It's Monday! I'm pretty excited for these next two chapters. Hopefully some readers will find them as gratifying as I do. (This is actually one of the places where I will claim a method to the madness. XD)
- K. Chandler
Hartsting preferred wetter climates, so Juvia hadn't expected to find any so far from home. But it made sense for it to grow near the lake.
She collected a wad of the slippery plant, ignoring the pins and needles sensation as she tucked it into her pocket.
Retiring to her room, Juvia sent for a bottle of the finest wine and a tea pot. She placed the hartsting onto a plate, careful not to handle it too much. Her fingers were already tingling from handling it.
But hartsting was much more than a skin irritant. The true power of hartsting was its ability to remove a person's inhibitions. They would pursue their heart's desires without fear or shame or restraint until the plant's effects wore off.
Gray may have insisted that he couldn't return Juvia's love because he was already attached to another, but Juvia knew better.
Juvia could tell that Gray secretly liked her. She could see it in the way he poured her tea and escorted her like an absolute gentleman when she was in Magnolia. When she had followed him to Lucy's picnic, he let her ride his horse, even though it meant that he had to walk like one of the servants. Gray's actions weren't that of a stranger. They were silent declarations of a man in love.
But Gray would never admit to it. He was too loyal. But even loyal, devoted Gray was powerless against hartsting. He'd act on his true feelings, and he'd no longer be able to deny that Juvia was the one he loved.
"You've returned. Did you have a good day, my queen?" Bora asked.
"Yes, it was fine," Juvia said without looking at him.
With a fork and knife, Juvia sliced the hartsting into thin, fibrous, shreds before she scooped it into an empty teacup. Carefully, she poured the water over the shredded fibers, letting it seep until the water became a murky concoction.
"Is that for him? The Ice Prince?" Bora asked, a disapproving slant to his mouth.
"Was there something you wanted to say?" Juvia asked, her voice hardening.
Bora let his head tip forward demurely. "No, my queen. Nothing."
"In that case, make yourself useful. Uncork that wine carefully. Leave no trace. Then find one of the castle's servants."
"At once, my queen."
Gray melted the ice sealing the bottom of the door when he heard the knock. After his late-night visitor, he started taking more precautions, despite Lucy's gentle suggestion that it was paranoia playing up.
"Come," Gray said, though he kept his hands up, his magic at his fingertips.
The door opened gently, and one of the Magnolia servants poked his head inside. It was the same person who had been by with refreshments earlier.
Gray relaxed, letting his hands drop.
"A delivery for you, Highness," the youth said, holding out a tray arranged with a bottle, a glass, a corkscrew, and a small stack of napkins.
"I didn't order a drink."
"No, sir. I was asked to deliver this to your chambers. I was told it was a peace offering."
"I see," Gray said. "Thank you."
Gray accepted the bottle, looking at it curiously. It was older than he was and produced at a prestigious Magnolia winery. Was this Lucy's way smoothing over yesterday's disaster?
It was a generous gift.
Gray picked up the corkscrew from the tray, gouging into the soft cork. He pried it from the bottle with a satisfying pop.
"What's got you in a good mood?" Erza asked, coming back into the room as soon as the servant left.
"Join me for a drink?" he asked, raising the empty glass.
"What's the occasion?" she asked.
"Maybe I'm just in a sharing mood?" Gray said. "Not too farfetched to share with the staff, right?"
"No one else is watching, so I suppose it's alright," she said. She brought over an empty mug.
Gray poured the wine, sliding the mug to Erza before picking up the glass.
"A toast," Gray said.
"Cheers."
Gray took a sip. It was very good wine. Strong. Poignant. But there was something there, almost some sort of earthy note with a sweet aftertaste. It lingered on his tongue.
"I was surprised to see Lyon here," she said, sitting down next to him.
His steward had taken it upon himself to join them in Magnolia.
"That makes two of us," Gray said.
"…He didn't come at your request?"
Given that Lyon was absolutely smitten with Queen Juvia, it didn't take a genius to guess why he had come. Of course, Lyon's love life was the least of Gray's concerns.
"Why would I request for him to do something like that?" Gray asked. "The idiot's welcome to do whatever he wants. I'm more worried about who he left in charge back home."
"If it's Mirajane, we would be fine," Erza said. "She's got a good head on her shoulders."
"'Would' is the operative word. She's here too. Came with Lyon."
"Mira's here? I didn't see her."
"Of course, not," Gray said. "You probably couldn't see anything around Lyon's stupidity."
"Then… who's running the palace?" Erza asked.
Gray ran through his staff in his head. Then he groaned. "…Cana?"
Erza paused, frowning. "That would be a problem."
Gray nodded, humming in agreement. He refilled both their glasses.
