Eira woke up to the feel of his lips planting kisses along her shoulder.
"Good morning snowflake." His arms tightened their hold, pulling her closer against him.
"It would be a better morning if I had woken anywhere else."
"Where else would you have woken? You are mine now Eira, nobody else's." His voice sounded calm, but Eira had no doubt the measures he would go through to make sure it stayed that way. Nicholas rolled her over so that she faced him. She made a point not to stare directly into his eyes, she was unsure she would be able to hold her facade any longer if she had to look into his eyes.
"Eira, look at me!" She shook her head and he grabbed her face, tilting it so that she had no choice but to look into his gaze or close her eyes. She chose defiantly, to close her eyes.
"Our marriage does not have to be this way Eira, please."
"You cannot rape me and then tell me it is a good morning!" she shouted, pulling his hands down and pushing herself away, almost pushing herself right off the bed.
"I am your husband, it is not within your right to deny me of what is mine!" He growled. He reached for her and she toppled right off the edge of the bed, landing her naked butt right onto the cold stone floor. She scurried backwards,before he could make another grab for her. She pressed her back against the dresser, now noticing the bruises that covered her arms, hips and thighs. Eira risked a glance up at Nicholas who had leaned over but remained frozen there, staring at her. His eyes were just a few shades lighter, his hair a disheveled mess, but his face was an unreadable mask.
"I lost my temper," he confessed after a long moment of silence.
"Are you asking me for forgiveness, or simply stating what has already passed?"
"I doubt you would grant me absolution even if I were to seek it..."
"Do you think you deserve any Nicholas?" He slowly slid off the bed and Eira looked away at the sight of him, listening to him as he started to dress.
"I would earn it, if you would only let me."
"I do not want your apologies, I do not want your love; what I want you have refused to give me."
"You wish to banish us. Why can you not see what I am trying to do? Why can you not look past your grief and see the path before us? The power we have together, we can bring change Eira."
"And what of all the innocent people you and your men have slaughtered?" Nicholas sighed, despite his young age he sounded decades older with just that one sigh.
"I will send in your servant to help you dress, do not take all morning. We are expected somewhere today and I do not wish to be late." Without another word he stormed out of the room, Eira jumping at the sound of the door slamming shut. But once she was alone she felt her shoulders sag in relief as she hugged herself. And that is where Runa discovered her when she arrived. Runa shut the door and rushed to her side, wrapping her arms around Eira and pressing her into her bosom like a mother to a weeping child. Runa was about a decade older, she was short but a very robust woman with a vibrant red hair that she kept hidden beneath a head scarf.
Runa spoke not a word, but her embrace was more than enough. Eira cried until her tears ran dry and she was left with crushing sadness. Finally Runa helped Eira to her feet and wrapped her in some fur from the bed.
"Just you rest, I have water heating for your bath as we speak."
Eira watched wordlessly from the couch while Runa bustled around the room. She hummed an old lullaby, the same one she used to sing when Eira was just a little girl. Eira found herself relaxing as she let the music take her away to a better time, a better place. Eira barely even noticed her bath was ready until Runa shook her out of her daze.
"You only have to say the word Milady." Runa announced as she looked over Eira's body, fully taking in the sight of the bruises and dried blood. Which, despite Nicholas's attempt to clean up, was there none the less. Eira studied her servant, her friend, and she knew without a doubt that Runa would follow through. But could she do that? Could she give the order to murder her husband? Her father had raised her to be a kind and loving person. She didn't want to hurt anyone; but she also knew that holding onto her grief wasn't getting her anywhere either.
"I could never ask that of you Runa, killing Nicholas will not help our people, only make it worse. And if anything happened to you I could never forgive myself.
"Well if you change your mind...now hop in before the water gets cold." And just as quickly as she brought it up, she let it go. Eira sighed heavily as she sank into the tub of hot water. Runa had poured in some of her bath oils, rosemary oil for pain and stress relief, and peppermint oil for sore muscles. the scent tickled her nose but she didn't mind. Runa washed her back while she stared into space. Once finished, Runa gathered some fresh water and rinsed her off before wrapping her up in a towel to dry off. Just as Runa laced her corset Nicholas returned.
"I told you I did not want to be late, why are you not ready yet?"
"I had to wash off your filth," Eira retorted, keeping her back to him.
"Runa, leave us." She glanced at Eira, as though making sure that she was in agreement with that order.
"I am King, not Eira. You will do as I say or you will find yourself in the dungeon." Eira nodded at her and as Runa passed Nicholas she squared her shoulders and looked him square in the eye.
"You best treat her like the Queen you have made her, or you will answer to me." Eira gasped at her bravery, suddenly afraid for her friend. But Nicholas took a moment to take in the sight of the small woman. Runa was eye level with his breast, and was outmatched if it came down to strength alone. He seemed taken back, but he bowed to her.
"I cannot make any promises should Eira decide to become unruly, but I will tell you last night was...unfortunate. You have my word I will do everything in my power to take care of her." Runa nodded, pleased with the answer and left them alone.
"What awful lies are you telling the help sweet wife?"
"I said nothing, she saw the marks you left on my body." He looked away before Eira could tell if it was shame or indifference she saw flicker across his expression.
"Our carriage is waiting, I shall help you finish dressing."
"Runa was perfectly capable of helping me."
"If anyone's hands should be touching your body, it should be mine." He approached, grabbing her dress from the bed. The bath had done wonders for her sore muscles and even though he was mere inches away, she felt calm and relaxed.
"Where are we going today?"
"To the Thing."
"What on Earth is that?"
"A gathering, much like that of the Elders when they gather the council for a meeting. Main difference being that my people allow all who attend one vote, whether they are of noble blood or not." Nicholas pulled the dress down buttoning the back, his fingers lightly grazing the back of her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
"Come sit, I'll braid your hair." She didn't argue, she made her way to her vanity table, glancing at him through the mirror. He brushed her hair, taking it into his hands and began to braid. Now that she was no longer a maiden, it would be improper for others to see her with her hair down.
"You look beautiful Eira." He spoke softly, almost a whisper, as he pinned the last braid. He grabbed her winter cloak from the bed and fastened it around her shoulders.It was elegantly put together of polar bear pelts. It had been her mother's, complete with the golden brooch in the shape of the sun.
