The Dark Fey Chronicles Court of Roses

22

Erik hoisted me back up into Cobalts back and then pulled himself up. We took our time now, riding slow. I huddled down against him, my legs hanging over one side this time. Erik had his arms caged around me, preventing me from falling either way.
It was early noon now and the sun was hidden by heavy rain clouds that moved slowly across the sky.
"It's so beautiful here," I sighed as I took in the wooded area around us.
Erik smiled. "Fall is my favorite time," he told me. "The smell. The colors."
The manor came into view and I sighed. I wasn't ready to go back. I wanted to turn back and head into the beautiful yellow and brown sea of the woods. But I knew we had guests to greet. We had responsibilities.
"Are you nervous?" Erik asked me.
I pursed my lips. "I mean, of course I'm nervous," I admitted. "I mean, there is going to be a room full of people there that I don't know-"
Erik laughed and tightened his arms around my waist. "A room full of people to see the Modori King's new Mate and Queen!" he reminded me. "The people that are going to be present are important allies to the Modori family. The Drex used to supply us with Herbs and Drydalien medicines. The Drex, being of magical creation, were well versed in herbal medicine and often traded with the Drydales. Perhaps that is something we can bring back."
I frowned. "The Drydales?" I asked him. "Lucian and Summer-"
Erik nodded. "Yes, Lucian is on the Council. The High Court will decide-"
I shook my head. "The High Court?" I asked. Erik nodded to the gravel trail a few hundred yards to the left of us. There was a black limo pulling up to the house.
"The High Court is where I sit, as King, and where you will sit beside me, ruling over the Modori and the Shifters. The Drydales have the Elves. The Drex had the powers of the Gods!"
"A lot of good it did them," I sighed. "What good is a power when you can't even use it?"
Erik sighed, a slightly annoyed look crossed his face. "Oh no," he sighed. "I have a feeling my brother's name is about to come up!"
I down at my hands, my fingers pink from the cold. "I need to learn how to control it, Erik," I told him. "What happened with Summer... I didn't know what I was doing or how I was doing it and it scared me."
Erik sighed, his face hard and calculating.
"What if you are not here next time there is a Hunter that slipped past security?" I asked him and he shook his head.
"I don't plan on leaving anytime soon," he assured me. "And I am working with Caro to perfect the Valkyrie's positions."
I sighed. "So you're saying no?" I asked him.
Erik shook his head. "No, I'm not saying no," he assured me but I could hear the twinge of reluctance in his deep voice. "I'm
saying, you decide. You decide if you think you can trust him. If anything happens-"
I shook my head. "I will be careful, I promise!" I assured him and Erik sighed. He looked upset. His eyes were hard and his expression was stony. "Erik?"
"I don't trust him, Lexi," he admitted. "My brother is not the teaching type. He is the aggressor. He will antagonize you to use your power-"
I shrugged. "Perhaps I could use someone to antagonize me!" I told him. "It worked with Summer!"
Erik cracked. A grin spread across his face. "Well, as you said, she had it coming!" Erik pulled Cobalt to a stop and jumped from his back. When he had me securely on the ground beside him, Erik handed his horse off to a butler and we walked inside. "So when did Revna and Nakoma arrive?" I asked him.
Erik sighed very early this morning. "Around three, I think it was?" I raised an eyebrow. "You haven't been to sleep?" I demanded.
Erik shook his head. "Well, we don't have to play host to the King and Queen in our own home if we don't want to!" I reminded him. "We are going to be doing that all night!"
Erik smiled, pulling me closer. "I like it when you say we," he whispered and pressed his lips to my neck. I shuddered.
"My point," I told him as he began kissing his way down the side of my neck, licking and nipping all the way down to my Mark. "We can take a nap before we-"
I never finished. Erik gripped my hand and pulled me into the house.
Erik cleaned up quickly while I lounged about the bed, waiting for him to free up the bathroom. We both smelled of horse and outside. Not that I minded, but it was not Lady like to smell of horse
I stretched out into the bed and sighed. Everything was a mess. The Elders, the Council. Aros. The more time that passed without word of his capture or whereabouts the angrier I became at him. I needed answers. I sighed. Tonight was the Anulus Ball. Had I known I would have been in the same room as Queen Nakoma and King Revna, I would have conducted myself in a better manner. When Erik joined me back in the bedroom, dressed in a white tank and a pair of gray sweat pants, he looked exhausted. He flopped down onto the bed beside me.
"You look exhausted," I told him.
Erik closed his eyes and sighed. "I didn't get much sleep."
I frowned. "Did you even go to bed?" I asked him. Erik turned his head to look at me. I watched his eyes tinged with white.
