A short transitional chapter, but an important one that I wanted to interject. I also had to bring back some of the awkwardness; the fluff was giving me sugar shock. A small warning for the beginning. Zachary may say no, but his body says ooh yes.

Karigan stirred awake, a pleasant sort of warm weight resting across her middle as she stretched. Behind her, Zachary murmured in his sleep and crept closer, tightening his hold around her waist. She slowly opened her eyes, allowing the light from the fire to gradually fill her senses and illuminate the room. It was early morning, that much she could tell, for her maids were already bustling with her bath behind the closed door of her dressing room. Her little terrier had hopped onto a nearby chair and was nesting into a plump cushion, her tail tucked in as she slept on.

Karigan sighed and closed her eyes once more, nestling back into his arms. Subtly, his hips shifted up to brush against the curve of her bottom, causing her eyes to fly open in slight alarm when she felt the stiff protrusion graze her skin. Gulping, she moved her head to peer back at his sleeping visage, reaching back with one hand to stroke his cheek, 'Zachary . . .?'

He groaned and pushed against her again, his hand coming down to rest on her bare hip, as her gown had rucked up around her waist during the night. Karigan exhaled slowly, lifting her head to look up and around, her hand easing the covers down, allowing the cozy heat to escape into the chilly air. She attempted to grasp the hem of her night gown and ease it down over her thighs, but his heavy arm held the thin fabric firmly bunched down.

Biting her lip as the heat rushed to her face, Karigan tried another tactic. She gently lifted his arm, turning in his embrace to face him as she sought to create a little bit of distance between their lower bodies. Instead of lying placidly in his slumbering repose, some part of his sub-conscious reacted, pulling her bodily on top of him, settling her hips against his. She gasped at her lower body's reaction and held herself still as she braced her hands on his chest.

He opened his eyes blearily and instinctively grasped at her soft skin, but his whole body tensed as he realized there was no fabric barrier that met his fingers. Looking down wide-eyed, he met her heated glare and gave a bit of a start when he saw that the strap of her gown hung precariously off one shoulder, and when he realized his hands were still roaming across bare skin.

Gulping and raising his hands slightly, he ventured, 'Did I?'

She scowled, 'No, but perhaps this is an indicator we ought to reconsider our decision last night.'

Zachary winced, a hand blindly reaching for the sheet to cover her once more. She huffed, rolling off of him in frustration, and pulling her clothing back into order. He felt the evidence of his desire and groaned, sitting up to swing his legs over to his side of the bed. His head fell forward into his hands, the fingers raking the unkempt hair in aggravation.

The terrier saw his feet hit the ground and scrambled out of her chair to scurry over, her front paws reaching up to rest on his leg as she whined. Zachary reached down to scratch her neck absentmindedly, despairingly counting the threads of the intricately woven carpet as he strove to find control.

Karigan had stood, stepping into her robe, and coming over to sit next to him, her arm slipping around his upper back. 'Are you certain this is the right course of action?'

Zachary raised his eyes to look at her, 'For now, yes.'

Karigan nodded pensively, leaning into his arm as she felt him breathe deeply through his nose, trying desperately to dispel his arousal. She gave a small smile, 'I think we'll both need a good run later today.'

He looked at her again questioningly. She shrugged one shoulder in response, 'To tire ourselves out. You weren't the only one affected this morning,' she finished dryly.

Zachary grinned broadly and drew her in for an affectionate embrace, pressing a kiss to her temple as he bit back a chuckle at their awkward situation.

Zachary had returned to his own chambers after kissing her in farewell, promising to see her in a few hours. They both would be in one of the audience rooms for much of the morning, for the castle would be hosting the Corsa delegation for a few more days and building a strong rapport when they could, would be essential for the hard days that were coming. Her terrier had been sent back down to the kennels to play with her brothers and sisters while her mistress was otherwise engaged.

