Flora thought she hadn’t heard King Erick correctly. Hear thoughts? Like reading minds? Like he could just hear what people think as if they’re speaking? Even now? Panic set in and she gripped the reins tighter.

“Yes,” he sighed with closed eyes. “Even now.” He still didn’t look at her, and if it weren’t for years of training she’d have fallen off Condor right then and there. Thoughts crammed her head as her emotions raced, memories of some of the very real thoughts that were very much not of a respectable woman reemerging. Erick chuckled with a wry smile.

“Usually it’s not a problem, I can tune it out. But it’s unusual to not hear anything at all. Not unless they’ve specifically trained against night magic.” It felt like one large info dump that Flora was not ready for. So she remained silent, contemplating and digesting the information.

“Sorry.” Erick said after a while. “If it helps, I don’t usually do it intentionally.” It was little comfort to the fact that he very well could have heard her not-so-appropriate thoughts she’d had about him. All she could do was give a noncommittal sound in response. The two remained silent as they continued on towards the next farm.

It was mid afternoon when they arrived at the second farm of the day. It was owned by Jacob Smith, the son of Theodore Smith. The inspection went very much the same as the last. It was not quite as high end but Theodore’s son clearly did well enough and the animals were all well cared for. And like the last farm Jacob left a glass bottle of milk labeled with his farm name on it.

King Erick was just as quiet as before. Polite, but short. Flora tried not to let her anxiety show as she continued about her work. What would these people do for Erick not to trust them? Are they really so bad just because he can’t hear them? Flora’s thoughts buzzed in between work, bouncing from observing the details of the farm to worrying about King Erick and his suspicions.

The inspection of the second farm went well. All of the animals were in good shape and the farm itself was well taken care of. By all means it was as it should be, if not better. That didn’t seem to affect King Erick as they rode off for the afternoon, his face as impassive and tense as it was before.

“There’s a carriage house that offers lodging on this road.” King Erick started, pulling Flora out of her thoughts. “We’ll stay there for the night. We’ll remain incognito though.” He looked at her with a question in his eyes. Flora wasn’t quite sure why he did since it made sense.

“Okay.” She replied with a small shrug. Erick nodded in assent and the two continued along the trail as it broadened into a well used road. They continued like this until the sun was hanging low in the sky.

Just around a bend, Flora could see a large ornate house. It must have held rooms for a good many people, and the actual carriage house in the back was almost just as large. It was colored in a forest green with a white trim, the ornamental wood and window frames standing stark against the house.

King Erick kept his horns and mark away, and Flora wondered if all shifters could just hide and show certain parts like that. It quickly led to thoughts of humans with tails and ears, which she found very unsettling.

Shaking away thoughts of lion-tailed men, Flora hopped off Condor and followed King Erick to the carriage house. There a young girl took the horses and gave them directions to the mistress of the house. Once inside, Flora found that the first floor was not like a house at all, but rather a tavern.

The entryway led to a large open floor where a good number of travelers sat at wooden tables. The room was neat and organized, and looked almost like a formal restaurant. The decor was simple but elegant, and tables were placed in neat rows.

King Erick made his way to the small bar at the back where a woman was cleaning the counter. She was a shorter woman like Flora - though nearly every woman was short next to Erick’s height of six-five. She was also stocky, and older than Flora had imagined, her brown hair graying at the roots up the crown of her hair.

When Erick arrived she gave him a look up and down, clearly not impressed. “What do ya want?” She sounded irritated, despite Erick having done nothing but arrive. Erick was unfazed as he replied.

“We’re just looking for a couple rooms for the night and some food to eat.” His voice was quiet and polite as he offered a few coins on the table. Flora saw that it was one gold coin and two silvers, a good offer but not suspiciously good. She glanced at the woman and saw her frown as she took in the money.

“Well it’s certainly enough,” she started, her voice still taught. “But there’s only one room, unless you wanna sleep in the barn.” She gave Erick and Flora a look as if to ask what they were willing to put up with.

