Dauntless Desires

21

Eric led Tris to the garage. They came to one of the armored trucks, he motioned for her to get in.

"Where are we going," she asked him. But he just turned over the ignition and the engine roared to life, drowning her out. His mouth was pressed into a thin line. His facial features were hardened just as they had been when they'd first met.

He back the truck out of the garage and started off down an isolated street. She looked around, the buildings were becoming more run down and they were getting into factionless territory.

"Eric please tell me where we're going," Tris pleaded. His quick glare warned her to shut up. What in the hell.

The drive continued on in silence. Tris didn't know what was going on, or why he was acting funny. All he said was we need to talk. Now. Why couldn't they talk back at the compound.

-

He stopped driving once they reached the old abandoned carnival where they had played capture the flag during initiation. It was just as eerie as she had remembered it to be. She almost felt scared. Why did he bring her here? Thoughts flooded through Tris' head, is he going to kill me? Was he just trying to get close to me, and then kill me? No Eric wouldn't. He's not that type.

Eric had gotten out of the vehicle and was now a good fifty yards from the truck. He stood and waited for her to follow. Should I run? She thought to herself, but her feet unconsciously walked to where he stood.

"Eric you're freaking me out, why did you bring me-"

He hushed her with a finger. Her lips parted slightly as she watched his eyes, they were cold and grey. "Tris, there comes a time, when you need to be very clear with what you say." He dropped his finger from her lips, leaving her blood to run ice cold, "right now is one of those times."

Tris tried to think what he could possibly be talking about. Deep down she knew where it was going, but she wanted to believe that wasn't true.

"Eric I don't know what you are talking about."

He shook his head, and looked down grabbing her hand in the process. She felt like electricity had started surging through her veins at his touch. Even as much as he was freaking her out, just his touch was enough to make her trust him. He wouldn't hurt her.

"What was your aptitude test result," he asked his eyes flashing back to hers, softening a little.

That was it. Tris had never told anyone what had happened during the test. Tori was the only one who knew of her Divergence. Four only assumed, when she had manipulated the simulations. But she never told him the truth, no matter how much he had pushed. Now, here Eric was standing in front of her, asking her to spill her deepest secret to him. Tori had warned her, never tell anyone especially the leaders.

Eric watched her patiently, "Tris..."

"The test didn't work on me, Eric." She almost felt enraged for opening her mouth. She watched Eric stand straight. He turned away from her, shaking his head. "Is this what you wanted from me? To get me to trust you and then you turn around and ask me my deepest secret? Why do you want to know so badly, Eric-"

"Tris!" Eric turned back to him, grabbing her chin, "I had to know, because I can't protect you if you don't tell me the truth!"

"I've been getting along just fine by keeping my secret."

"Not for long, Tris. Jeanine is searching for Divergents. They are the only ones who can open the box."

"She doesn't have the box," she watched his grey eyes, "she doesn't have it yet, right?"

"Not yet." He put his hand on her shoulder, "Tris, Max and I got word today that she cancelled you fathers trial. She never cared about his connection with Marcus Eaton. It's all been a big cover up for whatever the hell she is doing. We have a meeting with her next week in Erudite, she will be appointing someone of her choice to represent not lead."

"Why would she do that," Tris' face shown with confusion.

"Because then it can be someone outside of Abnegation. If she does that, it's easy to attack them because they will be weakened and vulnerable without the proper leader to guide them"

"What do we do," she asked quietly.

"We will go to the meeting, Max is coming too. You are not to say anything, Tris...no matter the outcome. I don't want her suspecting you."

"Are you going to tell Max about me?"

"Fuck no. You're secret is between us, Tris. Don't trust anyone else."

"Eric, I have one more question...why did we come here," she gazed around at the empty rides and booths.

"I want to show you something," with that he led her towards the tower where his team had hidden the flag.

-

The sun was setting over Chicago by the time they reached the top. Eric pulled Tris to him. Her back pressed against his front.

"Beautiful isn't it," Eric asked into her hair. Breathing in her sweet scent, "just forget about everything going on right now. There's nothing that will hurt you, Tris. Not while I'm still breathing."

Tris smiled and closed her eyes at his words. She had fallen completely head over heels for this man, she wasn't going to deny it. "Do you ever wonder what's beyond the wall?"

"Every single day," he replied, sliding his hands down her arms, "we will find out soon enough."

"How do you know?"

"Because animals are not meant to be caged up."

She giggled at his response. They were animals. Sex crazed animals at the least.

Eric reached for something in his pocket. He pulled out a silver dagger and held it in front of her. Tris looked down at the silver glinting in the fading sunlight.

"What's this," she asked, taking the knife in her hands. He stepped away slightly to lean on the railing.

"A little token of my appreciation for you," he smirked.

"A token of appreciation?"

"For giving me a chance to be good to you."

Turks smiled and looked down at the knife in her hands. The handle has the dauntless flame carved up the length of it. She turned it over and read the words engraved on the other side. Be Brave My Queen. Her heart skipped a beat she was his queen, she always would be.

"Eric, it's beautiful," she peered up at his eyes, "I don't have anything to give back..."

"You've already given me everything I want...you."

She closed the gap between them. Leaning up and kissing him slowly.

"Tris, I love you," those three words were all she needed to hear, all she ever wanted to hear from him. She pressed herself into him, taking his mouth in a possessive kiss.

"I love you too," she whispered before he kissed her again. This was what they wanted from the start. And now that they were together, no one would break them.

No matter what.