- Chapter 10 -

King Bakari smashed his fist down onto his desk as he scowled at the letter in his other hand. He slowly drew the correspondence into his forming fist, crumpling it into a tight ball of refuse. Bakari was a man whose requests were seldom declined. He felt insulted and disparaged when his proposition to Queen Evelyn had returned unaccepted. This would not do.

He hurled the tiny ball of what was Queen Evelyn's response across the study. As he looked through the doorway, he caught a brief glimpse of his brother passing by. "Omari!" His deep, powerful voice thundered through the halls. "Get back here, I would like a word!"

Prince Omari made haste to answer his brother's call. As he entered the door to the King's study, he bowed. "Your Majesty."

King Bakari was insistent that respect and acknowledgment for his rank be shown at all times, even from his own brother. He was fervidly against any deviations from the structure of the monarchy, as well as the laws and traditions that went with it. Such deviations would show weakness and leniency, and he was to be regarded with fear and compliance.

"Enter, Omari. I have a matter of great importance to discuss with you." The King stood from his desk and gestured toward the large window that overlooked the lands.

The Prince rose from his bow and moved to stand beside the King at his great window, and together they observed the breathtaking view of Samarkand that it revealed. He found the vast desert land a thing of beauty, especially as the sun had just hidden itself below the distant horizon. Everything was bathed in an intense orange glow, and the distant mountaintops contrasted in solid black against the brilliant sky.

King Bakari turned to his brother, placing his hand firmly on top of the Prince's shoulder. "I know how much you love Samarkand, Omari. It is because of your love for this great land and your flesh and blood that rules it, that I believe you will do as I command."

Omari nodded respectfully. "Yes, Sir. What is required of me?"

The King smiled in response to his brother's instant compliance. "You have the opportunity to bring great prosperity to your land, Omari. The Hero Queen Evelyn of Albion is young, beautiful, powerful...and unwed. You will present yourself to court her into a marriage that will not only benefit their people, but ours. With you so close to the seat of power in Albion, and me ruling Samarkand, the possibilities are endless." The King crossed his arms over his chest and turned to face his brother. "Not to mention, our family has long desired to weave our bloodline with that of a Hero's. The heir that you produce with the Hero Queen would not only do this, but it would secure Samarkand's foothold in Albion's monarchy. A future King or Queen that is so strongly connected to this land is sure to show it a great deal of favor."

Prince Omari furrowed his brow, clearly still absorbing what had just been said. "And it is not your wish to take the Queen's hand?"

King Bakari tossed his head back and laughed at the inquiry. "She is both a ruler and a Hero. I will not wed a woman that cannot remain beneath me. But you, my brother...you can take her hand and forge this connection for all of Samarkand."

The Prince bowed his head in acceptance. "Of course, Sir. I understand. I will begin drafting a letter of my introduction-"

The King raised his hand as he interjected. "We do not have time for that. You will be departing for Albion in the morning. You will introduce yourself in person, and you will do whatever it takes to earn the hand of the Queen, before it is too late to seize this opportunity."

Prince Omari bowed to his elder brother. "As you wish, my King."

I woke up feeling positively green about the gills. I had been dealing with this for over a week now, yet I could never get used to such awfulness. I rolled onto my side, bringing my knees up and grasping my unsettled stomach with one hand as I groaned into the pillow. I heard the door open and looked up to see Ben approaching with a steaming mug of ginger tea. He sat along the edge of the bed and placed it on my side table before softly pushing my hair from my face.

"Still feeling sick, love?" He moved his hand to gently rub my back as I remained curled up under my covers.

I could only groan in response, as if the mere movements that my tongue would make to form words would set off my gag reflex.

I felt Ben's strong arms dip underneath me and he slowly lifted me up into his embrace. I whimpered pathetically at the change of position, but I then quickly found peace in his arms. I inhaled deeply as my face rested against his neck, breathing him in. The familiar sent of gunpowder and Ben soothed my senses, and I exhaled slowly, whispering, "Mmm...you smell so good."

