"Ninety seven," Aleko growls softly, mulling over the number given to him by Commander Anselm.

"Yes, your highness. Ninety eight in total, but we cannot find the one named Matthias. I am unsure where he's gone to. The crypts have only one exit. How did no guard or Legio soldier see him escape?"

"Chances are the Evermires have something to do with that," I point out. "They have been living here for years, have they not? Perhaps they worked with whoever was overseeing the crypt to make a secret exit. Perhaps the Chosen themselves have been working on one without any of the nobility here knowing."

Alekso shakes his head. "People are very good at hiding from me," he admits, reaching over and tickling under my chin. I give him a wink.

"Don't worry, Alekso. We'll find him."

"Yes, my love, but not before he has sent missives to others of his ilk warning them to lay low." He sighs, pulling me to his side. "I doubt this is the last we've heard of the stupid... Chosen."

"If they dare bother the royal family again, your highness," Anselm warns. "We will take them down. They'll be aware that they're not welcome in Mercia. Once word gets out what they attempted to do, no mage, diablarist or not, will associate with them."

Alekso nods before looking down at me and smiling. "How are you feeling, my love?"

"Much better." I'm a little tired, I admit, but I would not miss today for the world. I slept a day and a half since I killed Bishop Lambert. Kwenthrith managed to heal my wounds and keep me alive, but I still was extremely weak and had no energy to open my eyes. We both needed time to regain our strength. From what Alekso told me, Anselm and the Legio Mortis purged the cultists from Goldstone, and word was sent to Cliffside to do the same. It was made public that Uriel's Chosen was a cult that attempted to kill me, and then Alekso, because we planned to show mercy to the rebels. That was enough to get any remaining dissenters of Alekso's rule to reconsider. Most rebel groups were starting to break apart after our marriage anyway. Perhaps the Chosen served a purpose in their own way, making Mercia band together to fight them off.

As we stand in the throne room, voices begin to quiet down when Alekso and I take our seats. I still am loathe to admit I miss his lap, but today is not really a day I should be climbing all over my husband in front of our guests.

At the back of the room, the people part on either side to make way for my sister Gisela. She stands, beautiful and stoic despite her age, wearing a purple dress, her hair braided long behind her, and a smile on her face. I can feel the pride radiating off of Commander Anselm from the crowd. The two of them exchange glances as she passes him, and I see the love they share for one another. I am infinitely indebted to Anselm for taking care of her all this time. Kwenthrith stands vigil between the king and me, still tired but ready to defend us. She cannot help but smile towards the girl she also came to see as family.

Gisela approaches us; Alekso and me, and then behind us stand Prince Jean, Lord Bron of Kass, Vlad of Andul, Duchess Audrine of Evermire, and Lord Jarrett of Sidonya. Chancellor Harald and Lord Marcus of Estia are not present... They were cultists, and died at the hands of Alekso. I can tell Audrine is still coming to terms with presenting a commoner girl with a title. I hear her fidget to the point where I have to turn and shoot her a glare to get her to stand still. She no longer questions my entitlement anymore, at least. I smile happily at Gisela as she kneels before us and bows her head.

Lord Bron steps forward and unravels a scroll, the gesture alone silencing any whispers among the crowd.

"Today, gathered among the people of Mercia, common and noble alike, it is by right of King Alekso Aurelian that you, Gisela Hunter, are bestowed upon, as well as your future children, and their children, the title Baroness of Rosecrest."

Gisela rises, gripping the fabric of her dress tightly, as Alekso and I approach.

I wrap my arms around her tightly. "You will make a fine lady, you know that, right?"

All she can really do is nod, before I present her with her coronet, and settle it atop her head. It is a little big but she adjusts it to stay. "Here are your patents of nobility, my lady." I hand her the scrolls signifying her Baroness.

And then Gisela jumps up and down with so much giddiness that the coronet falls right back off.

There is laughter among the crowd, but a fond, pleasing type. None here look down on Gisela like they did my father or me. I am hoping this is a sign of things to come, of a Mercia unified.

Naturally, the celebration Jean planned in order to honor Gisela is amazing. Beautiful green drapery with roses at the bottom unravel on the walled side of the throne room, musicians begin to play, and servants come to the tables set out laying various sumptuous dishes, especially of things I told him that Gisela liked.

The new Lady Rosecrest is led about the room by Alekso, introducing her to the court not simply as step-sister to the queen, but a noblewoman in her own right. My heart fills with warmth, my attention more on my husband than anyone else. I feel a hand settle on my shoulder, turning to find Prince Jean watching along with me.

"Do you think she will enjoy the noble life?" he asks. "She's been living inside a castle only a few months and almost died twice."

"I think she will make a few changes and refuse to be a haughty baroness; sitting around knitting and waiting for a husband."

Jean nods. "Married life isn't all that great, I'm sure."

