Flora stood there, numb from the shock. She knew she had to do something, to move, to go home, but there was something of a haze that had swept over her. While she heard one of the guards speaking to her, she didn't process any of it. She tore her eyes away from her bleeding dog to look at him, as if that might help her better understand him. He didn't say anything at first, he only frowned in a sad sort of way.
"I'll help you back to the castle." The unicorn guard said before bending down to reach for Spot. Flora felt a wave of panic for her dog, reaching for the guard's arm to stop him. It only processed after that he was trying to help. She grabbed his arm and he paused to look at her, to which she gave a sheepish apology and let go. He gave her something of an understanding look before gently scooping up Spot and carrying the dog in his arms.
Flora silently followed the guard back towards the castle, his midnight blue uniform a steady rock in the river of people. There were people all over, up and down the street as several more guards came and went from the plaza. Flora kept her gaze on the man before her, not wanting to see what other possible horrors may lie around them.
Flora felt trapped in some unknowable time frame as she and her guard walked through the busy streets. The world was too fast and too slow all at once. Once they were a good number of blocks away from the plaza, the world returned to normal. People were still going about their day as if nothing had happened. Women were out enjoying lunch, families were shopping at the various stores, and children were still running in the streets and playing. It all seemed so surreal, like a totally different world from the one she was just in. Was it really that far that no one noticed? That no one cared or seemed bothered?
Flora wasn't really sure how to respond herself. She was most definitely not going to break down in the middle of the street crying. She was not going to fret over the safety of her dog when he was very clearly in good hands. And she was not going to feel guilty for any bit of it whatsoever.
It wasn't until they had almost passed the barn the Flora remembered to get Condor. I can't believe I almost forgot him! She worried as she ran over to the small city stable. She sent a quick word over her shoulder as she dashed towards the stall that held her horse. As if he knew it was her, Condor poked his head out in time to see her coming, giving her a small whinny of a greeting.
Flora paused just short of the wooden stall door, taking Condor's face into her hands and giving him a hug. He leaned his large head into her chest, as if sensing the need for her comfort. The gelding let out a small snort of comfort, leaning into her touch as she rubbed under his chin. It was the small things like this that grounded her, reminded her of who she was as it was just her and her horse.
Her guard waited patiently with Spot in his arms as Flora tacked up her horse. She moved quickly and efficiently as she got Condor ready to go home. With a swiftness only gained after years of practice, Flora had Condor all tacked up and ready to go in a matter of moments. She then led him by the reins back to the guard, and the two went back to the castle gates.
It wasn't long before they finally arrived, the guard who accompanied her handing Spot over to another with a polite farewell. Flora gave the new guard quick directions and soon Spot was whisked away. Flora couldn't help but watch with worry as her dog was taken out of her sight, even though she knew he would be getting the help he needed.
With a heavy sigh, she turned back towards the castle, following the path that led towards the main doors. She walked beside Condor, using the time to pull herself back together. And by "putting herself back together" what Flora really did was stuff everything down into a tight box until she could breathe normally again. Unfortunately for her, it didn't last long.
Flora had done her best to focus on the calm of the yard around the castle. The sun was in its second half of the sky, not quite setting but well past noon. Birds flitted around the fence posts and from the various nooks and crannies in the castle. Condor flicked his tail at the bugs buzzing around him. By all means it was a calm and clear day, despite all the fear and anxiety that roiled beneath her. That was when the sound of sparring cut through the afternoon air.
It wasn't unusual for guards or soldiers to be practicing on a nice day like this. The sounds might have been a little more aggressive than usual, but Flora chalked that up to the general behaviour of young men. Why she felt the need to go investigate however, she couldn't explain beyond some invisible tug that pulled her along. Perhaps I'll see the King. She thought to herself, recalling his earlier explanation of the magic between them. Any emotions that came up with that thought were swiftly stuffed back down as she led Condor towards the outside sparring ring.
Flora's premonition proved correct. As she rounded the corner, she found that both kings were in the fenced up sparring ring, the sand of the arena kicked up by their dueling. Both were dressed in simple light clothes, now dirtied and tattered. What surprised Flora the most was the blood that stained them, splatters and cuts decorating them both. Based on the grim expressions and the fact that they both held real weapons as opposed to practice ones, this was not being done for practice.