He chuckled as he ran his finger gently down the bridge of my nose. "What is it with you and that adorable little sniffer of yours lately?" His leaned in to place a sweet kiss on the tip of my nose.

I smiled, nuzzling my face back under his chin. "I can't explain it, but your smell is just so soothing. It has always been pleasing to me, but now it seems to almost...counteract my sickness."

Ben threw his head back in laughter as he continued to hold me tightly. "Ah, sweetheart...You're telling me that I'm your antidote, then? Guess that means you should be keeping me very close at all times, just in case." His fingers gently tipped my chin up and guided my lips to his.

I drew away from the kiss, smiling back at him. "Good point, Finn. I shall need you to stay close by during our visit to Industrial today." I shot him a wink as I finally felt well enough to climb out of bed.

Ben stood and moved swiftly ahead of me, standing between me and my wardrobe. "Now wait just a minute, Evie. Logan and I can handle this. There is no need for you to be putting yourself-" His eyes darted down to my stomach. "-or anyone else not essential to the visit, in harm's way."

I sighed out of frustration. Not only was this pregnancy making me very ill at times, but now I was being regarded as an invalid because of it. "Ben, I am not about to start locking myself away from my duties just because I am with child. Today's visit will only consist of a meeting. No harm will come to me. No harm will come to either of us."

Ben looked disappointed as he moved forward to wrap his arms around me. "If you're going to be so stubborn about this, I guess I have no choice but to accept it." He leaned back to cradle my face in his hands as he gazed deeply into my eyes. "But you won't be seeing to any of these duties of yours without me attached to your hip...and as the final word on matters of your personal security, I say that it is now the law."

I grinned back at him as he still held a look of severity. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss before drawing away to respond. "I'll say it again…You are lucky that I love you so much, Benjamin Finn, as those bold statements would easily land anyone else straight on their ass!"

Ben laughed heartily. He always enjoyed my playful moods. "I wouldn't be opposed to you throwing me on my ass right now, love...as long as you join me. We do have a good hour before the carriage sets off."

He tangled his hand through my hair as it moved to cradle the back of my head, tilting it to the side to expose my neck to his kisses. His mouth moved to rest against my ear, and he gruffly whispered into it. "And if I remember correctly, we can do some amazing things within tight time constraints."

He always knew just how to set me ablaze inside. I instantly felt an aching need pulsing deep within and I closed my eyes, almost losing myself to the sensation. My breath caught in my throat as my head lolled to the side, exposing more of my sensitive flesh as his lips grazed across my neck. As his hand trailed down across my stomach, I immediately snapped back. "Ben..." I shook my head softly, looking up at him with regret.

Ben appeared confused by my sudden turnabout. "What is it, sweetheart? It's not like I can put another child in you right yet..." He grinned, undoubtedly hoping this would put an end to my hesitation.

His retort made me giggle. "Ben, while I do agree with you on that account, I just don't think we should until I have seen a doctor."

His eyes softened and he nodded. "I understand, love. I'll leave you to dress, then." He pulled me into a heated kiss before tearing himself away breathlessly. "Light knows if I stay, I may not be able to restrain myself from trying to get into your knickers again."

Logan was waiting at our carriage with an impatient look on his face. As I approached, he held out a hand to assist me inside the cabin. "Come now, Evelyn. We are already running late."

I took my brother's hand, and as I seated myself inside the carriage, I said jokingly, "This wouldn't have anything to do with a certain beautiful school teacher we're to see today, would it?"

Ben jumped in behind me, laughing at my query. "Don't worry, mate. With your sparkling personality, how could she resist?"

I elbowed Ben and shook my head while Logan sat in front of us, clearly annoyed. His eyes darted between the two of us and he raised a brow. "You two carry on like children. It would be a miracle were you ever grown up enough to raise one of your own."

An awkward silence fell upon us. We wondered if my brother knew of my condition, and Ben and Logan seemed fixed in a stare of their own, over thoughts which I was clearly to be excluded from.

I felt a change of subject was quite necessary, and I cleared my throat. "So, Logan, if you would please fill us in on today's agenda."

