Author's Note: Thank you, CrimsonDestroyer, risingzero2001, aliciathewolf45, aqua9597, and Captain for your reviews. I've noticed I've been getting some comments and PM's about how much people are enjoying the AmyxCordovan interaction. I'm glad you guys are enjoying it, even I myself enjoyed seeing the two together when writing it and I'm a huge Shadamy fan, haha. Don't worry other readers who may not be a fan of Cordovan, this is a Shadamy story for a reason!

•~•

Three days later, guards removed the frozen bodies outside in the courtyard. Plenty had perished during the cold nights, and they were required to be properly disposed of. As Sonic helped the guards move the deceased bodies, two males, Arthur, a brown squirrel, and Samson, a raccoon, made their way over to the King's deputy. "Ahem?"

The blue hedgehog spun around and was surprised by the sight. "Arthur," Sonic addressed. "And Samson? What brings you two here?"

"After hearing about the attack on the castle, the Freedom council wanted us to get a look at the severity of the kingdom," Arthur answered.

"My brother has been handling the aftermath fairly well," Sonic explained. "I think we have it covered."

"What about the young prince from Knothole, has he been detained and questioned?" Samson inquired.

"Prince Cordovan?" Sonic repeated. "Why would he be?"

Arthur crossed his arms over his chest and raised a brow. "Because according to the report, he was the one who brought this attack on the castle!"

Seeing this was more than he could handle, Sonic felt it was best to bring this to Shadow to handle. "You know what," Sonic started. "I'll take you to my brother and he can discuss this further with you."

"Lead the way, then," Samson ordered.

•~•

At that same time in another part of the castle, Amy sat on her windowsill in her bedroom with her nose in a book. A soft knock on her door pried her eyes from the pages and she looked to her bedroom door. "You may come in," she responded. The door opened and Shadow walked inside carrying a bundle of logs. "Pardon my entrance, but the castle is freezing and as I suspected, your hearth's gone cold," he said gesturing towards the fireplace. He walked over and knelt down, placing the logs on the floor. "I'll only be a moment," he promised.

Amy watched him with a blank expression seeing exactly what he was trying to do. "How long are you going to keep playing this game?"

Shadow used the iron rod by the fireplace to poke at the wood inside the fireplace. "I don't understand what you're talking about," he replied with feigned ignorance.

"I told you that we would lead separate lives," she reminded. "And yet, every day, you come here with something to keep me more comfortable." Shadow kept his eyes on the fire, placing a log or two into it as he listened to her catch onto his methods. "You don't say anything, but I can feel you pressing me to talk."

He stood back upright, dusting off his hands. "You're wrong. I don't expect you to talk to me or do anything you don't wish to do."

She stared at him for a long moment, scrutinizing his response before brushing it off. "I was thinking it might be good to get away from the castle for awhile—away from the memories."

Shadow gave a soft smile at the thought. "That sounds like a fantastic idea." He took a few steps in her direction. "I'll come with you to make sure you're safe."

"I'd prefer to go alone," she quickly retorted making his smile fade. "Don't you see, Shadow? If we go together, it will only give you hope. Hope, that things will return to the way they were," she explained.

He shook his head sadly. "I don't have hope. I know that I'm a constant reminder of what happened." He walked back over to her bedroom door, stopping just in front of it. "I'll send additional guards to accompany you." He bowed his head respectively before departing.

•~•

A few minutes later in Rouge's bedroom, Amy met with Cream and Rouge to offer her proposal. "You want us to join you, then?" Cream smiled

"Yes, I would love for both of you to attend my holiday. I could use the getaway, but I want some distraction, and you two are my best friends. My servants have already started packing and we'll leave by tonight."

Cream clapped her hands in excitement. "I can't wait, I'll go fetch my servants to start the packing process. Amy and Rouge watched as Cream hurried out of the room, leaving them alone.

"And what about you, Rouge? You've been awfully quiet," Amy noted.

"I think I might have to skip out on this adventure sadly," she answered.

"Why?"

She leaned back into the sofa. "To be honest, I'm just not feeling very well."

Amy sagged at her comment. "Oh, I'm sorry. Perhaps you should see the physician then, I don't want you getting sick!"

