Santana looked down at the soon-to-be-recognized crown prince of the Abrams Kingdom resting on her legs. She sat with her knees together and drawn up so she wouldn't have to actually hold him, partially because her arms had been getting tired, but mostly because he seemed to have the idea that she was meant to nurse him as well. She had been asked to wait outside the council doors until the prince was to be presented to the council and formally accepted as the next in line to rule, a task she had only taken because the request had come from Brittany.

Shelby was more than capable of handling the boy and she seemed almost pained every time he was taken from her, to the point that Santana almost felt bad doing it. Especially when she cared for watching him so little.

Even now she looked off into space thinking back on that morning when she had returned from her meal to see Brittany being dressed for the day for the first time in a long time.

Beiste had only recently allowed Brittany to travel to and from the bath on her own and today marked the first day she was allowed to return to her duties. At least partially. Her only official act of the day was going to be to present the prince before the council, which Santana didn't totally understand outside the fact that it was tradition, and afterwards she was scheduled to meet with a handful of lords and ladies before resting for the remainder of the evening. It was merely a precaution however, Brittany's color had returned and the light was back in her eyes, she seemed even more like her old self than she had before, more like the Brittany she knew before the pregnancy.

Though it was disheartening for her to make such a strong recovery only to find that now that she was well enough for them to be alone together she wanted to spend the time in Samuel's company as well.

A loud pining noise snapped her from her thoughts and she looked down to the child before her as he stared at her with his eerily familiar eyes.

"Don't let them push you around in there, you take your crown with dignity and pride," she advised, a serious look on her face. In response he blew a spit bubble. "That's the spirit," Santana laughed.

And when she laughed Samuel watched her for a heartbeat before his small face exploded into happiness and he laughed as well. When he did the oddest feeling of surreal surprise took over Santana, because she could suddenly see his mother in his face. The way his eyes lit up as his nose wrinkled with his mirth, it was exactly the same as Brittany and she knew that for sure because she had memorized everything about her.

The child shared his father's eye color, but when he laughed all she could see was the woman she loved so deeply.

And just like that it was harder to ignore him.

With a sigh, she allowed the feelings inside her settle and even danced her fingertips across his belly, making him laugh again. The sound forced a permanent smile on her face as she watched him flail in response, not knowing what to do with his limbs, having mercy she wrapped him more securely in his blanket. He continued to smile up at her, and, like with Brittany, she felt her heart soften to him a little more; she couldn't confess any particular love for him, but the same had been true for the queen at one point.

It was then that Matthew came out of the large doors a small ways down the hall and walked over to her looking inquisitive. She was sure he was wondering why she was so far away, but she didn't feel like explaining her mistrust of the angry looking guards by the door so stood to greet him, Samuel secure in her arms.

"It's time?" she asked.

Matthew nodded and escorted them into the large room that was as intimidating as always. Santana walked in and stood next to Brittany who looked positively regal in her coat, hints of bright blue showing from the dress underneath, the color making her eyes seem even more intense when they found her. Santana had learned how to read the subtle looks Brittany would send her, and the one being sent at that moment was of love and comfort, something that made standing before all the grumpy looking councilmen an easier task.

Brittany stood and moved to her side, placing a steadying hand on the small of Santana's back before she spoke, "My lords, I present Prince Samuel Abrams."

The room was silent for a long time, longer than Santana was sure was normal, before a man at the far left of the front row cleared his throat, "Majesty, the council cannot recognize him until you have stated his full name."

Brittany blinked back at him as if he had asked what color snow was, "I did, my lord, Samuel Abrams."

The man seemed surprised by the answer and there were mumbles amongst the others at the table, after a time they settled and the man at the front center spoke.

"Please know it is not traditional-"

"My lords, I have presented my son and told you his name, do you recognize him or not?" her tone was neither cold nor stern, she spoke with a sweet, flighty voice yet it was clear that nothing would change her mind. She'd said what she meant.

He sighed heavily, as if long ago resigned to Brittany's near constant breach of protocol, and replied, "If anyone holds evidence that this child was not conceived of our crowned king and his queen speak now." There was a long pause in which no one spoke, "Then the council recognizes Prince Samuel Abrams as the rightful heir to the throne. With this we are adjourned."

