Shuriki told Isa she was heading back to the palace early due to a migraine. The truth was she felt uneasy and she wasn't sure why or what had her so on edge, just that she wanted-no, needed-to go back to the palace where it was safe. Only once she'd made it to her bedchamber did she allow herself to relax.

She was sitting in front of her vanity staring into the mirror lost in thought when Esteban appeared behind her. Shuriki nearly jumped out of her skin.

"I didn't mean to frighten you," he apologized. "Isa sent word that you weren't feeling well. I wanted to make sure you were alright. You look pale. I can call for the royal physician if you wish?"

That's not necessary," Shuriki murmured. "I'm not ill. I just didn't feel comfortable being outside the palace for such a long time."

"But you were only gone for a few hours," Esteban said. "Are you sure you're alright, novia?"

"Esteban, please...I just...have a lot on my mind at the moment. And you know I've never been much of a socialite."

"You also forgot your earplugs, didn't you?" Esteban asked.

Shuriki groaned. "Yes. The city is so...loud...I just...it was too much. My ears-"

Esteban placed a hand on her shoulder to calm and comfort her. "You don't have to explain. You're home, Shuriki. No one will harm you here."

"Thank you," she whispered.

Shuriki couldn't help leaning into his touch when he began massaging her shoulders. His deft hands kneaded the tense muscles coaxing a low moan from her throat.

"Are you hungry, querida? I can have the servants bring up some tea and alfajores?"

"I certainly wouldn't object to that," Shuriki replied.

She bit her lower lip to suppress a gasp when his fingertips found the exceedingly sensitive spot in her levator scapulae. Aside from Shuriki herself, no one had ever known she was so easily affected there.

"You're so tense..."

"Isa and I ran into Ash at Cafe Angelica," Shuriki told him. "I don't trust that woman."

"I can't say I'm surprised. You don't trust anyone."

"I trusted you," she countered.

Esteban sighed. "I know you think I betrayed you, Shuriki, that I chose Elena over you. I admit I didn't want to lose mi familia again, but I also didn't want you to suffer. I swear to you, I had no idea what those guards were doing or I would have put a stop to it. Por favor, believe me."

Shuriki closed her eyes and took an unsteady breath as memories flooded her mind. The feel of the guards' hands on her body, their laughter, the smell of blood and sweat, the things they said while they took whatever they wanted from her. She bit her lip to stifle a sob, but couldn't stop the tears from sliding down her cheeks.

"I know you would have," she whispered, brushing the tears away with a trembling hand.

"Give me names," Esteban urged gently. "Shuriki, por favor...trust me and I will make them beg for death."

Shuriki turned in her chair to look at him. "I can't...everyone will know...I'll be humiliated..."

"You won't," he promised.

"They'll say I'm unfit to be your queen, Esteban...they'll question the legitimacy of any child I give you..."

"No one will speak out against you. Nor will they question the legitimacy of our children. I'm going to dispatch those guards personally and in my own way. The grand council, aristocracy and citizens need never know. All I require are their names so that I can make them go away forever."

"It won't make the memories of what they did to me disappear."

"Perhaps not" Esteban admitted, "but it'll ensure they never hurt you or anyone else ever again."

"And that's supposed to make it all better?"

"It's a start, isn't it?"

Shuriki just couldn't help it as tears began spilling down her face far too quickly for her to wipe them away. She tried, of course, but Esteban could tell that it was difficult for her. He pulled her up out of her chair and wrapped his arms around her in a warm, protective hug.

The embrace was meant to comfort and calm her, but Shuriki must've taken it as an attempt to initiate sexual intimacy. She began to nuzzle and kiss his neck.

Esteban's pulse jumped significantly when she nipped it. Her lips then moved upward along his jawline.

He tried to tell her she didn't have to say or do anything, especially if it was sexual in nature, but when Esteban attempted to speak, Shuriki pressed her lips to his.

She tasted of wine and some sort of pastry-cajeta coated sopapillas perhaps. Her mouth was a sweet blend of red grapes, caramel and honey with a bite of cinnamon. It would've been so easy for him to lose himself in her kiss.

Esteban tried to pull back, but Shuriki cupped the back of his head and ravished his mouth.

"Make me forget," she whispered.

Shuriki didn't want to remember the guards' names or think about the horrid things they'd said and done to her, the filthy, degrading things they'd made her do to and for them.

Esteban's kiss had a chocolatey flavor with the tiniest pinch of chili powder and just a hint of cayenne pepper like Ibarra.

"They hurt me...they hurt me so badly, Esteban..."

Esteban couldn't help returning her kisses. He wanted to help Shuriki forget and he wanted to believe she yearned for him the way he ached to be with her.

He felt her shaky hands fumble with the buttons on his wine red tailcoat. He unbottoned the heavy garment, then shrugged it off before pulling her close for another kiss.

Shuriki didn't protest or complain when he lifted her and carried her over to her bed. He was gentle and careful as he laid her down. Satin sheets and a velvet blanket made the perfect contrast of warm and cool welcoming both of them as Shuriki pulled him onto the soft feather filled mattress with her.

