Looking back Santana realized that her situation was quite odd.

Not the portion about being in an illicit affair with the queen regent of the Abrams Kingdom when she was only a slave, but the disproportionate danger in their lives.

As a slave she had always accepted that death was inevitable and would one day come, probably rather suddenly, at the hands of some cruel owner. She had acknowledged this fact at a young age and though death scared her, and she did try to avoid situations that may cause it, she accepted it with a silent resentment. Instead she merely worked hard to not be beaten in her every waking moment. Before coming to the castle her only friend had been Sam who was her owner's son and not someone she had to be concerned for. His life meant something to everyone at the vineyard, there was no reason to worry for him.

So when she had first yielded to her feelings for Brittany she had concluded their relationship would most likely end as hers and Sam's had, maybe even in death. Later she had to deal with the fact that being with Brittany meant watching the king treat her like something less than human. However, when the war started it was the first time she had to come to terms with the fact that she may outlive Brittany. It was a terrifying thought, one she had opted to ignore, because with all that Azimio was he was also an excellent fighter and she believed him capable of standing at the gate and cutting down every attacker on his own.

Then Matthew had reminded her of the fate Brittany's sisters met and suddenly she realized that the child growing inside her could merely be a countdown to their last day. She had to accept that as short as her life may end up being Brittany's could be shorter.

It wasn't something she was used to, looking at another, seeing their mortality and actually caring.

And unlike the impending war it wasn't something she could just ignore, because as the days grew colder the evidence of Brittany's pregnancy became even more apparent. During the days when she and Santana listened to endless complaints wrapped in the best furs the kingdom could offer from its limited stores it was slightly easier, but at night, when the queen was in her gown and Santana was pulled close to her, she could feel the evidence of her limited time.

The upcoming birth aside all else was going quite well. Archibald had not managed to even make it to the North in the time he boasted it would take him to go, kill their enemies, acquire the furs and move on. So it was quite a relief when Matthew brought news that the king sovereign was more than happy to send over a shipment of furs, they apparently had them in surplus. It did come with a worrying inquiry as to the king's whereabouts, but Brittany decided to save an answer for when the shipment arrived.

And to no one's surprise it did. Funnily enough at the same time they received word from the king that he was being delayed in his travels north by roadblocks.

When the queen had been read her husband's letter she had merely sighed and asked to be taken to the harbor. They arrived to find a large ship already being unloaded, full, it seemed to bursting, with a variety of furs from animals Santana couldn't even fathom.

The captain had personally brought Brittany a large, white coat that made the one she wore at the time look like the mangy coat of a stray dog. It had been sent to her from the king sovereign and there was even a small blanket made from the same animal to wrap his grandchild in when that time came. She left it to Santana to handle the soft, white blanket that warmed her hands just by holding it.

The queen thanked the captain and sent him off with the tentative excuse that Archibald was away tending to unrest up north. Though misleading, her words were readily accepted and with that they returned to their daily duties, Santana following Brittany in her snowy coat wishing she too had something to keep her warmer than the wolf fur that covered her. She stood at the queen's side feeling the cold creeping into the very walls, seeming to freeze the room from all sides, despite the fires that were kept in the council and the court. It was a slight comfort to see that the councilmen were as miserable as she was since the furs had yet to see a tailor to be made into something wearable.

There was something satisfying about watching Brittany sit in complete comfort while the old men sat chattering as they rambled on.

As they moved to see to the lords and ladies that awaited consideration, Santana's worst fears were realized when she watched the queen sway before her. Terror held her in place, as if to move would somehow worsen the condition, so Matthew was the first at the queen's side.

He knelt before her as she clutched her stomach, her face showing pain, "Are you alright?"

Santana wanted to yell at him, that it was quite obvious that she wasn't, that he should call for Beiste since the queen could be in serious trouble, but she couldn't. She couldn't move or breathe, because her mind was already screaming that this was it, that this was the end. The child had somehow broken something within Brittany and now she would have to say goodbye to the best person in her life.

When Matthew turned to her it took three attempts for what he said to even register as a voice, numbly she turned her head to him, "What?"

"Help me get her to her room!" he shouted, exasperated with her hesitance.

Panic spurred her forward as she rushed to assist him in lifting Brittany to her feet even though the blonde swore she could walk. Matthew sent the nearest guard for Beiste while Santana walked with the single minded purpose of not letting her feelings overwhelm her. They made it to the royal bed chambers, and never had she loathed the distance from the door to the bed so much. After placing the queen on the bed Matthew attempted to question her about her pains, but Beiste was with them before she could give an answer.

