Chapter 8

Levy was still reeling from Gajeels kiss as the Lucy and her fellow ladies led her back to the castle. Their chatter was completely lost on her. Now it was plain to everyone in the entire capitol what Gajeel's intentions were. Levy hadn't expected this in the slightest, that had been her first kiss and it had been in front of a screaming crowd and with a king. She hardly noticed where she was until she was being sat down on the window seat of her room and a cup was pressed into her hands.

"Drink you need it." Cana said wisely. Levy didn't pay attention to what was in the cup and drank deep. She coughed and sputtered as the alcohol burned down her throat.

"What was that for?" She finally got out after her coughing fit had stopped.

"Well it snapped you out of it, didn't it?" Cana said with a smile. The women started fawning over her talking about what dress she needed to wear for the ball tonight. Levy couldn't stop smiling, Gajeel had named her his Queen of Love and Beauty and kissed her for all the world to see. The ladies decided she should wear the dress she had worn to the coronation, seeing as then no one had been paying attention then now it would make a real statement. Lucy carefully removed the rose crown from her hair and set it aside so they could work it back into her hair later. They called for the servants to draw a bath for Levy. While she wasn't used to be pampered like this she was thankful for her friends. They were going to make sure that she looked stunning tonight.

Gajeel was standing in the ballroom chatting with Natsu and Laxus. He was still riding the high of his victory in the joust and the fact that he had finally kissed Levy. The iron circlet that now adorned his head was a bizarre feeling, the weight was still new, a constant reminder of his rise in power and station.

"I still can't believe you kissed her in front of everyone like that." Laxus said with a chuckle. Gajeel smirked at his friend.

"Live boldly, isn't that what your always saying?" He shot back.

"Well you certainly left her breathless I almost had to catch her after you rode off." Natsu said laughing. Just then a hush went through the crowd in the ballroom. The three men turned to see that it was Lucy, Levy, and the other Ladies entering the hall. Gajeel felt his breathe catch at the sight of Levy. Her hair had been pulled into a soft twist at the back of her head, the crown of black roses nestled amongst the waves. She was wearing the same dress as she had to his coronation, it was modest yet becoming on her. Levy looked like a deer caught by a pack of wolves, completely frozen. Gajeel moved quickly to his lady's aid. His lady he liked the sound of that. In a few easy strides Gajeel made his way across the room, he took Levy's hand in his and kissed the back of it.

"You look beautiful." He whispered so only she could hear him. She blushed at his words and Gajeel led her out into the middle of the dance floor.

"It's traditional for the champion of the joust and his queen to open the dance." Gajeel said in a low voice.

"I know." Levy whispered back feeling every eye in the room boring into her. Gajeel took her hand into his right and placed his left on the small of her back. He bit back a growl when he realized that her dress lacked a back. He smirked at her as the music began. Gajeel was a skilled dancer and led Levy across the floor with ease. He spun her twice then grabbed onto her waist and lifted her into the air spinning. Gajeel chuckled at her small gasp, other couples started to enter the dance floor. Gajeel caught a glimpse of his brother dancing with the Lady Kagura looking as close to smitten as Rogue could. Gajeel and Levy danced together all through the night stopping every now and then to catch their breath and grab a bite to eat or something to drink. He was in heaven, Gajeel didn't think this could have gone more perfectly. He looked up at the bells tolled midnight.

"Come with me." He whispered in Levy's ear and wrapping an arm around her waist guiding her from the hall.

"Where are we going, your majesty?" She asked a small giggle in her voice.

"Gajeel." He said firmly, she blinked up at him. "Call me Gajeel."

"Gajeel." She tried it out, it was the first time he had ever heard her speak his name. He walked her out into the gardens to stand next to the Black Iron Roses. Levy looked around, there wasn't anything different about the gardens. Then a massive explosion happened over head and fireworks lit the night sky. She gasped and smiled at the bright colors that exploded over head. Gajeel moved behind her wrapping his arms tightly around Levy. The fireworks came to an end with a massive explosion of red sparks.