King Erick held his favored sword, a long and thin blade with a wicked point and sharp edge that rivaled even the largest of broadswords. The decorated hilt was strung with chords in the colors of his kingdom, the threads now tarnished with drops of blood. His brother o n the other hand held a large axe, too decorative and sharp to be used for something as simple as wood cutting. The head was carved with imagery of the Bear Clan, the longstanding rulers of Vygilslan and his late father's people.
Flora stood there, shocked to see the two brothers so at odds with each other as they clashed again, a viciousness that Flora had not seen before. Her father's warnings came unbidden, words of the savages that ruled this country. Could he have been right, that the shifters that ruled this country and others were nothing more than beasts in disguise?
Flora shook those thoughts from her mind as she saw Princess Esther approaching, a look of guilt and anguish on her face. She was wearing a green dress this day, not unlike those of so many women who Flora had passed mere hours ago. She had to hold up the skirts of her dress as she hiked through the grass to where Flora was at.
"I'm so sorry Flora." Esther said on arrival, defeat laced through her voice. Flora gave her a look of confusion, darting her eyes back in time to see Balder use the flat of his axe to hit Erick in the side of the head. Flora winced, feeling as if she had been smacked across the face. Panic and fear laced through her at the realization that she had felt his pain. Esther looked distressed at Flora's reaction.
"Do they do this often?" Flora asked quietly, watching in fear as the two dragons fought each other in the ring.
"They're not usually like this." Esther began with a sad, putting a hand on Flora's shoulder to lead her away. She looked worriedly at her brothers before turning back to Flora. "But they had an argument this morning." Esther said quietly as she guided Flora away. Flora let herself be led, trying to tuck away yet another piece of information that she didn't want to deal with right now. "And after the incident…" Esther trailed off as the two women headed to the royal stables, the sounds of clashing left behind them.
Flora was quiet as she took Condor in to take his saddle off, while Princess Esther sat heavily on a nearby bench. The Princess sighed, running her hands through her hair. She looked exhausted, and Flora had the feeling that she didn't look any better.
"I understand if you'd want to run away from all of this." Esther said after a while, resignation coating her voice. Flora paused her grooming, holding the brush against Condor's side. She didn't want to answer right away, but she also didn't want to seem like she was genuinely considering leaving.
"I also understand if you don't" Esther continued with a shake of her head. "I know how hard it can be to deny the magic of a selfrund." She said with a sigh of someone aged beyond her years.
"What do you mean?" Flora said with an inquisitive look, peaking around Condor to face the Princess. Esther gave her a conspiratorial smile in return.
"I'm afraid that's for me to know, and for no one else to find out." Flora couldn't help but laugh at Esther's use of the phrase.
"Except now I know." Flora pointed out, returning to brushing her horse.
"I suppose you might, but would anyone believe you?" Esther retorted, her voice somewhere between teasing and very serious. Flora laughed it off, finishing her brushing routine and moving to the rest of Condor's grooming.
Esther seemed happy to sit in companionable silence as Flora moved on to pick the dirt out of the gelding's hooves, the sharp end of the pick easily digging out the dirt and gravel of the day. Flora let her thoughts drift lazily through her mind as she continued to pick away the grime on Condor's feet, the dirt crumbling easily. With these thoughts came questions and emotions she still wasn't ready to face, and she continued to push them aside into that little box of her heart. Instead, she turned to ask Princess Esther a question.
"Why are you guys so nice to me?" Flora asked gingerly, knowing the question was blunt but unsure of how else to go about it. Esther gave a snort of a laugh before responding.
"I suppose it's because I knew there was something about you, even if Erick hadn't said anything." Esther replied with a dismissive wave at the mention of her brother. "He never admitted it until it was obvious, but asking to have a dress made for Balder's ball was obvious enough." She finished with a smile that spoke of a fond memory.
Before Flora could respond, Esther gave a hearty slap on her knees before standing up. "Well, it seems like it's time I got going." Esther informed, turning to leave from the barn. "And Flora?" She paused to look back at Flora, who was at a loss for words. "It's going to be okay." Esther's face conveyed pity and pain, and Flora was struck by it like a horse being tripped by an unseen hole. Flora felt her heart clench in her chest as Esther left, and she had to take a moment to focus her breathing before her emotions overwhelmed her.
When she was done with the basic grooming, Flora desired to spend more time with him and braid his mane and tail. It kept her doing something both with her mind and her hands, and helped keep the horse looking nice. Being a royal steed, it was only appropriate that he look immaculate.
