Chapter Text
Lexa felt a shift in the bed and the rumble of a man’s groan.
Had it been a year ago, she would have assumed that her previous evening was far too indulgent and that she had invited someone into her bed. Maybe it was Erik again. He’d been oozing with boyish admiration and was always eager to please.
But that thought flickered too fast, shooed away by the reality of the situation. Lexa had not seen Erik, nor many of her other old friends in months. That life was dead.
A pleasant smell of musk and clean cloth surrounded her. The chill that permeated outside of the sheets blanketing her reminded her that in no way, was she anywhere near her old stomping grounds.
It also reminded her that under those lovely sheets, she was naked as her name day.
“There ought to be a law against waking us up this early.” A low grumble, although grumble was far too ugly a word to describe this particular voice.
The body behind her moved in close, Lexa’s skin already arrayed in goosebumps before his perfect lips touched her shoulders.
“Don’t worry, they won’t bother us,” Martin Septim, the sole heir to the empire breathed her in after laying luxurious kisses upon her skin.
Lexa’s stomach dropped in terror- in guilt. His touch alone almost pulled a gasp from her.
This was not good.
Lexa could already see the unamused stare of Jauffre turning even more soured once he inevitably heard the news.
“When would be a good time for me to sneak out?”
Martin huffed out a small laugh against her. “I doubt they even know you’re at the temple- you came in so late.”
“Arcturus saw me enter the temple-”
“And? He hardly says a thing to anyone.” His body moved from her side to above her, Lexa feeling the bed shift with his weight.
“This is the loveliest of mornings,” Martin said nonchalantly, as if the empire didn’t rest upon their humble shoulders, as if it didn’t anchor them to this place, to this situation. “I’m not ready to let it end.”
His kisses moved from her clavicle down her chest.
“Martin-” Lexa forced herself to separate the sensation of pleasure from his touch. “I need to leave actually… I need to head back down to Bruma-”
Martin glanced back up at her. “Shall we break our fast first-? We can eat in here if you’d like.”
“No-!” She shook her head quickly and moved out from underneath him. “I really can’t be seen with you- I imagine Jauffre will quite rightly shit himself once he finds out what’s happened.” She stumbled out of bed, the thump of her feet hitting the ground making her all the more sensitive of her body- of her presence in his room.
“He sees us together often enough, Lexa.” Martin laid on his back, watching her contently, his eyes upon her making her all the more nervous. “I’m sure this wouldn’t surprise him.”
Lexa had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. Jauffre had always ensured his passive aggressive comments and threats were made outside of Martin’s peripheral hearing.
“You may be our champion- but I would hesitate to get too close to our heir.” He had hissed his advice not but three weeks ago. Lexa supposed he meant this in good nature, as though Jauffre thought he was doing her a favor by warning her. It rather felt as though an unseeable eye followed her at all junctures now the moment she stepped into Martin’s proximity.
Lexa quickly found her clothes and recklessly threw them back on. She even moved to the darker part of the room, lest Martin catch glimpses of her in whatever candlelight could seep in from under the door.
“ You won’t be the one to face his wrath, Martin.” Lexa grunted as she tied the strings of her breeches. “He’s worried I’m going to ruin you or something-” As if she alone would topple the empire’s future by mere words, by her seemingly evil presence.
She moved to the door as quietly as she could, putting her ear to the wood and listening.
“I’ll just get up with you then-”
“Hush-!” The Nord hissed back at the man still in bed.
He began to move out of bed regardless.
“Stop moving- I’m trying to listen-”
“You worry too much.” Martin muttered as he reached down for his own smallclothes and robes. Lexa simultaneously shunned and ogled the quick and shadowed view of his body.
He made his way over to the door and gently pushed her to the side. Martin opened the door (much to her horror), poking out his head to the guard who stood outside.
“Sorry to bother you- would you fetch me some water?”
“Of course, your highness.” The posted guard replied.
Martin shut the door. “Leave in thirty seconds.”
Instead of allowing her to prepare to make her move, the future emperor took full advantage of the half-minute and pulled her into a kiss.
“Stop- I have morning breath-” Lexa tried to protest.
“As do I.” Martin simply replied as his grip on her tightened.
Lexa overpowered him and slipped away. “I’ve got to go.” And she was already out of the room before he could speak again.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Lexa walked as quickly and silently as she could through the halls of the temple. Damn him for still being up when she had arrived last night. It was if he had known she was going to arrive, as if he’d known she’d never say no to conversation with him. It was the highlight of her visits to the temple; by Oblivion, it was the one of the highlights of her strained existence anymore. Damn him for inviting her to join him in a glass of wine; damn him for his heavy hand, and damn him to Oblivion for making the first move.