You Are My Light

Callum's POV

A sense of terror courses through my veins. How did this happen? An entire day alone with Viren, without Ezran, anything is possible. "Is there any way I can stay with Ez?" I ask Elijah.

"Ya," Ezran agrees, "I need Callum. We've never spent a day apart." Elijah looks between me and Ezran and sighs.

"No," he says looking me in the eye, "You will go with Viren for the day and that is final." Elijah finishes. My eyes widen as my voice catches in my throat. I look at Elijah with pleading eyes.

"Please," I beg, "Let me stay with Ez."

"No do not ask again." Elijah commands his voice rising with anger. I look down discouraged and contemplate my options. The first option is to give up and go along with this, option two is ask Harrow to stay with Ezran at dinner. I look at Ezran and he immediately nods in understanding. That is one thing I love about Ezran; he can almost always know and understand what I am planning. Ezran looks across the room at the clock showing that we have ten minutes until dinner.

"We should probably go to dining room." Ez suggests. Ezran and I walk side by side a set of long hallways to the dining room. A guard opens the door, and we see Harrow is already seated at the table.

"Boys," he chuckles, "Right on time." I awkwardly smile and sit down across from Ezran. Elijah walked around and stood behind Ezran's chair glaring at me as if telling me not to say a word. The only problem with that is i refuse to listen to him. I decide to wait until after the food is served to say anything. "What did you two do today?" the king inquires. Ezran nervously looks at Elijah and smiles before turning back to Harrow.

"Me and Callum went down to the river and swam for a little while." Ez happily answers. Behind him Elijah gives me a knowing look before he glares knowing this was my idea. 'Oh, if looks could kill,' I think. Giving Elijah a defiant smile, I turn back to listen Harrow to continue listening to the conversation.

"Sounds fun," Harrow responds. I nod in agreement while eating my food. I look down at my plate and take a deep breath to calm my nerves.

"So," I begin, "Is there any way I can stay with Ez tomorrow? I don't see why we need to be split up." I look up from my plate and gaze at Harrow. "I really don't want to go with Viren tomorrow." I continue a shiver running down my spine causing me to twitch. "Do we even need someone to watch us? I mean it's one day. I'm twelve and Ez is eight, we can take care of ourselves for a few hours. On top of that, there are guards all over the castle." I finish.

"Ya, I don't want to be away from Callum. I'll be so bored." Ezran agrees.

"Boys it's only for a few hours. I think the two of you can last that long, and I've already explained this to the two of you. Both of you are very precious to me and there are evil people in this world that will use that against you two in order to get to me. I need you both to be protected, and it is easier for someone who is not as trained as Elijah to only watch one of you instead of both of you." Harrow reasons.

"I know but," Ezran begins.

"No buts." Harrow interrupts, "It has already been settled. Ezran you will go with Commander Greyson, and Callum will go with Viren." I feel my heart sink in my chest from those words as well as a pit of fear forming in my stomach. Tears fill my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. My appetite is gone and all I want to do is curl up in my bed and die. Ez looks at me sympathetically. He does not know why I fear Viren, and I hope he never finds out. "Callum, look at me." Harrow orders. I look up at him with tear filled eyes. Harrow sighs and shakes his head. "Callum, you know why you have to stay with Viren tomorrow." Harrow gently says. I nod slowly trying not to show weakness or fear. "Ok," he finishes getting up and walking away. Dinner is over and I am left feeling worse than when it begun. Ez and I walk back to our shared bedroom, and when we walk through the door, I release a breath I did not realize I was holding. Elijah tries to follow us inside, but before he could Ezran slams the door in his face and locks it.