Black Knight

Mates

From the Perspective of Black Knight

I woke up feeling very warm and comfortable. Which isn’t a feeling I have often. I snuggled deeper into the bed I was in, and I realized there were arms around me. I froze, my shoulders tensing immediately. I looked up to see Kalen holding me in his arms. I didn’t hate it, and I didn’t know why I didn’t hate it. He saw I was awake and disentangled himself from me, and sliding back so there was some space between us on his giant bed. I went to get up, and quickly realized that was an awful idea. I said a few choice words that made Kalen chuckle, but then he came over to help me lay back down.

“Careful, you are still injured.” He said and I leveled him a glare. He fought down another chuckle, and for some reason I found it endearing. I didn’t know if I could trust these new feelings I had, and that just made me angry. I fought the hiss that was attempting to work its way up my throat. Goddess above, he was shirtless. I couldn’t resist staring at his sculpted abdomen, but I quickly chastised myself and looked back at my own hands instead.

“I know I am still injured. f*****g werewolves.” I muttered, and he leveled a look at me, incredulous.

“You were attacked by werewolves?” He asked seriously, and I glared at him. I didn’t want to talk about it, it was a moment of my incompetence. One that didn’t happen often.

“About 20 rouges. One of them got in a good swipe. I was assisting a friend of mine who is an Alpha of a pack near the Fae Kingdom. He has been having issues with some rouges who were certainly not friendly nomads.” I said, and then I looked at him even more severely. “I just need to make sure I remember last night correctly. We are mates now correct?”

He looked shocked that I had went right to the point. He nodded. “Yes. Under the Red Moon. The entire Fae Kingdom, and most likely beyond by now, is aware of the mating bond.” He said and I couldn’t hold back the hiss that escaped my lips. He looked hurt, but I wasn’t sure why. “How do you feel about being mated to me? I will respect whatever your wishes are.”

I had to think long and carefully about this one. The logical side of my brain told me to reject this bond and continue life as I had lived it previously. But, I couldn’t stop this nagging in my heart that told me that this bond was something I couldn’t ignore. I couldn’t ignore the way he made me feel when his arms were around me. I gave him the only answer I could right now.

“I don’t want to answer that yet.” I said and he looked a bit defeated but nodded. I didn’t mean it to come out harsh, so I added to my answer. “I apologize, I have been told I am bad at communicating. I mean to say that I don’t know what to make about all of these feelings I have inside of me. Right now my brain is telling me one thing, and my heart is telling me something completely different. It is hard for me to process all of this.” I said, realizing I started to sound like a rambling i***t. His face perked up at my explanation, and for some reason that made me feel relieved. I had to admit, I loved the way he looked. He had tanned skin, and violet eyes that seemed to bore holes into my soul. He looked muscular and toned, and I instantly wondered if he could hold his own against me in a battle. I wanted to run my hands through his dark hair, with the single silver streak.

“I understand. Why don’t we get to know each other for the mean time, and see what happens?” He said to me, and I gave him a smile smile. I don’t know how this man could make me so happy this easily. “How are you feeling this morning?” He asked and I took a mental stock of my body.

“Sore, but manageable. I can tell my wound is definitely better than last night… Did you have something to do with that?” I asked realizing my wound didn’t hurt as bad as when I was at the Ball last night. He nodded.

“I am a skilled healer, although your body hates to be healed.” He said incredulously. “I did as much as your body would allow me to do.” He said and took my hand. I allowed this, in fact, I loved it. I gripped his hand and looked back at his eyes.

“Did Eva tell you why I don’t respond well to healing magic?” I asked him, almost dreading the answer. He nodded.

“Eva told me you were born human to two dark Fae. They gave me no details on how that transformation happened of course. I also should mention I did see flashbacks of memories of yours when we were connected by the moon. It showed me your childhood, and I am so sorry you had to endure anything like that.” He said and honestly I wasn’t totally surprised. I knew I could have looked into his memories if I had wanted to when we were connected. I was too focused on staying conscious to even try at that moment. I released my hand from his, and looked out the window to the soft daylight beyond.

“Yes I was born human. When I transitioned into a Dark Fae, some things were different about me, one being that I couldn’t heal like a normal Fae. Fae heal quickly even without magic, I heal more at the rate of a human. I also don't take well to healing magic.” I explained. I purposely didn’t acknowledge the fact that he saw how my father beat me as a child. He mentioned that he didn’t know how I transitioned to Fae, so he didn’t see that memory at least. I certainly wasn’t ready to talk about that with him just yet. I steeled myself for the pain I knew was coming, and I sat up again in bed. Kalen didn’t look happy that I was moving but allowed it. I looked around.

The room I was in was light and airy, with cream colored walls. I was in a dark cream almost beige bed, and the accents in the room were light sky blue. Very different from my normal color preferences. I looked down at myself and fought a hiss. I was in a nightgown. At least it was black. Seeing my gaze, he explained.

“We needed to remove your dress to treat your wound. Your dress was tight around your midsection, so I thought a nightgown would be better while you heal.” He explained. “All we had were white ones, so I spelled one to be black before we placed it on you.” He said and I was shocked.

