The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 340: The Real Target

Jerrick’s brow furrowed in concentration, his mind working rapidly to absorb everything Jessamyn was telling him. He was relieved that she was opening up to him, though the heaviness in her voice and the exhaustion in her eyes filled him with unease.

He could see how much this conversation was taking out of her, how sleep-deprived and weary she was. Yet, he understood that whatever she had to say was important enough for her to push through her exhaustion. If she felt the need to discuss this now, he would listen.

"Like what?" he asked, his voice low, filled with concern.

Jessamyn’s expression shifted, her eyes darkening with the weight of the knowledge she was about to share. She took a deep breath, glancing momentarily at their sleeping son before turning back to Jerrick. "They want to kill you, Jerrick," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the fear that lingered beneath her words. "And they want to take control of Ayberia."

His chest tightened at her words, but he remained silent, letting her continue. She was leading him into dangerous territory, and he needed to understand every detail.

"The Council might be the biggest force behind the Altanian attack this time," Jessamyn explained, her eyes narrowing in thought. "They want to humiliate Ayberia before integrating it with Altania. And the reason—" She hesitated for a moment, as if trying to find the right way to say it. "The King of Altania has already bowed the knee to the Council."

Jerrick clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "I will be a great hindrance to their plans," he said, his voice sharp with understanding. Now, at last, it was clear why the Council wanted him dead. His mere existence posed a threat to their ambitions.

Jessamyn nodded solemnly. "Yes," she whispered. "Only I can bring you to them. Elaine used a spell circle against William, trapping him. They will want me to use it on you too."

Her hand found his, and she held it tightly, her fingers trembling. Jerrick could feel her fear as if it were his own, the way her pulse quickened, the way her breath hitched in her throat. He squeezed her hand in return, a silent promise that he was there for her, that no matter what, he would not leave her to face this alone.

"You and I are not their target now..." she said, her voice softening, but the dread in her tone unmistakable.

Jerrick’s brows drew together in confusion. If they weren’t the targets, then who?

"Our son..." Jessamyn’s voice broke as she unconsciously turned her gaze to the small, sleeping child beside her. Jerrick’s heart dropped into his stomach, the gravity of her words sinking in like a blade. He squeezed her hand, reassuring her that their son was fast asleep and wouldn’t hear them.

"They see him as a threat," Jessamyn continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "A hindrance to their plans to change the religion of the united kingdoms of Ayberia and Altania."

Jerrick’s breath left him in a rush, the weight of the revelation almost unbearable. He hadn’t expected this. Never, in all his battles, had he considered that their innocent child would be caught in the crossfire of power struggles, politics, and dark magic. Jessamyn had done an incredible job bringing their son into this world, safely and against all odds. Now, it would be his duty—no, his solemn vow—to protect their child until he could protect himself.

"We will protect him, Mynah," Jerrick said, using the pet name he only uttered in the most intimate of moments. His voice was resolute, unwavering, though his own fear gnawed at him from the inside. "Together."

Jessamyn gulped, her eyes filling with unshed tears. She nodded after a moment, though the hesitation in her gesture made Jerrick’s heart clench. She wanted to believe him—he could see it in her eyes—but the weight of their situation was pressing down on her, and hope was slipping through her grasp like sand.

"What is your plan?" Jerrick asked, sensing that there was more she hadn’t yet revealed. He could see the war within her, the way her shoulders tensed with every unspoken word. He needed to know what she had been hiding, what plan she had concocted that made her think she needed to leave him behind. Whatever it was, he would find a way to convince her otherwise.

Jessamyn’s voice faltered slightly as she replied, "I met my master on the way here. He helped lift the barrier surrounding this place so I could enter..."

Jerrick’s stomach twisted at the implications. If the Council controlled the barrier, then they were far more powerful than he had anticipated. More disturbingly, it meant he, Jessamyn, their son, and all of his men were effectively hostages, trapped in the Council’s territory without even realizing it.

If they were to escape, they wouldn’t just be fleeing. They would be waging a war against an unseen enemy that controlled the very ground beneath their feet.

"I promised my master I would bring you out within a week," Jessamyn admitted, her voice trembling with the weight of her confession. "They’ll expect our son to be with us... I told him I had a month, but our son came earlier than expected."

She let out a shuddering breath, the tension in her frame palpable. Jerrick’s heart ached at the sight of her so vulnerable, so caught between the love she had for him and the impossible task she had taken on.

The Council likely already knew their son had been born. They were in their territory, after all, and Jessamyn had crossed a line the moment she struck a deal with her master. Now, there was no turning back.

"We’ll find a way," Jerrick said, his voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside him. He took her hand again, holding it firmly. "We’ll get our son out of here first."

He met her gaze, his eyes burning with determination. He wouldn’t let their child fall into the hands of the Council, wouldn’t let their family be torn apart by forces outside their control. No matter what, they would fight with everything they had.

"I’ll see if I can contact William," Jerrick added, his mind racing with possibilities. William, the man who had been trapped by the same magic the Council was using against them—he could be their only chance.

Jessamyn’s face softened with a flicker of hope. But it was quickly overshadowed by worry. "Can you reach William without tipping off the Council?" she asked, her voice filled with fear and doubt.

Jerrick’s jaw tightened. It was a risk—there was no question about that. But if they were going to save their son, he would take every risk necessary. "I’ll find a way," he promised.

Jessamyn’s eyes lingered on their child, her heart heavy with the weight of motherhood, of love, and of the terrible danger that loomed over them all. She trusted William to protect their son, but the question remained: would their son ever reach him in time?