The barn was quiet save for the sounds of the brush running through Condor's mane and tail. Dust filtered through the air, highlighted through the light pouring in from the windows. Despite the dirt the barn was cleaner than any other building, every detail easy to see from the grain of the wood to the fine carvings in the tiled floor.
Flora was so caught up in her work that she didn't hear the scuff of boots as someone came into the barn. She was quietly tying up Condor's mane into a hunter's braid when she felt a gentle hand land on the small of her back. Flora jumped with a startled cry, spinning around to face the unknown person and spooking Condor while she was at it.
She turned to find Erick, a guilty smile plastered on his face. "Sorry." He said sheepishly, a stark contrast to the healing injuries that peppered his body. He had "conveniently" lost his shirt. Most likely cut to ribbons by the looks of him. Flora shook her head to dispel her sock and surprise. The blood only accentuated the dark ink of his ancestral tattoos, and - Flora noted - the curves of his muscles. I am not thinking about that right now. She told herself, however untrue it might be.
"What are you doing here?" Flora asked. "Shouldn't you be… Cleaning up?" She asked tentatively, gesturing to the many cuts that criss-crossed his torso. He briefly looked down as if he had forgotten those were there before looking back up to respond.
"I'll be alright." He said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "As for what I'm doing here, I came to check on you." His voice dropped at the end, his throat bobbing with a nervous smile. The sight of him being nervous put Flora on edge.
"I'm fine, really, but you should at least clean up." Flora couldn't help but voice her concerns. She could swear that the longer she saw him the more she could feel the sting of his cuts. Was she only imagining it because it had been suggested to her, or was she really feeling the effects of their magic? Their magic. The very thought of her having any magic was enough to startle her, but to have it be connected to the King of all people sent a shiver down her body.
Erick smirked, spotting the bucket and cloth Flora had used to clean Condor with. "I suppose I should, but I might need some help." Erick said with a look in his eye that resembled a fox in a hen house. Flora rolled her eyes.
"Unfortunately for you, I think I'm done cleaning horses for the day." Flora teased as she untied Condor from the aisle's cross-ties and walked him to his stall, Erick following close behind. He gave a snort of laughter, which only emphasized the joke.
"I'm sure you have time for one more." Erick insisted, his voice taking a teasing tone as he played into Flora's joke. Flora couldn't help but smile as she brought Condor to his stall.
"Perhaps." Flora stated, leading Condor into his cleaned out stall and taking his halter off. "But I prefer working with well-behaved horses, and stallions usually are not well-behaved." Flora scoffed, continuing with her teasing as Erick leaned on the post of the stall. He. barked a laugh when she finished, his eyes lighting with a joy she only ever saw when they were in private. She smiled back.
"I think Odysseus would be very offended." Erick started. "Besides," He continued, pushing off the post and leaning closer. "I think you'll find this stallion very well behaved." Despite his statement, there was a mischievous glint in his eye. Flora laughed, more of a small squeak as she flustered under his gaze.
"Well, mostly." Flora managed to retort as she hung Condor's halter on the adjacent hook, although her voice came out smaller than she had hoped. Erick chuckled, his eyes dancing with amusement.
"Is that so?" Erick asked, his voice thicker than just moments before. Flora would not admit to how much she liked it, or how much it affected her. "Perhaps we could find out?" Erick teased, leaning closer over Flora, his towering form causing her to look up at him. She couldn't stop the flush of heat she felt in her face, or the other feelings she very much did not want to admit to right now. She was supposed to be sad, or upset, or anything that didn't involve being aroused.
Flora swallowed the lump in her throat before responding.responding. "Perhaps we shall." She retorted, ducking away from him to grab a nearby bucket. "And he can start by being helpful." She said with her own mischievous grin, handing the empty bucket to King Erick.
Erick bellowed a laugh before taking the bucket from her hands. "As you wish, my lady." He said with a mock bow before turning around to fill the metal bucket with clean water. Flora watched him go, her heart racing with the rush of emotions. Unlike her earlier trials and tribulations, these were not emotions she wanted to bottle up.
To keep herself - and her hands - busy, Flora went looking for a clean rag. She imagined she would need at least one large rag to clean off the blood, possibly more. The image of cleaning her king was certainly not something she had expected to ever think, let alone prepare to do. The image only sent her heart racing faster and her gut clenching as she found the pile of clean rags and cloths for cleaning. And just in time, as she heard the King return from the spigot.
