Hi again everybody! :) Before we get to the new chapter, I'd like to thank emmalilly21, Aereal, and our wonderful guest, celtic dragon for all of your lovely reviews. Keep in mind that they are what keep the story going. And I want all of your opinions, do you think I should try my luck at a Son's of Liberty fanfic? Would you all read it if I did? Thoughts, and don't be shy, I don't bite. . . often. Lol :) Now without further adieu, let the chapter commence.

Chapter 13: Plans Made

Karigan's heart beat rapidly, she was so sure that Zachary would be able to hear it. Their eyes never left one another and no words were exchanged. Soon enough, she watched as his eyes left her to look down at their joined hands. His brow furrowed before he spoke, "Karigan . . . what are you talking about?"

Karigan discovered her throat to be terribly dry, "Prince Jametari told me, that someone that I once knew, but don't remember, is coming, he's looking for me. He said that this man is seeking to make me his once more. He said that it could become dangerous." She averted her eyes from him, feeling tears come to her eyes.

She felt one of his hands leave hers and come to rest on her cheek, smoothing over it gently.

"Da?" they heard, drawing their eyes away toward the source. Both children were standing in the hall watching them. William asked, "What's happening?"

Karigan returned her gaze to her beloved. He thought for a moment before answering him gently, "William, Anne, go pack your things. We leave tomorrow morn." Karigan looked down at her hands and watched in her periphery as the children watched them for a moment longer before slowly turning and moving toward the stairs. Then Karigan heard Zachary say, "Is there a place where we can talk, in private?"

Karigan still didn't meet his eyes, and she nodded slightly. She took his hand and led him to the back of the house where a back porch was. She opened the door leading outside to the porch and only released his hand to turn to close the door again. And as soon as the door was shut, Karigan felt Zachary take her hand again and turned her to ease her down onto a bench where they both sat. Zachary gently lifted her chin to make her look at him, "Kari, talk to me."

Karigan sighed, "I don't know everything."

"Tell me what you know," Zachary retorted, leaning against the back of the bench, watching her expectantly.

"There was a man, that I suppose that I had had an intimate relationship with. And then I guess I left. Now he's searching for me, with one goal of taking me back. Prince Jametari said that he'll stop at nothing to accomplish that goal," Karigan explained. Glancing back up, she watched as Zachary leaned back and looked out over the harbor, past the back yard.

"You said you don't know who it is?" he asked, turning back to her. Karigan shook her head.

"Why?" Karigan asked.

Zachary hesitated, watching her before he too sighed and started. "When you returned from. . . Blackveil, all those years ago, you had gone years into the future by the will of the Gods. In this future, the kingdom was really no more and Mornhavon ruled with a cruel iron fist. It seems that while you were in the future, you also became involved with a man, in the same way that you describe. Quickly over time, you lost the memories so we were unable to gleam any more information than that that you had recorded. Because of the way that the memories had upon you, how much they disturbed you, I ordered that no one approach you and ask of it," Zachary explained.

"I'm not a fragile butterfly. That was not needed Zachary," Karigan said.

"We all saw it Kari. We all cared about you and we did not want to cause any more pain than what you had already went through," Zachary said seriously, holding her with a stern gaze. He reached up to gently stroke her cheek and tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear. He watched her for a moment before adding, "When the children and I leave in the morning, you're coming with us. I don't know how this man got here, but I'm not taking any chances with your life should he find you." He paused, holding her in a fierce gaze, "I have waited for too long for us to be together, and now that we are, I'm not taking any chances."

Karigan watched him, tears falling down her cheeks. She said finally, quietly, "I love you Zachary."

He smiled slightly, wrapping his arm around her and bringing her forward to pull her, unresistingly, into an embrace. He kissed the top of her head and said, "I love you too."

Karigan's eyes closed as she savored the moment. Then a thought came to her and she looked up, remaining within the circle of his arms. "What happened with the council?"

He smiled this time wholeheartedly, "There wasn't much fuss. Just the occasional Lord Governor that had personal qualms against you."

Her brow arched upward, "Oh? And you aren't going to investigate these. . . qualms?"

"Why should I, I know you. It would most likely be your classic sass putting a thorn in their side," he replied with a crooked smirk.

Karigan chuckled, "You know me too well."

Zachary sobered, a grin still gracing his lips, "Well I would hope so, I intend on taking you as my queen soon enough."

Speechless, Karigan watched him until she smiled slightly. Zachary glanced down and looked at her lips before slowly inching forward, gently reaching up to cup her cheek. Karigan matched him and for a single moment, their breaths mingled. With a spark of electricity, Zachary closed the distance between them and captured her lips with his. Karigan couldn't help but suck in a breath through her nose as she too reached up to entangle her fingers in his hair. Dimly, Karigan felt Zachary's hand leave her cheek to travel to the back of her neck, where he held her in place as their lips danced. Never before, Karigan realized, had they been this intimate, and it felt wonderful. At that moment, she didn't want to leave the circle of his arms.

Zachary pulled back only slightly, their heavy breathing intermingling once again. Playfully, he grinned and leaned in further to nuzzle into the nape of her neck. He pulled back her hair and began placing wet kisses along her neck. Karigan's neck arched as she accepted his loving affections. It was when Karigan let slip a quiet groan that Zachary pulled back completely to gaze down at her. Karigan looked up into his eyes to find his pupils so dilated that barely any color remained to them, and she was sure that hers were the same way.

Grinning at her, Zachary took her hand once more to bring it up to his lips to lightly kiss her knuckles. Karigan sighed as she wondered to herself how in Aeryc's name did she find this man. With a grin, Zachary finally spoke, "I suppose you wouldn't be opposed to my announcing our courtship once we return to Sacor City?"

At that, Karigan couldn't help but laugh, "I honestly don't think I have to answer that. For it was within our actions just a moment ago."

This time, a beaming smile split his face into two, "That was a very enjoyable answer then." Karigan chuckled again and he added, "Gods I love making you laugh." Then he surprised her by bending down suddenly kissing her lips once again.

"Would you two get a room!" they both heard, forcing them to jump apart. Karigan spun around to find Aunt Tori watching them with her hand on her hip, her foot tapping the wood beneath her. "If you two are done, supper is ready," she said. She pointed a menacing finger at them as she turned and walked back into the house.

Karigan and Zachary glanced at one other with grins on their faces. Zachary reached up to run his hands through her hair in an attempt to fix the snarls that had formed from his hands. Finishing it by draping some of it over her shoulder. "You might want to try to keep your hair there until you reach the privacy of your rooms tonight," he said.

Karigan's brow furrowed, "Why whatever for?"

With a cocky grin he leaned in and whispered into her ear, "Let just say you're marked as mine and mine alone." He chuckled as he straightened and rose to walk away into the house. Karigan let out a pent up breath of air as butterflies flew in her belly and a new heat traveled downward. She leaned back against the bench to gather her thoughts before she too stood to join the rest of the family for supper.

Well, again, it's short. But look at it this way, "It's so fluffy I'm gonna die!". Lol :P As usual review/favorite/follow. Time for bed now.

bornagaindisciple