Of Our Own Doing

by MaraJade2017

The Prior's knew what was on the horizon and unleashed the only weapons that could prevent it all, their children. Now with the addition of Ember, their cousin from Erudite, they are being trained to put a stop to upcoming battle before it begins. Ember knew he would end up being a target. Knew she might have to eliminate him DELETING ACCT lunaschild2016 to follow

6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Ember

"Good gods. I really do think I could go for a whiskey." I mutter only low enough for Eric to hear me. We had been paraded around by Jeanine for almost an hour now as she dragged us between groups to introduce me and bullshit or kiss ass.

That and her looks of smugness to me and Eric were driving me insane. I couldn't imagine what the hell she was so smug about. First it was the dress. When she had seen me come in she had flashed that smugness but also an almost look of sadness. I had to dismiss that right away because Jeanine didn't do sad.

I feel Eric's hand press into my side even more and his little growl of agreement. He hasn't lost his glare and goes from bad to worse depending on how the person is looking at me.

There was a respite in Jeanine's attentions and with a shared look Eric led me over to the bar and ordered two high end scotches.

I inhale deeply before I take a drink and moan slightly as I feel the warmth slide down my throat. "Careful Ember." Eric grumbles and shifts next to me.

Frowning I look at him with my head tilted. His eyes move to mine and the desire there makes me shiver beside him. I scowl at him. "I can't help it. I needed that."

He shakes his head with a smirk. "Can't fucking blame you there."

Once we have the drinks though we know we have to head back out to the main group. It is only proper etiquette to. We are saved from having to be toted around by Jeanine again when Max and the other Dauntless leaders motion Eric over. He stiffens a bit and looks at me. "Remember. Don't leave my side."

I frown as I look over the other leaders and my eyes focus on Jerry. Who is for sure looking over me in an almost calculating and appraising way. I repress a shudder of revulsion and my back goes straighter as my chin lifts. I wipe all emotion from my face and take on that damn Erudite mask. "I remember Eric." I say deadly soft as his hand at my waist tightens me in.

When we approach though, Max greets us with his wife. He is wearing a small shit eating grin and I eye him as I try to figure out his angle on this. Or Jeanine's angle on pairing us together. Something is up with the two of them and I think Eric and I just became fucking even bigger pieces on a chessboard. The question was would be end up being on the same side or not?

"Eric. Thank you so much for being Ember's escort for the night. Jeanine was worried about her being left out when she had other business to conduct." He nods formally to Eric who returns it then he turns to me and his face softens. "Ember you look beautiful. It really does seem like yesterday you were fifteen when we last really saw each other."

I smile sadly. "Thank you. I'm sorry that I was unable to make those dinners or meetings any longer. Aunt Jeanine felt my time was better spent elsewhere as my studies grew more intense." We both knew that wasn't the real reason and we both acknowledged that with our eyes.

"Regardless we can make up for lost time soon. Ember, you will remember Annalise my wife of course." He looks to his wife with a real look of pride and affection.

I smile genuinely at her. "Lise, of course I remember you. You were my mother's closest friend growing up and were almost like an Aunt to me too before…." I trail off as sadness hits me.

She comes forward and puts a hand on the side of my face and smiles brightly. "I miss them too Ember. They would be so proud of the woman you are now. They were already so proud of the teenager you were."

I take a deep breath and nod. "Thank you. I always keep them in my heart and try to honor them and their wishes for me." I hold Max's eyes for a minute when I say this last part. "I would willingly die to uphold that promise to them."

I see pride in both Max and Lise's eyes at those words. He gives a brief nod and then turns the conversation to something else. "Well we look forward to seeing you very soon at the home we always knew you belonged. Are you looking forward to training?"

Lise moved back to his side at that. I had of course felt Eric's fingers dig into me and him tense when I had made my own little vow to Max. He wasn't relaxing and if anything seemed to tense more at the subject of training.

I speak truthfully and smile. "I am. It will be challenging for sure but I do love a good challenge. I plan to give it my all and go in with the mindset that their is no other option but to succeed."

They other leaders all nod approvingly and Harrison looks over Eric for a moment as if calculating his next question. "You obviously got to see the training outline. What were your thoughts on it?"

Immediately I clamp my filter down to burst out with my real thoughts and I calculate a way to answer to get their opinions. "Obviously I'm not privy to the day to day running of Dauntless. That is the privilege and honor of you, my leaders, to handle. I trust that if my leaders believe the training and changes to it will make the best and strongest Dauntless possible, then it will do so. I know that will always be of the highest priority for my faction. It is a part of our core beliefs after all. To be strong so that we are the backbone of the city."

I see Annalise smirk at me, knowing what I'm doing, as well as Max. I'm playing to their egos but also to, hopefully, their sense of honor and pride in their faction. Harrison's spine stiffens with that pride and I even see Andre' and Lex do the same thing. Jerry tilts his head again and I can see he is ambivalent to the changes or my words. He will be the one, along with Eric, to watch.