“Did Eva tell you to do that?” I asked him, still shocked that he would do something like that. He shook his head no.

“No, but I took a guess based on everything you wear and surround yourself with.” He said lightly and with a heavy smirk on his face. I gave him a small smile again.

“Can you go get Eva for me?” I asked. I could have messaged her myself, but I wanted some time to myself to think and process everything that had just happened. He nodded immediately. He got up off of the bed and left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. What the hell was I supposed to do with all of this?

***

From the Perspective of Fae King Kalen Orin:

As per Black Knight’s instructions, I went to locate Eva. I found her relatively quickly. She was in the library with Aspen, and they were going over some official looking papers. They both looked up on my arrival. Eva jumped up.

“Your Majesty. How is she?” She asked quickly. I nodded.

“She’s doing well. Sore. But she didn’t throw lightning at me when she woke up, which was a surprise.” I said, with a hint of humor, and Aspen and Eva did in fact laugh.

“That’s as much progress as you could ask for with her.” Aspen said to me and I nodded.

“I asked her what she thought about us being mates.” I said and they both froze in anticipation. “She said she wasn’t sure right now. That her brain and her heart were telling her two different things. I told her I would respect whatever decision she made, and that for now we can just focus on getting to know each other with no expectations.” I said and Eva smiled.

“Thank you King Orin. I cannot guarantee that she will ever come around, but I can tell you, I am happy it’s you and not someone else. Her heart is more fragile than you would ever expect. This scares her more than facing an entire battlefield alone.” Eva said quietly and I nodded. I figured just as much.

“She did ask for you Eva.” I said and she nodded, quickly gathering her papers.

“I figured she would soon. Usually I am one of the only ones who can keep her sane and not killing people.” Eva said and I honestly wasn’t that surprised. She turned to Aspen. “Why don’t you go and get the latest report from Elden at the Keep, and then meet us back here. Black Knight is going to want a full update from Elden, and she’s not in any shape to travel, and probably won’t be for at least another day.” Aspen saluted her with the Knight’s salute. I recognized it from when I have seen the knights in the past. The salute is their right fist crossed over their chest to their left shoulder. If they are saluting Black Knight, I have heard they sometimes get on one knee as well, to show respect. Aspen disappeared, having used a portal spell to go back to the keep.

Eva and I walked back to my chambers. There had been a question nagging in my head all morning, but I couldn’t figure out how to ask Black Knight, so I asked Eva.

“How did Black Knight become Fae?” I asked and she froze in her tracks. She had to think about it for three full breaths before continuing to walk, not meeting my gaze.

“I am not comfortable answering that question now. Once you both know each other better, maybe she’ll tell you, but I wouldn’t ask her today. It is not a happy memory I can assure you.” Eva said severely and I nodded.

“I can assure you Eva, I won’t do anything to make her uncomfortable. I saw memories of her childhood when we were linked, I saw her father.” I said and she nodded, pain contorting her features as we walked. “I don’t want her to ever feel that way again if I can help it. I don’t want to limit her from anything either, I know she’ll want to continue leading the knights, I just want to be another resource for her. And maybe eventually have her heart too.” I said with raw honesty. Eva’s eyes softened and she put her hand on my shoulder.

“I think you are good for her. Give her time, and she may learn to trust you King Orin.” She said and I smiled.

“We are practically family now. Please call me Kalen.” I said and she smiled.

“Kalen it is.” She said with a smile and we reached my room. What I heard inside made me very nervous. I heard dark curses being spoken with ferocity. I looked at Eva panicked, but she just rolled her eyes and entered the room. We saw Black Knight sitting in the middle of my floor, with folded messages scattered around her into piles. She was reading one, and dark magic was leaking from her as she was reading it.

“What is happening?” I asked, and Eva smirked at me. It looked like some kind of war was about to start or something.

“She’s working. All of these are messages from kingdoms or fellow knights, and so forth.” Eva said and walked up to Black Knight calmly.

“Babe, should you really be out of bed?” She asked Black Knight, who hissed at her without looking up from her message. At least she hadn’t hissed at me like that yet, and it seemed hissing was just part of her personality. I knew all Fae had an instinct to hiss, since we were more primal of a being than Humans were, but the only Fae I ever knew to hiss had been warriors, who are more in touch with their primal side. I guess Black Knight was a warrior in her own way.

“I should be back home. I have about eight messages here that need urgent attention.” She handed a stack of messages to Eva, who started reading them.

“How do you get messages?” I asked curiously, walking over to Black Knight and sitting in a chair close to her. I felt better now that I was close to her, when I was away, I felt a constant nagging and a worry to get back to her side. She didn’t look annoyed by my question, and pulled out a bag.

“Have you ever sent a message to me before?” She asked and I shook my head. That had always been Solomon. “This bag is spelled. If anyone ever needs to get a message to me, they just need to write a specific spell to the outside of the message, and it appears in my bag. I always have it with me, and I am easily reached this way.” She explained and that made sense.

“What messages need attention now?” I asked curiously. She sighed.

