On the fourth day out they came across a little settlement. Isla wanted to go around it, but Alistair was desperately wanting to go in. He turned to her with pleading eyes and asked. "Do they have an inn?"

"Yes." She answered.

"Let's stop here for the night. Please! Warm room, soft bed, hot meal?" Alistair pleaded.

"I thought you weren't a sissy king?" She tried teasing him into going around it, but he was adamant.

"A warm bath?" He said wiggling his eyebrows at her. She sighed and gave in.

"Fine, but you have to do all the talking and getting us the room." She insisted. She pulled a green cloak from her pack and pulled it on, tucking her hair back and pulling the hood deeply over her face.

"I will. No problem." He promised and kissed her hand. "Come on, Sampson. Warm place to sleep tonight." Isla laughed as Sampson barked and danced in a circle around Alistair. It was surprising how much Sampson liked Alistair. Farda took off, going to hunt. She didn't like to be around people any more than Isla did.

Alistair took Isla's hand and they walked through the village towards the inn. Isla kept her head down as they entered the inn. Alistair moved straight to the bar while Isla lead Sampson towards a corner to wait for him. He returned a moment later and smiled at her.

"They only had one room, but it's the biggest. I ordered food. Do you want to put our stuff up and come back down?" Alistair asked looking around enjoying the liveliness of the place.

"I don't want to come back down. Can you have them send my food up? And a bath." She asked moving towards the stairs, as Alistair guided her.

"Already being taken care of. I figured I had better keep that promise since it is how I bribed you to come here." Alistair left his gear in the room and went back downstairs taking Sampson along as Isla worried about him being left alone. She sighed in relief as she pulled off her boots and cloak. She tossed her jacket off and stretched. A startled gasp from the doorway made her turn around and frown.

"My lady! We didn't know it was you!" Cried the startled maid who had a bucket of steaming water.

"Please don't tell anyone. I don't wish to be noticed." Isla begged.

"Of course, my lady. Would you like me to wash your hair for you?" The girl offered.

"No, thank you. Just have some food brought up, if you don't mind."

"Of course, my lady." The girl bowed to her and hurried out the door. Isla pulled off the rest of her clothing and sunk into the tub, pleased it was deep enough that the water was to her chin.

-0-

Alistair was sitting at the bar listening to some of the men arguing over a fish that the other had caught when he saw the maid rush back into the kitchen. He listened as he heard her excited whispering with the cook. "It's her! She had the pirate clothes and everything. She asked for us not to make a fuss over her. She just wants some food sent up. I can't believe it's her! She's even prettier in person." The girl gushed.

"Are you sure it was her?" Asked the cook.

"Yes, she is just as they described. Her green jacket, black leather. Her sword and dagger were even on the bed. I can't believe the Maker's Angel is staying here! Where do you think she's off to? She's never spent the night anywhere before." The maid asked.

"I don't know, but you should get her food up to her. And don't tell another soul. She deserves to have her privacy protected." The cook hushed the girl. The girl nodded and took the tray that they had loaded down with food and sweets. "She saved my brother and his family a year ago. Said she was something. Just flew in and slaughtered the beasties and left, refusing payment or even thanks." The cook shook her head and shooed the girl on. Alistair caught the bartender's attention and asked to have his food sent up as well in a bit. He then followed the girl to the room. She gave him a nervous smile as she opened the door to their room. Sampson pushed past the girl and curled up in front of the fire.

"Here you are, my lady. Cook sent up a special meal. And here is a bit of meat for your doggie." The girl said moving behind a standing curtain.

"Thank you. Just put the food on the table there if you don't mind. Oh, and in an hour or so, could you bring up more water for another bath. My companion will want one as well. What was your name?" Isla asked from behind the curtain.

"Claire, my lady." Alistair heard water sloshing and then the maid exclaimed. "Thank you, my lady. You are too kind." She came out and beamed at Alistair as she pocketed the sovereign that Isla had obviously given her. Alistair quietly pulled his armor off stripping down to his shirt and pants. He then removed his shirt and padded barefoot to table. He grabbed a piece of cheese and tossed Sampson the meat the maid had pointed out. He then moved around the curtain and leaned against the wall, watching Isla.

Her hair floated around her, covering as much as it revealed. She had her eyes closed and her head was leaning back against the tub. She sighed and sat up a few moments later. "Would you hand me that towel there, Claire?" Isla asked standing up.

Alistair grinned wickedly as he moved to grab it. He watched as the water ran down her body and longed to run his hands and mouth over it as well. He held the towel out for her. She took it and wrapped it around herself and stepped out of the tub moving to her pack she had laid on a stool. She pulled out her brush and began brushing her hair. Alistair snagged it from her, careful not to touch her so she wouldn't realize it was him. He ran the brush through her hair. She sighed.

"No one has brushed my hair since I was a little girl." She said. "Thank you. Would you mind draining the tub?" She asked taking the brush and putting it away as she pulled out a jar of lotion and began rubbing it on her arms and legs. Alistair moved to the tub and drained it, never taking his eyes off Isla. The door opened and Claire entered carrying a bucket of steaming water.

