Fin stirred the next morning on the floor on his pallet in front of the embers of his hearth. The room was incredibly warm, and as he turned onto his side, he found himself grateful that he wasn’t wearing any…

Wait what?

Fin’s eyes blinked open slowly before the events of the previous night came flooding back to him, jolting him awake. His eyes opened as he looked over to his side, and found Annika sleeping peacefully beside him in a similar state of undress.

All at once, Fin felt his insides melt.

He’d gone after her…

He’d played his hand, and wound up with the most gorgeous woman on the continent in his arms throughout the night.

Leaning over, Fin brushed a kiss against Annika’s temple and slid closer to her. Relishing in the feel of her smooth skin against his, he relaxed against her.

The dark haired beauty let out a soft grumble and Fin’s smile brightened. He loved that he had just discovered that she was not a morning person. Her feelings on the matter varied greatly.

“Morning,” he greeted merrily. She groaned irritably then turned onto her other side, but did so so swiftly that it caught Fin by surprise. Her new position had her forehead pressed against his bare chest, her soft breath tickling his skin.

“Do you want some coffee?” Fin whispered while already summoning more firewood to stoke the flames higher to boil water for the brew.

“Mmmmnffgh what?” Annika mumbled incoherently.

“Coffee. Do you want some?”

“What… is… coffee?”

Fin’s eyebrows shot up. While he knew that the serving staff wouldn’t be aware of what the brew was — as its beans were a foreign export from Troivackia — he had expected Annika to have tried, or at least heard of them. He had thought it odd none of the nobility had ordered the drink when he had initially purchased the first few bags…

“Wait here.” Fin kissed Annika’s temple and rose from the pallet.

The Lady promptly fell back into a demi-sleep as she felt her muscles and thoughts be at ease for the first time in what was — most likely — years.

She was drifting pleasantly between the realm of a heavy sleep and gradual wakefulness when a strange smell overcame her. It was smokey… mouth watering… intriguing…

“Alright my Lady, give this a try.”

Frowning in displeasure, Annika attempted to open her eyelids despite feeling as though they were weighted down with stones. Bleary, she searched around unsuccessfully for her tunic, until Fin handed it to her.

Standing slowly, she pulled the garment over her head with a small moan. Smiling, Fin placed a clay mug with a rounded bottom in front of her, filled with dark liquid. It looked like tea, but blacker.

“Give it a try.” Fin was sipping from his own cup while watching her with a cheeky glint in his eyes that suggested he was anticipating something amusing.

Annika gave him a dubious glare before lifting it to her lips and taking a tentative sip.

The bitterness bit her tongue, and she was about to spit it out, but managed to swallow it at the last minute. For some reason, Fin seemed so intent on…

“Oh.” Annika’s eyes widened and the muscles in her face relaxed. It was like her body was responding to the sun after months of darkness. Goosebumps rose over her arms and legs in pleasure. The ebbing warmth began to fill her and clear away the last vestiges of sleep. “This tastes like crap but… Gods I didn’t know how much I needed this.” She took another mouthful.

“I’m surprised you even have taste buds after drinking so much of your moonshine,” Fin teased, while sipping his coffee. He took a seat at the table as Annika did the same. He leaned the side of his head into his right hand while the other hand cradled his own mug. The steam from his cup curled wistfully in the golden glow of dawn, making pretty patterns in the air before cooling.

“It’s an acquired taste, but it still requires taste,” she retorted indignantly. The glint of humor in her eyes had an unsettling effect on the cook.

Fin’s coffee cup paused its journey to his mouth as his heart skipped a beat.

Everything was perfect.

He was sharing his favorite moments of the day with the woman he loved after spending the entire night with her. The world was quiet, the coffee warm, and the sun poured in like honey from the window. The light cast Annika’s tousled hair and easy smile in an angelic frame, and Fin knew from the bottom of his heart he would remember that moment with her for the rest of his life.

Annika reached over and tapped his nose with her index finger.

“I don’t have much longer here, so maybe do more than just stare at me.”

Giving his head a small shake, he straightened and took another mouthful of coffee.

“Do what exactly?” Fin asked, lifting an eyebrow skeptically as Annika stood and yawned.

“Well a morning kiss isn’t out of the question.”

“Ah. I kissed you before you woke up so…” Fin’s cheeks flamed red as he suddenly avoided her gaze.

Annika’s fingers rested against her chin as she gazed at Fin mischievously.

“Why are you being so bashful, hm?” She stroked her jaw thoughtfully as the redhead wrapped both hands around his mug and took a sip. “I mean… we already…” She trailed off, giving him a cheeky smile.

“I know!” The redness in Fin’s cheeks crept up to his eyebrows. He risked a glance at the Lady, and realized that she was moving closer to him as cautiously and quietly as a cat. Jumping out of his seat, Fin rounded the table.

Annika turned a slow, sly smile on him and rested her hands on the well-loved wooden surface between them.

“What seems to be the issue lover?” She drew out the word ‘lover’, making Fin turn nearly purple as he both cringed and smiled.

