Erik sat atop his horse, staring at the gates of Krakoa. They were damaged with several signs of having been aflame and battered during Shaw's attack on the city. He was not sure what to expect when the gates opened. He had already sent word ahead to expect him along with the bodies of Lord Shaw and Lord Wyngarde. Lord Stryker was along too, now a prisoner riding near the back of Erik's small entourage. Many of the armies who aided him already marched home, saving their commanders who stayed for the customary gratitudes. He wondered how the people had been faring. Had Shaw been unleashing all his sadistic tendencies on them rather than have them spill out into the rest of the kingdom, or had he spared them for the sake of his propaganda? Did they know Erik was coming back now? Would the people greet him with scorn for leaving or welcome him back as their rightful ruler?
The gates began to open slowly and he took a deep breath. He lifted his chin, flexed the fingers of his left arm where it sat in a sling from the musket injury, and sat up tall in anticipation. He guided his horse forward as the gates opened fully. He trotted through the streets and could see more signs of the attack: a burnt-out shop here, a vacant vendor's stall there, sword slashes, bullet holes and evidence of Gifts marring the facades of buildings. He would have to make sure the city recovered fully from this attack and was no worse for wear for it.
The commonfolk moved to the side as he passed. A ripple began to go through the crowd as they realized it was him. The commotion started off small, a few people calling out to him, some waving and others smiling. Then citizens began throwing flowers in his path and from their windows, showering the procession in multicolored petals. The cheers started picking up, declarations of fealty and happiness at his return ringing through the congregation. Erik relaxed, banishing his previous apprehension. He put on a smile for the crowd, waving and shouting greetings back to those he recognized. It was as if the entire city had come out to welcome him.
By the time he reached the palace, it was clear the commotion had alerted them to his presence. The Genoshan council of twelve, now ten, stood in the courtyard awaiting him along with several of the courtiers. Erik had not chosen any of the council, save two. Many of the members were in their forties or older, having been appointed by his father. The eldest, Lady Paloma Proudstar, had been elected by his grandmother when she ruled Genosha after she had forged a peace between the crown and the Apache tribes of the coastal plains who lived on the island long before Erik's ancestors landed here. The only people Erik had recommended were Lord Janos Quested and Lady Amelia Voght, two Gifted individuals who proved themselves to Erik through their intuitiveness.
Once he was crowned, he would have the chance to choose which councilmembers he wanted to keep on and who to let go. Besides which, there were two vacant slots open thanks to Wyngarde and Stryker's betrayal. Erik knew where he wanted to take Genosha. The current council of twelve had only three Gifted members, two of them resulting from Erik's lobbying. There were also no omegas. That wasn't unheard of. Many balked at the idea of an omega owning any property, much less making the decisions necessary to run a country, but it wasn't something that had never happened in Genosha. Erik didn't want a council of yes-men who would do and say everything he wanted and never tell him when he was wrong, but filling it with traditionalist Non-Gifted alphas didn't reflect what Genosha was and what it could be. Erik would change that.
Lord Winston Frost, the head of the council, stood at the fore of the group. His position was primarily due to his being one of the richest men in Genosha, if not the richest. That wasn't to say he was unintelligent or not shrewd, it was just the opposite. Erik's quarrels with the man mainly had to do with his reaction to Magda. Frost was overly conservative and been outspoken about their marriage, but he and Erik worked well together for the betterment of Genosha. Behind him stood the others, including Lord Norton McCoy, Lady Elaine Grey, Lady N'Dare Monroe, Lord Nathaniel Essex, Lord Bolivar Trask, and Lord Mikhail Rasputin. Rabbi Elisha, the designated spiritual liaison between the church and crown, was also present.
As he dismounted his horse, careful of his injured shoulder, those in the courtyard bowed or curtsied accordingly, greeting him as the prince and not yet the king as he not been crowned.
"Your Highness, we are all pleased to see you return safely and victoriously. And may I be the first to offer condolences for the loss of the king," Lord Winston said, his eyes flickering over to Emma briefly but not letting any emotion show one way or the other about his daughter's safe return.
Erik nodded in reply. Realistically, he knew his father was gone, but having the confirmation did send a jolt of grief rippling through him. It was a dull thing, not hot like it was with Ruth. Shaw was already dead, there was nothing else to do about that.
