Annika approached the council room, her jaw clenched and her heart thirsting for blood. The pompous idiot who had sired Fin was at the forefront of her mind, making her forget to be nervous over the nature of the message she had received.

The Viscountess had been greatly surprised to find out that the messenger Captain Antonio had mentioned in her estate, was in fact mage Lee himself. The elder had then informed her exactly what Aidan Helmer was demanding, and cryptically insisted she go to see the King.

The guards in front of the council room shared looks of uncertainty as they beheld the fearsome ire of the normally composed Viscountess, but quickly granted her entry without a word.

Despite her blinding fury, Annika was shocked to her core when she stepped into the room and saw that Fin already stood before the King. He looked tired, and worried.

“Ah, Viscountess Jenoure. Thank you for coming so quickly. I have just informed Mr. Ashowan of the situation,” Norman greeted after Annika had recovered from her surprise and had given the appropriate curtsy.

“The… The situation?” Annika asked dumbly, unable to properly wrap her head around what was happening.

“Troivackia is interested in the two of you equally. We need to figure out exactly what sparked this interest aside from the obvious, and decide how best to utilize this information,” Norman explained with a sharp gleam in his eyes.

Annika risked a small glimpse at Finlay before realizing she didn’t need to hide her interest in him.

“I… Your majesty I did some of my own research, and realize that Mr. Ashowan is the son of Mr. Helmer. Is it possible that the Troivackian Chief of Military is pursuing him as a vendetta given that they clearly have a poor relationship?”

Norman grinned. “Ah, of course. My secret weapon would know all about the House Witch here.”

Annika didn’t even dare to blink. She couldn’t let on about their relationship. She only prayed Fin was being as cautious.

“My father would undoubtedly pursue revenge; however, why the King of Troivackia would allow such interference in his negotiations is still unclear,” Fin explained, keeping his gaze fixed on the King. Even so, Norman wondered why the cook's cheeks were deepening in color… Then again, Annika tended to have that effect on men.

“Your majesty, do you want me to return to Troivackia?” The Lady could feel Fin’s eyes on her then.

Norman sighed, and leaned against the council room table while shaking his head.

“Well… that is why I have called you both here. I honestly was going to laugh before informing Mr. Helmer that he is insane if he thinks Daxaria cares what happens to Earl Piereva so long as he never returns. We owe them nothing for acting within our laws. However… this could also be an opportunity.”

Annika raised a delicate eyebrow and a small smile began to tug at the corners of her mouth as her original panic gradually reduced. Perhaps it was because she still was getting used to trusting that a noble wouldn’t stab her in the back without a second thought that she had immediately anticipated the worst.

Seeing her positive reaction to this suggestion, Norman relaxed until he turned to Fin who was very obviously gritting his teeth and had crossed his arms. His gaze was steely.

“Mr. Ashowan, Lady Jenoure is perfectly capable of handling herself in these kinds of scenarios. I recognize it seems callous of me, but-”

“Over my dead body.” His words were frostier than any Winter Solstice morning.

Annika’s gaze turned stony when she realized if Fin wasn’t careful he could oust them and then the real trouble would begin. She needed to caution him quickly.

“Mr. Ashowan, I understand you do not know me very well, but I am more capable than you might-”

“We are not toying with Aidan Helmer, and I am not sending anyone to him as his prisoner. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Viscountess or a steward. We will tell him the answer is no, and get him off this land once and for all. Once we can reveal the King’s involvement in the soldiers presence, we will publicly declare war and stop dancing around this.”

As the air rang with the witch’s words Norman stood straighter, his expression displeased. “Do not be in such a rush for bloodshed, Mr. Ashowan. If there is anything we can do that might save more lives than take them, we will. The Viscountess might be able to discover where the Troivackian ships intend to come first and buy us time. We managed to firm up the Zinferan support to our South, but it is still a wide distance between Xava and Austice for our ships and archers to cover.”

Fin looked murderous, and Annika feared he might tell the King everything right then and there to protect her from going with his father.

When the redhead did finally speak again, his voice was hoarse as though he were restraining himself from shouting.

“There is more to his motivations than attempting to make Daxaria look weak. He might be trying to figure out your own mind, your majesty. Aidan has requested two people he has identified as potential tools or weapons at your disposal that Troivackia would know the least about.”

There was a beat of silence before Norman crossed his arms and spoke. “I’m aware you know some of Viscountess Jenoure’s efforts; however, can you really be so confident in your appraisal of both of your values?”

Fortunately for both Finlay and Annika, a soft knock at the door interrupted them.

“Your Majesty, Royal Mage Lee wishes to speak with Mr. Ashowan, if possible,” one of the guards called through the door.

Norman lifted an eyebrow curiously at Fin, who managed to keep his emotions in check. “Very well, I need to discuss this further with Lady Jenoure alone regardless. Once your conversation is finished, please wait outside the door for me to call for you.”

The redhead bowed, and exited, leaving Annika to face off with the King, her stomach churning over Fin’s reaction. Norman turned to her, his gaze calculated as the door gently closed with the witch on the other side of it.

“You will have to forgive Mr. Ashowan, he has a protective nature. I’m sure he didn’t mean to insult your capabilities. In truth, I wasn’t certain how much you had revealed to him when you reported that he had helped you.”

Annika bobbed her head subserviently. “It is alright. I’m given to understand this is a sensitive time with his father being apart of this. I do wonder though…”

Norman waited expectantly.

