The black satin sheets were pulled up to her waist, her pale skin and fiery hair illuminated only by the moonlight. She was stunning, of course there was never a moment I didn't find her so. Kat lay with her head resting on my chest, one arm around my waist. I could just see the outline of the small bruises that adorned her skin, neck to chest, fresh and just beginning to darken. Her closeness now was out of the ordinary, but she had been a mess, whimpering and squirming while I was leaving marks on her and then moaning herself into exhaustion. I ran my hand down her back while I was speaking and almost lost my train of thought while I contemplated all the things I'd like to do to her.

I had to admit, thus far our whole arrangement had worked out better than I could've imagined. She of course had turned out to be the perfect instrument of death I had desired her to be, working exclusively for me since the demise of her father. And when she returned from assignments I'd find myself unable to resist that heady mixture of sensuality and bloodlust that was the essence of her.

However I'd found that there was one drawback to having my own favorite exclusive assassin, it exposed to her to any number of secrets, both my own and those of the Empire. Especially given that she had at first been playing the dutiful daughter still, by her mother's side, never speaking of what had become of her father. That was another risk, leaving her exposed still to the cabal her parents were known to be apart of that of course still moved in the shadows, spoiling to take Noxus for its own selfish interests.

Some weeks ago I came to the conclusion something had to be done to mitigate the problems that were compounding within the situation. She'd been out in the border territories, taking care of some Governor's trouble starting relation. The early autumn sun faded fast as I studied the map of the region laid out on the ancient oak table that took up a good portion of the study. This particular territory had been more than its fair share of trouble lately. I sat back in the high backed leather chair, reached for the glass of wine next to me, and contemplated ridding myself of every last Official there and starting over with fresh blood that would show a little more loyalty when push came to shove. The risk of open rebellion was becoming a little too concrete.

One of the maids had already been in to stoke the fire and I stared into the flickering shadows dancing over the shelves heavy with tomes and ancient volumes and the little used desk tucked in the corner. Thoughts of risks to the Empire brought me back to the question of what to do with Katarina.

Beatrice had come in from hunting and was perched close by grooming herself. "What to do with the assassin?" She gave a soft caw. "Very helpful as usual." The most obvious solution would be to simply kill her, go back to hiring multiple, very anonymous others to do what needed to be done.

A light tapping on the door interrupted those thoughts. "Enter." And there she was, as though summoned by my thoughts, looking road weary but very clearly self satisfied. I rose to greet her, still weighing the options in my mind.

"It went well, I trust." The distance between us shrinking to mere inches.

A coy smiled played about her lips, but the green of her sparked with excitement. "But of course. There may have been a small amount of collateral damage though…"

My arms wrapped around her waist and roughly pulled her against me. "You were being reckless." I growled in her ear.

I felt her shiver against me as she wrapped her arms around my neck. "Hmm, that doesn't sound like me at all."

I could kill her now, just be done with what was certainly the inevitable. Much like the first time I had been in this situation though I found I simply didn't desire to. She excelled at what she did and her loyalty had been unimpeachable thus far. I felt her lips trace my jawline. Still, something had to give.

I leaned in and kissed her roughly feeling my thoughts begin to cloud from the heat of her body pressed to mine. She tilted her head back, as I made my way down her neck, her breath turning to soft sighs. That's when the solution came to me. She couldn't betray me if she were more firmly under my control, made to be dependent on me, never far from my influence.

I left off my attentions on her and she sighed disappointedly. "Pressing business elsewhere?" She was irritated but her words still came out in a breathy whisper.

I disentangled myself from her, if she refused she'd leave me little choice but to put things to a permanent end. "No, but there's something that's been on my mind as of late that needs to be settled. You cannot continue to work for me and have my trust when you are in a position to be poisoned by outside influence."

"And?" She ran a hand through her hair, the tell I'd made her nervous, and then crossed her arms. Curious, despite that nervousness her mind hadn't gone down the path mine had. Foolish girl, did she actually trust me?

