Chapter 1: Duty
The cold wind of the evening swept through the towering spires of the royal palace, sending a sharp chill through the high, vaulted corridors. The banners of both kingdoms—the deep blue and silver of the Felgons family and the crimson and gold of the royal house of Eldara—whipped against the stone walls in the harsh breeze, the fabric snapping with each gust. Inside, the air was warmer, though the flickering torches lining the hallways barely held back the chill that seeped in from the outside. The light they cast stretched long shadows across the stone floors, creating an eerie, dance-like movement as the grand hall emptied.
The celebration had lasted hours, filled with music that had begun light and joyous but had grown more subdued as the night deepened. Laughter and chatter had once echoed through the hall, blending with the cautious smiles and whispered conversations between courtiers from both families, their eyes never straying far from the newly married couple. But now, the banquet tables were being cleared, the musicians packing away their instruments, and the last of the guests began to trickle out. The hour was late, and all who had gathered knew that the final act of this day—the consummation—was all that remained.
Up in the royal chambers, Prince Aeryn stood alone by the open balcony, the cool night air brushing against his skin as he gazed out at the sprawling kingdom of Eldara. The stars glittered coldly above, indifferent to the weight that pressed down on his shoulders. He wore the ceremonial robes of his house, a soft, flowing tunic in a deep red, embroidered with the golden crest of Eldara—a lion and a sun. The fabric clung uncomfortably to his body, and beneath the rich material, Aeryn felt the weight of expectation. The marriage was meant to secure peace between the two great houses, to protect Eldara from the looming threat of war. His father had made that clear enough.
But peace had come at a price.
Behind him, the heavy wooden doors creaked open, the sound loud in the stillness of the room. Aeryn tensed, not turning immediately. He knew who it was, and the tension in the air shifted palpably. His new husband, the heir of the Felgons, entered the room, his footsteps soft but purposeful on the cold stone floor.
Eirik Felgon, tall and broad-shouldered, exuded the aura of a warrior. He was dressed simply, his dark tunic belted tightly at his waist, the sword that had hung at his hip during the festivities now absent. His long, dark hair was tied back, and his sharp eyes, which had witnessed countless battles, scanned the room, settling on Aeryn. There was a hardness to Eirik, a coldness that came from years spent on the battlefield. Aeryn could sense it, though he didn't fully understand it yet. Was it the result of a life lived in war, where survival meant suppressing all emotion? Or was it simply who Eirik was?
Aeryn gripped the cool stone of the balcony's edge tighter, his fingers whitening under the strain. He had prepared himself for this moment ever since the council had arranged their marriage. He knew what was expected of him—what was necessary. Yet, as the time drew closer, a knot of fear twisted in his chest, constricting his breath.
Eirik's voice broke the silence, low and even. "Are you ready?"
Aeryn kept his gaze fixed on the horizon, the stars blurring slightly as he forced himself to steady his breathing. He needed a moment longer. "Does anyone ever truly feel ready for something like this?" he asked quietly, his voice softer than he had intended.
Eirik's footsteps approached, each one deliberate, his presence growing closer until Aeryn could feel the heat of him just behind. "It is necessary," Eirik said, his tone flat, almost cold. "For both our families. For our kingdoms."
Aeryn's eyes fluttered shut as the truth of Eirik's words settled over him. Yes, it was necessary. The consummation was not merely a tradition; it was a requirement—a physical act that would solidify their union and seal the alliance between their two families. The alliance that would save their kingdoms from ruin, from war. But that understanding did nothing to soothe the dread in Aeryn's heart.
Slowly, Aeryn turned from the balcony, his chest tight as he faced Eirik for the first time since the ceremony. Eirik's face was expressionless, the flickering torchlight casting harsh shadows across his chiseled features. But in his eyes—those sharp, battle-worn eyes—there was a flicker of something. Reluctance, perhaps. Like Aeryn, he was bound by duty, trapped in the same web of politics and necessity. Neither of them had chosen this path. Yet here they stood, two men bound by an unbreakable obligation.
