Flora had just finished up speaking to one of the room servants when she felt a pair of eyes watching her. Looking around it was easy to spot him, his golden horns glinting with the light of the setting sun filtering through the windows. The light caught his eyes and turned them into a pair of glistening sapphires, the sight of it sending warm tingles down her spine.
She gave him a tentative smile and wave, her stomach fluttering as he returned it with a wide and toothy grin. Flora ducked, her face flushing as she hurried on to her next and last task for the day. After running around to ensure her notes and replies got where they needed to go, Flora had to go visit Irene in one of the many rooms set aside for formal conversations.
Despite it having been just over a month since Irene had made her complaint, neither she nor Flora had managed to scrape up some new milkmaids to help in the cow barn. Honestly, Flora was looking for any excuse to get out of this meeting and simply tell the woman to keep looking. However, nothing urgently pressing had come up, and Flora was not about to abuse her favour with the King to avoid something so trivial. So instead she held her head high as she pushed forward, determined to do her best.
It wasn't long before she found her designated room for this particular meeting. She went in to find Irene already there, waiting in the seat across from the desk. She turned as Flora entered the room, a sour expression pulling down on her face. Flora had to repress her own feelings, many of which involved frustration.
"Thank you for being so early." Flora greeted Irene as she walked over to the other chair, taking longer than she would like to admit due to her smaller stature. She felt as if Irene's eyes were boring holes into her very soul, the woman's disdain evident from the first moment she walked into the room. Flora did her best to ignore it, but couldn't hide the stiffness of her posture as she took her seat.
"I understand you're having trouble finding new workers?" Flora framed this as a question to give room for Irene to talk. She knew very well of the troubles Irene was having, the woman had sent no less than six different letters to her room despite her having been on bed rest. Each letter was about the same issue, with varying degrees of frustration filtering through the older woman's words. Irene scoffed before responding.
"I'm having trouble keeping workers, let alone getting anymore help." Irene's voice was pitched with frustration and age, making her sound both nasally and scratchy at the same time. "I never had this trouble when Leon was the Beast Master." Flora tried not to wince at the woman's comment.
"Unfortunately there isn't really much else I can't do that I haven't already done." Flora put out her hand placatingly, hoping that Irene wouldn't take any more offense than she was sure to do. Irene's face only turned more sour.
"Isn't it your job to do this?" Irene asked with a somewhat haughty attitude. Flora tried not to bristle in response, forcing herself to keep calm as she dealt with the old Barn Manager.
"Yes, Irene, but it is also my job to oversee all of the barns, kennels, and lofts, not just yours." Flora pointed out. "I'm also very busy with making arrangements for the King's Summer Hunt." Flora managed to get out before Irene could make any more statements. The old woman sat there for a moment, the muscles of her jaw working as she thought over what she wanted to say.
"Very well." Irene said in a quiet voice. "I will just have to make do then." She said before getting up and leaving the room. She left without even so much as a polite wave, let alone a formal dismissal from Flora. Flora tightened her mouth into a thin line as she considered her options. Either I can let this go and leave it be, or I could say something. It could cause a lot of problems either way though. Flora considered her options before looking at the time, realizing that it was almost time for dinner.
Flora did her best to hurry out of the room without looking too rushed. She wanted to be on time of course, but couldn't stand the stares she already got from those around her. After what had happened with the girls in the cow barn, Flora was certain those girls had only said more after her return from the Spring Inspection. Her heart sank at the thought of being regarded as the King's fun, only earning her title because of his favour for her. She tried not to let it get to her, but Flora couldn't stop her mind from spiraling as she changed into an evening outfit. It doesn't help that I'm going to dine with him. Again. Flora thought bitterly, a sour taste forming in her mouth.
Flora made sure to give Spot one last check before leaving. Her heart worried over him, hoping he would sleep through the rest of the night like the healer said he would. She hated the thought of him waking up sore and confused without her there to help him. Flora did her best to tuck away these fears and uncertainties into a little box as she navigated through the halls of the castle to Erick's room.
When she arrived, she found him there waiting for her. Erick had been standing just outside his doors, speaking to one of the guards stationed there, when he turned at Flora's approach. He gave her a small crooked smile when he saw her.
"Not a moment too soon." He commented, opening the double doors to his chambers. He stood aside, motioning for her to go in. Flora ducked in, trying to hide her abashed face as she entered. She should be more familiar with his room by now, but still felt a flutter of nervousness as she entered the drawing room of his suite. Like last time, the room was immaculate. The small desk to the side had neatly organized stacks of paper, the hearth was clear of old ashes, and the large table beside it was already placed for dinner. Unlike last time when Erick had anticipated his sister and therefore had the table set for three, it was set only for two.
