Thorned Shadow [+18]
Chapter 11

“You’re still sleeping?” Erix’s voice floated through the open doorway and towards her where she laid on the bed.

Cerelia blinked, a groan escaping her parted lips as she stretched her arms, yawning. She had slept all night in a bed.

Slowly, Cerelia sat up in bed, staring at Erix who wore the same clothes as he had yesterday, as if he had not slept. She blinked several times at the light pouring through the room, as he walked inside, his scent wrapping her in a warm embrace. “Good morning.” She murmured, rubbing her eyes.

“You need to learn how to dance.”

She tilted her head up, her head spinning a little but she looked at the clock above the door. “Erix, it is seven in the morning.” She threw herself back onto the pillow, pulled the blankets up her body and face. “I haven’t slept in days.” Her voice was muffled under the blanket.

“I haven’t slept all night.”

“Why?” She peeked out of the blanket to see him standing at the edge of the bed.

He shrugged his shoulders. “I guess I was too scared of you standing on my toes throughout the dance.”

“We’re not going to dance together.” She pulled the blanket over her body again, closing her eyes.

“Why not?”

“Because you’re not going to touch me.”

“I carried you yesterday. That involves touching you.” His voice was smug as Cerelia heard another sound of footsteps.

“Is she not awake yet?” Katara’s booming voice echoed in her mind.

Cerelia groaned, turning around and wrapping the blankets tightly around her body. The bed was so soft and warm and she hadn’t had a nightmare.

“Katara, please speak to her.” Erix seemed to be complaining about her to his lover. “I’m tempted to just grab her by her ankles, throw her over my sh-fuck.” He cursed as Katara slapped him on the arm.

Cerelia lowered the blankets from her face. “Can we not be engaged another day?” She looked at Erix. Katara turned to look at him as well.

“It is possible but knowing Emrys and the high witch, they’ll want us married by next week as well.”

Cerelia saw a frown appear on Katara’s face, so she said. “I’m not marrying you.”

Erix frowned at her.

“Cadmus called me-” Nyota stopped talking as she entered the room. “Saying you were awake…” her voice drifted off as Cerelia pulled the blanket over her face again.

“Nyota, she doesn’t know how to dance.” Katara said to her.

“I will teach her.” Nyota said and Cerelia grinned, pulling the blankets off her face and sitting up in bed.

“Nyota, you are wonderful.” Cerelia said to her, before kicking the blankets away and climbing out of the bed. She ignored Erix’s stare as she said to Katara. “Nyota can teach me how to dance. Erix would not have too.”

She looked up at Erix who was staring at her with no emotion on his face. Katara spoke, shrugging her shoulders. “Yeah.” She wrapped her arm around Erix’s arm. “Come on, let’s go back to bed.” She pulled him out of the room and he followed.

Cerelia looked at the bed before Nyota who was clawing her long braids up into a bun. “I’m going to teach you how to dance.” Nyota wiggled her eyebrows, a wide grin on her face.

☆☆☆

Minutes had turned to hours of torturous pain for her feet. They had danced in the hallway, Cadmus staring at them through the open door. She had tumbled many times and Nyota had complained that she wasn’t holding her partner correctly.

Cerelia had pushed the fear of touch out of her mind and pressed a hand on Nyota’s shoulder who had pretended to be the male dancer. She had spun around once, before falling all over again. Nyota had groaned out loud, but carried on.

Again and again. Until Cadmus offered to dance with her, to allow her to feel what it would feel like to dance with a male. Nyota had pinched his cheeks, saying he was still a boy. He had blushed but Cerelia had mustered the courage to allow him to touch her. But she had been too stiff and he had let her go, telling her she was getting better.

Cerelia had spent all morning and afternoon upstairs in the hallway, her body sweating, her feet aching until Nyota had said to her she was ready for one dance and one dance only. Cerelia had collapsed on the floor, staring up at the ceiling, with a smile on her face. For the first time, witches were going to step into the Fae Castle. She knew they would hesitate, and she wouldn’t blame them but she wished no one hurt the witches. She wished for nothing to go wrong.