Brittany nodded happily and turned to Santana who was still a little tense from all the attention, even if it had been aimed at Samuel. When they left Matthew followed them all the way to the greeting room, informing her of a few select lords and ladies she was to meet with, one of which happened to be Lord Motta himself. Santana figured this to be a momentous occasion since Matthew was beside himself with nerves whenever he spoke of the man. She supposed it was because a prominent southern lord had bothered to travel to their castle to break bread under the banner of peace while war raged, but honestly she didn't care. Her only wish as far as the war was concerned was that Archibald catch a stray arrow to the temple.

Matthew left, still muttering on nervously and once again Santana was left holding Samuel at a time when she would prefer to hold Brittany, but she overcame the disappointment and sat next to the queen on the large plush lounge that sat against the far wall. It was meant only for royalty and noblemen to sit on, but since she was holding the future ruler of the kingdom Santana's presence on the crimson seat was allowed. Though she was quite sure that even if she wasn't Brittany would have found a reason for her to be there.

As she found a comfortable spot at Brittany's side, she offered the child to his mother and Brittany gingerly took him, smiling at him and receiving an almost identical one in return.

"Will you tell me why he has no second name?" Santana asked, her tone light to make sure to imply she was merely curious.

"He does, it's nothing," she said, taking Samuel's small hand in her own and kissing it softly.

Santana could feel her brow furrowing with the effort of figuring that out, sometimes her lover was a complete mystery to her, "So his second name is… silence?"

"His second name is the same as our maiden names."

And then she understood. The name that Santana lost and the one Brittany was never given, Samuel had inherited the missing name that they shared.

"I see, well if nothing else you have made it easier for him to learn his name during his schooling."

She laughed, "I don't think Artie knows how to spell his second name to this day."

"That will never be said of Prince Samuel."

"It won't," Brittany laughed again and her son, seeing her mirth, laughed as well.

Santana only watched, starting to see for the first time how things could turn around, how this child wouldn't always feel like an intrusion in her life. And she was so deep in her own thoughts it came as a complete surprise when soft lips met hers in a brief kiss that snapped her back to reality.

"What is on your mind?" the queen asked kindly.

"You," Santana replied simply with a kind smile, "Always."

Before more could be said Matthew returned with Shelby at his side, "Majesty, Lord Motta has arrived and will be in shortly. Santana may stay at your side, but I fear the prince may tire of negotiations quickly, so it is best if he were looked after."

With a heavy sigh Brittany handed Samuel back to Shelby who seemed almost bow tense until the infant was in her arms.

Matthew prattled on about the meeting and all they were to go over, he stressed the importance of politeness, courtesy, and observation of tradition. The last part was his subtle way of telling Santana to reseat herself in the small chair in the corner reserved for servants. She did so without complaint, Brittany looked rather disgruntled, but allowed it when Santana gave her a look that begged her to behave.

It wasn't long before Lord Motta joined them, wearing a touch more furs than even their harsh winter called for, surrounded by servants who were equally overdressed, making the large room seem small with their numbers.

Santana sat in the corner for what felt like the better part of the morning and most of the afternoon, listening to the man ramble about his family and wanting the fighting to stop so his daughter could continue to receive her favorite jewelry from a vendor in town. Brittany listened to it all as if every word was fascinating before finally getting him to go over the terms of a truce.

The meeting ended with both sides satisfied, and when Brittany promised to send over a few pieces of jewelry to the lord's daughter as a gift it was as if she had promised to give him her crown. He left beyond pleased and Matthew looked like he could breathe freely again.

There were a few more lords who came after, though none as prominent nor as demanding as Lord Motta, yet at the end of it all Santana was ready to be rid of the room. Even though they usually spent longer stints of time listening to the problems of nobles, she had become rather accustomed to having her days to herself and it was difficult to return, even partially, to the royal routine. She left, leading Brittany directly back to her room to prepare for bed, only to find that after all her hurrying the blonde seemed reluctant to change out of her day clothes.

"I really am better, I don't feel the need to sleep so much," Brittany griped as Santana sat her in front of her vanity and used the prepared bowl of warm water and cloth to clean away the powders that colored her face.

"Beiste ordered it and I would never forgive myself if you end up as you were."

She rolled her eyes, "I am well now, can't you tell?" she asked as she stood to allow Santana to unbutton her dress.

After unclasping the last button and removing the dress the queen gave Santana a hard look forcing her to stop trying to stall her way out of the conversation, "I can," Santana replied on her way to get one of Brittany's nightgowns.

