At the moment, Erick did not feel like he loved anyone, least of all his brother Balder. After Esther closed the door to his room Erick glared at his brother, who gave him a smug look. A part of him was tempted to pummel his brother again.
"I suppose that could have gone better." Balder said nonchalantly, walking over to the couch and slumping on it. Erick rolled his eyes with an exasperated sigh. "Could have gone worse though." Balder said with a chipper tone as Erick went back to organizing his papers.
"I really don't have time for this." Erick grumbled as he searched through his papers for the right documents. He tried not to bristle in frustration as Balder proceeded to get more comfortable by hoisting his feet up on the table. The same table that Erick had all his papers and documents on.
"If you're so worked up, you can always put it off for later." Balder suggested. Erick sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I have a schedule, Balder. I can't just put it off." Erick was very close to snapping when his brother simply shrugged his shoulders in response. Instead he shook his head and sighed, trying to release his anger in one loud breath.
"Come on, I've got work to do and you have family members to appease." Erick said in resignation. Balder made a noncommittal snort before getting up and following Erick out of the door.
The two made their separate ways, Balder not failing to leave an irking comment in Erick's direction before leaving. Erick returned the comment with a rude gesture of his own before heading towards the castle's lower floors.
The further he went, the more he felt like he had a rock in his stomach. The rock only hardened to steel as he approached the doorway to the castle dungeons. Sucking in a deep breath, Erick hardened his resolve and went down the winding staircase.
Erick was greeted by Dante at the landing, who gave him an odd look before he recalled that he no longer wore his jacket. Erick waved it away and Dante nodded. It seemed that neither of them wanted to speak much, and Erick didn't mind it.
It was long before they arrived before the door of Harold Acker's cell. Two guards stood in the small hallway, both of which bowed when their king arrived. Erick gave them a brusque nod before entering the cell.
The room was small and dark, with no window to offer any light. A small candle burned high above the door, offering next to nothing in the way of light. The floor was covered in stale hay, and there was a small bucket in one corner. Harold was curled up in the opposite corner, covered in the thin rag he was given to use as a blanket.
For a moment, Erick regretted his acting out in anger. He had been flung into a blind rage through the haze of pain, and had directed it all at Harold. His guilt quickly dispersed as he recalled the pages of documents he had been combing through these last few days. He held them now as he and Dante approached Harold.
Harold meekly looked up as the two approached. He looked feeble at first, but then anger took over his features and Erick was reminded of everything he had done. Everything he had planned to do. Erick suppressed a shiver, returning Harold's anger with a cold glare of his own.
"I'm sure you're well aware why you're here." Erick started, making a small gesture to the cell around them. Harold snorted a response.
"And I'm sure you're aware of your crimes?" Erick lifted the stack of papers for Harold to see. Again, Harold said nothing save for the ugly snort of discontent. Erick sighed through his nose, trying not to let his anger slip. He looked to Dante for ideas.
Don't look at me, you're better at Night Magic than I am. Dante thought with a quirked eyebrow. Erick knew it was true, but wasn't entirely happy with the possibility of having to dig through Harold's memories. He looked back at Harold.
"All I want to know is why? And who else is involved?" Erick said this in a quiet but commanding tone. Most were intimidated by his look alone, and he was usually successful when he used his dark voice. It was not successful this time.
"Why?" Harold sneered, making an ugly face at his king. "Why shouldn't I?" Harold asked as he slowly got up from his corner. Dante tensed, but Erick only watched. "After everything you've taken from me, why shouldn't I?" The old man spat, pointing an accusatory finger at Erick. Erick frowned, unsure of exactly what Harold was talking about.
Making a quick probe into Harold's mind proved unsuccessful. Harold knew how to block the mind reading of Night and Day magic, but only just. Erick was sure that with a little more effort, he would break. But not yet.
"You don't even know what I'm talking about, do you?" Harold hissed, his anger coiling like a snake. "You're not even aware of it, are you? You just take as you please, just like you took my daughter!" Mr. Acker's voice raised a bit too high for Dante's comfort, who snarled at the old man while putting a hand to his sword.
Erick's gaze hardened. "I did nothing of the sort. With the way you spoke to her, I didn't think you cared for her at all." Erick's voice was low and cold, laced with ice meant to pierce. And pierce it did.
Harold lashed out, making to beat Erick with his bare fists. In turn, the young king swung back before the blows could hit. Being both larger and younger, Erick had the advantage. Harold was flung back against the wall with a grunt, and Erick almost felt bad for the old man. Almost.
