"Hey!" Erik lashed out, using the metal in belt buckles and swords to push his attackers back. His eyes darted around to see that the gypsy camp seemed to have been completely ransacked, the rest of the men all struggling against the palace guards.

It looked like that fight was already mostly over though.

Distracted, he didn't see the dart until it was too late, feeling the sharp prick, before everything went dark.

"They've worn out their welcome." He heard a familiar voice stated, "Make sure they're never found."

…

Erik next came to, just as something large and heavy was tied to his legs and he was thrown from the docks, into the freezing water of the coastline.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

His mouth was gagged, and his hands were tied behind his back, seeing other people being dropped into the sea with him.

Remy.

Logan.

Jean-Luc.

No sign of Azazel anywhere, which Erik took to be a small blessing. He looked over to see Jean-Luc struggling to reach his son as Remy started to lose consciousness. Beside them, Logan didn't appear to have anything weighing him down, and yet, was sinking all the same.

Like a rock.

Probably something to do with the metal inside him.

He saw the red-skinned figure just before his vision went dark.

…

"Damn useful you." Jean Luc panted as they lay on the bank, "If you ever want to travel the world, let me know. You can travel with us anytime that you want."

Azazel nodded in thanks, watching Jean Luc rub at his son's Remy's back, as Erik spewed water all the muddy ground, Logan grumbling by his side.

"So… attempted assassination." Jean Luc smirked, "Remy, get your dress on. We're having a word with a certain king."

….

"I've seen you so happy before."

Charles shrugged, humming slightly under his breath as he stared up at the ceiling, Raven seated beside him, "I don't think I've been so happy before… not since I met you anyway."

"Good answer." Raven teased, "So… what's the plan?"

"The plan?"

"You know…for getting your way, marrying Erik and still becoming King? Mind trick the entire kingdom?"

He frowned at her, "You know what I think about the ethics of that."

She rolled her eyes, opening her mouth to answer, only for the bedroom door to start to open, revealing King Kurt standing there.

"Your Highness." Charles straightened up stiffly, "What can I do for you?"

"I'm fed up with you." The King stated, "I'm fed up with you standing in the way of Cain all the time. I am King, it is MY son who will take the throne after me, not you."

"You are a member of the Royal family by marriage, not blood." Charles snapped back, "Your son has no rights to the throne once you are dead and gone. Besides, I plan to get married in accordance with the law, and ten there will be nothing that you can do."

"Oh?" King Kurt smirked, "To that gypsy princess? I'm sorry Charlie boy, but she's already left."

"Check again mon ami."

Everyone turned to the balcony, where a dripping wet, pissed off Jean-Luc was staring at them, guards flanking either side of him

"What?!" "YOU!" "Erik?!"

"Why don't you tell everyone the truth Your Highness!" Jean-Luc snapped, storming over to him, not backing down, even as King Kurt towered above him, "You got your advisor to try and kill me and my family!"

King Kurt frowned for a moment, looking over at Shaw, who shook his head. "I honestly believed they had merely left Sire. They're obviously lying."

For a moment, it looked like the King was going to agree, only to frown and looking over at Shaw. "You done it before." He stated, "The execution of the prisoner, you went behind my back then, didn't you?"

Shaw didn't say a word, merely staring back at his King.

"We'll get to the bottom of this." King Kurt snapped, "You mark my words Shaw." He then turned to Jean-Luc, "But, whatever happened, I agree with the sentiment behind the actions…. I don't want you or your family in my kingdom. Get out!"

"No."

The single word stopped the guards in their tracks, nervous eyes darting between Prince Charles and King Kurt.

"They can stay." Charles stated matter-of-factly, "In fact… I think it's time for us to think about who should be running this Kingdom whilst my mother is… occupied."

"You can't- "

"- Actually. I can." Charles straightened up to his full height, "I am the Crown Prince…. Whereas you have no royal blood whatsoever."

The guards were taking a step back from the others now, waiting to see who won this argument.

"Stand down." Charles's voice was stern and low, "All it takes is one wrong step, and public opinion could be forever turned against you… you've heard about what other kingdoms."

"You- "

"- Stand down Kurt." Charles moved closer, much as Jean-Luc had, looking his step-father right in the eyes, "That's my final order."

Kurt was silent for a moment, before turning and storming away.

This wasn't going to be the end of it, not by a long shot.

But this was a start.

…..

"We're better off cutting our losses and leaving." Emma started as she and Shaw headed into Shaw's room, "Public favour will sway more towards Crown Prince Charles, you and I both know that, if it ever came down to that."

"I am NOT leaving." Shaw hissed, "Not when I am so close." He turned to her, "Have you managed to get past Charlie's shields next?"

"No… but I did find out something very interesting."

"Oh?"

"It's about the gypsy guards… and their helmets."

….

"So… you're going to be a prince soon?"

Erik tried not to groan at the thought. Yes, he loved Charles, that he was sure of… but helping to rule a kingdom?

That he'd never imagined in his wildest dreams.

"I'm trying not to think about it honestly." He sighed, turning away from Azazel and moving to enter a nearby caravan, only to freeze in the doorway.

There, on the bed, was Remy and Logan, the younger man lying underneath Logan as he was kissed senseless.

"Jean-Luc… is going to kill you Logan."

Logan jumped back, turning, and glaring at the pair of them. "You keep your mouths shut." He hissed, "Jean-Luc doesn't hear about this until we are BOTH ready."

"Lock the caravan doors then if you don't want to be caught!"

"OUT!"

Erik and Azazel dodged the boot that was thrown at them, laughing as they went.

Neither of them noticed the unfamiliar figure striding through the camp, a guard helmet in her hands.

The tide was about to turn.