The crackle of a slowly dying fire, the shuffle of paws against stone, Nick slowly opened his eyes. What he saw was perhaps the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. Grey and white fur glimmering in the fire light, deep violet pools shining with fire.

But it was a dying fire. A reflection of the one in the room. Looking down upon the blade she carried, he knew why she was here. She wanted release and as his heart still ached so did he.

When her determination faltered, he grabbed her paw in his, gently squeezing it reassuringly. He pulled the knife's point over his heart and placed his other paw over the top to ensure the final blow. Letting the pendant hang by the blade.

His symbol of giving himself to her. A gift that once given cannot be given back. A promise that once made cannot be broken.

Nick closed his eyes and lifted the blade slightly. Taking a deep breath and bracing himself for what was to come. Tensing his arms to deliver the release he desperately desired. Suddenly he was stopped.

He opened his eyes and the bunny had pulled the blade away and ran back into the bedroom closing the door behind her. Snarling in anger he rolled over on the sofa. "Dumb bunny." He muttered. Closing his eyes again and allowing sleeps sweet embrace to take him again.

Earlier that day

Nick dropped the last couple of feet from the vines. Looking back up he could see the rabbit that was to be his wife leaning over the edge of the balcony. Smiling up he thought to himself, "She looks impressed." He made his way toward the palace entrance when the door was opened. There stood Erik, a grey fox, one of the captains.

"There you are! They've been looking for you." He exclaimed.

"Who?" Nick asked in return.

"Those bunny tailors. They've put together quite the outfit for you." He said with a mischievous grin.

"Hmm. I can hardly wait." Nick replied in the most sarcastic voice he could muster. "Did you send the guards I asked for?" Earlier Nick had asked Erik to assign two guards to the rabbit, he had learned was named Judith. Their purpose, to protect and obey the commands of the lady of the house they served.

"I did but I couldn't pry Gideon away from the negotiations."

"I suppose his talents are better suited to helping my father right now. If Judith misinterprets the purpose of the guards I'm sure it'll be easy enough to explain later."

Nodding in agreement, Erik now had to satisfy his sense of curiosity. "So where did you disappear to?"

Nick's ears lowered slightly and his smiled faltered somewhat. He wasn't sure if anyone else would understand why he'd given the pendant to Judith. Normally such a gift wasn't given until a couple had been together for an extended amount of time and were certain of the devotion to one another.

However, Erik had been Nick's friend and comrade in arms for many years. "I went to find Judith a gift." He finally said in a low voice.

Erik's ears raised up in alert, stopping him where he stood with his eyes wide at what his friend had just told him. "Have you given it to her?"

Nick looked down at the floor. His smile completely gone. This wasn't the reaction he wanted. His actions were his own and not for someone else to judge. But he knew that it was concern and not prejudice that fueled his friends question.

"I have." After pausing for a moment, Nick continued. "I've noticed the married females here wear something similar. I don't know if it means the same." He said shaking his head. "But if I can offer her something…"

Seeing Nick's sorrowful expression, Erik placed a paw on his shoulder.

"I asked for this." Nick continued. "I talked my father into asking for this alliance and I agreed to this marriage. You were there Erik they simply handed her over."

Erik could tell Nick was troubled by the arrange marriage for more than one reason. Squeezing his shoulder he offered a friendly smile.

Smiling back, Nick cleared his throat. "So, when do you leave?" He asked as they continued their march to the tailors hoping to change the subject. Fortunately for Nick, Erik complied.

"In the morning. We'll hide aboard a merchant ship that will take us to our destination." Said destination was a castle on the coast north of the Hopps' lands sitting on a rocky cliff overlooking the sea.

A group of six grey foxes, since their coats will blend in well with the rocks, are to climb the cliffs and observe the occupants. It is believed the armies that face the Hopps are using the castle as a supply point to store all their food and essentials for the winter.

Stopping in front of the entrance to his room, Nick turned to face his friend. "I wish you well Erik."

"And I you Nick." Nick then turned and entered the room to what had to have been the ugliest set of clothes he has ever seen.

The next morning

Judith awoke to the sun shining through her window. It was already midmorning. She had spent half the night crying into her pillow. Still damp, she pulled her face away from the tortured cushion. Lowering herself out of the bed, she walked to the bedroom door.

Easing it opened she peered into the main room, much as she did the night before. The fire was but ash and the sofa was empty. The clothes he had worn were laying neatly on the back of a chair. But something was missing.

Looking on the table and all the other furniture, she couldn't find the pendant he'd repaired. Surely, he wouldn't keep it with him. If anyone saw it they would recognize it as a failure to claim his prize. The thought should have made Judith glad.

Instead, she couldn't get over the ping of guilt she felt from last night. She still didn't know why he wanted to die. Surely, he didn't think that she would be swept off her feet after being forced into a marriage and given a mark of ownership.

But somehow, he seemed just as trapped as she was. She went to the bedroom and pulled out a blue dress. Changing quickly, she made her way out of the suite only to stop in the doorway. She hadn't realized the guards would still be there.

However, if they intention was to stop her from leaving they made no sign of noticing her opening the door. She decided to test the waters. Walking out slowly she watched out of the corner of her eye for any motion from them.

They didn't move until she was beyond them and walking away. Using her ears, she listened as they stayed just behind her. Curious, she quickened her pace. The guards stayed right with her. Then she stopped without warning.

Besides one of them nearly falling over, they came t a complete halt the same distance behind her. So, they're escorts then? Before she could test her limits further she knew she needed to find Nicholas and she knew right where he would be.

