Chapter Eighteen My Redemption

Alannah slowly opened her eyes, looking around in profound relief at the bedchamber she was lying in. She shivered, remembering what Maxwell had done. She hoped that he had been paid back for every hour of pain and torment he had put her through.

She slowly turned her head and smiled at Stayne. He was still asleep, and his breath was landing on her shoulder. Alannah stroked his face, thanking Time that she had met him.

Stayne felt Alannah's hand on his face and opened his eye, staring intently at her. Suddenly, much to her surprise, he began sobbing, burying his face in her shoulder.

She wrapped her arms around him.

"Ilosivic, what's the matter?"

Stayne's reply was muffled. "You almost died at the hands of that madman. I swore I would keep you safe, and you almost died. I truly am a Knave."

Alannah's eyes widened in understanding, and she gently placed her hand under Stayne's chin, pulling his head up so he was staring into her eyes. He gulped, and looked away. She smiled, and turned his face towards hers.

"Ilosivic, listen to me. You are not a knave. You are the most courageous man I have known, and I love you more deeply than you can imagine. Nothing can change that."

Stayne kissed her deeply. "If I lost you, I would go mad." He chuckled grimly. "I think I did go mad for a bit when I saw what that guddlers scut had done to you."

Alannah shivered. "I don't blame you. What did you do to him?"

Stayne looked grim. "Alannah, some things should not be told. Suffice it to say, he will never bother us again."

Alannah gulped. "Then I will not ask again. But at least answer me this…do you regret doing it?"

Stayne grinned wickedly. "No, and if you had been dead, I would have done even worse to him."

Alannah smiled, and then pulled Stayne down into a deep kiss. His hand slipped under the blankets and he began to slowly stroke her arms.

"You're warmer, love. You were so cold when we found you."

Alannah sighed. "The Queen gave me something, I think. I remember this wonderful warm liquid going down my throat, and then feeling warmth rush through my body. It was quite nice."

She gasped in surprise as Stayne's hand traveled across her stomach and upwards, resting on her breast. Stayne smirked at her.

"Alannah, what do you have on under those blankets?"

She giggled mischievously. "Would you like to find out?"

Stayne growled softly at her and dove under the covers.

Alannah sighed happily and rested her head on Stayne's chest, listening to his muffled heartbeat. He was gently stroking her arm, staring into her eyes.

"Alannah? Why did he have you imprisoned?"

Alannah shuddered. "Because I would not give him the answer he wanted. He told me that all I had to do was agree to be his, and I would be free. But I refused."

Stayne gently kissed her. "You're a marvel, love."

He yelped in surprise as she suddenly flipped him onto his back. Alannah smirked at him, and then kissed him deeply, traveling down his chest and stomach, then back up to his throat. He gasped in pleasure.

"You…seem to have recovered."

Alannah licked his throat. "Why, Ilosivic, whatever gave you that idea?"

"Just…a …thought." He moaned, placing his hands on her thighs, and slowly pulling her down. She closed her eyes and moaned softly as he entered her.

"Open your eyes, Alannah. I want to see you."

Alannah opened her eyes, and stared at him, seeing the love and passion reflected within. She began to rock, never taking her eyes off him, and he cried out in pleasure, quickly joining her rhythm. Their cries mingled, and Alannah collapsed on top of his chest.

There was a knock on the door, and Alannah looked up. "Come in."

Mirana came gliding into the room, smiling at the sight before her. "Lady Alannah, how nice to know that you have recovered. I trust you are not doing anything too…strenuous?" She laughed softly at the blushes that came over the faces of Stayne and Alannah, and then looked at Stayne with a serious expression.

"I will not ask what you did to Lord Maxwell, nor will I lay down any punishment. Whatever you did to him was no doubt deserved. I am just glad that you found your lady in time."

Stayne nodded. "So am I, Majesty. I never thought Chessur could be such a great help."

Alannah looked shocked. "Chessur? How..?"

Mirana smiled grimly. "It seems that the place where Lord Maxwell had you imprisoned was the cellar of the Duchess's house. Chessur belonged to her once, you know."

Alannah smiled gratefully. "The next time I see that cat, I am going to give him a humongous dish of cream. I'm sure he'd appreciate that."

Mirana laughed. "He would. Now, you need to get some more sleep." She suddenly grinned. "After all, that child has been through quite a lot in the last few days."

Stayne looked at her, confused. "What child?"

Alannah gaped at Mirana, who nodded. Alannah's hand slowly traveled down to her stomach, and her eyes widened at the slight bump she felt. She had first noticed it when she was still imprisoned, but at the time had been too focused on staying alive to realize what it meant. She looked again at the Queen, and Mirana smiled.

Alannah whooped with joy and kissed Stayne as hard as she could, laughing at the expression on his face.