Flora took note of more details than she had last time, feeling more brave. There was the seating area where she had watched the brother kings wrestle, and beyond that were shelves and end tables placed around the room. The shelves weren't necessarily book shelves, although they held quite a few old and dusty tomes in them. They were more closely described as a curio cabinet, with various objects of unrelated origins. Skulls from various and unknown creatures, antiques of both unicorn and dragon heritage as well as several unknowns, and objects from nature such as pinned bugs and pressed leaves. It was certainly distracting, and Flora was only somewhat surprised she had missed so much last time had she not been previously engaged.
"I hope your evening has gone well?" Erick asked as he closed the door behind him, drawing Flora's attention away from the many artifacts around the room. He had a pleasant look on his face, but Flora didn't miss the look of concern hidden behind his eyes. Flora tried to return his smile, but knew that she couldn't hide the anxiety that was biting at her heels.
"It's been better." Flora admitted with a whispy sigh. There was a fleeting moment of defeat in Erick's expression that made Flora regret her words, but he quickly recovered as he moved towards the table by the hearth.
"Well, I hope I can help." Erick said with an apologetic smile as he pulled out her chair. Flora gave a grateful thanks as she sat down and he pushed her seat in. It was strange for her, never having been treated so kindly before. However, she never really had the chance for a man - or male? - to help her into her seat. The simple action had her blushing, which she assumed was not what most people blushed for. Erick seemed to not notice it or at least had the grace not to mention it as he sat down in his own seat and served dinner.
The dinner was more humble than what Flora had seen while dining with the court. Instead of the usual intricate spread of well cooked food dressed with delicate garnishes, the food was more akin to something Flora would expect from a home-cooked meal. It was a simple game bird - likely a wild hen - with mashed potatoes and a dish of various greens and veggies. It was comforting, and Flora found herself feeling more at ease.
"I usually don't like talking business while at a meal," Erick started as he cut into the game bird. "But if there's anything you want to ask, I'll answer." Erick flashed her a toothy smile as he finished setting aside food for them both. Flora smiled back, turning to her food as she considered his statement. There was honestly a lot she wanted to ask, but half of it was just revisiting earlier conversations. As her mind ran through the various questions she had asked and ones she wanted to ask, Erick spoke.
"I didn't notice your new badge." Erick stated, and Flora gave him a questioning look before looking down. She had pinned the medallion she received at the Temple of Kusama just next to her badge of office, and then had completely forgotten that it was there. "Are you a follower of The Bear Mother?" Erick asked, his voice more inquisitive than anything else.
"Not really, but my mother was." Flora said quietly, rubbing the badge with a somber appreciation. Erick tried to hide his wince, no doubt feeling guilty. Flora shook her head in response. "It's alright, I've had three years after all." Flora knew that the little hole in her heart would still be there, but at least it wasn't as gaping as it used to be. She could only imagine how the King must feel, having not only lost one but both parents and forced to move on at such a quick pace. The typical period of mourning did not apply to ruling a kingdom, or so it would seem.
"Well," Erick said with a cough. "What did you do today while you were in town?" Flora knew he was trying to steer the topic away from dead parents, and gladly followed as she divulged the details of her day. She told him of the shops she had viewed, the food she had eaten, and of her time in the temple. She left out the details of her experience with the bear spirit as she wasn't ready to speak of it just yet. Thinking of it still sent a chill down her spine. Erick listened with rapt attention, giving her room to go on more than one tangent. She would apologize each time, and each time he would only laugh and wave it off. "I like hearing what you have to say." He'd said, causing Flora's face to flush red before she finished with her story about the city square.
She trailed off when she spoke of the man who pulled her into the alley. Looking up, she found Erick's eyes hooded as he took in her story. Flora noticed he was gripping his utensils more firmly than was necessary, his face tight as his usually plush mouth was pulled into a hard line.
"I'm so sorry Flora, I never would have suggested you go out if I thought that could happen to you." Erick's eyes clashed with emotions of guilt and anger, his voice thick with emotion. Flora felt her heart crack with the pained look he gave her. She shook her head before responding.
"You didn't know, I don't blame you." She said firmly. It had never once crossed her mind that he would have sent her out intentionally. Maybe she was just naive, but she almost never thought of people in a light like that. Flora made a note to reevaluate that later. Erick looked only slightly relieved, his body slackening but his face still holding the lines of grief.