Throughout the past week, Logan and Ben had been meeting in the war room with several different special officers of the royal army. They had been formulating a plan for the unwelcome gangsters over in Industrial. We had been gathering intelligence to the best of our ability, but there was still much more work to do. If we were to take care of this problem once and for all, it would require our ability to locate their true leader.

Logan leaned back in his seat, placing his hands on his knees. "We know that this gang is closely connected to, if not associated with the bandits of Mistpeak. We've sent a few undercover soldiers to their camp to see if we might quietly uncover their involvement. We also cannot rule out Saker's possible ties to this. As unlikely as it is that he is behind this, since the day that you had chosen to spare him, he has not been heard from." He paused, as he redirected his gaze through the window. "We will be meeting with Miss Engel today to hear of her recent findings."

I felt painfully conflicted over letting these criminals continue to run freely through Industrial while innocent citizens were at risk, but I knew it was the only way cut the head from this despicable organization. I also had to fight back the feeling of guilt that came about when Logan mentioned Saker. I chose to spare him.

With a sense of urgency in my voice, I questioned my brother. "Logan, how much longer must we wait before taking action?"

Logan glanced back over at me. "As long as it takes, Evelyn. We could very well have everything we need in the coming weeks, and then it will just be a matter of formulating the attack."

Ben jumped in, placing his arm across my lap. "And that will be left to your brother and me, Evie. The Queen should not be stuck in the middle of what is likely to be a very bloody fight."

I looked at Ben, wanting to say more but I was unable due to Logan's presence. I hoped my glare conveyed my message in lieu of words. I was not damaged, fragile, or incapable...and I was growing tired of being treated as such.

Marina Engel was standing outside the school house, waiting to greet us as we approached. She looked quite lovely, as she delicately held out her ivory linen dress to curtsy. She rose gracefully and folded her hands, looking up with a smile to greet me first. "Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, General Finn, I cannot thank you enough for responding to my call so quickly. Please come inside where we may speak more privately."

"Miss Engel, it is we who should be grateful for your help in this matter," I assured her as we entered the vacant school building and approached her desk in the back. I was saddened when I observed the dark and cold room which was once so full of life and energy.

She offered us seating, but we all preferred to stand as this was not a social call. Ben leaned up against the slate board with his arms crossed over his chest while Logan and I stood waiting for Marina to begin. The information she had was sure to be of a sensitive nature, as she had so far refused to include any of it in her correspondence.

The school teacher stood nervously before us and started to wring her hands together as she looked up regretfully at Logan.

My brother raised a curious brow. "Miss Engel, if you would be so kind as to tell us why you've requested our presence today?"

She glanced over at me, and then back at Logan, her brow knitted with worry. "Your Highness, I am so sorry that I could not tell you all that I knew when we last met. I was afraid then, but I am even more fearful now...for my brother."

I looked at Ben as he shrugged back at me. No one had a clue just what the woman spoke of, and as long as she stood frozen in a state of worry, we were not about to find out anytime soon. I stepped forward to try and reassure her, since she was clearly growing more intimidated under my brother's glare. "Marina, it is alright. Speak to me. Tell me of your brother and what he has to do with all of this."

"My brother Jack has gotten mixed up with the mercenaries." She looked up, almost seeming to expect a backlash, but continued on as we stood silent. "After your last assault on their headquarters, they promoted him to second-in-command to fill the void left behind when the superiors were killed. Before his promotion, he did everything in his power to keep the activities away from innocent citizens and children…because he is still a good man." She frowned, looking down. "He is unable to do any of that now that he is so close to the leader. He cannot even speak to or correspond with me any longer. I still fear for his life if he continues on with this gang, but I also fear losing him forever when you move to purge them. Forgive me, Your Majesty. He is my brother."

I looked over at Logan and his eyes burned with anger as they fixed relentlessly on her, even though she would not look up. But now was not the time for anger. Right now we needed every bit of information we could get.

I stepped toward the young teacher and placed my hands gently on her shoulders as she looked up with misty eyes filled with shame. "Marina, I can understand how it feels to want to protect your brother. I am not upset, but I do need to know all that you do if I'm to help."

