A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

With the deal made, Erik turned to Naeku with a charming smile. Extending his hand with palm up, he performed a gentlemanly bow. "Now that that's done, would you be interested in going on a date this evening, Naeku? Assuming this whole business hasn't put you off entirely?"

Naeku smirked at his obviously playful gesture and put her hand in his. "I know how the world works, Erik. I'm not put off by ambition, so long as your actions don't actively hurt my people or become needlessly cruel."

Using the opportunity, Erik grasped her hand and pulled it to his lips, pulling Naeku from her seat in the process. "Wonderful. I look forward to getting to know you better," he winked after kissing her hand. Around them, Elora smirked playfully, and Ankhur twitched uncomfortably, but Erik was shameless.

"I'm sure you do!" Naeku chuckled playfully and confidently. "And I guess learning something about my future emperor also couldn't hurt."

They looked into each other's eyes, indifferent to the rest of the room, but Erik noticed a strange glint in her eyes. Suddenly, a slight doubt entered his mind. 'She seems more willing than I expected… I wonder if she's trying to ingratiate herself for the sake of her people.'

But, before he could think any more on that, Naeku pulled her hand back and walked past him. "I'll be ready after sunset."

Erik watched her leave with a thoughtful frown… but then shook his head. 'I'll find out her motivations later. Perhaps it's all just the crush she has on me.'

Instead, he turned to Ankhur, who was only barely suppressing his discomfort. He'd accepted the courtship between Naeku and Erik, mostly because his daughter ignored his objections, but seeing it happen in front of him still irked him. Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

But Erik ignored it. "Now, about your arm…"

Suddenly, Elora appeared next to him, a sharp sigil chisel in her hands and a sadistic grin on her lips. "This might hurt a little…"

* * *

About an hour later, Erik and Elora walked back to the rooms they'd been given after arrival. Back in the study, Ankhur was recovering from a relatively painful procedure. As they walked, Erik shared his suspicions about Naeku with his wife, through their bond.

"There's definitely a chance that's what she's doing," Elora answered his suspicions with a shrug. "But I wouldn't worry about it. You can't bring it up because it might backfire, and if you ever get so far that she agrees to marry you, the Heartfire sigil will make sure her feelings are genuine."

Turning slightly, she trailed a finger across Erik's powerful arms with a suggestive smirk. "And if, by that time, you've fallen for Naeku and she breaks your heart, your other wives will be there to… comfort you."

Erik barked a laugh and shook his head, before turning to kiss Elora passionately. "Where would I be without you, my love."

Smirking, Elora leaned against his chest. "Technically you'd be dead, but I assume you're looking for something more romantic?"

Erik grinned, pulling her closer to him, his gaze lost in her languid emerald eyes and celestial beauty, his hands tangled in her long, crimson hair. "No, I think dead sounds about right…"

For a few moments longer, they enjoyed each other's presence, but then it was time to move on. With the deal they'd just made, their, and especially Elora's, life was about to become much busier.

"Anyway, I'm going to spend a little time with Mom until my date with Naeku. I feel like I've been neglecting her by focusing on my dates and Elorium cultivation," he said, this time aloud, after they continued walking. "Would you like to come?"

Elora sighed wearily, "No, no… This deal we've made is a good one, but it's also given me a long list of things I need to work on. Setting up large-scale lesson plans to teach these people about sigils, for starters… But I also need to spend some time making a large quantity of covenant, and formation stones."

Erik chuckled playfully with a small grin. "Hehe, well, your hard work is appreciated, my industrious little Ember. Still, let me know when you have a little free time, alright? I know you haven't asked for one, but if anyone deserves a date, it's you."

"Hmmm, I'll let you know," the fairy hummed suggestively, a small, happy smile breaking out on her lips, before leaning closer to purr in his ear. "But if you just fuck me into a coma tonight, I'll be happy for a while~~."

Erik sighed, his expression soon matching hers. "Seriously, though… what would I do without you?"

Elora giggled, and they went their separate ways.

* * *

After leaving Elora, Erik went to meet his mother. Over the last few days, he'd met with her at least once a day, but never for long. He'd been busy planning and executing his dates, without sacrificing his Elorium cultivation. But this time he finally wanted to spend some one-on-one time with her.

After meeting her, he took her over to the same room he'd been using for his dates. There, he used the illusion sigils to turn it into the living room from his youth, the one he'd lived in with his parents, back in Frostvik.

Tears appeared in Runa's eyes as soon as she saw it. "It's so realistic…" she muttered emotionally, carefully touching the table they'd eaten so many dinners on and actually meeting resistance.

"I— I wasn't able to return here, after…" she gulped "…after the awakening. Too many memories. With your disappearance, and Leifur's death, I—"

"I know," Erik interrupted her, remembering Viljar had told him as much. He snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "But, I'm back now. I figured we could talk some more… Perhaps spend a little time remembering Dad together? We've both had a lot of time to mourn, but we've never really done it together."

Runa grabbed her son's arms and slowly nodded. "I think I'd like that, Silvy…" A few, solitary tears flowed down he cheeks, but she quickly wiped them away and groaned. "Ugh, look at me, crying like a little girl."

Erik chuckled and smiled. "Even big girls can cry if their heart is broken, Mom."

"Hmpf, corny little shit…" she scoffed, despite the small smile spreading on her lips.

For the next few hours, they moved through the illusion of their old house, build up out of Erik's memories, and celebrated Leifur's life. When they finally left the illusion with a sigh, they both felt like a weight had been dropped of their shoulders.

Afterwards, it was time for his date with Naeku.