"Oh Gajeel that was wonderful." Levy said turning and facing him her hands rested gently on his chest. She was all smiles. Gajeel kept a hand pressed firmly against her back while the other moved to cup her jaw. Levy felt the energy around them change from calm and relaxed to charged with tension.

"Levy." He whispered as he leaned down to capture her lips with his. Levy gasped, this was not the same as the chaste kiss he had given her at the tournament. It was full of passion and need. Levy moved her hands up to his neck and twisted her fingers into his dark hair. Gajeel nipped lightly at her low lip causing her to gasp, he took advantage of the situation and gently slipped his tongue past her lips. Levy felt a slight moan escape her as her tongue moved against Gajeel's, the hand on her back pressing her tighter against him. His other hand moved to the back of her neck deepening the kiss. Finally Levy had to pull away for need of air, she gasped as this didn't stop Gajeel instead he moved to kissing her along her jawline. She mewed happily at the sensation his lips reached her ear.

"Stay with me, Levy." He whispered to her his breath ghosting across her ear. She faltered being brought back down to earth from their intense kiss. Gajeel felt his heart soaring, this was it. "Stay in Feroustine with me." He whispered nuzzling her ear. She was going to say yes he was sure of it. Another month or two of courtship and he would ask for her hand, then they would marry and...

"I can't." The words hit him harder than any blow in his life. It felt like someone had just punched his heart out of his chest.

"What?" He asked pulling away from her, her eyes were down cast. Her hands had moved from his neck back to his chest and were gripping his shirt tightly. "Why not?" Gajeel grabbed onto her shoulders, "Levy tell me."

"Not right now at least." She whispered. "I swore a vow to King Igneel before we left that I would stay with Lucy throughout her pregnancy, to be there for her to the end." She still hadn't looked up at him. "So when Prince Natsu and Lucy decide to return home I have to go with them." Gajeel grabbed her chin between his thumb and forefinger forcing her to look at him. Her eyes were brimming with tears.

"Why are you crying." Gajeel asked, while it still felt like someone had ripped his heart out of chest he hated to see her cry. Levy blinked hard then buried her face in his chest. He wrapped his arm around her trying to comfort her.

"Because I want to stay." She mumbled into his chest. His heart swelled at the words, he squeezed his arms tighter around her.

"You have to go." He whispered, pressing a kiss into her hair. Levy looked up at him,

"What did you say?"
"You gave your word to Igneel. You have to fulfill your oath." Gajeel said running his hand along her cheek. "Just promise me one thing."

"Anything." Levy whispered.

"Promise me you'll come back to me. As soon as Natsu's brat is born you'll come back." Levy playfully smacked his chest.

"You're a king you should know better than to call a future Prince or Princess a brat." She scolded and Gajeel chuckled.

"Promise me." He whispered.

"I promise." Levy returned and he kissed her again more tenderly this time. She smiled up at him, and he returned it trying to memorize her in that moment, the curls coming loose around her crown of black iron roses, the blush of her cheeks, and the smile on her lips. He wanted to remember all of it.

Levy walked back to her room in a dream like state. The night had been bittersweet to say the least. But the smile would not leave her lips. Gajeel wanted her to stay with him, he cared seemed to care for her as much as she cared for him. Levy rounded the corner to her room not paying an ounce of attention and ran smack into someone at full stride.

"Oh I'm sorry." Levy said realizing who she had just run into. Princess Minerva.

"Ah just the person I was looking for." Minerva purred, there was something dark glinting behind her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, your highness." Levy said with a curtsy. Minerva placed her long slender finger under Levy's chin forcing her to look.

"You are pretty," She purred, "for a little nobody that is." Levy shook her head removing Minerva's finger.

"Forgive me, your highness. I should be going." Levy said moving past the princess.

"You don't have a chance you know." Minerva called over her shoulder. Levy halted.

"What do you mean?" She asked softly. Minerva smirked.