"Thank you, my lord. We will mourn him accordingly once I send for my children. We shall meet an hour from now after I get settled."
He turned to several of the guards posted at the gates.
"Sir Armando, Lady Callisto, please bring Lord Stryker to the dungeons to await judgment. Have a guard posted at his cell at all times. Rabbi Elisha, I leave the bodies of the traitors, Lord Shaw and Lord Wyngarde, in your capable hands."
"Ms. Pryde," he continued, turning to Teresa Pryde, the head of the palace staff, lingering by the palace doors alongside young Kitty.
"Please have rooms and baths prepared for our guests. Meals as well if they request it."
The beta woman curtsied and went off into the palace with her daughter following close behind. Erik gave one last perfunctory nod of dismissal to all in the courtyard before making his way into the castle, seeking out his bedroom and a moment to collect himself.
His room didn't appear to be any different as he entered it. The décor was still done up in burgundy and deep purple, the colors of his house. His large poster bed remained where it had always been with the mahogany chest by its foot. His room was immaculately clean, just how he preferred it. He would've expected Shaw to have turned it over or burned it or something of that caliber. He walked over to his wardrobe, but all his clothing seemed to be there. He continued his inspection of the room, but nothing turned up out of place. After all that had happened, it felt odd to come back here and find nothing had changed. He would've expected the earth to move or several seismic shifts to have occurred. At the very least, a candle could be out of place to show time had been moving while he was away.
He shook his head and went over to his bed, lying back with a deep sigh, grimacing as it jostled the sensitive wound on his shoulder. The surface of the mattress, softer than anything Logan's inn had to offer, was welcome support. He wondered what Charles and the children were doing, if Logan had already made it back to them yet, if they knew the battle was won.
Erik's hand went to his chest, resting over his heart. The tugging that usually made itself known when he was near Charles was edging on painful lately. He wished he were here, by his side, within reach. Then he reminded himself that Charles probably didn't want him to touch him ever again. Maybe he wouldn't even accompany the children back to the capital, refusing Erik's offer. Perhaps that last conversation was goodbye and Charles was letting him down easy. That didn't feel true, but it was a possibility.
If he did come and he agreed to stay with him, Erik would have to discuss with him what that would look like for them. On top of that, he needed to find a way to spin this to get his council on board and he had to appease Lord Heinrich, who would be offended that Erik turned down a son of Genosha for a foreigner of questionable virtue. He found that he was determined to find a way. He didn't know what it was that lit a fire underneath him. Maybe it was the knowledge that Shaw was dead. He had a lot more time to devote to other things now, important things.
Erik laid there for a long while, contemplating the future, before he roused himself. He stepped into the hallway and flagged down a serving girl to have a bath drawn for him. Once it was brought, he washed quickly and changed into clean clothes before heading down to the council chambers. The ten members were already waiting once he stepped inside and moved to the head of the table.
"My lords, my ladies, let's call this meeting to order," he greeted.
"I know it's already been said, but we are ever so glad to have you return and put this business with the Shaws behind us," Lord Norton said.
If it were anyone else, he'd believe the man to be obsequious, but the McCoys were an earnest sort.
"Agreed. I assume you have been to the court physician already and he has cleared you medically," Lady Elaine asked in a maternal tone.
She had been a good friend to his mother and always looked out for Erik when he was growing up. It was part of the reason he had gotten close enough to Jean to employ her as his personal spy.
"I have had medics look it over. It is inconsequential."
Lady Elaine pursed her lips in disdain.
"Still, I'm sure I don't speak alone when I say it would inspire confidence for our new king to be cleared by the court physician," she pushed.
Lord Norton nodded beside her and Lord Janos, Lady Amelia, and Lady N'Dare murmured agreements. Erik restrained a sigh and nodded.
"If it would assuage your worries, my lady, it shall be done after the meeting is adjourned."
Lady Elaine nodded in satisfaction and let the matter drop.
"We still have quite a bit of organizing, but Shaw's death does take a weight off our shoulders. What will be done with his lands and holdings?" Lord Mikhail asked, ever the businessman.
