Shaking his head clear of doubts, he decided to take the skull off the deer. The antlers were still covered in velvet fuzz, but he could probably still make use of the material. Maybe. With that, he flew off back towards the carriage house.

Changing back where no one could see him, he realized he was still covered in deer blood. An unfortunate side effect of shifting, nothing magically disappears unless you intentionally do something about it. With a quick flick of his hand most of the blood was cleaned off, save for the spots that now stained his undershirt. He frowned, sighing with resolution as he went back into the house.

He had hoped to avoid the house keeper, clutching the antlers of the deer skull tightly. So far so good. He thought as he quietly climbed the stairs to the upper floor. Rounding the corner, he bumped into her. He froze, and she gave him a cursory look up and down, a frown creasing her face.

“I’m not a fan of shifters bringing their food back to my house.” Her frown deepened as she looked at the fresh deer skull. “What even are ya’? A wolf?” She asked. He was about to answer when she raised her hands. “You know what? I don’t think I even want to know.” Without another word she bustled down the hall to the other side. Erick watched her go before heading down to his own room.

Erick quietly unlocked the door and looked inside before entering. He found Flora was already fast asleep, blankets drawn up around her like a cocoon. The sight caused him to smile, a genuine smile. It was odd, he realized, that he just liked her. She hadn’t even really done anything besides being herself.

He turned this over in his thoughts as he got ready for bed. He wrapped the remnants of the deer skull and antler in some extra canvas from his saddlebags before stripping down and rolling up in his bedroll. True to his word, at least half of him had to be stuffed under the bed, the other half brushing the legs of the armoire. It wasn’t the most comfortable, but he didn’t want to see Flora give up a good rest for his comfort. Erick fell into a quiet slumber, his dreams taking him to his memories once again.

He was with his parents in one of the counseling chambers. They were speaking to the various masters of state, and sat beside his father and listened. It was his job to observe, but he never spoke unless absolutely necessary. It gave his opinion more power, and allowed him to learn more about others.

The room itself was similar to the rest of the castle, and the details of the memory were blurred by sleep. It didn’t really matter to him anyway, as his youngest brother Thomas hurried into the room. The others paid him no mind, but Erick saw that barely contained bundle of excitement as he bounced over to Erick’s chair.

“Look, look!” Thomas excitedly whispered, though it was very easy to hear. “My adult horns are growing in!” He excitedly tipped his head to show Erick the growing buds. He would turn sixteen soon, and had shed his baby antlers last fall. It was now the middle of winter, early for growing horns or antlers, but Thomas always did everything early.

“I see that, I’m sure they’ll be great.” Erick smiled, tussling his brother’s hair.

“You think they’ll be big like yours?” Thomas asked, brushing Erick’s hand away. His eyes shined with admiration as he looked up to Erick’s own golden horns, large like a set of white-tailed deer antlers.

“I bet they’ll be even bigger.” He gave his brother a a wide grin, and Thomas matched it with glee.

“C’mon, c’mon! I’ve got something to show ya’!” Thomas excitedly pulled at Erick’s sleeve. He earned a disgruntled cough from one of the gathered masters, and Thomas gave a baleful look in return. Their father leaned over to Erick.

“I don’t really mind if you leave, go spend some time with your brother.” He whispered. Erick was sure he didn’t want to offend those gathered, but he would still be leaving one way or another.

“Are you sure?” Erick whispered back. His father nodded and Erick left. “Please forgive me, but I must take my leave.” Erick gave a short bow before leaving the room.

The memory jumped to him and Thomas flying over the kingdom, his younger brother full of excitement and happiness as the two explored the more wild parts of their lands. Erick relished the feeling of the wind against his wings, tugging at his mane as he and Thomas flew higher and higher. It was a moment he would never forget. Then the memory shifted.

He was choking on the floor of the dining hall. He internally moaned as pain gripped his heart once more. He struggled to breath as he watched Thomas fall to the floor, his once gleeful eyes now empty.

Flora woke up at the sound of a loud thud in her bed. She panicked, looking around for the source of the noise when she noticed that King Erick was coughing on the floor. She rushed over to him again, just as she had last night. Although now there was less room, and she only ended up landing on top of him. By all the gods I’m such a klutz. She berated herself as she tried to assess the situation, standing at his feet and unsure of what to do.