"You're pretty enough for a mistress. But, not a wife." Minerva turned facing her arms crossed under her chest. "You bring nothing to a marriage alliance. A small spit of land, please. While I bring an entire Kingdom." She scoffed closing the distance between Levy and herself. She grabbed Levy's face between her thumb and forefinger. "Did he ask you to stay? To be his little woman?" Levy's eyes went wide. "You're nothing. A distraction a best." Levu pulled away from Minerva her whos smirk widened. "You know I'm right." The princess turned and began walking down the hall in a swirl of purple silk.

"You're wrong." Levy said firmly. Minerva came to a halt.

"What did you say?" The growl in her voice was unmistakable.

"You're Wrong." Levy said more loudly. "Gajeel cares for me and I for him. You're wrong about him. And you just see him for his crown you don't care about him at all." Levy said defiantly, Minerva's eyes flickered for a moment but only a moment. Then her smirk returned and she swept down the hall leaving Levy standing firm behind her.

Gajeel spent the better part of the morning in court receiving oaths of fealty from his lords and gifts from ambassadors. It was dull affair. Gajeel handled the morning with as much grace as would be expected. He was still nursing a mild hangover and the rejection from Levy. Not that it had been a true rejection but it still stung, finally the last oath was sworn and Gajeel was free for the remainder of the day. As he headed out the kings door a servant approached him.

"Your majesty, the Princess Minerva has requested an audience with you." He said formally. "She is waiting for you in her chambers." Gajeel rolled his eyes, but headed towards the princesses chambers in the south wing of the castle. He knocked politely and a voice from within bid him enter. When he opened the door to her rooms his jaw about hit the floor. Minerva was standing in the center of the room naked as the day she was born with several artists around her sketching. Gajeel cleared his throat loudly. The artists looked up at their king and quickly scrambled into bows.

"I think that will be all for today, gentlemen." Minerva said as she pulled on a heavy velvet robe. "Will you give the king some privacy." She layed out on the sofa the heavy robe revealing far to much cleavage and leg to be considered appropriate. The artists quickly gather up their paper and charcoal and skurried from the room.

"You are a bold Princess I must say." Gajeel said once the artists were gone.

"The female body is a beautiful thing why not share it." Minerva said through heavy lidded eyes. "You know Gajeel, I'm usually very good at reading people but you surprise me." It didn't escape Gajeel's, notice that she referred to him by his name.

"How is that Princess?" He asked cooly, if she planned on seducing him it wasn't going to work.

"I didn't take you to be cruel." She smirked darkly. "But, you are very cruel."

"What do you mean." Gajeel said moving closer to her, eyes narrowed.

"That little Lady nobody." Minerva purred. "She thinks you'll make her your wife. But, don't worry, Gajeel, I set her straight." Gajeel closed the distance between them grabbing her wrist firmly in his large hand.

"What did you say to her?" Gajeel growled, he would not tolerate Minerva toying with Levy.

"That she would be your mistress at best. You need someone stronger to be your queen, a real woman." Minerva said getting to her feet running her hand down his jaw. Gajeel slapped her hand away.
"You had no place to speak to her." Gajeel growled clenching his hand harder around her wrist.

"Oh you're really in love with her aren't you?" Minerva giggled. "Fine keep her as a mistress I don't care but you will marry me." Gajeel eyes darkened. No one gave him orders.

"Never," He let go of her wrist. "You will leave my kingdom at once. If I ever see you here again, gods help you." Gajeel kept his eyes firm on Minerva's.

"Oh so much fire." Minerva said, running her hands up his chest. "I like that." Gajeel shoved her away, causing Minerva to fall back onto the sofa. She sat scowling up at him.

"Never speak to Lady McGarden again and get out of my castle." He growled once more.

"You may love her," Minerva growled back, "but after what I said to her last night she'll never believe you." Gajeel grabbed the door handle so hard he bent it.

"Get out." He growled once more and slammed the door behind him. 'Levy I need to explain.' He thought has he took off running. Halfway to her rooms Gajeel ran straight into Natsu.

"Wooh where's the fire?" The Fire prince asked.

"Where's Levy?" Gajeel asked.

"So informal, metal head?" Natsu teased. "I didn't realize you were that close."

