes, auguste followed directions and started towards the hall as he was directed. “you’d be surprised. once he has spawn, he may not be so concerned,” he said with a sarcastic laugh. auguste tried to stay low as they moved through the hall in ruins in case of stray magic and arrows. “your highness, i hope you don’t find this rude but . . . i admit, i approached you to bring you to safety, not looking for my own,” he said in a hushed voice, slowing his steps to turn and look at jainyu. 

when her arm was grabbed, daiyu gasped, trying to pull away from him. she’d lost jainyu in the chaos and had nearly burned the man trying to help her. trying to help jainyu’s brother had felt like a losing battle and she’d given up on encasing herself in her flames. it was a waste of energy until she had a threat to focus them on. seeing who it was grabbing her, she frowned slightly. ❝ i can’t find jainyu! we cannot leave him here. ❞ her worry was something befalling her oldest friend, her beloved. daiyu had stayed by his side most of every day since their childhood. and that meant that she could take harm that might befall him. yes, she hung on him as a lover, that was what she’d always been to him. but she was never far from her emperor in case she couldn’t be there to protect him. 

❝ please. we have to find him. if something were to happen to him…i am grateful to you for wanting to help me, but he is far more important. he is all that matters. ❞ if the court hadn’t been what it was right then, she would’ve been empress. it only broke her heart that she couldn’t forever be tied officially to jainyu. but she knew she was expendable. she’d gladly give her life in place of his. 

-

think, you ass. he’d just grabbed daiyu without considering the consequences––her talent was no lesser than his. in fact, right at the moment, it was far greater. auguste blanched at her casual use of the emperor’s given name but reminded himself that propriety wasn’t important right now. “my lady, he is the dragon emperor. i believe he is well equipped to protect himself––and even if he weren’t, he has guards. please, you could be used against him if things turn poorly.” he couldn’t help but think how much faster this would be moving if he could calm her down in his usual way. for now, he had to rely on just his words and no magic. auguste glanced once again towards where he had last seen his brother, noting the golden sword was gone from the wall. 

quiet. the constant rush of emotions, usually like strings for him to pluck at, almost entirely quiet. his eyes flashed to his brother and saw him stumbling forward. before he could run to him, auguste’s eyes caught sight of a panicked woman, the same he had seen hanging off of his fiancé’s arm the entire welcoming ceremony. he’d done his research when aurélin let his pairing slip earlier than the others. she was likely the emperor’s concubine. auguste desperately glanced back to where his brother had last been, only to confirm he’d been lost in the chaos. auguste sighed and changed his trajectory to the woman, grabbing her arm firmly. the eclipse might have weakened his talent but at least he was fit enough to run. “come with me, i know the palace’s secrets,” he insisted, hoping the look on his face was enough to convince her. ( @firemoonandstone​ )