Annika raced around the corner of the table, but Fin was quick. He shot over to the other side, maintaining his distance from her. The Lady changed her direction swiftly, only to have him do the same in defense.

By the third attempt, Annika feigned another direction change, and managed to grasp the sleeve of his tunic. They laughed until their sides ached throughout the entire chase.

“Alright you crazy man, what is this about?” She wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him firmly against her hips.

Fin peered down into her happy face and gave in immediately. Closing his arms around her and reveling in the pleasant shock that flushed through him at touching his Lady again, he smiled.

“Alright. As wonderful as coffee is, there is a nasty little affliction that comes with it.... I didn’t want to ruin this morning with anything.”

Annika’s look of mild confusion was blended with concern.

Fin sighed, tilting his head back and looking to the ceiling. Though admittedly, his exasperation was all for show. That morning, he didn’t have a care in the world.

“Kiss me and see if you see what I am talking about.” His head dipped closer to her, eyes occasionally dropping to her mouth.

Still perplexed, but of course wanting to be accommodating, Annika lifted her heels off the ground to bring her lips to his.

The kiss was soft, pure, and the couple felt as though there was a fire between them lighting their insides.

With their hearts beginning to beat a little faster at the gravity defying pull they felt, Annika remained uncertain about what the redhead had been talking about.

That is, until he let out his soft contented sigh.

“Your breath could wilt a meadow.”

Fin roared with laughter, and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Ah well, my Lady, I hate to say it, but your breath could kill a unit of perfectly healthy Knights.”

Annika partially broke their embrace as she leaned her head back with raised eyebrows. The spark in her eyes indicated some impending verbal sparring, when there was a sudden pounding on the castle kitchen door.

“FIN! FIN! THE CAKE WAS AMAZING! FIN! C’MON! YOU’RE ALWAYS UP THIS EARLY!”

At the sound of the Prince’s shouts — which more than likely woke the entire castle — the couple sprang apart.

Annika darted to the garden door only to suddenly whirl around and rush back to Fin with a panicked expression.

“My brother is having you followed, remember! I can’t be seen leaving here!”

Fin’s mind raced. Eric would take one look at Annika dressed in men’s trousers and tunic, with her mussed hair and swollen lips and have all kinds of dangerous observations that could be repeated to anyone.

“Hide.” Fin ushered her over to the stack of potato bags, but she wrenched her hand from his and shook her head.

“FIIIIIIIIIIN! I HEAR YOU MOVING AROUND IN THERE! ARE YOU IN TROUBLE? SHOULD I GET THE CAPTAIN? OR MY DAD?!”

“No Eric! I’m fine, just give me a moment to tidy some junk away from the door!” Fin answered hastily, before turning back to Annika.

“No. Put me behind the door, then distract him so I can slip out. If I’m gone too long, people will notice! I need to get back before the maid my brother-”

“FIIIIIN HURRY UP!”

Not having time to finish her explanation, Annika rushed to the door with Fin on her heels. Once positioned, Annika gave him a firm nod, and the redhead threw open the door.

The Prince stood in the centre of the entrance, wearing only a plain tunic and trousers. Clearly, he had escaped his room before his governess could get his outfit sorted. The freshly aged eight year old beamed up at his friend. Then, without any warning, he threw his arms around Fin’s waist and hugged him tight.

The previous tension in Fin faded away as he bent down and picked Eric up, returning the embrace. The fact that he managed to pull the child further into the room, and Annika was able to slip out unnoticed, was an added bonus.

Placing the lad down again, the cook stepped back with his hands on his hips.

“I must admit, it is obvious to me you are approaching manhood quickly.”

The boy giggled in pleasure. “I know! Soon I’m going to be even taller than you!”

“Possibly! So tell me all about your birthday. I only got to see a little bit before I came back to serve the late night meal.”

With that, the duo resumed their normal morning activities. Fin prepared snacks for Eric, and the eight year old regaled him with the most interesting parts of the night.

After nearly an hour, the Prince’s poor disheveled governess came to fetch her ward. The woman appeared to have gotten around to her own festivities the previous night, as Fin assessed her pale face and the faint odor of ale around her.

The cook had nearly completed the servants breakfast when his aides joined him. Hannah looked antsy, the Knights looked exhausted, and Peter looked… strangely exuberant.

“Good morning.” Fin greeted each of them with a warm smile.

Both Sirs Lewis and Harris looked a little green, while Sirs Andrews and Harris appeared oddly pale and shifty.

“Coffee?” Fin asked, looking to Sir Taylor — who had become quite vocal about his need for the beverage in the morning.

“Yes,” the Knights answered in unison.

“Enough chit chat! What happened?!” Hannah exploded, pounding the table with her palms. Sir Taylor and Lewis winced.

Fin’s eyes jumped to the petite blonde, who was already red in the cheeks.

“Err… what happened to you lot?” Fin raised an eyebrow in the direction of the Knights as he blushed deeply.

Everyone shared worried glances.

“Out with it Ashowan.” Sir Andrews had an edge to his tone that immediately made Fin respond with half-smile.

