AN: Gave you guys a longer chapter to ready today. I threw in a bit of Shadamy fluff to appease everyone. Thank you to all of those that left reviews on my last chapter. Now, onto the chapter.

•~•

Weeks had passed since Amy and Cordovan had completely called it quits and things had calmed down in the realm. Amy had learned of her mother's passing but was unable to attend her funeral due to the violence surrounding her nation. In the meantime, Shadow and Amy were slowly recovering their broken relationship, and this morning the two decided to spend some time together out on the lake behind the castle. Shadow finished tying Amy's last ice skate shoe before he stood up and extended his hand for her to take. "Ready?"

Amy placed her hand in his, still a bit nervous for ice-skating for the first time. "Not really," she mumbled as he helped her stand.

Shadow assisted her way through the snow before coming to the edge of the lake. Amy clutched to his arm as she stared at the frosty ice before her. "You can relax, I'm going to walk you through all the steps. You'll be skating in no time."

"Don't people hurt themselves doing this?"

He rubbed the back of his neck with his free arm. "Well, yes, but you can hurt yourself doing all sorts of activities," he countered with a chuckle.

"Fair enough," she concurred. "But you go first."

Shadow nodded and took his step out onto the ice, not even wobbling in the slightest. "Alright, now it's your turn. First, I want you to step on the ice sideways instead of full frontal. I'll be here to help steady you," he instructed extending her arms out towards her.

Amy followed his instructions and stepped out onto the ice, wobbling slightly, but Shadow quickly took a hold of her by the arms to stabilize her. "It's okay, I've got you," he insured with a sincere smile.

Amy blushed under his gaze, starting to feel butterflies form in her stomach. It was a good feeling to have as she was reminded of why she fell in love with Shadow in the first place. "Okay, now what?"

"Baby steps," he replied simply. "I'm going to hold onto you by the arms and guide you through it. Keep your feet in a 'V' formation and take penguin steps." Amy followed his guidelines and started taking small steps. Shadow moved his own feet in the opposite direction and the two began to glide across the ice together. Shadow nodded eagerly, praising her efforts. "Excellent job."

After a few more minutes of practicing, Shadow slowly released his hold on her and glided a few feet backward. Amy gasped seeing him drift further away. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"Teaching you," he grinned playfully.

Amy kept her arms out at her side, suddenly growing panicked of losing her balance. "That's not funny, Shadow. Come back here!" she whined.

Shadow skated a few circles around her, humming innocently before returning to his original spot a few yards away. "If you want me back, you're just going to have to come over here to get me," he goaded.

Feeling a determination build, Amy looked down at her feet before pushing off. It started slowly at first, but eventually, she gained more momentum and started to see her goal come in sight. But after taking a wrong step, she tripped slightly over her other foot and began to tumble forward. Luckily, she was close enough that Shadow was able to catch her and the two twirled in a circle together before coming to a full stop. Staying close to him in his arms, with her face buried in his chest, Shadow smiled down at her. "Good job, love. Just watch your footing next time."

Amy slowly lifted her head to look up at him, staring into his ruby eyes. She let out a soft breath causing a frosty cloud to rise up between them. Almost in unison, their faces slowly encroached closer before they closed the gap between them and had the most meaningful kiss for the first time in ages.

•~•

Later that morning, Cordovan contacted Amy via secret message, surprising her that he had reached out to talk. They hadn't ended things on the most pleasant terms and she had come to believe she would probably never see him again.

After tying her horse off to a tree, Amy made her trek through the snow to their rendezvous point. As she made her way down a small slope, and around some dead trees, she gulped when she saw the prince standing in wait for her arrival. Cordovan turned his head and he felt his heart flutter at her sight. "Cordovan, you're back…I thought you'd never want to see me again?"

"I went home to my region," he began. "After everything, I needed time and distance from you to think."

She sagged slightly by his statement. "I know I promised you so much more when we were going to Mercia, but I can't leave," she said truthfully. "Especially not when Shadow has sent so many troops to defend my home."

"You had to protect your crown, Amy. You did the right thing," he assured.

"Obviously, I didn't do right by you, though..."

He stayed quiet for a moment, unsure of how to respond. "You offered me an affair in the home of your husband."