“You are not sleeping in the barn.” Flora quickly told Erick. He gave her a look as if to say I thought I was the one to hear thoughts. Flora scowled back at him. She knew he would have offered, but also knew it was her duty to put him before herself. Besides, she’s slept in barns plenty of times before. One more wouldn’t be any different.

“We’ll take it.” Erick turned back to the woman and she just huffed in response. Turning around she grabbed a key hung on the wall behind her, the last one. The rest of the hooks were empty, showing that she was truthful in what she said.

“Here, it’s the last one upstairs to the left.” She dropped the key on the table in front of them. “Dinner’s in an hour.” She told them before returning to her work. Taking it as a dismissal, King Erick picked up his saddlebags and headed towards the stairs. Unsure of what to do with herself, Flora looked around the room.

Most people didn’t pay them any mind, and those who did were more of the uninterested and bored staring type. Not feeling any comfortable, Flora quickly grabbed her own saddlebags and hurried after Erick. When she caught up to him he was already at the top of the stairs.

As if sensing her presence he paused and turned to face her. He gave a little quirk of a smile. “I suppose we could share a room, but someone’s sleeping on the floor.” He said, amusement dancing in his eyes. He knew. He had to. Why else would he look at her like that? Shame and embarrassment washed over her in a flash, and before she could say anything Erick’s smile faded. “I didn’t mean to impose, sorry.” Flora peeped a response more than anything, still feeling very hot under the collar. King Erick nodded before turning and continued his way down the hall.

Flora quickened her pace to catch up with his long strides. I hadn’t really thought about sleeping on the floor, but maybe the floor here would be better than the dirty hay in the barn. She mulled over this, very aware that Erick could just hear thoughts like people were talking. The thought sent a shiver down her spine as she caught up to him in the last room.

King Erick opened the door and stood just inside the door frame as he took in the room. Flora had to stand on her top toes to peer over his shoulder. He laughed softly before stepping inside. The room itself was tiny, with a single bed and armoire. Really the armoire was not necessary, and it took up half the room. The bed took up the other half, with just enough space to walk in between.

King Erick tossed his saddlebags into the armoire before taking off his riding jacket and hanging it up beside the bags. Flora stood at the entryway, waiting for confirmation that she could do the same. Do I even ask at this point? He said he ‘tunes it out’ but can he do that when it’s just us? Or can he hear the others downstairs? Does he-

“It’s very hard not to hear you right now when you’re being so loud.” He said over his shoulder. There was that amusement again, and Flora flushed red. He stepped back and motioned towards the armoire. “And yes, I don’t mind sharing an oversized cabinet.” Humour danced in his eyes and Flora’s blush deepened as she quietly put her own saddlebags into the armoire, taking off her riding jacket and putting it beside Erick’s.

“You’re really planning on sleeping in the barn?” King Erick asked as he sat down on the bed and peeled off his riding boots. The question was genuine, and Flora had to process that before she answered.

“Well, there’s not really any room here.” She gestured to the tiny room.

“I’ll sleep on the floor, probably under the bed a bit.” Erick shrugged as if what he suggested was at all normal, let alone comfortable. Flora was about to protest when he gave her a skeptical look. “Unless you think sharing the bed is an option.” It was a fair point and Flora at last shook her head.

“Alright, fine. But if you don’t sleep well-” Flora paused, remembering she was talking to her king and not just another one of the farmhands. He quirked an eyebrow at her, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Well you won’t sleep well on the floor.” She mumbled, looking away. He gave one small laugh in reply before getting up and pulling the bed apart.

“What are you doing?” Flora thought he might just take half the bedding for himself to prove her wrong.

“I’m checking for bedbugs.” He replied nonchalantly as he continued to scavenge through the bed sheets.

“You’re what?” Flora asked incredulously. She did not like the idea that bugs could be in her bed. “I thought that was just a barn thing!” She exclaimed.

“They show up in beds too.” Erick laughed as he patted down the pillows. “It all seems good though.” He finished with an approving look, the bed now scattered apart. Flora rolled her eyes, but Erick didn’t seem to notice as he pulled out his bed roll from the armoire.

