AN: Here is the next chapter in Jesse's story. I'm leaving to go to Arizona to visit cousins tomorrow and won't be back until next year, so I won't be posting next week. Merry Christmas and please let me know what you think so far!

SIX: Arrival

"Jesse? Jesse, wake up."

I opened my eyes and sat up. I was laying in a feather bed. Erik was sitting in a chair beside me.

"Sorry, I wouldn't wake you except that it's dinner time."

I climbed out of bed, following Erik out of the room and down the hall to a dinging room. It was strangely empty and one spot at the long mahogany table had a plate set in front of it. On it was a perfectly seared steak and mashed potatoes with a small serving of peas to one side.

"Bon appetite," Erik said in my ear.

He pulled out the chair for me and pushed me in before taking a seat beside me.

"Aren't you-"

"I already had my meal."

I didn't say anything else, digging in to the food in front of me. After a minute, the Vampire stood up and left the room, returning with a wine glass. Inside it was red liquid, but it was thick like what I had seen Nadir drinking back at Erik's home. I gave him a skeptical look.

"Try it. I think you'll enjoy it."

Setting down my knife and fork, I took the glass from him. I took a small, tentative sip. To my surprise, it was a pleasant mix of sweet and savory, my favorite combination. I quickly downed the rest of the liquid, earning laugh from the Vampire. After I had finished eating, Erik led me back to our room to get ready for bed.

I awoke the next morning to a line of kisses being placed on my neck and jawline, ending at my mouth. I returned them eagerly.

"Morning," the Vampire greeted me.

"Morning," I replied, breathless.

Erik climbed out of bed and went through my bag, bringing out a floor length dress with off the shoulder sleeves. It was teal with tiny diamonds around the cuffs, neckline and waist. The long sleeves ended in a point like medieval princesses wore. Out came a matching pair of stilettos to go with it.

"I am NOT wearing stilettos!"

"You are, because I picked them."

Scowling, I took the outfit from him and went into the bathroom to change. The back of the dress was low cut in a "v" with a piece of sheer fabric covering the hole. I slipped it over my head and then put on the stilettos before joining Erik back by our bed. He had changed into his normal suit and white bow tie. His hair was slicked back and his shoes were spit shined.

"Ready?"

I rolled my eyes in response as he led the way back to the dining room for breakfast. The place was packed. Every seat at the table was full and there were extra people lining the walls all talking and laughing as they had their morning meal. I felt Erik grasp my hand as he led me through a door into the kitchen. The room was completely empty. He let go of my hand and began to make me breakfast. I leaned against the counter, watching him work. The finished product, scrambled eggs with a side of bacon, was placed on the counter beside me.

While I ate he took down to water glasses and filled each with thick red liquid from the fridge. He handed me one and kept the other for himself. The door opened at that moment and a large, round man entered. The Vampire was immediately at my side, shielding me from the man with his body.

"Destler, I didn't think you'd make it," the man said.

"You say that every year, Sebastian. I'm starting to think you aren't being serious."

The man, Sebastian, laughed as he took a packet of blood from the fridge and emptied it into a glass. Facing Erik, he caught sight of me crouching behind the Vampire's tall frame.

"What do you have there, Destler?"

"Nothing you should concern yourself with."

Erik's usually silky voice was hard, showing no emotion. The pair glared at each other for a long time.

"Hm," Sebastian hummed. "I'll see you around, Destler."

He exited the room, taking one last long look at me on his way out. Once he had gone, Erik turned back to face me.

"He doesn't have his fedora this year."

"THAT'S Fedora Man?!"

Erik nodded, looking back at the closed door. I suddenly found I had lost my appetite, setting my untouched glass of blood on the counter beside my unfinished breakfast.

"I'm done."

Setting his glass next to mine, the Vampire took a firm hold of my wrist and pulled me out of the kitchen. He hurried me down the hall until we reached a new room. He pulled me roughly inside and locked the door behind us.

"Daroga? Daroga, are you here?"

Nadir came out with a cup of blood in one hand. He took one look at Erik and set it down.

"What happened?"

Erik let go of my wrist and started pacing on the rug.

"I need you to keep an eye on Jessica. Sebastian has taken an interest."

Nadir sighed and sat down on the couch.

"He'll be waiting for the first opportunity to pounce," the Vampire continued. "I can't have her with me all the time. The Emperor wouldn't allow it."

"So what do you propose I do?"

"Remove all mirrors in both your room and ours; we can't have him sneaking in that way. Stand guard at our door whenever she's in there alone. Do whatever it takes to keep him away from her."

"Yes, Sir," Nadir said.

He and Erik immediately started going through every room, getting rid of any and all mirrors they could find. Once they were done with that, they dragged me down to Erik and my suite and did the same as soon as the door was locked.

"Stay with her. I have a meeting to attend."

Nadir nodded ascent and the Vampire left the room.

"What's the big deal?" I asked the Persian.

"Sebastian," Nadir spat the name, "only cares about himself, doing whatever he can to get what he wants when he wants it. We also have inside information the he is leading the rebels who started the war."

"He helped start the war?"

"According to our spies."

I swallowed, biting my lip.

"He called me Jessica," I whispered.

"Who?"

"Erik. He called me Jessica."

"When he was talking to you. He told you to 'keep an eye on Jessica."

"So?"

"He never calls me Jessica, always Jesse."

"He's stressed. Being the king is hard work, especially when you have the most experience on your side with war."

I stared at the Persian for a minute.

"King?"

Nadir looked away guiltily.

"He didn't tell you. Of course he didn't tell you. Dammit, I'm stupid."

"You are not stupid. How does Erik have experience with war?"

"It's a long story that reveals more information about his past than he would want me to share.

"But-"

"No! I'm sorry, but no."

I sighed, sinking onto the couch and playing with a strand of long brown hair.

"Fine. That's fine. I don't care."

"Jessica," Nadir pleaded.

"No, it's fine, really. I don't care."

"I'll be right back."

Nadir went into the bathroom and I leaned back against the couch.

"You do care."

My head whipped around to look at the door leading out of the suite. Sebastian was leaning against the frame.