All signs point to the redhead. The loyal, unassuming redhead, who was sent from Aelfort to be my queen's personal, maid must be the traitor. It makes perfect sense. Lord Aelfort was one of the first to die when I became king; he refused to kneel and even spoke about his loyalty to Henry the Usurper before he was beheaded for treason. Lady Aelfort, though, submitted willingly for the sake of her children and married the Earl of Previtzia some years later. I hadn't seen her as a threat. Perhaps I should have.

I wait patiently for my wife to get home. I am curious what she will bring. When Kwenthrith lied to Eva about me giving them permission to go in to the city, I sent two of my best spies to keep an eye on them. While I believe the rebels do not want Eva dead, I can't be too sure. They came back telling me that Kwenthrith took Edeva to an abandoned medicinal store. They were in there a few minutes, and then left to go shopping. When the spies entered the building , no one was there, and they saw no one leave after waiting several hours. I also found out Eva sought out two guards on patrol and had them follow her around. At least she understands her safety is important now that she isn't sneaking about the city.

The garden is where I wait, finding an ornate bench with filigree designs on the back, surrounded by the honeysuckle trees Eva seems to love. The sun has set, casting the sky in to a beautiful blue that fades in to a pale orange on the horizon. Goldstone palace is on a high, deep set ledge of the mountain base, and there is no place in the area that does not have a gorgeous view of the city below, or the sky above. There is peace as I watch the stars slowly come out, tiny twinkles of light dotting the darkness above me. It is midsummer now, and fireflies dance about the gardens as if trying to emulate the night sky.

"Alekso?"

Kazaxon was silent as we both admired the scenic view, but he rumbles his approval of Edeva in my head as she appears in my peripheral vision. She has what looks like a scroll wrapped up in rough muslin in one hand, and a few small sacs in the other. I'm amazed at what a day (well, half-day) of shopping will do for a person. She's glowing in the dim lights of the torches on the walls behind us, her eyes sparkling. She seems so god damned happy to see me.

I want to confront her about what she did in that abandoned store. Kazaxon wants to just kill whoever I deem the traitor and be done with it so he can fuck Eva without any interruptions. I am tempted to let him at least interrogate Kwenthrith. The evidence is all there, waiting for me to present it to my queen.

Kwenthrith worked for a family with ties to Delsor loyalists.

She hid her mage abilities from me.

She has unbridled access to Eva.

She is always respectful towards me yet unafraid.

She can do the work of the rebels right underneath my nose and I would be none the wiser. I could just blame someone more obvious, like my uncle. He did hire the dressmaker, after all, and did not doubt the man who claimed to be her son.

Fortunately, Jean has an alibi. He never wanted to be king. He only survived Henry's coup by hiding, like me, in his summer estate that had been sold to a secret Aurelian loyalist named Marius. All Jean wanted was revenge for the killing of his family and to restore the Aurelians to glory. I am a mage and was willing to become a diablarist to see my goals realized, so Jean's hopes fell to me. He has lived a comfortable, rich life ever since, and he has had plenty of chances to kill me.

Has he been biding his time until a better opportunity came up, like a queen he could manipulate as long as I was out of the way? I don't think so. It would be out of character for him.

It was not Jean, Kaz says, and I do not believe it to be the redhead, either.

What makes you think that?

A gut feeling, but one I would gladly follow up with questioning if you would like.

Excellent. Kwenthrith can prove me wrong herself.

Eva gives me a little curtsy, and then drops down to kneel beside me rather than sit on the bench. I stare at her for a moment or two, and cannot stop myself from reaching down and stroking the top of her head. "What are you doing, my love?"

"I want to show you the presents I have for you," she smiles up at me.

"You don't have to sit on the ground to do that."

"I know."

She makes no move to sit on the bench, though. She simply puts down her things, unpacks the scroll, and unrolls it. It seems to be a large tapestry, but there is no ornate pattern or depiction. In the dim flames of the torches, I can only make out a few words and shapes. Smiling, she unravels it all the way and holds it up over her head. I can't help but smile when I start to figure it out.