Flora turned to find her king with the bucket now full, a lopsided smirk gracing his face and accentuating his angular features. It did nothing but help the growing heat Flora felt building up inside of her. This man is going to be the death of me, and I'm not even mad about it.
"Well, perhaps a stallion can be helpful." Flora attempted to move back to her teasing, hoping it would settle her feelings. It only made them worse when his smirk widened.
"I suppose he can." Erick replied. Flora only nodded, finding her throat stuck.
"Let's get started before you manage to catch an infection." Flora poked at him with a teasing glare, which he matched as he took a seat with the metal bucket.
"I'm sure you already know this, but the water is cold." Flora pointed out as she dipped the first rag into the water, letting it soak. Erick shrugged as he leaned into a more comfortable position, one Flora hadn't seen him take very often.
"Clean's clean, I can handle a little cold." Erick stated, never losing his smirk. Flora rolled her eyes.
"Don't blame me if you get sick." She retorted as she applied the rag to his bruising face. To his credit, Erick didn't flinch from the cold water. She had the sneaking suspicion that this had been his intention all along, but relented to the feelings that now stirred inside her heart.
Despite his easy going posture, King Erick had a look of restraint hidden in his eyes, like he was holding something back. Flora could relate to the feeling, harboring as many questions as she did all the while keeping them at bay. Right now didn't really feel like the right time to ask about her family, or his for that matter. Instead she focused on helping her king wipe off the grime of blood and sweat.
It was hard to keep her thoughts from wandering as Erick relaxed under her, his muscled body slackening beneath her. He closed his eyes and tipped his head back as she moved down his chest, careful not to open the recently scabbed over wounds. Some, she found, were still bleeding.
Flora continued to wash his wounds, going back and forth to the bucket of water in a quiet rhythm that was only disturbed by the gentle sounds of the barn. Erick's eyes cracked open as Flora leaned closer to go over his shoulders, and there was something darker in there that she hadn't seen just moments before. Flora paused. She had a feeling she knew exactly what that look meant.
There was a question in his eyes, and when Flora returned a look of her own he responded. Erick braced one hand on her hip and used the other to cup her face, the rough skin of his thumb gently grazing her cheek. He pulled her closer as his lips met hers, embracing Flora in his gentle warmth.
Flora let the rag slip from her hands, hardly hearing the soft splash as it hit the floor. Her focus narrowed to just the two of them as Erick firmly held her in his gentle grip. His hands slowly roamed to the back of her neck and the line of her pants, lingering as his soft lips enveloped her own. Flora found herself pushing closer, her knees now bracing on the bench as her legs straddled around him and her arms wrapped around his neck.
Would you like to pick up where we left off the other day? Fora heard Erick's voice but knew he hadn't spoken, still lost in the kiss as they were. Images from just a few moments ago bubbled back to the surface, causing Flora to feel even hotter than she already did.
"Yes." Flora breathed against his mouth before he pulled her back in, his hand dipping below her pant line. He shifted her weight above him, and soon she felt his hard length pressed against her. Fuck that's hot. Was all her mind could put together as his lips moved from her mouth to her jaw, making his way down her throat. The hand that held her face moved cup her breast, the other now holding her ass.
Flora curled against his grip, feeling the pressure of his hard length press into her building sensitivity. There are far too many layers. She thought with frustration as her hands moved down to undo his pants. His laugh tickled her neck as she got stuck, her hands feeling like noodles as he swiftly undid her own pants.
Eager, are we? She heard him think as another laugh escaped his lips. She merely grumbled her frustrations as he assisted her, undoing his buttons but taking his time with it.
"Why don't we play a little more?" Erick whispered against her neck, sending shivers down her spine. Flora could barely form a word beyond the vague sound of affirmation as she continued to press against Erick, his body responding in kind.
He kissed her again, deeper and almost frantic this time. There was a building energy as his hands went under her now open clothes, making it that much easier as he found her already hardened nipples. Flora moaned against his mouth as he started teasing her, rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. His other hand reached around her hind end, teasing that sensitive area without actually getting there.
Flora rolled her hips against his, his kiss deepening as she opened up to him. His tongue quickly found its way into her mouth, making promises of things to come as Erick pumped a rhythm against her lips.
Erick's hands moved to undo the rest of her shirt, his mouth finding her breast as soon as it was exposed. His teeth gripped her nipple, grazing the sensitive area in a way that had her aching against him. Please. She thought desperately as his hands moved to her hips, thumbs playing along the line so close and yet not close enough. He chuckled, the rumble sending another urge of desire through her.