Erick continued to cough and hack but waved her away. She didn’t really have anywhere to go, so she just leaned away. He took a shuddering breath before he was able to get in any air again. It’s just like last night. She worried, hands clenching and unclenching at her sides as she fussed over her inability to help.

“I think… We should share the bed.” Flora said in a whisper almost too quiet to hear. Erick gave her a look. But before he could say anything she continued. “I know you’ll refuse if I offer to sleep anywhere else, but if you do this again you might just crack your head.” She gestured to the bed and the darkening lump on his forehead.

Erick quirked an eyebrow and looked at her for a moment, assessing the situation. She could see the thoughts running behind his eyes as he evaluated the proposition. He closed his eyes and sighed through his nose.

“You’re right.” He replied in a resolute tone, pulling himself up from the floor. “But I’d rather not put you into an uncomfortable position.” He stood up, giving her a very serious stare. This was clearly something that meant a lot to him Flora noted, taking in his stare and daring to meet it.

“I’ll be fine.” She assured him. “Besides, I’m sure it’s nothing really new to you, so I have nothing to worry about.” She commented as she climbed back in bed. He flinched at the comment and she immediately realized what she had implied. “Not that it’s bad! I just meant, well, you won’t be a terrible bed hog.” She hurried to cover up her own mistake. Foot, meet mouth. She thought miserably. He cracked a wry smile at her clumsiness.

“I’m afraid I usually take up most beds to begin with.” He informed her, joining her in bed. Being an entire foot taller than her, he did indeed take up most of the bed. She was practically shoved between the wall and his back as he settled in beside her. There was a strange comfort in his warmth, juxtaposed by the harsh cold of the wall. “Just let me know if I squish you.” He chuckled over his shoulder, pulling up the blankets and settling in. Flora only squeaked in response.

If being in the same tent as him was bad, being in the same bed as him was so much worse. More than once her thoughts wandered to him. Some of them were innocent enough, sleeping together like an old married couple. Others, not so much. She tried not to squirm or turn too much as she struggled to clear her head and go to sleep. Then she felt him turn in the bed beside her.

“Here, just go to sleep.” He pulled her in close, arms wrapping around her waist. She stiffened at first, but the way his body pressed against her felt right. It felt like a missing piece sliding into place, and it wasn’t even sexual. He was already falling into the depth of sleep as his breath evened and his heart slowed down.

Flora let go of her tension, rolling over and facing Erick. The two of them shifted into a more comfortable position, and Flora found herself flush against him. I’m a respectable woman. Was her last thought before she drifted off into sleep.

Flora woke up early the next morning, feeling better rested than the night before. She didn’t realize at first why she was so snug, until she remembered who she slept with. Memories of the night came rushing in, as well as all of the traitorous thoughts that came with it. It didn’t help as she felt him pressed against her, not exactly soft in any way.

That’s just normal, right? For guys? Morning stick or something? Flora felt herself heating with embarrassment and something more as King Erick shifted, holding her tighter and pressing his face into her hair. A part of her felt like she could stay here forever, despite knowing they had to get up soon.

Thankfully she didn’t have to do anything as a loud knock rapped on the door. Erick was instantly up, nearly throwing Flora and the blankets off the bed. “Breakfast is ready!” Came the muffled voice of the lady of the house just before the sounds of her stomping away. Or maybe she just walked that loud. Honestly, Flora wasn’t sure how neither of them woke up just from her walking down the hall.

King Erick relaxed, then realized he was still holding Flora. “Ah, forgive me.” He politely said he politely said as he pulled away. “It would seem I got ahead of myself.” He told her with a polite smile. It wasn’t anything like the smile he had when Dante had been with him. Or even the few smiles he had given her, she noticed. Erick quickly pulled himself out of bed and threw on some clothes. She noticed with some alarm that his undershirt was stained in blood.

“What happened? Are you alright?” She tried not to sound too panicked or worrisome, but couldn’t help from keeping some of the worry at bay.

“Oh, right. I went out last night to eat, remember?” He asked over his shoulder, pulling his riding jacket on top of the bloodied clothes.

