My body ached from the events of last night, though it was more of a dull pain now. I smiled internally at the way he stared at me last night. It was so full of passion that it made my heart ache. His hands had traced every inch of my skin, his lips kissed every part of my body. He wanted to show his love for me and he did. The sun was beginning to set that much was clear to my nocturnal being. I watched the shadows move slowly across the floor stretching the trees shadow wide onto the dresser. Slowly, I slid myself from under my husband's heavy arm. My body wanted badly to rest more, to sleep until he woke up. Fighting myself, I slowly touched the cold hard floor beside our bed. I descended down the three steps our bed was perched on. I made my way slowly to the thick crimson colored curtains that were drawn over our balcony to hide light.

Carefully I parted the curtain peeking out into the evening orange and purple sky. How delightful the scenery was at this hour. I looked back at Lance's still form as he slept. Slowly I pushed open the door feeling the fresh wind blow across my face. Joy swept through me as I heard the sound of birds chirping. I slipped my toe out onto the hard surface of the concrete. It coolness tingling my skin I started forward before feeling a hand slide around my waist pulling me into the room. The door closed the breeze fading and the birds chirping as they flew away. I could feel his muscular chest as he held me. Lance's honey scent stung my senses. "My love, do dress yourself before parading around outside. His bare chest touched my back as he laid his chin in my hair. "A fair request" he whispered into my ear as he nibbled it. "Please stand aside so that I may properly groom myself." I whispered. Lance chuckled releasing my waist.

I made my way into the bathroom. The size of it was truly amazing. It had one side for a large shower and a Jacuzzi like bath tub before turning into a full length closet. "A bath perhaps?" Lance whispered as he came into the bathroom turning the Jacuzzi facet. I shook my head turning to the shower. "Suit yourself," he said as I closed the door. I turned on the shower knobs letting the searing hot water eat away at my skin. The hotter the better, that way I could sterilize myself from his touch. There was no way to put in words how much I … There were no words to describe how I felt for him. My feelings for Lance didn't matter at this point, there was no turning back now.

I loved him believing him to be much different from his egotistical and controlling father. Yet, the apple did not fall far from the tree. After we married he became more possessive, his aggressiveness to the point of pure insanity. I longed for the sweet touch of my lover from the past. I wanted his sweet and loving gaze not the possessive one I was given now. Yet, I had caused his expression to go sour towards me. I didn't want him to find out. If I told him the truth, it would bring more harm than good. If I were in my dreams, he would never treat my body this way, now he had the audacity to touch me in any way he saw fit. I hated to admit I did like his possessiveness sometimes. I turned off the water feeling my skin crawl as it began to heal itself from the burns of the water.

I draped a towel around my waist before exiting the shower. The towel smelled of sunshine and air from the morning maids. I was right to have it hung outside. Lance watched me ex cape into the closet. I slid my hands over a pair of skinny legged jeans and a tank. “Fiona! Castalia!" Lance shouted. The girls arrived in seconds bowing in front of their king. "Assist the queen in her wardrobe," he ordered settling into the tub. “yes sir" they both said in unison. They stood before me in the simple black and white made uniform with aprons adorned at the sides. Their hair was in beat bums at the top of their heads. Fiona took out a dark jade dress for me. Its bodice gave way to cleavage as the sleeves came down my shoulders. She zipped the dress around me her brown hair dull in the light. Castalia sat me down into the chair beside a large mirror.

Castalia blow dried my hair using a flat iron to straighten it. She then curled it loosely so that it fell at my shoulders in a rich jet black. My skin was a pale shade of brown that complimented the darkness of my hair. My skin was without blemish only a small blank mark under my chin. My nose was long and slender with full lips only my eyes were not brown they were a weird color of hazel. Fiona did my make up the way lance liked Castalia slipped on my shoes. “My lady you look adorable" Castalia winked. I smiled "please harmony will do just fine' Fiona and Castalia passed worried glances at each other “I apologize for lack of respect but it would be improper to refer to our lady as such." “I see. Leave me" I commanded.

They bowed exiting the bathroom I could hear their steps until they were out in the hall. Lance entered the closet with a towel draped around his waist; I watched as he flexed his amazing muscles. His body looked like that of a teenager in his late teens. He gave me a satisfactory look. "You are absolutely stunning" he kissed my cheek rubbing his hands over my bare shoulders as he looked into my cleavage. "Please get dressed" I stood my dress trailing behind me. I glanced away from him, afraid that my gaze would betray me. I heard the door in the bedroom open and close. I knew it was his advisor with his daily agenda. He bowed his head slightly before running passed me. Josh was Lance’s advisor and best friend. They had been since early childhood. Josh stood tall against lance were others have withered in his height. Josh's hair was a light strawberry blonde that he kept short, he had swoon worthy hazel eyes. Lance's eyes met mine before he closed the door to his section of the bathroom.

My heels clicked against the marble floors of the castle, the lights were dimmed for the protection of our eyes. Lance had the castle restored to the formal glory of the ages. Its furniture remained to look as it did in the 18th century. "Lady Harmony!"I heard a small voice yell. After a minute, I felt a small hand clasp my dress. I looked down into the warming face of my nephew. His face glowed with youth, his eyes a deep Hazel and hair as dark as chocolates. "Play with us in the garden!" Children began to run toward us. I recognized them all as royal children, their parents no doubt in the castle. "Lady Lady!" They shouted rhythmically pulling my dress toward the garden door. My lips twitched into a smile, I had a soft spot for children. The door to the garden loomed before me its glass crystallized into many faucets.

The floor turned to gold. Beyond the door held a large gardenias length the size if a small city. What lay behind it was freedom. "Lady?" One of the children whispered getting my attention. "Yes onward" the children slid back the glass in anticipation. "Is that the queen?" "Yes I believe so." "I want to speak to her." "Leave it be the king has assembled us to a meeting" "Does she not have to attend?" “He wishes her to not have part in this" He was having a meeting? "Lady Harmony" my Alex called. "Yes Alex"

I watched as the children played yes queen in the garden. The greenery of the garden was magnificent. The lights were strung as if it were day light. The lights glittered in the waters shining little waves on to the waxy leaves. I sat by the pond staring into the crystal blue waters at the swimming fish. I could hear the meeting up stairs. The children's laughter ringing in my ears. I could feel the presence of guards in the garden. Standing I made my way into the castle pulling my dress up as I went inside. The guards were dressed casually in black they bowed to me. The presences of the royals began to consume me. All of their presences had the aura of superiority and distinction.

I knew my sudden appearance would distract all of them. The guards of the meeting hall bowed opening the door to the long corridor. The place gleamed brightly in the light of the candles. The guards directed me to the far end of the hall. He would let me in that much was clear to me seeing as he didn't want to lose face in his court. The doors opened slowly leading me into the meeting room. Lance sat in the big arm chair at the end of the long mahogany table.

The others sat in the chairs up to the table all staring at me. Lance glanced at me before patting the arm of his chair. Slowly I made my way to him taking my place at his side. The tension in the room was undeniable, though none protested of my tardiness. I placed my hands at the top of his chair one over the other putting on a mask of confidence.” Please do not stop on my account" I said. Lance smiled turning back to the others. "Yes, my queen" the meeting started once more