A/N: Sorry for the extended wait. I hope you're all well, and that some readers are still interested in this story.
The sun has just peered its head over the horizon when Lady Michonne awakens for the morning. The Citadel is quiet, save for the soft scurrying of staff and Attendants. Revellers from Lord John's anniversary celebrations have gone to bed, and Lady Michonne can be certain that her husband will be spending most of the day in his chambers sleeping off the night before. His room will be well-guarded on account of his self-inflicted incapacitation. She could strike him easily right there and then, but there would be no way in ensuring she would be able to reach her daughter in time before the guards would be alerted.
So, instead, she plays the dutiful wife, bringing her husband a remedy for his hangover. She has a handmaiden carry the concoction as they approach his Lordship's quarters. The guards at the door greet her warmly and step aside, allowing her entry.
"Something for his headache," she says casually, causing them to nod and smile.
She tells the maid that she is excused, and ventures through Lord John's sitting room, and into his bedchamber. The room is musty. It smells of stale sex and alcohol. When her Ladyship's eyes adjust, she sees that there are a number of naked bodies sprawled across John's vast bed. There is no way he will be waking up any time soon. Lady Michonne places the remedy and a little handwritten note on the table beside his bed. She gives one last look at the display before her, turns on her heal, and then leaves.
…..
Despite all of the insalubrious happenings at the Citadel, Lady Michonne must admit that the grounds are quite fetching. The garden, that is reserved for her enjoyment, is well kept and pretty. Flowers adorn the lush hedges that also afford her privacy. It is where she takes tea that morning with Missy whilst Maggie stands off to the side and observes them silently.
"What are your plans for the rest of the morning?" asks Michonne of her daughter.
"I'll be with my tutor," says Missy with a sigh. "I'd much rather be training with you."
"Scholarship is important," Michonne replies. "You need to keep your mind as sharp as your sword."
Missy nods her head in knowing and Michonne offers her a gentle smile.
"We probably shouldn't keep your tutor waiting much longer," Michonne finally proffers. "Finish your tea and go to your lessons. I will meet with you at lunchtime."
"Yes, Mother," the girl replies as she stands. "I'll see you soon."
She turns to leave with Maggie, when Lady Michonne calls out to the young Tribute.
"Maggie, stay a moment," says Michonne. "Missy, wait just outside the gate, Darling."
Her daughter nods as Maggie approaches.
"Yes, My Lady?"
"Take my daughter to her lessons and meet me at our rendezvous point right away," Michonne instructs.
…..
The Play Room was clean and tidy; one would not even know that the Lord and Lady of the Citadel had recently been in there. Maggie arrived with haste, not wanting to keep Lady Michonne waiting for longer than need be.
"My apologies for not getting here sooner," Maggie offers.
"You're here now," Michonne replies. "Tell me, did you get what I asked for?"
"Yes, My Lady," Maggie says, while reaching into her hidden pocket and holding out a piece of paper.
Michonne takes it from her and unfolds it. It is a schedule. It details which guards are on sentry duty and at what times as well as Missy's day-to-day activities and who she is with. It is comprehensive, and the Lady of the Citadel is impressed.
"You got this all on your own?" she asks.
"No, My Lady. Glenn helped me," says Maggie. "He's sworn to secrecy and serves you, as I do."
Lady Michonne nods her head and examines the page once more.
"My Lady, may I speak?"
"Go ahead."
"Can I offer a suggestion?"
Michonne likes Maggie. She is clever and astute. She welcomes her insights.
"Speak," says Her Ladyship.
"Here, in the Young Miss's downtime," says Maggie, as she points to a section on the calendar. "This is when she has less people attending to her. I'm usually given a fifteen-minute break, and it's when the guards change shifts or take meals."
"Why is security so lax at this time?" Lady Michonne asks.
"Because Young Miss retires to her quarters at the Maison," Maggie explains. "And the Maison is very secure."
"I see," says Michonne. "And your suggestion?"
"You should leave when it's her downtime," Maggie says. "I can get her to wherever you need her to be before you flee."
"And you will do this for me?"
"Yes, My Lady," says Maggie in earnest. "I will."
"Wonderful," says Michonne. "Then this is what we'll do."
…..
The Lady of the Citadel is forced to sit through a morose meal with her husband. He still looks pale and is hardly able to stomach his hearty meal.
