LATER THAT MORNING I found myself waking up before Calder, my head sleeping against the chair arm instead of his shoulder. I didn't know what time it was but the sun was now hidden with the curtains and it appeared that Calder's bandages had been changed. Had I been so tired that I didn't even realize the healer or his helper came in? I sat up and stretched, feeling as stiff as the wood, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

I leaned over and checked on Calder's condition, feeling his face and forehead. He was back at his normal cool temperature now, the deathly chill thankfully gone.

Sighing knowing I needed to leave him so I could change and check on Eeira's duties I had now taken on, I stood and quietly turned to leave. I abruptly stopped though as Calder began to stir, jolting in his sleep. I watched as he began shaking his head, huffing and clenching his fists.

"No," he mumbled, grunting with a stiff arch of his back as if just being shocked with a defibulator.

I knew by his actions that he was having a nightmare, so I sat back down and tried to wake him. "Calder. Calder wake up."

He twisted his head again, jerking his arms hard as if he was trying to free them from restraints. "No," he spoke louder this time with another grunt.

I placed my hands on his arm stuck with the IV so he wouldn't pull it out, but he was so much physically stronger than me. "Calder, it's just a nightmare. Wake up."

"No!" he then shouted, screaming in anger and jerking his chest once more.

The door then swung open to reveal the healer and a guard accompanying him, their faces holding shock.

"It's ok, he's just having a bad dream. I've got him," I told them so they wouldn't intervene. I looked back down at Calder and touched his cheek, gently shaking him.

"Calder-"

"jeg skal drepe deg!" he shouted in Norwegian as he then awoke and sprung up, his hand grasping firmly onto my wrist.

I made of a faint cry of pain from the amount of strength he was using, the sound of the guard's sword unsheathing seeming to echo through the room. They probably knew what he had said, and the looks on their faces told me it wasn't good.

It took Calder a split moment to realize he was out of the nightmare and see what was happening, and his eyes widened. He quickly pulled his hand away.

"Eerika," he breathed out, sounding like he'd just run a marathon. "I'm. . .I'm sorry."

"It's alright," I told him, throwing a hard side-glance at the guard. "You were just having a bad dream. You're ok now."

He nodded though his irises showed he was somewhere far off, and slowly laid back down. My expression towards the healer and guard told them they were to leave now, and they rightfully obliged.

I sat back down and turned my full attention to Calder. "How are you feeling?"

Calder clenched his jaw, something I hadn't seen in ages, as he darted his gaze back and forth from my face to my wrist. "Did I hurt you?"

"No, I'm fine," I assured, chuckling after, "A bit dirty though, and I smell like the horse stalls. I'm going to go get cleaned up and check on a few things, and then I'll be back. I'll see if the healer will let you eat and drink now too. Maybe we can take out that awful IV."

Calder nodded, swallowing hard and closing his eyes. "Okay."

I took his hand that had grabbed me and kissed it, restanding. As I made my way to the door Calder called my name and made me turn back around.

"Eerika? Are you sure you're alright?"

I smiled softly at him. "Yes. Don't worry about me. All that matters is getting you better right now."

I closed the door behind me and sighed, rubbing my wrist with a wince as I headed down the corridor.

I hadn't even finished bathing before the Clan wanted to see me. I knew without a doubt that this meeting was about Calder, and I really didn't know what I was going to tell them. He was still considered a traitor to everyone, but to me he was the man I loved, my knight. Calder didn't even know yet that his position as captain had been given to Thorne, and that was a touchy subject to have to discuss as well. Would the Clan even consider giving it back to him? And worse, would Thorne let them?

Changing back into a stupid gown with my hair still damp, I made my way down to the Clan's chamber. I figured there was going to be an argument about to happen out of this, so I prepared myself carefully. I was going to clear Calder's name. Somehow. . .

I ended up running into Bryndis on my way, she stopping me to ask of Calder's condition.

"Your Majesty!" she curtsied, "How is Mr. Hansen? Is he alright?"

I felt a twinge of pain circle around my wrist, and I rubbed it slightly.

