Kazaxon takes me by the wrists and gently pulls me to stand between his legs as he sits on Alekso's throne. The room is empty, the sunlight shines past the pillars that separate us from the outer garden. I've always loved how pretty the throne room is with its one open side. I can smell the honeysuckle on the breeze. It is quite a contrast to the black eyes of the demon staring down at me. I know it is not wise for Kazaxon to reveal himself in such an open area, but this is where Alekso told me to meet him.

You think to try and command me? He mock-snarls in my head.

Yesterday, Alekso would not let me go tour Goldstone. He said he came upon some news that made it unsafe, and so Gisela and I spent the day wandering the palace grounds with two boring guards watching our every move. When I asked about this news, he said he would speak with me on it later. This didn't bode well for my plans to meet Kwenthrith's contact at the market, but she assured me she would sneak away and reschedule with him.

"I would think no such thing," I huff as he lets go of my hands. I bring them up to the front of my dress where I idly fiddle with the beaded strings. "I simply asked Alekso if I could see you again. You could have said no. Did... you not want to see me?"

The demon licks his lips.The memory of what his forked tongue can do sends a pleasant shiver straight to my core. I want to see you very much. And so, I am here. What is it you desire of me, little queen?

I think a moment, then slowly pull on one string so the tie comes undone. "An apology."

His tail stops wagging behind him through the gap in the throne's back. I have a feeling that gap was made especially for a demon's tail. There is one in Alekso's dragon throne over at the castle, too.

A what?

"An apology. You must know what that is, even if you are a demon."

He reaches for me and I quickly back away, but I pull the tie apart from my dress at the same time. His head tilts slightly, and I know it's because his eyes are trained on the swell of my chest.

I know what an apology is, woman. What in Hell would I have to apologize for?

It seems like he wants to rip open the front of my dress, but he does not reach for me again just yet. I'm relieved, since I quite like my clothes and would prefer the more delicate ones be well taken care of.

"For scaring me that night. Remember? We spoke on it briefly, about how you held me down and tried to claim me without any warning."

He huffs, smoke coming out of his nose like a bull. I give him my best pout, slowing down the movements of my fingers.

I suppose you have a point. I apologize.

Success! I smile brightly. "I forgive you for scaring me, Kazaxon." Once the front of my dress is untied, my hands linger, holding the panels closed. "But you also hurt my feelings when you teased me about watching my father die."

Kazaxon's rumbling in my head is that of displeasure. I apologize for that as well. Demons of wrath can become petty when we do not get our way.

"What about draining Alekso of his powers? Are you sorry for that?"

I bite my lower lip a little; remembering how much Alekso likes when I do that. Kazaxon must as well. I know that I am right when I see the strain in the demon's features. There is an obvious tenting in his loincloth. I assume Kaz prefers no clothing, or there's nothing else to fit him here.

Yes. Quite sorry.

He is being a good partner in my little game, so I reward him by moving back between his legs. I tug the panels of my dress away with my fingertips, nice and slowly. "What about when you almost ate me the first day we met? On the field?"

This time the growl he gives out is not in my head, and it echoes throughout the throne room. I go still, my hands automatically release my dress, and the sleeves are loose enough that they fall from my shoulders. The fabric gathers at my waist. Kazaxon looks angry, yet all I can do is stand there and smile. He isn't fooling me.

If you do not hurry up with that dress, I may just eat you now...

I try not to laugh as he finally gives in to his urges and snatches my upper arms, tugging me on to his lap.

"Oh my God!"

Both of us straighten up. I turn my head and see Kwenthrith standing at the other end of the room. One of the double doors is open and she holds on to it for dear life while staring at us. I know Kwen. I know she is brave, and is not thinking about shutting the door and running away. Even from this distance I can see her hair lift slightly, and her hands start to glow. She'll kill herself trying to protect me from a perceived threat. Her loyalty is like none other.

"Kwen! Kwen, it's all right!" I pull my dress up to cover myself and start to pat Kazaxon's shoulder. "He is a nice demon!"

Kazaxon leans forward, biting my ear. I yelp. Maybe 'nice demon' was not the right thing to say. Kwen continues to stare, then slowly closes the door behind her as she makes her way over to us. My cheeks turn redder with every step she takes, but at the same time it's fun to see Kwen look so bewildered. The last time she showed any emotion was when Gisela was hurt.

"Is this something to do with the king's diablerie?" Kwen asks.

