AN: I need all readers to take a moment before diving in. When you see the large italicized ABORT, that is when you should stop reading and scroll down to CLEAR. I've toyed with these two long enough and am going to move the plot along. That being said, I have taken pains to make this a scene that is tender and loving without being erotica. Given their dispositions and how I have allowed the story to develop, this is my interpretation of their wedding night. Rated M.

Karigan strapped her saber to Condor's saddle, eyeing Zachary's movements with uncertainty and a little bit of suspicion as he spoke to Marta in a low voice. The old woman chuckled and reached up to pat his cheek affectionately before handing him a cloth wrapped package that he tucked under his arm, grasping her hand for a courtly kiss.

Karigan rolled her eyes, glancing over to where Brienne and Fastion patiently waited atop their own mounts with their eyes silently scanning the tree line. It was relatively early, for a winter day, and the sun peeked out from behind an overcast sky that spoke of potential snowfall in the next couple hours. She scowled; all the more reason to get on the road and away from the well meant coddling of Marta.

Zachary smiled at Marta and waved goodbye to her, and the assortment of grandchildren who watched from the open doorway of the house. He walked by Karigan, offering her the package and a quick peck on the cheek as he continued to his grey mare, mounting in one smooth motion. Karigan huffed as she stuffed the package into her saddlebag and climbed onto Condor with less grace, wincing as she felt her tired body protest.

They filed out of the small clearing, Fastion and Zachary taking the lead up front, with Karigan and Brienne falling behind to a reasonable distance. While still not an ideal way to travel, for four Riders was an extremely odd sight, they had reasoned that it would be better than being clumped together.

Their appearance was still an issue that needed to be addressed but fortunately Fastion had the foresight to pack attire that was reminiscent of a minor palace guard, while Brienne acquired a nondescript outfit in the next small town that could pass as a castle mender. They all fabricated a story that the palace guard was assigned to escort the mender to her new station in L'Petrie, and that the two Riders were headed in the same direction so they traveled as a small party. Karigan personally thought it a rather weak excuse but held her tongue as their arrival in L'Petrie went largely unnoticed. The presence of the king's messengers and guards were no longer a novelty seen on the main roads of the province, and the pairs of eyes that spotted them merely moved on with disinterest.

It took the better part of three weeks to arrive on the outskirts of Corsa, their trek being only truly hampered by the weather. A routine had built, for despite the initial heat that both Zachary and Karigan had experienced in Marta's guest room, both were so utterly exhausted that they would instantly fall asleep before starting the next day bright and early. The accommodations they had acquired along the way were relatively simple, sometimes a farmer or woodcutter would offer them space in a hayloft and other times they were able to find an inn along the way. Fastion and Brienne kept up their disguises easily during the day, and during the night she would stay within eyesight of her charges while Fastion would take up a post nearby in a silent vigil.

The last night spent in the upper loft of an immense hay barn was within Zachary's embrace; both fully clothed while huddled underneath their bed rolls. She had obediently followed his instructions on the rare occasions they were issued but most of their journey was not spent in the company of the other, except for when the evening came upon them. There had been little conversation, mostly just the need for the comfort of each other's touch.

As they now rode in their usual pairs, her eyes strayed ahead to find his familiar form that was clothed in deep shades of green. Her mind wandered to the last occasion she saw him without said clothing and she grinned from behind her muffler. Brienne noted the change in her posture and looked over with an arched brow, 'Something amusing, Majesty?'

Karigan's sparkling eyes turned to regard the Weapon and she shrugged as she answered, 'I'd say more pleasing than anything else.'

Brienne wrinkled her nose and rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to the road, her keen perception of her surroundings taking in the new sights. Karigan though, knew this countryside well, even with the shroud of winter that lay over the familiar landmarks. The outlying farms of the city began to pop up as they quietly rode, and the distinct smell of the ocean came with the somewhat warm breeze from the south. Here, spring was already on its way, for the pure white of the snow drifts were mixed with the dark earth of the fields, as the turned up soil of the fall sown crops poked out in clumps. It made for a rather messy experience upon the open road, for the muddy puddles that had formed in the deep ruts covered the horses, and a good portion of the riders as well.

Up ahead, Fastion halted his mount and turned to ride gesture in a series of waves to Brienne, who acknowledged in kind. Karigan wrinkled her brow and turned to her Weapon, 'Translation?'

'They will proceed to our agreed destination at your father's house, but they have asked that we wait,' Brienne answered dutifully. The queen shifted her seat with a frown, 'How long?'

'Fastion will fetch us if the area is deemed safe enough.'

Karigan sighed, 'The mansion is not within the city itself. There should not be an issue of safety.'

Brienne shrugged, 'Perhaps they knew something we didn't as we approached.'

'If that were so, a half mile of distance would not make that much of a difference on open road,' Karigan replied dryly, reaching for the canteen strapped underneath her coat. Brienne gave her a slightly anxious look, her eyes glancing between the open road and the queen, but Karigan gave a careless wave, 'I have no intention of disobeying, just thinking out loud.'

