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Don't own Grimm. Don't own Renard, no one does, would like to, though.
Chapter 14
Sitting in Nick's living room, Victoria knew what was coming. Nick had told Victoria, that Juliette was wary of his actions before the poisoning. Burkhardt had told her about spilling everything to Juliette. He had said that Juliette hadn't believed him. His love had worried that his mind was going. Nick had even taken her to Monroe's to try to convince her.
The knowledge of the true nature of the world could be hard on human minds. It was just too much for some to accept, that the fairy tale stories were based on reality. People could understand how others could hide their true feelings. For a human to see a physical manifestation, that's something else. Now was the make or break moment for Nick and Juliette's relationship. Either Juliette would accept the life Nick lead or be gone forever.
Victoria had observed Juliette very little, in her time in Portland. She didn't know if young woman could handle the truth. As the beloved of a cop, she must have known that Nick's life could be in danger at any moment. There were way too many officers, who lost their lives in the line of duty. They stopped someone, for a minor offence, and were killed for it. Suspicion in and of itself can doom even the best of relationships. It was a cancer to love, allowing uncertainty to replace experience. But, truth is a double edged sword, the bigger the truth, the more it could cut. It could bind them or undo them. Hoping for Nick's happiness, all she could do is sit and wait and hope for the best.
Nick sat at Juliette's side. Looking into her eyes, he took a deep breath. He would have preferred to keep this conversation to a better time. There was too much danger in the immediate future not to be truthful.
"Do you remember being at Monroe's before you collapse?"
"Yes," Juliette said, her eyes getting big with concern and fright. "You were talking about monsters and Grimms. You were trying to convince me that imaginary things were real."
"I know that it all seems fantastical. Hell, if someone tried to convince me I wouldn't believe it either. It is the truth though. I'm not sure where to begin thought," he said. His pleading eyes turned to Victoria for help.
"Juliette," Victoria said from her chair. "The world is much more complex that most people think. There are four different types in this world, Grimm, Wessen, Humans and Royals.
Nick is a Grimm. They traditionally have been order keepers. They have the ability to see Wessen for what they truly are. Like Nick most are strong, smart. Able warriors, it is an inherited position. The story tellers that you know were just many in a long line. I will admit that there have been many who abused their position."
Victoria could see the fear rising in Juliette's eyes; but, the crux had to be dealt with.
"Nick isn't a murderer." Juliette said her voice small.
Smiling Victoria said, "No, he is not. The rising, of his abilities to see the Wessen, hasn't changed who he is. His nature as cop caries into his work as a Grimm, he is still the same.
Humans as you are do not usually see Wessen. Only a few even have a sense that something is different about others.
Wessen are dual nature creatures. Their regular form is human. Their inner form varies. That inner form is usually suppressed. They can if they choose or they are under stress be seen, by regular humans for what they are. There are many different kinds of Wessen. Rosalie is a Fuchsbau," Victoria said gesturing to where she sat across from them. "Fuchsbau have a cat-like visage. Monroe, is a blutbad, they have a wolf-like inner self."
Victoria looked at them, and after getting a nod from both, her gaze returned to Juliette. "They will show you who they are. Do not be frightened. You are in no danger here."
After a nod from Victoria, Monroe and Rosalie morphed into their true selves. Victoria, who was gazing intently at Juliette, watched the emotions play across Juliette's. Surprise then doubt, then curiosity washed across her. 'This is good,' Victoria thought. 'She's giving it a chance.' Looking at Monroe Victoria could tell that he was at ease.
"Is it alright if she touches you, Monroe?"
"Yes," he said with a slight lisp around his fangs. "I am not enraged, she may advance."
Juliette rose tentatively from her seat and walked toward Monroe. She wasn't sure she wanted to believe. Touching him would make it real, would make it all real. An inner part of her wanted to run. 'Escape!' it screamed. Danger goes with knowledge. It wanted to make her turn on nick. To accuse him of making a terrible, elaborate joke on her. Her head demanded that she scream that he was insane and surrounded by the insane.
Her heart was talking louder. It asked if she trusted Nick. Did she trust him not to do things to hurt her, not to make cruel jokes at her expense? 'Yes,' she thought. 'I've always trusted him.'
She reached her hand out and touched the fur on Monroe's face. It was course, like the pelt of a short haired dog. It had a nap. He even smelled of dog now. With her touch all of the fascination and wonder of life that had drawn her to veterinary medicine, flowed through her.
"It's all real," she said, tears streaming down her face as she turned back to
Victoria and Nick. "I feel like Alice through the glass."
"It is quite a jolt to find that things are truly different from what it seemed. It is like finding out that the earth is round, when you were certain, in your heart and soul that it was flat yesterday." Victoria replied, with gentle pleasure. "There are so many kinds of Wessen; I don't think that anyone has met them all. Not all are as amiable as Monroe and Rosalie; but some truths have to be seen up close."
Juliette returned to Nick's side. As she placed her small hand in his, she asked, "What are royals?"