"They should be turned over to the crown," Lord Nathaniel said in his usual haughty tone.
Erik had no intention of allowing him to remain on the council, Gifted or not. He, like Stryker, had an unnatural, scientific fascination with both Gifted and Non-Gifted individuals. Erik could prove nothing, but he was loathed to allow the man to remain in such a high position.
"His business ventures range far and wide throughout the kingdom, not just at Hellfire or Krakoa," Lady Amelia pointed out.
"Several of his books can be turned over to the ruling lords who aided our cause, granted the business he ran resides within the vicinity of their dominion. Anything else is for the crown to seize. The commerce will be used to rebuild the city," Erik decided.
Most of the council nodded along with this.
"What about the traitor, Lord Stryker?" Lord Trask asked.
Erik narrowed his eyes at the man. Intelligence had told him he was friendly with Lord Shaw, but he had not ridden out against Erik and he had nothing to prove the man's treason save Jean's word. He was hardly going to reveal his spy to the council just to take down one man. Still, Trask would join Essex in leaving the council once he ascended the throne.
"He shall be executed, of course," Lady Proudstar declared.
She had been unusually silent and was giving Erik an odd look.
"Surely a trial would be sensible, my prince."
"A trial for what? He rode into battle against me alongside our enemy. There is no need for a trial," Erik retorted.
"In fact, I believe an official inquiry is necessary to ascertain just how deeply Shaw's influence was allowed to reach, seeing as how he managed to turn two of Genosha's twelve trusted advisors against the country's interests."
Trask stopped talking after that, a flash of fear briefly lighting his eyes before it disappeared.
"It will be done at once," Lord Winston announced.
"Your coronation will need to happen posthaste. Will you leave it before or after the period of mourning?"
"After. I want to observe shiva with my children. After the seven days, we will have the coronation."
"Not after thirty days? You would be forgiven for taking sheloshim as well," Lord Janos inquired.
"No, it's important we do what is necessary to stabilize the kingdom. The coronation will go a long way in that. The sooner, the better."
The councilmembers nodded along, seeing the wisdom in his words.
"There is another matter I wondered about, my prince," Lady N'Dare started.
Erik rose an eyebrow.
"It is curious that you rode into the city with Lord Helmut Zemo at your side. I know he is young and unmarried. Though I have heard he has an affinity towards combat, I can't be alone in my estimation as to why Lord Heinrich sent his omega son rather than his generals to lead his army and represent his interests."
"Helmut Zemo is not a bad political prospect, I must say," Lord Winston pointed out.
"This is true. Though His Highness has no obligation to marry. The kingdom has three heirs," Lady Elaine added.
"Marriages are not simply down to heirs. Sokovia is near several lands under dispute with the crown. We have long wished to build a new road upon this land leading directly to port. It would help open new avenues of trade for two different cities. Marriage to Lord Helmut puts that road within our purview directly rather than Lord Heinrich's," Lord Mikhail lectured.
"Do we know anything regarding his chastity?" Lord Nathaniel inquired.
"I have heard no rumors of anything untoward," Lord Norton replied.
"Is marriage the thing to focus on at present? The city will be in a period of recovery following the attack. It will take months to rebuild," Lord Janos pointed out.
"A marriage with Lord Helmut will only help smooth that transition. It will give the people something else to look forward to, a prince consort, the first in five decades. Give the people something to distract themselves with, to gossip over, and that will have more worth than anything else while we eradicate the effects of Shaw's coup," Lord Winston explained to mutterings of agreement and some lingering dissent.
Erik stifled a sigh. This was what he was afraid of, the council taking the barest hint of a possible marriage to Lord Helmut and running with it, thinking they had the right to dictate what he was to do in this situation or indeed with his reign. He would be king, so he would have to assert himself and know when to take counsel and when not.
"I have no current intentions of entering into a marriage contract with Lord Helmut. I have agreed to consider it and no more than that."
"I would implore you to consider him with all diligence. It is an auspicious match. You'll find no one more worthy of consideration in all of Genosha."