Rouge nodded in agreement. "Yes, I'll do just that, but right now I really want to get a couple more hours of sleep, I didn't get much last night. I was tossing and turning all night."

Amy stood from her seat. "I'll leave you to it then." She walked over to her bedroom door just as Rouge climbed into her own bed. "Feel better, Rouge. I'll make sure to have you looked at."

Rouge pulled the covers over her and laid her head on the pillow. "Thank you, Amy."

•~•

In the throne room, Shadow was called to meet to meet the Freedom Council representatives, Arthur and Samson. The two representatives made their case on imprisoning Prince Cordovan, but Shadow wasn't as certain on their proposal. "Prince Cordovan has been a loyal ally and patriot to the crown. I struggle to see him as dangerous," Shadow argued after hearing their plea.

At that same time, Amy was making her way to the throne when she overheard some of the conversation. Discreetly, she stood by the open door, keeping out of sight to eavesdrop on the discussion.

Arthur sighed in frustration. "I understand your reluctance, your highness, but he is the one who brought the enemy into your home. The Freedom council sent us here to come and retrieve him so he can be tried and held accountable for this violent attack on the castle."

"What do you plan to do to him?" Shadow questioned curiously.

"If we find him guilty he will be hanged," Samson answered.

Amy's ears dropped by the thought. Quietly, she made her way down the hall. She had to get to Cordovan and warn him before it was too late.

•~•

As Amy made her way down the hall, Cream spotted her from the other end. "Amy! I'm all packed and ready to accompany you on your vacation," she waved.

"Good, but I hope you don't mind because we'll be making a small pit stop along the way."

"That's fine with me," Cream smiled. "I just want to make sure you have a good time."

They turned a corner and found Tails at the other end. "Tails," Amy called getting his attention. The kitsune made his way towards her.

"Yes, your highness?" he bowed.

"I need a carriage at once," she ordered.

"Oh, that's right. Shadow told me you wanted to get away from the castle, and as the new Captain of the Royal Escort, I will provide you to your destination."

"Very well, let's get moving then."

•~•

After getting the carriage, Amy got to Cordovan's estate to fill him in on what she had overheard. Amy watched as Cordovan frantically walked back and forth all over his bedroom, gathering belongings to pack. "I knew this would happen eventually," he grumbled.

Amy watched as he reached for his sword, placing it on his back. "I won't let anything happen to you," Amy promised. "You'll travel in my carriage along with Cream and me."

"And where exactly am I suppose to go?" he questioned anxiously.

She tapped her chin. "If only we could get you back to the Knothole kingdom, but the docks will be crawling with guards."

"My brother is not in Knothole at the moment, he's at an estate a day's ride south from here. It belongs to one of his friends—he winters there often."

"If we can get you there, you can travel to Knothole under his protection," she theorized.

Out of nowhere, they heard a loud pounding on the door. Both Amy and Cordovan looked to the door in a panic. "Prince Cordovan, by word of the Freedom Council, we demand you open up!" a voice dictated.

Amy moved around him towards the back window. "Quick to my carriage," she said in a hushed voice. "It's in the alley out of sight." She opened the windows up and got up on a chair hopping out. Cordovan took one last look at his living room before following her out.

•~•

That night, Prince Cordovan, Amy, Tails, and Cream arrived at Antoine's estate. They entered the large dining room area where King Antoine was already in the middle of a banquet full of noblewoman and nobleman. The king turned away from a conversation he was having as he spotted his brother and Amy walk in. "Brother, what a delightful surprise!" Antoine smiled as he approached the two. He walked over to Amy and bowed his head in respect. "Queen Amy, it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. Cordovan speaks very highly of you."

Amy gave a small bow of the head in return. "King Antoine, I apologize for us dropping in on you announced-"

"—Nonsense, you two are always welcome to my abode," he chuckled. "In fact, you'll grant us the privilege of being our guest of honor."

Cordovan cringed at the thought, especially with Amy's current situation she was still getting over. "Oh, we wouldn't want to delay the queen, Antoine," Cordovan insisted.

"He's right, I was planning on continuing my journey anyway," Amy smiled sheepishly.

"Not without a rest for your horses, surely, and perhaps somewhere to sleep for the night?" he offered with a grin.

