A/N - Hello, most awesome readers ever :D It still blows my mind how much you guys are enjoying this setting! To answer one question, I think this story will be around 16-18 chapters long. I have several definite points I still need to hit and a definite ending, but I'm just not sure how long or little it will take me to get there. Sometimes stuff just comes out of nowhere lol myjklove, I wanted to send you a direct message, buuuuuuut, I can't do that ;) First off, thank you for your *years* of reviews! And do not feel uneasy about a critique-thank you! Funnily enough, it wasn't a critique to me, cause the abruptness is what I wanted. King Alex wants to be the good, noble King, but when he's around Jo, it all goes out the window! He may do things he doesn't even plan...like kissing her ;) But, our poor tortured King always reigns his mind in *ugh* Hope you guys enjoy this chapter... xoxo

Chapter 10

The King left the garden quickly, despite her cries after him. Leaving her behind was one of the hardest things he'd ever had to do, but it was better for her in the long run. How could he be so stupid?! He retreated to his study, closing the door and leaning back against it. What was this spell she had over him?! Alex was a sensible man who rarely acted on impulse. He thought through things long and hard, made a logical decision, and always stuck to his plans.

Until her.

Josephine had stirred nothing but impulse since the day he met her. First, he'd spent entirely too much time with her in Stonedale. Then, on impulse, he'd attacked her fiancee. Who could forget the rushed kidnapping? And now a kiss? A kiss?! The King had decided to be formally friendly with her, and then in a moment of weakness, he kissed her! Not only was she an engaged woman, but the princess of an enemy kingdom! Had he been in Stonedale, he'd be without his head!

How did this woman have such power over him that she could turn his life completely upside down? In a matter of weeks she had turned him into an impulsive fool!

Alex shook his head as his mind continued racing. Josephine, Jo, was the future Queen of Stonedale. And engaged! Yes, Jason was a man of questionable character, but the fact remained that she was engaged. The woman would marry a man from her own land. Not him, never him. Jo would never be his.

It was clear that the King could not trust himself around her, and as much as it pained him, he would have to distance himself from her. It would be better for them both.

Several weeks passed with the King keeping his word. April spent most of her time with the Princess while he remained in his study focusing on the tasks of his kingdom. He spent more time than necessary at the Shepherd farm so that he could have more distance from her. Having her in his castle was too much a temptation. Some nights he lingered at her door, wanting to enter and apologize, but his mind reigned in his gut actions. It was better this way.

Jackson had become the go-between, delivering messages when necessary.

"What is it now, Jackson?" Jo sighed heavily one morning as she brushed threatening tears from her eyes. Not seeing Alex was killing her. Why had he put such an abrupt distance between them? Didn't he realize that their time was limited, and he was wasting it?!

"After not hearing from King Hunt, I returned to Stonedale..."

"How can you do that?!" the brunette exclaimed. "How can you just...enter my land and no one notice you?!"

"Ssshhhh," April soothed, putting her hand on the woman's arm.

The adviser smirked proudly. "I am very good at my tasks, Princess."

"Arrogance is not a good color on you, Lord Avery."

"Confidence, your grace, confidence," he corrected with a smirk. "I have spent several nights in the saloons of Stonedale and have learned quite a bit from the loose lipped drunkards."

Josephine frowned at his choice of words. "Well?"

Lord Avery hesitated. Alex had asked that he avoid the truth if necessary, but the adviser thought the woman deserved to know. "I believe Jason is intercepting our letters to King Hunt. We have yet to receive a reply to your kidnapping. It is clear your uncle is unaware of the attacks as well." Jackson took a deep breath before continuing. "It is also believed that you are dead, Princess."

The brunette gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "What?!"

The adviser nodded solemnly. "The people have been told that since you have not been found alive, they are now searching for your body so that you may have a proper burial."

"No!" the young woman exclaimed. "Alex's letter said that I am alive and well! Jason knows that I'm alive!"

"But Owen does not," Jackson reminded her gently. "Your fiancee believes that he will be next in line for the crown. By any means necessary..."

"Poor Owen," the Princess whispered, her eyes welling with tears. He had already been through so much, and now? Now he thought his last living family member was gone too? How much was one person supposed to endure? The woman cried softly, burying her face in her hands. How could Jason do this to him?! Didn't the man care at all about the King?!

Lord Avery cleared his throat uncomfortably as April wrapped the young woman in a hug. "I am sorry, Princess. I-Is there anyone I can speak to? Someone who could perhaps speak to King Hunt and tell him the truth?"

The brunette forced the tears to stop, pushing aside her own feelings. Part of being Queen was doing what was best for your people, no matter how torn up you were inside. Her uncle deserved to know the truth, and there had to be a way to tell him. She bit the inside of her cheek, her mind churning. "Leah!" she exclaimed after several long moments.

"Your servant?"