“Right? And?” She wasn’t entirely sure how that led to him being bloody.

“I may have made a mess of myself.” He laughed, picking up both saddlebags and turning to Flora. “I’ve got an extra shirt somewhere but we’ll be riding all morning before we get to the slaughter house, so I’d rather wear clothes that are already dirty.” He informed her.

Her stomach dropped. She forgot about the slaughter farm. Leon had written about it in the notes he sent with her, something about how they usually make it up to standard, but only barely. She knew it was just an important part of the process, as the rise in demand for affordable meat rose so too did the amount of animals processed. “Right.” Was all she said as she got out of bed and put on her own clothes. With a nod, King Erick and Flora head downstairs for breakfast, taking their items with them.

Downstairs, many of the other guests at the carriage house had also woken up and came down for breakfast. The head woman was handing out plates of food while the young girl from the night before was cleaning tables. The two worked in silent tandem, a well practiced routine.

Erick took a seat at a small table towards the back next to a small window. Flora sat on the other side of him. He didn’t say anything, but rather looked outside the window towards the fields beyond. His blue eyes turned stormy as he watched the quiet scenery.

Flora shifted uncomfortably. He obviously had a lot on his mind, but she didn’t want to broach the topic and risk his wrath. She was also grateful that he seemed to either forget not notice at all what had happened that morning. She was grateful when the young girl brought over a plate of food, distracting her from her own tumbling emotions.

Flora took her plate of food - French toast with a little jar of jam - and patiently waited for King Erick to do the same. He didn’t. He didn’t even seem to notice the food on the table. I hope I didn’t offend him. Flora worried as she tentatively began to eat. Maybe I’m offending him now? But he doesn’t even seem to notice. Flora quietly worried as she ate her breakfast.

“I’m sorry about last night.” His sudden statement startled Flora, and she almost dropped her food.

“Oh, um, I mean…” Flora covered her mouth with her hand, being caught off guard and managing to speak around the food in her mouth. Now you really look dumb. She thought miserably.

“I shouldn’t have put you in that position.” He continued, but still didn’t look at her. “It was wrong of me to assume that nothing would happen.” He finally turned to face her, guilt written all over his face. And yet, Flora noticed something hidden underneath it all. It was something almost like longing, a yearning almost. He quickly looked away.

“Ah… Well I suppose it could have been a lot worse.” Flora pointed out, trying to lift his spirits. The sight of his guilt pained her in an odd way. He gave her an inquisitive look. “I mean, you could have actually been choking and I would have had no idea how to help.” She tried to give him a half-hearted smile while panic and fear quickly mingled between his eyes. I really should just stop talking. Flora berated herself for not really thinking about how that would come out.

King Erick gave a soft chuckle. “Yes, I suppose it could have been a lot worse.” With a quiet smile he picked up his own plate and began eating. Flora nearly sagged with relief. At least I’m not a pile of ash. She thought to herself before quickly eyeing the King, remembering the whole “being able to hear thoughts” thing. She looked up, and found that he either hadn’t noticed or hadn’t cared enough to say something.

There was a long pause as the pair went through their breakfast in peace. Flora did her best to quiet her emotions as she focused on her small meal. Eventually she broke the silence, too many questions nagging at her mind.

“Is it… Normal? For you to have nightmares like that?” She asked Erick tentatively. Erick paused what he was doing, looking like he was processing an answer before speaking.

“Kind of. Recently anyway.” Was all he said. Many more questions fought for Flora’s attention as she tried to pull more meaning from the simple answer. She didn’t say anything, but Erick sighed all the same. “It’s not something we can really discuss here.” Erick eyed the other guests, and Flora guessed it had something to do with his being king.

If he’s having night terrors that cause him to choke like that, and he can’t discuss it without revealing who we are… Flora did not like where this line of thought was leading her. Erick gave a grim nod, and the two quickly and quietly finished their breakfast.

With a polite goodbye to the owner of the carriage house, King Erick and Flora quickly tacked up and mounted their horses. They said nothing as they got everything together and mounted their horses. They continued like this, riding down the road in early morning. King Erick’s face was set into grim lines, and Flora’s regret deepened.