She squinted after she took a sip of water, her eyes watering from the glare of the sun off the remaining drifts of snow. To a casual observer, there seemed nothing at odds in the quiet countryside. They had not passed anyone for a few hours but that was hardly unusual on a day like this with torn up roads.

They waited for near an hour, during which time both women had dismounted and moved off the road to the side. They occupied themselves with checking their mounts for injury or strain, and offering them a bit of their grain from their saddlebags. Condor flicked his tail when he was presented with his offering, and instead nosed into Karigan's jacket, intent on finding the small wrinkled apple that she had procured that morning from the farmer. She gave a small laugh as she set his feed bag aside and pulled the apple forth with a flourish, giving him a scratch behind his ears as he happily munched on his treat.

Brienne gave a low whistle as she spotted Fastion up ahead on the road, and turned to Karigan expectantly, 'We are safe.'

Karigan smiled with amusement, 'Not from my aunts, but at least we'll get a good meal and a warm bed,' she remarked, mounting Condor and gathering the reins. The corners of Brienne's mouth turned up slightly as she silently agreed with her queen, climbing atop her own mount and following Karigan down the trail.

Karigan and Brienne handed their reins to one of the stable hands that came forward as they came upon the mansion grounds. Heading towards the back kitchen door, she asked over her shoulder, 'Is Chief G'ladheon at home today?'

'No, Majesty,' the lad stuttered, 'B-but the ladies are home, a-talkin' to that other Greenie and the guard.'

Karigan thanked him and gestured for Brienne to follow her, feeling a sense of peace at being home again despite her reasons for coming, and an eagerness for a mug of hot tea in the warm kitchens. She swung open the door and kept herself on the small sturdy rug placed by the entryway, allowing Brienne to trudge in behind her before shutting the door firmly.

The sight that greeted Karigan caused her to scowl slightly, for all four aunts had sat Fastion and Zachary down at the wide kitchen table with a considerable spread of hot food and a pot of tea. They had stopped their happy chatter to look up at who had entered, their faces breaking into wide smiles as they beheld their niece, who maintained a rather disgruntled appearance.

Zachary was the first to jump up and reach the pair, helping Karigan out of her coat and layers. She offered him a small smile as she tugged her muddy boots off and padded over to the fire to place them near two other sets. Brienne quickly followed suit and they were ushered over to the kitchen table, with Zachary insisted on seating her next to him. She felt a little placated and more than a little embarrassed for her petulance but his eyes seemed to sparkle at her as he nudged her leg consolingly. Their Weapons bore the excited conversation with patience, and managed to carry their own end with politeness while managing to tuck in a plate or two of the hearty repast.

Zachary filled her plate quickly while her attention was diverted by Stace, who wasted no time in playfully asking after the possibility of an heir in the near future. His eyes remained averted as he sipped his tea but her gaze bore into the side of his head as she answered her aunt, 'That is something that we are both working on.'

His knee nudged hers again but this time a hand slipped underneath the table to grasp at hers with a squeeze. Stace smiled, seemingly mollified for the time being, and moved on to other discussions. When they had eaten their fill, it was Karigan who delicately broached the subject and addressed all of her aunts, 'Where is my father today?'

Their faces could not conceal the slight tinge of unease that the question provoked, and they looked to the eldest to provide the answer. Stace hesitated before speaking, her eyes glued to the smooth polished surface of the table, 'Your father has been out for most of the day, as he is most days, and we have not had word yet of when he expects to return tonight. He usually sends Sevano.'

Karigan frowned, 'And he does not speak of where he goes?'

'It is not our place to ask,' Gretta answered for her sister quietly.

Both of Karigan's eyebrows rose, the answer seemingly out of place for the larger than life women who have never shied away from badgering their younger brother. She glanced to her husband, who had been watching their expressions with a shrewd gaze. He pursed his lips and turned to look aside at Karigan, subtly lifting his shoulders and one brow as if to ask permission. Karigan gave a minute nod and returned her gaze to the table, while Zachary took a breath and addressed them in an even voice, 'It had come to my attention, while in D'Yer, that Corsa had been experiencing a series of abnormal events that had started even before Karigan and I wed months before today. In order to make effective decisions, I need to be in possession of all the relevant facts before I act. Are you absolutely certain, even without the input of your brother, that you know something but are unwilling to share that knowledge with your king and queen?'

Stace, uncharacteristically, squirmed in her chair as she sat more erect in her defense, 'If we share anything that we know, we shall do so with Stevic in attendance,' her face coloring as she returned the king's hard gaze. He gave a slow nod, his eyes conveying a subtle message to the Weapons before he turned his head to Karigan, 'Perhaps it is time for us to retire until dinner?'

Karigan gave a tight lipped smile in agreement and rose to accept a few close hugs from her aunts before Stace led the pair to Karigan's old room. The older woman allowed a small genuine smile to grace her face as she opened the door, 'We redecorated a bit and added some different furniture in case the two of you ever visited.'

