He glanced at his timepiece for the hundredth time since doing his final inspections of the royal grounds. That skin defected girl had not arrived yet with information concerning the Purple Thief's family. Either she had failed to collect anything and was afraid to approach him or she had told Grisonce in hopes of figuring out a way to relieve her of an imminent death. It didn't matter to him. One way or another he will get what he wanted, and she will suffer.

"Hold still Eron."

He cut his eyes at to his most loyal and trustworthy manservant who scrunched his nose in frustration as he tried to push a large gold button through its designated hole. The interior part of his Commander's uniform was made of the finest chain metal and fabric dipped in shiny red dye. The buttons and trims were gold, but the armor he had to put on next was of Ardania's finest emerald mixed with strong metals.

"Whatever you are thinking about it's gotten you jittery."

"Do you need me to do it, Tarkel?" he said noticing the older gentleman's boney fingers trembling and turning red.

Tarkel gave a sigh of relief and abandoned the remaining four buttons. "If you don't mind."

Eron pushed aside every thought crowding in his head to finish what Tarkel couldn't. He watched the servant shuffle across his bedroom to his armor properly placed on racks. Near into his fifties, Tarkel Iisenor was from the estranged Iisebrinian bloodline with thin dusty hair that turned white around his fifteenth birthday, chalky white skin, and eyes so blue and vibrant one would've thought he was an Iisen-Soother. How his ancestors ended up in the north, far away from their kingdom in the chilly south, even Tarkel didn't know. But one thing Eron did know was that Tarkel's brittle bone illness made him Strange and his family's poverty condemned him to slavery.

Like Grisonce's limping servant, Tarkel managed to please King Thaddeus into officializing him just for Eron. After he was taken from his parents as an infant, who suspiciously died in a boating accident a month later, Tarkel stepped in to help raise him. And for some reason, the gods had no use for him because the Strange was beating his illness like a knight high on amberia leaves.

"Be a gentleman and come closer," Tarkel said as the door to his bedroom slid open revealing his common maid.

"Hello," Malana said holding a stack of fresh towels, clothes, and a fancy boxed delivery. "I'm here to restock and all. And this came in for you from the High Priest."

"The High Priest," Eron said gesturing for her to approach. He took the box and observed its detailed designs.

"Can you please come closer, Eron? This armor weighs more than your usual," Tarkel said.

He growled. "Don't worry about it. I'll put it on myself," he said opening his gift.

"Do you need me to assist?" Malana said disappearing into his washroom.

"If you don't mind, Malana," Tarkel said shaking his head at the racks.

Inside was a beautiful brooch of a miniature carving of Dawnis, the god of Life and Death surrounded by red fire. Despite Eron's favor of the god due to his significance to his Fiisen sooth, he felt a hint of mockery from the old man and his companions.

"Oh, that's pretty and fit for you Commander," Malana said passing him a flirtatious wink.

The 20-year-old Strange was more beautiful than the brooch and if Tarkel wasn't in the room, he'd thrown the gift into his fiery hearth and take her to his bed instead.

"I'll try and stay clear of the old brute, so he doesn't see I'm not wearing it," he said closing it and placing it on a table.

He approached the two so they could help him put on the armor correctly. Malana ran her mouth about various things that did not interest him and offered her cosmetic and hair services which Eron did consider. Tarkel had grown terrible at the tasks and who-knew-where his preparation group were. Apparently, Grisonce knew how to repay him personally for his actions as of late.

"Malana have you seen the slave girl with the patchy skin?" Eron said.

For a minute, the maid had to think and then frowned. "You mean, Hasana? The last I saw her it was in the Slave Dorms. She looked afraid and was with Mira."

"Mira?"

"The mute woman. Don't matter it, you don't care who. Why are you asking about Hasana?"

"She's supposed to meet me soon," he said with narrowed eyes.

"Why?" Malana said upper lips curling with a hint of jealousy.

"It's none of your concern."

Malana frowned. "Well. If we cross paths, I will tell her you're looking for her."

"Good."

The door to his sitting room opened and the chime above it echoed about his chambers.

"Your Majesty," Eron heard Andison, one of his soldier escorts say and a flood of annoyance overwhelmed him.

"Thank you," Queen Saia said.

He heard the shuffling of her dress trail and the clucking of her heeled boots as she appeared at the doorway. Instantly, Malana and Tarkel stood straight and tall and curtsied and bowed to the Queen of Ardania.

"Well, hello Commander Shadar," she said fully entering the room as if it was her own.

"Your Majesty," he said with a nod.

"Leave us and shut the door," she ordered.

"Do not go far," Eron said.

"We will not," Tarkel said passing him a 'shame on you' look before closing the door.

Not wasting any time, the beautiful blonde approached him, hungry eyes devouring him head to foot.

"You look so hot in that armor," she said with a cheeky grin.

"I can definitely say that about your dress, my Queen," he said soaking in her dark green dress donned with emeralds, diamonds, and gold jewelry, brooches, and ribbons. It fitted her perfectly, revealing her plump breast and firm waistline. And her curly hair was so white-blond, one would think she stole it from the clouds. He always couldn't help but touch it. He took hold of her chin and gave her a soft kiss on her lips and felt her shiver.

"Why are you here?"

"I needed to see you," she said.

"I'm guessing the King is no good company again..."

"That stupid bastard is never good company. I still wake up unable to believe I married that," she said petite fingers beginning to untie the front ribbons keeping her bodice in place.

"And you've not changed your mind about..."

"No. Of course not," Saia scold. "We must stick to the plan. And you need to cease your disobedient rants, or you will lose your rank and vote when the time comes."

