Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Marvel.

Chapter Twelve: Unrestricted

Erik was utterly dumfounded by his fiancé's request. Of all the things that she could have ask of him, she asked for the one thing that was in direct conflict with his leadership style. He meant to intimidate and discourage familiarity among his subjects. Yet, now she wanted him to humble himself and admit fault to his servant? In Erik's mind it was beyond his capability, and worst yet it could jeopardize his sovereignty over his country.

"No." He replied sternly. She started to argue but Erik held up a hand silencing her. "Ashtyn this is non-negotiable. You are asking me to go against my nature. This is the one thing that I will not grant you."

"Please, reconsider." Ashtyn pleaded. Knowing that he was serious about not changing his mind, she tried to understand his logic. Pushing him wouldn't have been a wise decision. Yet, she wanted Zoya to feel more comfortable whenever he was around. "How else can my friendship with Zoya grow, if she is afraid of you?"

Erik stood to his feet. Staring down at her he said. "She will either learn how to deal with me as I am, or not. I am her king not her equal. You are trippin' if you think otherwise." His tone was harsh and unsympathetic. Ashtyn didn't like it one bit, but what else could she do to help the situation?

"A king doesn't have to lead by fear to be respected. You could find another way."

A muscle in Erik's jaw ticked, he was growing impatient with his future queen. "Ashtyn, I will say this only once. Drop this, and never bring this up to me again." Ashtyn could feel the ominous warning that her mate was sending her way. Again, she had never felt fearful of Erik…until now. Ashtyn considered her position on the matter. Was it worth going to war with Erik to have her way? She barely knew Zoya, what was she trying to prove by having Erik apologize to her? Then it came to her, she wanted to prove to Zoya that Erik was kind; that he wasn't a monster. Yet, why was it so important that Zoya believed it? Then the unwelcomed answer came to her, if Erik was a monster wouldn't that mean that she had to be one to love him?

Ashtyn had to admit that her morality had become more than flexible, but she thought she was willing to fully accept all the consequences of her choice of loving Erik. Yet, there was a part of her that cared what others thought.

Erik knew that she was still bound to social standards. He wanted her to feel free from them, to embrace who she now was. She had set him free of his need to self-harm, he would free Ashtyn of her need for approval.

"Stand." He commanded. Ashtyn looked up at him with inquisitive eyes but did as he ordered. He then took her face within his hands. He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs, but it wasn't a gesture of kindness, Ashtyn could still feel a threatening vibe radiating from him.

Ashtyn swallowed, the lump in her throat only seemed to grow. She tentatively asked, "Are we good?"

"Depends." He said flatly.

"On?"

"On what you do next." Ashtyn wondered what he had in store for her. She knew this version of Erik well, he was uncompromising in this state. He was capable of anything, especially pushing her beyond her boundaries.

"Please…" Ashtyn started to beg, she didn't want whatever he had in store for her. She somehow knew that it would stretch her in ways she wasn't willing to go. Erik placed his forefinger to her mouth silencing her pleads.

"Do you trust me?" He asked. Ashtyn bit her lower lip. Erik had a way of making even the simplest question sound like an invitation to something sinful. Her eyes met his, and she could see a fire burning within them. His stare was one of lust, mingled with vehemence. Ashtyn knew that he was planning on testing her in a way that he hadn't before.

She considered him for a moment, knowing that there was only one reply that was housed within her soul. She answered, "Yes."

He only looked at her with the same passionate stare. She shuddered under the intensity of his gaze. He began to lead her away from the leopard, who suddenly became preoccupied with cleaning his coat. Ashtyn looked a Timber with longing, as she was led away from him. She wished that she hadn't said anything to Erik at all. Then they would still be in a good place, talking about positive things like their wedding. Now she wondered what her loving fiancé had planned for her.

