Shaugn glanced up at the building in front of them and his mouth dropped open. Xoan brought him to a three-story pagoda-style restaurant. Shoji windows emitted soft light and a lively tune played on drums could be heard. There was a short bridge over a pond to cross over. Colorful goldfish shimmered beneath the surface. The fragrance of night-blooming flowers mixed with the herbs and spices from the food making Shaugn inhale deeply.

Xoan chuckled as his stomach rumbled. "Let's get some food in there."

Shaugn half covered his face. How many more times was he going to be embarrassed today? Before they were halfway across the bridge, two women hurried out to meet them. Both bowed low in greeting.

"Greetings, your majesties. You honor our humble restaurant with your presence. Whatever you need, just tell this lowly servant."

Shaugn felt his eye twitch. The amount of groveling people did was ridiculous. He gave a bright smile. "It is us who are honored to dine on your fine dishes."

The hostess' eyes lit up while her assistant's cheeks turned pink. "We thank the empress for your compliment and hope to live up to expectation. I am Danan and this is Lai."

He nodded and waved his fan toward the building. "We'd like a private room where we can dine without notice or interruption."

Both women looked at Xoan for some sort of approval. When he merely looked off to the side, Danan looked back at Shaugn before bowing. "Of course, empress. This way."

Shaugn glanced over at Xoan. Perhaps he shouldn't have said anything. Xoan was the emperor after all. He didn't want to undermine his authority. An arm wrapped around his waist and Xoan walked them forward.

"Aren't you hungry?" Xoan whispered in his ear.

"Yes."

"Then let's go."

Seeing that he was okay with it, Shaugn let himself be lead inside the restaurant. The inside reminded Shaugn of his favorite AfroAsian restaurant. Shoji screen covered the walls and were used to section parts off. Chinese lanterns hung from the ceiling illuminating the place with a soft glow. Dark cherry wood made up the tables and chairs on the main floor with mudcloth table runners. A flute player dressed in silk robes played beside a kora player and a drummer.

Several diners recognized them and stood from their seats to pay respects to them. Xoan held up his hand to stop them.

"Please. Continue to enjoy your meal."

They clasped their hands in front as if praying. "Thank you, your majesty."

Danan lead them up the stairs to the second floor. The hall was brightly lit with paintings and tapestries on the wall. Several rooms were separated by thick walls and had locking doors. The hostess stopped in front of a door that had the words "Moonflower" written on the door. A low table sat in the middle of the room. Shaugn was surprised by the bedouin style seating with lots of colorful cushions. There was a window that looked down onto the stage of the main floor to watch performances such as the musicians below. It also faced another window on the main floor that looked out at the night sky where the moon was beginning to rise.

Before Shaugn could sit, Xoan stopped him and turned to Danan and Lai.

"We need a half chair for the empress."

Shaugn looked at him. "But this is fine." He froze as those piercing green eyes held his. Whether it was an accident or on purpose, the tips of Xoan's fingers brushed over his flat stomach before his large hand landed on Shaugn's waist.

"You've only just recovered. I want you as comfortable as possible."

Was Xoan hinting that he knew Shaugn was pregnant? Is that why he was against him learning to fight? He was being protective of his child? Well why not just say something?

While Shaugn was stunned, the hostess bowed. "Your majesty is thoughtful. Right away," Danan motioned to Lai who dashed off. Shaugn flinched when Xoan pinched his cheek.

"Why are you spacing out?" He ordered several dishes and sent Radagar to watch the kitchen staff.

Returning to his senses, Shaugn waved his fan. "Oh. No, I uh...was just thinking about some things."

"I see." He rubbed Shaugn's lower back while they waited. In no time at all, Lai returned with what looked like a padded chair missing the legs. She handed it to Danan who moved one of the cushions and positioned it at the table. Xoan helped Shaugn to sit before sitting beside him. Two other waiters came in carrying trays of appetizers and drinks. Xoan's assistant tested the drinks and appetizers for poison before they drank the water and wine prepared for them.

Shaugn cast aside his previous doubts and focused on one thing: sussing out his husband's feelings on certain things. Sure, Xoan was permissive on many things Shaugn did, but where was his bottom line? Would he care if Shaugn took action against the members of the harem or acted against members of the court? How far did his power extend?

Xoan half laid on the cushions. It was rare they went out of the palace to eat together. For the longest time, the empress hadn't been themself. Now, even less so. He couldn't help but wonder.

Xoan popped a yellow palm date in his mouth. "You're quiet tonight."

"I –"

There was a knock on the door before it was pushed open. Danan, Lai, and another woman walked in with trays of food and ine. Xoan thanked them and tossed them several gold coins. The women's eyes widened and they bowed deeply.

"Your majesty is so generous."

"This is too much for this lowly servant."

"Thank you for your majesty's blessings."

Shaugn felt his eye twitch in annoyance. Groveling was not cute. He rubbed his eyebrow and reminded himself that's how it was in ancient times. His modern man thoughts might be seen as heresy and get him burned at the stake.

He touched his neck. Or beheaded. Something greasy touched his lips and he turned his face. Xoan poked him in the mouth with a piece of meat on a fork.

"Ahhh," he said with a smile on his face.

Shaugn burst into a fit of giggles. Xoan was a whole fool. He opened his mouth and let himself be fed a few bites before taking the fork away. "I'm a grown man. I can feed myself."

