Chapter XII

The last available room was close, and soon Zara and Iphicles were settling in for the night. Iphicles put some more wood into the hearth, which was the heat source for the room, carefully banking it so it would last until morning. As she divested herself of her dress, and climbed in to bed, Iphicles locked the door, and strategically positioned two heavy chests before two sections of wall, before he also changed out of his formal attire, snuffed the candles and joined her in bed.

Zara, who was watching his actions, began to chuckle. "Making sure there are no uninvited guests, are you?" She nodded towards the chests. "I take it those are to prevent use of the 'secret passages.'"

Iphicles grinned. "Jason spent a week showing me all of them, when I became King Of Corinth. Does your castle have them?"

Zara laughed at the memory of a "huge debate whether we wanted to seal them shut and take our chances if any enemy breached the walls, or leave them in place in case we might need them. We did make an exact diagram of the castle with ALL rooms accounted for. And, the first thing we do to a new 'arrival' is hand her a big ball of thread, light two torches and walk her through it. Saves….future…problemssssss..." Zara concluded as she drifted into sleep.

Iphicles, mindful of Zara's previous warning, didn't try to wake her. But he did check her side of the bed for any weaponry. "Just making sure," he muttered and moved the one dagger left on Zara's table to his side of the bed. Iphicles checked his table for the items he had specifically requested. 'Good, all ready for the morning,' he thought. Nodding in satisfaction, he climbed gingerly back into bed.

"Going to move the covers," he murmured for his companion's benefit, "not attacking," as he carefully re-arranged the bed linens.

Zara, barely conscious, nodded acknowledgment. "'G'nite."

"Happy Birthday, Zara, sleep well," Iphicles whispered.

Five hours later, when morning sunbeams caressed her face, Zara woke. It had been a short night for her, but true to Amazon habit, her eyes would pop open at the first hint of sunlight. Rolling over, she was temporarily startled to see Iphicles' sleeping form. Smiling, she remembered her promise to wake him. Beautiful, endearing man...yet another favorite lover! This would be fun! Between kisses and little nibbles she sang,

Happy Birthday to me.

Happy Birthday to me--

"Happy Birthday, dear Zara." responded a sleepy Iphicles, "Would you like to start your birthday by getting a present?" He reached into his handy fruit bowl, extracted an apple and took a big healthy bite, then offered Zara the other half.

"Not quite what I had in mind," Zara replied, smiling at him.

"Go on, take a bite, it will give you energy," Iphicles wheedled. "I ALSO prefer a woman with some energy."

Zara smiled and bit off a substantial mouthful of apple. She remembered what had happened the last time, someone else had told her that. She chewed quickly, swallowed, and then wiggled her 'checkmark' eyebrow. "Ready?"

'Oh yeah, enjoy," Iphicles purred as he embraced her.

The idea of breakfast seemed dispensable as they feasted on each other's bodies, and since both were well rested after a somewhat short but deep slumber, they wrestled with plenty of energy. Iphicles moaned in pleasure, as Zara's mouth landed on a particularly sensitive spot, and immediately set about to finding an analogous spot on Zara. He grinned as her reactions let him know he had met his goal. Since it was full dawn, and he had cleared his schedule of morning meetings, Iphicles felt free to see how many times he could make Zara moan. She apparently had the same unspoken objective and soon, both climaxed and sank happily back down to bed.

Iphicles caressed Zara gently, and burst into laughter, as their stomachs rumbled at almost the same time.

"OHHH," Zara responded, with a giggle as she contemplated her stomach and then patted Iphicles' six-pack abs. She began nibbling gently on her lover's shoulder. "Much better than the way my birthday morn started yesterday."

Iphicles was trying to reciprocate the gesture. However, neither stomach was in the mood to be cooperative. "You had an apple, be silent," Iphicles gave a mock command to his mid section while gently stroking Zara on hers. "We're a little busy up here." Both stomachs protested the reproach.

"I think we have a mutiny on our hands," laughed Zara. "We might be forced to get up and supply them a proper meal." She eyed her discarded dress. "I better go outside and see if my real clothes are ready."