Eric. I feel him radiating a bit of pride in my words but he also tenses. He can't miss my ploy here. But as far as he knows it is just me giving an Erudite answer in a way to draw out the thoughts of the person that asked the question without really providing my own.

"There are changes that we are hesitant about." Andre' and Lex share looks. "You are right we are the backbone of this city. And yet.." He trails off and I see all the leaders lips thin.

My own chin raises in defiance of what the other factions think of our faction. "And yet they would treat us as if we are jar heads and muscle only. I am well aware of that." I almost growl in disgust.

Eric pulls me tighter to him and rubs his thumb in a soothing circle along the area above where my dress material begins at the lower back.

Max sighs and senses we need to change the subject. Our mutual goal in that line of discussion was done. To make those leaders that might be having doubts about Jeanine be known and to plant more doubts. "Well, hopefully we can work with the council to get the plans back on track." Another double meaning that could be interrupted either way. Playing both sides for now is good.

I nod and take a sip of my scotch while the leaders begin discussing other mundane and safe matters. Some of them are the day to day running of things in Dauntless. I still listen carefully and contribute where I can.

When dinner is called we have to go in the order of faction and rank. As Eric's date, however it came about, I go with him second after Max. The senior leader, their dates, second in commands or junior leaders and their dates are all sitting at one table. This means I am sitting at the table with Jeanine and her husband.

I get confusion from Jeanine again because there are those flashes of pride from her mixed with sadness. Then she goes back to the looks of being smug or even her little subtle digs during dinner about my normal plain fare when I eat or little things like that.

I'm pleased that I stay calm but oddly enough Eric seems to tense up anytime she starts to go into one of those slights. I'm not sure if it is because of him hoping I don't snap, him wanting to snap or his own strong dislike of Abnegation in general.

During the dinner I listen to the senior leaders talk and I'm thankful that I'm not expected to join in unless asked a question. It gives me time to observe the other faction leaders and how they interact with Jeanine but also observe Eric and how he interacts with the others in general.

He certainly has little tells on who he would rather not interact with at all and those he can tolerate. His interactions with Jeanine leave me confused too. At times he displays almost thinly veiled anger or disgust for her. Others there is nothing. He shows nothing to her but blankness and maybe calculating.

By the end of the dinner I'm just internally begging for it to be over. The saving grace was Lise and Max really. They engaged me in conversation and kept me occupied as much as possible. Jack Kang spoke a bit with me and he was a tolerable Candor. The same could not be said for his second. That man is a toad and I could feel my muscles bunching as I was visualizing jumping over the table and punching his lights out.

Surprisingly what calmed me down was Eric laying his arm across my chair and lightly, almost as if it was an absent minded gesture, trailed his fingers along my shoulder. My eyes met his for a moment and I could see a bit of amusement at my reaction to the Candor toad. He masked it quickly but still kept up with the gesture.

Dinner was wrapping up and I was thankful that there wasn't any type dancing or need to stick around. I wanted to get back and get out of this dress. I really wanted to go back home instead of my Jeanine's but that wasn't happening.

"Ember it is was good to see you tonight. Again you look beautiful. We'll see each other again soon but until then take care." Max said with a smile but pointedly.

I smile at him and give Lise a return hug. "Thank you Max. I'll promise to try at least." I finish with a shrug.

He nods at me and turns to Eric as we are standing at the doors of the banquet room dinner had been in, ready to leave. "Eric, I'll see you tomorrow. Please make sure Ember is escorted home safely if she won't be leaving with her Aunt and Uncle."

Eric nods respectfully and his jaw is clenched though it is hard to tell if it is because he has to escort me home or he doesn't appreciate being told to do it. "Believe me sir I'll make sure she makes it back safe."

Max eyes flash a bit of smugness before he masks it and then the two turn to leave. I sigh internally and plan to examine later what either Max or Jeanine have to gain by trying to throw us together.

Jeanine finally makes her way over with a smile and I stiffen because I can read her calculating look. I know I'm not going to like whatever it is. "Ember dear I hope you enjoyed yourself?"

Mask in place I smile the expected way and nod. "Yes Aunt Jeanine. Thank you for arranging for me to attend. I enjoyed myself and being able to learn from the experience." I hated almost every fucking minute of it and I'm barely restraining myself from snapping on your ass.

She smiles brightly. "I am glad. You looked beautiful and the others could not stop complimenting my stunning and intelligent Niece. I hope you don't mind but your Uncle and I have been invited for some post dinner cocktails and to discuss some business. I am sure Eric wouldn't mind seeing you home. The night is young though and I am told that there are many hot spots you could go to that would be appropriate for a young woman to enjoy herself. I hear Voltaire's in Erudite Tower is excellent."