So needy. Erick teased as one hand inched lower, his thumb barely grazing that delicate bundle of nerves at her core. Flora practically whined for more as she tried and failed to push her hips closer to his hand. He merely pulled away with a teasing laugh, teeth grazing her skin as he kissed the small spot between her neck and shoulder.
Flora groaned in a mix of frustration and pleasure as Erick gently teased her, hand lightly brushing her but never lingering too long. It felt like ecstasy when he slipped one finger inside her, her guttural moan surprising even herself. Erick hissed in pleasure at just how wet she was, using her slick to rub up and down her sensitive area in slow methodical loops. He had her practically melting in his hand as all thoughts escaped her.
Only one thought consumed her now, and it took control as her hands moved down the line of his chest to meet at his hips. Erick continued his methodical pushing and pulling, bringing her close but never over the edge. Her hand plunged below his waist line, finding his stiff length and working to pull it free. She hadn't really planned on where to go with it after, but stripping in the barn wasn't entirely off the table.
As Flora gripped around his base she felt him dip back inside her, using two fingers this time. His other hand moved to continue his rhythm along her as he pumped inside her, his pace quickening as her hips bucked against him. His lips caught hers as he went harder, their mouths practically crashing as he brought her higher. Caught in the rush, Flora could do little more than grip him tighter as she felt her body tightening around him.
"I want you to come on me." Erick's voice came out in a heavy breath as he continued to move inside her, his hands becoming frantic as Flora ground her hips against him. One of her hands pulled up the length of him, causing him to press harder into her. Flora had to grip his back with her other hand as her whole body tensed, the muscles pulling and contracting as she felt herself come undone in his hands. Erick let out a guttural sound as his kiss turned into something more like a bite, the pain mixing with the high as Flora dug her nails into his taught skin.
Before she could flop over, Erick pulled her into another kiss. It was long and hard, full of need as he rotated his hips against her grip on him. His hands moved to her sides, gripping her as he pulled her deeper into the kiss. Flora couldn't think of being anywhere but in his embrace, as if Erick filled a part of her she never knew she was missing. That was until she heard his name being called from the other end of the barn. Flora froze, reality crashing in as Erick rumbled in frustration.
"Not now." Erick called out, his voice clipped as he tried to hold on to the moment for just a minute longer. He was still hard in Flora's hand, and she felt guilt and shame wash over her at the idea of someone else being in there with them.
"It's important." Called the voice - clearly Dante's - from down the barn. Flora's heart sank at the idea of him turning the corner to find them like this. The teasing would go on for months.
Erick growled, a sound not unlike a dog guarding its food bowl, as he pulled away from Flora. Guilt washed over his face as he looked at her, mouth parted to speak. He shook his head, and Flora couldn't tell if it was from frustration or from words left unsaid.
"I'm so sorry." Erick's voice croaked as he quickly helped Flora pull everything back together. His blood smeared several spots on her clothes, clear evidence of what they had done.
And in a moment it was over, her little world where it was just the two of them was gone. Her brief release from life faded, and stress returned in its place. She quietly looked down as she readjusted her clothes, King Erick doing much the same as he called out to Dante, not hiding the frustration in his tone.
He turned to Flora before leaving. "I'll see you at dinner tonight?" He asked quickly, a sense of urgency hidden in the tones of his voice. Flora nodded, not sure if she could trust her voice to be used just yet. Erick's expression softened, and he quickly leaned in to place a quick kiss on her forehead before turning to leave.
Flora watched him go, feeling as if he had taken a little part of her with him. She shook herself, reminding herself that such a thought would be silly. But it didn't change how she felt. A little part of her heart worried, nagging at her. Is it real? Does he actually care about me? Or is it just the pull of magic?
Not only that, but a sudden realization hit her. She had sex. Maybe not by some definitions, but it was very real to her. She waited for the guilt that she expected to come with that, but it never came. A part of her expected to feel something bad, like it was wrong. So why didn't she feel bad? Flora reflected that she wasn't entirely sure what she felt right now, but it certainly wasn't what she had grown up to expect. She wasn't married, and she certainly didn't expect a barn to be the place to do it.
Flora shook her head, clearing her thoughts as she turned back to the barn around her. She sighed, knowing that she had work to get back to and animals to attend to. Double checking that everything was in place, Flora returned to work.