Xoan's lips landed on his cheek. "If I want to baby my empress, then I will."

The dishes on the table were fragrant and pleasing to the eye. There was jollof rice, simmered chicken, beef with peppers, noodles, vegetables, and fruits of all kinds. Shaugn licked his lips before he stabbed a few pieces of vegetables on the fork and brought it to his husband's lips. "Your turn."

Warm fingers wrapped around his wrist and brought the fork forward. Eyes sparkling with mischief held his as Xoan took the food from the fork then proceeded to lick it clean. Something in the way he slowly licked the fork made Shaugn shiver.

Xoan's eyes darkened with hunger like an animal ready to devour his prey. The atmosphere turned steamy as the two of them drew closer to each other as if hypnotized by the other. Everything seemed to disappear around them except the heat of each other's breath. Shaugn swallowed as warm breath ghosted over his lips. When had they gotten so close?

Someone cleared their throat causing the two of them to pull apart. They both noticed one of the guards was standing by the door. Shaugn frowned. When did he get there?

The guard saluted. "Your majesties, forgive the interruption. There is a noble wishing to see you."

Xoan's face frosted over as Shaugn's frown deepened. Who dared to interrupt his time with his empress? "I am here for a private dinner with the empress."

"I explained as much, sir, but he insisted."

Xoan's hand curled into a fist and pounded the table. "Who dares to ignore the emperor's guard and make demands? His eyes passed me."

Shaugn continued to eat while they spoke. What reason would people have to interrupt the emperor's meal? Were they looking for a favor? Were they looking to discuss business? Information trading? His curiosity was piqued.

Wiping his mouth, Shaugn put a hand on Xoan's thigh under the table. "It is not worth his majesty's anger. Let us see him and send him along."

Xoan took his hand and kissed it. "Very well." He motioned for the guard to let the uninvited guest in but the cool, indifferent look on his face remained. He let Shaugn feed him a few bites of different dishes until the interloper appeared.

A wisp of memory flashed in Shaugn's mind. This man was a king of a kingdom under their control in the southwestern region. They were bordered by the ocean on one side making them rich from exports and imports. He was arrogant and greedy and Xoan seldom dealt with him.

King Jidan saluted them both and stood with his hands clasped in front of him. Shaugn noticed the way his eyes lit up at the many dishes on the table. He rolled his eyes and took out his fan. Greediness was not a nice thing.

"Your majesties –"

The fan shut with a snap and Shaugn put his hands on his knees. Annoyance was clear on his face. "Speak quickly. We are in the middle of dinner."

King Jidan nodded. "Very well." He turned to Xoan. "Perhaps the empress should leave since this is man's business, your majesty."

Radagar started to draw his sword and stepped from beside Shaugn. "How dare you-"

Shaugn smacked his hand lightly with his fan in one hand and squeezed Xoan's thigh painfully under the table with the other.

A smirk touched his lips. "Man's business or no, I am also a man. Anything discussed in front of the emperor can be discussed in front of me as well as I am his empress and co-ruler of the lands."

Jidan stroked his beard and a touch of arrogance appeared on his face."No disrespect, empress, but no one sees dujshua as men."

What a jackass. He detested chauvinists. "That's not my problem." Shaugn lazily fanned himself. "Speak or see your way out. Our food is growing cold."

Jidan looked around. Realizing the emperor wasn't going to say anything, he gave a half nod. "May I sit?"

"No. Hurry and speak." Xoan picked up a bowl of rice and began to eat slowly with a pair of chopsticks.

Jidan clenched his fists in his sleeves and grit his teeth. "Very well. As you know, my kingdom is the largest supplier of foreign imports to the capital."

Shaugn's fork paused momentarily. "And?"

"I was thinking that perhaps your majesty would consider lowering our taxes or waiving them altogether."

Inwardly Shaugn laughed. Taxes on the kingdoms were based on a percentage of their yearly revenue. Everyone had the same percentage keeping it fair and easy to calculate. It insured that poorer kingdoms weren't milked dry. "Do you know what the taxes we collect pay for?"

Jidan rolled his eyes and his voice held a trace of disdain. "The empress's fine clothing and jewelry and good food for the palace."

Shaugn chuckled and stuffed a small bun in Xoan's mouth before he could speak. "He should have been a comedian, your majesty. He is quite funny."

Xoan tore the bun with his teeth as if he wanted to tear Jidan apart in such a manner. "Hehehe. Hilarious," he said with a deadpan expression.

A soft chuckle left Shaugn's lips. "King Jidan, contrary to what you believe, they do not. They pay for things like...your safety and security. Roads between the capital and all the towns, villages, and other kingdoms. They pay for aid during disasters and the beloved armies that fight our wars. They pay for care of orphans and the elderly. We can't lower or waive your taxes. We'd have to raise others and that would make the poorer kingdoms under great strain."

"What if I were to..." Jidan reached into his open robe and unclipped a hefty pouch from his waist. Coins inside clinked as he put it on the table.

Bribery. How cheap. Shaugn glanced over at Xoan. The lazy emperor raised his eyebrows as if to say, 'what you gonna do now, empress?'

The fan opened with a swish and Shaugn fanned himself slowly. Dramas and history told him no matter what happened here, this man was going to become an enemy. He leaned lazily in his chair and smirked. "If you can afford to bribe your way out of paying your taxes, it would just be cheaper to pay them. The price I require for exemption is not something you can afford."