Marina nodded as she wiped the moisture from her eyes. "My brother is not an evil man." She looked toward Logan. "He may have done terrible things, but I know that he is a good man. He was in the army that fought beside you in the Battle for Albion." She turned her attention back to me. "He was trained as a master swordsman and combat medic. This knowledge allowed him to dispatch his foes with little effort by simply nicking an artery with the point of his sword. He was the best at what he did, and that is why I fear they will never release him."

Ben jumped in, walking toward us. "So you're telling us that your turncoat little brother made himself available to the mercenary gang, so that they could use the lethal training he received from the Albion army against us?"

I lifted my hand, gesturing him to calm down. "Ben, please let her speak."

Marina took in a breath and continued. "Yes, I'm afraid so, General Finn. My brother was a deadly weapon that did a great deal of good for Albion. But when the Darkness came...he was powerless. The dark creatures had no blood to spill, and no amount of his former training would change that. After that day, he became someone else." She looked at me with pleading eyes. "Please, Your Majesty. I will do anything you ask of me, but please spare my brother's life. He did not ask for this."

I looked over at Logan and he silently nodded back in understanding. I knew exactly how this woman was feeling, and so did he. I took Marina's hand between mine and offered her some assurance. "We will do everything we can to bring him out of this alive, Marina...but he will still have to answer for his crimes. In the meantime, I would like you to refrain from trying to contact him for the sake of your own safety. Let us handle things from here."

She let out a sigh of relief and softly smiled. "I cannot thank you enough for this, Your Majesty. Please call on me if there is anything that I can do."

I moved closer to her, still holding her hand. My heart ached knowing that she was faced with losing her brother, a pain I knew all too well. "You are welcome, Marina. Please stay safe."

I turned to leave with Ben quickly following. As we reached the door I looked back for Logan and found him still standing with Marina.

Before I could inquire about his delay, he raised a hand to bid my exit. "Go on, sister, I require a few words with Miss Engel."

Logan stepped closer to Marina, as much as it tortured him to do so. He was so angry with her. He did not like the fact that she could not trust him with such pertinent information, and he did not like being made to look incompetent. The anger helped blind him from the feelings that she so effortlessly stirred up inside the iron walls of his heart.

He spoke slowly and quietly in a low tone. "You should have revealed this information to me over a week ago, Miss Engel. Withholding something so crucial is not only inane, it could have caused more lives to be lost."

When she looked up at him, her eyes glassed over with emotion. "I am so sorry, Your Highness. I never meant to...I hold you in the highest regard, Sir. I was just so frightened when you said..." A tear escaped one of her beautiful dark brown eyes and rolled gracefully down her cheek. "...You said you would kill every last one of them."

His jaw tightened as he remembered his words, and now he felt that the sudden need to touch her cheek was clashing with his desire to scold her for what she had done. He clasped his hands behind his back before saying, "You cannot hold such statements against me. Had you have given me all of the information I needed, perhaps I would have adjusted my statement and offered you help with your situation. Instead you thought to make a fool of me and waste valuable time."

As she brushed her delicate hand across her tear-stained cheek, he imagined for a moment what her soft skin would feel like in his hands. She looked him in the eyes and spoke with great sincerity. "On my honor, I would never wish to make a fool of you, Sir. Truth be told, I was very pleased to see you last week...and perhaps that means that I am the fool."

Her bold statement caught him off-guard and left him uncomfortable. It pained him more and more, the longer she held his gaze. He straightened and looked over her head as he spoke firmly. "Miss Engel, I am not concerned with the feelings my former visit brought you. I only ask for your honesty as we move forward."

Marina tilted her head as she looked up at his face, studying him closely. She observed his scar and wondered just how many more the former King had, both superficially and deep inside his heart. She became lost in her thoughts as she drifted closer to him without regard to propriety. She found him beautiful and fascinating. Her hand slowly reached for his face as her heart pounded with nerves.

Logan's eyes slashed back down to her as he caught her wrist swiftly and firmly with his gloved hand. He said nothing, instead looking sharply into her eyes.