Was he?

"He's as good as can be expected," I told her. "It's going to take some time though for him to recover. He has a lot of injuries, including. . .a possible disability."

"Oh my, what do you mean?"

"The healer had to operate on his leg that a knight had broken. It was a difficult situation because it had sat fractured like that for so long before it was finally set. The area is numb now, but he still has mobility in his foot and toes. Hopefully that's a good sign that he'll be able to walk and run like he used to."

"Do not worry, Your Majesty, I believe he will be just fine. He is strong. So are you. You can help him."

I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing a smile. "Exactly. I have to go see the Clan now, can you tell Calder I'll be back shortly? Don't. . .tell him where I am, just tell him I'm handling some duties right now."

"Of course, My Queen," Bryndis said, giving another curtsy and then scurrying off.

I sighed, rubbing my forehead and turning around to continue on my way to meet the Clan.

As I entered the chamber they once again were lined up with their cloaks like a cult, and I actually rolled my eyes this time.

Really? This was getting old, especially calling me to these meetings every time I was 'in trouble'. But this time Calder and I both were a part of that.

"Can we make this quick if you don't mind?" I asked as I came to stand in front of them. "I have to tend to Eeira's duties and then get back to Calder."

"That is exactly why we have called you here, Your Majesty," said Rangvald, removing his hood.

"I understand, ok? Calder is seen as a traitor to everyone here and shouldn't have been rescued let alone brought back to the palace. But I don't care. He isn't a traitor, and I would save him over and over again if I had to."

"That is exactly the problem," Hertha spoke up sternly. "You have become too attached to this man. He is the frozen queen's flesh and blood. A quarter human."

"And what does that make any difference from anyone else in this room?" I castigated. "All of you are half human. But both you and Calder are still frost fey. Lineage doesn't mean a thing. It's about the person you are, and Calder has showed that above anyone. He is good despite being raised by Sylvi, and despite all of the dark things he has gone through."

"That shows your pure adolecence," said one man. "You are blind to what evil truly goes on around you. Your heart shadows the real truth."

"And yet you still made me queen," I retort back, making him fall silent.

"I do not wish to speak ill of your judgement, My Queen," began Rangvald, in which I threw a hardened gaze towards him.

"Clearly," I said sarcastically.

"But," Rangvald went on, "You must understand what lies ahead of you now. This man that you have given your heart to has a price over his head, which in turn puts another one on yours. Your people know of his descent. They will want to target him, and retaliate against you further for your feelings and trust for him."

"So what do you expect me to do about that, just give up on him? I would never do that, no matter what price there is or how it makes me look."

"Even for the sake of giving up your safety? Because you know well, Your Majesty, that Mr. Hansen was a prisoner of Sylvi. She is likely to come after him, angrier now than ever not only for defying her but for entering her domain in the first place and leaving unharmed. You also did so without our permission, and the kingdom will know of your wreckless behavior."

"I don't need anyone's permission, Your Grace, I'm the queen. I thought we had covered that in our last discussion. Or have you already forgotten?"

Rangvald didn't answer.

"Let my people and staff think whatever they please," I delcared, "I'm all they have left to save this kingdom, however the hell I'm going to do it when the time comes. And Calder will be by my side to aid me in that. You and everyone else will just have to accept that because he isn't going anywhere. Is that clear to you. . .Your Grace?"

When there again was no answer as each of the Clan stared at me, I turned to go. But I was quickly stopped when Rangvald spoke up once more.

"You cannot make him king."

I froze, taken by surprise. Spinning back around I looked at him puzzlingly. I had never even thought of the fact of Calder being king one day because that included bonding and marriage, something clearly uncertain. I only knew that I loved him and wanted to be with him forever, but to rule by my side?

Calder had been considered a prince in the north lands because of Sylvi, but here he was only a knight. To be a king? I didn't think he would ever want that or think he was worthy enough for such a thing.

"What. . .makes you think I had any intention?"

"If you love him, it will be expected in time," Hertha explained. "But it cannot be allowed."

