Page 7

Chapter seven

Erendrial

I didn’t sleep or eat the next day. I couldn’t get the image of Gen on top of Tryverse Feynar out of my head. I kept my distance from her, and focused on how to win over the high houses. I wasn’t ready to start passing out favors just yet.

Over the next few weeks, I met with the king while he went over the different hats he had to wear. He was grooming me to take his place. Gen was frequently unavailable. She refused to speak to me unless it was necessary. At dinner, I would try to get her to laugh or smile, but it was no use. I asked her to dance every night, but she never accepted.

I visited her room the nights she was supposedly fertile to make it look like we were doing our duty. I stood in the seating area until the required amount of time had passed before I left, most of the time never laying my eyes on her.

The court continued to show me disrespect and she did nothing to help combat the growing threats that surrounded me. Each one of the dresses she wore in public covered my imprint. If the dress was more revealing, she would wear a cover or jacket to make sure it was out of sight. The court mocked me about the matter. They continued to call me a lowborn and would talk about how Gen preferred the young Tryverse Feynar in her bed.

Each insult chipped away a little more of my heart. I did all I could to remain composed, but my mask was slowly being destroyed. I had worked so hard to earn the respect of this court, but nothing I did seemed to be good enough. Their words affected me, and the fact that Gen allowed it made the insult even worse.

My family was ready to kill them all, but I restrained them. Evinee continued to offer me comfort in whatever way I chose, but I refused. Zerrial, Oz, and Voz tried to distract me with females and alcohol, but nothing had the intended effect. With each passing day, I found myself losing hold on the hope I had of earning a second chance to be with the one I loved.

I went to her room one night to pretend to conceive an heir. I knocked, expecting Atalee to open the door, but instead Gen appeared. She smiled brightly at me before she pulled me into the room and shut the door. I was surprised, but I grinned, eager to see what had changed.

“You seem happy,” I said playfully.

“Of course I am. What are you doing here? I thought you were out on a hunt,” she said, pouring us a glass of whiskey. She handed one to me before she shot hers back.

“Uh, no. There were no scheduled hunts for today. I’m here to—” I stopped myself, unable to finish the sentence.

“To what? Was it because you missed me?” She laughed, pouring herself another glass. A real laugh. I hadn’t heard that since before the demons. My heart lightened in that moment.

“Yes, I’ve missed you,” I admitted.

She stopped, turning to face me. “Eren, is this about the night we slept together? You don’t have to say anything. You made yourself perfectly clear. I know it isn’t ever going to happen again. You were right. You can’t give me what I want,” she said, dropping her gaze to the floor.

What in Azeer’s name is going on? I walked towards her, reaching hesitantly to take her into my arms. She looked up at me with her soft green eyes and smiled as she wrapped her hands around my shoulders.

“I want you, princess. You, and only you,” I whispered.

“What?” She giggled nervously.

“I will give you whatever you want. Just give me another chance, please,” I begged.

She smiled so brightly I thought she was going to burst. “What changed your mind?”

“You did,” I replied, touching her face softly.

She leaned into my touch just like she used to. “I care about you, Eren. I care about you so much. Please don’t hurt me.”

I smiled at her confession, shaking my head. “I will never hurt you. I promise.”

She pushed up onto her tiptoes and kissed me passionately. I melted around her and wished I had the gift to freeze time. I pulled her in as close as I could manage, allowing my lips to consume hers. My hands traveled up and around her body. I was desperate to have her. I needed her. I couldn’t think of anything else but her.

I picked her up and carried her beautiful body to the bed. I placed her down gently, never removing my lips from hers. She smiled and giggled as her nose scrunched with joy. I pulled away to take in the sight. She ran her hands through my hair while she slowly opened her eyes. I lay on top of her, taking in this perfect moment I had dreamt of for so long.

Her face began to slowly shift as her expression changed from happiness to confusion. She let her hands fall from my hair. She began to squirm underneath me. I pushed off, unsure of what had changed. I sat on the bed and studied her. She brought her hands to her head and pulled at her hair. I reached for her, but she recoiled away from me.

“Gen, what happened just now?” I asked.

“What … What are you doing here? Why were you just on top of me?” she asked.

“It was my time of the month to come to your room because … because you’re fertile, but when I got here, you were happy. You … you kissed me.”

“No, no, I would never do that. I wouldn’t let you touch me, let alone kiss me. I can’t stand the feeling of you,” she admitted before she got to her feet and wrapped her robe tightly.

“Are you feeling okay? Do you want me to get Vena for you?” I asked, confused.

“No, I just want you to leave. Leave and don’t come back,” she said, backing away from me. Not wanting to leave her alone, I called for Otar.

She snapped her eyes to me. “What are you doing?”

“I’ll leave, but I don’t want you to be alone right now. Otar!”

The black creature with yellow eyes and sharp, flesh-ripping teeth appeared in the room. He stomped his feet in frustration before he locked in on me. “I had it!” Otar whined. “I finally had the harpy bitch I wanted. She was going to give herself to me and you called me! Why? Why? Why?”