They entered the cozy space that had been painted a cheery pale yellow to allow the light from the window to fill the space pleasantly. Her smaller bed from her childhood had been replaced with an impressive four poster cherry wood bed that could have easily accommodated a family of seven or eight. Several bright rugs covered the polished wooden floors, and a few pelts lined the space around the blazing fireplace.

Stace gave them both an affectionate kiss on the check, 'I've assigned one of the house maids to see to your needs, my dear. Your Weapons will be placed in guest quarters nearby. And do not worry; you shall remain undisturbed until I send word when dinner is ready.'

With that, she left them in peace as she closed the door quietly behind her. Karigan reached out to stroke the silk counterpane on the bed, 'I imagine you didn't really want to rest before dinner.'

Zachary gave a rueful smile and shook his head, 'No, not really.'

She asked quietly, 'What will you do?'

'I'm planning on taking Fastion and looking for your father at the dock offices,' he replied tentatively, watching her countenance for signs of disagreement. But she remained passive as she responded calmly, 'A good idea for just the two of you to go. Considering how well known my face is around the warehouses and docks.'

Only mildly surprised, he walked forward and drew her into a light embrace, pressing a kiss to her brow, 'I shouldn't be long.'

Karigan scoffed, 'We'll see. You be careful and watch your back.'

Zachary frowned lightly but offered an arched eyebrow in mock horror, 'Isn't Corsa a law-abiding city?'

She shrugged, 'Mostly but you are an easy target with this uniform on,' she punctuated with a index finger in his chest, bringing it up to flick at his nose before turning to walk towards her bookshelf with the familiar worn volumes. Idly, her eyes wandered over the titles but she felt his presence settle behind her as he spoke lowly, 'I am following an instinct right now, but if something should go wrong-,'

'I'll return to Sacor City,' she finished for him softly.

'Thank you,' he whispered, holding her against him for a brief moment before releasing her and vacating the room quickly. She exhaled slowly, ignoring the pinprick of tears and concentrating her gaze out the double paned glass window of her room.

Rather irrational, she mused to herself as she rubbed her arms slowly, ruminating over the effect her marriage had upon her emotions and thought processes. It was not as if he did not have rather effective protection in the form of Fastion, who would shadow his every move as they went into the city.

Sniffing disdainfully at her faint reflection in the glass, she left the room in search for her boots and coat, intent on spending some time with Condor to dispel the uneasiness that had settled into the pit of her stomach now that they had finally arrived in L'Petrie to lay rest to the troublesome rumors.

It was several hours later that Karigan tramped into the house from the stables with her saddlebags slung over her shoulder, earning a baleful look from Cook, who pointedly stared at the muddy boots. Karigan offered a conciliatory smile and hastily tugged the offending boots off to carry to her room while sharing a covert grin with Brienne.

Brienne had been in her company for the entirety of the time she had spent with her mount, becoming more comfortable in her presence as they managed a friendly conversation about Karigan's childhood in the city. It went a long ways in easing Karigan's mind as they laughed over her memories of being presented to the sons of the other merchants and her aunts' persistence in trying to curb her unladylike ways.

The two continued to their rooms in relative silence, Brienne promising to post herself outside the door after she had changed as she offered her charge a small wave. Karigan sighed and opened the handle of her door, shuffling in slowly with her mind turned towards the promise of a hot bath.

The maid in question that had been assigned had seemingly anticipated her needs, directing the kitchen hands who brought up kettles of steaming water to her old dressing room that adjoined the bed chamber. Karigan smiled at her gratefully and dropped her saddlebags by her desk, shrugging off her cloak and coat. Wiping her nose on her pilfered handkerchief from Zachary, she winced at the rawness of her skin on her face and the stuffy feeling that enveloped her head.

Tsking, the maid came forth to take the muddied items, draping them over her arm as she gently ushered Karigan into the dressing room. The other staff left quickly, leaving the two alone as the maid attempted to peel the sodden clothes off Karigan's unprotesting body. Grimacing, the maid gingerly picked up the clothes and tossed them in a waiting wicker basket. Turning back to the young queen who swayed on her feet, the maid gave her a sympathetic gaze as she assisted Karigan into the large tub. She had begun to accustom herself to the fussiness of the staff and allowed herself to be led about, especially on days like that one.

Karigan sank into the fragrant water, her eyes closed in bliss as she leaned back. The maid took up a small stool nearby and began to wash her mistress's long hair, muttering as she would find small twigs and leaves within the thick tresses. Karigan's eyes never opened as she allowed the maid to work, tiredly lifting her arms when prompted, and smelling the scent of the herbal soap that was worked into her skin.

A voice spoke into the relative quietness of the chamber, 'That will be all, would you leave us for the time being?'

Karigan's eyes flew open and her head whipped around to see Zachary leaning against the doorframe, dressed casually for the evening, with a gentle smile reserved for her.

The maid stood and bobbed a curtsey, beating a hasty retreat out the door with the basket of dirty clothing in hand. Zachary watched her go, ensuring the door latched before turning his attention back to his wife.