"Just shut up and tell me where she is." Gajeel growled, Natsu could see the seriousness in his friends eyes.

"She's in her room. Said she had a new book she wanted to read." Natsu answered with genuine concern. "Gajeel, what happened?" But, Gajeel didn't answer he just took off down the hall towards her room. Gajeel burst into her room not waiting to knock or be given invitation.
"Levy!" He called, she was curled up in the window seat a massive book perched on her knees.

"Your majesty!" Levy squeaked startled, the book slipped from her knees as she hurriedly stood and curtsied.

"Don't. Don't do that." Gajeel said crossing the room. "Tell me what she said to you." Levy blinked up at him surprised.

"Who, your majesty?" She asked innocently.

"Stop with the formalities and I mean Minerva! What did she say to you?" Gajeel yelled grabbing her shoulders. Levy didn't recoil she stood firm.

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with." Levy said with a small smile.

"But she said," Gajeel started but Levy placed a finger against his lips.

"What she said doesn't matter." Levy said with a smile.

"But she," Levy much to Gajeel surprise rose up on her toes and kissed him.
"I don't believe her. I don't care what anyone else says." Levy whispered. "I'll take you as long as I can have you, Gajeel." His name slipped her lips like a prayer. How did he get so lucky to find such a trusting, beautiful, faithful, brilliant woman. 'I don't deserve her.' Gajeel thought as he kissed Levy again and again. His fingers twisted into her sky blue hair as he deepened the kiss. Levy let out a small moan as Gajeel pressed his body firmly against hers. Levy pulled away from him needing to breathe.

"I promise I'll never doubt you." She said smiling up at him. Gajeel smirked back at her.

"And I'll never give you a reason to."

Minerva left the capitol the next day, Sting remained to spend more time with Rouge. Natsu and Lucy decided to stay for a week after the festivities had ended before they would return home. To Gajeel and Levy that week felt like a day. And all to soon Gajeel met Levy for one final time in the gardens.

"I had a gift made for you." Gajeel said to Levy as they stood together in front of their roses. The sun high in the sky shining brightly on the two of them.

"Really?" Levy asked wide eyed, a gift was the last thing she expected.

"Close your eyes." Gajeel whispered in her ear. Levy obayed closing her eyes, Gajeel placed the pendant around her neck. Levy opened her eyes and looked down. A heavy iron pendant hanging between her breasts. She picked it up admiring the beautiful craftsmanship, beautifully wrought in intricate detail. Levy noticed it was actually a locket and not just a pendant. When Levy opened it she saw a miniature portrait of Gajeel inside. "This way I can be close to your heart even when we're apart." Gajeel said running his hand down her cheek.

"I wish I had a gift for you." Levy said as she closed the pendant. Gajeel smirked and pulled the ribbon from her hair.

"This will be enough." He whispered as he put the ribbon in his pocket. "May I kiss you, my lady."

"Why so formal Gajeel?" Levy said with a playful look in her eyes. She had learned Gajeel was a man who took what he wanted, which included her kiss. He smirked at her and kissed her forcefully. Levy sighed and melted into his kiss, she would miss him. Lucy wasn't due for another four months so, Levy would stay with her until the baby was born. A painfully long four months awaited the two of them, but Levy believed they would be strong enough to endure it. Levy pulled away from the kiss knowing time was growing short.

"We are leaving soon." Levy whispered against his lips. "I need to get going." Gajeel growled taking her lips again, he was selfish. He kissed her breathless only then did her let her go, albeit reluctantly.

"Go." He whispered, it took all of his strength to let her go. Levy pulled out of his arms and headed back towards the castle.

The goodbyes were soon said and Gajeel watched from the North tower as Natsu, Lucy and Levy rumbled away inside the carriage along the Dragon Road. He hated to see them go, he wanted to tell his guards to stop them, to race to Levy to throw her over his shoulder take her back into his castle and never let her go. But, she had an oath to fulfill and he would not prevent that.