"A map of Mercia. A tapestry of a map."

"Yes!" She lowers it to show me her stunning smile. "The tapestry maker said this was his pride and joy, and he had no plans to sell it, but when I came in to his shop and asked about it, he felt compelled to give it to me. I thought you would like it."

The look on her face is a hopeful one, craving my approval like a pet. I shift in my seat, because I really like seeing her from this angle; on her knees, staring up at me with those big eyes. Hopefully she can't see the bulge starting to form in my pants.

I clear my throat. "Ah, this is my gift. Yes, I love it. I am quite partial to tapestries."

"Yes, there are many hanging the cold walls of the castle in the north." She winks. If I didn't have excellent night vision, I probably would have missed it.

"I also have a gift for Kazaxon," she holds up a little satchel and pulls out a leather bracelet. There are black crystal beads woven in to it that sparkle even in the low light around us. "It's a bracelet, but the way it's tied it can adjust easily, so when you change, it can still be worn. You just have to pull it taut when he changes back to you."

Kazaxon uses my hand to reach out and snatch up the bracelet, bringing it to my nose. It has that rich, deep leather smell.

What do you think, Kaz?

Kazaxon says nothing, but I don't need him to tell me. "He likes it. He likes the smell, and he is loathe to admit he enjoys things that sparkle, too."

He growls in my head, but it is cut off by Edeva nearly squealing with joy. "Truly? I was not sure what a demon likes, but the beads remind me of him. Dark, but beautiful."

She thinks I am beautiful. Kazaxon preens.

"Kaz appreciates the compliment."

"Kaz? Is that what he prefers to be called?"

No.

"Yes."

A growl.

"May I call him Kaz, then?"

Edeva may call me whatever she likes.

"Of course, my sweet." I put the bracelet on, and then give the string a little tug to tighten it around my wrist.

After rolling the tapestry up and wrapping the muslin in it, Eva scoots forward and rests her head on my thigh. "I never thought in my wildest dreams that you and I would be together, Alekso. When I was a child you were a bogeyman, a shadow in the dark that my mother would use to scold me when I misbehaved. 'The rebel prince wants us dead,' she would say, 'and he may well kill us tomorrow. do you want to go to Saint Peter with this misdeed on your head?'"

I laugh with her, reaching down to continue to stroke her soft, brown hair. "And when I was a teenager, you were a real, constant threat. Eldis would send us away if Kingsguard ever visited the nearby towns. I rarely left the safety of the forest. I was so scared you would find me and destroy me."

She nuzzles my thigh a little, her pleasant smile widening as I brush a finger along her cheek. "You are not what I expected. I thought you would lock me in a tower, even after our wedding night. I grew up with the steadfast belief you were the epitome of evil. But that just is not true. You can be merciful, and kind, and sweet. You can be all the things my father told me you were not. I am happy I married you, Alekso."

Her hand starts to wander up my leg, and I realize she has seen the erection I was trying my damnedest to hide. Her palm presses against the now painfully obvious bulge, and I do mean painfully. Why the Hell do I wear leather? It makes my poor cock strain against the laces in the front when I so much as look in Eva's direction. Now I understand the real reason she decided to sit in front of me. Not that I am complaining, of course.

"I am happy you married me as well, Eva." I say as she shifts to kneel between my legs. "I believe all of Mercia is happy. They fear and respect me, but they seem to adore you."

"They should not have to fear you to respect you, you know." She chides softly as she starts to unlace the front of my pants.

"There is nothing wrong with having a healthy dose of fear for your rulers, love. The Evermires did not fear me until I threatened them with becoming undead soldiers. They thought they were above that... Their love for me didn't stop them from humiliating you, did it?"

"That is because they did not love you, Alekso. They loved the power you gave them. The little people, though... they do not need to fear in order to love and respect. Haven't things calmed down since our marriage? It has not been long, but there have not been any small acts of rebellion against your lords and vassals, or major revolts in cities, either. That is what they had been reporting in your morning meetings, at least."