She frowned in response. "I was offering you me and my love. Despite how things ended between us, I must admit, these last few weeks without you have been difficult for me."

He nodded, feeling similar emotions. "As much as I've wanted to move past this, I can't. I'm still in love with you," he admitted. "Every day since I've been away, you'd come into my mind, plaguing my every thought."

She smiled slightly by his admittance. "Sadly, I don't think a relationship will work out between us—due to obvious circumstances."

"Have you and Shadow mended things?" he probed.

"We're working on it. Every day a little more progress is made, but he's made it clear that it'll take some time before he can fully trust me again."

Cordovan's eyes drifted away for a moment, saddened by what she was implying. "So, there is truly no hope for us then?"

"I-I'm sorry, Cordovan. We can only be friends."

He stared into her jade eyes, finding himself growing lost in them. "Chaos, do you realize how hard it is for me to just walk away? I can't, I won't!" he spoke with determination.

"It's no easier for me," she countered sadly. "Right now, I'm trying to move on with my life! There were reasons why Shadow and I drifted apart, and both of us are guilty of our divide."

He marched closer towards her, making her back up slightly. "I don't want to give up, Amy. Just wait, I'm going to find a way for us to be together." His arms reached out and snaked around her waist, drawing her in close to his chest.

Amy felt a blush creep up on her face as all those repressed feelings flooded back into her heart. It had been weeks since they had last been intimate with one another, and her body heated up in anticipation by his familiar and comforting touch. She shook her head, trying to free herself from his hold, determined to not be seduced. "Cordovan, we can't. We shouldn't," she chided.

"You're right, we shouldn't, but the heart wants what it wants." Unable to resist the urge any longer, he pulled her in for a kiss, causing her to gasp in surprise. At first, she tried to resist by pushing him away, but eventually, she let her guard down and closed her eyes, kissing him back. As much as she wished to fall out of love with him, she just simply couldn't. His kiss felt comforting, safe, and familiar and she loved it.

Cordovan pulled back from his kiss and looked at her lovingly as he caught his breath. Amy stared back up at him, falling back into her old habits, but shook off the feeling and regained her composure. Stiffening her stance, she pried herself out of his arms and slapped him in the face. He gasped from the strike, before shooting her a glare. "What the bloody hell was that for?"

She watched as he caressed his sore cheek with his hand. "For kissing me after I just told you that I'm trying to fix my relationship with my husband! How dare you think you can just come in here and seduce me," she scolded sternly.

He dropped his hand from his face. "Don't reprimand me for leading me on. You willingly showed up here, I assume without Shadow's knowing. What did you expect to happen?"

"I figured an apology and maybe a proper goodbye," she argued.

His yellow eyes bored into her. "Don't lie to me, Amy. I know you want me just as badly as I want you," he pointed accusingly as he encroached on her personal space. "Admit it, you wanted me to ravish you."

She backed away, feeling more uncomfortable by the second with his comments. Perhaps coming out here alone wasn't the best idea after all. "No, you're wrong. Just go, there's nothing left here for us.

Cordovan watched as she mounted her horse and rode off. "I'm not giving up on us, Amy. I'm going to win you back!" he shouted to her retreating figure.

•~•

After her reunion with Cordovan, Amy returned to the castle only to be informed by some disturbing news. In the war room, Sonic briefed Shadow and Amy on an attack at a local school. "Branded rebels have seized a Primary school just five miles north of here," Sonic explained. "There are at least a dozen of them, heavily armed. They've rounded up the children, and killed all the teachers and guards."

Shadow looked horrified by the news. "Chaos…"

Amy also felt sick by the description and severity of the situation. "How many are dead?"

"At least ten, but they have fifty hostages," he answered. "I heard that two of the rebels were killed just outside the school fence."

"Children?" Shadow said, disgusted by the thought. "What are these radicals doing?"

"Possibly trying to retaliate for so many of them being slaughtered after the castle's attack?" Amy speculated.

Sonic's head lowered sadly. "Chaos only knows, but Shadow, the parents, and some of the local nobles are beginning to gather to meet with us downstairs."

Feeling the pressure start to build, Shadow walked over to his desk where a map was laid out. "Has General Nigel and his men returned?" he questioned keeping his eyes on the map.

