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You’d been sleeping peacefully. It took a while to adjust back to being in your home court of Spring with Tamlin almost back to normal. You were finally able to sleep through the night most nights now. You’d been dreaming about a forest when you stilled in your dream, the smell of bonfire coming through and you looked around for the source.
You didn’t find it- you were jolted awake when you felt hands on your body. You screamed, thrashing about to get away from whatever grabbed you. Your feet hit something solid and you screamed again, trying to crawl up the bed.
“Stop kicking me! Love, it’s me!”
You stilled, panting and looking at the figure next to you. It took a moment for your eyes to adjust to the dark and your mind to catch up with what you heard and saw. It was Eris, his red hair and skin practically glowing and illuminating the room. You didn’t remember that from the last time you saw him.
“What, Eris- why- how are you here?”
“I’m High Lord now,” he said, his voice soft and stirring that bond in your chest. “I’ve come to take you home.”
You were still stunned and confused. “In the middle of the night?” You hissed.
He grinned at you. “I can’t wait another day. Trust me. I’ll send for your things, don’t worry.”
Then Eris scooped you up out of bed and tossed you over his shoulder, still in your nightgown. You yelled again and hit his back. “Have you lost your mind?”
He only laughed at you as he carried you out into the hall. You heard the rattle of armor and guards shouting. You flushed red with embarrassment.
“Eris put me down!”
“Eris, what the hell are you doing?” You wanted to die as that voice belonged to Lord Tamlin.
“Taking my mate home,” Eris replied as if he didn’t just break several laws by barging into another High Lord’s manor.
He stopped and Tamlin called out your name. “Do you even want to go with him?” He asked. He was more calm about this than you anticipated. “Eris put her down.”
You lifted your body up, slightly dizzy and looked to see Tamlin shirtless, half laced trousers thrown on in a hurry. He was giving you an out. “I-“
Eris cut you off. “I’ll sign those trade agreements that had sat on my fathers desk for months and lower the import tariffs if you let us walk out of here right now, unscathed.”
“Eris,” you glared even if he couldn’t see your face.
Tamlin pinched the bridge of his nose. “Do you want to go with him, yes or no?” His question was directed at you.
You sighed. “Yes. But don’t tell anyone he hauled me out of here like a mindless brute.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Tamlin sounded beyond exasperated. “Break my wards again, Eris and I will kill you.”
“Understood,” he said with a serious tone. “I’ll send you the documents in the morning. And I’ll request for her things- the right way.” He then patted your rear, making you jolt and flush again. “I’ll be taking my mate home now.”
You glared into the darkness as he proceeded to start walking again. Tamlin made eye contact with you as you both passed and you glared at him. He did nothing to hide his amusement. You couldn’t be too angry. Tamlin knew you were Eris’s mate. He knew the feelings were mutual and had known for decades.
You were certain that was the only reason he let you both walk out without another word. Eris finally pulled you off his shoulder and down into his arms when you both reached the manor doors. You hit him on his shoulder while he opened the doors and carried you into the courtyard.
“You did this on purpose,” you pouted. The sentries at the door ignored you both but you knew they were snickering to themselves.
Eris turned and whispered as he carried you past the wards. “I will make it up to you, love. Once I sign those agreements in the morning, I have nothing planned outside of keeping you in bed for the rest of the day.”
Your scent betrayed you as you thought about being with your mate for the first time in nearly a century. He grinned at you, want in his eyes and his own scent changed ever so slightly.
“Take me home,” you whispered back.
“See, I told you to trust me.” You rolled your eyes as he grinned and winnowed you both to Forest House.