"Yes," the woman nodded eagerly. "Her quarters are separate from the castle. If we can get her a letter, then she can give it to Owen!"

"What about Jason, dear?" the redhead asked gently. "Does he deal with the servants?"

"No," the Princess spat with a crinkled nose. "All he cares about is the crown. He never engages with the servants."

Jackson nodded, considering the idea. "You could write the letter yourself so that your uncle knows it is not a trick."

"Yes!"

"Good. I will tell the King."

"No!" the word erupted from the brunette's core. "I want to see him."

The adviser shook his head. "The King is occupied in his study." The man's mouth dropped as she moved from the bed, gathered her skirts, and hurried from the room. "Princess!"

"Jackson, don't," April stopped him, putting her hand to his arm.

Josephine moved through the castle quickly, determination in her steps. If he refused to see her, that was fine. She would find him herself and force him to face her. Minutes later her hands pushed open the doors of the study, similar to that moment weeks ago.

Alex looked up, his eyes filled with pain. The man looked terrible. Dark circles surrounded his hollow eyes. Clearly their time apart had taken a toll on him. "Princess," his voice cracked as he took her in before looking to the papers on his desk. "I am occupied. Please send all messages by Jackson."

"No," the Princess spoke boldly, causing him to look at her again. "My whole life has been decided for me! My father, my uncle, Jason! I refuse to let you do the same, especially when it is hurting us both!" She crossed the study, took his face in her hands, and pressed her lips to his. The woman who had been ruled by men her whole life had finally taken a stand. She had finally found something worth fighting for; rather, someone worth fighting for.

Alex got lost in her kiss, responding immediately. Tasting her again was like a soothing balm to his hurting heart. "I can not seem to resist you," he whispered when they parted, pressing his forehead to hers.

Jo stroked his cheek gently as she smiled in spite of herself. "Why do you have to?" she asked softly. "Can't we have this time together?" They both knew their time together was brief; why couldn't they just be happy?

The King's arm snaked around her waist, lifting her onto the desk easily as his mouth claimed her. His kisses became hungry, passionate, as his hands settled on her hips, his fingers digging into the fabric of her skirt. Her arms circled his neck, holding him close in case he tried to come to his senses. It seemed sensibility was the last thing on his mind as he kissed her over and over, dipping his tongue in her mouth before kissing across her cheek and down her neck. The Princess moaned softly, her body arching into him of its own accord. Never had a man aroused such wanton longing in her before! "Alex," she whispered his name, causing him to push her closer to him, their heated bodies pressing together as her hands skimmed across his broad shoulders and down his chest.

"Your majesty, I, OH!" Jackson exclaimed, stepping into the study and spinning around and putting his back to the royals. "My apologies."

"What is it?" the King growled, putting his head to her shoulder as he gathered himself. "It had better be good." The young woman put her face to his chest, panting softly as she composed herself, calming the fire in her core.

"I have prepared for the trip to Stonedale."

"What trip to Stonedale?"

"The Princess has not told you?"

"No, I haven't, Jackson," the brunette frowned, making her disdain for him well known.

Alex chuckled low in his throat as he helped her from the desk and adjusted her bodice. "You may turn around, Jackson," he rolled his eyes. "You have a plan?" he pressed forward as if his friend had not walked in on their tryst.

"Princess Josephine suggested that we send a letter to Leah, her servant," the adviser explained. "She believes that Leah will be able to give the letter to the King since Jason is intercepting the others."

"That is a wonderful idea," the King nodded, looking over to the brunette.

"Jackson suggested I write the letter myself so that Uncle Owen will know it is not a trick."

"Right," Alex agreed, reaching into his desk drawer and retrieving some stationery and a quill. He pulled out the desk chair, motioning for her sit.

The brunette took another breath to calm her emotions before sitting and beginning to pen the letter. The words flowed easily as she told her uncle of the attacks and King Alex's repeated attempts to contact him and avoid a war. The Princess explained that his letters were ignored, and they kidnapped her to get his attention. Jo tilted her head as she wrote of how well she had been treated and how noble the people of Shadowhaven were. She ended the letter with a plea for her uncle to make contact so that they could fix this mess. The young woman knew that she should tell Uncle Owen of Jason's involvement, but she would deal with that when she was returned to Stonedale. She wanted to handle her fiancee personally.

After the King sealed the letter, Jackson tucked it safely into his pocket and left the castle, headed for Stonedale once more.

An uncomfortable silence settled between the royals as they stared at one another. This was it; the beginning of the end of their time together. Owen would definitely be receiving this letter, and negotiations would be made soon thereafter.

The King cleared his throat and adjusted his tunic. "Come with me, Princess."

"Where are we going?" she asked softly.

"It is time I prepare you for your return to Stonedale." If she had to return to her home, the least he could is make sure that she was never abused again.