I had felt my back stiffen with almost every word she said and didn't think I was going to be able to respond without snapping. I was working to calm myself down when Eric stepped in.

"Thank you Jeanine, for the suggestion. I will make sure Ember get's home and if she would like I can escort her to your suggestion." His tone was even and almost bored. As if he planned on doing his duty and seeing me home but then go about his business.

She smiled at him but I could see she was upset by what his tone implied. "Then I will leave you two to your night."

She smiled to me and that wasn't upset looking. She patted my hand and then moved off.

Now that she was gone I released the breath I was holding and allowed my scowl to form. Eric started propelling me forward towards the lobby and with the hand that isn't around my waist, holding me to his side, he reaches into an inner pocket of his tux and pulls out his tablet phone. I can hear him calling for the car before we make it into the lobby and head to the doors.

I feel relief when we make it outside and I feel the wind and bite of the cool night air. I close my eyes and breathe out, trying to release the tension this whole night has brought.

I have so much I need to process and then talk over with my family. A shiver from the wind picking up around me has me opening my eyes again. When I do I see Eric frowning down at me. He drops his arm from my waist, shrugs out of his tux jacket and then puts it around my shoulders. My breath catches at the gesture and I'm left frowning at it too.

Why does he do these things? He makes it so hard to try and hate him or at least dislike him. I see his frown as if he doesn't quite know why he did it either but then his flash with pleasure. I am about to ask him what he is so damn pleased and smug about but the car pulls up. The driver comes around to open the door for us and Eric ushers me in on my side before going to his own.

I hear him tell him to go to Erudite Tower before he gets in. We waste no time in getting on the road. "Would you like to change before we go out?" Eric asks with a bit of a smirk and my eyes snap over to his.

I scowl and shake my head. "I wasn't aware we were going to be going out."

He shrugged with that smirk again. "Wouldn't want to disappoint your Aunt. I think it was a good suggestion but maybe not Voiltaire's. I don't really think that's your type of place. Damn sure isn't mine."

"I don't suppose me just saying I would rather not go out would work at all?" I mutter sarcastically.

"You'd be correct. Besides something tells me the less time you have to spend there the better." He smirks over at me with a quirked eyebrow challenging me to tell him otherwise.

I sigh, resigned. "So what manner of place are you taking me? I may or may not have anything suitable to wear. Jeanine...I mean Aunt Jeanine has kind of gone crazy but has also decided I wear pants way too often."

He shrugs but then gets a wicked grin. "I guess I will just have to take a look and see what we have to work with."

I don't even bother to repress the groan that bursts forth at that causing him to smirk even more. The ride to the tower is quiet after that. I do check my messages and see the Caleb messaged me from Emma's tablet phone. With a small smile I message them back and let them know I'm fine and will tell them everything tomorrow.

I can see Eric looking but trying not to look as if he was snooping. I guess he was satisfied that it wasn't anyone bad and lost interest in the message.

When we got to the tower I tried to take the jacket off of me but he just shook his head with that smirk and pulled me to his side tight. When we made it into the penthouse he took my hand and motioned me with his eyes to led on.

I gave a frustrated huff and took him to my bedroom. I couldn't help the blush that came over me as someone other than myself, Silvia or Jeanine was in this room.

I move to go over to the closet but am pulled up short by Eric. He turns me to face him with a frown on his face and his chest already heaving slightly and I know that we won't be leaving to go anywhere.

His hands move to push his jacket down my arms and I swallow as his eyes hold mine as he does so. "Tell me to stop Ember." He begs me as he brings me closer against his body.

I take a breath to do just that. To tell him that we should stop, need to stop. That I want to stop. Then one hand trails down the center of the plunging neckline and slips smoothly underneath the soft material of the dress to cup my breast.

All that escapes me is a moan of need and my eyes fill with desire and lust. "Eric."

"Gods I need you so bad Ember." His frown deepens even more as he whispers that and I see in his eyes he hates that he needs me that way. He also won't let it go, won't let me go if he has anything to say about it. "I looked for you."

I closed my eyes and I couldn't help the tear that escaped. "You weren't supposed to remember Eric. It would have been better…" He doesn't let me finish as he pulls me to him and holds my eyes as he scowls.

"Don't" He growls before he takes my lips in a kiss full of hurt at my words, anger at my being right and passion that we are both being pulled under with. During the kiss his hands worked to slip my dress from my shoulders, letting the topaz material fall like water to the floor at my feet.

He let me work his shirt and pants off after he kicked his shoes off. The whole time we kissed hungrily or alternated between kissing on each other necks or ears. When he was undressed to just his boxers he bent and scooped me up gently in a bridal style manner and laid me on my bed.

He pulled back to look at me and pulled my heels off the started to kiss along my body starting from my legs up, removing the barely there underwear and my stick on bra. All the while he kisses and sucks on me. He slides his hands and body against mine as he moves up to kiss me again.