It was a nice thought. They had been traveling all day to get there and she was a bit hungry and not to mention tired. "…Well," she said hesitantly.

"Oh come, how often do the king of Knothole and the queen of Mercia get to meet? Grace us with your friendship, allow our two nations to share more than just a border."

"Of course, I would be honored," she replied in polite defeat.

"Wonderful! We'll ready you a chamber at once." Antoine looked to Cordovan and patted him on the shoulder. "Cordovan, let's get you settled in, shall we?"

"Oh, yes," he smiled sheepishly. His brother led him further away and pulled him into a corner where his friendly façade suddenly dropped. "I told you, you were supposed to be getting close to Shadow as my eyes and ears, yet you're here absconding with his wife," he scolded quietly. "How exactly do you think he'll respond to that?"

"I didn't have a choice," he answered defensively.

"What possibly could have prevented you from-" Cordovan pulled his shirt collar to the side, revealing the branded mark left on his right shoulder. Antoine stared at the mark in horror before re-meeting his eyes. "…Oh."

"If you're wondering when this occurred, it happened a few months ago," he finished before covering it.

"So why are you and Amy really here then?"

"The Freedom council is looking for me. They believe I am responsible for the attack on the castle. Amy found out and came to my home to warn me. One thing led to another, and we came here where hopefully I can remain protected under you," he explained.

Antoine placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, little brother. I won't let anything happen to you."

•~•

Back in Mobius court, Shadow allowed Sonic into his chambers. "Prince Cordovan was not arrested," Sonic reported.

"I heard," Shadow replied.

"I questioned one of Cordovan's servants, and he said that he escaped in Amy's carriage."

"Amy got him away?" Shadow questioned in surprise. Sonic nodded. "I wonder where she's taking him? She has the heart of a warrior, you know."

Sonic agreed with a nod, looking slightly saddened. "Yes, despite everything that's happened to her…"

Shadow did a double take, as he stared at his brother in disbelief. "You know?" he questioned with uncertainty.

"I figured it out eventually. You seemed so unsettled the day after, and Amy also seemed rattled, almost traumatized," he admitted. "Is Ames all right, though? I've been worried sick about her."

"I don't know," he said softly. He walked away, placing his hand in his pocket. "Every choice I've made has led to what happened."

"They were Finitevus' choices, not yours," Sonic corrected.

"But now that he is out of the picture, it's still Amy that's doing what must be done. It's time that I worked with her. She's fighting this witch hunt and I must too."

"You can't go to war against the Freedom council, you know that."

"There must be some way to at least loosen their grip," he expressed. "When Amy returns I don't want her to see me pretend that I am blind to injustice. I want her to see the king she thought she married," he said with determination.

Sonic smiled as an idea crossed his mind. "I wonder what the Freedom Council would think if one of their own members were found with the mark of the rider on them," Sonic pondered aloud with suggestion.

Shadow caught onto his idea, as he contemplated the thought himself. "That's a very good question, Sonic."

•~•

Back at Antoine's estate, Amy watched a band play music and smiled by the upbeat tone. Guests had gathered on the dance floor, dancing to the music while others socialized in corners of the room. After talking to his brother, Prince Cordovan spotted Amy and joined her by her side. Seeing her looking content with the music, he offered out his hand to ask her to dance, but Amy flinched in response, not wanting to be touched. Cordovan dropped his hand, realizing his mistake. She was still sensitive to a male's touch and presence and knew he had to respect her boundaries. "You shouldn't stay just to be polite, you know. My brother's parties have a tendency to become somewhat scandalous."

Amy turned, giving a coy smirk. "Well, now I'm intrigued."

"No, you don't understand. I really don't think this is the right place for you at the moment," he argued softly.

"You don't think you're exaggerating at all?"

He shook his head. "No, I'm just trying to look at for you." Amy smiled at the thoughtfulness of his concern.

At that same moment, King Antoine rolled around from one of the corners with a goblet of wine in hand. From across the room, he spotted his brother whispering something into Amy's ear causing her to laugh slightly. Seeing this, gave him an idea as he took a large gulp of his wine before he snapped his fingers, gathering everyone's attention. The music died down and the chatter stopped, giving the king the spotlight.