"Yes, Kwen, but don't be afraid. You are in no danger, I promise you."

"Well... all right then. Your highness, the king told me to find you and take you down to the market district. We cannot be too long and we must be accompanied by two kingsguard. Let me know when you are ready to go."

My eyes go wide, and without another moment's hesitation I start pulling my dress back up. "Is that true, Kazaxon?" I ask the demon excitedly.

He seems to be glaring daggers at Kwenthrith. If I could read his expression better I would say he looks suspicious. I suppose I am leaving him at a very inopportune moment. I worry he might stop me, so I pause and await his answer. After a while, he turns back to me and nods his head.

"Wonderful! Please tell Alekso I said thank you! I will get you both a present." I'm sure neither one of them really cares for gifts, but I am too excited. I will get to enjoy the market, and also get some answers on what happened with that dressmaker. He would not answer any of Alekso's questions from what I was told, but surely this contact will have what I seek.

Once I am covered enough, I slide off Kazaxon's lap and lean over to give him a kiss. He is not one to be cute, though, and he roughly snatches my chin and dives his tongue in to my mouth. At least he's letting me leave. Poor Kwen gets to watch us for a little longer before I manage to pull away and run over to her.

"What is that?" She asks in a harsh whisper.

"Alekso is not your typical diablarist, Kwenny. That is his demon."

"They know each other? I thought demons just gave power to the mage who summoned them and then go back to... wherever they come from."

"As I said, not typical." I give one more glance towards Kazaxon on the throne. He is leaning forward, arms draped over his knees, watching us intently.

***

As excited as I initially was to finally explore the streets and meet my subjects as Queen Edeva Aurelian, it began to wane the closer we came to the meeting point with Kwenthrith's contact. She told me we had to see him first, and then if I was still up for it, we could explore as much as we wanted. I could always just grab a guardsman and tell him his new job for today was following me around. But the way she spoke and the nerves she almost hid so well made me realize that Alekso did not actually give us the okay to leave the palace. This means she lied about Alekso in front of him.

I keep glancing around to see if we are being followed, but so far no one seems familiar from street to street. I will have to confront Alekso when we get back and come up with a reason as to why Kwen lied for me. I cannot come out and say 'I went to speak to rebels', else he will probably never let me out of his sight again. I am not too worried about Kwen, though. Perhaps before he would have killed her for lying to him but he seems a lot less angry than when we first met. He may punish her if I cannot convince him otherwise, but most likely he'll put her on chamber pot duty or something along those lines.

Kwen leads us down several alleyways, her steps light and one hand on the hilt of her sword. Now that she is my bodyguard, she wears trousers rather than a dress for better movement and boots so she can be nimble on her feet. I would feel odd revealing the shape of my legs so obviously, but my redheaded friend seems to enjoy the freedom her outfit grants her. I can only smile even if we head further and further from the bustling community in the city square where the smells of all the bakeries and spice stalls merge and create an aroma that is uniquely Goldstone. It brings me back to my childhood. I sigh happily when we are closer, and feel a sense of loss when we are too far for it to reach us.

We arrive at a less favorable part of the city, where Kwen has to pull me along, disguised in a dark cloak so no one realizes who I am. It is difficult for me to step over the beggars we pass and not try to give them some coin or words of encouragement. I cannot help them right now. No one can know I am here. Maybe when we are finished our business I will head back this way and give my money to them instead of indulging in the shops.

Kwen ushers me in to another alley and through a creaky, wooden door. It appears to be some sort of abandoned shop, like a supply store for physicians. The walls are bare save for some bottles and light bandage cloth. There are a few lit oil lamps on the walls so it is not incredibly dark. Still, I do not notice a shadowy figure in the corner until he steps in to the light before us. I nearly scream, but instead manage to remain calm and squeeze Kwen's hand.

"Your highness," the man kneels before me and kisses my free hand when I extend it to him, then rises and takes a step back to look us both over. His eyes linger on Kwenthrith.

He does not seem like someone who can simply go about spying. He is tall and broad shouldered, his blonde hair cut short on his head and a long scar on the right side of his face, and a slightly smaller one on his left cheek. The big scar goes from the top of his forehead right down to the chin, avoiding his eye. I assume it was a brush with death in a mighty battle that caused the old wound. But that means he's some type of warrior, surely. He has no business trying to sneak around Goldstone, and yet here he is, scaring me half to death by sneaking out from his spot in the shop.