He pulls back and we are both panting with need and something else neither of us can define. "If you tell me now you don't want me Ember, I'll walk away. I will fucking hate it but I'll walk away. But if you don't…." He swallows and holds my eyes. "You will be mine Ember. No one else's."

My heart feels like it will burst out of it's chest and I realize his is beating just as hard. I should tell him to stop but I won't. I realize I never had a chance in this. "What about you Eric?" The words come from my mouth before I even knew I was going to speak them and all in my own growl.

He shook his head and smirked at me. "No one else's."

My hands are pulling him to me in a kiss before I can register the amount of pleasure that sends through me. He growls his own approval as his tongue and mouth take over. Alternating between nibbling on my lower lip or sucking my tongue into his own mouth.

He only breaks the kiss to push his boxers down and then roll us so that he is on his back but propped up on my pillows. He brings me over him but doesn't let me take him in just yet. His hands stroke me as his mouth works on first one nipple then the other.

I'm close to a release as he starts to kiss up to my neck, still working his fingers in me but also stimulating my clit. "Come for me please baby." He pants against my neck before pulling back to look me in the eyes and pinching ever so slightly on that bundle of nerves.

I come undone from his attention and the need for me in his eyes. I clutch to him tightly, my eyes locked on his as I shatter. "Eric" I cry out and he closes his eyes in pleasure at my release and crying of his name.

"Ember" He whispers before he moves to guide me down on him. We both groan at the feeling of being joined again. It feels amazing and I wonder how I didn't notice how empty I felt without him there; without him beside me.

His hands move to the sides of my face as we kiss and rock against each other. It doesn't take us long to work a rhythm together that has us both groaning and nails raking down backs or digging into hips. He lets go first and just like that first time his whole body trembled underneath me with the force of his release.

"Ember" He cries as his head leans against my chest. My own release is no less powerful and I barely get a strangled sob in the shape of his name out as my whole body shakes and he has to hold me up to keep me from falling.

When we both catch our breath he doesn't even let me go or withdraw from me before he flips us over again so that I'm on my back. I can tell from the look in his eye he is hardly done.

He must read that I figured that out because he smirks. "We have almost four months to make up for Ember. We aren't going anywhere until the morning baby."

Desire radiates through me at those words because that also implies he really didn't have anyone else during that time. A thought hits me though and I frown. "Eric. Jeanine…"

He scoffs with a scowl, interrupting me. "I am pretty sure Jeanine had some kind of plans in regards to us. I don't really give a fuck Ember. Do you?"

I realize that I don't. I want to know her and Max's angle, but this was going to happen anyways. He doesn't wait for me to vocalize that before he reads it and takes my mouth in another kiss as he starts to move in me again.

Just like with our first time it alternates between fast and frenetic to slow and sensual. He does allow me to explore with my mouth this time and he does the same after we both took a shower together.

Finally our bodies are just not going to cooperate with anymore of his demands and he lets us curl up together in my bed. He forms a cage with his body around mine though, not trusting me even in his half sleep to not slip away. In the end it was him who slipped away, but not before he once more slipped inside of me to tell me he had to go and wake me at the same time.

When he left with a smile and a command that he would be messaging me, I was wearing his undershirt from that night and my own smile as I went back to sleep.

When I woke to my alarm and messages on my phone I blearily looked around as I stretched. I felt like a fool but I buried my head into the pillows next to me and inhaled his scent of the cologne he had worn and just the scent of Eric.

With a groan at realizing how sappy my actions were and not wanting to get up really, I moved slowly to remove myself from bed. My eyes took in my dress on the floor and I went to pick it up and my other articles of clothing only to realize that the dress and pasties were there, but the barely there underwear were not.

Trying not to be pleased about such a fucking Eric thing to do was hard. I rolled my eyes with a chuckle and went to hang the dress up to be taken to the cleaners or whatever they would do with it.

Taking my tablet with me to the bathroom I ran a bath and checked my messages.

Silvia and Jeanine wanted to meet for a brunch at 10 am and it was only 8 am. Silvia was forewarning me Jeanine would be taking me shopping for jewelry, or something about jewelry, because it was the only thing I could take with me when I transferred apparently. Also they wanted to have me play piano for them during the tea at brunch for a few people ladies that would be there.

I groaned at all of that with the exception that Emma and Silvia would be there. That meant that I would be expected to wear a dress appropriate for tea and brunch.

Emma messaged me and offered to come up and help me get ready and to walk down to meet with everyone so I gratefully agreed. I messaged my Uncle and let him know that everything with the dinner went well and the plans for today.

Eric had already messaged me. 'Remember Ember, no one else's. I will be seeing you again before Saturday.'- Eric

'I will remember Eric, as long as you do too.' - Ember

It surprised me at how fierce I felt about that and how much I meant it too. His reply was that he would be seeing me soon, which I didn't doubt.