"How is your head feeling, My Lord?" Lady Michonne asks as she wipes at the corner of her mouth with her napkin.
Lord John lifts his head and then offers a grunt from the other end of the table before saying, "It has been better, My Love."
"My goodness," says Her Ladyship. "Please don't let me keep you if you are still unwell, My Lord."
She is feigning concern, but Lord John does not see through her subterfuge.
"And even though I enjoy keeping company with you, I am content to finish my meal alone. Your wellbeing is of the deepest import, Husband. You should rest."
Lord John considers her words and lets out a haggard sigh, before sipping from his water.
"You are right, of course," he concedes. "Are you sure you are fine to finish up dinner on your own? A woman such as you should not be made to dine on her own when she offers such rich, delightful companionship."
Lady Michonne offers him a smile and says, "You flatter me, My Lord. But I will be fine. Go. I will call on you later, before I retire, to make sure you are convalescing."
Lord John beams at Her Ladyship.
"You are good to me, Wife," he says softly. "Thank you."
Michonne offers him a nod of her head and a small smile, before replying, "You are most welcome, My Lord."
…..
When Lady Michonne does visit with her husband later in the evening, he is soundly sleeping. She reminds his guards to keep a watchful eye over him while he is resting, and then leaves to find her Tribute: The only man she is truthfully concerned about.
Rick is still in the infirmary when Her Ladyship finds him. He looks ecstatic to see her. His day was long without serving her, though he has had some rest and is at least able to sit without much difficulty. While he is happy to see his Mistress, he looks weary and drained.
She approaches with a smile of her own.
"Are you well?"
"I'm better now that you're here, My Lady."
Her smile widens.
"But I'm still in a little discomfort."
She comes to sit next to him and tends to him. Strokes his face to make him feel better while frowning.
"I don't like seeing you like this," she proffers sincerely. "I think it's worked out in our favour that we will flee in three days time."
Rick raises an eyebrow.
"So soon?"
"Yes," Michonne replies. "Maggie has advised me of my daughter's schedule. It seems that, in three days, will be the best time to flee this place."
She searches his eyes and then narrows her own before asking, "Have you changed your mind?"
"No, of course not, My Lady."
"But you think it's too soon and your friend may be misinformed? Speak your mind, Tribute. I trust you."
Rick clears his throat and then says, "I trust Maggie. If she says it's the best time to act, then I believe her. I'm just worried that I won't be in fighting form. I don't want to slow you down, My Lady."
Michonne nods her head and then speaks.
"I understand your concern," she says, placing a hand to his back. "And I find it commendable and sweet, but I am capable of protecting my daughter, and you, should you not be able to fight off those who may pursue us."
She rubs his back in a soothing manner and adds, "I just cannot stand to be in this place for any longer than is necessary. And I fear my husband means to cause you more harm. Once he recovers from his night of drinking and whoring, he'll come for you to finish the job that his beastly pet did not complete. We shouldn't stay for longer than we can afford to, Rick."
He nods his head and says, "You're right. I trust you."
"Will you be fit enough to ride?" she queries.
"I'm fit enough now, should you wish to ride me," Rick replies eagerly in hopes the Lady of the Citadel will want to straddle him once more; to take her pleasure from him again.
She gives him a devilish grin before saying, "Are you always so keen to be with me, Tribute?"
"Yes, My Lady."
"Even when I am here relaying my plan to you?"
"Yes, My Lady."
"Were you even listening?" she teases.
"I was, Lady Michonne. May I speak freely?" asked Rick, feeling his skin burn under her fiery gaze.
"You may."
"I am yours, and what you want, I will enact. You have my word. I will be ready to leave with you in three days time. In the meantime, I thought we could find some more time to be together. I know I need to have a lot of healing between now and then, but I can't help how much I crave you, My Lady."
"Your enthusiasm warms me. It warms me all over," she says, taking his hand and placing it up under her skirts as she inches it closer to her pulsing sex. "And I want to enjoy your body. Your hands. Your lips and tongue."
"They're yours, My Lady," says Rick, keenly, as he rubs his fingers over her panties, guided by her slender hand. "Do with my body whatever you will. I welcome it."
"I know you do," she proffers, as she pulls her underwear to the side and exposes her slick pussy to her Tribute's rough hand. "And we should find some time to enjoy ourselves before we leave because, as you most likely realize, you will no longer be my Tribute once we are outside the Citadel's walls."