"You bastard." Harold said through gritted teeth. "She'd still be alive if it weren't for you!" Mr. Acker pointed an accusatory finger at Erick. He thinks she's dead. Erick took the information in, already devising a way to use it.
Erick leaned close to Harold, putting his face in Mr. Acker's space. "She'd still be alive if it weren't for you." Erick spat back, willing himself to believe the lie and act it out enough to convince the old man.
Harold lunged for him again, grappling for his shoulders and attempting to throw him down. With the upper hand in both strength and height, Erick was not pushed down as easily as Harold seemed to believe he would be. Using his own strength as well as the aid of his shadows, Erick was able to easily push back Harold.
His push back was a little too hard, as Harold bounced against the wall of the cell once again. Harold fell with a painful moan. Dante eyed Erick, who schooled his expression into an ice-like calm. Erick would not regret his decisions now, he had to stand firm.
"Her death will mean nothing if you don't tell us where they are." Erick said in a cold voice. Harold's response was to turn and spit on Erick.
"Fuck you." The old man growled. Erick felt his restraint slip as he kicked Harold in the gut, pushing the breath out of him with a great oof.
Using his magic to pin Harold down, Erick leaned down to put his face next to Harold's. "I will give you one last chance to answer on your own before I take it from you." Erick let his voice drop into a threatening growl to ensure that Harold knew exactly what he meant. "One last chance to make her death mean something." It was one last shot to appeal to Harold's guilt before Erick had to become the monster everyone feared he would become.
Harold bared his teeth in an animalistic show of anger, blood running down from his bloodied nose and into his mouth. "She died for the cause." Harold growled. Combined with the running blood, he looked more beast than man in the moment.
Erick pulled back with a quiet scoff, looking over to Dante. Dante gave him a solemn nod before Erick turned back to face Harold. It would be hard to break the old man's mental barriers, but not hard enough to stop him.
With a final resignation, Erick plunged his magic into Harold's mind, tearing down his barricade and forcing through his memories. Harold fought against the restraints of Erick and Dante's shadows, screaming as Erick forced his way deeper.
Erick and Dante made their way out of the dungeon, ascending the winding staircase in silence. Neither of them said anything. The interrogation had not gone as planned, and regrettably they both ended up with blood on their clothes and a prisoner that was now beaten to a pulp. Erick tried not to shiver at the thought of it.
Why did he do it? Erick thought quietly, though he knew that Dante would hear. Erick was too tired to put any guard up, having exhausted his magic on Harold. The thought ran through his mind more than once, always laced with guilt.
It's because he's powerless. Erick heard Dante's thought but still had to stop himself from being surprised by it. He paused on the stairway, looking over his shoulder at his Captain. It gives him power to hold something over you. Dante's eyes reflected much of what Erick felt, which was threatening to crush his chest at this moment.
Erick nodded in agreement before turning back to leaving the dungeon, focusing on his breathing as they climbed the last handful of stairs to the landing. The two of them made sure to school their features before returning to the rest of the castle. They made quick farewells before departing for their separate duties.
I really need a bath. Erick grimaced as he headed for his room. He paid little attention to those around him as he attempted to make a swift getaway from it all. He knew he had only done what had to be done, and yet his conscience would not let him be. And neither would his aunt, so it would seem.
"Erick!" Aunt Martha's petulant voice came from down the hall. Erick paused with a heavy sigh. He turned around to face her, not caring to hide his sour expression as she came bustling down the hall, the skirt of her dress swishing frantically with her steps.
"Where have you been?" The question sounded more like an accusation as she gritted it through her teeth. Erick moved to answer but she quickly cut him off.
"We have been worried sick over you!" Martha exclaimed, bringing her hands up to cup his face like she used to when he was a child. He quickly battered her away, his sour expression only worsening.
"Tsk, you've been gone for weeks and you treat me like this?" His Aunt Martha chided him. "And just look at you!" She gestured to his clothing, now dirtied and spritzed in blood. Half of him wanted to let her tire herself out, and the other half of him wanted to remind her of her place. The second half was winning.
"I'm going to stop you right there." Erick said with a flat tone, holding up a hand as his aunt had begun to tell him just how much he was inconveniencing everyone. "I was assaulted by a farmer with a sword, so you'll have to forgive me for my absence but I have been rather tied up in dealing with it." He made sure to give his aunt a meaningful look. This time however, it did not dissuade her.