The red gown she wore now was absolutely beautiful from what she could see as she looked down at herself. The gown was made of a slightly thicker material, was pleated at the waist and had no shining beads embroidered into it. It was simple, yet beautiful with the long sleeves, and the puffed up shoulders. Something similar to the black gown she wore when she had entered the castle. Nyota had given her a pair of black heels to wear which made her feet feel uncomfortable but she did not complain.

Aideen had entered the room as well, applying cosmetics to her face, while Nyota did her hair and pushed a gold tiara with red jewels into her hair.

“You really need to look at how beautiful you look.” Nyota grinned at her. “Come on, just one peek at yourself.”

“I’m going to get late. I can hear the music.” She said instead and Aideen chuckled, before grabbing Nyota by her arm.

“Mind if I occupy your washroom?” Aideen questioned but didn’t wait for a reply as she pulled a blushing Nyota into the washroom, slamming the door closed.

Cerelia tried to hide the frown from her face but she couldn’t do it as she walked out of the room, not wanting to hear Aideen and Nyota moaning. She forced a smile onto her face as Cadmus grinned at her, keeping his gaze respectfully on her face.

“A maid told me Erix is waiting for you outside the throne room where guests are being led.” Cadmus said, guiding her down the stairs.

Cerelia lifted her gown in front of her, taking each step cautiously. She didn’t say a word to Cadmus, as she exhaled a slow breath, following him in the hallway. Music filled the castle, floating through the air and the violins seemed to screech in her mind as she walked through the double doors where she could see Erix.

His back towards her, his head bent down, kissing Katara who wore a beautiful emerald green gown that curved perfectly and tightly around her body, her hair curled behind her back. Emrys stood besides the doors to the throne room, talking to the guards in hushed tones.

Cadmus coughed loudly and deliberately. Emrys whirled around, his eyes widened, a smile beaming on his face. “Cerelia.” He smiled at her.

Erix turned to look at her as did Katara who wiped under her lips. Erix pulled out a black handkerchief from the pocket of his black layer and wiped his mouth, his gaze running over her body. She only stared at the crown he wore.

His hair was left open, barely combed but it looked nice with the gold crown with the red jewels, something similar to the tiara she wore. His blazer was black, fitted tightly around his arms, but it was the red swirling design that made her stare at it for a second too long.

They were wearing the same colours.

“We have been waiting for you, child.” Emrys spoke as she walked towards them, her back straight, her head held high even though a part of her wanted to crawl away and hide forever at the sound of laughter escaping from under the doors of the throne room.

“You look beautiful.” Katara said, taking a step in front of Erix. “I really like your gown.”

“Thank you.” Cerelia said to her kindly. “As do I like yours.“She returned the compliment before turning to look at Emrys. “Shall I walk in?”

“Cadmus, take Princess Katara inside.” Emrys waved his hand at Cadmus who bowed at Cerelia before holding his arm out at Katara.

Katara leaned up on her toes, kissing Erix on the lips again before wrapping her arm around Cadmus’s arm and walking through the doors that opened wide for her. Before closing.

She wondered if she could ever be like Katara, so free and happy with her body but that was a rarity Cerelia would never have.

Erix’s scent overwhelmed her senses as he moved towards her, pushing the handkerchief back into his pocket. She didn’t look at him and could feel his stare on the side of her face.

“You will walk in together, arm in arm-” Emrys told her calmly and she nodded. “And then you will mingle with the people, talk to them before the dancing starts and Erix will ask you to dance. Your rings are ready and Cadmus will bring them when it is time.” He talked quickly, nodding at them once and twice before opening the doors a little and slipping through them.

The music calmed down.

“Have I done something wrong?” Erix questioned, holding his arm out to her.

Breathing softly and pushing his powerful scent out of her mind, she wrapped her arm through his. His body stiffened at her touch as she moved slightly closer so they did not look like two strangers who did not speak.

“No.” She answered him truthfully. She was nervous and didn’t wish to speak as she tried to calm her nerves down. The doors opened widely and Erix thankfully did not say anything as he walked with her through the doors, the violins a soft melody in the back of her mind as everyone stared.