"Then why can't I do something else? Like go to the library, or take a carriage ride out of the castle? It isn't so cold I can't even venture outdoors for a brief moment."

Santana returned with the nightgown and discreetly looked over Brittany's form, the tall woman had indeed regained her coloring and was looking leagues better than she had, but she was still very thin. After her pregnancy Brittany's weight dropped below what it was before, making her seem like she was still as frail as she had been.

"You are better, mi reina, but you are still at risk to be ill again. Beiste is a healer, so I think it best we listen to her."

Brittany took a bold step forward taking Santana's face in her hands, "Do you not find me as desirable anymore?"

Startled by the question, she blinked rapidly trying to think if there had been something in her face that had sent that incorrect message, "No, you are as beautiful as ever," she reassured all while trying to keep her mind from doing what it seemed conditioned to do whenever Brittany was pressed against her. Especially now that the queen was completely naked.

"Then will you help me keep the tedium of sleep away?" she asked and Santana could easily read what exactly she had in mind, though if she had any doubts the hand sliding under her furs and shirt would have been a major hint.

"Brittany," she said firmly, though her voice did break a little because she most definitely wanted to help her keep the tedium of sleep away, "You need to sleep right now, when you wake you will eat and I will bring you to your bath. I desire you like I always have, but I won't give in if it means you could be sick again." When it looked like she was going to argue Santana gave her a kiss to silence her and asked, "If it was me would you risk it? Say yes and I will take you to that bed and ravish you until you are completely satisfied. Tell me the truth."

For a moment Brittany was torn between honesty and lust, but honesty won out as she sighed and took the nightgown from Santana's hands, "I wouldn't."

Pleased, Santana helped her into it, and when it was pulled over her head she leaned in close to Brittany's ear and whispered, "Don't worry, mi riena, I have no plans to stay away forever," her words were punctuated with a feather light kiss to her ear that sent shivers through the tall blonde.

Quickly she spun out of the queen's grip, knowing full well that if she stayed next to her she would lose her resolve to wait.

"How am I supposed to sleep next to you with promises like that?" Brittany asked with a pout.

"I'll stay above the sheets."

"Then how will I stay warm?" she asked with a childlike innocence that was undermined by the devious look in her eyes.

"I'll have someone stoke the fire."

With a heavy sigh she crawled under the covers and Santana dutifully lay on top of them, curling up in Brittany's arms and wrapping her own around her queen's slim frame. They lay next to each other in a comfortable quiet that lay over the room like a blanket, the only sound was the faint wisps of the wind beyond the walls and the soft crackling of the fireplace. Santana let the sounds lull her into a state of drowsiness wherein she lost long stints of time drifting in and out of sleep, a state she was roused from by the sound of Brittany's voice.

Her eyes opened slowly and she looked up to see that Brittany's eyes had changed, they weren't lusty or playful, they were incredibly sad, and that woke her more than the faint words had.

"What did you say?" Santana questioned, sitting up.

"I said I'm sorry, for being a terrible knight."

Confused she thought hard to try and understand where that had come from, "What do you mean by that?"

"I should let you go. I should have sent you away ages ago, but I didn't... and I know I should, but I can't."

"Where are these thoughts coming from? What makes you think I want to leave?"

"These thoughts are always with me, because every day I am with you I somehow manage to love you more and it means every day it gets a little harder to do the right thing by you."

Santana frowned at the notion, she hadn't even been aware Brittany had harbored worry over the issue, "I don't want to go-"

"I know you don't want to, but I know you need to."

Still not grasping why this had broken through to her now she asked, "You're worried about us being found out?"

"That, and you being beaten again, or of Artie returning with someone he believes will give you a child to be a servant to Samuel, or of him taking a liking to you himself. I worry about all the ways you could be hurt or killed for less than nothing, and I marvel at my selfishness when I think of those things and keep you here anyway."

"You aren't keeping me here, even if you sent me away I'd find my way back."

Brittany looked at her with those sad eyes and squeezed her tighter, "I still have that patch of land waiting for you, it's still there for you to live on, to be away from all this. You could become a healer and do all the things you've ever wanted."

"The only thing I would be free to do is die alone because the woman I love sent me away against my will. I have no desire to leave you and it would only hurt me if you forced me to go, so sleep, and do not worry over it anymore."

"I can't help that I worry about you."

