The Dark Fey Chronicles Court of Roses

5

I slept restlessly that night. I dreamt of Erik's face, his eyes forever watching me. When I woke, I felt like I hadn't slept much at all. I sighed and pushed my sheets back, walked over to my dresser and pulled it open. There was only one pair of jeans left and a thin turtleneck. Before I could slip them on, I heard someone coming down the hall. I jumped at the loud knock on my door. Liv didn't wait for me to answer, she opened the door and walked in, followed by at least five maids. The Maids went straight to work, stripping my bed and pulling the pillows from the bed.
"Good morning, Lexi," she sang as she flounced through the room. "We have so much to do today! You should shower and get dressed. Erik has given me the day off and that never happens!" She rolled her eyes and flopped down into my freshly made bed. "Erik is meeting with the Elders about the attack last night. He is in a bad mood!"
I didn't say anything. He didn't strike me as in a bad mood last night when he had followed me outside. "Anyway, it's Vanari Nocte in a few weeks and we have lots to do! The feast will be the biggest one this year-"
"Vanari Nochte?" I asked her.
Liv looked up at me from her phone and nodded. "Yes, why?"
I shook my head and looked at my phone. "I supposed I hadn't realized that it was this late in the year."
Liv nodded and leaned back on one hand, looking at me, her face calculating. "Erik has asked that you escort him to the ceremony," she told me.
I felt my heart flutter and sink a little. "He wants me to escort him?"
Liv smiled. "He was quite persistent in the matter," she told me.
I sighed and looked down at my clothes and then back at Liv, who was dressed in a long, soft pink flowing skirt and a white blouse. She could look beautiful without even trying. Envy washed through me and I frowned at myself, trying to force the feelings away.
"Anyway," Liv said. "We are going shopping! You need a new wardrobe-"
"I really don't need-"
Liv shook her head. "Trust me, you will!" she assured me. "Erik is vary particular on how we do training. He gave me special instructions to make sure you go to the training grounds as soon as possible!"
I sighed and turned to look at my flat, bony frame. Erik had a point. I did need the work. "Don't worry," she reminded me. "We will fix it!" I looked back at her and sighed.
"Well, I showered last night, so if you are ready to go we can go!"
Liv smiled and we both headed for the door. The Manor was huge. As we walked, I found myself hoping to run into Erik. The hallways were mostly deserted. It wasn't until we were walking toward the main part of the building, where last nights dinner had been held. As we passed the throne room, I caught a glimpse of him, seated at his throne, his face frustrated and stressed. I sniffed, hoping to catch a whiff of his scent. I could smell him of course but he was in the room with many other people.
Liv smiled and stopped beside me. "He has been up since about four this morning," she told me. Erik waved at the tall blond haired man beside him and mumbled something. Then they both burst out laughing.
"He should be going to breakfast if you want to join him?" Liv said and pulled out her phone. Before I could answer, Liv slipped her arm through mine and Guided me past the throne room and toward the dining hall. We were the first to arrive. Live sat me down at the corner of the table.
"Coffee?" she asked me and I nodded.
I watched her pour me a steaming cup of the tart, dark liquid and I sniffed. It smelled wonderful. And there was something else mixed with it. Something earthy. Pine. Like the forest. Like-
"Good morning, brother." Liv announced and my eyes snapped back down to my empty plate, my heart pumping unevenly. Erik walked around the table and took a seat right beside me. "What is on the agenda today?"
Erik sighed and picked up his coffee cup. "Same as usual," he muttered. "Paperwork, patrols, phone calls."
Liv nodded and then everyone fell silent again. I watched as Liv tried to ignore her buzzing phone but it was about to buzz off the side of the table.
"Oh they can't do anything without me!" she sighed. "I have to go!" And with that she downed the rest of her coffee, leaving me alone with Erik. I reached for my coffee and took a sip.
"You look well rested," Erik told me.
I nodded. "The wonders a bed can do!" I said and then flushed crimson. I was talking about a bed? Already? He would think I'm some kind of desperate tart. From the corner of my eye, I saw his hand tighten into a fist, knuckles white.
"I hope you feel welcome here," he told me.
I forced a smile on my lips. "I am grateful to be here, Sir," I said awkwardly.
Erik frowned at me. "Look... I know what... I know who you are," he said as he leaned back in his chair. "Liv was very eager to tell me, in great detail. I knew who you were the second you stepped from that limo!"