Every. Single. Person. Stared.

She could not breathe. Her throat burned as Erix walked her further into the throne room that had been turned to a ballroom. People with musical instruments sat near the raised ground where the throne sat, and the melodies they played reached each corner of the room.

Instinctively, she moved closer to Erix who guided her through the people who parted. They watched every breath she took, watched every step she moved and she could do nothing but keep her back straight and her head held. She did not meet their stares as Erix climbed up the raised floor, turning and holding his hand out to her. She looked up at him at the golden eyes and pressed her hand in his large one slowly.

His fingers curled around her scarred hand delicately as he bent down and lifted her gown up from the front a little and lifted herself up besides him. He snaked a hand around her waist, her body tensing as she heard someone gasp before a loud thud echoed in the room. Cerelia pulled her gaze away from Erix who had been smirking at her. She looked over her shoulder, to see some of the crowds had parted, revealing a female who lay on the floor. It was the fainting female from the markets.

Emrys sent a maid running towards the fainted female as Erix tugged on Cerelia’s hand. He moved her closer to the only throne in the castle. “Sit.” He uttered one word, one powerful word that was a statement to everyone watching her.

“What about you?” She asked softly, keeping her voice barely louder than a whisper.

Amusement flickered in his eyes again as he pressed down on her shoulders. She felt like he was taking full advantage of touching her, knowing she had allowed him. She sat down on the soft cushioned underneath her, sitting on a throne that belonged to the Fae. Erix moved his body, claiming the left arm of the throne as his seat and he draped his leg over it, his foot touching her gown as he stared at the people.

She faced them, noticing Agatha alone with no robed witches but there was a grin on her face as she stared at Cerelia who was sitting on a throne. The music suddenly got louder and people started talking, urged by Emrys to have fun, to eat as much as they wanted, to drink until the sun came up. The witches were lingering on the left side of the throne, a clear indication of not wanting to move near the fae who were dancing across the floor.

Cerelia watched Emrys and Katara walk to the witches, urging them to mingle in with others. She looked up at Erix who was staring at Katara. “She looks beautiful today.” Cerelia said, leaning a little back on the throne as he looked down at her. “It’s nice she’s here.” She spoke the truth though her own heart, wrapped around in his scent, tightened at her choice of words.

She was happy Katara was here so she could keep Erix away from her though a part of her knew Erix would respect her wishes of not being touched.

“She’s been through a lot for her age.” He said, his voice a murmur so only she could hear his words. “She likes to have control of a lot of things in her life, doesn’t like to take no for an answer until she gets her way, but she’s kind hearted.” He was lost in his own thoughts as he watched Katara dance with a male witch.

“Do you not love her anymore?” Cerelia questioned softly.

Erix did not answer her question before he exhaled a breath before standing up. “I was promised a dance.” He held his hand out to her.

“I never made a promise.” She crossed her arms.

Erix pressed both of his hands on either side of the throne, leaning down and blocking her view of the rest of the people. Golden eyes stared into her grey eyes. “Dance with me.”

“I don’t wish to.” Cerelia shrugged her shoulders, leaning back against the throne.

He moved closer, caging her in. Her body hummed with calmness as his scent wrapped around her body. “I will call Emrys and complain.”

“How mature of you.”

He opened his mouth to say something but she didn’t allow him, pressing her hand against his lips quickly. “One dance only because we are forced too.”

“Then I’ll sneak a bottle of wine in and we shall be mature.” His eyes twinkled as he pushed himself back and held a hand out to her.

She placed her hand on his and he smirked, a dimple appearing on the left side of his face as he lifted her up. The music played louder as if cheering them on as Erix pulled her towards the middle of the room, surrounded by people who danced but were looking at them.

In silence, she placed her hand on his shoulder, her other hand entwining with his stretched one as he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her slightly closer. One two three. Their bodies moved in sync. He moved forward, and she took the same amount of steps backwards.

“So you can dance.” He sounded impressed as his fingers lowered on her back before he pulled his hand away, spinning her.

