Nuada half expected what he found, Pen in the window seat. He had brought the wine this time, Sweet mead, to share.

"...I half expect you here nowadays." He said taking up his usual spot, her body against his own.

"Do I brood that predictably?"

"As of late." He said. "...He went and asked, didn't he."

He poured two glasses and gave one to her.

"Yes. I explained the best and the most direct way I could." She said. "...like any good advisor, he reminded me of my duty."

Nuada had to smirk at that.

"...He is right, though" She continued. "As queen, I cannot have my head filled with my lover, and as Lady Thorn, I cannot tell him everything..."

He made a soft noise, tracing the bramble ink on her arm.

"...Want to go hide in the freehold tomorrow?"

It was her turn to smirk, "That does sound like a good idea. Play hide and seek with our guards?"

"No, just be out among our people." He said. "I need a break from the headache the viceroy is being about the lands we are granting them...and the crimes they have committed."

He held her, looking out the window at the stars.

"...What does the Diary say of what happens to them."

That was a curious question. One he would have asked as King if the Diary had been made public.

"...Ciri becomes a witcher." She said. "Crevan...the rot starts to manifest." She took a sip of her wine. "...it was not pleasant reading."

"...his own demons?" He asked, knowing the rot would have driven the other male to a lot of self-destructive behaviors outside of his own

"And then some." She said. "...If he wishes to talk to me of that time, then he will, otherwise I will leave him to tell those of the table." She took another sip. "...I think I'll ask him if he desires to study, learn of the world beyond."

"...and he has not already?"

"Means to an end..." She reminded him. "He has seen no end to learning of the world beyond our courts."

"We will have to change that...The grand council is going to meet, to iron out our little problems and as lord of the Court of thorns..."

She frowned. "He will have to be present. I had forgotten about the Grand Council..."

"...the Aen Elle have been a distraction." He said. "One that does Fey or Sidhe no favors."

"How long do we have?"

"A few weeks, the human kingdoms wish this done quickly."

She let out a breath, another problem to solve.

"I'll talk to him in the morning..."

Nuada nodded behind her, "...So you are staying the night."

"Yes, I don't want to go back just yet, and its dark."

He smiled an easy excuse. He pulled her closer, knowing trouble was coming.

Crevan was frowning when Regis pulled him into the library to a pile of books. He knew some of the texts, he'd read them after being promised to Lara. Pen was taking notes from one of the tomes, pausing to cross-reference some item.

"...Ash and thorn..." She swore. "...There should be a notation on the creation of titles."

She looked up to see them.

"...Creation of titles?" Crevan asked. "...For whatever reason."

"I have to present the proclamations of Making you, lord. The High Court recognizes you, but I still must present you to the minor courts and the human ones..."

Regis coughed. "...It means a headache, I still remember Lochain when he had to petition the court for your title. Considering Singers do not carry them. It's what has made the relationship between her and the High court so thorny..."

"...And I have not liked Nobility with a passion since." She said. "Normally. I was granted a coronet to make the union with Nuada palatable..." She sighed. "...The Grand Council will want the documentation as well."

"I had forgotten, the Court is hosting this year," Regis said. "I will make sure they do not wander too much."

Crevan frowned as Regis ghosted into the stacks and returned with the tome Pen needed.

"...Heraldry." He said. "I think there is something on titles in the archives as well."

She pointed to the seat beside her. "...You should study...the protocols are different for the council than the court."

"I take it there will be less plight words said of my position."

"Yes, and we already have the Royal council wanting Nuada to set me aside for a Sidhe female." She smiled. "They have been pushing since I was made queen..."

He watched her work.

"...has the decision troubled you?"

She looked up, "...which one."

He paused, realizing she had made several in the last few days.

"...me."

She paused. "...A lot of decisions trouble me." She reached to touch his cheek. "You are not one of them..."

"...Would that my lady always say so." He said, leaning into her touch.

"We need to study, I still must go to the Royal seat and talk to the heralds there."

He moved from her touch to pick up one of the tomes to begin reading.

Regis was lighting the lamps and turning on the solar lights when Crevan rose from the table, Pen had gone off a few hours ago for the Royal seat to confer with the heralds there.

"There is a meeting tonight," Regis said. "...I'm just setting up for my assistants."

"I think I do need to talk to my brothers." He said. "A lot before the council..."

"You will not be the only one, a lot of things come in during the Grand Council," Regis said. "...the common demons are just icing..."

Crevan shuddered, "...that is frightening."

"...We go nowhere alone, even to the Orb-weaver." He said. "Tin runs a clean place, and has a royal writ, but a few slip under the radar as always."

"So all have watchers..."

"We will hand out assignments at the table tonight. We look out for our own." He said. "Our healer brother will be on duty at the Garrison. Since you are most likely to be with Pen for most things, I'll ask one of the thorns."

Crevan stretched, "...Should go get food beforehand."

"Yes, I'll see you there..."

He watched Regis ghost toward his quarters somewhere in the vast space.