Enemies Made
POV: Alexandra
Derek scribbled the woman’s name in his notebook and nodded, “Alright, my lady, thank you for your help. I will be sure to let His Majesty know that you were cooperative.” She nodded and then turned back to me, “I think it is rather odd…” Doc interceded before she could finish her sentence, “That she is around and you’re awake?” The Countess nodded, “Well, yes, that but also it feels like I’ve known her forever. What is that? I had never laid eyes on you until that ball your father first presented you at.” I shrugged, “I don’t know what to tell you, Countess.” She reached for my hand, “Do you feel the same, or is it just me?” I shook my head, “That’s definitely one-sided. I see you as someone I’ve only met recently.” She leaned back and sighed, “I wonder what it is.” Doc added, “You also only stay awake when she’s around. It is the oddest thing I have ever seen. Her Grace is just full of mysteries it seems.” I pulled out the book that I was reading to the Countess the last time I had been to visit her and started to read while Doc conducted his tests. After about an hour, he was done running all the tests he needed. He looked at me and shrugged, “I really cannot explain what it is that your presence does for her but she’s a lot better than she was yesterday. I’d say she’s nearing full recovery in a couple of days. I would ask, Your Grace, that you spend about an hour with the Countess per day. Who knows, maybe she’ll be able to stay awake without you.” I shrugged, “Who knows?” Derek looked down at me knowingly but said nothing to out me. I wasn’t going to argue with Doc about visiting for an hour per day and I was certainly thankful that it wasn’t an all day ordeal like I had initially thought it would be once he discovered my presence was going to heal her. It wasn’t like I didn’t want to help her but I didn’t have all the time in the world to sit with her. I got the nagging feeling that I had to finish developing the magic while I was out here and that it was only going to be for a few more days.
Doc smiled at me, “I thank you for your assistance today, Your Grace. I imagine it is dinner time now. You can leave for the day.” I nodded at him, “Thanks Doc. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Derek and I left the room but we didn’t immediately go to mess. We made a detour to go see the General. I stepped into the room to see Garrett standing whispering to the General. He turned and smirked at me, “It is always a pleasure to see you, Alexandra. I’m trying to figure out why you are here though. You probably should have been dismissed for dinner.” He smirked at Derek, “My brother should be taking much better care of you. What say you, General? I think Derek can be dismissed now.” The General nodded, “You can go Chalshin, your brother can escort Her Grace to mess later.” He looked up at Garrett, “She’s likely here to check in on my state for her baseline test.” Garrett cocked an eyebrow at his brother who was standing behind me with his fists clenched, “You were dismissed, soldier.” Derek clenched his teeth and spoke through them, “Respectfully, Lieutenant General, I don’t think leaving my post is the best idea. Her Grace is used to having me or Jess by her side. It might be awkward for her to rely on someone new.” Ronan sighed loudly, “Chalshin if you don’t get your ass out of here now, you will be punished.” Derek looked down at me apologetically then back up at the men, “Can I give her a few pointers on her new escort then?” Ronan rolled his eyes, “Whatever, just hurry up.”
Derek pulled me aside and pressed a small dagger into my hand then whispered, “If he tries anything uncomfortable with you, stab him in the leg and pull up then across.” I nodded at him, “Thanks. I will be on my guard with him as you warned me to.” He nodded looking at me with concern, “I’m glad you’re taking what I said seriously, Lex. I’ll get going then.” He said the last sentence louder so that his brother would hear him. Derek left quickly after and I turned my attention to the instruments I needed for my baseline test. I felt a presence right behind me who whispered in my ears, “You are incredibly beautiful when you are so focused. Did you know that?” I felt a chill go down my spine, “I’m not trying.” He chuckled softly, “You honestly don’t have to try. You are so effortlessly beautiful.” I picked up my instruments and shoved past him, “Excuse me, I have some work to do before I go eat and I’m hungry.” He followed me over to the bedside, “You know? I get my dinner privately, I can have it served for two tonight if you want. What do you say?” I sighed and shook my head as I conducted the tests on Ronan, “I would like to rejoin my best friends for dinner and I have my pup to feed.” He smiled, “I’m sure they wouldn’t miss you terribly, especially since they bunk with you also. Can you humor me?” I set down my instruments and turned to him, “Look, I’m sure you have your motives to get me alone with you but I know for a fact that Rayla is with you and I know for a fact that I am not interested.” Ronan laughed, “Well, Chalshin, you got shut down by this firecracker here but honestly, Alexandra, I think you should humor the boy.” Garrett sighed, “I imagine that my brother poisoned her thoughts about me. He never liked when I tried to take what was his.” I clenched my jaw, “I’m NOT his, he is going to marry my best friend, Jess.” He leaned in behind me, “Then you shouldn’t have an issue with having dinner with me. Would you?”
