Chapter 10: A Snake in the Garden

Robin sat in the stands at the training pitch used by the royal army. It was set up for horse training and he watched his wife guide Rocinante past the obstacles with practiced easy. Robin realized it was the first time he really saw her flaunt her skills and he was mesmerized watching her every movement. How determined she looked but at the same time, how happy she seemed made him happy as well.

"I think we should have her training our cavalry," Mother said, sitting down next to him. They watched as Rocinante easily jumped a log, Regina crouched low against his neck and whispering to him.

"Can you just see the looks on our men's faces when their queen shows up to train them, though?" Robin grinned. "Maybe I should do it then."

Mother chuckled before patting his knee. "I haven't really had a chance to talk to you since your wedding. How does it feel?"

"Amazing," Robin said, smiling in Regina's direction. It hadn't been a week, so waking with her in his arms was still a pleasant surprise every morning. Robin had realized he was an earlier riser than her and so would lie there, watching her until she began to rouse as well.

He sighed, turning to his mother. "I never knew a woman before marrying Regina, so I don't know if it feels different when one lies with someone you love. But I do believe it is so much more special and intimate."

When his mother chuckled, Robin sighed. "I know, I know. I sound just like Father, right?"

"Actually," she said, "you sound like me."

He leaned back, giving her a surprised look that made her chuckle again. "I have my romantic tendencies too, you know. And I also can make the comparison. It does mean more when you love the person."

"I knew it." Robin turned back, watching as Snow now tried her hand at the course. Regina stood off to the side, calling out encouragement and instructions to the young princess.

"Regina was very glad you sent for Princess Snow. They seem to be very close," Mother said.

He nodded. "She writes her all the time. Told me she promised her she would because they decided to be sisters."

"How sweet," Mother replied. "She is going to be a good mother when the time comes."

"I know. Though I still don't think we're ready. And yes, I know there are parents younger than us…but…"

She patted his knee. "You don't have to explain it to me, Robin. I understand why you feel the way you do."

"I wish the council did."

"I know," she replied. "And I feel it's my fault."

Robin frowned but it was Regina who voiced his question: "How so?"

He looked up to find her standing over them and wondered when she had dismounted Rocinante. Robin held out his hand to her, which she took before sitting close to him.

Mother sighed. "Robin, you know you were born almost six years into my marriage to your father."

"Yes, but what does that have to do with us?" Robin asked.

"I never told you, but the council actually opposed my marriage to your father," she revealed.

That surprised Robin. He couldn't figure why they would've disliked his mother, a daughter of Sherwood born of their noble ranks. In many ways, she seemed to be the perfect queen.

Regina, though, seemed to see things differently. "Is it because you were married before?"

Mother nodded. "More importantly, I was married before and still childless. I never got pregnant once during my first marriage."

"So they thought you wouldn't be able to provide an heir?" Robin asked his mother, frowning. "Did they impose a time limit on you?"

"Not at first, mostly thanks to Diana. She fought for me, saying it was unfair to assume the problem lay with me and campaigned for the council to give your father their approval. But after over three years without an heir, she couldn't do much and they gave me two more years to conceive or they would force Edward to put me aside."

There was so much to his parents' marriage that Robin now felt had been hidden from him. "Father wouldn't have allowed them to do that, right?"

Mother shook her head. "He said he wouldn't and I believed him. Thankfully, just in the nick of time, I discovered I was pregnant. About eight months later, you came."

Regina leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder as Robin smiled at his mother. "Well, sounds like things worked out."

"Yes," Mother agreed before reaching over and taking Regina's hand. "And I guess that was my long-winded way of assuring you two that it will work out for you as well."

"Thank you," Regina replied before leaning over him to hug Mother.

Once their hug ended, Robin helped both women stand before holding out his arms to them. "Shall we go back to the palace?"

Mother shook her head. "I think I will go for a walk around the gardens with Snow White. I'll get some fresh air and you two can get some time alone."

"We don't mind you being with us," Regina assured her. "Honest."

"I know that, dear. But I really do want fresh air. So go. Be newlyweds." She gave them a little push and Regina took Robin's arm, letting him escort her back to the palace.

The moment he was back in his room with Regina, Robin pulled her close and kissed her. Ever since their wedding night, he found his hunger for her to be insatiable. He had confessed so to his uncle, a bit red-faced and ashamed, but Uncle Joseph had only chuckled. "It's to be expected," he had assured Robin. "You are young, in love and have a beautiful bride. As long as she doesn't mind, it's nothing to be ashamed of."