Karigan had bathed, eaten breakfast, and was now sitting at her desk in a more formal blue gown with her circlet in place. Several copies of the trade agreements lay before her, requested from Zachary's secretary. The tricks of the trade she had learned at her father's knee came sharply back into focus as her eyes scanned the documents, noting the length and stipulation of each contract. The clans had in fact been quite generous, offering to pay for shipping costs out of their own pockets, and eliminating the standard grain tax that Corsa traders usually imposed. The norm was for each province to be self sufficient with their basic crops, only sometimes supplementing with imported Rhovan products. There was also a clause built into the baseline of the contract, stating that each delivery would be made regardless of time of payment. In which case, the participating clan would be able to extract the funds at a later time. With winter recruitment adding to the army's ranks and the threat of more torched homesteads likely, the agreements would ensure that even if the crown went bankrupt, the people would not starve.

She smiled happily to herself, seeing the guiding hand of her father in the written words before her. It was his own way of helping the crown and indirectly taking care of her worries. An overt display of concern had never been his approach, she considered in amusement.

A knock sounded at the door, revealing Brienne who nodded at her queen in confirmation of the time. Karigan stood, carefully picking up her skirts as she filed out the door. When she reached the audience room, she first saw a few mingling court retainers who bowed respectfully when she entered. Glancing about the sparsely lit chamber, she spotted Zachary standing idly next to the dais, a book in his hand as his brow furrowed in thought. He snapped it shut, his eyes aglow as he spotted her in the open doorway.

A smile came naturally to her face as she approached him, dropping into a deep curtsey and rising back on her feet to place a kiss on his cheek. His eyes crinkled in the corners as he took her hand, guiding her to her seat with a small wink. As he himself sat down, he motioned for the staff to open the heavy draperies over the thick glass windows. A flood of light filled the room, illuminating the entrance of the merchants who had already begun to file in close to the appointed time. Fastion and Brienne posted themselves further back into the shadows, their eyes scanning each entry with a careful inspection.

Their aunts arrived shortly, approaching the dais with enthusiasm as they sunk into curtsies, straightening back up to look at Karigan's beaming face and Zachary's content countenance. All four women smiled in happy satisfaction at their niece's clear happiness and were more than pleased with the agreeable character of their new nephew, with Stace offering a sly wink to the young man. Zachary pressed his lips together to keep from laughing heartily out loud, and inclined his head towards the women with a twinkle in his eye.

When the room had filled, it was time for the royal couple to mingle, and for Karigan to exercise her memory of her father's acquaintances as she led Zachary around to exchange light pleasantries. They responded to her warmly, even overcoming their natural distaste of nobility to banter with their king good-naturedly.

The morning ended quickly, but the start of a successful venture had been brought about, and that gave Karigan a warm feeling of fulfillment as she walked arm in arm with Zachary to partake in their midday meal.

It came as a surprise to both monarchs when the majority of the delegation, Karigan's family included, announced that they would be journeying back to Corsa. She had taken her father aside, her face troubled, 'It is the middle of winter! I had thought you would wait until the snow breaks to return home.'

Stevic shook his head, 'No lass, we'll make it home just fine. Albeit a bit slower, eh?'

She grimaced, 'Is it necessary though? Why the sudden decision to leave now?'

He smiled sadly at her, 'There are rumors flying about, regarding the ships that went missing this fall. Many wish to go back and start their investigations. And there are reports of people going missing in Corsa, all within view of the open water.'

Karigan lifted her eyes, the worry evident in her features, 'Does that mean the coastline is unsafe?'

He soothed the lines from her face, 'No, no lass. More likely bad weather caught em, or the reports have been exaggerated. But best to be sure, aye?'

And so she had unhappily bidden her family farewell that afternoon, her aunts giving both their niece and nephew hearty hugs and kisses before climbing atop their mounts, clad in warm furs. Stevic had held his daughter lovingly, whispering to her his pride and love. He clapped Zachary on the back heartily, having reached an understanding of sorts with the king earlier that day. On his part, Zachary took the pounding on his back in good humor and offered a friendly handshake before Stevic departed.