He loved all the members of his staff, but they each had a role to play. Just as Erza organized his life and accompanied him wherever he went, Lyon managed the castle and its staff, filling in on day-to-day responsibilities when Gray was away. Mirajane's natural gravitas and her shapeshifting abilities made her perfect as Gray's body double, and that afforded him the opportunity to take trips to Magnolia and Draghi when he needed a break from his duties. But Cana's specialty was surveillance and covert operations. Her best disguise was playing the town's homeless drunk. She was trustworthy, but not the most responsible. He'd sooner walk over hot coals than leave her in charge.
Erza's hand grazed his arm, her eyes soft and distant.
"What are you thinking about?" Gray asked.
"Gray, do you remember the first time?" Erza asked.
"First time for what?" Gray asked, frowning. This was a weird topic for conversation. He and Erza were never this direct with one another.
"We had a lot of firsts," Erza said. "First state dinner, first diplomatic visit."
"First time we snuck out. First time you beat me in a fight," Gray suggested, fighting a smile.
"First poison trial."
"That was the worst," Gray remembered.
"I was terrified," Erza said.
"You? Terrified?" Gray echoed. "That's another first."
"Don't tease me. I honestly thought I was going to lose you."
"You'll never lose me. First time you saw me cry," he offered. If she was willing to make herself vulnerable, he'd do the same.
"You only let that happen once," Erza said.
"Once was more than plenty," Gray said.
Erza leaned her head against his shoulder. Though the ends of her hair tickled his neck, Gray couldn't deny that this position was comfortable. For a while, they stayed like that, enjoying one another's company, content to be silent.
"Our first argument," Erza mumbled.
"Hm? Oh. Uh…" Gray pondered. "First carriage ride."
"First time you said my name," Erza said.
Gray chuckled. "Same here," he said. "But I think I had to wait longer."
"But that's normal," Erza said. "Your Highness," she added.
"None of that tonight. First time you cut your hair."
Erza giggled. "It wasn't that bad," Erza said, reaching up to brush at her neck.
"No, it wasn't. Looked nice on you. The first time you came to me when you wanted to talk," Gray said.
"The first time I knew that I wanted you," Erza whispered, her hand finding its way to his knee.
"What?" Gray's mouth quirked. "What are you saying?"
She couldn't have meant that. They both knew it was a line they couldn't cross. There were too many reasons why it wouldn't work,
Erza giggled again, leaning into him. Her hand crept its way up his thigh.
"Erza…" Gray trailed off in confusion.
Erza sat up, her eyes glassy. She giggled again, her face flushed.
"I want you, Gray," she breathed. "Here. And now."
This wasn't Erza. Erza would never be this direct. She would never have let him get this close, let alone make the first move. Something wasn't right.
For a moment, Gray blinked, unsure how to respond.
Until she started unbuttoning her dress.
"What on earth are you doing?!" Gray barked, his voice sharp. Then he sighed. "Erza, we can't. We're not doing this."
He couldn't deny that he'd imagined what it would be like to be with Erza. To talk openly without his fears to hold them back. To hold her in his arms without his position getting in the way. To accept her without putting her in danger.
Sometimes he imagined a world where that were possible.
He never imagined it happening like this.
Gray's eyes fell on the mug still clutched in Erza's hand. Gray pushed his glass aside, taking hers out of reach as well.
Erza protested when he stood but Gray ignored her.
Could the wine have been tainted?
He'd ignored the possibility on a wishful thought. If he was being honest with himself, she had been behaving a little strangely. Ever since he'd opened that bottle of wine…
But how could the wine have been tainted?! The bottle had been sealed. He'd opened it himself! Besides, Lucy wouldn't have done something like that.
But anybody could have sent the wine. And there were ways to recork bottles after they had been tampered with.
But why would anybody attack Erza? Did they know? Were they using her to get to him?
No.
That didn't make sense.
This was meant for him. Somebody had tried to drug him. They had just miscalculated. With his immunity to various toxins and substances, this drug had no effect on him. But Erza…
Gray's stomach gave a nauseous pull.
The tray that the servant had brought still contained the half-full bottle of wine, the corkscrew, and a pile of napkins. Gray flipped the napkins aside, revealing a small white card.
This felt like his mother's murder all over again.
Trembling, Gray turned the card over.
See you tonight. – Juvia.
Gray swore, dropping the card like it was on fire.
That's when Erza grabbed him by the shoulders. She turned him around and pulled him towards her. She leaned in, eyes shutting as her lips crashed against his.
Despite the spark of electric desire in his chest and the heat that had rushed to his face, Gray pulled away, holding her at arm's length.
"Erza?"
"Don't be afraid," Erza purred, her hands trailing down to his waist.
"Erza, don't. This isn't you."
Her eyes were fever-bright, half-lidded with lust. "I'm going to make you feel so good." She tucked her thumbs tucked into his waistband.
Swallowing the lump in his throat, Gray shook his head. "…I'm getting Wendy."
Leaving Erza in their room, Gray ran down the hall, stopping the first servant he saw.
"The Prince of Draghi," he blurted, shaking the girl by the shoulders.
"What?" The maid that he stopped was wide-eyed terrified. "I mean… Your Highness!"