"Here you are, my lady. If you need anything else, let me know." Claire said running her eyes over Alistair and giving him an inviting smile. Isla whirled around then and stared open mouthed at Alistair. She snapped it shut and nodded to Claire.

"Thank you, Claire. That will be all for the evening." She said remaining calm until the door was firmly shut. "What in the Maker's name do you think you're doing?" She demanded stalking towards him.

"Well, I was going to join you in the tub, but seeing as you were wanting out, I didn't. I must say that the view in this room is even nicer than they said." He replied leaning back against a wall.

"I…you…" She fumed and stormed back to her pack and pulled out a chemise, angrily pulling it over her head and then taking off the towel. She then grabbed her bedroll and moved to the bedroom and unrolled it close to the fire where Sampson was already curled up.

"What are you doing?" Alistair asked watching her.

"Preparing my bed." She snapped.

"Isla, you aren't sleeping on the floor." He protested.

"There is only one bed, your Majesty." She snapped back at him.

"Uh, huh." He said slowly.

"You are not sleeping on the floor. The bed is the reason you wanted to stay here." She said placing her hands on her hips as she glared at him. He moved closer and pulled her against him. She could feel his arousal pressing against her and it was all she could do to not give into the sudden heat and desire. She remained stiff as he moved to kiss her. She turned her head and he took it as an invitation to kiss down her neck. He slid his hands around her waist, pressing her tighter to him. He slid his other hand up to her breast, rubbing it. He pulled back and looked at her puzzled.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"What do you mean, sire?" She asked sickeningly sweet. "Am I not yielding to you?"

"Isla, you aren't responding at all. Are you not enjoying it?" He asked confused. She had been so responsive that night.

"Is that what you wish, my king? Do you wish me to be responsive?" She asked.

"Isla, what the hell is wrong with you?" He demanded. She turned then and moved to the bed and loosened the tie on her chemise.

"Is this what you want?" She asked. "I'm only doing as my king commands of me. So command me, my king." He stormed to her and gripped her arms tightly.

"Why are you acting like this? I didn't order you to…Isla, I thought…" He glared at her feeling anger and humiliation. But the tears in her eyes as she raised her chin defiantly were what broke him. He shoved her away from him and pulled on his clothing. "I would never order anyone to my bed. Much less you. I care far to much about you to treat you with so little respect. I was a jerk to have done what I did, but I thought…never mind." He finished quietly and then left the room. Isla crumpled to the floor and sobbed.

-0-

Alistair was pretty wobbly by the time he was on his fourth mug of ale. The bartender watched him nervously. Claire had told him that he was with the Maker's Angel so he was trying to give the man respect and keep the others away from him. But the man was far too large for the little bartender to carry up the stairs. Claire exchanged glances with the bartender and hurried up the stairs. She softly knocked on their door and explained the situation.

Isla hurriedly got dressed and went to fetch Alistair. She frowned as she saw him leaning on the bar humming a tune. "Hey, Is! There you are. So pretty when she's angry!" He whispered loudly to the bartender.

"Alistair, I think it's time to go back to the room." She said in a soothing tone.

"I'm not a child! I will not be talked to in that tone!" He said glaring at her. She glanced around nervously. There were far too many people around. If he announced who he was, there could be a problem.

"Come back up with me. The bed is so big and cold without you." She purred and slid her arms across his chest.

"You said you didn't want me." He pouted. Isla took a deep breath and bit her lip. He really was cute. And he had suggested that he did care about her. She felt her heart hammering again as he watched her. She was hopelessly in love with this foolish man. She knew nothing could come of it, but she could enjoy him while she was able to. She prayed the Maker would forgive her.

She leaned into him and kissed him. "I was wrong to do that. I was hurt by the things you had said to Alaric. Let's go back upstairs now."

"Is this a trick?" He asked frowning at her.

"No trick."

"Kay then." He said and swept her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs. She looked at him in surprise and frowned at him. He shut their door, locked, and barred it one handed and then sat her down.

"You were playing me all along!" She said outraged.

"The ale they serve is very watered down. And I spent a lot of time with Oghren." He smiled and wrapped his hands around her waist.

"So all that was to get me to agree to sharing a bed with you?" She demanded.

"Well, no, but that worked out very well." He laughed. "I was hoping that you would come down and at least speak to me. Is, I don't want to trick you, or order you, or force you into my bed. I want you and I care about you. I think I'm starting to love you. Do you think you could ever feel that way about me?" He asked looking completely open and honest.

"I think I already do." She answered. He smiled at her and kissed her gently. She slid her arms around his neck and laid her head against his chest listening to his heart beat. "I know nothing can come of this, whatever this is, but I want you to know, that I am alright with that. I won't ask you for any more than you can give me." She whispered.

He clutched her tightly and thought of Alaric's words. He was king and he could marry who ever he wanted, but he wanted to give her time to come to accept that as well. "Is, stay with me. I need a personal guard. You would be perfect for it." He pulled back and held her face.

"I…are you sure? I mean…" She looked at him startled.

"Yes. I want you with me. And this would allow it. Say you will." He asked.

"Whatever you want, my king." She said tugging his head down to her.

"You know, I like it when you call me your king."