Erik could barely hold in the scoff that wished to escape his lips. Lord Winston very well may keel over once he knows of Erik's intentions, where his heart lies. The man was a traditionalist to his core. He had protested against Erik's marriage to Magda vehemently because it brought no political worth and didn't happen in the usual way (i.e., the council and his father had not gotten to arrange a marriage for him). He was sure Lord Winston was likely to blow his top when he learned of Charles. If he learned of Charles.
"I agree with the prince wholeheartedly," Lady Proudstar professed.
Erik glanced at the old woman. There was an enigmatic smile upon her withered brown face. Erik wondered at her expression and why she was looking at him like that.
"The time for such things as marriage will come, but I do not believe Lord Helmut will be the one to capture our prince's heart."
Erik narrowed his eyes at her. House Proudstar was a prominent family in Genosha. Their family lineage dated back to the island nation's very beginnings, predating Erik's own family line. Many of its members tended to be Gifted. While the lady's two grandsons were emerging as powerful in their own right, Lady Proudstar had no Gifts, yet Erik could not help but think she knew about Charles somehow. Spies perhaps?
"The heart has nothing to do with this," Lord Winston said in a severe tone, cutting through Erik's musings.
"I rather disagree. Call me progressivist if you must, but I've found much happiness in my marriage and have seen love matches yield better results than arranged marriages all the time," Lady Amelia pointed out.
"Were not King Jakob and Queen Edith a love match in many respects?" Lord Janos added.
"Oh yes, indeed they were," Lady Proudstar confirmed.
Erik discreetly rolled his eyes, entirely finished with the conversation.
"Regardless, these discussions are premature. We will focus on the execution of Lord Stryker first. I want it done before my children return to the capital."
"In the morning then, my prince?" Lord Mikhail prompted.
"Fine. I want full inventory started regarding damages to the city, alongside the investigation into Shaw's affairs, both within the capital and beyond. Two feasts shall be held on the day my children return before funeral rites begin, one in the castle and one in the city square for the commonfolk. That being the case, we will forestall celebrations for our victory until then. On the morrow, we will hold Stryker's execution and the burning of his remains along with Shaw and Wyngarde's."
"Should Lord Wyngarde's family not get the opportunity to say goodbye?" Trask asked.
"I imagine they did before he rode out to fight against his prince. They are free to mourn, just as I will mourn my father. Rabbi Elisha will be on hand to counsel them if need be. Wyngarde is a traitor. I will not make an exception for him."
Lord Winston nodded in approval of Erik's words. Reformist, he may be, but Erik knew when mercy was called for and when examples needed to be made of his enemies.
"Is there any other matter we need to discuss? No? Good. This council is adjourned."
He stood up, allowing several of the councilmembers to exit the room first as he made his way towards Trask, who was looking to flee. He caught the short man by the shoulder and spoke quietly to him so no one else would hear.
"Do yourself a favor and resign from the council after my coronation. If I must remove you, I will not be kind."
"My prince—"
"Consider this mercy bearing in mind your empathy for Lord Shaw's cause. I am running short on that particular facet of charity, so you had best receive it with graciousness. I will be watching you. One slip and you're finished."
Trask quietly looked away, shamefaced, and nodded. Erik let him leave the room and turned to Lady Proudstar who remained seated.
"Lady Paloma, is there another matter you wish to discuss?"
"Only that I wish to pass along my congratulations. So rare nowadays to see a true bond. I am always happy when it happens to those who deserve it."
Erik opened his mouth to deny the existence of the phenomena before rethinking it. It didn't matter whether he believed it or not. If he got the right people to accept it and support him, he could keep Charles, claim him, and even marry him with minimal fuss if the omega granted him the chance.
"How would you know I am part of a true-bonded pair?"
"I may not be Gifted in the sense that you are, but I learned to see the world not just with my eyes during my youth among my people. A true bond, in many ways, is a soul bond. It changes the aura of your spirit visibly for those who can see such things. That is how I know it is not Lord Helmut. Tell me, where are they, your other half?"
He paused at the description before privately acknowledging to himself that Charles had managed to become that in a short amount of time, a shocking thing for him, but it was a fact.
"Charles is with my children, and his son, in a safe place."
Lady Proudstar rose an eyebrow.
"A son? Is he married?"
"Divorced."
Lady Proudstar waved a hand as if it was of no consequence.