Santana stood aside, barely keeping back tears as Matthew escorted her out so the healer could work. She wanted to protest; the room was more than big enough for them to go to some far off corner and never encroach on the large woman's space, but she didn't have the strength. Instead she allowed herself to be lead out into the large hallway where Matthew stood next to her looking quite upset himself.

"I have to inform the nobles that the queen is in no condition to meet with them," he muttered, but it seemed to be more to himself than to her. "I should have known she couldn't keep up this pace, this is my fault."

Santana could only stare, because she only wanted Brittany to be alright and until that was she didn't want to think about who should carry the blame for what.

He turned to her with a haggard expression, "Watch over her, I will arrange for her meal to be brought here. Tell Beiste to report to me when this is done, I will be in the royal's study."

She nodded, unable to use her voice and watched him walk away, terrified she sat by the door thinking of what she would do should this be serious. Her thoughts consumed her, making the wait painfully long and the noise of the door opening sound like a cannon blast in her ears.

Startled, she stood suddenly and almost fell having only just realized her leg had lost feeling.

Beiste stood at the door and caught her easily with a chuckle, "Can't have the lady in waiting fallin' over, too."

"Is she alright?" was all Santana could think to reply.

"Far as I can find, but I think all th' royal work may've wore her out. Be sure she rests."

With a relieved sigh Santana leaned against the wall, dizzy with joy, before relaying Matthew's message. When the healer left as well she entered the royal bed chamber with caution, as if a loud noise or sudden movement may somehow cause disaster.

Brittany was sitting on the edge of her bed, still wrapped in her white furs, watching Santana intently. When the brunette reached her side she stood still, not knowing what to say and feeling an acute sense of shame that she hadn't reacted better to the situation.

"Take off your coat," the queen said, her face betraying neither happiness nor anger.

The oddness of the request confused Santana, but she did it immediately, some irrational part of her mind wondering if she was to receive a lashing for her incompetence.

Instead she found herself yanked from her standing position and enveloped in the almost impossible warmth of the coat. It immediately reminded her of the night on the roof with Tina, though even that didn't compare as it smelled of fine oils and was lined with an unusual leather that was almost as soft as the fur was.

Brittany laughed and nuzzled the delicate spot behind her ear, "This is much better, right?"

Struggling, Santana attempted to stand, "You need to rest, now," she protested, even more so now that she could feel the swell of Brittany's stomach on her back reminding her of what had almost happened and why.

"I'm fine Santana," she said calmly while holding the smaller woman closer.

"But you might not be! Having pains so early is surely not a good omen!" she pleaded, still trying to free herself.

A light laugh escaped the blonde, "Maybe not, but I didn't feel any pain," when Santana turned to look at her questioningly she shrugged, "I didn't want to meet with wealthy men all trying to gain my favor so they can be the first to receive a portion of our shipment."

Those words gave Santana the strength to leap out of her queen's arms and round on her, fury on her face, "You were acting?!"

"Not entirely, my feet did hurt," she said shyly upon seeing Santana's reaction.

"You-" she stopped, trying to reign in her temper, but it was too far gone, "I thought you were dying!"

The queen looked incredulous, "That's going a bit far don't you think? I hardly put on that good a show."

"Brittany, don't you understand? This could kill you, it has killed your sisters!" she shouted, her fears coming to the surface, making her long held tears spring to her eyes and fall freely.

Seeing her anguish, Brittany stood, obviously regretting her actions, "I didn't mean to upset you," she said softly, reaching out for Santana who stood stiffly out of her reach.

"You insist on keeping that thing within you even if it means your death. I don't understand," she cried not wanting her lover to hold her and make her bury her feelings, "Do you already love it so much you would leave me?"

A sad smile reached her lips as she took a step forward and finally returned Santana to her embrace, "Don't be so sure childbirth will cause my death, I happen to think I'm stronger than that."

She hugged Brittany back, hating the way the bulge of her belly kept them slightly apart, "And what if you're not?" she choked on her words, not wanting to hear them.

Santana couldn't see her face, but she knew the queen was smiling, "I'm your knight, do not think I would abandon you so easily, even in death."

What that meant she had no idea, but she needed to take it at face value if she were ever going to manage to stop crying. Brittany rubbed her back soothingly as she was able to gain control of herself, her strangled cries reduced to hiccupping sobs.