Santana sat up and looked down to her worried queen, realizing that this was the first time Brittany was coming to her with a problem. She was voicing something that was bothering her deeply where it had always been her proclivity to keep it inside, Brittany was doing as she promised and Santana understood that it was now her responsibility to help.

Thinking for a moment she decided that she would use the tactic of the best comforter she knew and took Brittany's hand in her own, threading their fingers together.

"How about when you think of the future, don't think of all the horrible things that could be. Think of you and me together years from now, looking up at the stars in each other's arms because through everything that happened we stayed together. We made it through and even though we are much older we still make each other happy, in every way. Think of me loving you even when I'm as old and wrinkled as the men in council and remember that there is nothing that anyone could say or do to change that."

Brittany's eyes shined with tears as she curled up closer, "You could die," she said in barely a whisper.

"We will all die one day. I can't speak for you, but I know death wouldn't keep me from loving you."

The corners of her mouth twitched up, "It wouldn't stop me either."

"Then it's settled. When you are worried, remember that I will always love you."

Santana barely got the words out before Brittany was holding her close and kissing her gently, and soon the queen settled into a true, peaceful sleep.

The midday rest for Santana meant that she was far more awake in the night hours than she needed to be. It made her fidgety and usually left her to watch Brittany sleep, thinking of all the things she would love to do with her out in the light of day if their affair wasn't so very forbidden.

This particular night it seemed Brittany had run into the same problem, they lay next to each other in silence, but Santana had become rather skilled at being able to tell when the blonde was sleeping and when she was just holding still. This was a case of her being still.

Though the skill was made unnecessary when Brittany suddenly sat up and said, "Bring Samuel to me."

Santana sat up as well, completely baffled, but she complied, crawling out of bed and pulling on her coat before stepping out into the hall that seemed to be freezing compared to the bedroom. She walked the short distance to the prince's room only to be met at the door with the sounds of his cries. Slowly she opened the door and saw Shelby standing by her own bed placed in the corner of the room holding the baby, rocking him gently, trying to calm the squalling child.

The older woman started when she saw her enter, "What is it?" Shelby asked, clearly still a little shaken from the scare.

"The queen wishes to see the prince."

"There is no need for her to take him, I almost have him back to sleep," she countered as if Santana were questioning her competency.

"I don't think she heard him crying, she just wishes to see him," Santana explained slowly while making it obvious that she was irritated she had to do so.

Shelby looked down to Samuel then back up to Santana, "If you must."

She couldn't have taken more time in crossing the room if she tried, and when she finally handed the boy over it was the air of a woman who was having her very own son taken from her. For a moment Santana thought of commenting on it, but she didn't. Not only did she have no inclination to berate a mother who had recently lost a child for becoming overly attached, but she didn't know the first thing about that kind of pain and she wouldn't presume to have anything worthwhile to say to a person she hardly knew.

Instead she returned to the royal bedchamber with the prince and presented him to his mother. Brittany took him with a wide smile and upon seeing her exuberance his cries subsided and he once again mirrored her. Santana wondered idly if Samuel was merely reflecting the emotion of the person he was closest to, and if so what that would mean if he were ever near Archibald.

Brittany cooed over the child making him smile wider, Santana watched with a gentle expression before venturing, "You know the point of all this is so that you have time to sleep in the night."

She shrugged, "I'm not tired and I wanted to see Samuel, he hasn't been with me nearly as much as I would like."

"Did you know he was crying?"

"No, but I suspected it, he rarely sleeps through the night."

"He will sleep again soon, what will you do with him then? If I try to take him back he will surely wake."

"He can sleep here, he would have to make a serious effort to make it off this bed," she laughed and Santana had to concede it was unlikely that, with two women to bar his way, the child could make it to the edge of the bed without a map and guiding stars.

"Alright," Santana replied, content to watch Brittany fawn over the boy until they both drifted off.

"Tell us a story," Brittany implored, seemingly out of nowhere.

Squinting she looked the blonde over to try and tell if she was merely playing, but her eyes were wide and eager to hear whatever tale Santana might tell.

"Was this the plan the entire time? To have me tell a story to the two of you?"

"Would you be angry if it was?" she asked shyly.

Santana could only chuckle and shake her head, "No, I'm not angry, but I'm afraid I don't know any."

Disappointment immediately filled her eyes, "But Santana, you have to know one! And if not just make one up, you know how they go. It has to have a happy ending, though."

