020 - No Favors

020 - No Favors
|||YASMIN|||

It occurred to me as I walked the halls of the general's wing with the general that I probably should have taken a bath first before agreeing to have breakfast with him.

He didn't seem to mind but I wondered what he must think of me.
He must see me as some lost, broken hearted woman who probably didn't care about the necessity to clean up due to my predicament.
Fortunately, I wasn't that woman.
What I was though, was impatient. I had questions, so many, and perhaps a few apologies if I could.

Zeirik walked faster than I did, his long legs moving at a slow pace yet I was left scurrying behind him, panting slightly. His shirt was slightly wrinkled but even in its slightly disarray, the man carried an air around him, one that couldn't be ignored or tamped down.
Which was exactly what I needed.

We rounded a corner and surprisingly, there was a simple set-up by the floor to ceiling window that showed the enthralling sight of the snow covered palace. White stretched out for miles, as far as the eyes could see. The sight of snow reminded me of home, I was saddened winter would be over soon.

There was a small round table next to the window, nothing extvagant. It was flanked by two cushioned chairs, on the table was an abundant but simple spread of food. Breakfast.
My stomach grumbled at the sight of the steaming bowl.
Oats, my favorite.

It was then I realized I had barely eaten in the past few days, everything was happening so fast and I could barely think about my body's needs while I was worried about Helga, about the divorce.

"Please," Zeirik pulled out a chair for me, his eyes holding mine with a glint of mischief playing in those depths.
Cautiously, I sat and muttered a low thanks, he took the seat opposite me and a slow grin stretched his lips.

"Help yourself," He gestured at the spread before he dug in without any hesitation.
The scent of the food wafted into my nostrils, making my stomach lurch and grumble in so many ways but...i couldn't bring myself to take the first bite.

Zeirik stopped eating after a few seconds when he noticed I hadn't touched anything from my side of the table, he raised his eyes and goddess...they met mine again.

There was something different about him. Something that made him feel like a completely different creature all together. I've spent the past four years in the midst of wolves, Zeirik didn't feel like one.

He tilted his head to the side. "You can ask your questions while you eat, Yasmin."

I swallowed thickly, feeling a slight discomfort at the fact that he could see through my thoughts.

"I have to ask them first," I admitted, "I cannot taste anything until I do."

I wondered if Helga had had anything to eat, if she was okay, if she was cold.

Winter is cruel in Elysium and just like every personal maid to royalty, Helga was also a noble, a cherished and sheltered daughter.
This was all my fault.

"Is Helga..."

"Safe," Zeirik replied almost immediately as my words registered, he brought his index finger up to him chin and held it there as a thoughtful look flitted across his features.
"My brother hadn't been cruel to her, he kept her warm, fed but still captive up until last night," Then he reached into his pockets and pulled out what looked like a folded note before handing it over to me.

I was confused and somewhat wary but I took the note, in it was Helga's handwriting.
My grip on the flimsy piece of paper tightened as my eyes took in every word.

"She left after making sure the kitchen here knew your likes and dislikes, then she gave me that, to give to you," He spoke softly, as though he knew just how fragile my emotions were in the moment.

Helga wrote that she was leaving the palace, headed back to her father's house to recover but she would be back soon and I shouldn't worry about her.

'Do what you have to do'
The last line said, and it struck me so deeply it almost stole my breath away.

"As for the divorce, Cassien should be getting a letter from the Priest any moment now," Zeirik added.
My eyes snapped up from the letter in my grasp, to look at him again and I let out a breath I didn't realize had been lodged in my throat.

He actually...kept his promise.

"Zeirik, I-"

He held up a hand and shook his head, "This wasn't a favor, Yasmin," He spoke, his tone suddenly serious, "I've given away a Boone from the Alpha King for you, so you must keep your word as well as I've kept mine."

I was at a loss for words until it finally clicked in my mind.
Making him Alpha, that was my promise.

He wasn't doing this as a favor, but he's still helped me far better than I would've done if I had to face it alone.

"Thank you, Zeirik." I said still, "You have helped me in ways you cannot understand, and I will remain eternally grateful for it," I fiddled with my fingers in my lap, "You will not regret you decision by choosing to marry me, I will give you power, far beyond what you can get on your own and I will be by your side every step of the way, for as long as you'll have me."

His lips parted, then closed, then parted again. Like he was finding the right words and deciding against them after.

A heavy silence descended between us and Zeirik turned his face away from mine, I could have sworn I heard him mutter a curse under his breath before he let out a loud exhale.

"Now that we have that out of the way..." He gestured at my bowl, "Eat, Little Viper."