I shivered from the cold breeze that had just blown towards me as I waited for Xerxes to meet me.

I was still trying to figure out what he had in mind for us?

The sound of horse neighs filled the air.

I watched soldiers bring their horses in and out some were staring at me with curiosity and the rest simply ignored me.

I pulled my shawl closer around my chest and hoped Xerxes would come soon. More minutes passed and I felt the cold air getting to me.

I sat down on a wooden bench and laid my head against the stone behind me. I was out in seconds.

Xerxes looked at the scroll in front of him and sighed. He was getting nowhere with Memucan and his council.

They knew what they were going to do with Greece but they were still pondering on how to execute the plan.

"What if we hold a fake democratic election?" Memucan suggested.

Xerxes nodded, "Yes, but we have to be able to place our 'king' in there without raising suspicion! And how are we going to get him to win?"

The men sighed, "Well what about throwing in some other men and then they somehow lose the election before the voters can show who they want?"

Xerxes shook his head, "No- listen there is a right way to do this and we need to have fresh minds to do that. Now let us all reconvene tomorrow."

He dismissed his council and rolled up his scroll.

Hegai walked up with an irritated look, "My king."

"Hegai what's wrong?"

"Haman has not stopped bothering me to see you- apparently it's urgent." he sarcastically said.

Xerxes groaned and looked outside to see the sun slowly going down.

He sighed, he was supposed to be meeting Esther at the stables but he couldn't keep putting Haman off so he only hoped he could make it as quick as possible.

"Fine let him in."

Hegai nodded and walked off. Xerxes twisted the ring on his finger as he waited for Haman.

He sighed and unrolled the scroll again to study the plans. Hegai returned with his arms crossed, "My Lord, Haman is here."

Haman in all his splendor was dressed in a black outfit. He gave the king a nod of courtesy and smiled.

Xerxes knew he was sucking up to him.

All his officials did- They would be as friendly and polite with him as they could with the expectation of becoming a prominent figure in his kingdom.

Xerxes didn't even bother to look up from the scroll that he was reading, he just waved his hand.

"Yes Haman what is it?"

Haman cleared his throat and sat down, "My King I wanted to inform you that I have successfully taken care of the two spies that were found in your immortals."

Xerxes looked up and sat back, "Well I am glad to hear of it- did they confess?"

Haman snickered, "Of course not but they were as I said."

Xerxes rolled his eyes, this was why he never wanted to promote Haman. He was a good fighter but all he cared about was action.

As much as he loved revenge himself he wasn't the type of king to kill someone without giving them a chance to speak.

He already knew the answer to his next question but he went ahead and asked it anyway, "And where are they now Haman?"

Haman gripped the handle of his sword, "Six feet under now my King."

Xerxes gave an unamused smile and stood up, "Haman until you learn the word Justice you won't be going anywhere- I specifically said bring me them alive! How are we to take down the rebels in my kingdom if you kill anyone that breathes!" He unleashed.

Haman stood up and nodded, "Apologies my King, it won't happen again-" he turned to leave.

Xerxes rolled his eyes, "Haman-"

Haman turned around and nodded, "Yes sir?"

"I'll give you one more chance but after that no more." He warned.

Haman gave a curt nod and quickly fled out of the King's presence.

Xerxes sighed, Haman truly aggravated him, he was only in his guards because of his father's relationship with the previous king.

Xerxes looked at the now completely dark sky and sighed. Maybe she would still be there?

Probably not but he could hope. "Hegai I'll be out in the North field tonight, make sure the guards are at least 30 feet behind me."

Hegai nodded and walked off to give out his orders. Xerxes ran to the stables as quickly as he could.

He noticed the weather was dropping and the winds were picking up. He reached the stables and looked around but saw no sign of Esther.

He sighed, he couldn't blame her for leaving it was well after an hour when he told her to come.

But this was the last night he would be able to see her being that the competition would be starting tomorrow.

That's why he wanted to talk to her tonight.

Maybe one of his men saw her, it would be easy to recognize the only female among all these men.

"Guard."

One of the young men ran up, "Yes my King?"

"Was there a young woman here not too long ago?"

The young guard shook his head, "I cannot say my king."

Xerxes nodded, "Very well go on."

The young guard nodded to his king and quickly ran off.

Another officer who looked to be a senior officer came up, "My King is there something I can do for you?"

Xerxes shook his head, "No, I thought perhaps a young woman was here but I was wrong." he turned around and began to walk away.

But the guard ran up, "Wait my Lord! There is a young girl here she was sitting next to the stone wall of the stables- most likely trying to stay warm by the fire."

Xerxes smiled, "Thank you."

He ran off leaving the guard confused. He shrugged and then kept on going about his duties.

Xerxes blew warm air into his fists to keep himself from losing feeling. He grabbed a lit torch and used it to see his way through the dark.

A dark figure was huddled up on a bench.

At first he thought it was just a drunk soldier but as he got closer he saw it was Esther's body huddled up trying to be warm.

He gasped, he hadn't meant for her to almost freeze to death.

He ran up and placed the torch near her face to get some heat on her. She was asleep.

He smiled for a moment and lost himself into studying her. But then she began to stir.

He placed his hand on her cheek and slowly stroked it up and down to gently wake her. Soon her eyes peered open and revealed the honey brown eyes he adored.

"Hi." she whispered.

He chuckled, "Hi- I'm sorry I didn't mean for you to almost freeze to death."

She smiled and rubbed her eyes, "It's alright- I almost thought you weren't coming." She frowned.

He offered her his hand to stand up which she immediately took. "I know I'm sorry- I was tied up."

He frowned, "But I hope your well enough to do what I had planned."

She smiled, "Yes of course."

She shivered profusely and pulled her shawl as closely as possible to her chest. He frowned, if he was going to take her where he wanted to go she needed to be warm.

"Wait here." he ordered before running off.

Esther did as told and waited for a few minutes.

Xerxes returned with a fur blanket that looked to be the fur of a fox or bear. He smiled and wrapped it around her, "There- I can't have you freezing." He joked.

Esther smiled, "Thank you."

He nodded and took her hand leading her into the stables. "Here- warm up by the fire for a moment and then I'll take you to where I planned."

They stood by the fire for a few moments and heated themselves up.

Esther smiled, she had never seen the king so casual.

He was enjoying himself and even joking with some of the guards and stable workers.

"You ready?" he asked.

She smiled and knew she was willing to go anywhere with him, "Ready."