Finding My Husband in Another World Season 3: Chapter 6: Solstice.

The passage was narrow, short, and curving. Barely room to turn when standing Arrows wouldn't work here and swords could only be used for stabbing. The curves seemingly gentle enough would also render spears ineffective. The architect of the passage had my admiration. Still I had the edge with my revolver, one of two I was carrying. Not much of an edge but it would provide maximum stopping power at short range. The team was safely waiting in the pocket so I had the laser designator installed and engaged as well. I wasn't taking any chances of the passage being unguarded.

I needn't have worried. I reached the end with no encounters. I released Sky from the pocket and opened the door slightly. He misted through and I used our combined sight to ensure the hall was empty. Then I entered using illusion to hide the moving statue and invisibility to remain hidden.

I released Ember. She nodded and took off. Her job was to locate Rider. Sky followed. I shifted to my demi tiger form and carefully clamped on replicas of the mana canceling cuffs. They weren't real, of course. I tested them before starting out. Still if I was caught I wanted to give the impression I was still powerless.

Sky alerted me that they had found Rider and I was moving again. As expected he was being held in the prince's quarters. Sky entered and I hesitated motioning for Ember to wait. Rider wasn't alone. I linked with Sky So I could see and hear what was happening.

"Where is William?" The queen asked.

"I don't know." Rider replied.

"Where is Prowl?"

"Free and far from here I hope."

"Where is Prowl?" The queen said, more forcefully.

Rider's expression went blank almost as though is mind had just shut down.

"Where is Prowl? Where is your husband? How can you counteract my skill? God's damn it! I will break you. When I return you will be more cooperative."

Ember and I froze, not even daring to breathe, as the queen stormed out and past us. I quickly read her. Born power mental control. She could command anyone to do her bidding? How had I escaped her power? How was Rider blocking it? I checked myself. I found it buried in my stats from my first life. Immunity to mental manipulation. I hadn't really had that ability, though I believed I did. Seems the god of reincarnation had believed it too and it was added to my skill set. I grinned. Maybe they had screwed with us making Rider and I brothers, but I'd gotten a skill for free, tricking a god. It sort of balanced. Again I used my powers so we could slip inside.

Rider was still in a catatonic state. Ember immediately got to work checking the cuffs.

"What’s wrong? Marshmallow tiger got your tongue?" I asked.

Rider blinked and looked around. He flinched as he obviously noticed his hands were being manipulated by something.

"Don't panic, chiot. It's just me."

"Tiger? You shouldn't be here."

"Tomorrow is Noel eve. Do you really think I'm going to spend it without you?"

"The cuffs don't have any requirements. The locks can be easily be removed by another's mana." Ember said.

"Thank you Ember."

"Ember?" Rider asked.

"Newest team member, former network spy, loyal to me."

"Don't trust them. I'm here because Locke betrayed us."

"I know, and she got a shotgun blast of rock salt to the chest for it. I'd like to have followed up with a slug, but that wouldn't be very smart now that we're sort of family."

"So you've taken Epee's virginity? Good, He's proven his worth."

"No Love, I wasn't able too. At least not yet. Ember, can you . . ."

"I'll stand guard in the hall, you can remove these cuffs easily enough."

Once she was out of the room I dropped the invisibility.

"God, it’s so good to see you my mate, but how are you using your abilities with the cuffs on?"

"I plan on confronting our father and removing him from power. It’s part of the deal I made to guarantee our freedom once this mess is over. The cuffs are fake."

"Now, I need you to remain as calm as possible." I lowered my pants.

Rider growled despite being human. "How dare they? I'm going to kill them for doing that to you."

"It's not that bad. I have regen crystals. It's just, as Ren reminded me, it takes a week or so for the tenderness and pain to fade after regen. I couldn't wait that long to rescue you. They also had me declawed but I already fixed that problem." I used my illusion power to make it look like three metal claws slid out of my hands.

"Cut it out. I'm not fooled by that illusion." He laughed.

"Speaking of not being tricked, how did you avoid the queen’s mind control?"

"That's easy, I think of you and how you fill my heart and when she uses her power it locks me in that moment and she can't get in. I really don't think she knows what love is."

"Good, but it seem the sound of my voice snaps you out of it. Are you free to move about the palace?"

"Sort of, I'm restricted to the royal quarters."

"But you can reach the throne room?"

"Easily."