The long train of travelers left the castle grounds, waving goodbye over their shoulders as they passed from view through the gate. Zachary stood behind Karigan, his arms coming around to hold her about her waist in silent support. She leaned back against him and waved her gloved hand at her father, her eyes following his progress from the courtyard, until his grey dappled mare could be seen no more.

The lateness of their departure in such unstable weather and the agitated looks worn by the merchants, especially her father, did not sit well with her as a sense of deep foreboding settled into the pit of her stomach. But she resolved that she would make her own inquiries in the coming days to ascertain the truth of why they all had decamped Sacor City to race home to Corsa.

That night in her rooms, Zachary had kissed her lightly, his hands grasping her shoulders with the utmost gentleness as he whispered, 'I shall sleep in my own bed tonight.'

Karigan started, her eyes searching his, 'There is no need for that.'

He shook his head, his eyes cast down. 'I can't control my body's response to you, my love. It is better for the time being if I go to my own room.'

She frowned, placing her hands on either side of his face, 'You leave me in two days' time. If I have the opportunity to spend more time in your arms, then I will do so. We have the willpower to sleep in the same bed,' she said firmly.

Zachary arched a brow, 'You'd go against my wishes?'

'Absolutely, since in this case they do not coincide with mine,' she said with a smile. He allowed a small grin to grace his face in light of her stubbornness, but still moved towards the adjoining door. Karigan made a noise of protest and pulled him bodily towards her bed, pushing him backwards to land a bit roughly onto the mattress. Zachary laughed aloud and reached out to tug at her arm, drawing her down with him and pressing his mouth to hers.

A clatter at the doorway broke them apart, their eyes looking to the open door of the dressing room where a rosy cheeked Sara had dropped a copper pitcher, mumbling as she hurriedly picked it up and closed the door behind her.

After a few moments of silence, their faces curling into embarrassed smiles, Zachary heaved a sigh as he felt his trousers tighten, 'I do not think I ran far enough this afternoon.'

Karigan curled into his side, 'Would it help if I went out for a quick jog and came back soaked in sweat?'

He shook his head grimly, 'Still breathtaking.'

She curled her lip to the side, 'If I muck out the Rider stables?'

He considered that seriously, 'Probably not.'

Karigan shook her head, poking him in the ribs, 'We could go let the kennels loose into our chambers.'

'Tempting, but no,' he responded with his eyes closed, a small smirk appearing at the corners of his lips.

She scowled, disentangling herself and drawing the covers back. He stayed on his back, his head turned as he watched her fluff the pillows. 'This really isn't a good idea.'

Karigan stepped away, reaching behind her neck to undo the simple ties of her gown. She undid the laces, stepping out of the fabric and placing it on the chair, her restrictive bodice soon following. His dark eyes watched her measured movements, 'And that just made it worse.'

She stood only in her chemise, the light from the fire illuminating her figure, 'Are you going to sleep fully clothed?'

Zachary looked at her with a slightly pitiful gaze that she returned with an unimpressed stare. With a heave, he rolled out of the bed, sitting on the edge of a chair to tug his boots off. He looked up at her expectantly, but she pursed her lips and shook her head, pointing to his tunic.

He sighed and stood with a small pout, his fingers nimbly unbuttoning the heavy fabric to reveal his linen shirt. He wadded the tunic and threw onto her pile of clothes, 'There, no more.'

Karigan walked forward and tilted her head at his trousers, 'Those will be uncomfortable.'

'Good,' he said with a sniff, turning to sit on the edge of the bed, sliding himself below the blankets. She blew out the candelabra on her desk and ran over to his side, playfully climbing over his legs and rolling over to curl her legs under the heavy comforter.

He turned, giving her his back as he muttered, 'Just be sure you stay on your side, woman.'

Karigan sank into the mattress with a smirk, and after a moment's hesitation, pressed herself to his back, her hand reaching around him to grasp for a hand. His body had initially stiffened but his larger fingers found hers and stroked her palm gently as they drifted off to sleep.

Setting up for the next big chapter.