After a while Santana was finally able to wipe her face dry, feeling embarrassed that she had soaked the queen's dress with her tears, "Warn me the next time you want to play hurt."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know it would upset you so much."

"How could it not?" she sniffled.

Brittany kissed the top of her head before leading them back to sit on the bed, "I try my hardest not to hurt you by being absent minded yet here I've done it again."

Holding her tighter, Santana hid her face, "I'm not hurt, just worried."

"Now who's acting?"

Refusing to answer, she merely continued to hold her and closed her eyes, listening to the sound of Brittany breathing. Because at the moment it was a sound she needed to hear more than anything else in the world.

Matthew, true to his word, had servants arrive almost immediately with the promised meal well ahead of the usual time, but Brittany had no complaints as she was noticeably quite hungry.

Santana watched her eat, thinking of nothing more than her desire to protect her queen from her unborn child, when the blonde insisted they share the food. Having not had anything more than crow, and what she suspected was rat meat, since she had visited Lord Hummel, she found herself tempted. Seeing her interest Brittany shared her bread and meat, feeding it to the smaller woman even though she tried to protest; however, under her queen's insistence Santana was no match.

So for the first time in her life Santana shared a meal with someone she loved, and afterwards they were able to share kisses with her feeling as close to carefree as she could manage given all that was happening.

The queen was allowed to end her evening in her room and sleep away any lingering fatigue, something that worried Santana since, as the night approached, they did anything, but rest.

Her worries, as it turned out, were unfounded. Not knowing the queen's pains had been a ploy Matthew had dedicated his time to changing Brittany's daily schedule, allowing her to sleep later in the day and break at midday to rest and eat. A break she would take in the privacy of her room with Santana there, though the queen was never allowed to do more than sleep or eat since her lover, still worried for her health, would not let her instigate anything racier than feeding her a midday snack.

However, this was not the case for the shorter breaks she was allowed during the day, the queen would sit alone with her in the library and show her books full of pictures of the animals their new stockpile of furs came from. It was something Santana found interesting, but highly difficult to focus on since Brittany used the cover of their copious clothing to allow her hands to do as they pleased.

The moon went through its phases time and again at a painfully slow pace, but at the same time far too quickly. Soon all the lords, ladies, and councilmen walked around wearing the fine furs that had been sent. The older and less durable garments were given to the castle servants, though Brittany made sure Santana was given the finest coat she could without drawing attention. The lining and make of it was nowhere near as nice as the queen's, but it kept her warm to the point that she would occasionally unbutton it to cool off. Something that she only did for a short time, because it wasn't until she woke one morning to find a solid blanket of ice over the river that she realized only now was she seeing the full effect of winter at Castle Abrams.

Upon entering the dining hall, she found Puck sitting across from Matthew talking animatedly; eager to be in on the merriment she took a seat next to the lively armorer, "What has you so riled?" she asked before taking a spoonful of the bitter stew. A meal she had always been able to stomach until Brittany had begun to regularly feed her real food, now she was all that much more aware of how bad it actually was.

"We got some furs," Puck laughed.

Santana frowned before plucking at her own, "I've been aware of that for some time."

He shook his head, "No, the king came through, he sent us furs."

It upset her to hear that the North had fallen to his attack and even more so that he had succeeded in his intended goal, "I don't see how that is amusing," she griped.

Matthew sighed, "I suppose he finds it amusing because not only did the king send them a moon's turn after most of us would have perished from the cold, but he sent very few and what arrived is badly burned. Damaged in the raid, he writes."

Looking down at her food, she imagined facing the cold in nothing but the simple clothing used in the warmer seasons. As it was with the coats and the fires things were miserable, but livable; without them, "He would have killed us," she muttered.

"Hmmm," Matthew agreed, "And probably himself, this entire campaign is foolish and his attack methods are so insane they seem to be working."

"Or maybe he's a good leader," Puck shrugged.

Matthew held up a charred parchment that she assumed was from the king, "Apparently the northern castellan had gone with his men to aid those in the west, assuming that was where he would strike. Our king did not take the time to ascertain that and burned the stronghold to the ground, but seeing as how he brought no one with him who can handle fire correctly he burned most of the furs he was trying to acquire, a lot of the men who would have surrendered, and almost destroyed his own caravan."

Santana couldn't keep from smiling; We may be rid of him yet.

