Chapter 2: The Morning After
Sunlight streamed through the tall, arched windows, bathing the room in a soft, golden hue. Dust motes danced lazily in the beams, creating an ethereal atmosphere, but Prince Aeryn barely registered it. His body felt impossibly heavy, the ache in his muscles a constant reminder of his wedding night. The once plush mattress that had promised comfort now felt like a leaden weight, pressing him deeper into the bed. Each slight movement sent a wave of discomfort radiating through his limbs. When he shifted again, a sharp, stabbing pain surged through him, forcing a wince. He bit down on his lip to suppress the sound, unwilling to let even the smallest whimper escape.
Beside him, Eirik stirred. The shift in the mattress, however subtle, felt monumental. Aeryn tensed, instinctively drawing the sheets tighter around his bruised body. His husband's presence was overwhelming, casting a shadow that seemed to fill the entire room. The memories of the night before played vividly in his mind, each detail sharp and unforgiving. The consummation had been expected, even demanded, but Aeryn hadn't anticipated the depth of the ordeal. His cheeks flushed with a mix of shame and lingering soreness, a constant reminder of the night's intimacy forced upon him.
Eirik rolled over, and their eyes met. The warrior's dark, intense gaze softened when it landed on Aeryn, immediately taking in the tense lines of the prince's body and the faint bruises that marred his pale skin. His voice, usually so commanding, came out low and laced with regret. "Aeryn…"
The prince turned his head away, avoiding the intensity of Eirik's stare. He felt too exposed, too vulnerable in the quiet morning light. His body screamed for rest, but his mind refused to quiet the unease building in his chest. He shifted again, the ache between his legs a sharp reminder of what had transpired.
Seeing Aeryn's discomfort, Eirik sat up. Concern deepened the lines of his face as his hand hovered over the prince's arm, hesitant. "You're sore," he observed softly, his fingers barely grazing Aeryn's skin, as if afraid that even a light touch might cause further pain.
Aeryn nodded, swallowing the knot of anxiety forming in his throat. He wasn't sure how to respond. His emotions were too raw, too jumbled. The night had been more than he had imagined—overwhelming, invasive, and completely beyond his control. Now, in the light of day, the reality of it all felt even harsher, more tangible.
"I'm sorry," Eirik murmured, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. For a man known throughout the kingdom for his fearsome reputation, there was an unexpected softness to him now. "I should have been more careful."
Aeryn finally dared to meet Eirik's gaze, surprised by the genuine remorse he saw there. The tenderness in Eirik's eyes was disarming, as if the brutal warrior who had taken him the night before was now offering a different version of himself. It was strange, unsettling even, to witness this shift. Aeryn's body still felt like it was locked in battle, every muscle tense, unwilling to believe in this newfound gentleness.
"Was it…" Eirik hesitated, his voice faltering slightly. "Was it your first time?"
Aeryn's face flushed crimson, and he bit down on his lower lip, nodding in silent acknowledgment. Admitting such a private truth made him feel even smaller than he already did, his vulnerability laid bare before a man he barely knew yet was now bound to. He had never spoken of such matters before, and now, after enduring the harsh reality of his wedding night, it felt all the more humiliating.
Eirik's expression shifted, a strange mix of surprise and something akin to admiration flickering across his face. "You were brave," he said softly, his roughened hand moving to cup Aeryn's cheek with surprising delicacy. "More than I realized." His thumb brushed lightly across Aeryn's skin, and the warmth of the touch, though unexpected, was not unwelcome. "You did well."
The words of praise caused a confusing mix of emotions to swirl in Aeryn's chest. His body was sore and bruised, but hearing Eirik acknowledge his strength in surviving the night stirred something unfamiliar within him. His heart fluttered in a way that both unsettled and confused him.
"And…" Eirik's voice softened further, and a faint, almost playful smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I won't lie to you—I did enjoy myself."
Aeryn's eyes widened at the confession, his face heating even more. He averted his gaze, utterly unsure of how to process the bold admission. His stomach twisted with nervousness, but there was something else there too—something strange, something that sparked deep within him.