"It is my belief that we are left with no choice, we must get up," Iphicles said with what was meant to be appropriately kingly gravity, but a chuckle escaped and belied his tone. "We are definitely having a mutiny on our hands."

"Oh, all right." Zara said grudgingly. "I suppose we should feed them a real meal."

Zara lazily stretched out an arm then hastily pulled it back under the covers when it was met by a blast of chilly February air. Thoughtfully she surveyed the abandoned dress, then resignedly wrapped some bed linen around her form, before making a quick search for her errant footwear. Although Iphicles had placed a large log in the fireplace and banked the hearth, it was February, and she took for granted that Iphicles' stone castle floors were at least as cold as her own.

Iphicles was already getting himself into his tunic. He smiled in understanding, saying, "You stay there, your clothes are probably just outside the door. I'll go look. I locked the door but I should go unfasten it. Your clothes ought to be done and back by now." He tested the floor experimentally, and winced. "I forgot, my room has rugs strategically placed. I've been meaning to check all the rooms." He did a brief hop to the door, his audience of one giggling the whole while. Iphicles unlocked the door and retrieved a package left in the hall.

"Yes," Zara said, "we have the same problem at our castle. Although waking outdoors on the cold ground is not really any improvement."

He returned to Zara's side of the bed to present the package. "Your second birthday present of the day. May you find it as pleasant as your first." He made a small bow then hopped back into bed, laughing. "Well, actually, I hope you liked your first better."

Zara smiled back, and embraced him. "Yes, it was great, no worries on that score." As she began to kiss and caress him, a sudden rumble from his stomach refocused both their attentions. Zara shook her head as she opened her package. In it was a simple linen tunic and a pair of black leather pants. Her boots had been cleaned and repaired, acceptably close to their original condition. Her tunic, however, was pink, and embroidered with flowers and hearts.

"Pink! you are kidding," Zara murmured. "Something like LuLu would wear. But the embroidering is pretty."

"We will stop by my chamber," Iphicles placated, "I'll lend you one of mine, and a belt. I don't own anything pink, so you should be fine. Just wear it until we get there."

It didn't take long to be washed, dressed and ready to go. Iphicles regarded Zara's outfit. "Are you going to hurt me if I tell you you look delightfully adorable in pink?"

"Yes," Zara said smoothly. "I could inflict some damage. And the wound would keep you in bed, ALONE, for a week. So--" She obviously awaited a suitable answer. "--how do I look?"

"Horrid," Iphicles obediently said, with a broad grin. "Let's go find you a better tunic."

As he took her arm in his and prepared to leave, Zara gestured toward the chests. "Does everyone on your staff know where all the secret passages are?"

Iphicles frowned. "No, and I should probably keep it that way. If we both move them, the job will go quicker."

Each repositioned their respective chests and, smiling, left the chamber. It was a fair walk to the king's bed chamber and when they arrived a few minutes later, the door was open. Kull, who was pulling on his boots, smiled in greeting, as they entered the chamber and closed the door.

"Happy Rest of your birthday, Zara, and a good morning to you, Iphicles," Kull said in his voice like rich brown honey. "Have you come to escort me to breakfast?"

Iphicles smiled, "Yes, but Zara has a wardrobe change to take care of first." He began rummaging in his closet. "I need to find her something 'not pink.'"

Kull noted the offending tunic and teased with a grin, "No stays or ruffles either, Iphicles; but if you find some four-inch heels, she'll wear those."

Zara just smiled, "Yes, I need easy access to a weapon."

Confused by their remarks, Iphicles replied in a muffled voice, as he was still searching in the closet for a suitable item. "I was threatened because I told her she looked good in pink. I don't want to imagine what she would do to me, if I actually tried to-- Ah, this will work."

He emerged carrying a silver linen tunic and a leather belt. "Acceptable, my lady?"

"Oh, yes, " Zara replied, unabashedly doffing the pink tunic and changing quickly. Seeing the look of surprise on Kull's face, she asked innocently, "Did you see something new?"

"No," he responded, blushing now. "Just not used to 'normal Amazon behavior,' I guess."

Zara belted the silver tunic and encircled Kull and Iphicles with both arms. "So, shall we go to breakfast?"