I ran my mana through the cuffs, but I may have over done it since they fell apart rather than just opening.

"It feels so good to be back in touch with everyone again. I really don't know how you went so long unconnected."

“They kept me drugged and unconscious most of the time. I didn't even realize how long it was until I heard Solstice mentioned. Now I'm going to put a fake set of cuffs on you so everyone thinks you're still powerless."

"I- I don't sense Toque. Did they . . ."

"He's fine. I just have the team in the pocket waiting for the right moment to strike."

I put the cuffs on Rider, explained my plan, and then we parted. He was headed for the royal entrance to the throne room, and I was headed to the main entrance.

***

There were four guards at the main entrance and likely a lot more nearby. I bit my lip after reading the queen I'd hoped Rider and I could settle things on our own. This was less than ideal. I tagged Rider as my anchor and dropped into the pocket.

"What's gone wrong?" Chaza asked.

"Where's Rider?" Was Ren's question.

"Change of plans. Something has come up. I need everyone to be as quiet as possible." I cleared my mind. This potion was going to be all or nothing since there was no way to test it. I concentrated on my immunity to mental manipulation. The potion turned black so I gave it a tart blackberry flavor and it lightened to a dark purple. I then filled flasks and passed them out. "I need you to drink the full amount of these flasks. Sky, that includes you as well."

"You said not to take more than a flask worth per day." Ember said, in concern.

"Prowl, what is this potion's effect?" Chaza asked.

I noticed Epee, Ren, and Toque has already downed their flasks without asking.

"Ember, a sip will last about five minutes. We can't risk the potion wearing off. If anyone has a bad reaction I'll cure and purify them." So far no one had so I poured Sky's portion in a bowl for him.

"What does it do?" Chaza demanded again.

“If it works it'll make all of you immune to mental manipulation for the night. The Queen has high level mind control. If the potion doesn't work I’ll drop you back in here and . . . I guess Rider and I will have to kill the queen on our own to get you back.” Sky lapped up his portion while Skit and Ember downed theirs.

"You're immune?" Chaza asked.

"Yeah, and it isn't tied to mana, which is why the queen couldn't control me when they had my mana blocked. Rider is also immune, but his mind just shuts down when she gives him orders."

Chaza downed the potion at last. "Better dead than someone's puppet I suppose."

"Okay, everybody ready yourselves for battle. Skit, use the wood arrows. You'll likely be facing off against guards. In light of this new information it's a good bet they've been mentally manipulated so use non-lethal attacks as much as possible, however the priority is team lives first."

Everyone nodded and got into position I made doubly sure I was in demi tiger form and dropped out of the pocket. I canceled my hiding abilities and stepped into the open. “Okay, I'm sick of playing cat and mouse. I know my mate is here. There is no way I'm going to be able to sneak around you with these damn cuffs on me so take me before the king and queen to let them know you've caught me, again."

The guards looked surprised and then rushed over one grabbing each arm and the other two holding their spears to my neck. "Move."

I rolled my eyes as they marched me into the throne room. "Your Majesties, we have at last captured the escaped animal."

The queen looked absolutely ecstatic. "Guard, go get Jordan. We're going to put an end to all this foolishness right now."

"I told you to call me Rider, and what . . . Prowl! Guard's release my husband at once!" I loved how flawlessly Rider was able to act like he was surprised I was there.

Instead of releasing me two additional guards grabbed him as well.

"You know, if not for your foolishness there was a chance this vermin might have been allowed to live but-". The King started to say.

"Yeah right. Don't try to put any of this on him father. This is all on you and that whore. Sorry Love, no offense to you." I yelled.

"None taken big brother. I don't really see either of them as our real parents."

"Is this some sick joke you two fabricated?" The queen asked, angrily.

"Not at all. You see when you decided I wasn't good enough and decided to make a bit of money by selling me as a slave you effectively killed your oldest son. Unfortunately for you it woke up my dormant personality and abilities. I mean, who would have guessed that Lord Trevant's bastard son was a hero?"

"Impossible." The Queen spat.

Rider laughed. "I believe it, considering he killed Jordan Trevant when he threatened to have Prowl executed. To think, two heroes in the same family and ones that were husbands in their previous lives."

"You're both sick coming up with such a ridiculous story." The Queen laughed darkly. "Guards, kill the tiger."