"I couldn't sleep even if I wanted to," he said and leaned over me. I watched him reach forward and trace a finger along the collar of my shirt. A feeling of longing swept over me. Only it wasn't mine. It wasn't the feeling of longing and desperation I normally felt. My heart beat erratically in my chest as I realized I was feeling Erik's emotions. I felt his fingers slide along my collarbone. "I'm too distracted to sleep."
I frowned. "I don't want to be a distraction," I told him. Erik sighed and smiled, moving to swing a leg over my waist. Leaning back on his heels, Erik reached down and pulled his shirt off in one swift movement. My eyes scanned his chest for a fraction of a second before my mind filled with doubt and fear. What if I wasn't ready to Mate? What if I did something wrong? Erik set his shirt aside and leaned down over me, bracing himself on the bed under me.
"I like being distracted by you," he told me and leaned down to press his lips to my neck. I breathed in a shaky breath. Erik leaned forward, his weight crushing me gently. My hands went up on my own accord and I touched the soft skin of his chest with my finger tips. Erik went still as soon as I touched him. I froze, wondering if I had done something wrong. It had happened so fast last time and I had hardly touched him.
My fingers slowly traced up his bare arms, caressing each rippling muscle under his bronze skin. It was like milk and honey.
I was as pale as milk. Erik was as warm as honey.
Erik suddenly groaned , fully pressing himself to me now, his arms scooping up under me, his lips finding mine. My heart beat into my throat when his finger slipped under my shirt. I tried to not flinch at the sudden touch of his warm, rough hands as they slowly slid up my midsection.
"Lexi." His voice came out strained, almost pained. "Lexi, you have to tell me when to stop! You have to tell me when, because I can't... I don't want-..." He trailed off, his lips finding my neck as he kissed, licked and bit his way down to my Mark.
My heart was about to burst from my chest. My arms snakes around his neck and I pulled him closer, his bare chest pressed against my covered chest.
I could feel each beat of his heart slamming against my chest as his hands wandered down, sliding down my thigh stopping when his fingertips reached the waist of my jeans. His fingers began to work on the button and zipper. My eyes opened, fear suddenly filling me. "Erik."
Erik didn't answer. Instead, he leaned away abruptly, pulling me up to straddle his lap.
A fierce growl left his lips as they attacked mine, his fingers pressing into my spin. I heard the fabric of my shirt tear as his fingers pulled at it, tearing it in two and his fingers traced down my back slowly. Erik's breathing was heavy now. "Hmmm," Erik sighed as the torn fabric of my shirt fell down around my shoulders. Erik's hands immediately pulled the rest of the fabric away, his hands almost rough as they ran up and down the length of my back.
Pressing my face to his chest, I did my best to settle my heart and hide my discomfort and embarrassment. Even though I trained with Caro and the Valkyrie almost everyday for the last eight weeks I still didn't feel comfortable in my skin. I was still too skinny, the muscles now a little more profound under my pearl like skin. Erik sighed as he held me closer.
"Don't feel that way when you are with me like this," Erik scolded me in a slow and seductive voice. "I love you just like this! Just as you are!"
My hands found his face and I pulled him forward slowly, my lips parting before they met his. Erik moaned into my mouth, his hot breath tasting of wine, sweet and addictive. I nearly jumped from his arms at the knock at the bedroom door. We had only been here a little over an hour and already people were looking for us.
Erik sighed. "Looks like our guests have started to arrive."
Erik looked up at me, his eyes glazed over with need and his lips swollen from kissing me. I reached up and touched his face.
"I love you too!" I told him.
Erik went still under me and gazed up at me. His eyes turned gray for a moment before he leaned forward again and kissed me, his hands running back up my back.
There was a second knock and Erik's growl filled the room.
"Come on, then," he sighed as he stood, picking me up with him before setting me on the ground gently. "Let's get dressed."
The throne room was filled with people. Strangers I didn't know and didn't really care to meet. But I did it for Erik. Because he was Erik, and he was my Mate. And I was falling. Hard and fast for him. I sighed as we stopped in the doorway of the throne room. The room was abuzz with talk and laughter. Glasses clinked and silverware scratched. At the far end of the room, stood Liv and Caro, both in Valkyrie battle gear.
"I didn't realize Liv was working tonight," I said to Erik as we gazed around the room.
"I asked her to," he said.
I looked up at him. His face was hard, his eyes scanning the room around him. "Are you OK?"Erik looked down at me now. "Of course, Love," he assured me. "Just some security details I'm stressing over."
I smiled at him. "I'm sure Caro, Liv and Krysta have things under control."
He sighed and shook his head. "I have a bad feeling," he insisted.
I frowned and looked around the room. "Bad feeling, how?" I asked him.
Erik's eyes were still scanning the room. "I'm not sure," he admitted and sighed. "Perhaps it's my paranoia."
I squeezed his hand. "Too late to send everyone home now!"
Erik sighed and looked down at me. "You look beautiful," he whispered and I looked down at the black, backless, floor length dress and sighed. "I feel so out of place."
