Evren jumped awake. She didn't know what had startled her. She combed her fingers through her hair, then tensed. A sense of panic began to fill her chest as she realized what little clothing she wore.

And...there was a male in the bed beside her. Evren's heartbeat quickened. It was Cadoc. He'd done it again. He had hurt her. He had... No, this male had red hair. He had pointed ears. He was asleep on his stomach. There were scars on his wrists, made by manacles and blades.

Eris. It was Eris. Evren closed her eyes, gulping down deep breaths. It was Eris. Not Cadoc. Never again would it be Cadoc. It was Eris beside her. It was Eris. She hadn't been used again. Her body didn't hurt like it did with Cadoc. It was Eris. She wasn't hurt. She was safe with him. It wasn't Cadoc. It was Eris.

"Evren?" He mumbled, still half asleep. He propped himself up and reached a hand towards her.

Evren leaned away. "Don't touch me right now," she said.

Eris drew his hand back. "Are you all right?"

She breathed deeply again and nodded. "I forgot it was you. I woke up and thought it had been Cadoc."

Eris narrowed his eyes and she could almost feel his jolt of anger. It wasn't directed towards her. It was towards Cadoc. "He isn't here. He can't harm you. He will never touch you again." Evren closed her eyes and nodded. "You're safe. I promise you're safe."

Evren took his hand and traced her fingers over the scars on his wrist. Eris was still. "I know."

She'd felt safe the entire time. Eris had tried to be gentle. They hadn't involved anything beyond hands and mouths this time, and that was fine by her. She'd had to ask Eris to stop three times when he accidentally grew too rough. He'd obeyed her instantly and whispered apologies, soothing words, and praises in her ear while she calmed herself.

Cadoc had never done that. He'd never praised her. He had never stopped when she asked, when she pleaded. He had never told her how much he admired her. How beautiful she was. He'd never kissed her, kissed her jaw, kissed her neck, kissed her throat. He'd never asked if she was all right. If what he was doing felt good and what he could do to make it feel even better. If she wanted more or less. He had never moaned her name.

Eris had done all of those things. He hadn't asked her for anything in return, but she'd gotten on her knees for him anyway. She knew he'd been holding himself back and she appreciated it. She'd let him run his hands through her hair and she'd felt when he wanted to hold her in place, but refrained. She'd lingered in those spots for him. It had been worth it, to hear her name coaxed out of him, reverent and pleading.

Evren felt a flicker of pride for herself. She'd done more and accepted more than she thought she'd be able to. She had smiled. She drew herself out of her thoughts and laced her fingers with Eris'. He smiled at their clasped hands.

A smile tugged at her own lips. Evren let it grow. Eris stared at her with unmasked admiration. "Thank you," he said.

"For what?"

"For smiling. For letting me take care of you. For making me feel less alone. For letting me learn to care for another."

"I think I have more to thank you for, than you have for me," Evren said.

He flashed her a sly smirk. "You may be right." His smirk faded after a moment. "Can I touch you now?" Evren nodded. He cupped her cheek in his hand and she leaned into his touch. Eris lifted her other hand to his lips. "The Frost Festival continues for two more days. I'm going to both celebrations in different towns."

"I'll come with you," she replied.

Eris bit his lip and nodded. "I need to warn you about something."

"What?" Evren narrowed her eyes.

"I'm trying not to be too possessive, but my instincts...they're going to be a lot stronger now. Especially if this continues to happen. I can't help it. I'll try to keep myself under control, but...I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"Your instincts?" Evren raised an eyebrow.

"My instincts towards you. The instincts that tell me to protect you, care for you, serve you, claim you, and make sure other males know to stay away from you." He hesitated, then added, "It happens to most Fae, whether they're male or female, when they come to...care about someone. Especially if they feel a particularly strong bond with the other person."

"I see. I'm not worried. I know you'll be able to handle it."

"I'll try, but I can't promise that I won't slip up. You saw how I reacted to those males watching you yesterday, and that was before I'd even been with you. Now, just thinking about it makes me want to hunt them down and make clear what will happen if they look at you again."

Evren thought for a moment. "I'll tell you if you're making me uncomfortable," she said at last. "I don't want you fighting your instincts too much. I may not understand them, but I'll try to."

She leaned closer. "Besides, I've realized that I like having someone so devoted to me." She pressed a kiss to his neck. "So devoted to my needs." Eris tilted his head, burying his nose in her hair. "And I promise that someday, I'll be able to be that devoted to yours."

•~ ❘ ۞ ❘ ~•

Eris hovered over his desk, looking at new reports of Loyalist attacks. They'd been stepping up their levels of violence. He massaged his temples wearily. How long will these bastards fight? He wondered. And how is it that I can find nothing pointing to who their leader might be?

He gritted his teeth in frustration. He'd ride to inspect the new damages after the Festival was over. Right now, he needed to focus on showing his loyal subjects that he was loyal to them too.

