"I've got a bone to pick with you!" Trixie growled, jabbing a finger into his chest as she rounded on him. His smile only widened.
"That's convenient, because I have a pretty hefty boner right now," He replied.
"Can't you take anything seriously?" She demanded.
"I always take you quite seriously," Emerick replied. He let out a small squawk as she tackled him, though she had a nagging suspicion that he'd gone down far too easily. Still, she couldn't help but feeling satisfied as she pinned him beneath her.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She growled. "Did you think it was funny? Do you like making such a big fool out of me?"
"Oh, please be gentle my mistress," He exclaimed dramatically, striking an infuriatingly feminine pose beneath her. "I've never had it like this!"
"Grow up!" Trixie snapped. "And answer my question you jack ass!"
"Whatever do you mean?" He questioned.
"Why didn't you tell me that you're Arnwald's son?" She demanded.
"I thought it was obvious?" Emerick shrugged. "I know my full name has been mentioned several times, and we are living on palace grounds, though my estate is a little ways away from the main house. Gotta love the perks of being a bastard."
"Why didn't you tell me?" She repeated. To her surprise, she could feel tears forming. Did she really feel that betrayed by the revelation? "Why did you keep it a secret? Why?"
She began beating on his chest in frustration. She didn't realize when she subconsciously slid down his waist until she was straddling his hips. He went rigid, and she felt him harden beneath her, but she was so focused on her barrage of half-hearted punches that she ignored it.
"You should go top more often," He gasped, cracking a strained smile. "This actually feels kind of good." When she glared at him he sighed. "Trixie, I didn't keep it a secret. Like I said, I thought it was fairly obvious. Everyone in your family, even Titus, realized I was the regent's son. Jacoby has announced me by my full title several times over the last few weeks. I'll admit, I thought your ignorance on the subject when we first met was quite endearing, but I had no idea you hadn't figured it out already."
"How could I?" she cried. "We never talked about it! Just because it's obvious to you doesn't mean it's obvious!"
She yelped in surprise when he abruptly bucked her off his hips, then rolled over on top of her, effectively pinning her. Once she recovered, she started growling in frustration.
"I really like this position as well," He commented, giving her a peck on the lips. He chuckled when she bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. "My dear, how can we talk about these things when you avoid me? Should I have left a letter on your vanity? What assurance do I have that you wouldn't burn it out of spite?"
She hated to acknowledge it, but he had a point. She really hadn't given him an opportunity to explain, but that didn't mean he was completely absolved. She tried to ignore the growing lust as she stared into his striking set of eyes. Those damn reptilian eyes! She decided they were a very potent curse to her sensibilities.
"You could have given me a heads up!" She wasn't sure how, but she managed to muster enough strength to roll him over her, then used the momentum to hoist herself back on top of him. She let out an involuntary groan as the action caused her to grind against his shaft. It hardly mattered that they were still clothed.
"This isn't just about my father, is it?" Emerick prompted. He didn't look upset, nor did he appear to be feeling especially guilty, which only upset her further.
"You're taking everything away from me!" She exclaimed, slapping his chest forcefully. "You're taking it all away, and you're leaving me in the dark! I thought you were different! I thought I could trust you!"
"No you didn't," Emerick stopped her with a cold stare. "You haven't trusted me from the moment we met, not completely. And contrary to what you seem to think, I haven't taken anything away."
"You went behind my back!" She accused. "You are actively giving orders to both Titus and Rathus! You promised you'd stay out of my family's business!"
"I promised I would not interfere with how you decided to run things," Emerick replied gently. "I did not promise that I wouldn't make a point of getting to know and getting along with your family. Believe it or not Trixie, I do want to be part of it."
"Who says you get to be?" She cried. "You don't get to force your way in! it doesn't work like that!"
"I am aware of that," Emerick replied. She yelped again as he seized her by the wrists and pulled her forward against him so that their noses were practically touching. "I would say I have a long ways to go before I earn that right, but I don't mind waiting and working. Is it really that hard to believe that maybe, just maybe, I'm nothing but a lonely bastard who wants more purpose in life?"
"That's not my problem!" Trixie screeched, trying to pull away. To her frustration, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. No matter how much she struggled, she couldn't escape his embrace.
"No, it is mine," Emerick replied gently. "And I don't expect it to be resolved in the near future. Still, given how upset you were about me withholding anything, I thought I would make my intentions clear. Trixie, I don't want to control your family. I just want to be part of it, and I have every intention of doing everything in my power to help you take care of them."
"You… you…" She wanted to stay mad at him, but she just couldn't. Against her better judgement, she believed him, and she was touched. Weakened by the turmoil in her heart, she didn't resist when he pulled her in for a kiss.
"Will you listen?" He asked several moments later when he pulled away. Tired, she nodded. "Thank you."
Sitting up, he pulled her into his lap hand held her tenderly, stroking her back as she clung to him. She buried her face in his chest, reluctant to show him her tears even though she knew he'd feel them on his bare skin. It was really criminal how nice he smelled.
"I am not giving them orders," Emerick revealed. "In fact, I'm not even giving them suggestions. They came to me. Well, Rathus came to me. I'll admit to some meddling with Titus, but after your spat with him I was worried what he might do if I didn't intervene."
"I was pretty rash," Trixie admitted with a sad laugh. "So, if you aren't their boss, then what are you?"
"A sponsor? Patron?" Emerick frowned. "I'm not sure what the appropriate term would be. "An investor maybe? I am trying to work with them to start a business. If anyone is in charge of those operations, I would say it's probably Liron. He's the one making decisions in any case."
"That little weasel is pretty cunning," Trixie sighed. "It would be just like him."
"No doubt, he learned from the best," Emerick chuckled, tapping her on the nose. "Trixie, I'm sorry. I never intended to make you feel excluded or undermined. If you really want, I will put some distance between myself and the orc brothers."
"That's not necessary," Trixie replied. "It is a good idea… and it's my own fault for not listening. They just wanted to help. All of them… and I didn't even give them the chance. I've failed them."
"You made a few mistakes," Emerick corrected. "The way I see it, you haven't failed them until you've given up on them."
"You really are trying to rack up the brownie points, aren't you?" she laughed a little and pushed him playfully.
"Is it working?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. She giggled at his antics.
"Maybe a little…" she sighed. "But seriously… I am not good at this." Quietly she added. "I… I need help."
"What would you like me to do?" He asked.
"Teach me," She said, amber eyes wide. "Teach me everything you know. Help me become better… stronger!"
"Everything?" Emerick smirked. "I may be a bastard, but my training and grooming was quite extensive. Are you sure?"
"I want to be the best leader and big sister I can be!" Trixie nodded. Silently, she realized she wanted to be better for him as well, though she wouldn't admit as much to him. Not yet at least.
"If that's the case," Emerick rocked back onto his back and pulled her onto his hips, causing her to straddle him. "Physical training begins tomorrow at 7 am sharp."
"Are you sure it isn't starting now?" She purred as he began sliding his hand up her shirt. It had only been a few days, but she had desperately missed the feel of his touch.
"Only if you want it too," He smirked.
"Bring it on… little lordling."