I smirked, "Really? That might have worked if you'd ordered that immediately, but no, you just had to make sure Rider was here to witness my execution." I removed the illusion I was holding. All the guards were crumpled on the ground.

"Impossible! Those cuffs block all mana abilities!"

"Sure, the real one's did; these were just for show." I ran mana through them and they fell apart as did Rider's "Did you think I'd just jump into a situation without careful planning?" I waved my hand again cancelling the cloak. Ren and Toque stood next to Rider the rest were arranged around me. I barely heard the release of Skits bow. The vines quickly ensnaring the King was the first real indication he had fired. The King let out a scream and I noticed the vines had grown barbs.

"Don't fight it. The more you do the tighter it will get and if you attempt to channel mana those thorns will absorb it immediately." Rider said, with a laugh.

"Impossible. We had you tested. The church said there was no way you would ever have more than three summons because of your lack of mana. We were so careful to make sure you only had the best and then you came home with that worthless sand sprite."

"I found the source of all the mana I could ever need. I don't have mana because my mate provides my power. Oh and I have eight elementals so far."

"Eight!" I yelled.

"Fire, ice, sand, plant, air, lightning, light or holy, and metal. I found the last when he came out of hiding to admire our armored transport."

"Well that puts you ahead of me now with my invisibility, illusion, holy, speed, senses, death, and water."

"Cool, you found an elemental beast. Those are really rare."

"Enough! You will listen to me. I command you. You belong to me. You, the one with the hammer, kill the tiger now." The Queen ordered.

Knockers slammed to the floor. "I'm sorry, it would be most inappropriate to repeat what Knockers thinks of your order. However, I'm sure I can convince her to let me shove her right up your-".

"Chaza, that's enough. Remember, we talked about using such vulgarity." Rider interrupted.

"Oh? So my ability finally worked?" Chaza asked.

Rider clamped his hands over Toque's ears. "No, I'm just trying to raise my kobold properly, you stupid bitch."

Toque laughed. "Master called her a-".

"Remember I can transform into a wolf so she is one."

"Oh, okay. Toque thinks Toque understands."

There was a loud ping and I found Epee had stepped in front of me. His sword pointed at the Queen. "I will not let you kill one of my husbands."

I picked up a large throwing needle and analyzed it. The poison was lethal enough to have killed me before I could cast purify or cure.

"You dare to try and kill my mate?" Rider yelled.

"He’s not much of a mate, at least not anymore. I personally cut off his balls." She held up a small coin bag of black and white fur. "It makes such a nice compliment to so many of my . . ." The queen's eyes bulged.

"What's wrong? Wolf got your tongue? Or in this case your breath?" Rider growled.

"Rider." I warned.

"Non, cheri. She went too far. Reaper, do not interfere. I won’t have Prowl blaming himself for-"

"Die."

The queen's lifeless body crumpled and fell.

"Prowl! I said . . ." Rider started and then realized everyone was staring at Ren as he slowly lowered his hand.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't let either of you have the guilt of killing her. She was nothing but a tyrannical slave master to me so I will have no guilt. Lord Trevant, do you surrender the throne to your first born son?" Ren demanded.

"He's not-"

I shifted to human form. "Not what father?"

"It would make things easier if we just kill him." Rider insisted.

Ren lifted his hand to point

"I officially abdicate the throne to my son William Trevant."

"Well your highness, are you going to live up to your word?" The Prince asked. I noticed a young girl at his side and he was flanked by the royal army as they entered. "I told you my little sister was getting help." He said looking at me.

"Your Royal Highness, as Lord Trevant was a criminal usurper he never had any power to give me or right to do so. You are, and always have been our King since the moment of your father’s murder. We are nothing more than your agents sent to secure the throne for your return. If ever I had any power or right to the throne then I surrender it to you." I said, quickly abdicating any hold I might have on the throne.

"What say you, Rider?" The Prince asked.

"Uh, my husband speaks for all of us."

"I see. Lord Prowl, as of now your adventure team are to consider yourselves my agents to call upon should the kingdom need you. As for you, per our agreement, you are now first among my advisors. General, have several loyal men take Lord Trevant to the dungeon. He is not to be harmed and he is to be treated well. I'll have no rumors of abuse before his trial for treason and murder. Lord Trevant, as it is past midnight we are now into solstice eve. Therefore you have three days to reflect on your crimes and make your peace with the gods."

The guards approached and Rider banished the vines. Lord Trevant tried to run but barely made it a step before collapsing.