"The vote to dethrone him and that son of his? I know, but sometimes his very being aggravates me."

"I'm the one married to him and have to stay by his side twenty-four seven," she scuffed. "You- on the other hand- only need to win over the Council, the Judges, and the Priesthood."

"I've been working on it, Saia," he said.

"You know... I thought today that boy was finally going to be stripped of his birthright, but Dimitri keeps adding on strikes."

"I thought so too."

Eron watched the four ribbons droop, and her tight bodice released its pressure and his groin hardened. He grabbed her around the waist and slid his tongue up her long neck. He wished the breastplate wasn't on because he couldn't feel the heat of her body, but he did feel her shiver. Within minutes her fingers were entwined in his fiery hair and his hands enjoyed her squishy curves as they locked tongues.

When she gasped for air, he nibbled and kissed everywhere he saw skin only for the annoying woman to start talking again.

"It's going to take a miracle to cut that last string that bonds them," she said with a moan.

"Hmm," he said uninterested in this conversation. He sat on his bed, pulled up her dress, and began sucking a thigh.

"He is a Strange whether he has the Mark or not," she said. "But he is pondering the idea of giving Gideon the birthright, although the things Gideon does sometimes repulses ahh."

Eron gave a slight chuckle seeing he had finally reached the part of her body that would steal her voice for a while. And it did and she tasted like salty butter that made him wonder about the festivity's supper.

Then a knock on the door interrupted their moans. The Queen sucked her teeth and peeled away from him, seeking to fix her ruffed appearance.

"Who is it?" Eron said.

"It's me, Ser. Sii."

"Come in," he said, and he did, wearing his normal goofy, mischievous smile.

Sii caught eyes with the Queen and smiled even harder. He bowed. "Your Majesty."

Saia rolled her eyes and fixed her dress with care as if she had all the time in the world.

"Um... just to inform you, Commander. Your escort ... Princess Relana is seeking your presence in the grand foyer," Sii said and Eron could hear the mockery and humor in his tone. "Do you wish for her to come up?"

"No," Eron grumbled combing a hand through his messy hair. The last thing he wanted was to be the spoiled girl's escort again, but if his lover didn't enact her plan before Saia's fast enough, he'd rather have the young Relana than her washed out mother.

Once Saia felt she appeared back to her royal normal self, she cut Sii a dangerous look that even brought a chill to Eron's spine.

"I shall take my leave, Commander," she said. "Make sure you be good company to my daughter tonight. This conversation will continue."

"It shall, my Queen," he said with a wink.

The wink must've rejuvenated her because her back straightened extra tall of a woman who knew she had the power and the looks to have any man she wanted.

"See you at the Ceremony," she said.

"My Queen," he said and with one glare at the grinning soldier, she took her exit. As quickly as she disappeared, Tarkel appeared annoyed and impatient.

"No, no," Sii said waving dismissively at the servant and shutting the door in his face.

"What do you want Sii?" Eron said grabbing a towel to wipe moisture from his mouth.

"First of all, is it the red hair and eyes that causes women to give themselves to you, or your position? Or both? I want to know, Master, so I can find me some dye."

"Very funny," Eron scolded. "What do you want Sii?"

"I have wonderful news for you," he grinned. "Perhaps I should've told the Queen to go nowhere because you'd want her after this."

"Sii," he said.

"First, I want to say. You look so marvelous in that suit," he said grazing his teeth. "You look like a tree on fire."

"Sii. Tell me why you are here, or you will leave on fire."

"Hmm," the soldier grinned, apparently enjoying the sexier indication rather than the honest threat.

Eron gave a sigh that made him wonder how he'd gotten to this pathetic point in his life and why hadn't the greater aspects of his desires come yet.

"Okay. Okay. Fine. Business as always," he said revealing a tiny scroll with its fancy ribbon. "There's that amazing smile."

Indeed, he couldn't help the smile that crept and conquered his face. Not only did the love of his life send him a good letter but two in one day. This was far more exciting than watching Dimitri demean his son and the successful capturing of the Purple Thief.

He snatched it from his fingers and began to unravel it.

"Wait. Wait. Do you wish to know the second good news?"

"Wait," he said turning his back to the man to read the scroll. "My love, I have heard about the capturing of a girl with purple eyes and that she is condemned for death tonight. I only ask one thing of you. If you can, bring me her body when we are to meet. Thank you-,"

I love you, he read internally and grew upset seeing how that purple eyed girl managed to weave herself into their relationship. What did she need of the body in the first place?

"I wonder how she found out..." Sii said.

"She must have another inside man," Eron said. An unsettling feeling withered to life realizing it could be anyone in the palace.

Or it could easily be Sii.

"It could be anyone," Sii said as if he could read his doubts and sudden worry. "There are a lot of secrets within these walls. What baffles me is what she meant about bringing the body? What body? There will be no body after tonight... right?"

Eron crumbled the note in his hand as his question weaved into his crowded head. He massaged his forehead and turned to face the only one he knew could leave Ardania and return within minutes. He studied the young blonde and felt his bones shiver with envy and disappointment.

"Are you all right master?" he said head cocked to the side.

"Never better," Eron said wondering if Sii was as honest and loyal as he assumed.

"So, what's the plan?"

"I want you and the Conjurers to continue the investigation on Mageia and the location of her home."

"It shall be done. So, does this mean, we have to miss the Ceremony?"

"I don't care what you do, just get it done and bring me what you find after the Ceremony."

"Very well, Master."

"Also, seek Hasana McAvory, a slave in this palace and bring her to the Nest," he said.

"What for?"

"Her time is up," he growled.