After listening to Alexander's plan and helping him correct some details, I have to admit that it is wicked for real. He has a talent for coming up with creative solutions.

What I like the most about it, though, is that I will have a role. It's a first, and I'm not sure it's because my husband is starting to trust me. But it's a start.

«This fief isn't on the way from Asteria to Kyre,» I comment. «There are plenty of better roads... It's not even the fastest while going to the capital, but it depends where one resides. I guess my uncle either was in Asteria's capital or at his father's fief. Both are far from here.»

«Hence, it can't be a coincidence,» Alexander sighs. «He passed here on purpose.»

«Asteria is aiming at Ethiro, and this time they don't need two wars to get to Polis. It all comes together.»

But it's not easy to conquer an Empire, and it would cause havoc in the whole continent. Most probably, Asteria will aim for the territories separating them from the sea. They'll let Ethiro survive as a small kingdom so that the other countries do not interfere.

The Ethiro Empire will crumble up on its own, and it won't be anyone's fault if it starts as a rebellion in an inner region.

«When the barbarians pass the border, we'll offer them peace,» I start. «It's vital that we have ensured stability, at least in Kyre. In the worst-case scenario, we'll be able to stay safe there. We have to offer them enough land and autonomy in the organisation of their villages...»

A front in the north is not in our interest.

«Soon after the Count fails his duties, you'll travel to Kyre and solve the situation,» I continue. «Once the tribes settle, there won't be any need to patrol like now.»

«It's a secular problem, Thea. Are you sure it's this easy to solve?»

«Set your greed aside, and you will solve any land-concerning problem. Tax reductions can be considered for the first few years if they manage to build their house on their own. The less we have to finance the settlements, the better for the overall finances. His majesty won't be happy about this, but it will not be our fault.»

«You're too far ahead, my dear. The first thing to solve is a lord selling his peasants.»

«You've already made all the preparations. All that's left is to wait and see. He won't be able to escape justice.»

«If you say so...»

«First thing in the morning, I'll write the letter for Asteria. Now that I know your plan, it will be easy to pen down my words.»

The candle on the bedside table is almost melted down, so we don't have much lighted time ahead of us. We'll soon be in the dark, and that will remind us it's time to sleep. Not to plan evil deeds.

We haven't parted to talk, so we're tightly hugged and embracing each other. As soon as the time to sleep comes, Alexander will let me go and retreat to his side of the bed, leaving me alone. He thinks it's uncomfortable to stay too close, or maybe he's afraid to hurt me because of the baby.

I'm surprised he managed to sleep on the ship, where space was barely enough for us not to fall down from the bed. Now that there's enough space for both, he won't stay too close...

I lock my arms behind his neck before he has time to move away.

«I want to come with you when you meet the people from Asteria,» I murmur, leaning my head on his chest to listen to his heartbeat.

«No,» Alexander sighs. «You have to act like an obedient wife and wait for me. I won't put you in danger for something this stupid. I can do it on my own, but you do not believe in me!»

«That's not the case,» I reply, pouting my lips. «I do believe in you. As much as to entrust my life to you.»

«Then, let me do it. I just have to deliver a letter, Thea. It won't take long.»

«You'll also need to check if the women are there before sending the royal guards to arrest everyone.»

«Yes, but I don't need an extra pair of eyes. I'll do it and come back to you for the next order. Is that all right?»

«I'm not ordering you around,» I point out. What is he talking about? «We're agreeing on everything after talking about it, for goodness! We're accomplices, aren't we?»

It's so much better than being the one in charge of making decisions and bearing every responsibility that comes from it. Being two is reassuring.

«Yes,» Alexander whispers against my ear. «We're together...»

His tone is low and husky, which reminds me of the position we're in.

Wonderful: I wasn't the one starting it! It was him!

«Yes,» I repeat, nodding against his chest. Then, I move my eyes on his face and decide to kiss him.

