The Ever King

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains descriptions of violence and abuse.

Erik leads Livia into the palace. They are intercepted by Fione, a noblewoman whom Livia presumes to be Erik’s lover. However, he sweeps past Fione and doesn’t acknowledge her when she asks for his time at the feast. When Livia asks about her, Erik says that Fione presumes to be his mate, which horrifies Livia, given their recent intimate moments. Erik is dismissive of Fione and is not interested in her. He and Livia arrive in his bedchamber, where Erik unceremoniously strips his shirt to change, thus exposing his scars. Livia is adamant that her family would never scar a child so badly. He alludes to her previous comment about his “mangled” body, then orders her not to leave the room under any circumstances.

Erik convenes with Alistair, his butler, and instructs him on how to take care of Livia. He then sees the ship of Gavyn Seeker, one of the heads of Houses, and uses the servants’ corridors to meet Gavyn. While on the way to this location, he overhears servants commenting that Livia will want to keep the light off if he sleeps with her.