Hello! i hope everyone's week went well. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews, to be honest I thought people would hate the idea of Lucy as the villain, but so far it seems to be a well liked idea? Hope you enjoy this chapter, and have a good weekend ;)

much love


It felt like someone had ripped out her skeleton, every part of her wilted underneath the weight of the news. She couldn't make her self sit up straight or even shake her head.

"That's not right. It can't possibly be right," she rubbed her temples, "Are you sure there was no way she was under duress? Is anyone making her do this?"

Gajeel shook his head, his inky locks following studded brows knitted together tightly, his lips were pursed. She could see his mind going over each detail of the previous night, trying to remember if she seemed insincere. Gajeel was nothing if not thorough.

"Not as far as I can tell. she's been plannin' this, for who knows how long. That night at the ball, she said somethin' about changin' alliances. From our first night she wanted me to turn against you,"

She blinked back the tears that kept threatening to fall. She stared out the window, the sun was setting, they had entered Uline some hours ago and now the farms in the distance were blurring into the darkening skyline. Even at this distance seeing the lives that the people of Uline had built for themselves made her happy, it made her proud to be part of it. She had to fight for those farms, and the families that called them home. No matter who was threatening it, no matter who she had to fight in the end, it was her duty to protect them.

"Will you let Jet know that we're going to ride through the night? We need to get home as fast as possibly," her voice sounded defeated, she hated herself for it.

Gajeel leaned forward and spoke to the carriage driver for a few moments. She leaned her head back and allowed the tears that she had been fighting back to flow. As they flowed down her cheeks so too did her fears and trepidations. She reminded herself that if it was for the greater good she could do anything that was necessary. This was bigger than her, bigger than any of them.

She could feel her bones returning to her, each one falling back into place, strengthening her. When Gajeel turned back around her tears had been wiped away and she sat tall. Gajeel's jaw went slightly slack at her transformation, but recovered quickly and smiled with relief. He sat next to her watching her carefully.

"Get some sleep, yer gonna need it," he pointed out

The thought of sleeping after that made her laugh out loud, a dark heavy laugh,

"I'll sleep when I'm dead,"

Gajeel place a hand on her knee fixed his hard Crimson eyes on her, "It's all gonna be-"

"What Gajeel? It's all going to be okay? Somehow I doubt that," she snapped, "please try to spit out that lie. I need another good laugh," her voice was harsh, harhser than it should have ever been. She hated herself for that too.

He was silent, taking her sarcasm without retaliating, which surprised her. Shouldn't her say something? Force her to get some sleep and rest? Convince her that she wasn't inhuman? Instead he let a small "tch" before leaning back.

"Have it your way," his voice wasn't angry, it was just tired.

Levy studied him intently for the first time in over a week. He had heavy scruff on his face and his eyes looked about as tired as her's did. She reminded herself that he had put himself in harm's way last night, and she could see the fact that his gut had been right was wearing on him, he had wanted to be wrong about Lucy. Despite his ragged looks, his body was stiff and ready to leap to action should the need arise. His muscles coiled and his eyes skirted the landscape for anything that may threaten their safety, her safety. After everything he had done for her recently it was time for her to give back.

She reached out and touched his shoulder, "I can't sleep, but maybe you can," she patted her lap, "you can lay your head here, it may be more comfortable than leaning against the window,"

He was about to protest but she held up a hand, "This isn't a request Gajeel. You can't keep pushing yourself, I know you sleep even less than I do. Besides I can keep watch no one is going to take me by surprise like that again,"

Without a word he fell over onto her legs, he crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes, "Don't let me sleep for too long,"

"Shh,"

She tentatively laced her finger through his and began to drag her nails against his scalp gently, just like her mother used to, to soothe her to sleep. She had never touched his hair before, it was soft and thick, it was more like a lions mane than anything else. It took him less than two minutes to fall asleep. Levy should've been looking out the window watching for any movement in the blackness, instead she was transfixed with the man sleeping in her lap. She had never seen him look so peaceful, all of his pent up anger and tension melted away.

She wondered if he still held to his resentments about Metalicana's death, if he still blamed her. He said he knew it wasn't her fault but sometimes those things were hard to let go of. His action as of late had revealed his change, he seemed gentler somehow, committed to his oath, and more trusting of their new bond.

The longer she watched him the more she couldn't help but touch him. Cautiously, Levy traced the studs on his eyebrows and nose, letting her finger tips warm the cool metal. Her courage grew and she brushed his cheek with the back her hand, trailing down to his sharp jaw, she traced his lips with her thumb, they were soft beyond belief. The delicate skin was smooth and unbroken, the opposite of her's which had been chewed to shreds, and scattered with small scabs. The strangest urge to kiss him came over her. Just to feel the his softness, his warmth— she shook the thought away before it could fully form.

That was a path she strictly forbade herself to go down. There was a close bond between them that would tie them to together the rest of their lives but she could not let other feelings for grow, and risk pushing him away again. She refused to be so selfish. He was till adjusting his thinking about his duty to her, and he would never feel that way about her. His path would take him a different direction, to a different woman to whom he would choose his commitment. More than that there was too much happening, this wasn't the time for wrestling with love. She would have time for that later, she hoped.

She began to run her fingers rough his hair again and forced her thoughts to go elsewhere.

The morning sun was warm on her face when she woke, squinting against the bright rays reflecting off of freshly fallen snow. She flexed her hand expecting to feel silky strands of hair to her disappointment she felt only the suede of her cloak. She looked over to see Gajeel's arms folded across his chest, smirking in her direction.

"Mornin' shorty,"

They came to a stop in front of their home. A small greeting party already waiting for them. Levy stretched and hoped out after Gajeel, not waiting for him to offer her his hand. Before she could say hello to anyone a dark shape wrapped around her and the sharp distinctive smell of pine filled her nose, assuring her that she was indeed home at last.

"Lily," she hummed as she hugged her friend back with matching enthusiasm.

He held her back looking her over, "My queen, you've been gone too long,"

She chuckled, "It was just over a week,"

Then without another word she stared towards the main entrance eager to for the warmth and comfort awaiting her inside. She did not wait for the men behind her, they would come when they were ready. For now she just needed to be home.

Lily clasped Gajeel in a strong hug.

"Glad to see you're well Gajeel," he said happily before following Levy inside.

She paused in the main entrance appreciating the polished marble floors and painted ceiling more than she thought she ever had. It had only been a week but it felt like an eternity, several of the staff came to great her each offering pleasant hugs and compliments. By the last embrace Gajeel and Lily and made it to the foyer as well. Slowly everyone but the three of them dispersed, falling back into their mundane duties. The two men behind her waited patiently as Levy closed her eyes and breathed in her home. She could smell the rose water the maids used on their hands, and the juniper branches decorating the halls celebrating the start of winter. The bakers were making fresh bread, the hearty scent of yeast and flour was probably the most comforting scent by far, but it all felt like home, it all felt safe and familiar. At last she turned to Lily and Gajeel.

"Gather Erza and the rest of the council, we have a lot to discuss,"