Failing to give his captive audience an answer, he instead rubbed his neck and avoided their gazes. The group let out aggravated moans.

“Really Fin?!” Sir Andrews complained, exasperated.

“All that stress for nothing?! I swear, Heather has been sick for two weeks because of the worry you give us!”

“It went well. I’d rather not say more… for… personal reasons,” Fin managed to say, his hands coming up defensively.

“Judging by the pint-sized cloak tossed over the apple bags here, I’d say our cook did just fine,” Peter announced with a bright smile. He held up the midnight-black cloak, which was very obviously meant for someone far shorter than the cook.

Fin closed his eyes and sighed. Perhaps he really was terrible at hiding his nonsense…

“So what happened to all of you last night?” The cook tried to change the direction of the conversation yet again, as he waved his hand and breakfast continued preparing itself.

Everyone shifted uncomfortably, and Fin felt himself go still.

“Is everyone okay? Did anyone get hurt?” His heart twisted in his chest.

“Oh we’re all fine… physically anyway,” Sir Andrews muttered, while sharing a meaningful look with Sir Harris.

“Speak for yourself,” Sir Taylor muttered as a cup full of coffee floated into the Knight’s waiting hands.

“Some things can’t ever be forgotten.” Sir Harris looked uncharacteristically somber.

“I didn’t know you were there!” Peter cried out.

Even Hannah became distracted with the state of the Knights.

“Alright let’s start with you.” Hannah pointed to Sir Andrews who sported dark smudges under his eyes and a haunting aura.

“Peter persuaded Sir Dawson to leave his post. Harris and I followed to make sure he wasn’t in trouble. Little did we know we should’ve been the ones to be protected.” Sir Andrews shivered.

“I don’t understand.” Hannah frowned and turned to Peter, who made a point of avoiding her gaze.

“They heard Peter being amorous with another man,” Sir Taylor snapped. He drained his coffee in a single gulp and slid the cup back to Fin in his demand for more.

“You slept with a Troivackian?!” the maid demanded in an incredulous tone, her hands rising to her hips.

“I didn’t know it’d go anywhere when I flirted with him! Besides, Karter is a-”

“Oh it’s ‘Karter’ now?” Hannah’s arms were crossed across her chest as she scowled up at Peter. The man looked as though he wanted to run straight for the garden door and flee for the woods.

“Perhaps we-” Fin began while trying to exude a calming tone.

“Not a word from you! My friend has some questions he needs to answer!” Hannah trilled, her voice rising in hysteria.

Fin glanced at the Knights who wore matching expressions of ‘maybe we don’t try to get in the way of this’.

Fortunately for Peter, they were interrupted by someone who could take the situation in hand.

“Good morning everyone! Fin! My love, you must tell me how-” Katelyn Ashowan strolled into the room, rosy-cheeked and beaming. When she caught sight of Hannah descending upon Peter however, she halted. “What seems to be happening here?”

“This man I thought to be a good fellow slept with the enemy!” Hannah snapped, her eyes glittering in anger.

Katelyn looked to Peter who gave her a desperate, pleading look. Her gaze shifted to Fin, who gave a single shoulder shrug.

“Well, just because someone is from an enemy land doesn’t make them an enemy. Not every citizen is their leader. Hannah dear, why don’t we go for a walk. I’d like to return to the barracks and check on some of the Knights, unless Fin you need her this morning?” Katelyn asked respectfully as she reached out and gently clasped Hannah’s hand.

“No no! Go right ahead.” His overeager response earned Fin a deep scowl from the blonde maid.

Kate patted the young woman’s hand and guided her outside, leaving the men to wait with baited breaths to ensure Hannah wouldn't change her mind and fly back at them.

Once the duo was at the end of the garden path, the remaining group took a collective breath of relief.

“We should try to reign Hannah in a bit more.” Sir Andrews declared shaking his head.

“I’ll say… at this rate, I’ll be kissing her feet and begging her to marry me in no time.” Sir Harris was gazing longingly at the open doorway where the women had disappeared.

Sir Taylor cuffed him up the back of his head.

“Knock it off.”

“So what happened to you two?” Fin redirected the conversation eagerly as he addressed Sir Taylor and Lewis.

The two men responded by sharing a silent forbidding look.

Sir Lewis shook his head under sir Taylor’s gaze, his stress growing more and more apparent.

“We got drunk with your mom!” the man blurted out, while shrinking away from Sir Taylor.

“You what?” Fin thundered, taking two menacing steps closer to the men — who immediately took three steps backwards.

“It isn’t anything bad Ashowan! She found us guarding the place and asked us to come in and share an ale… Next thing we knew we were deep in our cups playing a few good-”

A knock on the castle door silenced the men.

“Mr. Ashowan? I’d like to have a word with you.” The unforgettable voice of Captain Antonio rang out from behind the door.

Fin felt his face pale as he swallowed with great difficulty.

If the Captain was coming to speak with him, that meant something had happened… or he had in fact been noticed at the ball. The cook didn’t know which was worse.

In a matter of minutes, his morning tranquility evaporated into nothingness, and Fin began mentally steeling himself for the next wave of chaos.