He combed his fingers through his hair with a sigh. Breaking a 542 year old reputation was proving more difficult than he'd expected. If only everyone could be like Evren and see through his facade.

Evren. Just the thought of her sent heat coursing through his veins. He drew in a few deep breaths, trying to calm the instincts that roared in his ears. He hadn't acknowledged anything yet. Nothing more than the fact that he cared for her.

All the same, the truth lingered in the back of his mind. His instincts grew stronger with each thread that fell into place between them. He knew his instincts would flare up after last night, but he hadn't expected such ferocity already.

He measured his breaths a while longer, then headed up to his room to prepare for the Festival. Tonight, they'd be going to a small village built in the center of a clearing in the woods. This village's festivities were going to be less extravagant than last night's.

Eris reached his room and dressed in a casual outfit consisting of a tunic, pants, and boots. He would wear his crown, but that was the only symbol of status he would bear. Eris left his room just as Evren left hers. She too had dressed casually. She wore a low cut red shirt and a leather vest over it, along with her usual pants and boots. Her hair was only partially pinned up and she wore her crown.

She took his offered hand and they made their way out into the courtyard. Asper and his own horse, Ember, were saddled and waiting. Eris helped Evren mount, then swung onto Ember's back. They set a leisurely pace and rode through the forest towards the village.

Evren tipped her head back, breathing in the crisp air. She patted Asper's neck and ducked beneath a low tree branch. There was such a grace to her movements. Each motion was quiet and fluid, no doubt a habit picked up because of her role as an assassin. If she were High Fae, she could rival Nesta Archeron's unnerving grace, Eris thought.

If she were High Fae... The thought dredged up a new realization, one he couldn't bear to consider. Eris shoved the thought aside before it could fully form. Evren looked over her shoulder and smiled at him.

He swallowed, a lump forming in his throat. She had learned to smile again and he had helped her. Evren faced forward as the village appeared in the distance. Eris cleared his throat. They dismounted at the village's outskirts and two Lesser Fae approached to lead their horses to graze with the others.

Evren took Eris' hand again and held her head up high as they strode into the village. Eris was instantly aware of the gazes that followed them. "My Lord!" Someone called. A Lesser Fae male approached and dropped into a low bow. "Welcome. We are honored that you have decided to join us. I am Finnian."

"The honor is mine."

"If I may, there are some things I would like to discuss with you." Finnian glanced at Evren. "In private."

A younger Lesser Fae appeared behind him. He stared at Evren nervously and bowed to her. "I could show you to the competition areas, my Lady."

Eris was already bristling. Evren touched his shoulder lightly. He said nothing as she followed the young male to a cluster of Fae nearby. The older male began walking and gestured for Eris to follow.

"What did you need to discuss with me?" Eris asked.

"Nothing, actually. There is someone here who asked to meet with you. They wanted the meeting to be secret, so I had to come up with an excuse for the Human to hear."

Eris grabbed the male by the shoulder, a growl rumbling in his chest. "You will address your Lady with the respect she deserves."

Finnian's eyes widened and he lowered his gaze. "Yes, my Lord. Forgive me." Eris released him and he scurried on ahead. "She's waiting just up here."

Eris kept his senses alert, in case the male was leading him into a trap. He could scent no one else nearby. The male halted and Eris crossed his arms expectantly. A familiar figure slipped out from behind a tree.

"Thank you. You may go," Celosia said to Finnian. He dipped his chin and sprinted away.

"What do you want?" Eris snapped.

"To talk to you. You forbade me from entering your house or even coming near it, so I had to find a way to contact you somehow."

"Tell me what you need to and then leave."

"I don't think you should trust Evren. I've been looking into the Loyalist attacks a little bit myself, and I've been seeing a few things that..."

Eris held up a hand. "Don't. I don't want to hear what pathetic claims you have against her."

"She is a danger to your court! You have to get rid of her!" Celosia protested. "People have begun to talk about the Human whore you parade around. They say you've given her the crown belonging to the Lady of the Autumn Court."

"I have, and she is not my whore. The people will learn that. The crown is hers because she is the only female who could ever be my High Lady. She will be treated as such."

Celosia's mouth fell open. "High Lady? A Human is going to be High Lady of the Autumn Court?"

"If she chooses to someday, yes."

"A Human? A pathetic, naive, rutting little slut of a Human?"

Eris lunged at her. Celosia stepped back and he caught himself before he struck her. Eris forced himself to lower his hand. "Do not speak of her like that," he snarled. "Get the hell out of here. If I ever see you again... If you ever speak of Evren like that again, I will not stop myself."

Celosia stared at him, then breathed in deeply. "Mother above, you fucked her, didn't you?" He hadn't in the way she was thinking, but he didn't correct her. A thoughtful look filled her eyes. "All right. Fine." She melted back into the trees. Eris glared after her. Only when his anger receded, did he realize that she hadn't left a trace of her scent behind.