Erik smiled and stepped back, looking me up and down for a long moment.
"One thing is missing though," he reminded me and held out his hand. I turned to see Katja walking toward us with a velvet covered box in her hands. She smiled a wide, tired smile at me.
I returned her smile as best I could. I had literally watched her fade away the last few weeks. Her skin was now showing signs of age, something we Dark Fey were not used to. Immortality was what kept us strong and young. I watched as Katja handed Erik the box and he smiled his thanks.
"Thank you, Mother," he said and hugged her with one arm. She smiled again and then looked at me. "She's ready."
Katja nodded. "I know you can," she said.
Katja gave me one last hug and then vanished into the moving sea of people inside the throne room.
"Don't move," Erik instructed me as he turned me to look in the mirror hanging on the wall. I took in my pale complexion, my eyes rimmed with black eyeshadow, my lips painted a deep rose color. I watched as Erik's hands raised above my head and placed a thin tiara made of thorns and roses and dark lilies.
"So that's what you meant when you were talking about flowers," I said as Erik looped a stray hair around my ear.
"We don't normally do crowns but I figured since tonight was a special occasion, we could make an exception."
When Erik had the head piece settled into my hair and on my head how he liked, his hands slid down my naked back.
"I love this dress on you," he told me.
I turned to look at him. "The night of Shadows. Or so some people call it. The next full moon is in three days. See tonight as an unofficial engagement announcement."
He said it to remind me and I turned to look at him. "Yes?"
To my surprise, I watched the heat color Erik's face and I smiled at him.
"Why so bashful?" I asked him.
Erik frowned at me. "I'm not!" he assured me and reached up to run a hand through his hair. "What do you say to going away this weekend? My family has a cabin up near the Hudson Bay area."
I smiled. Getting out of here was like a dream. "That would be amazing!"
Erik sighed and reached back up to touch my face. "Let's get through this first," he reminded me. "Important people are here to see us." His hands slid down my neck and my pulse quickened.
"You look like the Queen you were always meant to be." Erik didn't wait for me to answer. His hands, already gripping my face, pulled me forward, pulled me forward and kissed me, hard. His teeth caught my lower lip, tugging gently.
"Let's go," he said and leaned away after a moment. I felt my jaw drop as he lifted his arm and tucked mine under his. I cleared my throat and allowed Erik to pull me toward the lip of the doorway that led into the reception hall. My fingers gripped his sleeve as my heart thumped unevenly in my chest. As we slowly walked into the room, people parted and the room felt quiet to faint murmurs and whispers. I felt my heart sink. Everyone was here.
Nakoma, Luican, Summer and Tyr stood to my left, their white dreads gleaming in the dim, warm glow of the room, casting them all in an odd yet hauntingly beautiful light. It was almost a picture out of some old steampunk goth scene and as much as I disliked Summer, and as odd as I found her long flowing white blond hair, I had to admit; she was beautiful.
Lexi.
Erik's voice warped around my mind gently. Sorry.
Erik dropped his arm, catching my hand in his quickly. Don't be. I looked up at him as we slowly walked through the thinning crowd. We had almost reached the throne podium. Erik sighed and waved his hand to the DJ. "Music!" he ordered. "Up-beat!"
The DJ nodded and gave Erik a thumbs up. I grinned when the DJ's first song of choice was Love Shack by the B-52s.
Motion suddenly picked up again and everyone started talking as if nothing had happened. Only something has happened. I walked into the room. Every person in this room was here to see me. They were here to see who the powerful Modori King had taken as Mate.
I took a deep breath and forced my head up. I can do this.
I saw Erik smile from the corner of my eye. I know you can, Love.
As we reached the podium I saw that Liv was standing a few feet away, leaving enough room for me between the side of the throne and herself. Erik smiled, brought my hand to his lips, kissing the top of my hand gently. "I had a chair brought for you," he told me as we walked up the steps.
"Oh, I can stand with Liv-"
Erik shook his head and nodded to the cushioned chair behind me. "I need you beside me tonight!" His voice had gone dark, his green eyes turning a pale, murky gray-green. Turning to see that he was blocking my view from the crowd, Erik leaned forward quickly, he had caught my chin to pull my chin down to open my mouth just as his open mouth landed on mine.
My heart skipped and my breath hitched in my chest. Erik's smell was already all around me and I was quite high on the smell. Tasting him like this was new. It was rich and warm and soft and beautiful. I could get used to this. Only now it is gone! Gone because Erik had pulled away and guided me to the seat beside his throne. Took my seat beside him as graciously as I could.
As soon as Erik sat down I felt him stiffen beside me. I glanced at him as people looked up, speaking in hushed voices.
What is it? I demanded.
Erik sighed. There is an intruder present.
I looked behind me. Then why is Liv still here? And Caro-
Erik reached and gripped my hand quickly.