I felt the blood drain from my face. But if he had known, what was he waiting for? It was custom to claim your Mate as soon as you made the connection. I had felt it in the small clearing behind the Manor that day.
"I do not presume to think you are accepting of the idea just yet," he added.
I looked up at him now. He was choosing his words extremely carefully. He was trying. I had to acknowledge that. It was only fair.
"You may yet change your mind, Sir-"
His hand reached and gripped mine, his fingers gripping my flesh, burning me, robbing me of breath.
"Erik," he reminded me. "My name is Erik!"
He leaned in across the table, his eyes locked on my face. His body was now angled toward me.
"I'm sorry-"
Erik leaned forward now, his hand gripping my wrist. "My name is Erik," he said again. "Say my name."
We stared at each other for a moment. "Say it!" he repeated in a low voice.
I swallowed. "Erik," his name left my lips in a low voice and I watched his face relax as a small smile tugged at his perfect lips.
His hand came up to touch my face but he stopped and gripped my wrist again.
"I want to claim you," he said and I leaned away, confused. I looked down at my untouched plate. He wanted to claim me? Did he understand what he was asking? Did he not see what I did each time I looked in the mirror? I was a dark haired rag doll. My cheekbones now carved my face into sharp angels and my chest was as flat as a board.
Erik reached a finger back under my chin.
"I don't think that is wise, Sir," I said as I folded my hands in my lap looking up at him.
He sighed. "And why not?" His voice came out sharp and quick. Almost angry.
My heart throbbed in my chest. For so many reasons. I would make a weak mate and Queen. No one would follow me. But I would be with him. I couldn't tell him the reasons why. It was too humiliating and embarrassing to relive it all. I just wanted to forget. I would just have to keep refusing him until he stopped asking to Claim me. An odd feeling of rejection and self loathing washed through me and I watched Erik's eyes tighten. His blond hair and green eyes were almost glowing in the morning light shining through the window behind him.
"Many reasons, Sir," I said and tugged at his hold on my arm. "Now, may I please go?"
Erik's grip tightened. "If I were to Mark you, you would be safe here," he reminded me. "You would have full protections and privileges-"
I tugged at him again. I didn't want to be here. "I know how to fight!" I reminded him. Did he think I didn't know how? Did he think that I would not pick up this steak knife to my left and stab someone in the neck if I had to? Erik laughed and then let me go. I stood up and he grinned at
Me, as if he was in on some kind of joke I was not.
"A Hunter would track you down in seconds," he told me. Now I was offended.
"Like I said," I told him in a low voice. "I know how to fight."
Erik pursed his lips. "I should be leaving, now," I told him. When he didn't say anything and just stared at me, I pushed my chair back and headed for the exit. As happy and stress free I felt around him, right now, I needed a moment to myself. But before I could reach the door, Erik was before me, his hands in fists at his side.
"If I Claim you, no one would mess with you. You would be protected. Let me protect you. Or I could always just Mark you," he said. His breath was hot on my neck and face. I breathed in deeply, his smell filling me. I almost felt high from smelling him. Erik raised a hand and glided a finder down the side of my neck. I watched as his eyes followed the movement and he breathed out a small breath as he smiled, his scent numbing my census . My mouth watered and my eyes locked on his lips.
I was too stunned to speak. Erik reached and pulled me forward, his face sliding along my skin. "Lexi," his voice caressed my name like velvet. "Let me protect you!" Both of his hands came up, his long fingers gliding around my neck. "Let me have you!"
My legs felt like jello and I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. No words, no sound, nothing. Erik leaned away and looked at me, his face troubled.
"I need time," I told him in a low voice. I needed to get away from him.
Erik leaned away and looked up at me. "Time for what?" he asked me.
I felt myself blush. How was I supposed to tell him that I didn't want to be touched and that every time he did, it made my skin crawl and my heart ache. How was I supposed to say that I craved his touch but that I was terrified of it at the same time? These feelings were still very confusing and I needed space. Right now.
I backed away, reaching up to pull his hands away from my neck. Erik dropped his hands to his sides at once. But before I could speak, his eyes snapped to the left and he sighed. Erik returned to his seat.
"You may go," he told me.
I raised an eyebrow at him. I turned away and hurried from the room, hoping Liv was nearby.