Now that he knew where I was and who I was there was no way I could hide even if I wanted to. I don't doubt he looked for me. I wonder if he had tried to search for me by the credits card I had been using. I had gotten rid of it and the others I had created the next day. It wouldn't have helped anyways. I had used made up names for them. I wasn't that stupid that I would use our real names or bio signatures.

Some of the information would have traced to Candor, some to Amity and some to Erudite. I had scattered it all and routed and rerouted it so it would loop. He would have been pissed to say the least.

When my bath was full I put on music and stepped into it to soak. This tub is different than the one at home because it is Erudite teched out. It has cushions that soften and mold to the body for soaking while at the same time it has jets to work on different areas. I can admit I do really love the tub, but I love the home I have lived in more. It has and always will be about the people I am surrounded by rather than what there is material wise that will always make a place home for me.

I let the music and tub do it's job then get out when my alert for time lets me know it is time. I towel off and make sure to put lotion on since I might as well keep up with all the hard work and torture I went under yesterday. I have to cover a few places that Eric decided to leave his marks. Luckily they aren't right on my neck but if the dress I wear has any kind of neckline I will need that coverage. Jeanine really did put anything I might need here. My vanity was stocked with all kinds of makeup.

I searched for the kind I needed and found the airbrush foundation cover that would match and blend into my natural skin tone and I could use for those areas. Once I was done and had underthings I was ready for when Emma showed up. Jeanine had a housekeeper and cook that were here even when she wasn't. All Emma had to do was come to the door and they let her in.

She knocked before she entered and was smiling at me when she came in. "You're holding up better than we thought you might."

I laughed and nodded as I slipped in the same earrings from last night. I really did love them. "I am surprisingly. The dinner was as stuffy as ever but…" I stopped and smiled at the memory of just having Eric there "I managed." I finished with a smile.

She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "You are also looking like that cat that ate the cream. So spill."

I shook my head and laughed. "It's nothing. I got to reconnect with someone that I hadn't seen in awhile. They made the dinner more bearable and even tried to make sure to keep me occupied so I didn't have to deal that horrid Candor Toad Paul." I grimace at the reminder of the bullfrog faced man.

She let out a real laugh and shook her head. "Ok, I will accept that answer. We both know there is more but that is fine. Shall we find you something somewhat decent to wear?" Her hazel eyes sparkled with laughter.

"Please! Oh! You have to see what I had to wear last night." I pulled it out and saw her jaw drop.

"No!" She grimaced and I nodded.

"Yes. I almost felt like I looked cheap but I was reassured I didn't and it helped." I shrugged and her eyes turned a bit hard.

"You looked beautiful I am sure of it. You just don't like to show that much skin Ember and you don't need to. You are gorgeous no matter what you wear. I have to say I am shocked that she picked that out though. But you are a woman now and Erudite does look at things differently when a young woman is brought out formally to 'society'." She does the last part in air quotes and rolls her eyes.

I shake my head and chuckle ruefully. "So very Victorian. I guess I'm expected to act like I'm meeting the 'Ton' of London society?"

Emma laughed and shook her head. "Gods I love you. You know no one will get that when you go to Dauntless."

I shrug "I probably wouldn't reference it unless I know they did. Besides I'm sure there are some secret romance novel enthusiasts somewhere in Dauntless."

She smirks but doesn't say anything else. We both stand staring at the closet situation. We are both frowning. "She really wants you to show off your curves apparently."

I sigh and motion to the closet. "I told you she has lost her mind or something."

I start rifling through them and find something that is pretty decent. I hold it up to myself and Emma tilts her head but then smiles and nods. "That will work beautifully."

I smile and nod as I move to get dressed in the bathroom. The dress is navy blue and is a draped front dress that criss crosses over the breasts with only a slight v showing cleavage. The sleeves are capped and the back is only slightly scooped and not backless like a good amount of the dresses or tops in the closet. It flares out in it's chiffon fabric from the waist and goes to about just above the knee.

After I am dressed Emma comes in and helps me to put my hair up in a big side french braid up-do. I do the tasteful makeup and the mauve lipstick that compliments all the blue and my skin tone, slip on a pair of navy colored knotted slouchy ankle high boots with a modest heel. I throw my things in a nice brown leather clutch and then nod to Emma.

We head to brunch and I can tell when I enter from Silvia's face and even Jeanine's that the choices I made were exactly perfect for the occasion. There are several high ranking ladies from Erudite there as well as their of age daughters. It is almost like a mother/daughter brunch.

There are people to talk to but Emma does stick close and helps me not to want to tear the hair out of a few of the more stuck up bitches heads. I can only thank the gods I'm leaving.

A waiter passes me with a tray of mimosas and I snatch one off of the tray and move over to look out of the windows. Emma had been dragged off by her mother and I couldn't handle the posturing of the girls I was surrounded by.

"Surely it can't be that bad already Ember?" I hear the voice of Annalise from behind me and I know she is barely suppressing her laughter.