“More rouge werewolves, and a few wars that are on the brink of starting. Some wars cannot be prevented, but I usually at least try. Most disputes can be resolved politically before violence has to be used.” She explained and I was amazed. She really had a huge role to play in the magical universe. More than I ever truly realized. She grabbed another pile of messages suddenly and gave them over to Eva.

“These need to be taken to Elden for the Knights to handle immediately.” Eva said, and they suddenly disappeared. She took the remaining three or so notes, and rose with them, seeming steady on her feet, but I could see her steel herself for the pain. “These I’ll need to handle myself.” I rose to my feet to protest, as did Eva.

“Babe, you’re in no condition to travel. I saw those notes, Aspen and I can handle them. If there is something drastic that happens, I’ll call.” Eva said. I sighed in relief. Then Black Knight hissed.

“I’m not some incapable hobbit who is going to sit on my ass all day while work needs to be done.” She said nearly through her teeth. I stood up and placed my hands on her shoulders from behind. Eva tensed, and I had a feeling that others who have tried this have ended up flat on their backs. Instead of getting defensive, Black Knight relaxed under my touch. I towered over her, and she almost reflexively leaned back until she almost rested against my chest. I think she felt the same pull I did, just didn’t want to acknowledge it just yet. I spoke gently into her ear. 

“Black Knight. I treated your wound myself. You are in no condition to do much of anything today. I know you want to get back to work as soon as possible. If you push yourself too far now, it will just take even longer to get back to full strength. Rely on your knights for now, and you have me now too if there’s anything I can do.” I say to her, hoping this doesn’t just make her angrier. To my surprise and Eva’s from the look on her face, she nodded in reluctant agreement. I released her shoulders, and she sat down in the chair I had vacated and glared at Eva.

“I want an update after each assignment anyone does today.” She said sternly and Eva nodded. Aspen walked in just then, and went straight to Black Knight. She gave her the commander’s salute, fist over shoulder on one knee, and head bowed.

“Elden wanted me to inform you that everything is being taken care of for today. He said that he will give you an update on all important matters but he wants you to take the day off.” Aspen said, firmly, but with respect. Black Knight once again hissed and I determined that this was truly a part of her vocabulary I’d have to get used to.

“All right, all right.” She started to say, clearly annoyed by this conversation. “I’ll stay here with the King today. Tomorrow, whether or not I’m healed to your liking, I am getting back to work. I can’t stay out of the field too long, people will ask questions. One day can be explained, two and people will start to wonder. By the third day, I may as well be asking for the Knight’s Keep to be targeted.” She said and I wondered if her absence really is as big of a deal as she says. Eva and Aspen nod, as much as a win they were going to get. “Now. Get to work.” She said and Eva and Aspen left the room, leaving us once again alone.

She sat in the chair in her Black nightgown. She was beautiful. From her black hair to her cheeks to the gentle curves of her body, everything was beautiful. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. She pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. I was worried she was in pain, and I moved closer to her.

“Are you okay?” I asked her, moving to her side. She nodded and opened her eyes, and released her hand.

“Frustrated. I don’t like being ‘grounded’.” She said and I understood what she meant. I would hate to feel like I was in a cage because of something I couldn't control. 

“Its for the best you know.” I said soothingly, hoping she believed me, and she nodded. “Can I check your wound?” I asked and she again nodded. She stood up, and pulled off her nightgown, much to my surprise. She stood in front of me in her underwear and a black wrap that she wore around her breasts in place of a traditional brassiere most women wore. Eva had explained to me briefly last night that she was incredibly old fashioned and thought they were the stupidest thing ever invented. She wasn’t incredibly well endowed, but that didn’t bother me at all. She was beautiful just the way she was, inside and out.

She went and sat on the bed, and laid down on the pillows. I asked her the question that was burning to be asked.

“You aren’t embarrassed to be in your undergarments in front of me?” I asked gently. She shook her head no, and my heart felt elated. She trusted me at least this much.

“For some reason I can’t explain, I feel very comfortable around you.” She said simply. My heart felt like it would explode with happiness. I went over to her side and started to place my hands on the bandages. I undid the wrappings on her midsection, and I smiled. She was healing beautifully. It still would take some time to heal, but things were looking better. I had to control myself looking at her body. I wanted to run my hands all over her, but now certainly wasn’t the time. I wanted her to want me to touch her in that way before I took her as mine in that way. 

“It is looking good today. I wish you were more receptive to healing magic, I could have healed you by now.” I said and helped her sit up in the bed. She chuckled.

“If I had a piece of gold every time I have said that same thing.” She joked and that made me smile more. “Now I really don’t want to put that nightgown back on. I don’t suppose Eva left my dress here?” She asked and I nodded. I pulled the one out she was wearing last night and she grimaced. “Not that one.” She said and I was confused.

“This was the only one.” I said and she again hissed. This was going to take some getting used to. She magically created a crystal that was the same shade of violet with her eyes. A communication crystal. These types of crystals were still relatively rare, but it made sense she would have one. 

“Elden, Eva, Aspen or any of my Knights that get this. Get me my damn dress.” She hissed into the crystal.