"Your Beast Master was hurt, not you." Lady Martha corrected him with an air of discontent and arrogance. "Really, I don't know why you insisted on keeping that girl-"
"That girl," Erick said icily, cutting off his aunt. "Is my-" Erick hesitated, not wanting to reveal just how much Flora meant to him, least of all his Aunt. Thankfully, he didn't have to.
Erick heard someone quietly clearing their throat behind him. Frustrated that he was now caught between two family members, he turned with a less than polite expression on his face to face whoever it was. Of all the people he was expecting, he didn't expect to see Flora standing there.
She was dressed in new clean clothes, her formal attire and badge of office making her look much less like someone who was supposed to be recovering from a serious injury. In her hands she held his jacket, neatly folded and presented to him.
"I um, came to return this." She said very quietly, handing the jacket forward. Erick felt his features tighten as she took in his current state, full of dirt and spattered with blood. Her father's blood. Does she know where I was? He felt his heart clench at the thought of her knowing what he had done. Despite telling himself that it had to be done, there was still a wash of shame that came with it.
"Thank you." Erick tried his best to sound neutral as he took the jacket from her, his hands brushing hers and lingering for just the briefest of moments. A blush crept over her features and a part of Erick longed to extend this moment into something more, if only his Aunt Martha weren't right there.
"I think I've seen quite enough." His aunt said haughtily from behind him. She moved around him to face Flora, a look of pure disdain on her face and hands on her hips. He cut her a glare, but before he could stop her she continued. "And just how long did you think this was going to go on?" She asked, looking down her nose at Flora.
"I- I don't- I'm not sure-" Flora stammered, her face going red with embarrassment. Erick could hear the panicked thoughts that rose to the surface of her mind, the feelings mixing with anxiety and guilt as she looked down at the floor.
"Aunt Martha," Erick started, putting himself between her and Flora. "Need I remind you what happened last time?" The look on his face told her he was serious, and the look on her face told him that she was furious. Martha's mouth thinned into a tight line as she attempted to return to something that was less angry.
"I, and your family, expect to see you at dinner tonight." Lady Martha said with a final turn to leave. Erick didn't bother to correct her, watching her walk stiffly down the hall back to wherever she had come from.
Erick turned back to Flora, who was still flush with red and was holding her hands together tightly. His features softened as he loosed a tiring breath. "Was there anything else you needed?" He asked gently, doing his best to refrain from being forceful about it.
"Well," Flora started, looking up at him before quickly looking away again. "I was hoping to have some time to talk, but if you're too busy-" Flora's last words came out in a rush as she looked up at Erick's surprised expression.
"I can make some time for you Flora." Erick said with a small smile, which only caused Flora's blush to deepen. "But," he said before she could say anything else. Already he could hear the buzz of questions from her mind. "Shouldn't you be resting?" He pointed out, shifting the weight of his jacket in his hands to put it on.
"I couldn't sleep." Flora replied sheepishly, looking down at her feet again. Erick understood how she felt, but also knew the dangers of pushing too hard too soon. Taking a glance at the tall clock standing in the hallway, its chimes swinging with the seconds, Erick decided he could afford to disappear for a while.
"Why don't we head back to your room then?" He asked politely, knowing what would come next. She's going to confront me, and I'll have to explain everything. I just hope it's not too much. Erick's thoughts felt the prickle of worry, but he set it aside.
"Alright." Flora's reply held a mix of emotions, as did her facial expression. She seemed disappointed to have to go back to her room, but there was also a hint of excitement and anxiety at the chance to actually speak to him. Erick smiled and gave her a nod before the two went down the auspicious hallways back to her room.
Flora was nearly shaking by the time she got back to her room. She wasn't sure if it was from exhaustion or her mix of emotions bubbling their way to the surface. King Erick politely opened the door for her and the two went in, sealing her self-induced fate.
Maybe this was a bad idea, maybe I should have just rested like Esther suggested. Flora's thoughts nagged as the two went in, an awkward tension filling the room. She wasn't sure if she should let him sit first, or if she should have cleaned up better, or if-
"Why don't we sit on the couch?" Erick suggested, motioning to the plush couch in front of the hearth. Being Spring, the fire inside had not been lit, letting the small lights in the room cast shadows on the figures carved into the mantle.
Flora nodded and quickly made a seat on one end of the couch, Erick not far behind her as he sat on the other side. There was a notable space between them, and it left Flora feeling uneasy. She looked to him to find that he had a smile on his face, but that his eyes portrayed some deeper feeling that she couldn't quite place. Love would have been something easy to notice, but this felt like something different.
