The Dark Fey Chronicles Court of Roses

11

I sighed as Erik and I walked slowly back toward the Manor. It was extremely beautiful here. I could see myself, years from now, here, happy and sated.
"What can I do to make you happy here?" he asked me when he came to a stop. Wondering if he had somehow read my mind, I looked up at him, my heart breaking because I knew I was the reason for his doubt right now. Erik's face was creased with worry and I knew I had not been making things easy for him. I shook my head and turned away from him again, no longer being able to hold his gaze.
"Erik, you know it's not you-" I began but Erik shook his head, gripping my hands.
"Lexi,"Erik whispered my name as he leaned forward, his hands grabbing mine as he spoke. "That's not want I mean! I told you, I'll wait forever if I have to! What I want to know is what I can do to make you smile! What can I do to make your life easier here?"  
I leaned away from him now, wondering when the conversation had become so serious? And was my life here really that horrible? I had not even been here a day. Was I that transparent? Before I could think of something to say, Erik's hands slid to my thighs and pulled me closer. My breath left my lips in a wild gasp. Erik growled and pulled me down now, making me straddle him. I wasn't sure how I felt about this. It felt strange. His hands slowly slid up my arms and down my sides. He was moving extremely slow, giving me every opportunity to stop him if I so desired. Erik sighed, his face nuzzled into my neck. My breath hitched in my chest and I shuddered in his arms. A low growl left his lips and abruptly his touch was suddenly too much. I felt my body lock up and stiffen. I heard Erik suck in a breath but his lips had already made contact with my skin and I whimpered.
"Erik, stop it!"
Erik immediately pulled his hands away and leaned away, effectively putting space between us. His muscles rippled under his jacket and I felt my mouth water.
"I'm sorry," he said angrily. I bit my lip and held my breath, keeping the sob from breaching my lips. "I know I said I'd stay away but it's almost impossible. I crave your smell... your touch-"
I reached and gripped his wrist, my fingers tangled in his sleeve. "Erik, I know," I told him. He sighed, leaning back on his feet to look at me. "I know the feeling you speak of. I feel it too. But I can't... feel it, you know?" I was hoping against hope he would understand. I needed time to accept the idea of him touching me. "I understand. We should get back," he mumbled after a moment.
I sighed. "It's not that I don't trust you!" I told him as we walked. "I don't  trust everyone else here. I don't trust the Elders, the Council or anyone else here. You, Liv and perhaps Caro and Krysta but that's it! I am a stranger here. A stranger that is not as welcomed as the People try to make her think she is!"
Erik was quiet as walked back toward the house. "It will get better. The people need to see you for you! And that takes time!" As we rounded the corner, Erik caught my wrist and pulled me back. "Wait," he warned me. His hands came up to fix the collar of my dress. When it was done he dropped his hands to his sides and stared at me. I could see him fighting the urge to touch me now so I backed away from him.
Erik let his hands fall to his side and we both walked back to the pavilion. "You truly think there is a Mole?" He asked.
I shrugged. "I think we need to pay closer attention to who we trust," I said and looked over to Lucian who, oddly enough, was already staring at me. Erik smiled and nodded, a smile spreading across his face.
"What?" I asked him.
Erik she ghee. "You said we," he pointed out. "I like the sound of that!"
I smiled a little as blood warmed my face. "I'm still getting used to the idea. I'm sorry I'm so damaged!" It was true. I was broken, damaged goods. I was still picking the pieces up but they were sharp, jagged, broken pieces too. I didn't want to get cut.
Erik however, looked disappointed. "I wish you wouldn't speak of yourself in that way!" he grumbled as he held out an arm to me.
"I'm trying," I reminded him.
Erik sighed. "Stop apologizing," he told me as touched my face. "If anyone should be it's me!" He didn't want me to answer. Erik simply held out his hand and waited for me to take it. I smiled and looped at my arm through his. What did he have to be sorry about? I frowned, not thinking of any reason. Perhaps I was paranoid? It would explain a lot.
Back inside, Erik held out his hand and pulled out my chair for me. I smiled my thanks but before Erik could sit, Jax hurried up the steps and bowed at Erik.
"Majestetens!" he greeted us. I frowned. My Old Norse was rusty at best and my religious aspects ... well if that was a requirement, I was as good as toast. I hadn't had much need for religion before. Perhaps it was time to change that.
"I just wanted to welcome our guest, Erik," Jax said and smiled his wide smile at me.
"And to remind her of the Organization's Rose Court has to offer."
Erik nodded. "Caro had already spoken to her. Mira will be training Lexi from here on out!" Then Erik turned to me and smiled.
"Jax is Mated to Mira," he told me and I nodded while making an 'ohh' face. "They work together on everything. My guess is that he wants security details so he can spend more time with Mira!"
I felt my heart race a little. Would Erik ever do things like that for me? I frowned. I didn't want him to change on my behalf. I liked this Erik. This stern, willing, impulsive Erik. I leaned forward in my seat a little, breathing in through my nose. A sly smile tugged at Erik's lips.
"Jax is head of security and will be your bodyguard along with Mira," he said.
I felt my jaw drop and Erik laughed at me.
"I want to make sure you are protected!" he reminded me.
I shook my head. "No, absolutely not!"
Erik laughed at me. "Well it's a good thing I'm King!" he said and sipped his wine. I decided not to press the issue for now. If I wanted to ditch my new guards, I would have no problems doing so.
I leaned back in my seat and Erik nodded to Jax. Jax bowed again and turned to leave. I sighed, looking around the room. My eyes landed on Declan who was watching me. When I caught his eye, he smiled and raised his cup to me.