"A complication, yes, but true bonds prevail over much strife. They are designed that way by the gods. You are not claimed, I can tell. I must know to satisfy any lingering doubts, how do you feel now that you are parted from him?"
Erik took a moment to think of it. That tugging in his chest was most insistent, but how to describe it? He had not the words to honestly explain his inexplicable draw to Charles, not his own words anyway.
"I have a strange feeling with regards to him, especially when he is near me. It is as if I have a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string in the corresponding quarter of his chest. And if he were to leave, if the sea and miles of land come between us, I am afraid that cord of communion would snap. I've a notion it would be inexorably distressing to me," Erik explained, paraphrasing Charles' favored text, the memory of him reading to Anya in the living room of the inn and his desperately uttered words in Erik's bedroom playing in his mind. The words were a perfect approximation of his feelings.
Lady Proudstar nodded her head with the barest smile on her face.
"Yes, that sounds very familiar to me indeed. You do have a true bond with this man. You'll have to speak with Rabbi Elisha about this. It is part of his duty to protect and update the records of all true bonds within the kingdom."
"Is it so extensive?"
"Oh yes, the tome is not insubstantial in size. There have been many. True bonds are heavily scrutinized by your church. The ministry can be rather stringent in their requirements, so bonds that my people or I recognize may not be recognized by the church, but I feel Rabbi Elisha will see things clearly in this case. It is obvious to me, more so than I have seen in years. Not since your parents."
"My parents?"
"Their union was blessed by the gods in more ways than one. Why else would the future king marry a lady from a minor house in Genosha's smallest city? Why else would he ignore conventional wisdom that said to take a mistress for the heirs the queen had difficulty producing? Why else would he be so inconsolably affected by her death?"
Erik stood speechless for a long moment.
"He never said. And Mama always made the stories sound like fairytales. I never believed her."
"The loss of a mate within a true-bonded pair is not the same as it is within those who have standard bonds. It is believed the soul has been split into two and cast into separate bodies, forever seeking out the other. To lose that other half once found is to lose part of your soul to death. Your father was never the same after your mother died for this reason. I counseled him as much as I could, used what I had learned from my people to keep him from giving in to despair. The truth is nothing could've fixed what he lost. He tried his best with you and Ruth, but it was a hill he could not climb. I do not excuse his neglect. I often tried to make him see reason with you and seek love to replace lost love, but he was a stubborn one. I am glad that you will get to experience the same kind of love your parents did. If this feeling you describe is true, then it is clear you have a true bond. Rabbi Elisha will interview you both to officially confirm it, but I am satisfied with the bond's authenticity."
Erik was not sure if he was more shocked or relieved.
"What now?"
"He must come to the capital. What the gods have discerned in their wisdom to create let no man tear asunder, including you."
"It may not be as simple as all that. I betrayed his trust, lied to him about who I am. His reluctance is his right. He may not come here at all."
"It is not wise to part for too long, especially without a claiming taking place, given the bond's nature. It may prove volatile if you attempt to sever it. You mustn't turn away from this, Prince Erik. It won't portend well for the kingdom or yourself or your Charles if you spurn this blessing."
"I have no intention of doing so, Lady Proudstar, I can assure you. But it isn't down to me. It's Charles' choice in the end."
"Then I suggest you do your utmost to let him see that the best and right choice is to remain here with you."
Easier said than done, he thought with a wry smile.
"Any advice?"
"You know him better than I do, but if I were to guess he is thinking like a father who wants to protect his child, like a lover burned if not scorned, like someone whose heart has been broken one time too many. He is shoring up his defenses to protect against another attack, trying to minimize the damage to himself as much as possible. If it is dishonesty that he feels is the bullet with which you are firing upon him, then only you have the remedy. Unadulterated truth, even if that truth makes you feel exposed or uncomfortable. You love him?"
Erik nodded after a moment's hesitation. There was no point in denying it anymore.
"I do."
"You give for what you love, my prince. Give him what he wants, whatever he wants. Give him the moon if it's feasible. Whatever you must do, see it done. I have faith that you can do so."
Erik thought it over before nodding his head in determination.
I will find a way to convince him to give me a chance. That is all a need, just a chance.