She beamed at him, 'You made it. I had thought you'd be delayed at least a few more hours!'

The corners of his eyes crinkled, 'Fastion and I moved quickly enough through the city, especially when we mentioned that there was an urgent message for Stevic G'ladheon from the king.'

Karigan grinned, her chin resting on her forearms that were perched on the rim of the tub. 'What news do you have?'

Zachary's smile wavered a moment, 'Your father was initially surprised to see me but took me aside from his peers to speak to me, it seems that my dispatches went awry as soon as they were delivered, for although I know that Fergal is a young Rider, he is no longer as careless nor irresponsible. Your father fears that there are traitors here in Corsa, even within the clan, who are trying to orchestrate an invasion.' With a glance down at his clasped hands, he continued, 'There have been a few small strange vessels seen on the open water, away from the shoreline ice, but no one has gotten close enough to positively identify who they are. Potentially they could just be scouts, surveying the activity in the harbor.'

Her troubled expression betrayed her anxiety, as her gaze turned down to the floor, and her brow furrowed. He crossed the distance between them and knelt, taking one of her damp hands in his, 'It was not as bad as it could have been, we still have time before something happens, the ice needs to melt,' he said gently, placing a kiss on her palm.

Karigan gave him a sad smile but said nothing. It seemed this is how they may start every day, with news of death and destruction, of soldiers and Riders who would never return home to their families and everyday lives. It almost made her feel that she was not doing enough, as a subject, a Rider, or as a Queen. It was something he still had to remind her of in the quiet moments they shared on their journey, that the mantle of responsibility was heavy and required the consideration of a larger picture. Those in service knew what was expected of them, and they gladly performed their duties for their country, fighting honorably for their home. Each casualty report, though, would still weigh heavily on both members of the royal couple as the war began in earnest.

Zachary's fingers stroked the skin across her knuckle as he settled into a more comfortable sitting position next to the tub. Peering into the cloudy water, he chuckled, 'Did you hit every mud puddle on the way here?'

She removed her hand from his grasp and stuck her tongue out, 'And if I did? I'm nice and clean now.'

His eyes zeroed in on her neck and small ears, 'You seemed to have missed a few spots. How on earth did you get mud in your earlobes?'

Karigan's hands flew up to flutter around her face, 'I don't have mud in my ears!'

He stood up, his eyes still on the offending mark, and reached out with one finger to swipe at her delicate ear, presenting it to her with a flourish. 'Do so.'

She scowled and swatted the hand away, settling back in the tub with a huff. A few moments later, she felt him settle behind her, and an arm with a rolled up sleeve plunged a sponge into the water. She drew her knees to her chest and stared incredulously over her shoulder, 'What are you doing?'

Zachary stared back at her with his brow arched, 'You clearly can't wash yourself, love, so I'm going to give you a hand.'

Karigan tightened her arms around her knees and gaped at him. He laughed at her expression and picked up the bar of soap, 'Nothing in that tub that I haven't seen before, you've made sure of that,' he said cheekily.

Her eyes glared at him, 'You are singing a different tune than you have these past few weeks.'

He shrugged, 'Perhaps I saw the error of my ways.'

'Perhaps you changed your mind when you saw your wet naked wife in the tub,' she replied sarcastically, wrinkling her nose and looking away.

'Something like that,' he said absentmindedly, his eyes peering around her head with interest. 'You look a bit like a creature from the lagoon with these spots on your neck; your maid must have taken one challenge at a time and started with your hair.'

Karigan opened her mouth, slightly appalled but the washcloth he had grabbed descended around her neck and moved up to scrub at her face. She closed her mouth abruptly and gasped as he passed it over her face, scowling expressively at his suppressed mirth as he wrung out the cloth and draped it over the edge of the tub. He let his eyes wander across her skin suggestively, and it had the desired effect, for she turned red once more and looked away.

After getting a good lather on a procured sponge, he vigorously applied himself to scrubbing, ignoring the slight yelps as he worked quickly, his arm snaking around to wash her front and lower body. The muscle in her shoulders would tense when the slightly rough sponge would pass over the skin of her back, and she held herself slightly rigid when his hand came around to wash her chest and stomach. His hand paused momentarily before going below the water line and brushing against her center intimately. A soft sigh issued from her throat and her body melted against his, her head falling back on his shoulder and soaking the linen of his shirt. From this position, he was easily able to slide his hand slowly down her inner thigh, coming around to the top of her knee, and repeating the same actions for the other leg. Although initially flustered, she gradually relaxed and allowed him to finish, but she kept her blushing face hidden.

Zachary finished and tossed the sponge in the tub, his eyes taking in the suds that covered her body. Grinning mischievously, he deposited a handful of soapy bubbles on top of her head, jumping back when she sputtered and swiped behind her.

Laughing, he stood up and surveyed his handiwork, ducking when she threw his sponge at his head. Karigan scowled for a few moments longer but was relieved to see the lightheartedness in him, after seeing his expression solemn for so long. Grabbing another sponge from the wire side basket on the tub, she glanced up at him, "Are you going to stand there or are you going to help me get the suds off?"