She now suspected that this seemingly random request was spurred by the tale she had told earlier in the day. The one where they grew old together and managed to achieve happiness through everything. Though the tale she had woven had been quite hopeful and whimsical it was still faintly possible and children's tales, to her recollection, were always filled with magic and odd, unreal situations. It was Brittany who excelled at those kinds of stories and she knew if she tried she would fail miserably.

But then again Brittany was pouting at her meaning she had no choice but to try.

Searching her memory she faintly remembered Elisa telling her and Sam a story about a wood imp and a troll, but all her mind would provide was that at the end the troll ate the imp for some reason. Giving up, she tried to take a portion of her own life and make it into a fantasy, but those would only be gruesome tales of a little girl whose cries for mercy were never heeded.

Then she remembered a story, one that she knew from her adult life, and though at the time it had been more of a concept, she knew it would suffice.

"Alright," she said indicating that she was ready, Brittany sat up straighter in excitement, holding Samuel up so he could see his storyteller, "There were once two people, a man and a woman that loved each other very much, who were taken captive in a land far from their home. The place they were imprisoned was dark and scary and full of hard work." Brittany seemed a bit taken aback by the bleak nature of the tale, but didn't interrupt. "The evil king of the castle hurt the woman especially badly, and kept her away from the man she loved. He didn't care that they needed each other to survive, that every day they were apart killed each of them on the inside. But one day they made a plan to run away and they did, they ran far away and made it back to their home."

"And they lived there happily for the rest of their days?" Brittany questioned, almost childishly eager for the happy ending.

Santana considered conceding, but didn't, "I don't believe they did," she said solemnly, "I think they escaped and arrived at their home to find nothing was the same. That all the time with the evil king had broken something between them, something that wasn't in their power to fix."

Brittany's smile faded and Santana knew she knew that the man and woman in this story were not fictional, "Santana this is supposed to be a happy story," the blonde said sadly, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"It is," she said, clearing her throat before continuing, "They stayed together, had a family and loved each other until the end of their days. Yet none of those things could erase what had happened or how deeply it changed them, so when they died it was with regret."

"Either you or I do not understand the meaning of the word happy," Brittany sniffled.

Santana chuckled and went on, "But death was not the end for them, their souls left their bodies and went out into the stars in peace. Many years later, when the world was much older, their souls returned and they were born once again. The man and woman started life over and met once more as new people, they fell in love again and lived a long and happy life without the evil king. They lived the life that had been taken from them and that life ended with love, family and no regrets."

By the end of that story the intensity of Brittany's smile could have rivaled the sun, "That was a great story."

"I don't think Samuel agrees," Santana said looking down at the child who was now sleeping.

"He liked it too, I think he was worried about the sad parts, but after he heard they got better he felt happy enough to sleep," she explained while placing the infant on the bed as she lay down next to him.

Santana crawled onto the other side of Samuel and slid quietly under the covers, Brittany watched her with a placid expression before her face fell a little.

"Do you think Michael and Tina will have that hard a life back at their home?"

Looking up at the covered roof of the bed, she gave the barest thought to the pain and humiliation suffered by Tina in the room she was currently in, "I want to think they got home and were able to forget everything and be happy. But if I know anything about life, it's that things are never so easy."

"Do you think it could be that way for us?"

"We shouldn't think of the bad-"

"I meant the other part," Brittany said quickly, "about meeting again in another life? Do you think we could meet and live our lives together without anyone else coming between us?"

She didn't.

She hadn't thought it feasible when Michael had told her the story the first time and she didn't believe it now. For Brittany, however, she could tell this one lie.

"Yes, I think it will happen for us, too."

It was a lie Santana knew she could never trick herself into believing, but when Brittany fell asleep with a smile on her face it wasn't one she regretted telling.

The winter season began to wind down and soon letters from Archibald were coming almost daily as he prepared to move southwest to the captured outpost.

While the king was making war with two thirds of his allies Brittany cultivated a steady truce with the South. Lord Motta's wealth went far in persuading naysayers, soon a regular trade route was formed and construction on the king sovereign's desired strongholds was begun. Even the council had to admit that Brittany had done much to better the kingdom beyond what the king or the king sovereign had been able to do.

The queen grew stronger with every passing day, as did Samuel, and with the queen's renewed health the need for a wet nurse diminished into almost nothing. Shelby was only given charge of the prince during his naps and at night, and even then, from time to time, Brittany would request he sleep with her.