Eirik chuckled softly, the sound low and rumbling, and leaned in closer. "Next time…" His breath was warm against Aeryn's ear, sending an involuntary shiver down the prince's spine. "I'll make sure it's more enjoyable for you too."
Aeryn's heart raced, his breath catching in his throat. The idea of a "next time" was both terrifying and oddly… intriguing. He blushed furiously, unable to look at Eirik, but the seed of curiosity had been planted.
Before either of them could speak further, a sharp knock at the door shattered the intimacy of the moment. Aeryn stiffened immediately, his pulse quickening in dread. He knew what the knock signaled. His stomach churned with anxiety as the weight of what was about to happen settled over him like a suffocating blanket.
Eirik stood, pulling on a robe before crossing the room to open the door. A physician, accompanied by a stern-looking council member of Felgon, entered. Their presence was cold and formal, draining the room of the fragile warmth that had briefly bloomed between Aeryn and Eirik. Their expressions were impassive, but the gravity of their task was palpable.
Aeryn's stomach twisted further. He had known this was coming—the inspection. Proof of consummation was required for the marriage to be fully recognized, but knowing didn't make it any less humiliating. He pulled the blankets up tighter around himself, his body trembling with dread.
The physician bowed slightly, his eyes flicking to Aeryn with a hint of sympathy before addressing Eirik. "We must verify the consummation, Your Grace."
Aeryn's throat tightened, panic clawing at him from the inside. His heart raced, and he instinctively shrank back, wanting nothing more than to disappear under the covers. He didn't want to endure this. The idea of strangers inspecting his bruised, exposed body filled him with revulsion.
Eirik's expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he glanced at Aeryn. "Do we really have to do this?"
The council member stepped forward, his voice firm and unyielding. "It is the custom, my lord. The marriage cannot be fully acknowledged without proof of consummation."
Eirik's gaze flickered back to Aeryn, who was visibly distressed, the fear clear in his eyes. His heart sank as he watched his husband trembling, and he cursed the powerlessness that swept over him. He had promised to protect Aeryn, and now he could do nothing but stand by as the examination proceeded.
The physician approached the bed, and Aeryn's hands gripped the sheets so tightly his knuckles turned white. His body tensed, his breath shallow as the physician gently pulled the covers down, exposing his pale, bruised skin. Tears stung Aeryn's eyes, shame and fear twisting painfully in his chest.
When the physician's cold hands spread his legs, Aeryn squeezed his eyes shut, tears slipping down his cheeks despite his efforts to remain composed.
Eirik's patience snapped. His face hardened, and he stepped forward, his voice low and commanding. "Enough."
The physician froze, looking up in confusion. "My lord—"
"I said, enough." Eirik's voice was a growl, laced with danger, his gaze fixed protectively on Aeryn. His tone brokered no argument.
The physician quickly withdrew, bowing his head in apology. "As you wish, Your Grace."
Eirik moved swiftly to Aeryn's side, pulling the blankets back up to cover him with the same tenderness he had shown earlier. His hand brushed gently through Aeryn's hair, a gesture so uncharacteristic of the warrior prince that it brought a small measure of comfort to the trembling young man.
"Leave," Eirik ordered coldly. His tone was lethal, his gaze never leaving Aeryn's tear-streaked face. "Both of you."
The physician and council member left the room without another word, their departure swift, leaving behind only the tense silence between the two men.
Aeryn let out a shaky breath, his body slowly beginning to relax. He wiped at his tears, ashamed of his weakness, but when Eirik reached out to take his hand, the prince found an unexpected sense of comfort in the warmth of his touch.
"I'm sorry," Eirik murmured, his voice thick with regret. "I didn't know they'd do that to you."
Aeryn shook his head, still too overwhelmed to speak, but when Eirik's grip tightened gently, offering wordless reassurance, Aeryn finally allowed himself to believe that perhaps, in this strange and frightening new life, he wasn't entirely alone.
"I won't let them hurt you again," Eirik vowed, his voice steady, filled with quiet strength. "Not like that."
Aeryn looked up, his tear-filled eyes meeting
Eirik's gaze, and for the first time since their marriage began, he allowed himself to hope.
