The Dark Fey Chronicles Court of Roses

21

Erik, Nakoma and everyone else inside that Chamber watched me walk across the room slowly. I didn't hesitate, the closer we got to each other, the more I had to fight the urge not to run across the room and throw myself at him. I walked forward, my pace picking up, boots clicking against the hard stone floors. John smiled his wise, full lipped breathtaking smile at me and walked forward as well.
Erik's hand slipped around my wrist suddenly, bringing me to a halt. I looked up at him. Erik was staring at John now.
"Erik," I said his name in a low voice but his hand tightened even more around my hand. It didn't hurt. I understood Erik was being careful. "Erik, this is my twin brother."
Shock creased his face for a moment and he dropped my hand. I looked back at John and jumped up, bear hugging him.
Caro stood to her feet and turned to look at the Drydales.
"Perhaps we should push the meeting back a bit, as the Helbreder has much to do on her plate!"
There was a mumble of agreement and everyone cleared from the room. Everyone but Erik, John and myself.
The tears were flowing freely now. Sobbing and itching in my chest, I tried to catch my breath. John sighed and held me, my feet dangling in the air.
"How longs' it been?" I heard Erik whisper.
Jon heaved a sigh. "Four years, eight months and seventeen days!" he sighed.
Jon set me on my feet and leaned away. When he looked at me, I no longer saw the twelve year old who went out with my Uncle and neither of them returned.
"Aros told me that you decided to stay at the Guard Hall?" I asked him.
Jon shook his head. "He forced me to go!" he corrected. "I was placed in a pound three days after leaving home! I had a friend come get me out-"
Erik growled. "Didn't think to send that friend to your sister-"
I turned to look at him, shocked. "Erik-"
Jon smiled. "By the time I returned Lexi had already fled the Mountain. I tracked her as best I could but her tracks died off at the river. And the tracks were close to a week old. Even if I got out of the pound the same night as the attack, Lexi would have already been taken. Her tracks ended at the river bank."
I nodded. "That's because that's where I was ambushed," I said and sighed.
John looked at me over a few times. "You look like hell!" he told me.
"Yeah, we'll, you spent, what, a few days? A few weeks in that Pound? I spent two years there!"
I watched his face fall and he looked up at Erik. "How-"
Erik crossed his arms. "My sister tracked her down," he said. "She's...talented."
I smirked. If you tell Liv I said that, he warned me. I smiled and couldn't stop the giggle that escaped my lips. John glanced between us and then swiftly reached up forward before Erik or I could react and he pulled the collar of my poncho down, exposing the gold crescent Marks on my neck. Erik paused for a moment, looking at my Mark.
"You are Mated to Erik Modori?" he demanded. I looked up at him quickly.
"Jon, it's not like that-"
He shook his head. "Why does your Mark look like that?" he demanded.
Erik and I glanced at each other. Erik shook his head. "Because I am Helbreder," I told him. Erik's eyes snapped back to John's face and he narrowed his eyes at him.
Jon looked between the two of us. "I saw Tyr leaving last night-"
Erik nodded. "Did you speak?"
Jon shook his head. "No," he admitted. "Do you think I could have a moment alone with my sister?"
Erik sighed and nodded. "Of course," he said. "But not right now. We have guests to greet for the day. I will make sure the two of you have time later!"
Erik did not wait for anyone else to speak. He pulled me along, his hand snaking around my hip. "Your brother?" he asked me. I frowned. "I told you I have a brother!" I reminded him. "I thought he was dead!"
I reached up and rubbed a tear from my cheek. Erik sighed and pulled me to a stop. His face looked confused and conflicted.
"Do you trust him?" he asked me. "Did he know you are Helbreder?"
I sighed. My brother was like my second half. There was no way he would betray me. I was his sister. His blood. "I do!" I assured him. "And no, he had no idea!"
Erik sighed, his face calculating, his lips pursed as he thought for a moment. Then
Erik sighed. "Then give him a position at Court. Take him as your consort," Erik told me. "Announce it in Court. Make the Court see that you are a Queen. My Queen."
Erik pulled me closer and pressed his lips to my jaw, kissing me softly.
I shook my head at him. "All three families would have to-... be-..." my words came to a stop and glowered at him.
"You want to announce it to me at dinner tomorrow?" I demanded outrage.