It took them two week to return to the capitol of Findrum. Natus had been miserable the entire trip home, refusing to ride a horse so he could stay with Lucy in the carriage. He didn't want to be away from Lucy no matter how much pain it caused him. The baby was becoming more active, kicking and moving almost constantly. Levy stayed awake most nights with Lucy to keep her company. A fortnight of sleepless nights had left both women completely frayed. There were dark bags under both their eyes by the time they made it back to the castle. The princess was quickly ushered up to her rooms with Levy dutifully in toe.

"I blame you for this." Lucy growled at Natsu as he helped her into bed, pulling the heavy comforter over her and tucking her in carefully. It was all Levy could do to keep her eyes open, in the last week alone she had gotten only seven hours of sleep and exhaustion had taken its toll. "This child has its fathers strength." Lucy mumbled sleepily, Natsu kissed her forehead then her stomach rubbing his nose against her belly and more importantly his baby.

"Sleep little one, your mama needs some rest." He whispered to his child, wanting to give his beloved wife some much needed rest. Levy was leaning heavily against the wall almost falling asleep on her feet. Lucy on the other hand was asleep in seconds, Natsu gave her a quick kiss goodnight before turning to the other exhausted woman. Levy fought to keep her eyes open, she still needed to get back to her room.

"Come one, Levy you need sleep too." Natsu said picking her up with ease. She was too groggy to care or worry about the way the situation looked. She nuzzled her face into Natsu's neck not truly aware of what she was doing. At any other time the gesture would have mortified her.

"Gajeel." She whispered as sleep pulled at her, tugging her into dreams sented by metallic roses. Levy thought she was in Gajeel's arms but his smell was wrong, not iron but ashe. She was already missing him, longing for his arms.

Two months had passed since Levy had left him. Gajeel had grown more grouchy than normal, Levy sent him letters but it wasn't enough. They were formal talking about the politics of Igneel's of court and how Lucy was doing with words of devotion sprinkled in as well. He missed having her around him her presence soothed him. The ribbon he had taken from her hair still held her scent but it was starting to turn stale. He spent more time in the training yard it helped him work off his frustration. Gajeel had taken more time to help Wendy in her training and she was progressing amazingly. Wendy let out a massive roar, ripping through the dumpys that had been set up in the yard. She smiled eagerly up at Gajeel.

"Good job, kid." He said ruffling her dark blue hair. "Wendy, there's something I need to talk to you about." Wendy looked up at him surprised, she knew the tone he was using. It was to tone of court, of King Gajeel.

"What's on your mind, big brother?" Wendy asked innocently.

"I was thinking it would be a good idea if you went and trained with Grandmother for a time." Gajeel posed. Wendy's chocolate brown eyes widened as she stared up at her eldest brother.

"I want to stay here with you and Rogue." Wendy said hugging him tightly around the middle. Gajeel suppressed the smile on his lips. The God's knew how much he loved Wendy and he would never do anything to upset her. Gajeel ruffled her hair.

"Alright fine you don't have to go. But, you should write to Grandmother to see if she has any new spells for you to learn." He said with a smile. Wendy pulled away from him smiling broadly, ever since their shared illness the two had been near inseparable.

"Plus I want to be here when you and Levy get married." Gajeel chuckled, Wendy had been obsessed with the notion of a wedding recently and he couldn't blame her.

"I have to go get ready for a meeting. Why don't you keep practicing." Wendy nodded and went back to trying out her roar. The council had finally relented on his choice of queen and life had gone back into it's usually pattern. Gajeel went to bed early that night since he had a dawn meeting with the blacksmith guild the next day. He had officially moved into the king's apartments and while it had been strange and first Gajeel had grown accustomed to it. He closed his eyes as he settled down for the night pulling the white silk ribbon from his bed stand, pressed it to his nose and breathed deeply. Her smell was fading and it bothered Gajeel to no end. He hoped he would dream of Levy again that night. He did in fact dream about her almost every night, sometimes they were chaste and sweet dreams other times not so much. Sleep took Gajeel with ease, he dreamed he and Levy were in the gardens together. He kissed her like he had the night of the ball, it was the night of the ball in his dream. And, he asked the question again but this time she said yes. He picked her up spinning her around with joy. Gajeel had found his queen. A deep chuckle woke Gajeel abruptly. His hand flew to the dirk on his bed stand ripping it from the sheath.