"I wanted to talk about…" Flora swallowed her anxiety down, her throat constricting around the words. Erick didn't push, and she regathered herself to continue. "I wanted to talk about what Esther said." Flora's voice quieted to a near whisper by the end.
For a moment, Erick didn't say anything. His eyes moved in thought, and Flora worried the longer he didn't say anything. She was about to say something when Erick finally spoke up.
"What exactly did she tell you?" His voice was calm but his eyes were hesitant, almost as if he were nervous. Flora had trouble not sharing the same expression.
"She said…" Again Flora felt her throat tighten, and she balled her fists in frustration on her lap. "She said you loved me, well and truly." Flora couldn't help but look down as she felt her face heat.
She knew that he had been making advances during their time together, but hadn't thought it was anything serious. Most of all, he has never pushed her for anything, she couldn't recall him ever asking directly for anything. Still, the thought of his intentions being anything more than playful had sent a very real rush of emotions at everything that was implied in that statement.
Erick swallowed before responding, his throat bobbing with the effort. "Well, yes, but it's a bit more than that." His voice was uncertain, something that Flora hadn't heard from him before. Albeit she's only really known him for two weeks now, but still.
"It's… a lot. I mean, it can be a lot for someone who doesn't know much about magic." Erick clarified, sitting straighter at his end of the couch. He gave her a questioning glance, as if waiting for her to deny him.
When she didn't say anything he continued with a heavy blow of breath as he ran a hand through his hair, setting his crown askew. "Magic users often have a… well magical connection I suppose." Erick gave a dry laugh at the statement before continuing with an awkward expression.
"It's a sort of pull between two people at first." He gave her a nervous look, and she almost felt as nervous as he looked. "But the more they know each other, the more noticeable it is. I suppose since your magic is dormant, you probably haven't noticed much if anything." It was clear that Erick was trying to be casual about this conversation, but it was coming off more like a 'birds and the bees' talk Flora noted. Then she stiffened.
"Magic? My magic?" She said quietly, looking sternly at Erick. He flushed red in return.
"Ah, I uh, had thought you had been told by the healer." Erick said with a clearing of his throat. Flora shook her head, too dumbstruck to say or do anything else. "They detected it while healing you. But it's nothing to worry about." He added when he saw her shocked expression growing into something more fearful.
"It'll be okay, dormant magic doesn't often manifest." He said quietly, placing a comforting hand on hers. Feeling his large warm hand encompass her own small and delicate hand sent a shiver up her arm. It was comforting, and Flora didn't want to admit that it was also nice to feel his skin against hers, giving her ideas she was embarrassed to think of at that moment.
"Getting back to the topic though," Erick didn't pull away his hand, even though he looked back at the fireplace. "I really do care about you, a lot." He said quietly, his eyes focusing somewhere beyond the room.
For a long moment, neither of them said anything. It was clear to Flora that he was deep in thought as he continued to stare at the fireplace. She thought about her time with him over the past few weeks. Had he done all that because of this magical pull? Was he trying to see if I felt the same way? He has to have known. Flora's emotions were overwhelming, and she decided to make the choice before she could scare herself out of it.
Without a second thought, Flora quickly leaned forward and placed the quickest of kisses on the corner of his mouth, placing her hand on his arm as she leaned in. She let her hand linger after pulling away, almost as if she needed to hold on to him to be sure this was real.
Erick nearly whipped his head to look at her, a mixture of shock and admiration on his face. They looked at each other like that for the briefest of moments before Erick's expression changed into something different. His eyes darkened as he leaned down, cupping Flora's face with one hand and supporting himself with the other.
Erick kissed Flora, long and slow. His hand cupping her face was firm but gentle, and she could feel herself let go into him. Her mind emptied of anything but this moment. His mouth was warm and soft, barely breaking away for a breath before continuing.
Erick leaned forward, pushing Flora into the couch and deepening the kiss. Flora felt herself heat up as his hand slowly trailed down her side, stopping low at her waist. His thumb played lazily in the small area between her shirt and pants, and she couldn't stop herself from leaning into his touch.
He leaned closer still, moving his arm next to her head as she set it on the arm of the couch. Flora trashed up to wrap her arms around his neck, hands playing with his hair and roaming the nape of his neck. Erick's body was hovering just above hers, causing the heat inside her to build up to a large fire.