I put more distance between us, the last thing I needed was her to get any idea what I was about to propose had any sentimentality attached to it. "You will take up residence here, where I can make sure you are loyal. You'll be well provided for and wil continue to work for me as I need…"

She cut me off abruptly, her eyes flashing with a sudden fury. "Really, that's your solution? To turn me into your property? " Her voice is raised enough I know we can be overheard. "And no doubt you'll expect more than just killing from me."

Interesting, I hadn't anticipated she'd be incensed by the idea. I remain calm, I know her well enough that matching her sudden fury will only make her more stubborn. "Of course not, though it wouldn't be unwelcome. Is it really all that different than our current circumstance?"

"Of course it is, it's you trying to control me entirely." She makes a point of looking away from me.

I didn't bother denying it. Seconds crawled by while I awaited her answer. Maybe I'd misread her entirely and perhaps she would refuse. I clenched my fist unconsciously, preparing for it.

"Fine." She finally spat, arms still crossed, turning back to fix a glare on me. "Mother is insufferable anyway."

For a moment I pondered exactly what she was thinking saying yes when she seemed to find the whole thing distasteful.I never bothered to ask her reasons, in truth it didn't matter. I had her compliance and really that was all that was necessary.

That was what brought us to where we were now. Kat had taken residence in the rooms next door to mine, connected by a small discrete hall behind the two suites. The place that would have been reserved for a spouse if I'd ever married. Keeping the woman who was essentially now my mistress there would have scandalized my parents noble sensibilities, which added a small bit of appeal to the whole thing.

She'd gotten over her anger after a few days of stubbornly not speaking to me. Eventually coming out of her room to join me for dinner. which ended with her in my lap assuring me we had an understanding and she was satisfied with how things had worked out while sucking drops of wine off my fingertips.

I didn't require her to kill often, many of mine and the Empire's enemies had been dealt with. I kept her reserved for the most pressing of occasions. However that meant that more often I found myself with her like this, not just sharing physical intimacy, but conversing, trading ideas and opinions. As there aren't many people I trust, it wasn't entirely unwelcome to have another perspective from time to time.

Where was I? I focused my thoughts away from the temptations of her. Ah yes, Frejlord. "That's why I'm going there personally."

"Well, just be sure not to freeze to death." She needled, but I was about to ruin her enjoyment of my possible discomfort.

"You can stop being smug, you're coming with."

That little smirk instantly turned into a grimace and a dramatic sigh. "What did I do to deserve that?"

I ran my hand through her hair. "Don't be petulant. Have you been getting too spoiled lately, Kitten?" Something akin to a growl comes from her. I know the nickname irritates her, but her reaction is too irresistible.

"You know I hate that." And she throws a soft punch connecting with my shoulder before trying to roll away from me.

She's not fast enough, I trap her against me and lightly smack her bottom. "See, incredibly spoiled." By this point she's trying and failing to not laugh. She sticks her tongue out before settling back down on me. "And very immature."

"I thought this trip was diplomacy only. I don't see why I'm necessary." She stretches a bit and yawns.

"I'd rather have all the options available than not."

"Hmm, if you insist. At least tell me we'll leave the bird at home. " Bea makes an indignant noise from her perch.

"Don't be cruel, you know she likes you." I continue to go into particulars for a couple of minutes until I glance down and notice her eyes are closed. "Kat?" No response, she's completely out.

We have a few rules, one of those is that we always sleep separately. It's my mistake for letting her stay as long as I did. I should wake her and send her off to her room but it is late and she did just return from an assignment. I sigh and pull the covers up around her shoulders, one night will likely not harm anything.

I hear LeBlanc's words from the Council meeting this morning where we went over the plans for the north. "Are you just dragging your little pet along so you don't get lonely up there." Her poison smile mocking as ever. I'd kill her if I could figure out how.

Kat shifts and her arm wraps back around my waist, without thinking I kiss the top of her head. I simply have to control the situation and be more careful in the future.