Santana could tell how much it pained the woman to lose him, but she could think of nothing to do about it. The fact that the queen wished to raise her son herself had been made clear to everyone, even the council. Though she of all people understood how knowing something made it no easier to deal with.

With the return of the queen's health came the return of long court sessions. This was made worse by the fact that in his father's absence the prince, regardless of age, was expected to be present at such events. Santana had tried to argue with Matthew on the issue, but he buried her under nonstop talk of tradition dating back to the dawn of the kingdom.

So instead of her usual spot at her queen's feet she was seated in a large, ornate chair, placed right next to the throne. It was meant for the prince, but once again her peasant's bottom was allowed in contact with it because she had to hold him. Which was harder than it sounded, because Samuel was now filled with a desire to touch and taste everything in the world. Even with toys keeping him still was a chore since he tired of them quickly. In such cases she found if she allowed him to play with her hands and the cuffs of her sleeves he could be kept silent for a time, and if allowed to occasionally pester his mother he could be kept happy even longer. Even then there were times where court ended to the sound of the prince screaming his disapproval of the proceedings to the world.

On this particular day Samuel was amicable enough as he played with a wooden horse that would spend short spurts of time in his hands before being jammed in his mouth.

Santana watched him chew on it as he looked up at her, a wide smile on his face, without hesitation a natural reciprocating smile was on her lips before she ruffled his reddish blonde hair that curled around his face. To her right, Brittany was listening to some man's long winded explanation of why his family should be paid more for their goods and services. The queen had obviously grown bored of the man's lecture, but she listened anyway, her fingers drumming slowly on the arm rest of the throne.

Samuel noticed as well and crawled over to her. Brittany smiled at him, but for once he did not smile back, instead he looked down at Santana's steadying hand and grabbed at it. She allowed the prince to pull at her sleeve until her hand was under his control, and once he had it he pushed it down onto Brittany's, effectively stopping her drumming. And once their hands were together he smiled again and placed his horse on top as if he had finished a masterpiece.

The man never stopped talking, Matthew was writing down his complaint, the guards were watching the line of people waiting their turn and those people were busy being flustered over how to make their plea. And even if every eye had been on them it would have made no difference, the prince was allowed to do as he pleased and in no circle would the action have been seen as odd. But for the two women at the front of the room it was an incredibly intense moment, one where they looked at each other and then to Samuel, sharing something that was somehow intimate and private even with so many around. And when Santana looked at Samuel, for the first time she wasn't merely accepting his presence and gauging his worth by how much his mother valued him, she genuinely felt affection for the boy from this simple action.

The realization had been sudden, but when she thought on it the feeling was not. Now she understood that Samuel had taken a place in her heart from the moment she named him. And she also realized that Brittany had known that all along.

With an exaggerated huff she sat back in her chair, allowing her hand to stay where it was as Samuel played with their hands, giving Brittany an excuse to entwine their fingers. She sat watching the prince play and Brittany continue to listen to the rambling man while accepting that she had gotten what she had coming to her. What else should she have expected from falling in love with a master strategist?

Even now she couldn't profess that she loved the boy as much as his mother, but it was apparent to her that he meant more than she had dared to think he would. And true to her promise to herself she did not allow that knowledge to make a coward of her, she did not try to deny how she felt or steel herself against the possibility of those feelings growing deeper. Instead she calmly accepted it and settled comfortably into her seat, enjoying the warmth of Brittany's hand in hers.

Her sense of tranquility lasted her through the court session, even when Samuel began to become unruly. Rather than becoming upset at the sound of his cries she was able to soothe him by rubbing his back and rocking him gently as she left Brittany's side to find Shelby. Though she wasn't hard to find, the woman was always in the prince's room awaiting his arrival every evening for his midday nap and every night when he was to be put to bed.

Santana opened the door to the prince's room to find his caretaker right where she expected her to be, but the woman was hunched oddly on her bed clutching his blanket as if the smell of it was keeping her calm. Knocking gently Santana took a step in the door and Shelby leapt to her feet, rushing to retrieve the child without so much as a word of greeting. She suspected Samuel was the only being in the castle to have been on the receiving end of her smile.

It was a sight she wanted to take comfort in, but she didn't, the older woman's behavior was becoming stranger and stranger, and though she didn't think she would hurt the prince Santana was still concerned. In her years as a slave she learned very quickly how to spot madness in a person's eyes. This woman wasn't there, not yet, but she seemed more uncomfortably close to the verge of it than any person should.