The two continued dinner in a quiet conversation. Erick steered the conversation towards simpler topics, and Flora found herself lost just as she had last time. She didn't have the same reservations she had speaking to him like she had with so many others, finding the words came easily to her. Eventually dinner wound down, and Flora felt herself growing weary.
"It's getting late." Flora looked at the clock with a longing stare. A part of her would have happily stayed here for hours more, but she knew better than to stay up late when she had to get up so early for work. Erick gave her a sympathetic glance.
"I understand." He said, rising from his chair. "It was a pleasure having you." Erick said, his voice shifting back to his formal politeness and his body rigid as he moved. There was a look in his eyes that Flora couldn't quite read but was reminded of their time together only a handful of hours ago.
"Why did you invite me for dinner?" Flora asked with a smirk. She was feeling braver than usual, but maybe that was just the wine.
"Honestly?" Erick smirked. "I didn't want to sit around all those people again." For some reason Flora felt more disappointed than she thought she should. "And," Erick continued with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I also wanted to spend some time with you." That look in his eyes deepened, resembling something like hunger. A shiver passed through her as his gaze settled on her.
"I suppose that's too bad then." Flora teased, though her voice shook with the rush of emotions that was building inside her.
"And why is that?" Erick asked, leaning over her. His face was mere inches from hers, his expression a knowing kind of teasing.
"Because I have to get up early tomorrow." Flora had to practically pry herself away just as Erick had moved in. She felt her heart racing as she looked back, seeing Erick with a wide smirk. "Which means you'll have to get better at romantic tension." Flora said as she left his room. She wasn't sure where this new her had come from, but it felt good. Maybe she was finally becoming more herself because of him.
Erick had to admit he both hated and loved this feeling. It was different when it was just him pining after her like a lovesick puppy. Now she knew, and she was playing with him. It was certainly better than a hook up, and still better than his poor attempts at courting these last few years.
Erick shook his head free of the emotions that were gripping him. It was bad enough to have his heart tangled up over her, but he needed to keep a clear head. The weight of tomorrow pulled him down from his high, clearing away the last remnants of Flora's presence. Erick knew that tomorrow would be a struggle, and that what came after would be a battle. He just hoped it didn't turn into an all out war, be it figuratively or literally.
Erick called down some of the servants to clean up the remnants of his dinner. More than a little part of him felt bad for leaving the mess the way he did, but he also wanted to make sure that Balder didn't conveniently find something - or someone - else to do. There was a lot left unsaid, and Erick wanted to get it out now before something like this morning happened again.
Thankfully Balder's room was not far, and Erick arrived just in time. He found Balder just in time, catching him on the way back to his room. Balder had returned to his usual easy going nature, falling into his swaggering gait as he walked down the hall. The smell of Amelia still clung to Balder's body, and Erick gave him a knowing smile.
"Should I ask how dinner with the family went?" Erick asked sarcastically. He had a strong feeling Balder had also found an excuse not to be present.
"Oh I had dinner, except I wasn't eating food." Balder stated before making a crass gesture. Erick rolled his eyes.
"You're disgusting." Erick told his brother with a lighthearted laugh. Balder only barked in laughter while clapping his brother on the shoulder. "So how many little bastards have you got now?" Erick teased as the two turned down the halls of the castle.
"That'll be my third." Balder said with a self-satisfied smile. Unlike the children born of wedlock in Jastelba, the royal bastards of Vygislan often got some form of recognition. It was one of the reasons why Erick often avoided sleeping with female shifters in heat.
"I don't know how you do it." Erick said with a shake of his head. The thought of parenthood was appealing, but also frightening. His own father struggled to break from what his grandfather had established, causing both himself and Erick much grief over the years. A part of Erick was scared he would only end up doing the same, knowing no other alternative to how to be a father.
"Ah don't worry about it, I'm sure you'll get it when you get there." Balder replied with a friendly bump of an elbow. That is, if friendly meant jabbing your brother in the ribs. Regardless, Erick smiled as he returned the jab with an elbow of his own. Balder beamed at him, though a promise of a tussle lingered in his eyes. Erick returned the challenge. It wasn't long before the two brothers were outside of the castle, heading down the field that was behind the building.