I turn around to face her and see she is alone, but she also dressed fairly similar to me just in the proper colors. I quirk an eyebrow at her and give a slight huff. "Trust me, this drink in my hand is preventing some faction incidents today. Or at the very least dependent violence." I look over to the group of dyed blonde plastic girls that are fake as shit in every aspect of their lives. I can't help the sneer on my face before I wipe it and sigh.

Lise smirks and nods. "I do not really miss these little get togethers one bit."

I tilt my head as if to say, well then why are you here. She links her arm with mine and we walk out of the french doors into the pristine and manicured garden that is also set up for mingling at for this shindig. She is laughing as we walk out into the chill noon air and bright sun. "Jeanine invited me last night when I mentioned that I missed you becoming a woman on us."

I sigh and smile. "I was just making the joke to Emma that I felt like I was coming out to the Ton of Victorian London."

She smirked and then laughed as we walked along the garden path. "That is so freaking accurate. Although usually there would be suitors lined up. But then again maybe that isn't far off either."

She side eyes me and I take a big gulp of my drink and then roll my eyes. "Yes I noticed. Don't think I didn't notice Max pushing either. What is the deal with either of those Lise?" I couldn't help the testiness of my voice.

She takes a drink of her own mimosa and thinks. "For Max and mine part we at first just wanted to make sure you were safe there. We also knew she would try and set you up with someone for the night Ember, we just didn't know who. Eric can be…..well you obviously got to know him yesterday so you know he can be abrasive but he has good qualities too. We couldn't help but notice how he looked and acted around you. Ember if he is truly on the fence about everything…."

She trails off and I frown then speak softly and lean closer to her. "You want me to try and sway him? It might not be possible. Believe me I have thought this through." My voice gets very sad at the thought. Knowing now how I'm falling for him, if I haven't already, it is going to kill me to have to see him as a target.

She squeezes my arm. "We will cross that bridge when we get there Ember. I get the feeling though there is more than what we saw between you two. Judging by your voice."

I only nod once but don't elaborate. She doesn't need it but gives her own nod. "On your Aunt's part, maybe she wants the same thing. You to be protected there. Eric is a very territorial guy in general but he has never been in a relationship. Never wanted one I believe. Maybe she thought if she could interest him enough in you, he would make sure you made it through initiation and no one would harm you."

I scowled and looked to her. "Why is everyone so sure she feels anything for me Lise? Is she capable of it?"

Lise looked at me sadly. "We can hope, but even ones you would think evil are capable of caring for someone in their lives. Think on it but don't let anyone's wishes cloud what you want and need Ember."

I sigh and nod as we both walk back into the brunch. We go to join Jeanine's circle where Lise is greeted and we all talk more before we take seats and eat a bit. It is apparently a mother/daughter type of brunch and I can't help but feel my throat become dry when mothers start to stand and give speeches about their of age daughters and welcoming them into womanhood. Each one is accompanied by a gift from their mother of some sort of jewelry they are passing down. Lise grabs my hand under the table as she can see me fighting heartbreak.

I'm shocked when Jeanine stands and looks down at me giving a true and genuine smile. Then she turned to the gathering of women and gave her customary poised smile.

"Today I have the honor of welcoming my niece Ember into the joys of womanhood. Today we celebrate all of the young women together and I am joyful that I could celebrate here along with you all. I can never take the place of your mother, Ember. But I hope that here today I can honor her too by stating what an extraordinary young woman you are. There is a quote that I found that I think fits you perfectly Ember. I hope that you can carry it with you and remember it in your hardest times."

She paused and let a small sad smile, a real sad smile, pass before it was gone and she raised her glass. "For Ember and all girls present. 'I have not ceased to be fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me. I have accepted fear as a part of life, specifically the fear of change and the fear of the unknown, and I have gone ahead despite the pounding in my heart that says: turn back.' [Eric Jong "The Writer on her Work"]. Let all our young women face their futures unafraid and ready to take charge."

With that toast we all drank. Inside my mind and heart was in turmoil. There were so many hidden meanings within that one quote. The woman was the master of saying a million things in one fucking sentence. Yes she might care a little but she also just gave me a warning, a request and encouragement...all in one thing. She can't make up her fucking mind?

She wasn't done though. "As is customary Ember I do have a gift for you. Two gifts actually. Normally a mother passes a piece of jewelry on to her daughter. Renee could not be here but I am sure she would wish you to have this. This is her ring that would have passed to you anyways today. Also is the necklace that I was given from our mother that is a match to the ring. My hope is that you will carry us both with you into your new life."

I know my breath hitched in my throat because I remember both of these pieces. I hadn't thought about her necklace in years but now that I think about it I remember something. The week that my mother and father died, this necklace that she always wore, she removed and placed beside my mothers ring. She let me look at them both once before she locked them in a safe. She had said I would see them again one day, then scooted me along. She had been so cold about everything else so far and her face had been no different that day.

