Vai couldn't believe it when the soldier told him the queen wanted him in her tent. He'd long accepted his banishment. At the most, he'd expected to continue as the princess's guide. He smothered any emotion as he slipped into the tent.

There she was. His goddess.

She was naked and he spotted new scars on the body he used to know better than his own. He'd never been so nervous, so desperate.

"Vai, come here."

He stepped forward and fell to his knees between hers. She traced the contours of his face with her finger and despite himself he shivered. He hadn't realized how hungry he was for touch. After a lifetime of intimacy, to be abandoned for seven years, his discipline was all but gone.

"You did well, Vai. I am pleased."

Tears filled his eyes as every doubt and fear that had coiled inside him for years were wiped away. He'd done well, he'd succeeded. With muscle memory not so easily eroded over time, he tentatively moved his hands up her thighs. She made no move to stop him and he continued. Trying to deny the many times he'd pictured this over the years.

Part of his mind told him this was too good, too right, but he didn't care. Her moans, the satisfied movements, all of it was water to his parched soul. When at last she lay satisfied, he too stopped. She rolled atop him, whispering in his ear. "Fenrin will come for Fiona. I want you to stop him."

Vai knew what she wanted, her presence bringing back his memory. He knew her, knew who and what she was. This was her final request for him and he nodded prepared to fulfil it. She kissed him and moved aside. He gathered his clothes, dressed ,and left, allowing himself one last glance at his goddess with her cruel smile.