They continued to kiss as Esteban began to explore and caress Shuriki's body through the fabric of her gown. Her skin was a bit cool to the touch but her pulse and heartbeat rode rampant as he cautiously unbuttoned her gown to expose her pear-shaped breasts.

Shuriki had always hated her breasts. They were a bit on the small side and a part of her worried he would think they were inadequate. She tried to act nonchalant, but her expression and the way she scrutinized his told Esteban that she was in need of reassurance.

"Absolutamente hermosa," he whispered,

Shuriki seemed relieved. He felt her relax if only a bit as he leaned down to nuzzle and kiss the curve of each breast. Shuriki's skin was soft and smooth against his lips. Esteban traced one of her areolas with his fingertip before brushing the pad of his thumb over the nipple making her breath hitch. She gasped when he took the nipple into his mouth and proceeded to suckle and tug it gently between his lips.

Esteban took things slow giving both breasts equal attention before lifting his head to gauge her reaction.

Shuriki's eyes were half closed, her face flushed. Even her breathing had become heavier and less steady. His curiosity got the better of him and he eased his hand down over her belly under the fabric of her gown.

Shuriki gasped when he began to stroke the small bundle of nerves peeking out from in between her feminine folds.

"Does this please you, mi reina?"

Shuriki bit back a moan and tried not to squirm against his hand. It felt fantastic, but she didn't want to say so because she feared he'd get too confident and rush her into actual copulation.

Shuriki could feel her body starting to react. Her nipples were taut, her loins beginning to dampen. Her muscles were starting to tense and tighten the closer she got to her release. She moaned Esteban's name and spread her legs giving him easier access to her feminine core.

Shuriki tried to control herself when it came to Esteban's touch, but she ended up crying out for him when she climaxed and a sticky, thin, milky, odorless liquid suddenly spilled out onto the bed from between her legs.

Shuriki was mortified. She'd orgasmed in the past with her previous lovers, but she'd never ejaculated before. She thought she'd urinated, but Esteban reassured her that the release of "juice" or "nectar" was just her body's natural reaction to the arousal and release he'd given her with his hand.

"I didn't mean for that to happen," she admitted.

"I'm glad it did," he replied.

Shuriki looked up at him surprised. "You are?"

Esteban nodded. "It lets me know I'm pleasuring you properly. Is that not an esposo's duty as well as his privilege to please his esposa?"

"I suppose."

Shuriki was hesitant to reciprocate. She didn't know what he liked or where to even begin.

Esteban seemed to sense her apprehension-or he saw it in her expression. Either way, he leaned in and kissed her tenderly. "Do not fear me, Shuriki. Let the rest of the world do so, but never you, mi corazón."

He lifted her skirt so it pooled around her hips. Shuriki could feel both her pulse and heartrate quicken as she watched him unbutton his shirt, and unbuckle his belt. It wasn't long at all before Esteban unbuttoned his trousers to let his queen see exactly what she was in for.

Esteban was more than adequate. Truth be told, Shuriki found his length and thickness somewhat intimidating. She wasn't sure if she could handle him being inside of her. The thought of any man trying to put his cock in her unnerved Shuriki.

The feel of his weight on top of her and his gentle attempt to press his cock against her entrance sent Shuriki into a full-blown panic.

She shoved Esteban off her with such force he flew backwards off the bed onto the floor.

Esteban landed hard on the stone tiles. His back took the brunt of the fall which was as surprising as it was painful. He had not meant to elicit such a reaction, though perhaps he should have expected it given what Shuriki had endured. He'd let his own desire to have her get the better of him and he felt terrible for it. He pushed himself up once the pain in his back had subsided to find Shuriki buttoning her gown. It took all the courage she had to meet his eye.

"I'm sorry, Esteban" she whispered, "I want to...I really do, but I can't...it's too soon..."

Esteban shook his head as he sat next to her on the bed. "Shuriki, don't. I'm the one at fault, not you. I should've slowed down. I took things too far too fast, and I hope that you will accept my apology. I'm truly sorry, mi vida. I never meant to frighten you or make you uncomfortable."

"No man has ever made me feel the way you do," Shuriki confessed. "I'm falling in love with you, Esteban, and it terrifies me. I want to be yours, but..."

"You're just not ready," he finished for her.

Shuriki bowed her head. She thought that Esteban would be upset or angry, perhaps even assault her in an attempt to get what he wanted, but his touch and his voice were gentle when he reached for her hand.

"Take all the time you need. We'll wait until you're ready."

"Shuriki lifted her head to look at him. "Really?"

Esteban nodded. "If our marriage is ever going to be more than a political maneuver or a union of circumstance then it has to be built upon a sturdy foundation of love, trust, patience, reliability and honestly. You and I must be each other's equals in every way elsewise we'll fail and all of Avalor-not just us-will suffer for it."

Shuriki sighed. "Alright." She leaned back against the pillows. Esteban sat there for a while before asking her why she kept staring at him.

"I'm waiting for my tea and alfajores."

Esteban couldn't help chuckling as he stood and fixed his clothing. "I'll go get them now."

"You better."

Shuriki gave him a smile to let him know she was only teasing-for the most part. She wanted tea and alfajores damn it!