When David awoke, the sun was high. It was after noon according to his pocket watch. He sent for his maid, who brought him coffee and toast. He told her to see that Regina got whatever she desired. His maid returned, bringing word that the Queen was still sleeping. David did not want her awoken. He'd meet her later for dinner. He wanted to get along with her. He wanted to have some semblance of a friend in this castle...or anywhere for that matter.

At six o'clock, Regina joined him in the dining room. She looked exquisite in an elaborate black and purple gown. She immediately settled herself across the table from him.

"How did you sleep?" David signaled for the staff to bring the first course.

"Terribly." Regina answered flatly. "My head still hurts. All I wish to do this evening is to eat, and then return to bed for a decent night's sleep."

He didn't blame her. He was tired himself, but he was also more of a night animal.

"If I tried to sleep before ten I'd be up all night." He carefully volunteered the information as he took a piece of bread from the basket the servants had placed on the table.

Regina was silent as she put honey on her biscuit. David did not think he was going to get an answer.

"Are you a late night person, your Majesty?" She finally spoke.

"I am." He nodded, glad to finally have someone to converse with. "Yourself?"

"I detest mornings." Regina picked up her soup spoon. David chuckled.

"Well, that's something we have in common." Regina looked at him for a long moment as she ate.

"For a king with your reputation, you are not what I expected."

"Did you expect I decorated with severed heads?" He knew how terrible his reputation was, and he hated it. But it was for the best. Regina would not understand. And he had no intent on telling her.

"I had no idea what I expected, but this was not it." Regina met his eyes for a long moment.

"But you also didn't expect me to save your life." David countered her.

"That is true as well." They seemed to have a healthy banter between the two of them-or at least what could grow to a healthy banter. David liked her. And she was beautiful. That was something he could not turn down.

They ate in a relatively comfortable silence. David knew she'd been forced into this, and that she was not particularly pleased with the matter.

"I want you to tell the staff everything you like." David told her over dessert. "Foods, decor, entertainment...whatever you want you'll get it. That goes for clothing, jewelry, as well. If you want it, you shall have it. I will find you everything that you want."

"I appreciate your effort." Regina placed her fork onto her plate. "But I do not understand it."

"I am trying to make you as happy as you can be." David put down his own fork. He raised his head to face her, his expression serious. "You'll undeniably find more things that you dislike here."

"Actually," Regina finished the glass of wine before her, "you've successfully taken me away from my mother. So there is one matter I do not mind."

David did not ask. He knew how trying family could be. Swallowing the last of his own wine, he got to his feet.

"I have business to attend to. I assume you are capable of taking care of yourself."

"I'm so glad I've given you such an assumption." Regina's mouth twisted into a frown of disapproval. David ignored her.

"I shall see you tomorrow...at some point. If we're both less exhausted tomorrow evening, I may be in the mood to experiment with our sex life again." Regina rolled her eyes.

"As my king desires."

"I shall make it worth it." David started from the room. "Do not look for me tonight."

The guards in the dungeon told him that the screaming had stopped several hours ago. David did not want to think of the girl, or what had been done to her. He did not look as her body was carried past him. She was just some peasant girl. Some unknown young woman...just like Regina had been until a short time ago.

The comparison made his stomach roll.

"Why do you do it, James?" He moved to stand before the cell. Blood was trickling over the floor. "Why do you kill them?"

"Because," his brother appeared in front of him, "I enjoy it." His hands and clothes were soaked with blood. "Besides, your staff is the one who brings them to me. You know what happens."

"I ignore it. Your sick games are your own." James waved him off with a flick of one wrist.

"Is what they tell me true? Did you actually force someone into marrying you?"

"I did what was required of me." David snapped.

"Oh," James gave him a look dripping with fake sympathy, "is she ugly? Is that the problem? Well, allow her to accidentally slip down here. I can take care of her."

David glared at him. The anger that rose in him at the thought of James putting his hands on Regina surprised him. He cared more for his bridge than he liked to believe.

"You will stay away from her. Do not ever lay one finger on her."

"Boo hoo." James rolled his eyes. "My poor, sad, kingly brother has a wife. What a pity. I'm sure there are so many men who pity you."

David did not care to listen to James's taunts any longer. He turned, storming up the stairs to his own chambers. In his study, he slammed the door. He poured a glass of brandy with shaking hands. A few sips in, he felt calmer. But not much.

David had a frightening feeling that everything was about to explode around him.