"Our child, Ilosivic!" She told him laughingly. Stayne goggled at her in surprise and happiness.

"You…you're pregnant?" He whispered, awestruck. She nodded.

Stayne grinned, and then kissed her deeply. "Oh darling, that is the best news you could ever have given me."

Alannah grinned happily, and then placed Stayne's hand on her stomach. "Our child. Can you believe that?" She smiled as he gently stroked her, letting his hand rove over the bump that he felt.

"Mine," he whispered happily. He looked over at Mirana, and smiled in gratitude. "How far along is she?"

"About three weeks. If you like, I could give her a potion that will let you know if it is a boy or a girl."

Stayne shook his head. "I'd rather be surprised. What about you, love?"

Alannah laughed softly. "I don't care what I have."

Mirana grinned. "A very wise attitude. Now, there are a few serious matters that I need to discuss with you both, starting with how Alannah was abducted. It seems that one of my servants, Jeffrey, once worked for Lord Maxwell. It also seems that Jeffrey has a predilection for thievery, especially when it comes to jewels and other items. Maxwell had threatened Jeffrey with exposure if he did not help him abduct you. Now, Jeffrey has fully admitted his compliance in your abduction, and also his sincere reluctance for said compliance. Are you willing to forgive him?"

Alannah nodded. "Yes."

Stayne gaped at her in disbelief. "Alannah, if not for him Lord Maxwell…"

"Would have found another way, and you know it. The only way I would ever be free of him would be through death-mine or his. Thank Time the death was his."

Stayne drew a harsh breath. "Yes."

Alannah looked over at Mirana. "Tell Jeffrey that I fully forgive him. Also, be sure to thank Tarrant for all his help."

Mirana nodded, then turned and glided out of the room. Stayne smiled wickedly at Alannah.

"I thought she'd never leave. Now, where were we..?"

Alannah giggled as his lips descended on hers.

Tarrant and Alice smiled as they watched Stayne squire Alannah around the palace. She had recovered quite nicely, and now she was ready to get out of bed, much to Stayne's dismay. His suggestion that they remain in bed for "just a bit longer" had been met with a playful smack upside the head. Alannah had smirked at him before climbing out of bed and dressing. He had sighed in mock dismay before getting dressed himself.

They walked over to Alice and Tarrant. Tarrant smiled softly at Alannah. "I'm glad to see you recovered, My Lady." Alannah smiled gratefully at him.

"Thank you so much for your help. I'm indebted to you."

Tarrant shook his head. "No, you aren't. You do not owe me anything, Lady Alannah."

Alannah looked over at Alice, a huge smile on her face. "You will never believe the news I got from the Queen yesterday."

Alice laughed. "I just might. What is the news?"

Tarrant laughed wickedly. "I bet I know, and I am sure it is wonderful news, and something that makes women quite happy, and men sometimes as well, and it's wonderful news, and"…he stopped, gulping as he noticed Alannah staring at him, her eyes flashing red. 'Sorry."

Alannah smirked. "Good."

Alice laughed. "Well, now that Tarrant has finished his rambling, what's the news?"

Alannah grinned happily. "I'm pregnant. Ilosivic is going to be a father."

Alice whooped and pulled Alannah into a hug. "That is marvelous news! Congratulations to you both!"

Tarrant grinned at Stayne. "Congratulations, Ilosivic."

Stayne looked at him, startled, and then smiled gently at him. "Thank you, Tarrant."

Alice smiled softly. "My congratulations as well, Ilosivic. You've changed quite a lot since I last saw you."

Stayne nodded, wrapping his arms around Alannah. "I know, and I have this beauty to thank for it. It's funny, but when I worked for the Red Queen all I could think about was maybe someday I would be able to atone for my numerous crimes. I never counted on being banished to the Outlands. But that was the best thing that ever happened to me, because it allowed me to find my redemption in the form of a green eyed beauty."

Alannah smiled softly at him, unshed tears in her eyes. "I love you so much, my Knave."

Stayne softly kissed her. "And I you, My Lady, my redemption, my life."

They were interrupted by the sound of someone gently clearing their throat. They looked over to see Mirana standing nearby with a piece of paper in her hand. She smiled at Stayne and without a word pressed the paper into his hand. He opened it, and gasped in shock at the contents.

"Majesty…I..."

Mirana smiled gently. "You have earned it, Ilosivic. You are completely free."

Alannah took the paper, and her hand flew to her mouth when she read what it said.

'Be it known to all citizens of Underland that the Knave of Hearts, better known as Ilosivic Stayne, is hereby given a Royal Pardon for all crimes he committed while under the forceful employ of Iracebeth of Crims, former Ruler and Red Queen of Underland.

Mirana of Marmoreal, Queen of Underland'