Johanna was half-asleep by the time she sat down on the couch. She slouched in the un-lady matter all had come to expect of her by now. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was labored.
In the corner Illosovic Stayne smirked at the sight of her. She was disheveled, tired, and rather vulnerable. However as part of his earned freedom the White Queen had made him make the unbreakable vow not to kill or cause harm to another in any way.
However that wouldn't stop his roaming eye in raking her well-developed and feminine form.
Alick entered the room and looked disapprovingly at his cousin. He walked over to him and grabbed his shoulder in a tight grip.
"You are a guest in my home. I'll not have you having any of your vile thoughts about my wife. You better keep yourself in check!" he warned, ignoring Stayne's chuckles as he walked over to the couch where Johanna sat half-asleep.
"Rough day in the Queen's court my Dear?" He asked as he handed her a small cup of tea.
"Thanks love. Yes, it was horrible today! Lord Fulton came in and was bothering me non-stop for a new flute, he broke it yesterday, Lady Carmella wanted a new song written for her daughter's birthday, Lady Darcy wanted a new harp, George broke his trumpet, Fred lost a string for his guitar, Alfred couldn't find the tympanis tuning key, the grand piano was out of tune, one of the clarinets dropped her instrument and broke the keys, Max broke his reed and forgot to bring another one, Samuel knocked over all the drums, Tarrant needed help in his workshop today, and the Queen needed a translator to help her while establishing trade with Outlanders." Johanna rambled. Alick smiled as she sipped her tea.
"Perhaps I should tell them they can't have you anymore. They're wearing you out faster than your little niece does when you baby sit her." Alick said. Johanna smiled as she finished her tea and set the cup aside.
"Thank you Alick. And yes, it's hard enough baby sitting an active four year old, but all this is too much at the moment!" Johanna released a heavy sigh and fell back, her head resting in Alick's lap, her hair flowing out like a red, gold, and orange halo. This old habit of her's was started when they were first married. Alick didn't mind much, he rather liked it sometimes.
"You need some sleep my Love." he murmured as he stroked her head, hair, and occasionally her face. Johanna silently agreed and within minutes she was fast asleep.
"She really is a beautiful girl despite her lack of size." Stayne said interrupting Alick's silent thoughts. Alick looked up at him ready to snap at him until he realized it was a compliment. He looked back to his wife and smiled gently.
"She rather is. It's amazing what a few years can do to people." Alick said as he wrapped one of her numerous curls around his finger.
"I always did have a fondness for girls with curls. It was a fetish of sorts, one I developed after seeing her by the waterfall many years ago. I still think she could have done better with me. Then again she always was a girl who made bad choices. Then again it's never too late to rectify that!" That was it! Stayne had taken it too far!
"If you want to keep your remaining eye you will never speak of my wife that way ever again!" he snapped, "You are a guest in my home and I expect you to show proper respect to my wife. If you so much as lay a finger on her I'll kill you! Understood?" Alick nearly yelled, Johanna began to stir from her slumber, he returned to stroking her face, this had the effect of helping her remain asleep and calming down Alick.
For Alick, having his cousin here (if only for a few days) was quite unnerving, the only reassurance he had was the fact that in a few days his cousin would be returning to his newly rebuilt home in Snud, far away from them in Marmoreal. But every day Alick feared that if he left Johanna alone and unprotected with him, he would cause her harm. So he insisted on either coming home before her, or at the same time as her.
At least he wouldn't have to endure his cousin for much longer!
Stayne sat quietly, looking at the dark liquid in his coffee cup. Alick sat tensely staring at the flames of the crackling fire.
"I'm sorry Alick. I guess I'm just jealous that your life turned out so much better than mine did. And that you have a beautiful wife, nice house, and great job at the castle. My life ended badly on my way to having those things. I envy you cousin." Stayne finally said after the long silence.
Alick was stunned, his elder cousin was jealous of him? This had to be some sort of joke.
"I do apologize for offending you and insulting your wife so."
"Well perhaps my cousin speaks the truth. However, only time will be able to tell." Alick thought to himself.