I was going to turn around and shut him down once and for all but like a bolt of lightning, Mordred came through the entrance. He smiled at me, “Oh my baby girl! You’re still here just as I had predicted.” I had never been happier to see that man in my life, “Hi Mordred. What brings you here?” He shrugged and glanced at Garrett, “Oh I just thought I would see if my girl would want to grace her uncle with her presence for dinner.” Garrett stepped forward, “I’m sorry, sir but I already asked her to dine with me.” Mordred shot a look at Ronan and he took Garrett by the wrist and pulled him back, “I think you had better sit this argument out, son.” Garrett shook his hand from Ronan, “I’m afraid of no one.” Ronan vigorously shook his head, “I don’t think you understand who he is. That is not a wit match, magical fight, or physical fight you could ever win.” Garrett smirked, “I’m stronger than anyone in Vellum.” Ronan chuckled, “First of all, that isn’t true. Your brother, Meldon, and Talon all have you beat on that one. Second, that man over there is stronger than most because of his magic. I really would back off on that one.” Garrett shook his head, “Sir, I’m afraid if you don’t back down and concede to me that I will be forced to challenge you to bellicose.” Ronan sighed and plopped back in his bed, “You’re an idiot. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You realize, His Majesty wouldn’t be pleased to hear you trying to fight to get the attention of one of his potential bride candidates. Right?” Garrett shook his head, “I’m not trying to fight for her attention. I merely want to spend some time getting to know her. She’s the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen and would make an excellent wife. There’s no harm in trying to see if there is something between.” I shook my head, “I assure you, sir, that there is absolutely nothing there. Besides, this man here is my family. You would deny me time with my family?”
Garrett looked at Mordred, “Yes, I think I would. I would like to have dinner with you, Alexandra, and I won’t back down so easily.” I sighed, “I can’t imagine what you think you can gain from that but if you feel like you want to try to wrestle me away from my family then, by all means, fuck around and find out.” Ronan and Garrett looked at me while Mordred laughed and turned to me, “You can take the girl out of Terre but not the Terre out of the girl. I see you’ve brought human culture and their sayings with you. You’re the most charming of all the House Batiste, it’s why you’ll always be my favorite.” Garrett cleared his throat, “I think we need to figure out who Alexandra is having dinner with.” Mordred pulled his arm around me, “Your threats mean nothing to me. I want to spend dinner with this child and I will not be denied. Come, Xan, let us go to mess and make merriment with your lycan companions.” He turned me towards the tent entrance and whispered to him, “Thanks, that was awkward.” He merely winked at me but I could feel Garrett shift towards us and he made to grab my arm, “You can’t leave without a military escort, Alexandra. This is an order from the King.” In a quick maneuver, Mordred turned, lifted his hand, and had Garrett floating in the air. He flicked his wrist and Garrett flew to the pole, “You are a bold one, Garrett Chalshin. To come after a royal’s love interest and more importantly a royal’s niece. Don’t you ever touch her without her consent or I, Mordred, King of the Witches will put you down like the mangy mutt that you appear to be. My niece is not for you. Understand?” Garrett looked at Mordred defiantly and Mordred pushed the force of his power harder, “I didn’t hear an answer.” Ronan made to get out of bed, “Mordred, he is a foolish boy but I will vouch for him. Please let him down!” Mordred clenched his jaw, “I need his affirmation.” I could see blood start to escape Garrett’s nose so I placed a gentle hand on Mordred’s shoulder, “Uncle, please let up. I’m sure he is apologetic. Chalshin’s are headstrong so you won’t get much from him at this point but a mangled body. I really don’t want that on my conscience.” Mordred looked at me, “This is you pleading for mercy?” I looked at Garrett then back at Mordred, “As much as I can’t stand him…yes, I am pleading for mercy.”
Mordred relaxed then smiled at me, “It is done.” He let Garrett down, “You are lucky Xan has shown you mercy but make no mistake that I will not hesitate to snap you in half next time. I will deal with the consequences for my little rose later. You really should send your apologies to her later on. Come my girl, let us go eat.” I took the arm that he offered and started to leave the room when I heard Ronan tell me, “Your Grace, thank you for your mercy.” I didn’t look back at Ronan but I did nod, “It would be bad for you and His Majesty to lose a tactician such as Lord Garrett but please reign him in.” Ronan said, “Of course, Your Grace. He will be reprimanded when I get out of here.” We left the medical tent completely and I stopped Mordred, “How did you know I needed help?” He smiled down at me, “We are connected, you and I. It is easy for me to know when you are anxious and I felt it rising within you. I was going to come see if you would dine with me anyhow but I thought that was the right time to show up.” I started to walk along with him, “I do have another question then.” He chuckled, “I thought you might. Go ahead.” I looked up to him, “The Countess said she felt like she knew me forever. Is there something to that?” He stopped in his tracks, “Hmm, there might be but I have to check something first. Do you mind if I go with you on your rounds tomorrow then?” I nodded, “Of course, you can but why?” He sighed and looked up at the moon, “The Countess may in some form be bonded to you. I have to check it out.”