Zachary smiled in response and took the water laden sponge from her. He knelt back behind the tub and slowly squeezed the water out, allowing the steady stream to trickle down her back. His free hand reached out to gently trace the light scar across her shoulder, leaning forward to place a butterfly kiss on the raised mark. 'Where did you get this again?'

Karigan craned her head back, 'I think that one was from Blackveil, just a scratch that I paid no mind to,' she shrugged absentmindedly, a pleasing sort of shiver racing up her spine from his touch.

His fingers traced upwards, almost tangling in her hair as he found a pink mark on the side of her neck. 'And this?'

Karigan snorted, 'You don't remember that one? That was a training session we both participated in. Drent had us run in a hailstorm, said it was "good motivation".'

Zachary winced in memory and planted another small kiss upon her skin, his nose brushing against the shell of her ear as he settled back.

He soaked the sponge again and, without moving from behind her otherwise smooth back, rinsed the suds from her hidden front. 'I don't see any more mud, but I can do a more thorough investigation if you like.'

Karigan chuckled and held out a hand for her towel. He stood up and shook out the towel that lay folded nearby, offering her a steady hand to exit the tub. With a hesitant glance at him, she rose quickly, the water streaming in rivulets down her body. Her skin was rosy from the hot bath and steam rose off in tendrils from her limbs. He smiled softly in reassurance, resolutely keeping his gaze on her face.

Reaching out to grasp his hand, she had forgotten what kind of dizzying effect standing quickly had on slightly congested sinuses. And promptly fell forward into his open arms, sneezing violently into the towel.

Zachary bit his lip, trying to keep himself from laughing yet again, and wrapped the towel around her firmly. While he rubbed the folds over her face, she blinked blearily and lifted her arms out to fasten the soft fabric more securely around her.

He wrapped his arms around her waist to study her, his eyes skimming over her features, 'Ready for bed?'

She leaned forward against him, 'Ready for a nap anyways, I still have yet to eat dinner. I ignored the gong and wanted to wait for you.'

'Nap it is. Dinner trays in our room,' he amended.

Karigan smiled contentedly, disentangling herself from his embrace and tugging his hand towards the open bed. She picked up the night shift that had been placed at the foot and shimmied into it, dropping the towel on the ground. He grinned when he was treated to the sight of her bare legs, before she was able to pull the hem down past her knees. Made of a light flannel, appropriate for winter, the straps hung slightly off her shoulders and the bodice was loose fitting.

Zachary pulled his own boots off, climbing into the bed next to an already dozing Karigan, who slept facing the wall. He scooted closer, until he was parallel with her body and fitted his own behind her, slipping an arm under her head and draping the other loosely across her hip. She sighed in her sleep, moving back unconsciously to share his heat.

He placed a soft kiss behind her ear and whispered his love, earning him a soft drowsy murmur in reciprocation. Both fell into a comfortable sleep with smiles on their faces.

Fastion knocked quietly, and upon hearing no answer, tentatively cracked the door open to peek inside. With a small groan, he spotted the clothed couple sleeping on top of the counterpane. Brienne snaked her head into the doorframe and whispered, 'What's wrong?'

'They are spooning fully clothed, thats what's wrong,' he responded tartly.

The queen stirred and they both froze. A small pout appeared on her face as she absently reached for the hand that rested on her hip, drawing it around her waist and burrowing her face back into the pillow.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Brienne pulled on Fastion's sleeve, 'Can you blame them? You've had your look, they are both fine, now let's go.'

Fastion scowled, backing out slowly with his hand on the latch, 'At this rate, they'll never have an heir.'

It was a light shiver that woke Zachary up. He raised his slitted eyes to inspect the slightly darkened room, indicating that they had ventured into late afternoon.

The fire had burned down to embers and the room had turned slightly chilly. Karigan groaned with the slight shifting of the mattress and flipped over to burrow her cold nose into his chest. He smiled and brushed her hair out of her eyes, but looked up to frown at the fireplace. With a glance out the window, he could tell that they had slept past dinner time, for the sun was beginning to set. With no small amount of regret, he leaned forward to pull a blanket from the foot of the bed and covered Karigan tenderly, carefully inching his way off the plush mattress.

She rolled into the impression his body had left and curled up, tucking her chin down to her chest. After making sure she was adequately warm, he padded over to the fireplace, absentmindedly ruffling his cropped hair. He gingerly picked several pieces of firewood that had been stacked in a tidy heap nearby, his eyes glancing up at the bed every few moments, and placed them on the embers, adding some kindling to the pile.

Sitting back down with his arms placed on his knees, he watched as the fire grew back after a few minutes. He didn't know how long he sat, idly stabbing at the blaze with the poker, but he started to feel the effects of sitting on a hard wooden floor.

A warm body pressed up against his back, and Karigan's smooth arms encircled his neck as she leaned into him with a light kiss on his neck. As she stared at the flames, she whispered, 'Why are you on the floor instead of in bed?'