"It's pretty great, Jean, for me at least. You might just find a wife someday yet."

"You think so?"

I nod. Alekso eventually separates from from Gisela so Anselm can glower over her while the nobles offer marriage prospects, and makes his way over to Jean and me. I give him a kiss as he ushers me over to the middle of the room for a dance. "Perhaps you might want to ask the widowed Lady Winship for a dance, your grace?"

"Who?" Jean walks with Alekso and I until we are at the center of the other dancing couples.

"The woman in the gaudy orange dress, Jean." Alekso points, Jean following his direction until his sight lands upon a buxom noblewoman by a table pouring herself some wine. "She arrived a little late, but I will not fault her. I don't think she is here for Gisela, anyway."

Jean's eyes widen. "Ruby Wellstone..." And in moments, he is across the room.

I can't help but smile to myself, watching the two of them make eye contact and go completely still. Alekso twirls me away and then pulls me tight against him.

"You are an angel," he whispers, before giving me another spin as the music plays and the people stop to watch. That's right; we did not dance on our wedding day. This will be the first time the nobility gets to see us truly be together. I can't help but bask in their adoration.

***

The festivities wind down in to the evening, and Alekso stays behind to see the guests off. I find myself in the garden. The view is ever the beautiful one, fireflies dancing among the closed buds and the low grass around the bubbling fountain. I think back to the night garden that Jean had at Cliffside castle, a representation of his lost love, but also of a little bit of light in a dark world. I smile to myself. Perhaps I should send a letter to the King of Aldmoor, and find out how Ruby Wellstone is doing. Maybe arrange a visit.

"My beloved,"

I nearly jump out of my skin as Alekso whispers against my neck. Before I can move away though, he wraps his arms around me and nuzzles under my ear.

"Your highness," I smile, leaning back against him.

"Call me Alekso." He gives me a squeeze. "I know you had a difficult time staying awake this morning, and for once it was not because I kept you up all night."

"I think I will be fine now. I'm sorry I worried you. I'm sorry marrying me has practically turned your world upside down."

Slowly, Alekso turns me around to face him, smiling down at me. His eyes, beautiful and red like rubies, stare in to my very soul. "Edeva, none of that was your fault. My world? I dragged you in to it; in to a world that you navigated all on your own, and came out all the stronger for it. You have nothing to be sorry for, but so much to be proud of. You saved Gisela, you uncovered a cult of mad men, and you've changed me for the better."

He takes a step back, falls to one knee, and kisses the ring on my hand. "If anything, the crown owes you an immeasurable amount of gratitude, as does Mercia."

"Oh! Get up, Alekso!" I laugh, pulling him back to his feet.

"It's true, my love. Kazaxon and I will spend the rest of our lives making sure you know how wonderful a woman you are. Better yet?"

He sweeps me off my feet and in to his arms, as though I am light as a feather. "Let us begin now."

Despite my protests and attempts to walk on my own, Alekso insists on carrying me all the way to our bedchamber. We laugh and kiss the entire way as though we are young teenagers excited to experience each other for the first time. It was only for two days, but he clearly missed not being able to spend the nights with me.

He lays me down on the bed and pulls my bodice open, tearing the fabric along with it.

"Alekso, stop ruining my dresses!" I complain, but he ignores me and chooses to plant kisses along my breasts as he frees me of my clothing. I try to tear at his doublet, but it is made of hard leather and barely feels my feeble attempts. Alekso has to rid himself of the blasted thing instead.

We entangle ourselves in the sheets of our bed, our hands roaming each other's bodies. I lightly bite his earlobe as he curls his fingers in my hair. He pushes me underneath him and kisses me fiercely while I wrap myself around him, rolling my hips against his. I feel Alekso's desperation in every slight movement, his love as he thrusts in to me, almost like he is afraid this will be the last time we make love to each other.

I reach up and run my fingertips along his cheeks. It seems to bring him back to the present. He slows down, staring in to my eyes as we simply relish the feel of each other. All I can do is smile at him. I have no fear, truthfully. I have Alekso at my side, a powerful demon who would do anything for me, and a kingdom that I am confident will one day only know peace. I cannot make Alekso any less of who he is; a man with a dark past, with dark tendencies, I can be his light, as well as Kazaxon's. Together, we will be happy.

"I love you," He whispers.

As do I, I hear Kazaxon echo in my mind.

"I love you too."

Alekso's expression softens, but only for a moment. Then, he gives me a devilish grin. "Now, tell me who you belong to, Eva."

"I am not going to tell you that easily, and you know it..." I can't help but smile back.

My king shakes his head a little, "I know," and then gives me a searing, dominating kiss as he begins to thrust in to me, even harder and faster than before.

Eventually, in the middle of the night, loud enough to wake the palace, I do tell Alekso that I belong to him and Kazaxon.

And I am very happy about it.