I push my tongue in his mouth and caress his lips, immediately awake and exploring. I move my leg in between his and bend my knee until feeling his hardened manhood pressing on my thigh.

How long has he been holding back? I should have paid more attention, but I was distracted by plotting together.

«In truth, you like an obedient wife,» I murmur against his lips. «Better admit it, you controlling husband...»

«You don't sound obedient, my dear,» he replies, his hand moving lower on my back. He squeezes my bottom before moving even lower, caressing my thigh. He lifts his own leg to free mine, and I find myself sighing under his kisses and caresses. This is not what I was aiming at, as usual, but I can't fight it once he decides to pleasure me.

My traitor body doesn't know how to resist, and I don't have a choice but surrender and keep my plans for later.

I miss the intimacy of feeling good together, and I can't wait for the baby to be born to return to that. In the meantime, we have to take turns and caress each other in ways I wouldn't have imagined possible.

While I'm still in the heavens, sighing, Alexander returns to my side and caresses my hair until I come back to the real world.

«You can sleep now, you needy wife,» he chuckles when I turn my head to him. He pecks my forehead and starts to move back, but I stop him, clenching his clothes.

«Not yet,» I sulk. «You always run away like this...» I cling to his neck once again, and I ask him to stay closer.

«I don't have control over my body when I'm not awake, Thea. What if I hurt you while turning in my sleep?»

«You're like dead while you sleep. You do not move at all,» I inform him. Except for his hands that sometimes wander on my body, to be precise. But I'm not sure if he was actually sleeping the few times something like that happened.

«I can't fall asleep like this,» he whispers, but he doesn't run away forcefully. He lies at my side, planning to let me fall asleep before him and then retreating.

His plan has high chances of working since my muscles are now all relaxed and my whole body feels so warm. His slow caresses on my back and shoulders help with that, too.

He won't close his eyes before me unless he becomes as relaxed as I am.

«We've planned enough for today,» I mutter. «You can relax, now. Tomorrow will be a long day, so you better worry later...»

I move my hand lower, caressing his abs. I have yet to witness one of his training sessions, but his muscles are worth the hard work. I shiver in delight every time I can touch those on his back.

I press my forefinger's nail on his skin, scratching him lightly. Instead of complaining, he leans his head on the pillow and sighs, dejected.

«That's good,» I chuckle. «You better learn when it's time to surrender, husband.»

Even though he knows how to take control in bed and make me scream, I still am better in the long-term battle. If I let him have his way, he'll lower his guard once he's satisfied, and he won't even notice what I want to do until it's too late to fight back.

Just like now, when he closes his eyes and allows my hand to reach his member.

His hand clutches a few locks in my hair, and his sighs hit my ear when I start stroking hard.

«Let your wife take care of you as well,» I whisper, seeing his expression ecstatic and happy.

The way he shows his pleasure makes my stomach clench, and a part of me is reacting to the view as if I was the one being touched.

«Look at me,» I state at some point. I use my free hand to raise his chin, and I wait for him to open his eyes before smiling. «I want to see how you're feeling, hubby,» I continue. His eyes widen, his breath shakes. I'm not sure what triggered his reaction: my words, my hand, or my eyes? But I don't care.

As long as he looks at me like this, as long as he pants in pleasure because of me.

«Tell me what you'd like,» I offer, falling in the same trap Queen Theodora accepted. But I'm not as naive as her. I know what I'm doing.

Alexander is under my spell, guiding my free hand down and whispering to me to move faster. His lips twitch when I find the right pace, and he moans without moving his eyes away.

I understand why he likes to look at this Duchess screaming in pleasure. It makes one feel so powerful.

«Am I good enough, hubby?» I inquire, seeing he's close to the end.

He's not capable of spelling full sentences, which signals to me how much I've improved in the last few weeks. I can now make him lose his mind as he does to me.

Almost.

«Yes...» he murmurs, closing his eyes and clenching the pillow. «Yes... good...»

I'm ready to witness his expression of pleasure when the candle dies out, leaving us in the dark.