First - so sorry it took me so long to update - work has been nuts! Second, I know this is short and there's some angst in here, but I promise to update again very quickly!

Thanks to NikNik4, aserene, mainer2121, Prettycrazy (even though you called me Cruella! LOL), CJmynixMG, and GilmoreDancer22 for your reviews and your patience!

The story continues...

Chapter 15: Night Terrors

They had spent another hour or so talking and cuddling. Joseph provided a high-level explanation regarding his activities earlier this evening in the security office. He didn't want to unduly alarm Clarisse, but had wanted to share some information with her. Clarisse suspected that there was more that Joseph was trying to protect her from; but decided that it was enough for tonight as it was growing late and she was growing sleepy.

Joseph reached out to caress his wife's cheek, "Thank you for sharing with me, my love. I know that wasn't easy. I appreciate your trusting me." He punctuated his appreciation with a gentle kiss against her lips.

"I've always trusted you, Joseph. It's the sharing part that is difficult for me. I'm glad you recognize that I am trying. And, dear sir, I expect to be rewarded handsomely for my efforts in a matter of just a few days."

Joseph smiled and pulled her body flush against his, letting his hand caress her back and hips while his lips sought the tender flesh of her neck. "Mmmm, I'll be happy to begin rewarding you this very instant, my love."

Despite her body responding to his touch, she pulled back a bit so she could look into his eyes, "I'm sure you would. However, it is late and I am very tired – both emotionally and physically. Tomorrow will be a very demanding day and I'm afraid I am not as young as I used to be. May I have a rain check?"

As much as he desired his wife, he couldn't argue with her logic. And, truth be told, he was a little exhausted from the festivities of the past few days. "Very well, my love, if you insist. I shall save my strength for the honeymoon. Rest assured, however, once on our honeymoon, I can promise no such reprieve from all of my affection and attention."

She leaned in to kiss him again. She deepened the kiss, her tongue demanding entrance. Joseph willingly complied with her mouth's demands. Her hands lovingly moved over his chest and around to his back. Finally pulling back, she kissed him on the forehead and said, "That, my love, is a promise to which I intend to hold you."

She turned over and spooned up against Joseph. She smiled as she could feel the affect her kiss had had on him. Joseph finally caught his breath and pulled her closer as he smiled and whispered in her ear, "You are a tease, Clarisse Renaldi-Romerro, and I never break a promise!"

Both settled quickly into a sound sleep. The rest their minds so deeply craved, however, would not come as easily.

Joseph's body stirred slightly as his mind began to fashion details from the past with those of the present to try to predict the future.

Joseph's mind flashed back to see her standing stoically in black next to Prime Minister Motaz as he announced to the press and the country that King Rupert, may he rest in peace, had passed away during the night. He saw his self move closer to the Queen and put his hand on the small of her back offering a small gesture of strength to help her through the difficult time.

The scene then flashed forward to him approaching her in the private rose garden late at night to tell her of Prince Phillipe's fate. He watched his former self catch her and gently lower her to the ground, holding her in his lap while sobs racked her body as she mourned yet another loss in her life.

His body continued to wrestle with the outside world while his mind took him back again:

Next he saw a scene that was not in his past; and, he prayed to God would not be in his future. He saw Clarisse sitting on the floor at the bottom of the grand staircase. His body reacted as he saw that she was holding Mia's pale, lifeless form – a look of horror plastered on the normally regal face. He rushed to her side, dropped to the floor and held them both – trying to offer comfort – trying to understand the events of his dream.

Before he could make any sense of the scene, he flashed forward. He saw Clarisse sitting in the throne room just as she would be to welcome her subjects. She was dressed in the outfit that was selected for her to wear in the coronation. Joseph saw himself approach her and kneel down before her. As he took her hand, he almost recoiled from the coldness he felt there. As he started to rise to see what was wrong, he noticed blood seeping from the area surrounding her heart through her dress.

Joseph sat up in bed with a start, sweat dripping and body shaking from the nightmare. He looked over to see if he had startled Clarisse with his sudden actions; but she seemed to be resting. A closer look would have revealed that she was having a fitful sleep as well. Joseph got out of bed and made his way to the bathroom to wash his face and try to calm his body.

Clarisse was having no better luck with resting, and her mind took her back in time as well:

She saw herself standing before the press and interested people of Genovia as Prince Pierre officially announced that he was abdicating the throne. He signed the official decree provided by the Arch Bishop relinquishing all current and future claims to the throne of Genovia and sealed it with his ring bearing the Renaldi family crest. As she watched the scene unfold before her, she noticed that Pierre had looked at her lovingly before he signed the document and, after signing, looked directly at a small group of bystanders nearby whose faces she could not place their faces. The look on their indistinguishable features, however, had been one of smug satisfaction.

Her mind moved forward to the day Rupert's death had been announced. She watched with sadness as she saw the emotional barriers she had erected that day go up when she had shut out those closest to her as well as barred her own feelings from surfacing. As she looked around, she caught sight of the same group that had been at Pierre's abdication announcement. Her stomach churned as she saw slight smiles on their faces as the Prime Minister announced the King was dead.

Her mind continued its search in her psyche while her body subconsciously searched for Joseph:

Then she saw herself in the private rose garden collapsing when she heard of Philippe's death. She saw her dear, sweet Joseph holding her as she cried – letting out a torrent of emotions that would not be contained any longer. As she stood and took Joseph's hand, a cold chill ran up her spine that was not due to the weather. She sensed the presence of another in the garden with them – someone lurking in the hedges. She strained to see if she could see someone that her former self had not been able to that night. The scene quickly changed, however, leaving her only with an ominous feeling that she had been watched by someone other than Joseph that evening.

She was then walking through the palace calling for Mia. She finally found her on the floor of the throne room. She rushed to her, dropping to the floor to see what was wrong. Her face took on a look of horror as she felt how cold and lifeless Mia was. Not knowing what else to do, Clarisse simply held her as grief washed over her once again and cried out:

"Joseph! Joseph! Where are you?" Clarisse bolted up in bed frantically searching for Joseph.

Hearing her screams, Joseph dashed out of the bathroom to her side.

"Shh dear, it was only a nightmare. It's ok." He comforted her with words as his hands sought to comfort her with his touch.

"Oh, Joseph, it was horrible. I haven't had nightmares like that for years." Her body was still shaking from the visions she had seen.

He cupped her face in his hands and gently kissed her on the forehead. She felt as cold and clammy as he did – a detail that did not escape her. "Joseph, are you alright? You don't look well either."

Their foreheads were touching now as he gently spoke, "No, my love. I am not alright. I fear that nightmares have disturbed my sleep as well."

"More like night terrors if you ask me."

"Yes, love – definitely night terrors."