Regina pulled away, chuckling. "It's the middle of the afternoon, Your Majesty. Do you think this is an appropriate time to be starting this?"

"No one is looking for us," he reasoned. "My council has gone on a break to tend to their own lands. We should enjoy the peace and quiet will it lasts."

"Well, as long as you don't mind that I smell of horse…" She leaned closer to him, eyes hooded.

He chuckled. "On you, it's sexy. But if you want, the tub is big enough for two."

She grinned, tugging on his hand. "Then I think a bath is in order."

"You change and I'll go get the bath ready." He kissed her again before heading into the bathroom. Robin started the water to fill the tub, making sure it was warmed to the perfect temperature.

"Are you going to change? Or are you going to bathe clothes and all?" Regina asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He stood, taking in her naked form and thanking the Great Being for sending her to him. Pushing down his eagerness to trail his hands over every one of her curves, he asked: "Why don't you help me undress?"

She grinned. "Gladly, my king."

"You don't have to call me that," he told her as her nimble fingers began undoing his laces.

"I know," she replied, growing sheepish. "I like it. And I was trying to be…romantic."

He cupped her cheek. "There are much more romantic terms that keep us the equals we are."

"You're my king and I'm your queen. Doesn't that make us equals?"

"Are we debating as foreplay?" he asked, letting her pull off his doublet.

She paused before shrugging. "I guess so. Is it working?"

"Not really," he replied. "You?"

"Same." She sighed, undoing the laces on his breeches. "I guess I have to work on my pillow talk, right?"

He stepped out of his breeches before helping her into the water. "I think we both need to, my love."

They settled together in the water, Regina sighing as she leaned against him. He kissed her head as his fingers traced patterns on her arms. Despite his earlier hunger, he was content for now to stay with her like this.

"Robin? When does the council return?" she asked.

"Ugh. Why ruin such a romantic moment with talk of them?"

She chuckled. "I only ask so I know how long I have you all to myself."

"Oh," he replied, kissing her neck. "Then we have a month all to ourselves."

"Good. I plan to make every moment count," she declared, pleased with herself.

Robin felt the first stirrings in his groin and he groaned. "I think you're getting the hang of pillow talk, lovely."

She chuckled. "I always was a quick study."

He hummed, his hand now caressing her taut stomach. It dipped lower, urging her legs to open for him before slipping a finger between her folds. Robin couldn't tell if she was wet from the bath water or her own juices as he teased her clit.

"Oh gods," she moaned, gripping the edge of the tub as her back arched. Her hips rose a bit out of the water.

Robin frowned. That wouldn't do at all. He put a little pressure on her hip to keep her still while whispering: "Tease your nipples, lovely. I want to watch you."

She nodded, raising her hand out of the water and rolling the bud between her fingers. He nuzzled her as he watched it grow erect. "Beautiful."

His fingers were now working circles against her clit, something he had learned a few nights ago made her moan the loudest he had ever heard her. It was no different now and she reached back with her free hand to grab his hair. "Don't stop," she gasped.

Robin felt his cock grow harder but he was focused on her pleasure. He loved every little sound she made, how her body reacted to his touch and how her deep red lips parted as her breathing grew shallower.

She began to quiver under his touch and she tugged hard on his hair as her orgasm peaked, his name echoing around the bathroom.

"Enjoy that?" he asked her, kissing her neck as she settled back into the water.

Regina nodded before glancing down at the floor. "I don't think the maid who has to mop up after us will, though."

"No, she probably won't," he agreed, sighing. His cock demanded attention of its own but he ignored it, instead kissing every inch of Regina he could reach.

She turned around, straddling him as her hand wrapped around his cock. "I can feel this, you know. And you deserve some attention yourself."

He moaned, cupping her cheek. "You are the best, my love."

"Only because of you," she replied, kissing him. "You let me be my best self."

She began moving her hand up and down his shaft, kissing him again. He moaned into it, letting her tongue enter his mouth as he tangled his fingers in her hair. Robin knew he was getting close to his own release and wanted to be inside her, to feel her walls tightening around him as she came as well.

Robin slid a finger into her, curling it to brush that spot that had her moaning as well. Her pace stuttered a bit but she picked it up again, thumb brushing his tip. She nipped at his ear. "Will it just be your finger? Or more?"

"More," he promised. "When you're ready."

"I'm ready. And I think you are too."

He groaned, letting her slid over him. "You always feel so good."