"He's still in Mercia doing another advance sweep in the borderlands," Sonic answered.

Shadow sighed, frantically thinking of another option. "We need those troops."

"We'll put together a team from the castle," Amy advised. "As many soldiers as we can spare."

Sonic crossed his arms over his chest, uncertain of the idea. "Those men aren't trained for that kind of mission. Extracting children from an armed assault could allow them to get caught in the crossfire."

"Prepare them anyway," Shadow ordered. "As a last resort."

•~•

After their meeting, Amy and Shadow met the worried and panicked parents and nobles in the throne room. As Amy and Shadow stood side by side, they surveyed the grief-stricken parents standing before them. "What are you doing to save our children?" one of the nobles asked.

"We are sending envoys to negotiate their release, and if that fails, we will secure the safest possible route to rescue them," Shadow addressed.

"These scumbags would never have threatened to hurt our children or kill our men if our army were here," another noble said venomously.

Amy narrowed her eyes at him, catching his subtle disrespect. "Watch your tongue," Amy snapped. All chatter quieted down as Amy continued. "I know that you fear for the life of your son, but you are addressing your sovereign king."

Once regaining his authority, Shadow looked out amongst his subjects. "These rebels will be captured and hanged, and I will do everything in this nation's power to return your children safely." Once they were finished, the crowd dispersed slowly out of the throne room, leaving Amy and Shadow alone. Shadow looked to his left where Amy stood, rubbing her hands anxiously. "What's wrong?"

"Those poor children must be terrified, trapped by violent males, not knowing if they're going to die," she reckoned. "You can't even imagine, Shadow," she spoke, feeling unwanted memories of her own attack come to mind.

"We will save them," he said with determination. Amy looked into his eyes as she felt his hands reach out and hold hers in his. At that moment, she began to feel butterflies in her stomach again. "You are safe here with me," he finished drawing her out of her thoughts.

Amy couldn't help but smile under his gaze, causing him to return a half smile. "Shadow, I-"

Suddenly, Amy caught sight of Cordovan walking past the open throne room doors, diverting her concentration. Seeing her distracted, Shadow's eyes followed but hardened when he saw what she was looking at. The two male's eyes locked momentarily, before Cordovan continued past the door, acting like he hadn't seen them. Amy felt Shadow take his hands away from hers as if he had been burned. "…He's back in Mobius?" he questioned with disdain.

She cupped her hands together as she watched his fists clench by his sides. "I-I was going to tell you that he had returned," she spoke meekly. "But you must understand, I'm not-"

"—He was gone for weeks," he spoke quietly, but Amy could hear the hurt return in his voice. "Just when I thought we could move forward," he muttered in disgrace. He began to exit the room and Amy hustled after him.

"Shadow, wait," she called. "Let me explain!" But Shadow ignored her pleas and left the room in a hurry.

•~•

In another part of the castle, Rouge walked down the hall and spotted a longtime stranger. "Haven't seen you around in awhile," Rouge noted eying the albino echidna.

"Yes, well, with you being involved with the prince of Knothole, I've found myself pre-occupied with the Queen Mother…" he replied raising his eyebrows suggestively.

"Yes, I've heard. To be honest, I think you two are perfect for each other. After all, both of you are conniving, devious, manipulating, conspirers."

Finitevus growled at her description before calming himself. "Hm, do I hear a hint of jealousy in your tone?" he teased. "Perhaps, you've grown to miss me in the past weeks?"

She froze at the idea. "Uh, no, actually it's been quite pleasant without you lurking around every corner."

"So pleasant that you had to go sleep with the king to get over me?" he sang quietly.

Surprised by the knowledge he knew, Rouge grabbed a hold of his arm. "Hold on a minute, Finitevus-"

"—Ah, so I hit a nerve!" he interrupted. "Yes, I know all about your little conquest with King Shadow. How was the king's performance compared to mine—oh wait, that's right, you haven't gotten a taste of true ecstasy," he quipped.

"Sounds to me like I'm not the one who might be jealous in this situation, Finitevus," Rouge noted smiling proudly. "If I knew any better, you sound fairly insecure with your relationship with Isabelle if you have to tease me with your sex life."

Finitevus blinked in surprise by her allegation. "You're completely mistaken. Isabelle and I are more than happy, we're even thinking about tying the knot!"