He reached up with one hand to draw her around and settle her in his lap, wrapping his arms around her, 'I didn't want to wake you.'

Karigan smiled and reached up to stroke his cheek, 'I've shared a bed, or a pile of hay, with you now for several weeks, so I don't think I'd be able to find a wink of sleep without you.'

He leaned into the touch and closed his eyes, relishing the intimacy that they now shared so easily. The tips of her fingers continued to caress the planes of his face, passing over his eyelids, nose, and lips.

Knowing how ticklish she was, he playfully nipped at her, drawing a small squeal as she tried to lurch away, but was held fast by his firm grip. The shift rucked up around her thighs and the thin strap on her left shoulder was slipping down over her upper arm at an alarming rate, but Zachary would not relent, resorting to leaving wet, sloppy kisses on her face and neck.

She threw her weight into his chest and knocked them both back, with her sprawled out on top of him, limbs akimbo.

Zachary's arms latched around her waist and he held on stubbornly, looking up at the ceiling, 'Still can't get away.'

Karigan straightened her legs and looked up at him with narrowed eyes. With a purr in her throat and a smile, she whispered, 'I could if I really wanted to.'

The husky words shot right to his groin, and his head snapped down to look at her wide eyes. Moving slowly, she slithered up the length of his body, and brought herself to his eye level.

Zachary gulped but still held on, 'But could you follow through?'

Her smile faltered and she looked away, a faint blush creeping into her cheeks. Slightly chagrined for making her uncomfortable in the first place, he brought her chin back up and looked into her eyes, 'I'm sorry, Kari. I didn't mean to imply anything.'

She played with the ties of his shirt, 'What if I don't want to wait anymore? '

'You think we could handle the implications of such a night? You seem to be unsure of what you want,' he teased her gently.

Karigan bristled, 'What I mean is if we conceived, I would not risk our baby. Did I not promise I would perform my Rider duties from the castle?'

He released one arm to stroke the hair that cascaded around her shoulders and unto his chest, 'You did. Would you keep that promise? I don't think it would be long before it occurred,' he admitted with a slight gleam in his eye.

She bit her lip and flushed, but nodded solemnly, 'I would be careful.'

Zachary stared at her in concern; his fingers still tangled in her locks, then gave her a measured smile in assent. 'We let it happen then.'

Karigan smiled shyly and carefully removed herself from the floor, offering her hand and looking at him expectantly. He grasped it but still used his own strength to haul himself up, wincing from the slight abrasion on his back. She must have seen his discomfort, for she frowned, peering around his torso to bunch up his shirt. With a gasp, she pulled at the fabric and tugged it over his head to inspect the increasing discoloration.

Zachary drew in a breath when he felt her fingers trace the bruised flesh, 'From the impact of hitting the ground, I might have been thrown from my horse a few days ago, you were too far behind to see,' he gave a small embarrassed chuckle.

Karigan made a small noise of sympathy, leaning forward to place a small chaste kiss on the skin. Her eyes strayed over to what appeared to be a new series of cuts and bruises that wrapped around his ribs. With her voice betraying her concern, she gently touched the skin around the injury, 'You didn't tell me about these.'

He winced, 'I didn't want to worry you.'

'How did they happen?'

He angled his head to look at her, the guilt evident on his face as be bit his lip. She pursed her own lips, 'Zachary . . .'

He looked forward, slightly abashed, 'I may have gotten in a fight at the docks,' he muttered quietly.

Karigan's eyes widened as she struggled to find words, 'And you've not seen a mender in town?'

'He has already taken a look, Fastion made me go,' Zachary admitted.

She shook her head slightly, letting her hair fall forward to cover the sheen of tears in her eyes. She knew all too well how the city and its merchant class regarded the king and his messengers. He luckily had Fastion with him to make a quick escape, but dock workers were dangerous, without scruples, and constantly looking for trouble in their idleness.

Zachary pulled at her wrist, drawing her around him to place both hands on her bare shoulders, and pressing a kiss to her forehead, 'Just some bruises, love. I am in one piece.'

She pressed her nose into the hollow at the base of his throat, mumbling almost incoherently, 'This time around . . .'

He laughed, despite himself, and drew her into a close embrace, dropping his head to place butterfly kisses at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. She wiggled happily against him and murmured, 'More' breathily against his skin.

Zachary froze for a brief moment, that innocent little whisper stirring his libido, but maintained his composure as he allowed his lips to travel up the side of her neck. His hand came up from her waist to brush aside her hair as he reached her delicate ears. The kisses stayed chaste but his thoughts were anything but as he unconsciously pressed his hips to hers.

With his breath hot in her ear, she opened her eyes and released a pent up sigh, her fingers traveling across his chest in a light caress. The fingers danced upwards to tangle in his hair, holding his head down to hers as she sought to find his lips.

He trailed his mouth across her high cheekbone and tilted her chin to meet her request, the arm around her waist tightening. They had progressed to this point before, but he would always disentangle himself before he lost his self-control.