"I did warn him not to struggle since the thorns would drain his mana.” Rider said, shaking his head.

"Lord Prowl, your team probably needs some time to rest and a place to have your own Solstice celebration. Seeing as Lord Trevant’s only heir died here defending me I don't see why you shouldn't use the Trevant manor for now. At least until a new lord can be found to protect his lands."

Rider looked at me in confusion.

"You are too kind your Royal Highness. By your leave, I'll take my team there now. I'm sure your army wants to secure the palace as quickly as possible and a group of adventurers, like us, will just get in the way."

"Brother, don't you think they deserve some sort of reward?" The princess asked.

"Such things will be discussed in four days when Lord Prowl returns and we work out the details involved with him being a royal advisor. You may go now my Shadow Runners."

I felt a chill run up my spine. That was definitely something we would be discussing. No one owned my team, not even the King. We were all silent as we walked back to the manor. Though I was happy when Rider linked his fingers with mine and leaned against me slightly. As we arrived it started to snow.

"Maybe by morning there will be enough to make a snow man." Rider whispered, finally sounding truly happy.

***

By the time we reached the mansion’s steps Rider was asleep and I was carrying him. I could have shifted him to the pocket, but I was feeling selfish, not wanting to let him go for an instant. Just inside the entrance we found a stack of boxes and a note.

"Sorry Prowl, but I couldn't just sit and wait so I explored the house from top to bottom. I found these in the attic and considering how excited you were for Solstice I brought them down. I would have started decorating, but my forces have arrived." It was signed with a simple "K".

"Prowl, take Rider to bed, we'll handle this. Ren, you and Epee go as well." Chaza said, as she started opening the first box.

It was only a couple hours before I was back downstairs with them. I'd gotten a cat nap but I couldn't sleep. The decorations were just the bare minimum needed to keep appearances. It almost made the house seem more cold and lifeless.

I followed the sound of voices to the kitchen.

"Not much more we can do. I've searched the city and there is just nothing more to get." Ember said, sadly.

Chaza sighed. "It just feels empty and lifeless. We've got to do something."

I quietly backed away and returned to the main entrance. It needed something. Something grand to really make a statement. It needed a Christmas tree. I pulled out the laptop and ordered a fake tree. I knew Dryadii would have been angered with a living tree. It looked better but it needed to be decorated so I ordered plenty of ornaments and a few more accents for the rest of the hall. I moved to the parlor. Again it was the bare minimum. It was a large room so I ordered another tree for here as well as decorations. Next I entered the training hall. It was large and empty. I opened the small windows hoping they would provide enough ventilation for what I had in mind. I ordered four high capacity generators, the kind that would run up to four hours on a single tank of fuel, extra gas for each one and plenty of extension cords. I ran a chord to the parlor and another to the foyer.

"What are you doing, little mouse?" I jumped as I looked up and realized I was surrounded. Chaza just smirked.

"It's . . . I . . . Just making things perfect for my Wolf."

"And how are you doing that with a tree that isn't really a tree?" Skit asked.

I pulled up an image of a Christmas tree and showed it to them. “I ordered everything you need to make this tree and the one in the parlor look like this. There are strings of cord that wrap around and get plugged into this." I held up the extension cord. “I'm now going to run another into the dining room, one into the main family room, and one to the kitchen."

"Why the kitchen?" Ember asked.

"Because I know Rider is going to want to cook a dinner for all of us. Now let's get to work and show that we can turn this place from cold and dead into warm and inviting. I paused for a moment. “In fact I know of a couple more people in the city that are mostly alone. I'm going to invite them as well."

I went back to work as the rest of the team started decorating the first tree. I ran the cords and added another generator tossing the chord out one of the windows to the back yard. I place two small trees in the dining hall and entered the main family room. It was barren. Obviously there hadn't been a box labeled for this space. I started a fire in the fireplace and put an appropriately sized tree in the back corner. I banished all the uncomfortable furniture and ordered three large couches arranged so everyone could watch either the fireplace or the large screen television I set up in the corner opposite the tree.

The decorating group came in just as I was plugging it in.

"What is that?" Toque asked.

"A magic window to other worlds. Don't worry about it for now just finish up the decorating and get some rest. Ember, I'm going to have a couple of invitations for you to deliver once I finish my last project."

"Okay." They immediately went to work on the tree.