She made her way to the council room where the war council met, her escorts right on her heels. As she approached the door she was starting to get nervous. She didn't know how Nicholas would react to her interrupting a council meeting. But she did know how her father would react.

Before she could deal with that she had to get past the guards at the doors. Two rabbits dressed in ornate uniforms holding ceremonial spears stood at either side of the door. As she approached they moved their spears till they crossed each other blocking the door before she could get close. But she expected that.

What she did not expect was how her escorts would react. As soon as the bunnies moved their spears the two foxes leapt in front of her holding their shields in front, aiming their spears, baring their fangs and growling at the now shaking bunnies.

Truth be told, Judy was just as shaken as they were. It took a second for her to realize what was happening. These foxes weren't her escorts they were her bodyguards. The rabbits guarding the doors were too scared to even move their spears back. Fortunately, the door to the council room opened.

And there in the door way with the light shining around him portraying the silhouette of a demonic warrior stood The Devil's Spawn.

Reaching out and moving the spears blocking the door out of the way he started walking towards Judy and her guards. As soon as they had seen it was him the guards immediately stopped growling and hid their fangs but did not drop their guard until he was well past the guard bunnies.

Now with her guards behind her Judy stood in front of Nicholas once more. Still a little shocked from the spectacle that she had just witness, she was finding it a little difficult to form words. Not that it would have helped, she still couldn't speak his language.

With a very annoyed expression he looked down at her. No doubt annoyed at his wife interrupting state business she thought. She looked down from his face. Noticing his green shirt and brown pants that gave him a very dashing cavalier look. Judy's ears dropped behind her back, disappointed she had come all this way and hadn't thought of how to ask him for the pendant back.

When she dropped her ears, she noticed he tilted his head to the side. Glancing back up she caught a glint of a gold chain around his neck. Raising her ears again, she pointed at the gold chain. Hoping it was the pendant around his neck. All he did was look more annoyed and shrug his shoulders.

Rolling her eyes, she reached up and grabbed his collar, quickly bringing him down to her level. Blushing, she reached into his shirt and pulled the pendant out. Letting go of his collar, she watched as he stood back to his full height and reached to touch the pendant while looking at her.

She pointed at the pendant once more and then shyly pointed back at herself. He seemed to get excited at the idea as his eyes got wider and his eyebrows both raised. Reaching behind his neck he undid the clamp that held the chain together and offered it to Judith.

Taking the pendant, she pointed her ears up and placed it around her neck and fastened it. Then placed one paw on it delicately while looking it over. The feeling of being watched washed over her, causing a shiver to go down her spine. She glanced up and saw Nick looking down. Emerald eyes sparkling with delight and a smile to match. She even noticed his tail started to wag slightly.

She offered a satisfied smile in return and turned to make her departure. She only tuned about half way when a large paw found her shoulder. Looking back, it was Nick that stopped her and was gesturing for her to follow him back into the council chambers.

Into the council chambers? But females aren't allowed while the council is in session. Maybe he just wants to show me off? Show that he's managed to somehow tame me? Thinking to herself she didn't notice her paw was wrapping around the pendant and starting to squeeze again. Then she felt Nick's paw leave her shoulder.

Looking at his face once more she felt the guilt from earlier returning. Those sad eyes returning along with a frown. Judy quickly reached for his paw with both hers. Smiling towards him she gave a slow nod and let him lead her into the room.

Nearing the two guard bunnies she noticed them looking back and forth at each other as if they weren't sure what to do. Nick must have noticed as well. He gave a low growl gaining their attention. Spoke something to the two foxes that were following them which seemed to be for them to stay outside the door and guard it.

Once inside, Nick released her paw and turned to close the door. At that moment, Judy felt more exposed than ever before. There were 15 other bunnies and three foxes. The foxes seemed to be pleased at her presence and were all smiling. Gideon more than the others.

The bunnies, however, made it appear as though she was the most disgusting thing they had ever seen. All had a look of either revulsion or anger. One rabbit was making his way towards her. She felt large paws rest on her shoulders and looked up to see a cream-colored muzzle leaning over her.

"She cannot be here!" the angry rabbit nearly shouted. Gideon said something that must have been a translation.

Judy felt something wrap around her feet and felt the growl that rumbled through Nick's throat. The rabbit's anger quickly melted into a puddle that was forming on the floor between his legs. While Nick started talking, Judy looked down at her feet.

Staring down at the red tail with a dark tip she hardly noticed the conversation. She was intrigued by this fluffy warm appendage. Then she heard something that caught her attention.

"…and take council from her as my equal."

Judy's head snapped up along with her ears. She barely noticed the fox behind her shaking his head at the surprise. Or using his paws to lower said ears back down so they weren't in his face. She did notice how he dragged his claws along the edges causing her to shiver with a sensation she'd never felt before but definitely wanted again.

She felt his paw press against her back and towards the table everyone was standing around. Every rabbit at the table, including her brother Gregory and father, were standing with their mouths agape in disbelief. The foxes alternatively were smiling. None as much as Johannes.

The rest of the meeting went by in a blur. Judy had no idea what they were discussing. The only thing she could think of were two words. "my equal." Did he mean it? Was it true or just a show? She desperately wanted answers.

The meeting was over before Judy realized it. As everyone started to walk away from the table, Judy took the only action she could to get the answers she wanted.

"Gideon?" she called.

"Yes, Lady Judy?"

"Can you come to our chambers later? I need to ask my husband some questions."