Her gown flowed around her until she came back into his arms. Her body felt alive as Erix smiled at her, feeling her body loosening up in his arms. He was going to keep her safe, the way he had carried her through the whole kingdom in his arms, the way he had waited outside her washroom door, with the offering of friends.

“What are you thinking about?” He questioned, his fingers beating gently on her back as they swayed to the left.

“How is it possible that we were both stuck in that realm, in the same kingdom but we never met?” It confused her because he never came down to the dungeons. She would have smelled his scent, would have remembered it.

Erix glanced behind her and she knew he was staring at Katara. “I didn’t know you.” He shrugged his shoulders, the music getting slower in her ears.

She kept quiet, dancing with Erix who looked at his lover who was laughing with another male. Cerelia kept her lips in a smile, a smile that showed to other people staring at her at how calm she was.

She wanted to leave.

The music came to a slow stop and she pulled herself away from Erix who was barely looking at her before walking towards Katara as a new song played. Cerelia stood in the middle of the people dancing until Aideen appeared with a drink in her hands. Without another thought, Aideen grabbed her hand and pulled her to the corner where some witches still lingered but Cerelia saw food and drinks behind them.

Everyone seemed to be touching her too much. She pulled her hand away from Aideen who pushed a small glass with red liquid in it. “Don’t think, just drink it. It’s going to calm your nerves.” Aideen promised her, holding a drink identical to hers and she gulped it down in one shot.

Cerelia lifted the glass up to her nose, sniffing the grapes and something spicy. “Is it safe?”

“Of course. This is only your first glass, I’m going to make sure you have at least ten glasses before this night is over.”

Cerelia tipped the glass up to her lips, swallowing the drink in one gulp like Aideen had. It was a dark sweet type of flavour that she enjoyed. She held the glass out to Aideen.

“Another one please.”

☆☆☆

The night was a blur. She remembered people cheering as Erix pushed a silver ring onto her finger, his touch gentle but his eyes glued to his lover.

Cerelia was drunk or as drunk as she could be when Aideen had pulled the eleventh glass away from her saying since this was her first time drinking, her body couldn’t fight it and she would be like a human.

Cerelia was a witch. Not a human so she had sneaked away from the witches, trying to get another glass when Erix had walked towards her. Her lips had parted at the huge male who didn’t say a word about her wide eyes and simply pushed a ring on her finger. Everyone cheered and then laughed when she asked him which finger she was supposed to put his ring on, which Cadmus had brought to her.

Cake had been cut. She hadn’t eaten it.

Her body was warm and her insides felt fuzzy as she giggled to herself, pressing a hand against the wall and walking towards the doors. She could fly today and she was going to try it. She wouldn’t jump off a balcony and fly into the world.

“Your majesty.”

Someone had spotted her.

She whirled around, her back pressed against the wall as she stared at three males, wearing beautiful clothes and a female walking towards her. She saw their pointed ears and her back stiffened as they stopped a foot away from her.

“We were hoping to speak to you, your majesty, regarding the home changes after the marriage…” The female spoke gently with kind brown eyes.

“I don’t understand..” She replied, biting her lip to stop the giggle escaping from her. They looked so funny, as if they had twins behind them. The four people turned to eight with shadows of people making funny faces at her as Nyota had done once.

“When the witches merge their land with ours, how many houses are we to build in their lands?”

“They have more space, so estimatedly-” the female spoke, “a rough guess this is, your majesty, but we could make at least another hundred thousand homes for them and the fae. As well as keeping areas for markets and schools and playgrounds.”

A big smile appeared on her face. “Really? Could we have balconies on the houses so people can fly out of them?” She widened her eyes at them.

They blinked in confusion.

“Of course-” an older male stuttered. “Would you like us to start with designs right away?”

Cerelia clapped her hands, a big smile on her face. “Yes! And can we have a market full of chocolates? They taste so nice.” She hummed to herself.

“Of course.”

“And can we have swings? I’ve never been on a swing.”

“The playground will have that indeed.”