Today though I see nervousness and sadness before she shutters it away and pastes on a smooth smile.

I can't speak but I smile at her, a genuine smile despite myself. I hold out the necklace for her in a gesture to ask if she will put it on for me. I see her surprise and then happiness flash as she comes around and hooks the necklace for before patting my shoulders almost gingerly. Like she doesn't know how to show affection and then she goes to sit back down.

I slip the ring on my finger and finger it while willing myself not to cry. The stone in both the necklace and ring was that of a deep red garnet. They were both antique and the garnet is in a baguette cut with tiny diamonds on the shoulders of the ring in bezel settings. The band has delicate engravings that were hand done in the white gold.

The necklace has the same size garnet in the same cut but is in the center of two delicate looking leaves shaped from the same white gold and one of the leaves is studded with tiny diamonds.

Silvia and Lise both offer me side hugs and sad smiles then admire both the necklace and ring on me.

Before I know it, a few of the girls are playing piano or other instruments as we all have moved into a room that has been set up to look just like and English music room during a recital for just this purpose. The only difference is that the husbands, families and others are allowed to attend for this part.

The chairs are all set up in an almost circular pattern to surround the instruments and I know I will be going up soon. Jeanine has moved over to sit next to a few other leaders and senior members. What surprises me though is when Lise, Emma and I are listening and talking; is I feel his presence.

I thought I was going crazy at first when I felt his eyes on me until Lise smiles in a way that I have only smile when Max is present. I follow her eyes and sure enough Max, Eric and Harrison are across the room speaking with Jeanine and a few other leaders. Eric's eyes almost bore into me and I can tell he both appreciates my appearance but also hates the blue of the dress too.

I don't blame him there at all. Soon Jeanine sits back down and the three men make their way over to us. I tear my eyes away from Eric, afraid I will give away too much and Emma has already been looking at me a bit knowingly. I never look at men how I was just looking at him.

"Max, you made it." Lise rises and he kisses his wife's cheek.

"I did. We have a meeting soon after anyways and since Jeanine left the invitation open for us to attend this part I thought why not." Max smiled and then motioned me to stand. I stood, blushing. He looked me over and smiled then gave me a hug. "You look beautiful Ember." He sees the necklace and the ring and exchanges sad smiles with Lise and then me. "Renee would have been so proud to present you with the ring herself Ember. It was very kind of Jeanine to also include the matching necklace."

I swallow and look down but nod. "It was….unexpected. Not unwelcome, but unexpected." I said lowly and my forehead was furrowed still a bit confused by it all.

Emma side hugged me then squeezed and I cleared my throat. "Thank you though. At least I carry a part of her with me now."

Lise and Max nod with smiles and I can see Eric looking like he wants to come to my side but can't. That is soon solved when we take our seats again and Lise of course maneuvers us so that he is sitting to one side of me.

Emma smiles at me as she knows it is getting close to both our turns to play. "So Ember, have you decided what you are going to perform?"

I sigh and frown a bit with my nose scrunched up. "I guess give me a Fez and some symbols and I will perform like a good little monkey." I mutter causing the Dauntless to bite their lips and try to refrain from laughing.

Even Eric's lips twitch and his fingers turn over to brush along my leg that is crossed and closest to him. Emma smirks at me but only because of the comment I made. "I think you should sing something. There have been a few other girls that have played more modern music and sang. You could play the piano and sing something. I know Silvia, Mom and I would love it. Also, I don't know if you know Ember, but Caleb is here. He is at the back but he was able to make it for this. I told him about it last night. You know he loves to hear you sing."

I frown and look over at her. "Did they teach you that in school Emma? Cause I don't remember that course for the life of me."

She starts to laugh quietly and shakes her head. "I'm almost afraid to ask what you're referring to. I'm lost, what did I learn in school?"

I scowl at her. "Emotional blackmail." I growl out and she smirks instantly.

"Not in school but, mother is the master of the guilt trip. It is in our DNA I guess." She shrugs.

"Well I guess that makes two of us that got messed up and otherwise useless inherited traits." She pats my shoulder and nods. I sigh and my shoulders slump. "Fine. I don't know what I will do though. Most likely something modern."

She perks up and smiles. Turning her head she looks back to where I assume Caleb is and gives a thumbs up. I groan causing everyone to laugh a little as we pretend to listen to a really bad rendition of 'I love My Love' By Holtz.

Soon Emma is up and she does a song from violin from a pre-war pop electronic artist named Lindsey Sterling. I can't help my smirk and smile at that. I also can't help the tingles that shoot up my hand as Eric crosses his arms over his chest and starts to run the fingers of the hand that is hidden from view along the bare skin of my arm. My shivers that I can't repress cause him to smirk.

He leans closer just a bit and whispers to me. "You do look beautiful. Blue doesn't suit you though. I can't wait to see you in the proper color, Ember."