"Royals," Nick said, "are descended from royal families around the world. They are the political element. They make laws that Wessen have to live by, that the Grimm enforce. Royals can also be instigators in political struggles amongst humans. But, they are protectors, leaders.
This is Victoria," he said introducing her to Juliette. "She is married to Sean Renard. She is a Royal. Mrs. Renard is a special kind of Royal called an Angelican. They have an enhanced ability to influence others."
"But, wait, back up a minute… You said Sean Renard. I know him… He's the police captain." Juliette said incredulously. "He's a prince? You're a…"
"Princess Victoria Andrea Elizabeth Renard, at your service, it is wonderful to meet you. Nick means so much to my husband and I."
"They are Prince and Princess of this protectorate. Yes," Nick replied. "But unlike some royals he wants peace in his protectorate."
"Should I curtsey?" Juliette said, nervously.
"That's only necessary if you think it is." Victoria said. "I like my husband, do not need overt gestures. I know you are concerned about the heavy handed tactics that are often used by people in power. But, like Nick said, we are more concerned that there is peace and order here. The Prince and I have no desire for slaughter or persecution. We are committed to all obeying the law, Wessen or Human. I will be quite honest my husband is not a man to be trifled with; but, he is not a tyrant. Neither one of us are interested in chaos. We are willing to defend what we have; but, to be honest; most of the threats come from outside the protectorate."
"We are much more than that. Sean and I are both Angelicans," Victoria said rising to her feet. She stepped to the side so she would have room and faced them all. "I have only two people have seen my true nature, Sean and my father. "
The princess raised her arms. A slight glow emanated from her form. It pulsed out from her body and seemed to stick to the exterior surfaces of the room.
"That is so that the power I'm going to show you can't be seen outside the house. And since Sean will be able to tell that I've done this." Victoria handed her cell to Monroe, who along with Rosalie had morphed back to a human form.
Victoria turned around and faced away from them. She removed her jacket and blouse. Holding her jacket to her chest she turned back. Closing her eyes the Princess relaxed all of her muscles and let her true nature rise to the surface. Her deep blue eyes adjusted to gold, hair transformed from its regular raven to white and the skin of her body took on an opalescent hue. But, the thing that really made an impact is the feathery wings that grew from her back. She opened her eyes to look at them she could see the awe in their faces as her great wings reached their full extension. Ten feet across her they made her look every bit that the name Angelican implied.
"Wow!" Monroe said. "You are most amazing thing I've ever seen."
"Thank you. I am nothing compared to Sean." Victoria said, in a voice that now had a deeply ancient quality. "If truth of Wessen can damage a lot of minds, seeing a being like me can inspire to greatness. It can also encourage rashness."
"Are you divine?" Juliette asked, nervously.
"No more or less than you are," Victoria responded, folding her wings in as her body amended back to its ordinary form. Redressing as the metamorphosis was complete, she looked unchanged; although the cut she had gotten from the Geminee's sword was gone. Just as she turned back around her cell phone rang, it was Sean.
Later
Juliette sat on the bed. She felt both relieved and not. She was glad that Nick wasn't crazy. Juliette understood now the appliance repairman's initial reaction to Nick, about he was a beaver-like creature, called an Eisbiber. Monroe and Rosalie explained the traditional fear most Wessen had about Grimms.
Juliette knew that police work was dangerous. Like most women involved with cops she understood the fear, of him leaving in the morning and not seeing him again alive. 'Didn't he have enough danger in his life?' she thought. Someone had invaded their home and tried to kill him. She had even asked Victoria why it had to be Nick, as the Grimm. She was deflated a little when the Princess told her it was an inheritance.
But, Juliette was glad that Nick had people around him that could help. The feeling that she got from Victoria was that there was a deep connection between Nick, Captain Renard and his wife. She was glad he had someone to watch over him. Juliette took to heart Victoria's words, when she said that they would deal with the dangers as they come and revel in the peace when they can.
Juliette heard a light tap against the doorframe, which brought her out of her thoughts. Nick was standing there. She could see both happiness and wariness in his eyes. He was glad she finally remembered him, so was she. But, he didn't want to press things. She thought that maybe she should take the more aggressive part.
Juliette rose from the bed and went to him. Slowly she put her hand on his handsome face. His eyes closed and his face relaxed. He did not move; but, Nick looked like he had found heaven in her touch. Slowly sweetly she kissed his lips, then his cheek. Juliet could feel the slight scratchiness of his stubble graze her face when she went to nibble on his ear. The fabric of his flannel shirt was smooth against her fingers as she undid the buttons. Juliette could hear his breath deepen as she moved her mouth to his. Her deep kisses were met and reciprocated but still he didn't move. She took his hand and led him to the bed. Laying him down on his back, she removed the rest of his clothes. Juliette could see his hands wanted to participate, they were flexing and relaxing; but, she told him just to lie still. She would take care of everything. As she gently kissed her way down his chest, Juliette was careful with his injuries. By the time he made his entrance, Nick needed no reassurances that this was what she wanted.