"Who's there?" He called into the dark room. Gajeel could see that no one was there.

"The little King has lost his queen. The lady's flown the coop to find a better place to roost." The voice mocked in a sing song pattern. Gajeel got out of bed and began moving around the room quietly. "To bad for me I wished to hear her sing. But she's gone on the wing. To bad so sad I must find a new play thing." Gajeel moved to the bookcase and opened the secret passages ready to attack. The door swung open but nothing lurked in the passage. The voice laughed again. "There's more than one treasure more than one to have my pleasure. Oh there is another just as dear to the little king and I shall make her sing." The voice stopped cold fear ran like ice down Gajeel's back. 'Wendy!' he realized.

"Guards!" He screamed bolting for the door grabbing his sword on the way. He almost ripped the door of it hinges he opened it so hard. The guards were running down the halls. "My King what is it?" Lily asked at the front of the group.

"Get to Wendy now there's..." Gajeel didn't finish his sentence. They all heard Wendy screaming. "Wendy!" Gajeel took off in a flash running as fast as he legs could carry him. He burst into his sister's room. It looked completely destroyed, Wendy was in her bed sobbing. Gajeel dropped his sword and ran over to her.

"Wendy are you alright?" He asked he grabbed her shoulders, Gajeel couldn't smell any blood which gave him a tiny amount of relief.

"Gajeel." Wendy sobbed throwing herself into his chest. Wrapping her small arms around his waist. Gajeel gently ran his hand along the back of her head. He held her close, glad that she was safe.

"You're safe. It's okay you're safe." Gajeel whispered soothingly. Rogue came bursting into the room at that moment.

"What happened?" Rogue asked seeing his brother and sister holding each other.

"There was a man," Wendy choked out between her sobs. "He was...here...he had...a knife." She shivered and buried her face in Gajeel's chest. Rogue sat down next to them and gently rubbed Wendy's back.

"What happened can you tell us?" Gajeel asked softly. Wendy nodded, she had started to relax now that her brothers were there.

"I woke up and saw him. I was so scared but I used my roar." Wendy looked between her brothers. "He jumped out the window. I think it scared him off." Gajeel patted her on the head,

"You did good, kid." He said giving her a reassuring smile. "Rogue stay with her." Gajeel said as he removed Wendy from him, gave her a kiss on her head and went to deal with this intruder, Gajeel made sure to grab his sword on the way out. Lily was waiting in the hall along with a dozen guards.

"I've sent men to search the castle grounds." Lily informed him.

"Good, I want the castle guard doubled, two guards are to stay with my brother and sister each at all times, patrols every thirty minutes and I don't want even a mouse getting in this castle without knowing about it." He growled, the guards bowed. "Lily come with me." Gajeel headed back to his own apartments.
"I heard a voice before Wendy was attacked." Gajeel told Lily, "I searched the room while it spoke to me but I didn't find anything." They walked into his rooms and began to search. They found nothing save a small pile of shredded paper. But, it gave them no answers. Gajeel went to his desk and pulled out paper and quill. He needed to write to Levy, the voice had threatened her as well. He wrote quickly then summoned one of the guard. Gajeel sealed the letter with the royal seal.

"Ride to Findrum with all haste." He told the guard. "You are to give this letter to the Lady McGarden. Give it to her and her alone, not a servant not another Lady, you are the place it in her hands alone." Gajeel handed the guard the letter.

"As you command, my king." The guard said taking the letter and leaving. Lily was still in his battle form arms crossed over his chest.

"What is it, Lily?" Gajeel asked as he finally sheathed his sword.

"It's strange, why attack now." Lily said, "What is there to gain?" Gajeel's fist clenched on his desk.

"Why did they kill my father." Gajeel growled.

"You think these are the same people as the ones that killed your father?" Lily asked moving closer to Gajeel.

"I'm sure of it."