“I don’t think Gen is well. I need you to stay with her,” I said.

Otar snapped his attention to her. “What is the matter, wicked one? Has the fucker hurt you? If so, just say the word and I will pull out his intestines through his ass and make a lovely omelet from them,” said Otar.

“No, no, I am fine. I just need him to go,” she said.

Otar snapped his head back to me. “You heard her, leave!”

I nodded, taking one last look at her. I made my way back to my room while I thought of every possible thing that could be wrong with her. She had acted like the demon situation hadn’t happened. She acted like she did with me before all of this. She said she cared for me and wanted me. Those words I had been so desperate to hear for so long.

I made it back to my room and slammed the door behind me in frustration. Was she having another breakdown? Was this her way of coping? There had to be something I was missing.

An hour later, Otar appeared in my room with a smug smile on his face.

“Is she okay?” I asked.

“Yes, I fixed her,” said Otar tauntingly. “I brought her the one who makes her happy. Your favorite male, Tryverse Feynar.”

I closed my eyes as the pain of his admission came over me.

He walked over to me and leaned down into my ear. “How does it make you feel to know that your wife prefers the comfort of another male?”

“That’s enough, Otar,” I said, trying to keep control of myself.

“Not so good, I presume. What did you expect? You used her and threw her away like she was a piece of trash. Now, she has a male who cherishes her, body and all,” he said, pushing me over the edge.

I stood from the chair and threw out my hands, pushing my power towards him, allowing my rage, pain, and hatred to fuel the torment I now inflicted upon the beast. I watched as he squirmed and lashed on the floor while I made his bones break and organs burst. He laughed, and laughed, and laughed as he screamed. I dropped my hands, regaining control of myself.

“That was fun. Let’s do it again,” he said, standing to his feet, clapping with glee.

“Leave,” I demanded.

“I’m curious. Why are you so mooooody? You got what you wanted. You will be king. Why are you pouting like a little human brat?”

I tightened my hands into fists, leaning back in the chair. “I didn’t get what I wanted. I wanted her,” I replied honestly.

“You had her. You tossed her away. That is your fault.”

“Believe me, I know, and I may never be able to forgive myself for it.”

Otar walked slowly towards me, snapping his head back and forward like a reptile. “You actually have like for her, don’t you,” he said.

“The word is feelings, and yes.”

Otar paused for a moment, seeming to study my face before he dropped to the ground, laughing hysterically as he pounded his hands against the floor.

I rolled my eyes, moving to the wet bar to pour myself another glass of whiskey.

“This is too much! Too much! The selfish, power-hungry ambassador of the dark has feelings for my wicked one,” he wailed.

“If you’re done, you can go,” I said, trying to drown myself in liquor.

Otar stood and approached me with his long, skinny limbs dangling at his side. “She did like you too. Very much in fact. She hurt when you told her she was a mistake. She tried very hard not to care, but she did. Now, you are too late,” Otar said before disappearing.

I slid down the wall to the floor and sat there until a knock came at my door the next morning.

“These creatures seem to be working together,” said Leenia.

“Even though they’re from different places and species,” mumbled Doria, “they were working together. I swear by it.”

My family and I were in our private war room, lounging lazily on the furniture.

“I’ll inform the king of your suspicion, then on the next hunt we can see if there is a pattern,” I replied. “Where are we with the other four houses who want me dead?”

“House Rytorm no longer wants you dead,” answered Evinee. “After their last attempt failed a month ago I dare say they’ve seemed to lose interest.”

Doria sat up from the arm of the couch. “And how did you get this information? Is your source good?”

Evinee smiled wickedly. “My methods are none of your concern, and I have no source. I heard it straight from the mouth of Lord Rytorm himself,” Evinee said, winking at Doria.

Doria rolled her eyes and sat back in her chair.

Firel reported next. “I’ve been keeping a close eye on Servi. They haven’t made another move yet.”

I confirmed, “so we should be looking into Gyset and Sollerum then.”

Zerrial huffed. “Leave them to me. I need a distraction.”

Mockingly, Evinee replied, “what? Things aren’t so great with your human pet?”

Zerrial’s eyes went deadly. “She is not my pet, and our relationship is none of your business,” he snapped.

Leenia added, “you’re getting bored with her, aren’t you?”

Evinee took a bite of an apple and continued. “We told you this would happen, but do you listen to us? Noooo. You go and move her into your rooms.”

Zerrial erupted. “Will you both shut the fuck up!” The room went silent. No one dared to say another word.

I tried to change the subject. “Z, I need your help anyways. I have to check in with the madams of the gentlemen’s club. Could use another pair of ears to make sure they aren’t cutting corners.”

Zerrial nodded.

Evinee smiled, always having to have the last word. “Oh, and while you’re there, please get laid, Eren. The whole monk look isn’t good on you.”

Leenia laughed behind her.

I exhaled in annoyance. “Evinee darling, you need to learn when to keep that delicious mouth of yours shut. It’s going to get you killed one day,” I said, leaving the other members of my family as Zerrial followed me out.