I smile and turn my head slightly. "I can't wait to be in the proper color. Well, officially anyways."

His lips twitch before he closes that off again. "Your playing the piano last time cause a very unexpected reaction in me. I hope the same thing doesn't happen this time. I might not be able to control myself." His voice was a bare whisper that only I heard but I felt it radiate through me as if it was vibrating to my very core. I remember that moment and I had wondered later what had caused his reaction. I guess now I knew.

I had nothing to say so I just smiled at him and went back to listening to Emma.

When it was my turn I still had no idea what I was going to sing or play. Jeanine smiled at me softly as I took my seat at the piano but I was stuck on Eric watching me.

Something about him being there, last night and all the encounters we had so far as well as everything I was feeling in general; called up the song before I realized I had even chosen it. I took a deep breath and began to play. I closed my eyes and when I began to sing I couldn't help the small almost feral smile that crossed my face when I got to the parts about being a warrior, the sting the burn beneath my skin, and teach me to fight.

The song was aptly called warrior.

watch?v=Pa8iyHzHUSQ&list=PLTduiik_Leg3pGl175SGfALXIEjUQrjEC&index=90

[Warrior - Beth Crowley]

You fascinated me

Cloaked in shadow and secrecy

The beauty of a broken angel

I ventured carefully

Afraid of what you thought i'd be

But pretty soon I was entangled

You take me by the hand

I question who I am

Teach me how to fight

I'll show you how to win

You're my mortal flaw

And I'm your fatal sin

Let me feel sting

The pain

The burn

Under my skin

Put me to the test

I'll prove that I'm strong

Won't let myself believe

That what we feel is wrong

I finally see what

You knew was inside me

All along

That behind this soft exterior

Lies a warrior

My memory refused

To separate the lies from truth

And search the past

My mind created

I kept on pushing through

Standing resolute which you

In equal measure

Loved and hated

You take me by the hand

I'm seeing who I am

Teach me how to fight

I'll show you how to win

You're my mortal flaw

I'm your fatal sin

Let me feel the sting

The pain

The burn

Under my skin

Put me to the test

I'll prove that I'm strong

Won't let myself believe

That what we feel is wrong

I finally see what

You knew was inside of me

All along

That behind this soft exterior

Lies a warrior

Lies a warrior….

Teach me how to fight

I'll show you how to win

You're my mortal flaw

And I'm your fatal sin

Let me feel the sting

The pain

The burn

Under my skin

Put me to the test

I'll prove that I am strong

Won't let myself believe

That what we feel is wrong

You knew what was inside me

All along

That behind this soft exterior

Lies a warrior

The picture comes to life

Wake in the dead of night

Open my eyes

I must be dreaming

Clutch my pillow tight

Brace myself for the fight

I've heard that seeing

Is believing

During the song I would chance a glance at Eric at the parts that I knew were meant for him and could see he knew the same. He was struggling to mask the desire but also the worry at how accurate some of the words were.

When my eyes crossed Jeanine's I could see sadness again and worry as well. She quickly masked it and lost any emotion from her eyes other than the small hint of pride and her smile on her face.

When the song was over I got mixed applause but they seemed to follow her lead and she applauded firmly and proudly before she kissed my cheek as I moved to my seat again.

Eric didn't even hide his chair was closer. Or that his hand kept brushing mine until he just gave in and gripped it. I could tell when he got himself under some control because his body tension lessened slightly but he never let go of my hand.

I could see Max and Lise smile at this but Lise looked to me with a question in her eyes if I was ok with it. I gave her a small nod and smile. I was ok with it. I didn't know how this was going to affect things in training or what was going to happen but I had an idea we were going to have to be very careful.

After my performance I knew it was time to gather my things and head to Erudite Headquarters to meet my uncle. I looked to Eric and he caught my eye and frowned but nodded. "I'll take you." He said in a manner that would brook no arguments. I quietly said my goodbyes to Max, Lise, Emma and then Harrison and made my way over to do the same with Jeanine. She rose and gave a slight hug and nodded. She glanced to see Eric right behind me and her eyes flashed with pleasure at that.

"Ember, I would like you to take something from your closet to wear for the choosing ceremony. Anything else you would like to take as well from the room you are welcome to." She said calmly but the outfit was an order from her.

I repressed my anger and anything showing in my eyes. "Thank you Aunt Jeanine. I will."

She smiled and nodded. "I will be in touch before the end of the week and we can attend the ceremony together and get other arrangements or details worked out."

With a final nod and Eric's hand moving to my back we walked out. "I have to go to gather my things." I said quietly and he nodded with a slight smirk.

I frowned and looked at the time. I already knew what was going to happen when we got up there. As long as I didn't keep my uncle waiting.

Gods I was in so much trouble with Eric. We were both in trouble if we couldn't even go a day without getting physical. Training would be interesting for sure.