Making a conscious decision, he caressed her lips with his tongue, encouraging her to open up to him. She did so after a brief moment, her own tongue darting out to run along the seam of his lower lip.

That measured self-control shattered as he let out a low growl, plundering her mouth as he lifted her up against his straining body. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hung on for dear life, gasping against his mouth as he rocked against her center. All too soon, he ceased movement and took a gulp of air.

Zachary released her, sliding her down and resting his forehead against hers, 'Too fast,' he whispered.

Karigan leaned back and shook her head vehemently, 'I wasn't complaining, and neither were you actually.'

He took her face in his hands, 'I do not want to rush this and I want to make sure you are not uncomfortable.'

She gave him an unconvinced expression, arching a brow, 'If I am, I will certainly let you know,' she responded crisply. Her hands ran down his chest and abdomen, her fingers running along the top edge of his trousers. He caught her wandering hands and whispered, 'I will hold you to that, so you will set the pace tonight.'

ABORT, ABORT

Karigan lifted her eyes to look into his, noticing that his dark pupils had expanded, almost blotting out the amber irises in his desire. She bit her lip and smiled shyly, her head looking back down to tentatively reach towards his trousers again, taking up the fastenings. Her eyes followed the light trail of golden hairs that led down his stomach and disappeared into his pants.

Curious and apprehensive, her fingers faltered with the buttons as she attempted to loosen the straining fabric. His hands covered hers once more, assisting with the slipping of the button from each slit. She reached out to stroke the muscled expanse of skin that ran down from his navel, her eyes straying to the bulge that protruded from his small clothes. His fists clenched at his sides but he stood still as she continued her perusal, lighting touching the white lines of scars that ran across a narrow hip. She looked up at him, a question in her eyes.

His countenance hardened, 'Amilton,' was all he would say. Karigan bent and trailed a line of kisses over the slightly puckered skin, grasping both hips in her hands. A rough exclamation was issued from Zachary and he threw his head back, closing his eyes.

She straightened and resumed her task in undressing him, slowly working the trousers and small clothes together off his hips. Zachary grasped her hands, before she completely undid him, and moved her away, his eyes glued to hers as he slipped off the rest of his clothing.

Standing before her in the flickering firelight, he carefully gauged her reaction as her eyes razed over his exposed body, her mouth slightly parted. He saw no fear, but a keen desire in her azure gaze as she crept forward.

She felt as if she might expire standing where she was, for although she was aware of the male form, she was altogether taken back by the sight before her. His skin was a smooth gold, a darker tan covering his torso that was overlaid with a sprinkling of gold hairs over his chest. His body had filled out since his attempted assassination, showing his powerful physique that bespoke of an easy prowling grace. Karigan's eyes traveled down, past the narrow hips, to the juncture of his muscled thighs.

Almost without thinking, she stepped forward and trailed a hand down the graze the tip, gasping when it moved in response, and spinning to hide her face in embarrassment. With both hands covering her face as she trembled, she felt his arms wrap around her waist. She made a strangled noise and tried to pull away but he buried his face in her hair, pressing a kiss into her locks, 'Shh. I didn't mind. I quite enjoyed it, actually.'

His hand splayed against her stomach and the other hand stroked her bare arm soothingly. She still felt his hardness pressed against her lower back, and the heat blossomed in her belly as she grasped at the hand that was only a thin layer away from touching bare skin.

Karigan peeked out from her curtain of hair, looking over her shoulder still with a measure of unease. He placed a sweet kiss on her nose, 'We can stop.'

She shook her head, turning in his arms to raise herself on her toes and press against him, wordlessly conveying her need. He smiled and traced the bumps of her spine through the night shift, skimming his hands over the slight flare of her hips before gently grasping the folds of the gown in his hands, looking into her eyes for approval.

Karigan nodded slightly, stepping back and raising her arms for him to pull the garment over her head. Zachary lifted it slowly, revealing inch by inch of soft skin, and dropped the fabric soundlessly to the ground. Hungrily, he gazed upon her form, reaching out to tangle his hands in the mane that fell to her waist. Bringing her head to his, he locked his mouth with hers, wrapping an arm around her waist to feel the silkiness of her skin.

Foreign sounds began to issue from the back of her throat; whimpers and sighs that seemed to spurn him on, leading him to reach down and place both hands on her bottom, hoisting her up. Instinctively she wrapped her legs around his waist, her mouth never leaving his as their tongues twined in a well-known dance.

Karigan felt a slightly familiar wetness between her legs and strained to rub herself against his arousal that she could feel grazing her upper thighs.

He groaned audibly and turned with her in his arms, depositing her on the bed. Climbing in to lie on his side next to her, he ran a finger lightly down the hollow of her throat, his eyes boring into hers as his hand brushed down between her breasts, toying with her navel before slipping between her thighs. Leaning forward, he caught the tip of one breast in his mouth, drawing the bud to attention. Karigan arched her back off the bed with a wordless cry, her hand clutching at his shoulder. She whimpered and moved against his hand, desperately trying to increase the friction. He increased the speed of his fingers, allowing the tension in her to rise and build.

