"Isn't it exciting?" The dark-haired lady-in-waiting from Nolde looked around the room of gathered women as Shae tried her hardest to remember her name.

It was Ilione or Idelle. She always got those two mixed up. One blonde from Goethe, and one dark-haired from Nolde. It was embarrassing to think that she still couldn't remember who was who after three years. They were all sitting in the drawing room with their needlework as they discussed the upcoming ball that would kick off the Championship Games.

"I can't wait," Rhonwen, an auburn-haired woman from the kingdom of Breoch, said. "It's been quite some time since we had a proper ball."

Was that her fault? Shae stared down at the gloves she was embroidering. As the queen, was it her duty to ensure there were balls held often enough? It seemed likely. She added it to her mental list of things to change. It might foster more companionship between the kingdoms if she invited their rulers and other dignitaries for a grand ball in Messina from time to time. And they needed as much of that as they could muster after the past sixteen years.

"The ball will be entertaining," Hedda said, "but I must admit I'm looking forward to seeing the competitions during the Games. My landsmen from Bergen are excellent in most things. I will enjoy watching them win."

Everyone laughed—some more strained than others. Truth was, Bergen was known for breeding fierce warriors, so it wouldn't surprise Shae if they did win several games. Fortunately, not every game relied on strength and prowess. She touched her hand to her arm. It was tender, but no longer ached after Felix had brought an elven woman to see her. She had cleaned the wound out and given Shae a salve to apply twice daily. It had worked wonders already.

She looked out the window and was shocked to see that daylight was waning. How had the day disappeared so fast? Had she actually enjoyed herself with her ladies-in-waiting? If only they could stop with the needlework. It wasn't something she relished. How would they feel about archery? She had to hide her smile behind her hand at the idea of some of these gentle-bred ladies hefting a bow. Some of them would probably take to it quickly, though some—like Hedda—might already know how. She could easily imagine the tall Bergener with a bow or wielding a sword.

If she was having dinner with Felix, she ought to get ready soon. Her cheeks heated at the memory of what had happened the last time they had been alone together. She had literally flung herself at him. Had they not been interrupted, she wasn't sure how far she would have let it go. Or how far she wanted to let it go. The thought of his 'more' was far too enticing, especially if last night had been any indication.

"I will need help to change into something for a private dinner with Felix soon," she said, and every eye in the room turned towards her. She groaned inwardly. Was it truly so shocking that she was spending time with her husband?

"Your Majesty?" Hedda queried.

"There is not much else to say," she muttered, her face burning. "I am having dinner with my husband."

Dywana from Ler cleared her throat. "That may be so," she carefully said. "But it is the first time you have done so."

Unable to meet everyone's curious glances, Shae looked down at her hands in her lap. "I'm aware."

There was a moment of silence, and then Hedda stood. "Well then! Let us get you ready. The High King will not be able to resist you."

"I... I don't know if—" Shae stared at the tall woman.

"It's about time," another one said with a giggle. "We've been waiting for this, Your Majesty."

The room erupted in giggles and tips of what she could do to drive her husband mad with need. Shae listened with wide eyes and hot cheeks as the suggestions became lewder and lewder—it was no secret that she and Felix slept separately—or because they wanted to give her an edge over Sorceress Isobel. In any case, it humbled her that they seemed to care after she had been so aloof around them all this time.

Excusing herself, she went to bid Mio goodnight before returning to her chambers. Hedda and a red-haired woman from Shae's homeland of Adreas named Deianeira assisted her in getting ready for dinner. She chose a simple, yet beautiful dress of dark green velvet that enhanced her golden-brown eyes. Hedda pulled her long, auburn hair into a large bun at the back of her neck, securing it with fine hairpins with pearl tips. Watching her reflection in the mirror, she knew she looked good, but it did nothing to settle her nerves. The closer she got to being alone with Felix, the more nervous she felt.

She sent the ladies-in-waiting away once they finished. There was no need for anyone to watch her pacing back and forth in her room. She had dined alone with Felix during their recent travel back to Messina after the attack, but tonight was different. Everything was different. New. It was terrifying. And exciting. The mixed bag of feelings was simply too much, and she almost wanted to cancel the whole thing. No. This was ridiculous. He was only a man. A very handsome man. Her husband.

A knock on the door almost had her yelp, her nerves so fraught with tension. Taking a calming breath, she walked across the room and opened the door. Felix stood outside, looking very relaxed in a pair of dark trousers and a white, long-sleeved tunic. His eyes swept over her, and then he smiled.

"You look beautiful tonight." He seemed to catch himself and hastened to add, "Not that you're not always beautiful!"

"Thank you." It was odd, but now that he was there and was, well... his typical self, it was all she needed to relax.

Until he took her hand and led her into the sitting room. She stopped short just inside and stared at the transformed space in horror. Every shred of tension returned. The room had been turned into a romantic scene with an obscene amount of lit candles. A small table and two chairs stood in the middle of the room. And... were those rose petals spread across the white tablecloth?

Felix stood behind her and she nearly jumped when he suddenly bent forward and mumbled next to her, "It's a bit much, isn't it?" He sounded amused, but the hot breath fanning her ear made it difficult to focus. "I asked them to make it a nice, private dinner, but I think the servants may have taken the idea and ran with it."

"Straight into the depths of the Nether Realm," she muttered, making him laugh. He stood so close behind her that she could feel the sound reverberating through his chest.

"Well, hopefully, the food is still good, even if our surroundings are a bit... much." He chuckled as he moved over to the table and pulled out a chair for her.