Marina drew in a shaky breath. "You asked for my honesty, Your Highness...and I honestly feel something profound whenever I am in your company."

He dropped her hand from his grip, realizing that he had been touching the very woman who so efficiently unraveled his composition. Glaring back at her, he tried to speak, but he could find no words. Her statement had sent his world spinning, and he needed to leave quickly to find solid ground. In an instant he turned about to leave so swiftly that his cape hissed through the air before her.

Ben and I were making our way through Industrial toward our carriage stop. There were a few times when he reached for my hand almost out of habit, since we didn't have to worry about discretion in Aurora. If I let myself think too long on the subject I would become saddened, because I desperately loved this man. He held a piece of my very soul, and I held his child. I wanted nothing more than to show him my affections without restraint.

As we crossed one of the many bridges across the canals, I began to reflect on what Logan had said to me in the kitchen. How much was I willing to sacrifice for Albion? I stopped in my tracks, watching Ben as he continued to cross the bridge. I wondered if I would ever truly be able to let him walk away, and even if I could, I knew he would vehemently refuse.

He quickly turned back when he realized I had fallen behind. With a look of concern in his beautiful blue eyes, he made haste back over to me. He reached for my hands, stopping short, and he looked into my eyes inquisitively. "Are you alright, love?"

I smiled back at him and nodded. "Everything is fine, Ben. My thoughts must have just wandered off."

He searched my eyes, reading me as he always did so well. "You worry yourself too much, Evie. Your brother and I are going to sweep the scum from this district, and you and I are stronger than ever...It will be fine, love.

Ben's eyes darted behind me with interest. "I reckon the lovebirds have had their first spat." I turned to see my scowling brother storming up behind us, and I quickly turned back. "We'd better go, Ben."

We were nearly out of the city when we crossed a small side-street from which a man darted out and cut us off. He was holding something from one of the filthy and unsavory food carts that were scattered about. The haunch of meat he toted by us left a trail of rancid smelling steam that assaulted my nose before I could guard it with my hand. The moment it hit me, I immediately felt my mouth water and I brought my hand to my chest to try to stifle the nausea as I gulped repeatedly.

My brother stood behind me, dumbfounded, and Ben moved in quickly to sweep me into his embrace. He gently guided my face into the crook of his neck as he said, "Breathe, sweetheart."

Logan looked at Ben, and then surveyed the area before speaking out in protest. "This is hardly the place for this, Ben-."

Ben raised an arm behind my back to put his index finger up at Logan, signaling him to give me a minute. I breathed him in deeply, and as he gently rubbed my back, my queasiness subsided. He knew exactly what I needed, and he didn't hesitate to comfort me as he threw propriety aside for my moment of weakness.

I looked up at him and smiled, "Thanks, Finn. That could have been ugly." I gave him a wink as we separated from our embrace.

Ben chuckled, "Happy to be utilized in any capacity which you see fit, love."

We reached our transport and made our way back to the castle. There would be a great deal to discuss in the coming days. I felt pressure in more ways than one. I needed to make sure the uprising in Industrial was quelled while Marina's brother was brought to justice alive; not to mention we still needed to closely monitor threats against the citizens. Also, once my pregnancy was confirmed, I would have to speak to my advisors—all of them—and reveal my secret...

A/N: I struggled with this one, I'll be honest. Introducing new characters and building their own arcs within the story is something I tend to stress over a bit. We're on the cusp of a few game changers, and I hope you guys are enjoying the ebb and flow of things. I'd like to again thank the readers and those who have (or are about to) favorite/follow my story and/or me! You guys are the best and it means the world to me. To the reviewers, you are a huge part of this whole process. To me, reviews are better than ice cream...and I frigging LOVE ice cream. So if you are feeling generous, scoop some of your feedback into the little box below and you will have my unending gratitude!

Special Thanks: Bishou no Marina, you held me together as I fell apart over this chapter like Miyagi talked Daniel-san through his pain so that he could finish his fight. You truly are the best. /bows