We made our way to the club, where I met with the two alfar madams who ran the establishment. The club was an investment of mine. It was a place where the alfar could come for human comfort, but it also helped divert the alfar from raping unwilling humans. If they had somewhere to go to get their needs serviced by willing participants, then they wouldn’t go looking elsewhere.

It also was a good investment. My returns had come back to me ten times over since I helped the little hovel open a century back. The human girls were well cared for and paid for their services. Trying out the new women used to be something I looked forward to each month, but I hadn’t visited the club for that reason in months.

After we finished with the madams, Zerrial and I ended up at the alehouse where we had first met. He was silent, but I could tell there was something brewing inside. I waited the required amount of time before finally diving in.

“Are you going to tell me what is going on, or shall I begin the guessing game?” I asked bluntly.

“It’s … it’s Lily,” he finally admitted. “This whole thing with you and Gen is getting in the way of us. She is loyal to her sister to a fault, but she loves me, and I’m loyal to you. It’s tearing her apart. Something is going on with Gen, but she won’t tell me because she knows I will tell you. But whatever it is, it’s eating at her. She is worried all the time, and she is panicked. I want to be there for her, but I don’t know how. Not when she can’t even talk to me.”

“I’m sorry my friend. I never meant for my troubles to extend to you and your woman.”

“It’s not your fault. You’ve been through enough. I just … I just don’t know how to separate you and Gen from Lily and I. Gen is her sister, she is your wife, she is my princess. You are my friend, her husband, and our future king. You get my point.”

I exhaled, taking another drink. “I release you from your commitment to me, Zerrial. Tell Lily that whatever she tells you remains between you and her. Gen and I need to be able to figure out our own issues. We don’t need to drag you two into our mess,” I said.

“Thank you, Eren. How are you doing with it all?” he asked.

“Trying to hold on, but it gets harder by the day.”

“I see the toll it is taking on you. We all do. If there is anything we can do to help—”

“I know. Thank you, my friend,” I said, patting him on the back.

A few days passed before I was able to address the king and council regarding the new development with the creatures.

“I will attend the next hunt in order to gather a sense of how the creatures are communicating and working together,” I said.

“If they are indeed working together, then that means Alaric acts as a puppet master,” said a council member.

“Are we sure this Alaric character is the one controlling the rifts?” asked another councilor.

“All of our information and sources lead back to him,” I answered. “The princess’s creature Otar also confirmed that he was working for a master who had the ability to control his actions. This theory makes sense.”

Gen added, “There must be a way that he is controlling them. I believe the rune symbols that we found on the creatures have something to do with it. The creatures we killed had the symbol burned into their flesh, based on the reports our teams have given. Once they are killed, the symbol quickly fades. I just don’t know what power this symbol has over them.”

“Daughter,” said the king, “you will assist with the next hunt as well. Try to find any connection with this Alaric and this rune.”

Gen hesitated for a second, and then nodded. This would be the first hunt she went on since she had been taken.

“Princess Genevieve,” interrupted Lord Servi, “didn’t you report that your creature had the same marking on his skin before you resurrected him?”

“Yes, but when—” Gen stopped speaking. Her mouth suddenly drooped, and her eyes began to flutter rapidly. She wasn’t having a vision … no, something was wrong.

“Genevieve?” asked the king.

Gen began to rock back and forth. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head, then she slammed her face into the wooden table. I jumped up in a panic, reaching for her while she shook ferociously.

“Get Vena, now!” demanded the king.

I pulled her away from the table, trying to steady her face. Foam began to erupt out of her mouth as her whole body went limp. I held her in my arms until Vena arrived. The king sent the rest of the council out of the room while she examined her.

Gen finally woke. “What happened?” she asked, reaching for her head.

“You had a seizure,” replied Vena.

“What caused it?” I asked.

“I don’t know. She seems to be in perfect health. Have you done anything different lately?” asked Vena.

Gen sat up slowly. “No. Besides coming back from the dead,” Gen replied sarcastically.

“How do we prevent this from happening again?” asked the king.

“I don’t know what caused the episode, so I can’t give you an answer, uncle,” answered Vena. “I recommend spending the rest of the day in bed, but you should be good tomorrow. As I said, you’re perfectly healthy.”

“That’s good to hear,” I said, smiling at her, even though I was still worried.

She shifted uncomfortably and got down from the table.

“Prince Lyklor,” said the king, “please escort your wife back to her chambers. I will be along shortly to check on you, daughter.” He kissed her on the head softly.

I offered her my arm, but she didn’t take it. I followed her back to her room without a word. Lily was waiting for her when we arrived. She grabbed Gen’s face as worry and fright washed over her features.

“They said you passed out in a meeting. Are you okay? What did Vena say?” demanded Lily.

“I’m fine. She said I was perfectly healthy. Nothing to worry about,” Gen reassured her calmly.

There was definitely something going on with her: Gen’s weird behavior a couple of days ago, the issues between Lily and Zerrial, and now her seizure. Gen walked into her rooms without turning back to look at me.

I grabbed Lily’s arm before she could shut the door. “If she needs anything, please let me know,” I said.

She smiled at me and nodded before shutting me out.