She giggled, wrapping her arms around his head as she began to move against him. Robin gripped her hips, loving to watch her like this—with her eyes were closed and her lips parted, breast bouncing with her every move.

Robin felt himself growing closer to his release, groaning as he took her breasts in his hands. "Keep going, lovely, just like that."

"Robin," she moaned. "I think…I think I'm…"

He shushed her, kissing her before whispering: "Just let go. I've got you."

She came, her walls tightening around him as more water spilled out of the tub. With a few more thrusts, Robin came as well—moaning her name into her ear as he held tightly onto her.

They settled back into the water, Regina curling against his chest. She played with some of his hairs there, smiling. "I think we should take baths together more often."

"You are not going to get any arguments from me," he replied before glancing at the floor. "Maybe the maid though…"

They finished washing up and Robin got out of the tub first, carefully helping Regina out so she didn't slip on their wet floor. He wrapped her up in a towel, his slung low on his waist. They only made it as far as the bed, collapsing on it as they laughed again.

Regina curled up next to him, giving him a sheepish look. "Do…Do you have anywhere to be?"

He slid her towel down, kissing her bare shoulder. "The only place I have to be is right here besides you."

She grinned, kissing his nose. "So we can stay here until morning? Just you and me?"

"Of course," he replied. "We will have to eat though."

"Tink can bring us something. She's discreet. Never told anyone about our nightly meetings on your balcony."

Robin smiled. "She's a good handmaiden then."

"She's a good friend," Regina replied, tucking her hand under her head. "I'm lucky to have her."

"I'm glad," he replied, sincerely. He knew how lonely her life had been and was glad there was someone she could call a friend, someone she trusted besides him. "Then we shall trust Tink to bring us our dinner tonight."

Her smile became brighter and she kissed him, letting him pull the blankets over them as they dropped their towels on the floor next to the bed.

Robin sat in the king's study, pouring over a treaty Will and Ana had worked out with the king of Lavon. It was before word of Father's death had reached them and so the agreement bore his name rather than Robin's. That was a small matter that could be easily corrected along with the few adjustments he wanted to make and a revised agreement would be sent to Lavon. Perhaps he would send Ella along with it since she still seemed to be pining for Prince Thomas…

Knocking made him look up and he smiled when he saw his visitor. "Lady Wellingsbury! Back so soon?"

"Yes," she said, entered the study. "It was just me really in that big manor house. I almost went mad."

"If being around several members of the council every day hasn't driven you to madness, nothing will," Robin told her.

Lady Wellingsbury chuckled as she sat down. "Are you settling in well enough?"

"I am," he replied, "though this still feels like Father's, not mine."

"It will in time." She then gave him a cheeky smile. "But why aren't you with your beautiful bride? Sick of each other already?"

Even though he knew she was joking, Robin still doubted that would ever happen. He loved and enjoyed every moment he spent with Regina. Yet he also knew something else: "It's healthy to spend time apart. Besides, she knows I want to take advantage of the council's absence to get some work done."

She laughed. "Smart thinking. So where is Her Majesty now?"

"Having tea with my mother, aunt, cousins and Princess Snow."

"Maybe I'll go see if they have room for one more," Lady Wellingsbury mused.

Robin grinned. "I can honestly say you would be the only council member Regina will be happy to see."

"I imagine so." She shifted in her chair, growing serious. "Speaking of council members, Keith has been lurking around court more. Rumor is his father is preparing to pass the title to him before the year is out."

"Just what I need—Keith on my council." He once again recalled his childhood foe standing in his bedroom, unashamed that he had walked in on his naked king in bed with his new bride. Robin was also certain he had been trying to glimpse the equally naked queen, which was why he had blocked her completely with his own body.

Lady Wellingsbury sighed. "Isn't it time you let bygones be bygones with him?"

"Not likely," Robin replied before relaying what had happened the morning after his wedding. "I don't know how long he was standing there but I assume he got a good show."

"Probably a good assumption." She sighed. "I'll have a talk with him about decorum and remind him you are the king and deserve the same respect he gave your father."

"He gave my father lip service, just like his father did. Everyone knows that."

She nodded. "I still have to try. Maybe he'll be more like his grandfather than his father. But if he's not, Robin, don't let him goad you into anything. He'll be looking for a fight."

"So don't give him one," Robin finished for her. "I'll try not to, though I fear it might be inevitable."

"You still have Lady Wellingsbury fighting your battles for you, Robin?"