Aeryn moved towards the center of the room, his feet feeling heavy, as though each step required more effort than the last. The large bed, draped in rich velvet, loomed ahead. It was a symbol of what was expected to take place tonight, a physical reminder of the duty they both carried. The air between them thickened with the weight of unspoken words, the tension palpable.
Aeryn reached for the ties of his tunic, his fingers trembling slightly as he began to undo them. Eirik's gaze remained steady, watching him, though his expression remained unreadable. Still, Aeryn thought he detected a subtle softening in Eirik's eyes—a hint of compassion, perhaps.
"You don't have to fear me," Eirik said, his voice quieter now, almost gentle.
Aeryn paused, his fingers frozen on the laces of his tunic. He met Eirik's gaze, and for the first time that night, he saw something more in his husband's eyes—a kind of understanding. "I don't fear you," Aeryn whispered, though his heart pounded in his chest. "I fear what this means... for us. For me."
Eirik took another step forward, his towering frame imposing, yet not threatening. "This is not a bond of love," he said, his voice steady. "We both know that. But it is a bond of loyalty. Of duty. I will not hurt you."
There was a tenderness in Eirik's words that Aeryn hadn't expected. He felt some of the tension leave his shoulders, though his heart still raced. Was it possible, he wondered, that beneath the cold exterior, Eirik might be capable of more than duty? Could there be room for something more than obligation between them?
"I'm not made for war," Aeryn said softly, almost apologetically, as though confessing a weakness. "I've never been strong like you. My strength lies elsewhere. In healing. In helping people."
Eirik's gaze softened further, and he reached out, his hand brushing lightly against Aeryn's arm. His touch was surprisingly gentle, a stark contrast to his warrior's demeanor. "I know," he said. "And that's why you were chosen. Because you are loved by your people. Because you have a heart that others lack."
Aeryn swallowed hard, his eyes dropping to the floor. The words touched something deep inside him, but he wasn't sure how to respond. Instead, he focused on the task at hand. The consummation of their marriage had to be completed—it was the key to the alliance, the survival of their kingdoms.
With a deep breath, Aeryn undid the last of the ties on his tunic, letting the garment slip from his shoulders and fall silently to the floor. He stood before Eirik, vulnerable and exposed in a way he had never been before. Eirik, ever the warrior, showed no hesitation. He removed his own clothing with practiced efficiency, stepping closer until the two of them stood mere inches apart.
The silence that followed was heavy, awkward. Neither of them knew how to break it. But then, in a gesture that surprised Aeryn, Eirik placed a hand on his cheek, his thumb brushing gently across the skin. "We don't have to make this harder than it needs to be," Eirik said quietly. "We will do what is required of us... and then we will figure out the rest."
Aeryn nodded, his pulse still pounding in his ears, but his fear slowly subsided. He had dreaded this night for so long, but now, standing here with Eirik, he felt a strange sense of calm. It wasn't love, not yet. But it was something—perhaps the beginning of understanding.
When they finally came together, it was not the harsh, but it was painful experience for Aeryn, for whom it was the first time he had given himself to a man. And it did not help that the Felgon who was 11 years his senior was much stronger, bigger and broader. It was slow, deliberate, and respectful. Eirik kept his word though, treating Aeryn with care, ensuring that the act was done not as a formality of dominance but as a mutual duty. The flickering flames of the hearth cast their shadows across the room, and the only sounds were their measured breaths and the quiet crackling of the fire.
When it was over, they lay side by side in the large bed, the velvet covers pulled up over them. The consummation was complete, the bond sealed. The alliance between their families, between their kingdoms, was now irrevocable.
For a long time, neither of them spoke. Aeryn stared at the ceiling, his mind swirling with the enormity of what had just happened. But as the night deepened, Eirik spoke softly beside him, breaking the silence.
"You did well, Aeryn."
It wasn't much, but in that moment, it was enough.
Aeryn closed his eyes, allowing sleep to overtake him. The future was uncertain, but
for now, the peace of the night was all he needed.