"I bet I'll get there before you do." Balder challenged as he quickly shifted into his dragon form, a large brown beast with the same curving horns of a bull. His bulk was muscled like a bear, with a mane of fur running down his back and at the base of his neck. Like the rest of the siblings, they may be dragons but they shared traits from their father that made their half-blood obvious. That is all save for Alice, who was the only unicorn of the group.
"And what do I get if I beat you?" Erick taunted as he also changed into his dragon body. He spread his wings and flexed his talons while eyeing his brother with a confident smirk.
"I'll let you in on a little secret." Balder said quietly, his eyes gleaming with what could only be described as trouble. Erick gave his brother a crooked grin.
"Alright, and if I lose?" Erick ventured.
"You have to tell me what Flora feels like." Erick blanched at his brother's bold statement, nearly choking on his own spit.
"You can't be serious?" Erick asked incredulously.
"You can't blame my curiosity." Balder faked an innocent look. Erik rolled his eyes.
"Doesn't matter," Erick started as he rolled his muscled shoulders. "Because I'll beat you anyway." Erick flashed a toothy grin before taking off, Balder shooting into the air just behind him.
The two flew like arrows in the wind, wings beating heavily as they pushed for speed. Erik had the upper hand not only because he left first, but also because he wasn't as bulky as his brother. Being half unicorn, Erik's dragon body was more narrow than most dragons. Erik pumped his muscles hard, pushing for speed as the brothers headed over the fields towards the forest that bordered their two kingdoms. The Schunkle Forest was an ancient thing, and the one their family commonly hunted in during the summer.
Erick angled his wings towards a large clearing, the easiest and usual spot they used when they would hunt as dragons. He was getting closer when he felt a snagging pain on his tail accompanied by a tug that threw him off balance. Erick flipped in the air, nearly falling into the tree tops as he barely managed to right himself in time.
In the time it had taken him to catch himself Erick had fallen behind Balder who was now near the clearing and preparing to land. Erick pushed himself harder, flying directly towards Balder who was clearly gloating in his assumed win. Not wavering in his path, Erick barreled into Balder's side. The two tumbled through the sky, a mass of tangled wings and claws as they grappled each other. Erick gave his brother a sly grin as he employed his Night Magic, using the shadows of the night to pry his brother off of him and fling him aside. Balder barked in surprise before landing in the treetops. Erick whipped around and landed in the clearing, strutting as his brother clambered into the clearing behind him.
"So, what's that secret?" Erick said tauntingly as Balder pulled a few twigs out of his mane.
"No no no, I think I won that one." Balder insisted.
"And just how do you think you won?" Erick retorted.
"I was here first, just in the air." Balder said smugly. Erick rolled his eyes.
"It doesn't count if you don't land." Erick said blandly.
"Well, who said so?" Balder asked quickly, sitting on his haunches with an oomf.
"That's how we've always played." Erick pointed out. Balder sniffed in disdain before sighing heavily.
"Alright, alright." Balder gave in as he sauntered up to Erick. "But you have to promise not to tell anyone." Balder emphasized. Erick rolled his eyes, again. "Promise me." Balder said, his voice hardening with an edge.
"I can't make a promise like that. What if it's important?" Erick said with more than a little frustration.
"Just promise me." Balder sounded almost desperate. Erick sighed in defeat.
"Fine." Erick relented.
"It's about Esther." Balder started quietly, as if the forest itself could hear. Erick lifted an eyebrow in curiosity. "She hadn't been as guarded as she thought she was one day. Her thoughts, I mean." His voice dropped even lower as he moved closer to Erick. "She has a selfrund in the Roc clan." Balder let the gravity of that sentence fall on Erick's shoulders as he pulled back, standing a few feet away from his elder brother.
With a shake of his head, Erick asked, "Are you sure?" He couldn't believe his sister would hide something like that. It was one of the most important things to a dragon, and being the heir of the clan matron she of all people should know that.
"Yes, I heard them conversing." Balder said with a vigorous shake of his head. The only beings capable of conversing through thought were those aligned with the Night or Day Magic, as well as any bound through a selfrund bond. Since Esther was aligned with Winter Magic, that only left one opening. Erick shook his head again.
"But why? Why wouldn't she say anything?" Erick asked, baffled with his sister's secretive behaviour. If she could hide something so momentous, what else was she hiding?
Balder only shrugged in response before moving on. "Whatever it is, that's the secret. Now, lets go kill some deer." He said with a wicked smile. Erick only rolled his eyes, a common theme when he was with his brother. Despite this, he couldn't help the smile that spread across his snout.
