Fin stared out at the cloudy early morning sky blankly before turning to stare at Annika’s peaceful sleeping face. His first day married he had spent an aggravating amount of time working. Then when he had gotten back to the room, he had been more than a little disappointed to see that Annika had fallen fast asleep, and rousing her was incredibly difficult. At first he had been upset that on his final night she couldn’t be bothered to stay awake; however, when he had touched her cheek he was shocked to discover she was burning hot.

With a long sigh, the redhead clambered out of bed and began dressing. It was going to be time to see his father, but first he wished to speak with his mother regarding healing Annika’s fever and then the King regarding a small concern of his.

Turning back and dropping a kiss on her forehead, Fin’s frown deepened. She still was incredibly warm… had she been feeling unwell during the wedding? Had that been why she hadn’t been drinking?

Standing upright, the cook then turned and quietly left the room.

Making his way down to his cottage, the humidity and smell of rain made the redhead smile grimly. “At least this weather will piss off Aidan…”

As the cottage came into sight, Fin was pleased to see two armed Knights standing guard. The King had allowed Katelyn to stay in the cottage the night before the redhead was set to leave, but even so they did not want to take any risks. Even with Aidan not being on castle grounds…

After giving the two Knights a brief nod, Fin walked into the cottage as the first drops of rain began to fall. The redhead was surprised to see his mother already up and seated at the table with her hands wrapped around a cup of tea that had very clearly gone cold. After a brief look at her face, it was apparent she hadn’t slept well for a few days… A pang of guilt ran through the redhead as he turned and closed the door.

“Morning, Mum,” he greeted quietly as he joined her at the table.

“Morning.” Her eyes met his and searched his face for several long moments. “Are you ready?”

“Almost. Annika is running a fever, I haven’t been able to wake her up since last night,” he explained as his thumb unconsciously began to stroke the golden ring around his finger.

Katelyn frowned. “That is worrying, I will go check on her once Antonio confirms it is safe for me to go.”

“Thanks… I hope… I know you two apparently aren’t getting along the greatest, but-”

“It’s in the past. She’s your wife now, and I will treat her well.” Katelyn tried to smile reassuringly, but the corners of her mouth didn’t seem to want to obey.

“Mum, please… don’t hesitate to ask the people here for help. I know you had only come here for a visit and wound up getting pulled into everything, but… everyone here… well they’ve obviously fallen in love with you…”

Katelyn reached out and clasped her son’s hands in her own. Tears welling up in her eyes, she stared lovingly into her son’s face, making a firm lump rise in Fin’s throat.

“You… are the greatest part of me. I am proud of you, my sweet boy, and I love you more…” Kate’s voice broke off as Fin moved his hands to hold hers instead, tears filling and spilling from his own eyes.

“I love you more, than absolutely anyone, or anything. This world… this world did not deserve you,” Kate managed to finish before dropping her forehead to their joined hands and allowing the grief to fill her.

Kissing his mother’s hands, Fin continued to weep quietly as his heart ached with the love for his mother. The pain he knew he was causing her tore him apart… and he hated that there was nothing he could say or do to make it better.

*

An hour later, Fin stood in the council room before the King, Captain Antonio, Mr. Howard, mage Lee, and Lord Fuks. They all wore grim expressions as they regarded the redhead with varying looks of sympathy and regret.

“Your majesty,” Fin bowed. “I heard that Mr. Helmer is on the way from his ship to retrieve me.”

“You heard correctly. Are you prepared to go?” Norman asked while folding his hands loosely over the table.

“Just about… I wanted to talk with His Highness about Peter and Heather before I left however.”

Everyone seated at the table shifted uncomfortably.

“Your Highness, I’m sure you were trying to be considerate of me by not telling me you found out they were the spies. However, when they didn’t return from being questioned, it was relatively easy to guess.”

The King gave an apologetic nod of his chin. “Forgive me, Lord Ashowan. I wanted to spare you having to discover their betrayal before facing Mr. Helmer.”

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Sire. However… can I ask that they not be punished too severely?”

Norman’s eyebrows shot up. “Were you aware of their actions?”

“I did wonder why Heather was sick so often… and so when we began investigating I did suspect her. Peter, I… I did not foresee… I still do not believe he did so maliciously,” Fin managed to say, though it was clear on his face that it still pained him to think about.

Norman let out a long sigh before sharing a brief look with Captain Antonio.