"Alright, I'm off to the bath house," Puck announced as he stood.

She frowned after him, "The what?"

"The servant's bath house," Matthew clarified distractedly before he paused, "I didn't tell you about that, did I?"

"No, you didn't."

He gave her an odd look, "How long have you been still bathing in the river?"

She gave a noncommittal grunt as she hadn't bathed in the river in some time, her queen insisting that she oversee Santana's hygiene personally.

"It's a marvel you didn't catch your death. In the winter servants are allowed an indoor bathing arrangement, it is located within the castle walls, so you needn't worry about the room's temperature, it's quite comfortable."

"I'm sure."

"It also occurs to me that I never informed Sunshine either, I'm sure she's figured it out by now, but I should make sure she knows," he said, looking around as if the girl were one to be so easily spotted.

"She's still here? I thought the king would have brought her along."

Matthew seemed almost amused at the notion, "No, our king is not known to bother with female servants who cannot tend to him and warm his bed."

Santana shuddered to think of what poor girl he had found for the task, "Who is she attending now?"

"No one until he returns, at the moment she works the kitchens," he said, glancing over to where Tanaka stood looking brutish as he dished out gruel.

Deciding she was finished eating the tasteless food, she rose from her seat, "Will the queen be allowed to rest in today or should I wake her?"

He thought for a moment, looking over the papers that were still in his hand, "I could use more time to read through these."

Santana turned on her heels and returned to Brittany, but not with the enthusiasm she typically had.

These days it was harder than usual to ignore her condition.

During the night she would wait until her queen slept to slip from her arms and curl up against her back where it was easier to sleep without feeling the small life stirring within her. The child seemed to want to actively remind her of its presence like a taunt. Brittany found it thrilling, but Santana merely found it ominous, like a sickness lying in wait to do its real damage.

Quietly she climbed onto the bed to be near her queen, but not quietly enough, confused blue eyes looked up at her, noting that she was already dressed, and a feeling of remorse swept through Santana. She knew Brittany had expected to be woken when she was so they could share the joy of waking in each other's arms, but as of late Santana had taken to leaving in the mornings without a word. And when Brittany sat up, revealing the swell of her stomach she felt the guilt wash away, because she was reminded of why she insisted on leaving in the first place.

"Morning, mi reina," Santana said gently, offering her a soft kiss, "You don't have to rise right now, Matthew says he will go over his documents a while longer."

Brittany lay back down, a hand reaching up and slowly trailing through Santana's hair, "You already went to your morning meal?"

"Yes," she said as though it meant nothing at all.

The blonde was quiet for a moment before she looked deep into Santana's eyes, "I asked for you to share my bed to keep it warm, but I can't help but feel that things are colder between us."

Santana's jaw clenched at her bluntness, "Not at all-"

"You are still upset I want to keep this child," she said easily.

"It is your choice to make not mine."

"Maybe so, but you don't have to like it, and I think it's rather clear you don't."

"You should rest," Santana said stiffly.

"I'm awake now."

"Well, I don't want to talk about this anymore."

Brittany continued to stroke her hair for a while longer before she stopped, "If that is your wish," she said sadly.

Her tone made Santana feel like an ass, but there was nothing else she could do for the situation, but avoid it.

"It is."

"Will you lay with me?" she asked, and Santana thought that only the most heartless warlord could have said no to the face she gave.

Grudgingly, she lay in her least favorite spot, allowing the now enormous lump under the queen's thick nightgown to press against her back.

"I love you," Brittany said softly as she wrapped her arms around Santana.

The brunette felt tears prick at her eyes as she said, "I love you too, mi reina."

They lay that way until Matthew finally came along to let them know the day awaited them. Santana dressed Brittany in a heavy silence, because both women knew that what was between them would not heal over night, that no matter how they loved each other some things just hurt.

The advanced state of Brittany's pregnancy meant that the breaks she took were even longer and closer together, punctuated with visits from Beiste.

Before, the breaks meant the small woman would spend the afternoon trying to convince her lover to actually rest, now they meant Santana could take a break of her own as the queen really did need sleep. Even with the freedom to go where she wanted Santana often stayed indoors given that the air outside the castle was brusque and unforgiving. Instead of venturing out she went in search of the servant's bath, so if she were questioned about it she would not give herself away by not having the slightest idea where it was.