I went out into the back garden and found the perfect location for Rider's Solstice gift I ordered outdoor decorations. Starting with a star I spiraled decorations and lights out from the central point when I was finished I summoned River and had him generate clouds over the entire property. The snow fall increased so that in minutes everything was covered in nearly a foot of snow I called River back. The rest would fall naturally but there was now more than enough for my purposes to hide the decorations.

I went back inside, composed the invitations, and had Ember deliver them. She was extremely hesitant about one considering the location, but I insisted it was correct. I returned to my mates to sleep for a few more hours. I'd set the party diner invitations for tomorrow. Solstice eve was just for our little family.

***

I woke again as Rider yawned and sat up.

“How long have I been asleep?” He asked.

“Half a day, maybe a little longer. You can sleep some more if you want.” I said, just smiling and looking at him dreamily. It was so hard to believe, after everything we were finally together. No more assassins, bounty hunters, or mad monarchs looking to track us down.

“You shouldn’t have let me sleep so long. I wanted to be up to see the fresh fallen snow.”

“Don’t worry, you haven’t missed it.”

“Is it really morning?” Ren asked, as he woke and stretched.

“Afternoon actually, my little foxy.” I said as I scratched behind Epee’s oversized ear. “Time to wake up.”

“Just a little longer.” He begged.

“Come on, we all need to get up.” Rider said, as he crawled out of bed. He frowned. “Come on. You let me sleep fully clothed?”

“Sorry but you were so tired and I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Just for that I’m telling Santa you were a bad kitty this year.”

“Noooooo, I was good. Don’t take away Christmas. You don’t want to make your marshmallow sad.” I looked as sad as I possibly could.

Rider shook his head. ”You know I’d never really do that.”

“Good I have a gift for you. Come over to the window.” We walked over to the window overlooking the back yard.

“Wow, that is a lot of snow.” The snow had continued as I’d slept and I may have overdone it. It looked to be a full meter deep at this point.

“Uh, yeah I may have given it a little help.” I said shyly.

“It’s the perfect gift!”

“Well, that’s not really the gift. Give me a moment.” I connected with Sky and we went out to the place where I placed the star. It actually took a little bit of searching to find the right spot. I carefully marked an “X” over it and then let Sky return to the house. “See that spot that Sky marked? I need you to use your wood powers to grow a pine tree there. The top point needs to be right in the center of that “X” and the tree, needs to be twenty foot tall.”

“So exact. You’re up to something.” Ren said, as he and Epee joined us.

The tree started to rise and the star poked above the snow. As it continued to grow the decorations I had carefully set out caught on the branches making the tree seemingly decorate itself. As it finished growing Rider smiled. “How long did it take you to set that up?”

“I’m never telling, Joyeux Noel mon amour.”

“It really is. Oh! I should be making us a Christmas meal.”

I laughed. “I figured you’d say that. This is Solstice eve and I’ve set things up so we’ll have a gathering tomorrow. That will give you plenty of time to prepare. I’ve even ordered in some modern conveniences to make it easier. Today is just about us and the family we’ve assembled.”

“You always know how to make me happy. You know that right?” He asked, as he hugged me.

“I’ll always do my best, for you.”

As we went downstairs Rider just smiled more while Epee and Ren looked at everything in wonder.

“Give me a moment there is one last thing I need to do in order to make this perfect.” I said, as I hurried past and out of the room. I quickly started the generator to the power in the main foyer and then hurried back. Everyone had gathered and they were staring in wonder at the twinkling tree.

“Prowl, what magic is this?” Chaza asked.

“So Shiny.” Toque mumbled watching the lights dance.

“Merry Solstice everyone.”

I followed as my husbands wandered from room to room taking in the work the others had done. Ending in the Family room.

“Tiger? Why is there a TV here?” Rider asked, in confusion.

“Well I thought since I ordered generators we’d spend Solstice evening watching a couple of movies while relaxing under blankets together with hot cocoa.”

Rider shook his head. “You think of everything don’t you?”

“Well, no. I didn’t know what movies to watch.”

“I know just the ones.”

That night as planned we settled down and watched Home Alone and The Nightmare Before Christmas. I doubt anyone other than Rider and I really understood what was going on but everyone thought they were funny so I guess it worked. Afterward I couldn’t help myself I ordered in plush replicas of Knockers, each in colors specific to each of us and we had a massive plush hammer fight. Maybe it wasn’t quite the same as pillows but it was every bit as much fun.