“Heather was a paramor of Lord Piereva before he was arrested. She swears that she only admitted that you went to the ball, but moreso because he threatened her when she refused to answer him properly. I think the guilt has been wearing away on her constitution…”

Fin nodded, though he was incredibly surprised that meek little Heather had the gumption to bed Lord Piereva…

“Peter’s case is even more troubling… He has formed a relationship with a Troivcakian Knight visiting here by the name of Karter Dawson. Apparently, Peter relayed that you had a woman you were in love with that you were seeing. Karter alleges that he did share this information, but never did so again… apparently he has had to have been isolated from the other Troivackian Knights because they’ve taken to beating him in the cells for his betrayal of them. I’m given to understand Karter and Peter are still in a relationship and that this Knight is looking to… avoid taking part in any hostile actions towards Daxaria as a result.”

Fin nodded. “It sounds to me like the most they shared was gossip. Lady Jenoure’s name was never mentioned.”

“Ashowan,” Mr. Howard called out suddenly.

Fin looked to the assistant expectantly.

“No, not you. You called the Viscountess Lady Jenoure. Her name is Lady Ashowan now. Though both your official titles when conducting noble business would be Viscount and Viscountess Jenoure as it is still a noble house…”

Fin stared dumbly at the man before managing to give a faint smile.

“Just want to make sure you get it right after the amount of paperwork it took to-” Mr. Howard’s complaint was silenced by the Captain’s icy glare.

“Right, well… I’ll remember to refer to my wife properly from now on… Speaking of, I would like to go check on her one final time before saying farewell if that is alright, Your Highness.”

“Very well, but I recommend you hurry. We have to smuggle the Viscountess out of here and bring her back in a carriage to make it look as though she is coming only to receive her family members,” the King explained wearily. It was plain as day how much fussing the entire plan took…

“Your Majesty, thank you for going to such lengths for me. Words… words can not express the depth of my gratitude. I will forever be in your debt.” Fin bowed deeply then.

“You are welcome, Lord Ashowan. I hope that once you return, you are able to show me just how appreciative you are,” Norman explained with a small, kind glint in his eyes.

Fin smiled. “I will do everything within my power, Your Majesty.”

*

When he opened the chamber door of the room he had shared with Annika since their wedding, Fin was stunned by what he saw.

His wife was fully dressed in a long purple gown that appeared a little too loose on her, with a white cloak clasped around her shoulders, and she was doubled over what looked to be the chamber pot that had been moved to the table.

“Gods,” Fin rushed into the room while not caring that he slammed the door behind him as he reached Annika just in time for her to vomit.

Gathering up her silky black hair in his hand, he proceeded to rub her back as the Lady proceeded to empty her stomach of its contents. When it seemed as though she had finished, Fin went over to a pitcher of water that sat at the bedside gathering condensation in the heat, and poured her a goblet of water.

Once she had rinsed her mouth and successfully swallowed a mouthful of the water, Fin watched as she slowly seated herself. Her complexion was still sickly, but her eyes looked clear, which was a good sign.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were unwell?” Fin moved over to her and rested his palm against her forehead, only to discover she was still incredibly fevered.

“I didn’t want to worry you before you left,” Annika lied as she used the back of her sleeve to dab her forehead.

“I told my mother to come heal you so she should be here any-”

Annika jumped to her feet hastily, showing a great deal more energy than she had moments before.

“I… I can see her after we see you off. We don’t have time for that. I need to sneak out and-”

Fin stood, then reached out and wrapped his wife up in his arms.

“It’s okay. My mother promised me she’d be nice to you from now on, so don’t be afraid of her, alright?”

‘I’m not afraid of her. I’m afraid of what she’ll find out, you handsome idiot.’ Annika sunk into Fin’s embrace, despite her panic. She knew it would be the last time they would be able to hold each other for a while…

“I really am fine, love. I will see your mother after you leave, I promise. we can’t risk Mr. Helmer learning anything.” Annika’s gentle insistence succeeded in making Fin release her before planting a kiss on her forehead.

“Don’t overdo it. You need to take care of yourself so that when I get back we can have a proper vacation together.”

Annika laughed, her coloring had improved greatly already, but the warmth of her body really was strange… Fin knew she had put on weight, and knew it was his own fault for always baking desserts for her, but perhaps it was the weight gain that had stressed her body too much.

“Alright. I will do my best to take care of myself, but for now. I have to go.” Throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him fiercely, Annika pulled back looking incredibly sheepish. “I know I probably taste disgusting right now, but please bear with it. I love you, and… and you definitely need to return alive and in one piece.”

Fin smiled down at her and kissed her softly. “I will try my best to come back to you.”

“There is no try in this promise. You will come back. Understood, husband?” Annika’s fiery retort made Fin’s heart flutter. The Lady then clasped something from her cloak pocket and procured a golden chain.

“You can’t have your father know we’re married. So wear your ring around your neck like I do, and if they try to take it from you, tell them they will be dead within the year if they do.”

Fin noted the chain around her neck then, and allowed his wife to pull the ring off his finger and drop it over the thin links before reaching up and clasping it around his neck and dropping it under his tunic.