Something hot coiled within her, a need that her body craved as she sought her release from the intense pleasure. All too soon, he removed his hand, his eyes trained on her flushed face as he rolled her over on top of him. She trembled as she lay against his chest, opening her eyes to stare in wonder at her husband.

Zachary caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers, drawing both hands down to grasp her hips and lift her up. She wiggled, feeling the unfulfilled ache in her body as he positioned her above him, gazing at her intently.

Her breathing hot and heavy, she grasped him and slowly lowered herself, only slightly wincing from the initial entry. He closed his eyes as her heat enveloped him, praying for self control as she slowly adjusted, taking in his entire length. She bit her lip in slight discomfort, leaning forward to cuddle his chest, but still feeling a strange satisfaction in her lower regions. He held her, whispering words of love and comfort as he planted soft kisses over her cheekbones.

Karigan rolled her hips experimentally, sending a jolt of heat up her spine, and bringing forth a small cry from Zachary. Sitting back up, she leaned back and began to move slowly, throwing her head back when that wonderful feeling began to build again. He gasped in pleasure and helped her to find a rhythm, his hands grasping her hips and pushing his lower body upwards to plunge deeper.

She cried out, rolling her head to the side as she rode him faster, bringing his hands up to skin across her skin. He cupped a breast, tracing his hand down to press against her abdomen while his other hand located the small nub between her legs, rubbing in small quick circles.

Karigan's expression took on a wild look as she crested, crying out his name as she fell over the precipice, her body tensing and contracting. He clenched his teeth to prevent himself from spilling early, letting her ride out her pleasure. When she went limp in sated contentment, he reached up and brought her down to his chest, smoothing the hair from her brow.

She looked up in slight dazed confusion, 'Were you supposed to . . .?'

Zachary placed a finger on her lips, kissing her forehead tenderly. Gently, he turned her onto her back, moving her legs apart and slipping back inside. He lay there for several minutes, murmuring endearments against her throat and stroking her hair.

After a few minutes, he lifted his head and gazed down at the rosy cheeks of his wife as she looked up at him with heavy lidded eyes. Her arms were thrown over her head as she regarded him with an expression of absolute bliss. Smiling, Zachary leaned into kiss her slightly bruised mouth, pulling his hips back and pressing forward slowly. A breathy sigh left her as she felt him brush against her still sensitive center. He braced himself on his elbows and continued in his ministrations, tracing her lips with his tongue as his pace increased.

Zachary reached down to grasp a smooth thigh, hitching her leg over his hip as he stroked a steady rhythm in and out. She arched against him, urging him to go faster as she clutched at the straining muscles of his lower back. He broke away from her mouth with a shudder, burying his face in her neck as he pumped harder.

Karigan felt the stirrings of heat build again in her belly, her muscles tensing as she moaned. Another husky moan of rapture was released as the powerful spasms raced through her and overwhelmed her senses completely. Zachary felt her let go and bucked against her, his own hoarse cry muffled against her neck.

The both breathed heavily as he rocked, allowing them both to ride out the last vestiges of pleasure. Brushing his lips over her closed eyelids, he rested his weight on his forearms, feeling a deep and satisfied contentment, grinning weakly at Karigan and earning a radiant smile in return.

He rolled off, pulling her into the crook of his arm to rest against his side, his hand coming up to trace her sleepy features that glowed incandescently. She curled into his side, throwing one leg over his, as she lightly yawned in exhaustion.

Zachary pulled the counterpane up to cover their cooling bodies, and tucked her head under his chin, idly stroking her back as they fell into a light doze.

His eyes popped open when he remembered the time, reaching for the side of the bed to yank a cord. She murmured against skin, 'What are you doing?'

He pressed a kiss to her hair, 'Calling for dinner.'

CLEAR

She groaned and pressed her face back into his side, 'They'll know.'

Zachary angled his head to look at her, 'Who will know?'

Karigan waved a hand carelessly, 'Fastion, Brienne, the staff, my aunts . . .'

He gave a low laugh, 'Most have already assumed we consummated the marriage, and as for Fastion and Brienne? You know they'd never say a word.'

She turned her gaze to look up at him, 'But they might have heard.'

His eyes twinkled, 'Good, and if they haven't, we can always have a repeat performance later for good effect.'

Karigan sputtered and looked at him incredulously but he laughed aloud happily, cuddling her closer and finally feeling a sense of completeness that had evaded them since the night of their wedding.

Outside, Brienne and Fastion could not keep their own grins from their faces as they sat awkwardly in their seats, completely intent on not looking at the other but sharing in a general feeling of relief and happiness for their charges.

Done for now, it may be a few before I can update again. I will be working heavily these next four days but I will try to formulate a good outline for the next chapter.

If the chapter offended you, all I can say is that you were warned accordingly and you are big boys/girls, you have the willpower to not read.