She looked for it for some time before deciding it was best to ask someone, and the only person she knew who wasn't busy or willing to shirk responsibility should they be, was Puck. The man was usually in the armory, but realistically could have been anywhere, doing anything, with anyone. However, she was in luck, he was in the armory still as bare-chested as he had been in the summer, to her further surprise Sunshine was standing there in a smith's apron holding a hammer for him, the size of it making her seem smaller than she was.

Checking to see that the master smith was nowhere in sight she stepped inside raising her eyebrows at Puck who ceased his work upon seeing her.

"Hey, ya haven't been n' these parts fer a while… y'know, on purpose."

Looking at Sunshine who had only briefly acknowledged her presence she replied, "You do know that Sunshine is a girl and is supposed to work in the kitchens, right?"

He shrugged, "She hated it there. Told ol' Tanaka she was really a little boy posin' as a girl n' that I could use her help, he chucked 'er at me easy enough."

"But she could get in trouble for leaving."

"She's old enough t' make up her own mind," turning to the girl he asked, "Ya do know you could get in trouble fer this, right?" when she nodded he turned back to Santana, "See, she gets it."

"Tanaka hit too much," the girl said.

Santana almost jumped, because she had honestly begun to think of the girl as a mute. Her voice was small to match her body, but her eyes were solid and unwavering. She suspected this girl had a far better handle on what was going on than anyone thought.

"If you're sure," she said and Sunshine nodded quickly before turning her attention to the glowing hot metal Puck tossed into a vat of water, causing it to billow steam.

"So what brings ya here, love?"

"I wanted to find the servant's bathing room since the river is no longer accessible."

"All th' stuff I gotta do an' you wanna tour?"

"You could just say no."

He laughed, "How c'n I say no t' such a pretty face?" with that he pulled off his apron and tossed it to Sunshine, "Practice with that hammer, there's scrap metal in th' back," he called before he walked away, Santana in tow.

"Is it really okay to leave her there alone?"

"She has ta learn t' do it sometime."

Shaking her head in resignation, she followed him at a steadier pace, once again noting his bare chest, "Do blacksmith's apprentices not get coats?"

Puck laughed, "I got one, but I aint wearin' it to work in, it's hot as seven hells back there, t'aint that cold out anyhow."

"The master smith seems pleased enough to have furs on when I see him."

"His title is jest that, a title. Man don't know a sword from a sabre, I do all that fer him. Proof enough is that he even wears furs; what real smith would wear fur arounda fire? Man only shows up t' cuss if somethin's wrong, sleep off a hangover, 'r pretend to work if th' captain of the guard is around."

He led her to the servant's halls and soon they were both focusing on taking one step after the next, ascending higher and higher, then taking several different stairwells deep into the depths of the castle, and soon Santana was convinced they were underground.

The room she sought was, as she thought, under the ground floor of the castle and quite small, whereas she had been expecting one giant, communal space. Instead there were individual stalls, all with crude metal contraptions on top that she was sure held water.

"Michael was th' one who set it up this way," Puck said, reminiscing, "Before, ya had t' bring yer own water n' pour it inna bucket that sorta trickled it on ya. Now we got a bunch stored a floor up and when you want some you gotta pull one of these," he said walking over and pointing to a small chain.

"Why don't we use these always?" she asked, marveling at the ingenuity.

"It's under th' kitchens, s'why th' water's warm, so they're supposed ta keep it full, but it's a real problem t' keep enough water t' wash every servant. Also means there's only one timea day t' do it so be sure n' bathe in the mornin' cause they ain't got the time t' fill it again for the evening."

"I'm surprised Michael would have taken so much time to keep the castle running so well."

He shrugged, "He did it fer Tina, he always told me that if th' only thing he could do fer her was make her life a little easier, he would."

Understanding she thought fondly of her one-time friends, hoping, once again, that wherever they were, they were together and happy.

"I miss them."

"I don't, glad they're gone," when she gave him a startled look he waved it away, "Glad for them; they didn't belong here. S'always worse fer servants who knew freedom first."

"I can agree with that," she said heavily.

Puck observed her for a moment before sighing, "Yer lookin' done in, wanna do somethin' fun?"

She gave him a sideways glance, "Like what?"

"Like go inta town, I know a few places that don't mind castle slaves hangin' around."

"We aren't allowed to go into town."

"Weren't allowed ta go t' the Hummel's caravan neither."

"But Azimio is lurking by the gates these days and I'd rather avoid anything that would put me at odds with him."