“What about a castle?!” She gaped up at the eight people who merged back into four as she blinked. “The witches will need a castle..” She pressed a finger against her chin, thinking about putting a lot of windows in the castle.

“I-I-” the older male stuttered again, pushing a pair of glasses up his nose. “Will this not be the main castle for all people?”

“Will it?” She looked at him and could have sworn he bowed his head low, hiding his eyes from her. “But will the witches be allowed inside? They’ve never been here.”

“They are standing besides us all, your majesty…” the female spoke slowly.

“Is she okay?” The older male looked at the female.

“Excuse us.” Instantly Cadmus appeared beside her and she grinned at him. “Let’s get you out of here, Cerelia.” He motioned her to walk ahead without touching her.

“But these lovely people are going to make me a playground.” She looked over Cadmus’s shoulder towards the old male who was blushing. “And a market full of chocolates!”

She felt the stare of a few people as Cadmus placed a hand on her back and pushed her slightly towards the two doors that were wide open. She walked. “Can you replace me a balcony, Cadmus?” She looked up at him.

Before he could answer her, Erix’s powering scent swirled around her body as he moved to stand in front of her, blocking her way out of the boring party. “What happened?” His words were directed at Cadmus who pulled his hand away from her.

Erix stared at her face. She narrowed her grey eyes at him, a pout forming on her lips which he glanced at before amusement shone in his eyes. “What’s so amusing?” She blurted out.

“That you’re trying to mimic a death stare while also pouting like you want something.”

“I want to fly.” She grinned, turning away from Erix and looking at Cadmus. “Please, Cadmus.” She placed her hands on his left shoulder, moving her head closer and blinking her eyes rapidly like she had seen a Fae female do to a male witch. “Find me a balcony so I can jump off it and fly.”

Cadmus’s face was red. She poked his cheek with her finger and she was going to touch his face again when a large hand snaked around her wrist. She turned to look at Erix who was glaring at Cadmus.

“Go.” Cadmus didn’t need to be told twice as he left her with Erix who didn’t let go of her hand. “Cerelia..” He said her name softly and it felt so strange on his lips. “Let me take you to your room. I don’t know who gave you alcohol.”

“It was a red drink.” She said, allowing him to walk her out of the room. “And it was so delicious.” She licked her lips as if she could still taste the drink.

Erix was staring at her, blindly walking with her through a hall. He didn’t say a word as she lifted her arm up, with his hand still wrapped around her wrist and she looked at the silver ring on her finger. “This is not pretty.” She frowned at the ring that was a simple band of steel. “Did you choose it?” She looked up at him. “You don’t have good taste.”

“Why are you letting people touch you?” His words were low as he pulled open one of the doors and walked with her through it. “You never allow anyone to do it.”

“Why don’t I?” She asked confusingly. Her mind was so silent, only the music from the party had a drumming party in her mind.

He stopped beside the door that led the stairs. “Cerelia..”

“You say my name so nice..” She smiled at him, reaching her hand down. He let go of her wrist and watched as she curled her small hand that fit so perfectly around his hand. “I like to touch you.” She looked up at him but he was looking at their joined hands. Cerelia stepped closer to him, his scent embracing her with warmth as he lifted his gaze to stare at her. “I like being near you. You are safe.”

His golden eyes glowed and she grinned, lifting her other hand up. She poked his cheek. “Your skin is so soft.”

His other hand wrapped around her wrist, holding her hand up. “Careful..” there was no violence in his warning. “Let me take you to your room.”

She frowned, pulling both of her hands away and crossing her arms under her chest. “No.”

“I won’t let you touch me.” He crossed his own hands, mimicking the frown.

Her frown deepened. “You strike a good bargain…” her posture deflated but she kept her eyes narrowed on him. “How many times can I touch you during the day?”

“As many times as you want.”

She giggled, lowering her arms and moving closer to him so his scent warmed her body again. She wrapped her arm through his and pointed to the door. “Open!”

Erix chuckled, opening the door and allowing her to step inside, under his arm. She turned to face him, glancing at the stairs that seemed so high. “Pick me up.” She grinned, lifting her hands up for him.