"I believe them. You are right, things have been improving. Well, apart from what happened to Gisela..."

Edeva pauses, tilting her head up at me. "Right... But we don't know it was rebels who did that."

I reach down, curling a finger under her chin. "The assassin said it himself, Eva. The rebels are angry you are taking too long to enact major change, and they want you to destroy my Legio. They attacked Gisela to frighten you. Do people like that deserve less than what I did to the Evermires? They did little more than hurt your feelings. These rebels hurt your sister. I am trying to be the good, merciful king you want me to be, my love, but some things cannot go unpunished. Some things do not get mercy."

While speaking, my hand wandered from her chin, around the side of her lovely, attentive face, and weaved its way in to her hair. "I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe, you know that, right?"

She nods just a little, but I can sense she's become anxious. Are my eyes glowing?

"I love you more than I have ever loved anything in my life, Eva. You are worth more to me than any jewel I possess, any spit of land I claim, any loyalties I may have. You are above them all. I don't care if it seems too soon to think that, either, because it is all true."

Her own eyes may not glow, but there is a dreamy look about them when she is happy. The worry in her face starts to fade as she goes back to unlacing. Her left hand presses on my thigh while her right reaches in to my trousers and frees my cock from its confines. I sigh in relief as she wraps her fingers around the base, and without another word, takes me in to her mouth.

She was a virgin when we were married, and I know she lived a sheltered life in the forests, so it is no surprise that I sense some hesitation from her. "Just focus on the head, love." I instruct. "Use your hand where your mouth can't go. That's it."

Eva watches me as she sucks on the head of my cock, tonguing the underside and shielding me from her teeth using her pursed lips. I keep my hand in her hair to massage her scalp and keep her calm. I know she is doing this to please me, but I know if I grab the back of her head and start fucking her face, she will panic and choke. I don't want that. Kaz, on the other hand, seems to get some enjoyment out of that mental image, of Eva deepthroating him and gagging. Fuck, I can see what he's thinking about and it's making me even harder.

After she feels comfortable enough, Eva sits up a little more and starts to lower her head further down on my shaft. My grip on her hair tightens, but it doesn't stop her. I can feel the tip of my cock touch the back of her throat, causing her to gag and pull back just a little. She calms herself, breathing through her nose now, and begins to bob her head as she sucks along with her hand following her mouth.

We are in a public area. These might be the castle gardens but it is nighttime now, and servants tend to frequent the spots like these when it's dark and they assume the nobility has retired for the evening. It takes all my control to start guiding her head back. "Let us finish in bed, love. Someone might see us." I warn her as she pulls away with a little whine.

"I don't care." she pouts. She has been speaking far more casually than when we first met and I admit I like it. There is a little bit of regret on my part; normally I wouldn't care either, but I do not want anyone of the Evermire's staff to see Eva in such a compromising position and tell their masters, who would then go gossiping about it.

I help Eva to her feet, regretfully stuffing my cock back in my pants before I grab her wrist and pull her to the nearest door. "If I wish to do more after that, and I most assuredly will, I would prefer it not be on a bed of flowers, Eva. Too big a risk of a bee stinging my ass."

Eva's laugh is delightful, and she wipes her mouth with the cloth of her sleeve somewhat shyly as I lead her. Oh, that does something to me. If I lacked more self control I would change my mind and let her suck me off in the hallway.

Various servants bow as we pass them, a few ladies gasp when we are in a better lit area and see me shamelessly sporting a tent at my waist. They are smart and say nothing until they think I'm out of earshot. Eva shifts to walk in front of me, bless her.

We near our bedroom and I see her. Kwenthrith, Eva's bodyguard and my suspect, stands with the guards on either side of the door. Bash is nowhere to be seen, which worries me. Did she do something to him? He is not as powerful a mage as she has shown herself to be, after all. I try to hide my contempt for the girl as she bows. I give a curt nod and wait for the guards to open the door. Instead of staying in front of me, Eva waits back and goes to Kwenthrith. She whispers in her guard's ear, "Do not worry, I will be fine. He is none the wiser."