As he leaned down to kiss his ferocious wife again, he couldn’t help but reply.

“Anything you want, dear.”

*

The rain had let up so that no one needed to wear a hood, but the day remained gray all the same. Fin watched the carriage pull up to the castle from the steps of the castle.

A crowd of nobles and the kitchen aides had gathered to see him off. Hannah was tearfully holding hands with both Sir Taylor and Sir Lewis while Sir Andrews had his arms crossed and was watching the entire scene with a bleak expression. Mage Lee stood to the side of the steps, as did Mr. Howard as they masked their own emotions as best they could.

Aidan Helmer stepped from his carriage, a handsome smile on his face and a long black coat with a matching vest and tunic. He resembled the carriage driver to the afterlife in every way imaginable. As he stared at his son with the King and Queen standing behind him, the Chief of Troivackia gave a proper bow.. Eric stood holding his mother’s hand, watching the entire situation looking deeply perplexed.

Katelyn Ashowan stood beside Captain Antonio wringing her hands and whispering prayers to the Goddess under her breath. Annika stood beside the King, and Fin was incredibly grateful for it… he couldn’t look at her and not betray their secret.

“Well, my son. Shall we be off? The carriage with Charles Piereva and his family should be along shortly. I understand the Viscountess must be anxious to see that they are well. We can let them visit during our time together, and give Lord and Lady Piereva passage back to Troivackia with their daughter at the end of the week.”

“Mr. Ashowan will wait until the Viscountess sees her brother,” Norman called out firmly, but was immediately disappointed to see the second carriage rolling up the drive and heading straight to them.

“Perfect timing.” Aidan swept his arm out in a dramatic show of welcome to the carriage as the footman stepped down from the driver’s seat, and opened the door.

Clutching a baby to her chest, Janelle Piereva stumbled from the carriage. Her hair was in complete disarray, her mustard colored dress was stained and rumbled, and tears streaked her face.

Annika’s soft footfalls raced passed Fin as she hurried over to her sister-in-law immediately wrapping her in an embrace.

“Charlie… He… They…” The woman was unable to finish her sentence, but Fin’s eyes were already on the carriage where she had exited.

Two footmen were in the process of lifting a long rectangular box off the back storage of the carriage, and in that moment Fin knew exactly what had happened.

“It was a real pity. Just when we had found them, Charles Piereva slipped and had a terrible fall. Tumbled down the ladder to the cabin head first. My condolences, Viscountess Jenoure,” Aidan announced while placing his hand over his heart and bowing to Annika’s stiffened form.

Fin’s heart pounded against his rib cage as he stared at his wife’s back. She faced the long box placed down on the ground behind her weeping sister-in-law without moving a muscle.

Norman and Ainsley were too shocked to say a word, and everyone around the scene grew quiet.

“I’m afraid we are on a tight schedule. The King of Troivackia is going to meet us near the border of the kingdoms to hear my report himself. Shall we, Finlay?” Aidan gestured to his open carriage door.

On wooden legs, Fin walked down the steps. He felt hollow inside. He couldn’t run to Annika to comfort her, he couldn’t change the fact that her brother was dead…

As he neared the carriage, he risked a quick glance of her, and felt chilled to the bone.

Tears ran down Annika’s face and pain haunted her eyes, and as she slowly began to rock her sister-in-law, the baby began to fuss and cry out between them.

“I know it is tragic, but we really do need to go.” Aidan patted Fin on his shoulder, making the redhead turn and stare directly into his black eyes.

“If I fail in killing you, the line behind me just grew quite a bit longer.”

Aidan laughed as his son then proceeded to climb into the carriage.

“We’ll see, won’t we?”

Turning to face the devastated scene he had crafted, Aidan bowed again to the King and Queen, then alighted the carriage without another word.

"Remind me why I can't kill him right this minute?" Norman murmured to his wife so that only she might hear.

"We need to buy time until the Zinferan army arrives, and need Lord Ashowan to try and find out when and where they are planning to attack. Not to mention that other deal we made..."

Norman said nothing as he stared at the dark day before him.

Of course he knew all the reasons... but it didn't make it any easier.

Meanwhile, Annika’s gaze moved to the back of the vehicle that was carrying away her husband as it gently rocked and moved further and further away from her. She felt as though she had just fallen into a nightmare… a nightmare where she was completely alone and hopeless. The feeling grew around her higher and higher more distant she became from the carriage, dousing her in its icy bitterness. For some reason, she couldn’t hear anything happening around her…

When the carriage finally disappeared from view, she finally blinked and turned back to her darkened world. The cries of her niece finally reaching her ears as well as other peoples voices… good people already mourning Fin’s departure.

‘Man of my dreams… man that I love… father of my children… Make sure that Aidan Helmer suffers greatly before ending his life… or I will never forgive you.’