***

I wasn’t really happy. Rider had been working since early morning on preparing for dinner. I felt bad about mentioning I’d invited a few friends. Plus even though all I was trying to do was help I was exiled from the kitchen.

The doorbell rang and I jumped. I hadn’t realized how quickly the day had gone by. I opened the door and found five dwarves. Two adults and three children.

“Sorry my lord but, I assumed you meant for me to bring my family?”

“Of course, and drop the lord thing, I’m still just an adventurer. Despite the fact the King is allowing me to use this mansion for the holiday.”

“Master Prowl? Is it really you? Wow, it has been a long time.”

“True, I’ve been away but I’m sure you know my mate, Rider, and Ember as well.”

“Rider is your mate? That certainly explains a lot.”

“Please, come in and make yourselves comfortable.”

I’d just gotten them settled in the lounge when the doorbell sounded again. I made my apologies and ran to answer it. Outside was the proprietor and her assistant of the adult toy store. She was wearing a tight dress showing off all her manly assets. Her assistant had changed from black leather body harness to a red one with gold bells and a polar bear codpiece.

“Lord Prowl! I’d wondered who would have the nerve to invite us to a Solstice party.”

“What do you mean? You think I’d just forget my friends?” I asked.

“We’re your friends?” They asked, in surprise.

“Of course, now come in and make yourselves at home. I’m sure dinner will be ready shortly.” I was surprised by Rider coming into the foyer with two more guest.

“Prowl, I found these two orphans at the back door begging for scraps. Do you think we have room for them?”

I put my hand over my face and shook my head. Maybe we were in hell, or headed that way for Rider referring to the King and his sister as orphans. “Yeah, there’s always room for a couple more.”

“Brother, this isn’t-“

“Hush Ophelia, you don’t want to spend the night huddled the cold in an alley somewhere.”

I could tell the princess wasn’t happy about the King’s little game. However I made him the King and if this is how he wanted to join the party I wasn’t going to turn him away. “Just find a place in the dining room and I’m sure there will be plenty to go around.”

The King bowed, making me feel really uncomfortable, and then practically dragged his sister toward the dining room. “You’re going to love this. Ren is an amazing chef and he insists he’s only an apprentice to Rider. He’s the one that invited us, so I know this is going to be a meal that we couldn’t miss.”

Rider grinned and shrugged. “What’s a family dinner without all our little family?”

“Lord Prowl, correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t that-“

“Just another commoner off the street needing a hot meal and good company.”

“I must say you certainly make some of the most interesting friends. The Glass Smith laughed as his family also headed toward the dining room.

***

Dinner was interesting, no speeches, just a quick prayer to the gods and then conversation and good food. Afterwards we retired to the back yard and had a massive snowball fight. Everyone against the King and myself. Of course given the King’s ability I was left wet and nearly hypothermic. Yet I stayed out long enough to light the outdoor tree which amazed everyone. Afterwards we retired to the house and our guests excused themselves. It wasn’t long after that I shut down the generators and Rider used his winds to clear the house of any carbon monoxide buildup.

It is almost midnight and everyone is tucked in and sleeping soundly. I’m just up to stoke the fire places and to finishing up with this journal.

A cup of hot chocolate thudded onto the table in front of me. “I figured you’d be here.” Rider said, as he wrapped his arms around me from behind. Now that we’re alone I’ve got a gift for you as well.”

“You know you don’t-“. I gasped as he slid his hand down the front of my pants.

“I bet you didn’t know that the light elemental gives me the regen ability. Funny thing is when I use it there’s no pain or tenderness. I’ve been trying to tell you, but things keep coming up. Well, I guess things are still coming up.” I could hear the smirk in his voice at that pun. “Anyway I have a question for you.”

I was still basking in the glow of his power but I was aware enough to respond. “You know you can ask me anything.”

“Where do we go from here? And don’t give me that old man answer of finding a place to settle down. We’re too young for you to be acting that old.”

I sighed. “We’ll have to deal with the trial and likely the execution. The King is likely to set the terms of my duties as advisor, but after that? I don’t know. The whole world is open for us to take our time and explore now that we’re not on the run. I just know as long as you’re by my side everything will be perfect.”

“You’re still such a charmer.”

“And for you I always will be my love, my mate, my husband.”

La Fin