...None the wiser? What the fuck does that mean?

"As long as you do not act any different than usual, then he will not suspect us of anything."

"Right."

Their whispering is so soft, not even the guards would be able to hear. But I have Kaz's power, and I can hear every word perfectly articulated. Eva doesn't plan on telling me about her little adventure in the city. Is her bodyguard scolding her for pleasuring me with her mouth, perhaps? Eva is inexperienced in such things, so this would be her 'acting different'. Maybe she knew I would ask about the marketplace and rather than flat-out lie, she sought to distract me from talking about it at all.

My eyes narrow as my secretive little queen finally steps in to the bedroom. I find myself irrationally angry that she wants to keep it from me. We promised to be honest with each other, no more secrets between us. It feels like another betrayal.

"Eva..." I try to hide the warning tone in my voice, but fail. Eva stills at her name.

"Yes?"

"What did Kwenthrith have to say?"

"Oh, nothing. She is just fretting over me as she usually does. I suppose she is upset I missed supper. I ate plenty at the markets, though." She forces herself to be calm, brushing off the nerves, and comes up to stand in front of me with her hands on my chest.

She must be trying to protect Kwenthrith. Eva knows more than she lets on and she is a smart girl. I place my hands over hers, staring in to her eyes. "Eva... My sweet Eva, you believe what I said earlier, don't you?"

The dreamy look in her eyes comes back. Yes, she does. "And you believe what I said too?"

"I do." It's true; no matter how upset I am that she is lying to me, I didn't need Kaz's sight to know she meant it when she told me she's happy to be mine.

And so, the anger slips from my body, giving way to passionate desire. I forget about the betrayal in the wake of her tilting her head back with her lips parted and rising up for a kiss. My mouth covers hers and my arms go around her body, reaching down to cup her ass and lift her up in to my arms. She wraps her legs around me as I carry her to the bed.

Our clothes come off, Eva unlacing her bodice and pulling the garment off, then pushing my hands away so she can undress me herself. She gently pulls me by my upper arms and I crawl on top of her. I'm still hard as stone from her mouth on me, and I'm pleased to see she enjoys it, too. Some thing I've learned about my Eva; when she gets playful, nothing stops her, not even the fear of being caught in public. My influence, I wonder?

As I kiss her and run my hands over her silky skin, I glance towards the open door at the guard's staff as he holds it by his side. "Please shut the door," I call out. The guard moves his staff to his other hand and pulls the door closed. I get a flash of Kwen's red hair as she walks past right before it shuts all the way. My eyes narrow.

Kaz has to be wrong. Kwenthrith is in on this conspiracy, somehow. I will find out. I will find out what part she has to play, how high she is on the pecking order in whatever group she's involved with.

For now I roll on to my back and let Eva ease herself over my cock. I'm not enjoying this as much as I should, and I know it. A man should definitely not be thinking about another woman while his beautiful wife rides him.

Perhaps you should be focusing on our mate, Alekso. How can you ignore these tits? He makes me reach up to grab one of her breasts. Look how they bounce with every thrust--

Kwenthrith is the traitor. I know it!

For fuck's sake! Kazaxon fully takes over, sick of my distracted mind. His red, clawed hand is now holding Eva's breast, rolling her nipple between his fingers. His other hand slips under her thigh to lift her up and help her adjust to the sudden change in size inside of her. She gasps, but doesn't stop rolling her hips. "Ah! Oh God, that was..."

Kazaxon's grinning ear to ear. We may be closer than brothers, but I do get a little jealous that he's more, well... endowed than I am. He also has that stupid tongue of his that Eva so adores, since when he licks his lips I see her start blushing a little more.

Now I am distracted, resentful, and jealous. Kaz cares little for my plight, and Eva is ignorant of it. He's taken advantage of my sorry state and fucks our Eva with reckless abandon. Still, I try to justify myself with the knowledge that Eva and I can't be together if rebels keep undermining us and someone is out to punish her for marrying me.