Erik nodded and leaned away. "It would be the easiest way to do it. The Elders and the Council all in the same room for them to witness it-"
I shook my head. "What happens at this announcement?" I asked him.
Erik shrugged. "That you are to be my Queen, that you have been Marked-"
I sighed. "But not Mated," I grumbled. "Of course they would have a problem with that detail-"
Erik nodded. "See, that's just it!" he told me. "They are hopeful I don't Mate you. They think I only Marked you because of our Mate bond. They think I care enough to keep you protected but not to actually Mate you." Erik rolled his eyes.
"Why would they think that?"
Erik gave me a sly and unashamed smile.
"Because I made sure of it."
I looked down at our entwined hands. "I haven't mentioned that have I?" he asked me in a low voice. I looked up at his green eyes and was not surprised but almost thrilled to see the darkness of the monster, the one he kept locked away from me and I had only seen once before.
"Mentioned what?" I asked, confused . Erik smirked, his hand coming up to my Mark.
"That I have every intention of Mating you by the next full moon?" he whispered in my ear. I let out a slow breath. "I plan to show you how it feels to be loved. How it truly feels to be craved." Erik's hands traveled down my arms and I sighed as I leaned away. The next full moon was in less than a week. I sighed, knowing I wanted this but afraid to revive it. Mating Erik came with its own danger and rules. I knew that I wanted Erik.
"Yes, our cravings will have to wait till later," I reminded him. "Duty calls!"
"Our cravings?" he asked me.
A group of men at the end of the hall burst out laughing and Erik sighed. I wrinkled my nose. "Duty calls," he agreed.
Erik leaned forward and pressed his lips to my forehead. "You should have Liv take you to the stables. I left something there for you!"
I leaned away and looked up at him. His face was thoughtful as he looked at me. "Gold-bronze," he mumbled. "With roses and thorns. With dark lilies and ivy leaves."
"What?"
Erik smiled and then leaned forward, pressing his lips to my forehead before breathing out a small laugh and then turning away. I raised an eyebrow as I watched him retreat down the hallway, toward the group of men waiting for him. They all smiled and bowed at Erik, greeting him and laughing.
"Hey you," Liv said as she skipped down the steps toward me. "Off into the lion's den?"
I sighed and nodded. "Yes," I sighed. "Off to the lion's den!"
Liv smiled and nudged me. "Then be the badass Queen you were meant to be!"
I sighed as Liv looped her arm through mine and tuggered me down the hall. I took one last glance at Erik who was already in deep conversation with Ajax, who was dressed in a black suit.
Erik had told me he loved me. And I had never said it back. I wanted to. I did. But I wasn't sure if I could get the words to come from my lips.
I sighed and pushed the thoughts away. "Where are we headed?" I asked her.
Liv sighed. "To the dining hall. Mother is there now setting up the dinner menus for tomorrow!"
I sighed. "Erik plans to announce me tomorrow-"
Liv stopped dead. "What?" she demanded.
I shook my head. "Yeah, I figured he would have Linked you that info!"
I watched Liv pull out her phone. "No, no, no, no, no!" I raised an eyebrow. "They can't
do anything without me!" I watched her tap away on her screen for a moment.
"Tomorrow?" she checked.
I nodded. "That's the plan!
Liv sighed and shoved her phone back in her jeans. "Good Gods, my brother will be the death of me!" With that she turned and hurried away, a maid with a notepad hurrying behind her, taking notes as Liv listed off people to call and places to go before tomorrow. I sighed and set back off down the hall. I needed to get to the dining hall. I needed some breakfast and I needed to get this meeting finished so I could go find Jon.
I thought about what Erik had suggested. He wanted me to give John a position at Court. I wondered about that. Erik didn't know my brother. Not that my brother was unreliable. It was more that Erik didn't strike me as one to put his trust in others. He likes to do things himself. I sighed.
"For someone about to be crowned Queen, you look like a whore," Summer said as she walked toward me down the hall. "Erik should have rejected your skank ass the second he laid eyes on you!"
I sighed and dragged my feet to a stop.
"What do you want, Summer?"
She smirked at me. "You should get used to calling me Mistress," she suggested. "Because once Erik has his fill of you, he will toss you aside like the piece of worthless trash that you are!"