"Thank you all for coming!" He raised his goblet in the air. "A toast to our guest of honor, Queen Amy." He looked in her direction as the rest of the guests landed their eyes on her. "You're radiant like Venus rising from the foam-flecked sea!" Everyone in the room cheered her and smiled. "And tonight for entertainment…I will select one nobleman and one lady to give us a show."

Cordovan cringed once he heard what his brother was planning. "…Oh no," he said as he felt his ears go down in submission.

Amy noticed his distressed expression. "What's wrong?" she whispered. Before Cordovan could explain what was about to take place, his brother continued on his announcement.

"—It is to your benefit to wear your heart on your sleeves tonight, because my game, as always, will be to pair those who share a secret desire for each other," he finished. The crowd continued to ooh and aw in response. "For my first couple, I call upon Lord Lepine," he smiled pointing to a handsome gray wolf. Everyone looked at the grinning canine. "And Lady Marilyn," Antoine finished pointing to a beautiful orange and white feline.

The two chosen guests walked over to a futon and sat down. Curtains were drawn allowing guest to watch as their silhouettes moved in closer and began to kiss. The movements behind the curtains began to get heated, as their bodies got close and lowered out of sight. Soon enough soft lewd moans of ecstasy were heard as guests gathered around to watch it intensify.

In another corner of the room, Tails and Cream watched and cringed from the sight. "What if the king asks me to play one of his games? I don't want to kiss another guy," Cream exclaimed in panic.

"Should we retire then?" Tails inquired.

"Yes!" Cream and Tails left their drinks on a table and held hands as they quickly left the party together.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the room, Amy also watched the spectacle in shock. "I'm beginning to see why your brother's wife prefers to remain in Knothole," Amy spoke quietly. "I think I may retire to my chambers, my curiosity has been satisfied and I don't think this is an appropriate party to attend without my husband."

"I understand," he replied.

"Well, goodnight," she smiled before retreating.

"Goodnight, your grace." He watched her wander out of the party, but suddenly felt the urge to go after her. He began to follow her, but Antoine stepped in his path, preventing him from reaching her. "And where are you off to, little brother?"

He groaned in annoyance. "Why don't I have a normal family?"

"Because you're a prince of the blood and a brother of the king."

He shook his head and scoffed. "You're not charming me tonight."

"Then may I apologize?" he said placing a hand on his back. "I was wrong earlier. Bringing Amy here was a brilliant idea," he commended. Knothole is like you at Mobian court, a small presence surrounded by powerful one."

"I already know why you need me to spy," he mumbled in derision.

"Forget Shadow," he dismissed with a hand wave. "He's a Mobian hardliner. We'll never win him over, but Amy, you say, is open," he pointed. "A sympathizer, even—she is the royal you should be getting close to."

Cordovan tilted his head to the side in incredulity. "Are you asking me to seduce the queen of Mobius?"

"She has influence over her husband," he countered in a sing-songy tone.

He took a step back at the thought. "I-I can't."

"Oh come now, she saved you at her own risk today. She clearly likes you," he smirked suggestively. Cordovan looked away, unsure of his brother's suggestion. "Take her to your bed," he ordered. "They all fall in love with you after that," he chuckled.

There had been a time in Cordovan's life where he had been a bit of a bed hopper, charming rich noblewoman, and other suitable girls, but he had left that side behind. "Those days are behind me," he proclaimed proudly. "Besides, Amy has no romantic feelings for me."

He scoffed in amusement. "Like you've never changed a girl's mind before…"

He shook his head, annoyed at the idea of playing with Amy's heart especially in a time like this. "It's not possible. This is not even close to the right time," he argued.

Antoine raised a curious brow at his comment. "And why is that?" Cordovan remained mum on the topic. He had sworn to Amy that he'd keep her attack a secret, and he would not betray her trust. Not ever.

"Look, I'm just not interested in her. To be honest, she's a bit prudish for my tastes," he lied. "Now, good night, brother," he finished before walking off.

Antoine watched as his younger brother left the party. After his conversation, he knew just by his tone and demeanor that he was not being truthful with his feelings towards the queen.

•~•

AN: Remember to leave me a review! :)