For some reason I think this story might be turning into a bit of a mystery... You'll understand in a few chapters dearies. I promise I won't keep you waiting too long, but it is time for finals and all that jazz so dn't be surprised if I disapear for a week or two in the next month. I promise you though, your waiting will be well rewarded.

Of and thank-you My Lord( Darken Rahl) for gracing me with a few of your kind words. I am honored that you would allow me such an indulgence ;) Keep the reviews coming guys.

Chapter 11

Rahl took a deep breath. He somehow knew that Shara wouldn't take his decision very well. He could almost say that he was afraid to get her too cross with him. He laughed at the thought. The great Darken Rahl, afraid of his young bride who no longer possessed half the power she used to. It was simply ridiculous; but so terribly true.

He shook his head and rounded the corner that would bring him into their apartment. The guards opened the doors and he walked in, just narrowly missing a bolt of energy that was ment to hit him. The doors closed quickly behind him while he looked around the room momentarily confused and then threw up a shield to block a bolt that would not have missed its mark.

"How dare you?" demanded Shara in a totally outraged voice.

He pitied the poor soul who had led to her finding out. He really shouldn't be surprised to find a corpse or two somewhere in the room. This is exactly why he had been uneasy knowing he had to face her. Though she was normally a rather calm and gentle girl, Shara had a bit of fire in her. When that fire was lit, it turned he into a bit of a little blood thirsty warrior. He literally flinched at the look she was giving him; it is a good thing that looks can't kill.

"How dare you assign guards to follow me? Do you really lack that much trust in me? If that is the case then just lock me up because then I am obviously lying all the time so I must be lying when I say that despite what you and everyone else thinks I am not to blame for the murders. I honestly can't believe this!" she said, starting off in a full on shriek and ending in a low tone of disgust.

He knew he had to be careful about what he said next or the consequences would be catastrophic. That would be bad. Very bad. He rather liked his body the way it was and if he said the wrong thing, he might have to live with it altered however she changed it.

"Shara, please calm down-" he started simply to be cut off by the death glare he was getting.
Well that didn't work. Next tactic it was. If that failed then he would just give up, take the yelling and buy her some pretty new things and hope that she forgave him before he was forced into prolonged celibacy.

"It is understandable that you are unhappy with this decision," he started looking over at her for any clues of increased anger. "But I just want you to know that I am not all too happy about this as well. This was not something that I could easily manoeuvre you out of. The people demanded that you be followed to be one hundred percent sure that you are telling the truth. You know how the older nobles can get; it is futile to argue with them in matters of superstition and beliefs. I just figured that it would be better to let them have their way this one time instead of wasting time and energy on fighting them instead of using it to catch the one who really committed these crimes."

Shara stood there just staring at him. She looked like an enraged horse contained by a strong bit, not knowing whether to concede and accept the situation for what it is or to fight until she is forced to submit in a much harsher way. A few times she opened her mouth only to close it again, but all the while her eyes were small orbs of fire directed at him very strongly. It was so odd to see her so cross yet so speechless that he felt the need to laugh but managed to keep the low chuckle inside knowing that it would force the filly to choose to fight. Seeing as he wished her to accept her situation and lose all rage, laughing was not on the immediate agenda. He stood there patiently, trying to earn brownie points by not acting smug about making her be in this state.

After a good long time, the fire in her eyes slowly began to simmer out and her body began to relax. He slowly let a smile fall on his lips once she was almost back to her normal self. After one final huff, she took a tentative step towards him and he was glad to close the space between them. He pulled her into his chest to comfort her a little bit and to reassure her that he held nothing against her. He had learnt after their first argument that a hug or a kiss made everything all right in the end.

"I'm still mad at you, you know," she muttered into his chest.

"I know, and you will remain so for a while," he replied.

"And you know what that implies don't you," she added.

He looked down at her with a pleading look in his eye. He knew it looked absolutely absurd for him, the king of D'Hara, to be begging his wife for anything seeing as he could easily order a maid or other person to do it with not a second thought-especially in this manner- but that wouldn't solve a thing.

"But the last time... I mean it was better was it not?" he asked, hoping to try to sway him to his will.
All he earned in reply was a small laugh and a brushing kiss on the cheek as she whispered," Oh love, that was a play fight. And if it makes you feel any better, imagine how great it'll be after this is all over."

So it would be the couch in the study tonight for him and the nice, comfy bed for her. He just hoped this didn't last too long. That would be very, very terrible for him.