Oooooooo things are really starting to heat up now! Only a few more chcapters left! The suspense is killing me! Tell me what you think should happen? I have the next two chapters drafted and there will only be maybe 1 or 2 more after those so enjoy these while they last!

On another note, is everyone excited for summer? I am , I one and a half wes of class left and pre finals and then finals left till I am done. For all of you who are already done, I envy you greatly and wish to have your freedom but hey! I only have 3 weeks till I can enjoy said freedom.

Chapter 10

"Shara, you know I told you never to go near that thing! Why did you go there even after everything it has been doing recently? Are you asking to die because that could be arranged in a more dignified way?" Rahl vented angrily.

Shara sat in her chair watching him pace back and forth. She could tell that he was just worried about her and therefore he got a little bit snarky. Of course he was going to be angry with her for disobeying him but she knew that really he was just terrified as to why she was near the beast. After all the rumours going around the castle, the last thing he wanted was a stream of gossip going around about the queen being caught near the beast. That would really be bad for Shara, he wasn't even sure if he would be able to protect her against the rath of the people.

He continued his senseless babbling as she sat there completely silent. She knew better than to interrupt him. She waited until he was done before she even thought of saying anything.

"Rahl dear, you don't need to worry. I am not up to anything nor do I wish to die. I simply heard someone calling for help and couldn't bring myself to ignore the calls another time knowing what was happening." She said softly. She tried to radiate calm and cool so that she can calm him down along with herself.

Rahl looked at her with a slight amount of shock on his face and slowly, very slowly, a smile slides onto his lips. "Well then, you understand me perfectly don't you? I just can't seem to understand you, "he said slowly and came to perch next to her on the armrest of her chair. He let his hand pull her face up to his and let a soft kiss dance along hers. "I just really wish you had walked the other way. That would have saved me so much worry and damage control. But at least now you know what that thing can do and you will now stay away from it. Right?"

She felt herself nod while under his total control. He was way too good at getting her enchanted to his will. She would have to be careful about this nasty habit of his. He was too good a charmer for his own good. It might get her into some trouble some day, or at least he might get himself in a bind if he wasn't careful.

"Good girl Shara, now let's get you out of these dirty clothes and into something far more comfy," He said so charmingly she almost didn't get what he was inferring. She raised an eyebrow at him. "What? Just because you have a son, you don't want to try for another? Perhaps one of your own?" he said slowly leaning in closer to her.

She laughed a little bit and cast off the blanket she had been clinging to. "Well, I guess it couldn't hurt now would it? We just have to be careful; it would be a bit suspicious if we start having children like rabbits. "She said coyly as she walked into their bedchambers.

"I don't know my lord, though her story is probable, I do not know if it would be wise to trust her," Egremont said.

"I find is rather offensive that you doubt not only me in this decision, but also my wife and the manner I handle her Egremont. Have you stooped to the level of believing the gossip of old women? IF so, then I can truly say that I am rather disappointed in you, I thought you were better than that," Rahl said in a dismissive tone.

"I do not mean to offend you my lord, but I have a feeling about all of this. I wish to have some men follow her at all times, just for a little while, so that all these rumours can be quickly disbanded and all suspicion cast of the lovely queen,"

A quiet moment passed while Rahl contemplated to pros and the cons of this idea. It would of course prove to the public that the queen was not doing anything to harm the people as some thought. Then again, Shara would hate the idea of being watched and her in a bad mood was not something she wanted to deal with. He weighed each side of the balance carefully before he spoke his mind.

"I supposed it could only cause more good than harm to have my beloved followed, after all the ordeal she went through yesterday might affect her nerves in some terrible, unforeseen way, it would be wish for someone to keep an eye on her while she recovers from the stress of her day. It would also keep her from being harmed by any lunatic that might get in willing to harm her, "Rahl said, trying to rationalize the decision.

He figured that he would just have to deal with the anger that Shara would surely feel about being watched at all times. Of course he would place some boundaries such as her chambers and such, but she would basically have to be watched like a hawk for a few days. At least this would clear up any suspicions that the old women had and give him time to find out who really was doing all of this killing in his castle. He did not really appreciate having to tell so many mothers and wives that their husbands or sons would never come home. The looks on their faces were forever engraved in his mind. It did press him to discover the true villain and by the Creator he would do just that. He did dare anyone to stand in his way and try to stop him because he was resolute in this and would hold strong until whoever was leading those poor men to their death was kneeling before the Creator getting what he deserved; a lifetime of torture in the Underworld.