He sighed resignedly, "Alright, if you change yer mind ya know where t' find me."

They ascended the stairs once more, with Puck showing her the fastest way to the royal's hallway, and after she opened the final door that would take her back she stopped.

She smiled at him, wondering how the castle could have produced a man who wasn't bitter and cold towards everyone he met. For all his imperfections he was truly a good person and, in some ways, he reminded her of Sam, the boy who had been her only friend in the world for a long time.

"Thank you, for always having time for me," the words left her mouth and suddenly she regretted never saying them to Sam.

Puck looked stunned by her words before he gave a nervous laugh, "Don't go gettin' so serious."

"I thought you should know I'm grateful," she said simply.

"Well, if you were anyone else I'd wanna proper thank you, but since I know yer heart's elsewhere I'll just accept it," he replied, flashing a roguish smile, she returned it but when his faded with worry, hers did as well.

"What is it?"

He looked off to the side and scuffed his feet on the floor like a scolded boy, "The woman you love, it's the queen, ain't it?"

She looked at him in total disbelief, thoroughly upset that two people had been able to figure that out, "N-no."

Puck smiled sadly, "I thought so. Actually, I didn't, Sunshine did." That stunned her even more, but she couldn't even voice it, "She didn't say you two was together like that, she just said ya always look at th' queen like you adore her. N' well, when I thought on it she was right, but you don't really adore anything. Then I thought about how ya stayed here for a woman ya loved that no one's ever seen ya with, ever. Which, I mean I aint sayin' it's impossible, but this place don't hold secrets like that well n' I figure someone woulda seen you with a girl sometime. The queen though, she's someone yer around all th' time and it's clear as day she cares for you a lot. Anyway, after I thought about what she said it was kinda obvious."

Santana swallowed thickly, "You… haven't told anyone, have you?" she asked quietly, fear riddling her voice.

He shook his head quickly, "No, n' I never would, ya know me better n' that. I just wanted ta say… be careful," his voice took on a rather desperate quality and it was the most emotional she could ever recall seeing him. "If the king finds out about it he won't just give ya lashes and send ya on yer merry way, love."

"I know."

With a small chuckle he rubbed his head, "And you are willin' to risk that fer her?"

"And more," Santana replied instantly.

"Then I hope ya don't ever get found out, and if I ever hear someone soundin' like they suspect somethin' I'll be sure they got no doubts about how much ya like men."

She didn't relish the idea of her exploits with Puck, or any fictional lover he would come up with, roaming around the castle, however, the thought of being found out appealed less.

"Seems like I owe you thanks again."

She thought he might brush it off with some quip or another, but he became quite serious, "Ya don't owe me anythin', just please be careful. I already lost too many good friends in m' life and they ain't as easy ta come by like I make it look."

"I'll be careful," she said before turning again to leave when he called her once more.

"And Santana," he waited for her to face him before he spoke in hushed tones, "love her with everythin' ya got cause ya may not always have th' chance, n' if that happens and ya didn't do n' say everything ya coulda, you'll regret it badly." He said it with the air of someone who knew that pain quite well.

She gave him a nod before he disappeared, closing the door behind him.

Santana finally began her short trip down to the queen's chambers, thinking how she needed more female acquaintances so her lover could not be so easily discerned, and once she reached it she entered the room with a soft knock. The blonde was sleeping peacefully so Santana didn't want to wake her, but she did. And, instead of attempting to shake her awake, planted gentle kisses on her brow until her eyes opened and Santana found her lips captured by Brittany's.

When they broke apart she seemed mostly pleased but a little perplexed, Santana answered the look with another sound kiss.

"It's time to go," she said affectionately into Brittany's ear before pressing her lips there.

"Alright."

The queen rose, obviously not wanting to question what had her in such a pleasant and amorous mood.

She watched Brittany struggle to stand and went to help her; she couldn't pretend to love the child inside her any better, but she could heed Puck's advice. She could cherish her, she could show Brittany much she meant to her within the time they were allowed, because Santana couldn't shake the feeling that they wouldn't be together much longer.

Instead of dwelling on that she got her queen's coat and wrapped her in it snuggly before hugging her tightly, ignoring the forced distance between them. It didn't matter, only Brittany did, and she would do her best to remember that from now on.

Taking her lover's hand, she led her out into the hall, "Are you ready to face a long line of whining nobles?"

Brittany gave her a loving look and pulled her close, "With you by my side I can face anything."