I nodded. "Is that before or after he knocks me up?" I asked her. Summer's face fell.
"He mated you?" she scoffed a disgusted look on her face as she looked me up and down. Then she shrugged. "Well, he does need little Royal Pups, but I suppose I can handle that-
I laughed and started walking again. Summer fell into step beside me. "So what's your deal, anyway?" she asked me.
I raised an eyebrow. "What?"
She sighed and rolled her eyes, stuffing her hands into her pockets as we walked.
"You know," she insisted. "How did you end up here?" I frowned and looked at the stone floor before me. I found it weird why she would want to know my life story. Or was I just being overly cautious?
"Liv."
I figured that was the safest answer. And it was true. Not that I cared about lying to Summer, but I needed all the good graces the Gods could provide.
"Ugh," Summer scoffed. "I can't stand that bitch!" I scowled at her. "Oh please, she deserves it!
I sighed and kept walking. "So, you gonna answer the question?" Summer asked me as we rounded the corner. Why was she being so nice? "My father is curious about you. He thinks that there is more to you than just being Helbreder."
I couldn't help myself. A sarcastic, startled laugh left my lips. "Your father? I echoed. "The same Lucian who has been a pain in the ass since Erik left?"
Summer shrugged. "Now that he's back he won't have to deal with the trash."
I glanced at Summer but she had a smirk on her face as she tapped away on her phone. Before I could say anything else, there were hurried footsteps behind us and I turned to see my brother hurrying toward us. I smiled when I saw him.
It honestly filled my heart with joy when I saw him. I just wished I had been reunited sooner. I had thought him to be dead. Seeing him alive was conflicting for many reasons. "John."
He smiled at me and glanced at Summer, before he bowed before me. "Sister, do you have a moment?" he asked me. I didn't miss that Summer looked my brother up and down for a moment, licking her lips and reaching up to twirl a stray piece of hair in her fingers. "Sister?" she asked him.
John nearly looked at her now. "Yes, Lexi is my twin."
I nodded and waved at Summer. "Leave us," I said and watched her face go blank with shock. She scoffed and looked us both up and down once.
"You are both Drex?"
John's eyes fell from his head. "You told them-"
I sighed. "It was kind of hard to hide, Jon!"
Summer shuddered and stepped away from us. "That is just... Ew!"
I raised my eyebrows. "I beg your pardon?"
Jon growled at her. "Watch it!"
Summer sighed. "Everyone knows that the Drex are dead. They no longer exist. There is no longer a seat on the council for Drex. That's why it's called the Three Families, not the Four Families."
Jon and I glanced at each other. "For now," Jon assured her. "Before you know it, Lexi will rule as Queen beside Erik and they will have their own little Pups running around!
Summer glowered at him for a moment. After a moment she flipped her hair at us. "Whatever. It's not like the Drex can demand a seat on the Council. By the time either of you are of age-"
I cut her off quickly. "Yeah don't you worry about that," I assured her, causing Jon to look at me curiously. Summer rolled her eyes at me. "Whatever!"
She stalked off after that, leaving me alone with John. I turned to face him, his face was still curious. "I'm going to have the Council declare us the fourth family," I said.
Jon stared at me. "Why would you want to do that?" he asked me.
"Because, I need some kind of power within the Council. They are all worried that I am not Mated to Erik and about who my father is-"
Jon laughed and ran a hand through his raven black hair. "They will bug you about it until the day you give birth to a son. They are eager to establish the law binding the Modori Family as the single most powerful family."
I sighed and rolled my eyes. "So it's all about politics now?" I demanded.
Jon nodded. "Of course," he agreed.
I shook my head as we passed the library. The Council chamber across the hall was now open, people in suits, gear and robes coming and going. I sighed and looked back at John.
He was tall now, taller than me by a few inches at least. He was built and strong. And he seemed to know his way around politics too, just like Declan. Perhaps it was because they had been at Court longer. They knew how to play this twisted game of mind tricks and lies.
Erik had been right.
Jon was perfect for the position. Rubbing Summers' own idea in her face was satisfying enough. John being indoctrinated into the circle of the Families was the best idea she could have ever come up with.
However before I could do anything, I wanted Erik's input on this. John was my brother. But something was telling me to be cautious. I wanted to make sure my brother remained loyal to me, Erik and the rest of our new family.