They walked the palace's halls. Ashtyn had fully expected him to take her to their bedroom. She had imagined that whatever he had in store for her would eventually lead to them having sex, especially since she had seen the lust within his eyes. Yet, they passed their room. She watched Erik from behind as he marched onwards. She trailed behind him but found it easy to keep up with his pace. They entered a large open room. Ashtyn looked at Erik expectedly.

"It is a sparring room." Erik said. He released her hand and walked over to the far wall.

Sparring room? Ashtyn questioned. She watched as he pulled two axes, that were hanging on the wall off. He tossed one of them to her, she caught it with ease.

"Why are you giving me this?" Ashtyn asked. However, instead of receiving an answer she was met by a brutal attack by Erik. She used the weapon to defend herself, blocking his attack. "What the hell are you doing!?" Ashtyn exclaimed. Yet, she was only met with more heavy-handed swings with his own weapon, that she managed to block…. barely.

"You are holding a Zula Axe, named after Shaka Zula. Of course, you know who he is." He said with a wicked smirk.

Ashtyn scowled at him, and said, "I don't give a damn about the weapon! Why in the hell are you fighting me?"

"Because…" He said just before he launched at her once more. He swung the axe at her, this time Ashtyn didn't merely block, but countered with a few attacks of her own.

Ashtyn was becoming angrier by the moment. She managed to go on the offense pushing him backwards, until he was pressed against the wall. She held the axe to his throat. Pressing her body firmly against his, she could feel his erection pressing against her stomach. However, sex was the last thing on her mind. Her rage only heightened as he looked down at her, as if he was enjoying himself thoroughly. "Because of what?" Ashtyn demanded, wanting to know why he attacked her.

"Because I want you to be free. Free to be whoever you want to be. Stop worrying about what others think. Be boundless." Ashtyn considered his words for a moment. Just when she was about to speak, he shoved her violently away. She fell backwards onto her back, but quickly rolled over and got to her feet. Just in time to block another series of his attacks.

In the mist of defending herself, from Erik's merciless attacks, she felt something within her awaken. A low animalistic growl sounded out from deep inside of her. Erik witnessed the changed but wasn't surprised by it in the slightest. For he had seen briefly her wild side while they were making love. He wanted that side to come to the forefront. For that was the part of her that was unhindered, that was truly free.

Her low growl had alerted him that her inner self was now in control, and he was more than pleased with himself. She unleashed vicious attacks, that stunned him and forced him to back off her. She swung the axe with such strength that it was a wondered that the axe didn't break in half. Erik looked into her eyes and they were wild like an animal.

"Tell me how it feels to not care." Erik commanded.

Ashtyn could hear him but couldn't reply. She was lost within herself, all she felt was her raw emotions. She was freed from her need for approval. It was all suddenly so clear to her. Zoya's feelings towards Erik would never change no matter what he did. Ashtyn could now see that she needed him to repent for her feelings of guilt. It was never about Zoya, it had always been about herself. She knew it and owned it.

Erik could see that now she understood. Her look was no longer heated with anger, but registered understanding. He wanted to hear her say the words that he had to literally fight out of her. "Tell me how it feels to not care." He repeated.

Ashtyn looked him in his eyes and said, "Unrestricted."

Erik dropped the ancient weapon within his hands onto the floor. He took a few long strides to close the distance between them, taking her into his arms he kissed her passionately. Erik abruptly stopped kissing her so that he could peer into her luminous eyes. "Do I still owe her an apology?" He quizzed, as a knowing grin began to spread across his face.

"No." She replied. She then tilted her head upwards inviting another kiss. Erik leaned in as if he was going to kiss her once more but instead he mirrored an earlier interaction. She recalled the day she had invited him to her home, while they were standing on the sidewalk, blocks from her apartment. He had leaned in, but instead of kissing her; like she had expected. He whispered into her ear. He did the same action, and whispered her ear once more, but this time he said, "Marry me tonight."

Ashtyn thinking about his response from that date replied, "Hell yeah."

A/N: I know that was a short chapter. Next chapter will be their wedding. Yay! Have a good Memorial Day! Concrete Lily.