"It is nice to meet you, Ser..."

"Benedict Tielo, Earl of Betany, your highness."

I tilt my head. "Betany? I apologize, I have been a hunter's daughter for many years. Where is Betany?"

"It is in Aldmoor. Not a particularly large territory, but it was given to me more to keep me as far away from King Drakor as possible."

Kwen clears her throat, looking between the both of us. "Lord Benedict has a claim to the throne of Aldmoor, and King Drakor is old with no heirs. He one day plans to seize the throne no matter who is named Drakor's successor. Because Betany is a border city, he has connections with Alekso's enemies."

"King Aurelian has his eyes on Aldmoor. I intend to take it before he does."

"But... why would you need the support of the rebellions? Their goal is to undermine Alekso here."

Benedict smiles at me but says no more on that subject. I understand; because I am now Queen Aurelian, I cannot be trusted with his plans. I am surprised he allowed Kwen to tell me what she knew. "The point is, your highness, that I know the leaders of every minor and major rebel group in Mercia. It is my business to know the goings on within these groups."

I notice the fond look he gives Kwenthrith, and the blush coming to her freckled cheeks. I feel a little sorry I sent her on this mission now, as she seems unsure of how to handle the Earl's affectionate gazes. "When Kwen here told me what happened with your step sister, I contacted my people."

Worrying of what he might say, I begin to fidget and tug nervously on my cloak. Kwen sets her hand on my shoulder to reassure me.

"I am confident that the dressmaker who tried to kill your step sister was in no way affiliated with the rebel groups, your highness. Most of them did not know the name Gisela when I mentioned it. It seems those who did know and were aware she is your sister have been keeping an eye on you and the Hunter family, trying not to disturb you. They were all, however, confident in your ability to calm Alekso's temper. It is as you suspected. The rebel groups are not angry with you. In fact, many of them feel you are making a fine queen so far."

Kwen smiles at me, but I'm not sure how relieved I am. If the rebels didn't come after Gigi, then who did?

"Of course, this gives potential for the rebel groups to disperse, and then I will have to rethink my plans..."

I frown and Kwen grips her sword almost immediately, but Benedict holds a hand in the air. "Ah, Kwen. Don't worry, lass. Maybe Queen Edeva will put in a good word for me in the king's ear, tell him he has better things to do when the time comes. Just remember I am here to help you, and maybe you will be there to help me when I need it."

He seems genuine for the most part. Sure, he is an earl sneaking around Mercia to befriend rebel groups for some reason I cannot quite figure out, but he did help me, and seems genuinely interested in my well being. He harbors no real ill will towards Alekso other than the threat he poses to his claim to Aldmoor. Also he clearly holds Kwen in high esteem despite not knowing her very long. I wonder what Kwen did or said to him to get him to even agree to this. Now my cheeks are turning red...

"I will think on what you have said, Lord Benedict." I finally tell him. "I am grateful for the help you have given, and I most certainly consider you a dear friend to Mercia."

Benedict winks at me. "If you need anything, your highness, do not hesitate to seek me out. One day we may be allies."

"I say we already are," I wink right back.

Kwen leads me out of the building, taking a peek outside before ushering me in front of her, and then we head back towards the markets. I am not feeling followed, nor am I feeling eyes on me. We must be relatively safe from anyone catching us for now. Still, I must tell Alekso what I have learned.

Hmm. Perhaps I shouldn't. He hates rebels so much, he might not believe my source, especially if I am unwilling to out Benedict to him. If anything, Gisela's attempted murder has given him a greater desire to unleash the Legio Mortis on the towns he believes harbor rebel groups or Henry I supporters. Part of me thinks he would welcome another attack on Gisela just so he could better try to sway me.

I shake my head and pull off my cloak when we get in to a crowded area. I must not think such things. Gisela is safe now. Rebels are not coming after her, and I will find out who is. Together, Alekso and I will stop whomever is responsible before they strike again, and we will let Kazaxon eat them for breakfast.

Kwen looks down at my hand as it tightly grips hers, and winces. I quickly loosen my hold. "Sorry."

"It is all right, my lady. We have much to think on with what Benedict told us. I have my own suspicions already."

"Really? Who?"

"Well... Who would benefit from your hatred of rebels?"

The first name that comes to mind is Alekso. But that is absurd! He would never kill my step sister just to sway me. He would never put me in danger just to get more bloodshed...

Would he?