“It is entirely possible that Mr. Ashowan is right. I’ve heard by now that he is a House Witch, and I’ve also heard he was able to suppress Baron Gauva’s men with ease when the Queen was unwell. He could be right that they are trying to determine which of us has more value to you. Especially with the news that my brother Charlie is missing…”

Norman’s attitude immediately shifted at the reminder of the ominous news Aidan Helmer had given. “Have you been in touch with your brother recently?”

“Not for a few weeks. I told him of a few other locations and families that could hide him and his family should he ever think that anyone was suspicious of him, so I believe he will be fine. I am a little worried about my sister-in-law and niece but… I know Charlie would’ve done all he could to make sure they are out of harm's way.”

Despite the confidence of her words, Norman could see she wasn’t fully convinced. “Very well. We will wait to hear more before requesting information.”

Annika nodded her consent, then let out a long breath. The monarch raised an eyebrow, it was uncharacteristic of the Lady to show so much worry.

“So, would you like to be taken as a hostage of good will? See if you can needle out some information?”

Annika raised her brown eyes to his hazel ones, and gave him her reply that was not at all what he was anticipating.

*

“You need to tell the King. About… the two of you.” Lee whispered urgently in the shadowy corridor. The intensity of the statement however, did little to ease the stiff expression on the redhead’s face.

“Why is that?”

“Do you not think it strange that Mr. Helmer is going after Lady Jenoure as well as yourself? His majesty needs to know everything if he is to make the wisest decision regarding-”

“Her majesty the Queen knows. If she believed it to be relevant do you really suppose she wouldn't mention it to him?” Fin’s voice, while quiet, had a deadly edge to it.

Mage Lee balked immediately. “The Queen knows?!”

“It would seem so. Now, I believe there is more than one possible reason Aidan is targeting Lady Jenoure. It just sounds strange because... ” Fin trailed off, a sudden frown settling in his brow.

Turning around sharply, the redhead strode back down the corridor back to the council room door. Leaving Lee to drop his forehead to his hand.

“Son of a witch,” he muttered while slowly beginning to follow Fin.

“I need to speak with his majesty immediately.”

The guards shared a quizzical look over the sudden shift in the cook’s attitude, when the chamber door opened and Annika stepped out looking somewhat pale.

“Good evening to you, Mr. Ashowan.” Without raising her gaze to him, the Lady began to turn away from him, only to have Fin gently cup her cheek and turn her face back to him, startling her thoroughly.

The guards exchanged nervous glances, and one began to clear his throat.

“We need to go back in there,” Fin whispered quietly. “Together. I think we need to… I think we need to… talk. I have a suspicion.” Mage Lee halted a few feet away and his jaw dropped when he noticed the very obvious affectionate touch the cook was giving Lady Jenoure.

“Oh for the love of- You know we can all see you, right?!”

Annika’s eyes grew round and hesitant, and she completely ignored the mage’s presence when she answered the redhead. “Are you sure we need to right now?”

Fin let out a small sigh, and smiled with a mixture of resignation and sadness. “Yes.”

Slowly closing her eyes, the Lady let out a small breath before she pressed her cheek into his palm, then turned and kissed it. There was a small squeak from one of the guards behind her that could be heard as she then straightened her shoulders, and faced the guards who both had their jaws wide enough to catch an entire fleet of flies.

“We need to go back in,” she announced, her cool composure intact and her gaze unwavering.

Fin’s heart was in his throat, and his palms were already drenched in sweat, but if he was right… then it was better if the King knew. He glanced at Annika worriedly, he wished they had a chance to discuss it beforehand, but… She was trusting him.

The guards tried to maintain a professional attitude, but not even mage Lee was able to do so as he threw his hands in the air. “Your grand realization was that I was right wasn’t it! You’re going to go tell him?”

Fin shot the elder a flat expression before entering the council room with Annika at his side.

Norman was looking at one of the maps fanned out on the council room table, but when he realized that both the Viscountess and cook had returned, immediately straightened.

“Lady Jenoure, I thought we were finished for this evening,” he observed curiously.

Annika glanced at Fin, and her controlled equanimity momentarily flickered in her eyes when she saw how obviously terrified he was. Hastily, she took a fortifying breath and clasped her hands demurely in front of her skirts. Resuming her self-assured facade, she faced the King.

“Yes,” Fin looked as though he were about to fight the entire Troivackian army single handedly, his face was ashen, and he was breathing a little too quickly. “Your highness, there is something else Aidan might be aiming to accomplish and… if I’m right… it is better for you to have all of the information.”

Norman frowned in concern. What could it possibly be that had the cook so distressed?

“Your highness… it is possible that Aidan was trying to get me kicked out of the castle to render me powerless, and Lady Jenoure stripped of her influence even further… using… information, he may or may not have.” Fin swallowed with great difficulty.

“Mr. Ashowan, please speak plainly. It has been a long day, and there is no need to dance around important matters with this war.” The King stepped towards the pair slowly.

“Your highness, Viscoutness Jenoure and I are… are…” For a moment Fin thought he would vomit before getting the words out, but knew there was no other choice. Not if he was right. “We are betrothed.”

The silence that followed the announcement made Fin’s chest ache. Annika stood beside him, her face serene, but he could feel the rigidness in the air around her. The two then waited for the King to react to the secret they both had been hiding, both terrified beyond measure.