"Alright, let's go see where the herd is tonight." Erick replied before heading off into the woods. Balder followed his lead, the two snaking between the ancient trees as they sniffed out a scent trail. Despite their size, they were able to tread somewhat softly as they carefully picked their way over the crunch of old leaves and twigs. That is, Erick was able to do that. Balder had a habit of snapping on just about anything noisy every five minutes. Erick snorted as he tried not to laugh at his brother's apparent clumsiness.
"I know Mother trained you better than that." Erick pointed out as Balder broke an obnoxiously loud branch. Balder threw him a nasty look before responding.
"It's not my fault the forest is so noisy." Balder scoffed. "Besides, you had all that extra help from Father." He pouted, or as much as a dragon could pout while being both angry and reptilian.
Erick paused, forcing his brother to stoop beside him. "Balder, Father still loved you very much." Erick said quietly. Balder looked down at his feet, picking at his talons.
"He spent a lot more time with you than me." Balder mumbled, his eyes still downcast. Erick felt his heart sink.
"It was not an enjoyable time, Balder." Erick said firmly but kindly. "A lot of it was rules and expectations, or training in any number of things." Erick lowered his head to better look at his brother. "He really did love you like his own." Erick finished quietly. Balder's eyes flicked as he processed the information before shaking his head.
"Yeah, alright." Balder said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Erick knew his words couldn't make up for the four and twenty years of neglect, real or perceived. Instead, he playfully headbutted his brother, making sure not to snag the tines of his horn on his younger brother.
"I bet I can catch a deer before you." Erick teased. Balder smiled.
"Yeah? And does your wager still stand?" Balder's smile turned into a sly grin.
"Only if you've got something just as good to put up against it." Erick knew he couldn't fully describe his experience with Flora, but had no intentions to do so anyway. He would win, and he would make sure Balder didn't pull him over again.
"Alright. If you win, I'll share Amelia." Balder siad with a smug smile. Erick lifted a sarcastic eyebrow before responding.
"She's not exactly yours to just giveaway." Erick pointed out.
"Yeah, but if she agrees…" Balder said with a shrug. Erick leveled a stare at his brother before responding.
"I'm not interested." Erick said flatly. Balder rolled his eyes in a dramatic way.
"Alright, if you win, I'll let you pick the food for my party." Balder stated in an exasperated tone.
"All of the food?" Erick asked with a quirked eyebrow and a slanted smile. Balder huffed.
"Most of the food." He relented.
"Deal." Erick agreed before taking off into the forest. The two spent the late hours of the night together, their forms like shadows against the trees of the forest. Eventually managed to track down a large herd of deer, Erick and Balder both pulling on their reserves of strength and stealth to be the winner. Erick made sure to keep a wide berth from his brother this time, and always held one eye on him as the two crept around the sleeping herd. Being crepuscular creatures, they had recently finished grazing and many were now happily asleep.
Erick could feel Balder's attempts at distracting his thoughts and focus, his magic a brute force with a warmth not unlike a fire. Erick only pushed harder on his mental reinforcements as he closed in on an old buck that was positioned at the edge of the herd. He was almost upon it when Balder let loose a roar, scaring awake the entire herd that now panicked in every direction.
Erick scrambled after the deer as they ran every which away except for his direction. Balder came up beside him, running towards the near stampeding herd.
"Isn't it more fun this way?" Balder shouted over the sounds of the now very awake forest. Erick scowled as he now ran after the herd, pushing his muscles harder to escape his brother. At the last moment, a doe broke away from the group. Erick twisted in it's direction, snagging the deer's leg and pulling it down. He was upon it in an instant, cracking it's neck with a snap as he held its head his maw and pulled. Looking over his shoulder he found his brother had not had any success and was now sulking like a cat that had been dunked in the bathtub.
"Yes, I suppose it is more fun this way." Erick couldn't help himself from teasing his brother, giving him a playful shove on the shoulder. Balder smiled as he shoved Erick back, the two quickly falling into a tussle. They eventually settled down, though not before a few scrapes and bruises were issued to each other.
As Erick shared the deer with his brother, ripping apart the soft flesh of the animal, he couldn't chase away a nagging feeling. He knew he would have to confront Flora about his animal nature, and the expectation that she go through with the Ritual of Changing should she decide to marry him. But what worried him the most was tomorrow. He had not told her of the execution date, the law forbidding family and relatives from attending such an event. His heart warred with what his mind knew had to be done, but he couldn't chase away the guilt that came with being the one to do it. Erick would have to kill Flora's father tomorrow morning.