"Forget that! The Prince of Draghi. I need you to send a message to his attendant, Wendy. Tell her that Gray needs to see her right away, and that it's urgent."
"O-kay… does that—" the girl stammered.
"Just go!" Gray shoved the maid down the hall.
"Yes, right away!" she whimpered, scampering away.
With help on the way, Gray went back to his room to wait for Wendy. But as he reached the door, he hesitated, his hand over the knob.
It really wasn't smart to leave Erza alone in her condition. She was vulnerable and helpless. And who knew what Juvia would try next? It was up to Gray to protect them, but he could do that from outside, couldn't he?
Outside, he wouldn't have to watch.
Seeing Erza like that sickened him. Erza was proud and independent. Majestic despite her common birth. She wasn't some gutter-side hussy or cheap call girl.
This should never have happened. She should never have fallen under the effects of this drug.
A moan from behind the door spurred Gray into action.
"Erza!" Gray rushed inside, unable to keep still any longer.
Erza sat on the floor, panting and red-faced. "Gray! You're here!
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
What a stupid question. Of course, she wasn't okay. There was nothing okay about this.
"Don't feel good. Really warm…" Erza mumbled, tearing at her bodice. "Help me…"
Watching her suffer broke something inside him.
"What can I do?" Gray asked.
Erza threw herself against him with a low moan, her fever-hot skin pressed against him. "This needs to come off. Please… Gray…" she panted.
Gray shook his head. "Erza, don't. Don't do anything you're going to regret." If he let her strip down in front of him, she'd never forgive him. If she remembered any of this at all… He hoped that she didn't, for her sake.
"Don't you want me?" she murmured, her voice breaking.
The look in her eyes knocked the air from his lungs.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. "More than you'll ever realize," he whispered against the top of her head.
Whoever did this… he'd make them pay.
"I don't feel good," Erza mumbled.
"I know. I'm sorry," he said, tightening his embrace. "I'm so sorry." He stroked the top of her head. That's what she did when he wasn't feeling well.
"It's too hot."
Gray summoned a trickle of his magic, drawing his hand over Erza's head again, trying to bring her some relief without stressing her system with actual ice.
Erza gave a gasp, followed by another moan. The sound made Gray feel dirty, even though none of this was his fault.
But it was his fault.
He swore he'd protect the people he cared about. Yet here they were. More tainted food. Another threatening note on a small card.
He hadn't learned his lesson.
And now, Erza was paying the price for it.
A gentle knock prompted shortly after he had returned.
"Yes?" he called.
"It's Wendy."
"Thank goodness," Gray said.
Gray melted the ice that he was using to block the door. He got up to let her in, pushing Erza's wandering hands aside as she grabbed for him.
Behind the little Draghi healer was… her master.
"What's going on?" Natsu demanded.
"None of your business," he said. Gray barred the door, trying to block Erza from sight. The last thing he wanted was for anyone else to see her like this. She'd be mortified.
"If it involves Wendy, it is my business," Natsu said. "So, unless you've got somebody dying back there…"
Gray let out a growl of annoyance, lowering an arm for Natsu to see.
Natsu whistled low. "Wow. Yikes. What happened here?" Natsu asked.
"Juvia happened," Gray snapped, gesturing at the wine.
"Oh, geez," Natsu said.
"Would you quit staring?" Gray snapped, edging into Natsu's field of vision again.
"Sorry."
After shooing Natsu out of the room, Gray hovered as close as he dared as Wendy made her examination.
"You were right to get me," Wendy said. "Miss Erza is being affected by some sort of substance. It's almost like a love potion or something."
"I figured out that much," Gray retorted. "…Sorry," he added sheepishly.
Wendy nodded, her patience tempered by years of dealing with Natsu. "You're worried," Wendy said.
Gray bit back the retort on his tongue. "Will she be all right?" he asked instead.
Wendy nodded. "It's not life threatening. But she's in for a long night. You were right to try to keep her calm and cool."
"Yeah," Gray scoffed. "A lot of good that did."
"It's fine," Wendy said. "I can take it from here."
"If you don't need me, I'll… make myself scarce, then," Gray said.
He was always useless when it mattered most.
He wanted to be there for her, but he couldn't stand watching Erza suffer. Besides, he knew where he could make a difference.
He had a lunatic to confront.
So... you guys knew we'd see a love potion eventually, right? ;) Normally, love potions and similar tropes are played for laughs, but there was an opportunity to use this in a more sinister manner here. As much as I enjoyed the episode where Gray ran around high as a kite (along with the half the guild that got caught in the crossfire), drugging people isn't all that funny.
With Gray's history, he would be a bit more aware of his food. I think that he's less guarded when he's visiting Natsu or Lucy, since it would be like home away from home. If you're wondering about the realism here, you might be curious about the 'recorked' bottle of wine. It is possible to recork wine, apparently, according to Google. It's very difficult, but there are enough food tampering incidents that somebody's managing.
Next time, in Toxic, Juvia is waiting...: Heavy pounding shook the room. That must be Gray now.
Stop back next Monday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.