As she came over to sit down, his eyes fastened on something, and she followed his gaze to a fur throw on the floor before the fireplace. The lit fireplace. In summer.

"That... That wasn't there before, was it?" He stared at the fur throw with a furrowed brow.

She shook her head as he adjusted the chair for her before sitting down on the opposite side. "No, it's new for tonight," she agreed.

He quirked an eyebrow. "Why would they...?" Then he seemed to realise exactly why the servants might have put a throw in front of the fireplace. "Oh."

Deciding that she was most definitely not going to blush, she focused on the plate in front of her. Removing the lid for keeping it hot, she found a delicious meal of steak and roasted vegetables. The amount of work the servants had taken in preparing the dinner—not just the food, but the candles and the... throw... was extraordinary. Had they realised how pitiful the state of their marriage was and wanted to give a helping hand? She wasn't sure whether to appreciate the effort or feel embarrassed that it had been so obvious for everyone to see.

"Wine?"

She looked up at the question, then nodded slowly. Maybe wine was a bad idea. She already felt heady just from sitting across from him. He looked very handsome in the flickering light from the candles. But she could use it to steady her nerves, so she quickly took a sip as soon as Felix finished pouring her a glass.

"I see you somehow convinced Cas not to keep guards inside the sitting room tonight?" she said, nodding towards the knight-less door to the hallway.

He chuckled. "He wasn't happy about it, but he agreed to have them stationed back in the hallway, at least until we retire for the night."

"That's good. I think having dinner with them staring at us would have been awkward."

"Especially if one of them was Cas?"

She stilled, a forkful of vegetables halfway to her mouth. The question had been asked innocuously, but was anything but, no matter how casual he might try to look as he was tucking into his food.

"Well," she said slowly. "I suppose, in a way."

Hiding a smile as Felix speared an asparagus a little more violently than necessary, she couldn't quite bring herself to torture him any longer.

"Felix?"

He grunted, then smiled wryly as he must have realised how much his mood had dropped.

"Only in the way that he's a friend," she clarified. "You consider him a friend, too. Surely you would also find it awkward if he was here watching us have a romantic evening together?"

"I'm sorry," he muttered, but he had relaxed slightly. "I'm not proud of how I react when it comes to you and Cas." Then he suddenly smiled. "Wait. You think this is a romantic evening?"

She laughed. "Well, our servants certainly do."

The tips of his ears reddened as he glanced at the throw in front of the fire again. "They definitely do."

"The food is amazing," she said, deciding to change the subject before she blushed.

"Oh, that reminds me. They found poison in the kitchens. It's been dealt with!" he quickly added when she dropped her fork.

"Poison?" Her throat felt tight, even though she knew their food was safe. There had been enough poison in her life recently.

"Yes. We suspect it's from the same person who attacked you. It's all been removed and dealt with, and all food is double-checked before it leaves the kitchens."

An urge to check on Mio made it difficult to focus, but she reminded herself that he had been fine when she bid him good night. If his supper had been poisoned, it would have shown by now.

"Any news on the attacker?"

"No," Felix said grimly. "Boreas believes it may be related to the attack on our carriage in Adreas, which means it's related to the Dark Disciple and Son of Deva. But we can't rule out other possibilities. It appears that these latest attempts are aimed at you since they found the poison in your food, and of course, the attack on you a few days ago."

She pushed her plate away, no longer hungry. "Me? But why would anyone want me dead? Wouldn't they go for you?"

"You'd think so, but who knows how these brutes think?" He stood. "Oh, that reminds me of something else..."

"Please, not another attempt on my life."

He flashed her a quick, wry grin, then shook his head. "No. Hold on."

Disappearing into his bedchambers, he returned a moment later with a bow and a quiver full of arrows. With a sheepish smile, he handed it to her. "I had these commissioned as soon as we returned to Messina as a gift. With everything going on, they might come in more handy than I had anticipated."

"Felix, it's... It's beautiful." She ran her fingers along the polished wood of the longbow. It was an elderwood bow with some of the best craftsmanship she had ever seen.

"Use it to keep you and Mio safe."

She put the bow to the side and stared up at him. "No one will get close to Mio. I promise."

Taking her hand, he pulled her to her feet to stand before him. They were so close that her chest lightly brushed up against his, and she could feel the heat that always seemed to emanate from him. The way he was watching her made her skin tingle as if it wanted nothing more than his touch. There was a fire in his eyes and her breath hitched as he lifted a hand to gently cup the side of her head, his fingers reaching into the hair at the back of her neck, and his thumb gently caressing her cheek.

His green eyes searched hers. When she said nothing, didn't protest, he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. The touch was feather-light and so enticing that she swayed forwards into him. His lips brushed against hers again, lingering for just a moment longer. She reached up to grab hold of his tunic's collar, needing to steady herself. Whether it was Felix or the wine that was intoxicating, she didn't know.

Once more, he let his lips gently move against hers, only this time he continued lightly kissing and nipping. Desperate for more, she pressed herself against him and was happy to hear him moan as her body rubbed against his. Tilting his head, he deepened the kiss as he used his free hand to grab her bottom and push her even tighter against him. Moving her arms around his neck, she allowed herself to get caught up in the moment. To enjoy his kisses. Disappointment washed over her when he lifted his head to stare at her.

"I... This wasn't why I got you that bow," he said, his voice hoarse. "I truly expected nothing in return."

She shook her head. Sometimes her husband was quite daft. "Shut up, Felix. Just kiss me."

~~~~~~