True to his statement, his right half would have to be under the bed. Flora did not think it would be at all comfortable, and the look on her face must have said so. Or she ‘thought too loud’ - whatever that means, because Erick laughed again. Flora liked the sound of it, and realized he did so more often when it was just the two of them.

“I’m sure I’ll be just fine.” He told her, standing back up. “Besides, it’s only one night.”” He reassured her.

“Yes, I suppose.” She nodded, well aware that they would be sharing a sleeping space yet again. He gave a small smile as he headed out.

“I’ll see if there’s anything to eat yet.” He called over his shoulder, heading down the hall.

“Alright.” Flora called back. She didn’t want to look like a lost puppy, fawning over him. So she stayed in the room, sitting down on the bed. She gently unlaced and took off her boots, much more orderly than how Erick had practically ripped his boots off.

Her thoughts wandered back to him, recalling their time together last night. She still had mixed feelings about the whole thing, which were now even more muddied as she thought about his night magic and its abilities. What else can he do that I don’t know about? Flora had never studied the intricacies of magic, never needing to do so. She supposed that many people don’t, but now knew why so many had come to fear what kind of king Erick would prove to be.

As if summoned by her thoughts, he returned, and with food. “It’s not much,” he started, bringing in the large stoneware plate. “But at least it’s something.” He told her, setting it down on the edge of the bed.

The food was simple. It was toast, a mystery jam, and a few strips of fried meat. To Flora it was not unusual to eat something like this, but it might be out of the norm for King Erick she thought. Then she realized it was really only enough for one person.

“It’s alright Your Majesty,” Flora started with a shake of her head. “I can eat something from our bags.” She suggested, getting up to rummage through what food they had brought.

“Don’t worry about it.” Erick said with a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll find something else to eat. Besides, it’s best if we save that for later.” He said with a nod to the saddlebags. She didn’t entirely want to know how or what else he would find, but images of dragons flying across the countryside and terrorizing the local sheep and cattle. Flora shook the image out of her head.

“Alright alright.” She gave in, taking the plate of food and sitting on the bed to eat. “Do I want to know how you’ll get yourself something to eat?” She asked with a quirk of a brow, spreading the mystery jam on a slice of toast.

“Probably not.” Erick chuckled before heading out of the room once more. “I won’t be long though.” He said over his shoulder. A prickle of worry entered Flora’s heart, but she pushed it away as she continued to eat. Erick is capable of taking care of himself. She thought, tasting the jam on the toast. It was strawberry.

Erick set out as the sun finished setting. He wasn’t new to hunting, even alone. He recalled the first time his mother had taken him out to hunt as a dragon. She taught him the importance of survival.

“The world is dangerous. It always has been and always will be.” She had instructed. He was young, having only just turned thirteen. “The peace between the dragon clan and unicorn clan will not last forever, and regardless of that you may find yourself in need of these skills.” She bent her head low, dragon whiskers touching the ground and teeth flashing. “Survival is easier when you’re the apex predator.” She was deadly serious, her eyes pinning him to the spot. All he could do at the time was shake his head in affirmation before she left him there. Dragon raising is not for the weak of heart, or so she had told his father when he returned two weeks later.

He still wasn’t sure how he felt about that memory as he soared over the forest, night cloaking the world in shadow. As a dragon his sight wasn’t nearly as impaired as a human, and it was easy to spot the herd of deer as they finished their grazing for the day. Being crepuscular, they were most active during dawn and dusk, making them easy prey at times like this.

Erick circled the group for a moment, analyzing the deer and their behavior. Being king of the land meant he didn’t have to worry about poaching, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t picky about what he ate. Eventually he chose a young buck, who’s first set of antlers were just starting to grow in.

It was over in a flash as Erick dived down, landing squarely on the deer and snapping its spine in the process. He didn’t wait as he tore into the flesh, scythe-like dragon teeth making quick work of the still warm meat. There was very little left by the time he was done, eating nearly everything but the bones and fur. He looked down at the carcass, considering yet again whether he was more beast than man.