Rouge rolled her eyes at his claim. "If that's what it takes to keep reassuring yourself or me, keep at it."

Feeling like he was losing the battle, Finitevus huffed. "Well, I've had quite enough of this mockery for one day." he turned on his heel. "Good day, Lady Rouge," he waved dismissively.

•~•

Even though Amy had tried to explain the situation to Shadow, he had refused to hear her out. Instead, the two sat on their thrones as they listened to Sonic's intelligence. "The scouts have reported back and the hostages are scattered throughout the school, making it impossible for us to rescue all the children at once," Sonic informed.

"And there are still no demands?" Amy questioned.

"The radicals refuse to make contact, but that's not the worst of it. These men have gunpowder—at least thirty barrels of it from what our scouts could see."

Amy shook her head, fearing the worst before looking to Shadow. "No, they can't…" Shadow picked up on what she had assumed and grew panicked.

"—They're going to kill themselves and the children," Shadow deduced. "But if they have no demands, what are they waiting for?"

Amy went through her own theories until one stuck with her. "They're waiting for the word to spread," she surmised. "The longer we fear for those children, the stronger and more powerful that fear becomes."

Sonic agreed with her conjecture. "And once they feel the fear has taken hold, they'll ignite the gunpowder."

"Making a name for themselves and their cause that we will never forget," Amy added.

"We can't wait any longer then," Shadow spoke standing from his seat. "Take your men and free them now," he ordered.

•~•

Once arriving at the school, Sonic and his men waited behind the school's stonewall fence. Radicals standing post watched for intruders with their crossbows in hand. Sonic led the rescue team as he peeked from around the wall, trying to gain his bearings. But as he eyed where his enemies were, something troubled him when he looked a few feet away in the snow. Right in front of the gate, were two of the supposed radicals that had been killed in an earlier strike. The shocking revelation, though, was that the two deceased males bore Cordovan's kingdom seal on their chest plate. It struck a theory for your young prince. Was Cordovan behind this attack, and if so, why?

Tails nudged at Sonic, getting his attention focused. "Are the archers ready?" Sonic asked quietly.

"It should be any moment," he answered. Sonic nodded before discreetly watching the three men standing post in front of the school doors. Out of nowhere, three arrows whizzed through the air, striking all three men on watch. The radicals dropped dead into the snow, allowing Sonic and his men to strike.

Sonic walked to the gate and opened it. "Let's go," he ordered his men. Quietly, the soldiers made their way further into the school courtyard. But as the men, made their way towards the school entrance, things were way too quiet. Sonic looked around and held up his hand, signaling for his men to stop. "Something's not right."

"What is it, Sonic?" Tails questioned.

Then out of nowhere, more arrows whizzed through the air striking down three of Sonic's men nearby. "Fall back!" Sonic called. With his order, everyone ran back for cover as more arrows tried to strike them down.

•~•

Meanwhile, back at court, Amy and her ladies enjoyed some afternoon tea in her chambers. "I cannot fathom the idea of hurting innocent children," Cream opined.

"And their hatred only incites more," Rouge added.

"Yes, but let's change the subject," Amy suggested. "I can't bear to dwell on the terrible things that could be happening to those children at the moment."

"You're right," Cream concurred. "Um, so how are you and Shadow doing?"

"Shadow and I?" Amy repeated.

"Cordovan left so abruptly and you said yourself that it had pretty much ended between you two," Rouge clarified.

"Shadow tolerates me in my duty as queen at the moment, but we're still working on things between us."

"Did you honestly believe there was hope for you and Cordovan?" Cream questioned.

"We knew that being together wouldn't be easy, but Cordovan had risked so much for me at the time."

"Amy, I understand what he has done for you," Rouge began. "He has helped you through a terrible, painful time, but is it possible you might be confusing gratitude with love?" she asked, trying to be careful of her wording.

Amy stayed silent as she absorbed Rouge's question. Had she? And even if she had, how could she discard him so suddenly? He had been there for her through thick and thin when Shadow hadn't. Amy lowered her teacup onto her saucer. "I-I don't know, but I don't want to abandon him."