"What about Declan?" I asked Erik.
He sighed and looked over at my Cousin. "I don't trust him," Erik said quickly. "Why wouldn't he tell me about being at the Mountain? Why keep it a secret?"
I shook my head. "I don't know," I sighed. "He did say he was worried about who killed everyone but now he knows. You have to give him a chance to come to you!"
Erik rolled his eyes. "Yeah, let him come to you!" I told him. "If Declan is the person I know him to be he will tell you if you just give him time-"
Erik waved a hand at me now. "He has had the time! Two years. Don't you find it odd that he didn't say anything?"
I shook my head. "No," I said honestly. "If his actions were for pure survival reasons only, I understand!"
Erik sighed. "Perhaps," he agreed, his hand dropping to grip mine. "Ready for the storm?" he asked me and nodded out into the crowd. People were on their feet now, walking around and talking, a line already forming to come greet Erik.
"They are curious about you," Erik told me. "They are eager to see you up close."
I frowned and looked at the crowd. People were lined up, staring up at us, waiting for the guards to let them pass.
"Do I have to?" I asked him in a low voice.
Erik sighed. "It is expected of you," he reminded me. "But if you would like to leave-"
I shook my head and straightened myself a little in my chair and cleared my throat.
"No, I can do this!"
Erik smiled a wide smile and his face almost looked smug. "You are just full of surprises, aren't you?" he laughed. I watched lust and longing fill his eyes as he leaned forward. "Lexi, I know you can do this. I would not have asked you here with me tonight if I knew you couldn't handle this! You are much, much stronger than you lead people to think!"
I smiled and felt blood heat my face a little. I wasn't sure he was really onto something with that statement or if he was just saying that because he was my Mate.
Erik waved his hand and the guards started letting people walk up to the table. Katja and Liv were already in deep conversation with two elderly women. The first person to approach us was a young girl, dressed in full leather battle gear. The metal chainmail clacking against her gear.
"Krysta," Erik smiled. "Lexi, this is Krysta, youngest member of the Valkyrie. She is extremely talented and is considered "Caro'a Second."
Krysta bowed her head at us, her eyes fixed on me. "So this must be our new Queen?" she asked.
I frowned. This girl was just that. A girl. A child still. She couldn't be more than ten. "I'm sorry, but how old are you?" I asked her. Krysta narrowed her eyes at me a little before she composed herself quickly.
"I'm ten," she told me.
I felt shock settle on my face. "Girls join the Valkyrie as early as five years old," Erik told me. "Krysta joined when she was three. She is the youngest Master of her time."
"Master?" I was still shocked.
Krysta smiled. "The Gods have blessed me with breath strength and stamina, Min Dronning," she told me.
I nodded. "I'm sorry, my knowledge of the Gods is limited. I didn't have much Practice even before -... well, before," I said and looked down at my hands. Krysta shook her head quickly but before she could speak, Erik leaned forward.
"Gå!" he snapped. I looked between the two now.
"Pleased to meet you, Krysta," I said and she smiled before bowing her head and walking away. Erik sighed.
"Caro's most promising pupil. Krysta knows she is good and she takes pride in that. She is the best fighter I have ever seen. However she does not know when to keep her mouth shut!"
I frowned. A child was the best fighter Erik, a King, had ever seen?
Jax was next, the slim brunette was no longer attached to his lap and his white blouse was unbuttoned and his blond hair wind blown. "Min Dronning," he greeted .
"You look lovely. I hope you are enjoying Rose Court," he said.
I smiled. "I haven't seen much of the castle but it looks beautiful so far," I said. My eyes drifted to Declan who was staring up at the table. I followed his gaze, seeing that he and Liv were staring at each other. I glanced between them, and Erik seemed to catch on to it as well.
"What's this?" he mused as he looked between them. His eyes narrowed in on Declan. "He better not be making eyes at my sister!"
I shook my head. "I would have thought Liv would be above all that!" I said. "She doesn't strike me as the person to be taken advantage of! And Declan is not stupid! He knows Liv is out of League!"
Erik laughed out loud now. "I'm not worried about Liv," he assured me. "She could rip Declan to shreds and file her nails at the same time and not break a sweat!"
I raised an eyebrow. "Liv and Declan?" I said in a wondering tone. I couldn't picture it. Perhaps because it was Liv, with her tanned legs and waist length blond hair. Or perhaps it was because I still saw Declan as the skinny little kid I had known two years ago. Clearly, with his toned muscles and hardened features, Declan was not the same kid he used to be. He wasn't my friend anymore. But he wasn't a stranger either. I just didn't know him anymore and that bothered me more than I had first realized. Erik reached and gripped my hand. "You look tired," he said.
I nodded. "I am," I told him.
Erik nodded. "You should go get some rest," he told me and waved for Jax to come back. "Jax and Mira will take you back to your room-"
I shook my head quickly. "I'm fine!" I assured him. "I can do this!" I looked over the crowd of people again and my heart sank. Perhaps I should leave while I still have the chance. But I didn't want to be alone either. I felt my fingers curl around the fine fabric of my dress. Erik reached and gripped a hand.
"Do you want me to go with you?" he asked in a low voice. I shook my head and stood slowly to my feet. It wouldn't be fair to invite Erik to my room. I didn't need to dangle myself before him like a prize he couldn't have. I felt myself blush at the thought.
"No, you have so many people to speak to and greet-"
Erik laughed at me now. "They are not here to see or greet me," he told me and I looked up at his green eyes, almost glowing. I swallowed and wondered if not retreating had been the right call.