"I have some stuff to run by Erik first-"
Jon crossed his arms at me now. "You trust him more than me?" he demanded.
I shook my head. "It's not like that and you know it!" I reminded him.
John sighed and stared at me. "You've changed," he noted.
I nodded. "I have," I admitted. "I'm still scared though."
Jon laughed a little. "I'd be surprised if you weren't," he admitted in a thoughtful tone. "Are you afraid of the commitment or the responsibility?" he asked me.
I frowned. "Both, I suppose."
John nodded. "And I assume you want me as Head of House?"
I stopped before the dining hall and looked inside. Katja and Liv were bothering to order the Maids around, who were hurrying about, decorating, cleaning, dusting, polishing and offing. "I do."
John sighed. "Are you doing this to get Aros' attention?"
I frowned at him, truly hurt and offended we would ask me that. "No," I answered truthfully. "I will be Mated to Erik soon. I will be his Queen. I mean sure, it could be used as a means to draw him out but that's not why. Our Family is seen as Hunter Sympathizers. We are not! This was we can establish our place in the political world."
John nodded. "And with Annulus in a few hours he would be likely to show-"
I nodded. "I will speak to Erik about it-"
Jon nodded, his face thoughtful.
"Before you do, the people are surely to be surprised when they know there is more than one original Drex alive. This gives the promise of offspring on either side!"
I felt my heart sink a little. "Why does everything have to result in a child?" I asked him. I turned away and headed for the east gate. "Where are you going?"
"To the stables," I said. "Erik left me something there."
The way down to the stables was a beaten one. Roots threatened to trip anyone who wasn't paying attention and low hanging branches were thick with ferns and moss. When the stable came into view at the end of the tail, I smiled. Erik was standing at the mouth of the stable and a giant beautiful black Arabian was standing beside him.
When I reached the end of the trail, Erik started toward me. I watched him lead the huge beast toward me. He was beautiful.
Silky and glossy black hair and main. Wide, bright blue eyes.
"He is beautiful," I gasped.
Erik smiled. "This is Cobalt," he said as I came to a stop a few feet from the horse. Erik reached and stroked the horse's neck.
"There is another stable about a twenty minute ride from here, where your new stallion is waiting for you."
I raised an eyebrow and watched as Erik hooked his foot into the straps and hoisted himself up onto Cobalts back. Erik smiled and reached down, offering me his hand.
I looked down at my clothes. "In this?"
I was still dressed in my jeans and my long black lace poncho. "Erik, it's cold," I told him. He smiled and fanned out his riding cloak around him.
"I can keep you warm," he assured me.
I swallowed and reached up, letting Erik pull me up and over the front of the saddle. I wobbled a little, my hands reaching to grip onto his. Erik chuckled, as Cobalt jerked forward restlessly. I gasped in surprise, clutching Erik's arms.
"Haven't you ever ridden a horse before?" he asked me with a laugh.
I frowned, leaning a little to the left. "No," I grumbled. Erik grinned and pressed me back toward his chest. "It's really quite simple." he whispered in a low voice.
Erik tightened his arm around my midsection. "You have to move with Cobalt. Feel his stride. Rock with his motion."
I felt my body begin to relax but I could feel other parts of me that were beginning to awaken. I took a deep breath, breathing through my nose as we headed down a beaten trail. Erik's hands rested on my hip as our bodies slipped into a synced rocking motion. "There you go," he whispered and pressed his lips to my ear.
I shuddered. I could feel the wall chipping away. Erik was right. He had promised to Mate me by the next full moon and at the rate the carefully unconstructed wall I had set up between us, was crumbling. And I needed the distraction.
"Why do you think you were able to Mark me twice?" I asked him.
Erik sighed. "I'm not sure," he said. "I'm sorry. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed myself, I shouldn't have gotten so carried away that night." His arm loosened from around me a little and I frowned.
"It's OK, Erik," I assured him.
He sighed, pulling his arm back to pull Cobalt to a more steady trot. "You always say that. You always say you are OK, you are fine-"
I frowned, confused. "What else do you want me to be?" I asked. Erik breathed out an evil laugh and pressed his lips to my Mark, flicking his tongue across my skin. Each time he kissed me, each time he touched me, it was always a new feeling. It was never the same feeling as it had been the night before. Last night it had been electrical. Now?