Erick's hand slipped below her waist line, easily finding its way below her clothing as he cupped her ass. His rough and calloused hand sent shivers down her spine as his thumb played in circles across her skin. Flora arched her back in response, her hips meeting his as she did so.
Erick moaned and his teeth skimmed her bottom lip as his kiss went from gentle to unrepentant. His hips pressed down into hers, his knees shifting with the weight as he held her firm against him.
Flora let out a small gasp, both seeking for air and from surprise as she felt his hard length pressed against her. Erick paused, pulling back with a look of concern. Before he could say anything Flora pulled him back down with a gentle tug.
His kiss became ravenous, as if this were the only time he could have her. When she felt his tongue on her lips, she eagerly opened to let him in. He filled her mouth, his lips pressing hard against hers. She couldn't help but think how it would feel to have him filling her in a different way.
Flora moaned, her hands moving to feel the skin of his neck, his shoulders, and eventually his chest. Erick's hand on her gripped harder as he began to press into her again, his hops rocking with the effort. Without a second thought Flora shifted her own legs, making room for him as he pressed his length against her, restrained as it was.
Flora's frustration had met a boiling point as her core was lit on fire. Her hands quickly roamed to find the buckle of his pants, struggling to undo it. He laughed against her mouth, his breath a soft whisper as he took his hand out of her pants to undo his belt.
Despite unbuckling, Erick took his time with taking anything off. His hands roamed her body, slowly undoing the buttons on her clothes. She attempted to do the same, but found it difficult with him being so much larger than she was.
Don't be afraid to tell me no. She heard him think - rather than say - as Erick opened up her clothing, leaving her in her underwear. He pulled back, waiting for a response. His eyes were dark and his mouth looked almost bruised from their kissing.
I don't want to say no. Flora thought back, breathless from the moment. It was as if something clicked, some final restraint let loose as Erick quickly pulled his jacket and shirt off. Seeing him shirtless wasn't entirely new by now, but the thought of what came next excited her, and Flora couldn't help but bite her own lip in anticipation.
Erick leaned forward to kiss her again, his hands making short work of her bra straps. Is this really happening? A short spike of panic ran through her at the thought. Flora had wanted this, dreamt of this. Now that it was here, she realized her emotions were tinged with anxiety. She pushed that all away as she pulled Erick in for a deeper kiss before he pulled back.
Erick's eyes went low as he cupped her breasts in both hands, his thumbs running circles around her nipples. Flora leaned into it, gripping his arms as he bent down to suck on one, teeth grazing the sensitive area as his other hand punched the other. Flora couldn't take it anymore, and had reached down to pull on Erick's pants when the clock ran for the hour.
King Erick pulled back with a frustrated moan, and Flora couldn't stop the small whimper that escaped her lips. Looking at the clock his expression matched the sound he made, one of disappointment and pent up frustration. He looked back at her with guilt written across his face.
"I really have to go." His voice was still husky with lust, his blue eyes a dark storm on the horizon. Flora found herself still caught up in emotion as well, and was only able to swallow hard and nod in understanding. His eyes flitted down her once more before getting up with a heavy sigh.
"I really am sorry." Erick told her as he put his clothes back on. Flora had been this close to seeing him, and even closer to him seeing the rest of her. The thought sent ripples through her as she pulled her legs into a hug on the couch, watching him hurriedly get dressed.
"Will I see you at dinner?" He asked, using his hands to try and pin his hair back into place. His crown helped keep most of it in place, but there were a few errant clumps that refused to stay.
"Dinner?" She asked, not entirely processing the question. Her mind still wandered through the last few minutes.
Erick smirked, but there was something warm about it as he looked at her. "Yes, tonight." He told her as he finished straightening out his jacket.
There was still a noticeable bulge, and Flora couldn't help but notice it. She blushed and looked away before replying. "Yeah, I'll be there." She said quietly.
She felt his hand on her chin before she saw him, gently tilting her face towards him. In his eyes were a torrent of emotions, and Flora couldn't help but hold her breath in anticipation.
Erick gave Flora one last kiss, quiet and soft before pulling away. "I'll see you then." He said over his shoulder. Flora chewed her lip as she watched him go, her body refusing to let go of its pent up heat and desire.
Seeing as she had nothing else to do before dinner, Flora leaned back to pleasure herself. It did little to abate her feelings or relieve her of her frustrations. She imagined it was him inside her as she finally reached her climax, leaving a little hollow spot in her as she longed for it to actually be him.
With a defeated sigh, Flora put her clothes back on and went to let Spot out of the bathroom.