The Dark Fey Chronicles Court of Roses

14

Erik was waiting for me in the backyard, waiting by an off road four wheeler, looking down at his phone. He had changed his clothes into a black Adidas tracksuit. It was not as form fitting as the rest of his clothes. I looked down at my outfit. It was nothing special. Leggings and a hoodie. I zipped up my hoodie as the cool fall breeze kicked up a few stray leaves at my feet.
Erik immediately turned to face me when he caught my scent. His face was relaxed and soft. He tucked his phone away quickly when he saw me approaching and smiled at me. "Are you ready?" he asked me.
I nodded, wishing I could be more upbeat but every time I looked at him, all I could see was that enraged face he had displayed with the Elders.
It hadn't even been me that he was angry at. It was Lucian. As I walked toward him, his scent washed over me and all of my worries from before washed away. He smiled at me and unzipped his shirt and tucked it into the four wheeler side saddle.
"Are you up for a ride?" he asked me.
I looked at the large vehicle and raised an eyebrow. "On that?" I asked and pointed.
Erik smiled and stepped closer, catching my hands in his. "It's not that bad," he assured me. "You can ride in front of me, if you like." he offered as he stepped behind me. "That way I can keep you from falling off!"
My breath caught in my chest as Erik wrapped his hands around my hips, pulling me back against his chest. He was so tall.
"We can't just walk to the training grounds?"
Erik leaned away. "We could," he told me. "Only you would be too tired to train with Caro and Krysta." I sighed. Training. I didn't like the idea of the whole Valkyrie watching me fail. Watching me fail and knowing I was supposed to be Erik's Queen, his Mate. I sank my head. I was supposed to be Modori now. I frowned. "Why did Mira ask me to become Helbreder?" I asked him.
Erik sighed and dropped his arms slowly. "Because of your Drex blood, Lexi," he reminded me. "I could be wrong and I may not have my facts straight, but if I am right, a Drex Helbreder is one of the most powerful healers and most become-"
I nodded and turned away. "A Healer or some kind of Priestess, I know!" I said. "But I am here! I have already committed to this Tribe!"
I watch Erik breath out a smile and sigh. "Only you haven't, Love," he reminded me. "That is what Lucian was getting at."
I shook my head. "I'm confused," I told him.
Erik smiled. "Don't worry about it," he said, trying to drop the subject. "I can handle Lucian!"
I frowned at him. "Tell me!" I insisted.
I wanted to know. I wanted to know what it was they were saying about me. Erik sighed and leaned away from me now.
"They are worried that you don't have my Mark. They worry that you are here for the power I have to offer you and that power alone, being a woman-"
I scoffed at the idea. "What century is this?" I demanded. "They don't want me on the throne because I am a female?"
Erik nodded reluctantly. "Yes, pretty much," he said. "They think the sooner I put the Claim on you, Mark and Mate you, you will become less of a threat!"
I laughed at him. "What possible threat could I pose?" I demanded.
Erik shrugged. "They gave many reasons," he answered slowly. "Well, mostly Lucian, but they are most concerned about how young you are-"
I rolled my eyes. "I am seventeen!" I reminded him. "I am not a child-"
Erik reached and gripped my hands. "I know this!" he assured me. "And I will soon be twenty. They want-- and I objected to this for unfortunate and obvious reasons- an heir sooner rather than later!"
I narrowed my eyes at the look on his face. Something was off. I found it weird. I could tell that after knowing him for less then a week. The more time I spent with him, the more he seemed like an open book to me. Erik was mysterious to the Tribe but to me? Not so much. "What else?" I demanded, watching him closely. Erik sighed and crossed his arms.
"They are worried about the state of your mental health," he admitted and I felt my face go blank and my jaw drop. "They worry that you may not be... sound of mind to rule beside me and urge me to reject you!"
I looked up at him now, suddenly feeling sick. My idea from before was sounding like a dream right now. Perhaps the Elders were right. Perhaps Erik would be better off with someone else, with someone even as evil and vile as Summer. My stomach turned at the idea of her in his arms and I wanted to rip her limb from limb.
Erik reached up to touch my face but I shied away gently.
"I'm fine!" I assured him, feeling the tears burn in my eyes. I dropped my gaze so the tears wouldn't be as visible but my eyes betrayed me and the tears spilled down my checks. I grumbled and rubbed them away quickly. Erik sighed and walked around me slowly, coming to stand before me.
"Lexi." My name left his lips in almost a lustful sigh. "I am going to Mark you!"
I looked up at him and felt my heart beat into my throat. He smiled a mischievous smile at me, his eyes sliding down my neck. Then he sighed and leaned back against the ATV. "I am leaving in the morning to follow Regor to New York. And before I do-"
I was shaking my head before he even finished. "No!" I insisted.
Erik frowned at me. "It is is your best interest-"
I shook my head and waved my head at him. "No, not the whole Mating thing!" I insisted. Was he really this reckless? "You know that New York is Hunter central!"
Erik nodded, a small smile tugging at his perfect lips. "We will be in and out before anyone knows we are there!" Erik raised his hands and touched my face. "I will only be gone for a day or two. I am leaving Jax here as protection for you."
"I wish you would stay," I told him. "New York is dangerous. Manhattan in particular!"
Erik nodded. "We know, Love, relax!"
Before I could answer, Erik's hands reached out and gripped my arms, pulling me toward him. "Can I hold you?" he asked me in a low voice and I felt my face flush crimson and my stomach tightened into knots.
I didn't want him to hug me, just after telling me he was leaving me to chase down his uncle. Not when he was leaving me here, all alone. Perhaps this was working to my benefit. I could time my plans with Erik's. If he were in New York, he wouldn't be here to stop me from going home. I was already in Quebec. I wasn't sure where, exactly, but Liv and Declan could help with that. I bit my lip and Erik groaned, pressing his forehead to mine. "Come on then," he said and turned to his ATV. I felt my heart break. I knew how hard this was for him. I knew he wanted me and I was refusing him because I was just too damned damaged.
"Caro and Krysta will be getting impatient soon!" he reminded me and wrapped his hands back around my waist and helped me up into the rattle of the ATV.
Erik settled in behind me, his chest pressed firmly against my back.
"For the record," I reminded him. "I wish you didn't have to go!"
The ATV rumbled to life beneath me and I felt Erik's body lean forward as he gripped my hands, placing them in the handle bars.
"That's nice to know," he told me. "Now I have two things to look forward to when I return!"
I turned my face to look at him. "Two things?" I asked him.
Erik smiled and leaned closer, his lips at my ear. "You," he told me, his breath washing down the side of my neck. "And more you!"
I felt a smile spread across my face, wondering if I could let the past go and get used to this carefree living.