"What if I want to rule on my own?" I suggested, "Who says I have to have a king to carry the crown with me? The realm would suffice just as well with only a queen at the throne. Even if I did want or need a king though, it would be me who chooses to crown him, and who."

"If you bind your soul to Calder Hansen's, he must be king. There is no other choice. But if you do so, you will lose your people's following forever. They will never trust you once you make a descision such as this. To have the frozen queen's son as their king would be treason of the highest degree. It would make them see you as being on the side of evil."

"I'm not," I spat back, "I want Sylvi dead as much as everyone else, and Calder does too! If I have to prove that to them then I'll do it. I'm going to clear Calder's name, whatever way I have to."

"His blood has caused his name to be written in dirt. It cannot be changed now, My Queen, no matter how much you try to wash it clean," Rangvald said.

I took a step forward, now clenching my teeth as I snapped at him in a low, deep voice. "His blood is of no concern to me, and never will be. I don't know how many times I have to repeat myself on that. I tell you as sure as I'm standing here, Your Grace. If blood and heritage and race mattered to me, you would not be in this palace either."

I took that silent opportunity from the Clan to make my leave, slamming the chamber door behind me. I sucked in slow, deep breaths, trying to keep myself calm as I felt my power spark in my core. I needed to take care of Eeira's duties now, being far behind already. I couldn't do so if I was fuming.

Shaking myself out of it, I clenched my hands and began a brisk walk back to the first floor wing. As I came into the foyer on my way to the kitchen, I was then startled by Bryndis running from the direction of Calder's chamber.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" she called, her face in distress.

I immediately felt my stomach drop. Something was wrong. Something had happened while I was gone.

No, no, no, I begged in my head. Please, no.

I met her halfway, grasping onto her hands to make her focus. "Bryndis, Bryndis what's wrong? Is it Calder? What happened?"

"I-I went to tend to him like you asked of me, and I walked in an-and-"

I didn't even let her finish. I dashed past her and rushed down the corridor, the train of my dress flying behind me. I could hear my pulse in my ears, thinking of every horrible thing that could have happened.

He's gone into shock, he's bleeding again, his heart has stopped. Please, just let me get there in time.

Nearly falling into the chamber door, I shakily grasped the handle and yanked it open. There I saw him, my relief flooding me a single moment to see him alive. Except that relief quickly fizzled away as I looked around him.

His nightstand was turned over, all of the items that were upon it now in the floor. His blankets and pillows had been tossed across the room, and his IV was torn from his arm and the silver stand fallen agaisnt his wardrobe. His side was facing me, feet planted on the floor and himself hunched over where he sat at the edge of the bed. His hands were in his hair, fingers tugging at the strands, his body shaking.

I quickly was by his side, crouching down to see his face. His eyes were closed, his expression painful, and he shuddered out raspy breaths.

"Calder. Calder," I addressed him quietly, slowly reaching out to place my hand on his arm.

He jumped at my touch, eyes glazed over as they broke open to stare wild at me.

I caressed his face, speaking gently. "Are you ok?"

He froze for a few heartbeats, gazing me over as if trying to determine if I was really there. He then swiftly wrapped his arms around me and pulled me flush to his bandaged chest, burying his face into my hair.

I didn't know what had happened while I was gone to cause this destruction and make him act the way he was, but it worried me. His heartbeats were so short between each other I thought the speed might make it burst. I kissed his shoulder as he held me there, running a hand softly down his back.

"I'm sorry," he sniffled, sounding completely and utterly broken.

My own eyes teared up at seeing him this way, and I had to close them to keep it hidden. He had never been so fragile, me being the one he always picked up, and here I was trying to put him back together now. What had Sylvi done to his mentality? What was going through his mind that caused him to break down and have to be brought back to reality?

Opening my eyes they fell to the floor, widening and my chest then tightening as something shiny caught my attention.

There half-hidden under the bed was a silver, wavy knife. I stared at it, its glint taunting me with a sharp crooked smile. Seeing it immediately iced me to the bone, making me wonder why it was there; and worry about what just might have been its purpose before I reached Calder.