Because they tracked him here. Systems went down about an hour ago and they just got them up and running again.
I looked around the room slowly. Tracked him here, you mean he is in this room? What if it's Aros?
Erik's fingers tightened around mine. You are protected. His grip was strong and I knew he meant what he said.
I love you.
Erik looked down at me, his face surprised and amused. I love you too, Min Dronning.
I smiled but our moment was short lived as the first people to greet us came forward.
Liv stepped forward.
"Princess Masako Nagoya, of the Japanese tribe and her two advisors, Haru Mizaki and Himiko Nasagaski."
The princess bowed before us and her two companions followed suit. "Pleased to meet you, Lady Darkbloom," Masako told me.
"Even all the way in Yoshino have we heard of your beauty. I'm glad to see you are recovering well-"
Erik leaned forward. "Princess Masako, I hope you didn't forget to bring that wonderful sake you brought last time," he said as he dropped his hand to mine. His fingers gripped mine in reassurance.
Masako smiled, the colors of her wine red, orange and yellow kimono gave her pearl skin a ghostly glow.
"I brought you a whole case as always, King Erik," she assured him and bowed again. Then she turned to me. "I have a gift I hope you would ware on your wedding day-"
Erik leaned forward again. "A day that has yet to be planned," he reminded her.
Masako smiled. "All the same," she said and held up a beautiful, silver necklace. At the end hung a hello and black sealed eye. Erik and I leaned forward together, looking at it. I didn't want to be rude but I didn't know how to ask without sounding like an ass. I cleared my throat.
"Forgive me, Princess, but what is this?" I reached out and gently took the necklace from her. It was lighter then I thought it would be, the eye looking up at me, glittering and shimmering.
"A dragon's eye, My Queen," Masako answered, her thick accent blending her words in a soft and gentle tone. "It is said bring luck and protection to its bearer."
I looked down at the eye again, only it had changed color. It was green now. As green as Erik's eyes. Masako smiled and bowed before us.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Queen Alexandra,"she told me. "I hope we have the chance to speak again soon."
I smiled and lowered the necklace to my lap. "Thank you, Princess Masako," I said honestly. She seemed really sweet.
Once she stepped away, Erik leaned forward.
"That necklace is a real dragon's eye, Lexi," Erik told me as he reached and picked it from my lap. "This is a truly valuable gift!"
I looked down at the eye. It had returned to its dull orange yellow color and was looking right up at me. "I think it's oddly beautiful,"I said and slipped it around my neck.
Erik wrinkled his nose. "Not the gift I would have given a queen," he admitted.
I laughed. "Really?" I asked him. "What kind of gift would you give a Queen?"
Erik smirked. "Guess you will just have to wait and see, won't you?"
A small smile spread across my lips as the next group approached us and I looked up. Queen Nakoma and her glowing pearl dreaded hair was bright as she ascended the steps. I watched her bow before us.
"Congratulations on your engagement, King Erik," Lucian said and smiled up at us. His sharp angled face and thin white dreads were almost sculpted to perfection. My eyes scanned over the group of Drydales.
Nakoma was dressed in a looped, draping gown with a thin, wine red and air like
material floating around her.
"Queen Nakoma, Welcome," I greeted her and she offered me a warm smile.
"Congratulations, my friend," she told me. I watched Summer roll her eyes. Lucian just wrinkled his nose. "You will make a fine Queen."
Erik squeezed my hand. "That she will."
"You will have to come visit us, in Denmark. It is most beautiful in the fall." Nakoma told us. Erik smiled and nodded.
"We are in fact planning a getaway before the snow makes the roads impassable. Perhaps some other time," he said and I looked up at him, trying to understand his answer. I watched his eyes scan over the Drydales before us. Nakoma means well but the same can not be said for her Council.
I looked back at Nakoma, behind her Lucian and Summer stood there, along b with another Male Drydale, his eyes narrowed at me and I frowned.
Summer and Luican are her Coucil?
Erik nodded. Yes. That's why they are based here. They have been for months now. Queen Nakoma has eyes and ears all over the place. She is well informed.
I looked back at her, wondering if she could be trusted. Erik's hand tightened around my fingers. "It was nice to meet you-"
Erik never finished. The back of the room suddenly went up in flames, black smoke filled the room quickly.
The room was suddenly heavy with energy and I could hardly catch my breath. The pressure pressed down on me and I felt Erik's arm slink around me firmly.
Lexi.
My body locked into place when I saw him.
His pale eyes zeroed in on me when he spotted me peeking around Erik's arm.
Aros smirked at me and raised his hands.
The ground at his feet rumbled and groaned as vines and roots ahoy up through the tiled floor and warped around innocent bystanders.
"I am here for my daughter!" he announced.
I felt my heart sink as every person, including Erik, turned to face me. "Give her to me and no one will die!"