Robin gritted his teeth, letting his arrow fly before turning to face Keith. He wanted to punch the man's smug look but instead said: "I am the king now. You must address me properly."

"Do you make everyone call you by your title? Even your beautiful queen?" A lustful glint came to his dark blue eyes and his lips twisted into a smirk.

Blood boiling, Robin did his best to keep his composure. "My marriage, sir, is none of your concern."

Keith hummed. "I must say, she seems quite capable in bed. Looks like you're once again learning from a woman."

"I will not discuss the intimate matters of my life with you." Robin turned back to the target, dismissing Keith.

He, though, refused to leave. "I suppose the people find it romantic that our king went to his marital bed pure as newly fallen snow. I wonder, though, what they would say if they knew the opposite was true about our queen?"

Robin didn't answer. He had dismissed Keith and was not going to engage with him, no matter how vile his lies were.

"Come now, Robin, you must know," Keith continued. "You have many flaws, but you are intelligent. Why would the King of Mist Haven decide not to marry such a beautiful and young woman like Regina and instead arrange a marriage with you? I heard she was involved in an affair with a stable hand. The king caught them together but couldn't shame his daughter's hero. That's how you ended up with Regina."

Gritting his teeth, Robin reminded himself not to let Keith get the best of him. He knew the truth about Regina, about Leopold, even about Daniel. If Keith wanted to spread rumors, it would only lead to pain for him.

Keith was now uncomfortably close to Robin, his voice low. "You had to know you weren't her first. You had to know she was ruined. Why else would her mother have run off? Why else would her father come expect for the fact he was too ashamed to remain in Mist Haven?"

"That is enough, Keith," Robin said, finally acknowledging him. He turned his head, anger burning in his eyes. "You are treading on dangerous ground.

"Now, you have two choices. You can leave on your own or a soldier can escort you to your next destination," he finished, voice loud enough so the soldiers gathering at the training pitch could hear.

Keith glanced over at the soldier and nodded. "Fine. I'll go. Just remember—all kings have a weakness. And the Locksleys' has always been their queens."

Robin recounted the afternoon after supper that night. He had been loathed to tell it to Regina but he had also vowed not to keep secrets from her. So he held her tight as his family processed his story.

"What is he getting at?" Will asked, pouring himself a brandy.

"I know exactly what he's getting at." Aunt Eleanor shared a knowing look with Uncle Christopher.

He nodded. "The throne."

Regina turned in Robin's arms, frowning. "Does he even have a claim to it?"

"Unfortunately," Robin replied tersely. "Keith is a cousin."

"Distant cousin," Ana added with as much disgust as Robin felt.

He nodded before continuing: "Strategic marriages and a few childless cousins later, Keith is now third in line to the throne behind Ana and Ella."

"So how is he planning to take the throne?" Regina asked, leaning against him more.

Lady Wellingsbury sighed, setting down her wine glass. "It's hard to say for certain but based on Keith's conversation with Robin, he's going to go after your marriage. Claim it isn't legitimate or something like that before you have a child."

"Force me to choose between Regina and my throne," Robin said before shaking his head. "It'll never work."

"He may not force you to pick. He may use the rumors and stories to incite an uprising in hopes of usurping you," she said.

Robin tightened his hold on Regina, resting his chin on her shoulder. "You think he can muster up that much support by slandering my wife?"

"I am a foreign born queen," Regina said softly. "It probably wouldn't take too much to get people to rise up against me."

He kissed her cheek. "We all will do everything we can to stop Keith before he attempts anything."

"And thanks to you, Robin has an ally in King Leopold," Henry said, taking his daughter's hand. "Should he need additional strength, that is."

Uncle Joseph stood. "Enough of such serious talk. We've scared Regina enough at a time she should be reveling in her happiness with Robin. Let's have some merriment and fun!"

Robin kissed the side of her head. "It will be all right," he assured her.

She nodded, stepping out of his arms to join his cousins. Robin accepted a glass of whiskey from Will, taking a sip. He watched as Regina began to relax, color returning to her cheeks as she laughed with Ella. Keith's ambition was not going to tear her from him, Robin vowed. Even though the of civil war made him sick, he would fight until his dying breath for Regina and Sherwood.

A/N: Looks like poor Regina and Robin can't catch a break. Their bedroom is going to become quite the sanctuary for the two of them.

And there will be many more smut scenes to come, I promise you.

Sorry for the slight delay. My father ended up back in the hospital this week but thankfully he's back out. The doctors are monitoring his heart but all seems well.

I hope everyone has a good weekend!

-Mac