The smile left his face. “Cerelia..” He hesitantly said her name. He didn’t want to pick her up. She nodded her head, turning away from him and holding onto the rail as she lifted the gown in front of her. She placed her feet on the first step, about to bend down and take her heels off.

Erix immediately knelt on the ground besides her, his fingers gently touching her ankles where the strap was fastened. She grinned. “You like touching me too.”

“You have no fucking idea.” His voice was a murmur as he pulled her heels off and threw them behind her before getting back on his feet. He was so tall and so big but he refused to pick her up.

She kept the sadness inside of her heart that was beating rapidly as she climbed the stairs. One by one, she counted in her head or out loud until she pushed open the door that Cadmus always opened for her.

“Cadmus is not here.” She frowned, stumbling into the hall.

“I’ll definitely have a word with him.”

“Why?” She turned to glance over her shoulder at Erix as he stopped beside her.

“To keep his hands to himself.”

She giggled, shaking her head and walking to her room. “You should turn around.” She twisted her finger in the air as she pushed her other arm over her shoulder and unzipped the dress.

His body froze but he turned around, looking out of the door. “Good boy.” She clapped her hands but a warning snarl escaped him.

She mimicked his snarl. ”Rawww.”

Cerelia unzipped the dress, before pulling it off her sleeves and letting it fall down her body as she twisted left and right, wiggling her bottom so the dress fell. “Where did Nyota put the-”

“Window bench.” His voice was strangled as if he couldn’t breathe but she grinned seeing the cotton night gown she wore on the bench beside the window. She walked towards it, lifted it up and pulled it down her body.

“Ta da!” She raised her hands as he turned around. Cerelia pulled her hair out from under the dress and then looked down at the three buttons that were opened next to the high neckline. “Oh.”

She frowned, her fingers tingling as she raised her hands to the buttons. “Erix, can you help me?” She lifted her head but he was not moving from his spot. The glow disappeared from his eyes that stared at her face and she could have sworn she was hearing his snarl softly. “Erixxxx.” She sang in a soft voice, waving her hands as she neared him. “See-” she looked down at the three buttons that she couldn’t push through the holes with her numb fingers. “It’s not working.”

“Cerelia you’re going to kill me tomorrow.” His voice was gritted as if he was forcing the words out of his mouth, as he looked away from her, staring at the wall behind her.

She turned around, stumbling into his rigid chest as she looked behind her at the wall. “There is nothing there. Why would I kill you?”

“Just lay down in bed, Cerelia.”

“Say it again.” She turned to look at him, a smile on her face.

He lowered his golden-not glowing still-eyes at her. “Cerelia.” He breathed out her name and she smiled again, resting her forehead on his chest.

She could hear his heartbeat, pounding at the same time as hers. “And again?” Her voice was a murmur as she closed her eyes, feeling tired.

“Cerelia.”

"Again.” She felt tiredness overpowering her body.

Seconds passed by and he did not say her name. ”Fuck.” He groaned and before she could look up, he bent down, his arm going around her shoulder and the other around her knees as he lifted her up into his arms.

“I knew you would pick me up.” She said quietly with her eyes closed. He didn’t say a word and neither did she as he laid her down on the bed. Cerelia opened her eyes slightly, peeking up at him, noticing the darkness dancing behind his back.

She smiled as he pulled the blankets over her body and stood up. She reached out for his hand before he could walk away. “Erix-” She breathed out his name, closing her eyes and pulling the blanket closer to her body with her other hand. “Will I replace love?” Her voice was a soft whisper as his fingers curled around her hand. “Like the way you and Katara love each other? Will I ever replace that?”

Erix leaned down and she turned her body, looking up at him. He watched her, his eyes moving over every inch of her face and he closed his eyes, as if debating with himself but she felt him move closer. She watched as he pressed his soft lips against her forehead. “You will replace love that is purer than what Katara and I feel for each other.”

He pulled his hand away and she watched as the darkness behind him expanded before wrapping him into it. He disappeared from her room but his warmth lingered.

She smiled softly as she closed her eyes, letting out a deep breath.