Fire spread over my skin and I leaned back against his shoulders. "I love having you so close." I suppressed a moan.
Erik sighed and wrapped his heavy riding cape around us, replacing his hands on my his as soon as he could. I kept my breathing even when I felt his fingers flip the hem of my sweatshirt up and trace a pattern on my skin. "So smooth... You feel as Divine as you taste!" Before I could think of anything to say, Erik leaned forward and pressed his lips to my neck, his hands wandering down. "Erik, I'm going to fall!"
He laughed a dark laugh and his arms tightened around me as he pushed the horse faster now.
"Do you really think I would let you fall from this horse?" he asked me as he kissed along my neck his lips and hands were getting harder and I closed my eyes as my breathing sped up.
"No," I admitted.
Erik sighed and pulled Cobalt to a stop. His hands vanished from around my hips and he heaved himself off of the horse's back.
Erik dusted himself off and then reached out to help me down from Cobalt's back. As I reached forward, the horse lurched to the side and I missed Erik's hand by an inch. Erik's arms went around me and hoisted me up into his arms.
"That was close," I said as my heart pounded in my chest. Erik smiled and set me on my feet gently.
"Clumsy," he teased me as he draped his cloak over me, his hands pulling me along as we walked up the beaten trail. "I had a dress made for you for the ball tonight. I'd like you to look nice for the other Families-"
I cut him off and smiled. "Not you too!" I complained and turned to face him.
"Liv dresses me up like a doll all the time-"
Erik laughed out loud this time. "I have noticed that."
I laughed as we tugged up the sloped hill that led inside the stables. When we were inside, Erik dropped his arms from around me and pulled in a cloak from around his neck.
"Follow me," he said and walked down the aisle of empty stables. Erik's warm hand slid down my arm, wrapping around my wrist. I locked my fingers with his and let him pull me forward. Erik pulled me to the left and then stopped at a stall occupied by a large, white and Smokey great stallion.
"Røyk," he said. "Her name means Smoke. And she's yours."
I nodded in awe and unlocked the stall gate, pushing the door open. Erik, a soft smile on his face watched as the horse looked at us, her ears up and eager. "She has been
restless since we arrived a few days ago. I have someone working with her."
I nodded. "Erik... She is beautiful."
I turned when he didn't answer. He was watching me, his eyes swimming with a white light. He felt my mouth go dry.
"You are beautiful," he whispered and leaned forward. I didn't miss a beat this time. I raised my head and pressed my lips to his. The feeling of relief was almost immediately. I sighed in content and felt my arms wrap around his waist. I felt my Marks tingle, causing my skin to ripple with tingle. Before I could comprehend what was going on, Erik had pulled away and we were moving across the barn. Erik's growl filled the room as I dug my nails into his arms, turning him to press his back into the beam of the rafters above. Taking Erik by surprise, I pressed forward, this time catching his back against the wall. Erik's lips left mine in a surprise, amused laugh. I didn't miss a beat though. Using the wall as leverage, I hooked myself onto Erik's shoulders and hoisted myself up at him. Erik's arms went around me the same time I warped my legs around his torso.
"Lexi."
I looked up at him now. His eyes were completely white. I smiled, leaning forward to press my lips to his.
"I know the Elders are being hard on you," I said and sighed. "They want me to be pregnant as soon as possible-"
Erik reached and touched my face, his lips brushing across my forehead. "I'm not pressuring you," he reminded me.
I nodded. "I know that."
He shook his head. "Remember what I said about me Marking you?" he asked me.
I nodded. "You didn't want to do it unless it was what I wanted-"
Erik set me down slowly but kept his arms locked around my waist. "And to that I hold!" he assured me.
I sighed and nodded, looking back at Røyk. "Do we have time to take her out?"
Erik sighed. "Unfortunately, no," he admitted and held his cloak open for me. I eagerly walked back to his side and wrapped an arm around his waist. Erik was warm and he smelled amazing. I leaned in, breathing him in through my nose. Like the forest around us and... Erik.
I sighed in content but the nagging feeling was still there of course. Something was going to happen. I didn't know what.
I watched Eeik load up Røyk's feed and then we walked back out to the trail where Cobalt was waiting for us.