•~•

Once again, Sonic returned to court after a failed rescue attempt. He stood before Shadow, Amy, and Isabelle in the throne room to give them his latest Intel, but Shadow wasn't pleased with the results. "Those children are still at risk?" Shadow gawked.

"These men trained for conflicts so large that a few men would never turn the tides of battle," Sonic argued. "These are good soldiers, but they were the wrong ones for this mission. Three of them are dead because of it."

"The rebels have now been alerted," Amy noted. "They'll be quick to light that gunpowder if we try again."

"You're right, which is why no one will survive in that school if we try again," Sonic concurred.

"Shadow, General Collins has men at the ready," Isabelle advised. "They are trained for this type of warfare."

"—But General Collins is loyal to Lord Finitevus," Amy said with suspicion.

"I wish that I could trust Finitevus, but everything he touches just spills more blood," Shadow declined.

"I know Collins by reputation. He's a mercenary and ambitious, but he's good, very good," Sonic noted taking a step closer. "Take the offer, Shads."

Looking conflicted, Shadow looked to Isabelle then Amy as he decided on his decision. "Sonic is right," Amy piped up. "Whatever Finitevus' motives are, if Collins can get those children out safely…he's our only option."

Shadow sighed in defeat. "Do it and bring them back," he ordered.

Sonic began to walk out of the throne room, but Shadow caught up with him by the doors. "Please be careful," he warned. "I don't trust Finitevus and least of all when he's doing the right thing."

Sonic nodded. "I will." His eyes looked past Shadow over to where Amy and Isabelle talked quietly together before he looked back to Shadow. "By the way, I saw something at the school you need to know about," he said quietly.

"What?"

"Bodies of some of the radicals that died in the initial assault were laying on the ground just outside the gate. Some of them bore Cordovan's crest."

Shadow looked alarmed by this revelation. "Word that Cordovan is a traitor would spread like wildfire, but why align himself with these fanatics?" Shadow questioned lowly. "He's accepted here at court and has Amy's protection, almost everything that he wants."

"I don't know," Sonic shrugged.

Shadow crossed his arms over his chest, as he turned to look over at Amy who remained oblivious to their discussion. "If he has anything to do with this, nothing will keep him safe."

•~•

Later that evening, Amy came out of her bathroom in her nightgown but was startled when she saw Cordovan leaning against her dresser in wait for her. She gasped, not expecting to see him there. "Cordovan, how did you get in here? What if Shadow found us together like this?"

"Relax," he dismissed, walking in her direction. "I snuck in through the balcony. No one saw me and Shadow's downstairs busy dealing with nobles, so we're fine."

She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to conceal her enticing nudity by her sheer nightgown. After all, she didn't want to give him any ideas. "You do realize Shadow is furious with me because he thinks I invited you back to court!"

He shrugged nonchalantly, not at all bothered with upsetting the king. "I figured as much, but there's something more important I want to discuss."

She raised an annoyed brow. "Like?"

"My footman informed me that some of my men were found dead amongst the radicals who overtook the school," he explained.

Amy looked surprised by the news and grew chary. "I'm sorry to ask this, but…"

"I had no part in this attack, Amy," he dismissed. "You know I'm no traitor. Those bodies were clearly planted there to blame me. Shadow can't accuse me of treason without also condemning you," he pointed.

"Despite his personal feelings, Shadow would never fabricate evidence against you," she defended.

"You know I don't share your trust in him, but even if you are right, it doesn't change anything. My enemies in court multiply by the day." He began to pace with his arms tucked behind his back. "Shadow and Isabelle hate me for being with you, the rest hate me for this brand," he listed. "They want my head, Amy!"

"Shadow will protect you," she assured. "He will see through these false accusations."

"You say that with ease, but if I were Shadow, I'd want me dead," he countered. "But even if he's too good a guy to see it through, there's still Isabelle and her new lapdog Finitevus!"

"If you believe all this, then why come back here, why risk it?"

"Because…" He walked towards her, extending his right hand out. "I want you to come with me," he pleaded. "Join me in Mercia. It's our last chance, the only way we can be together."

Amy stared at his extended hand before looking in his eyes. They were panicked and desperate. "You know I can't go."

His arm lowered in defeat. "Then that's it, then?"

"Stay until we have reclaimed the school," she pleaded. "I will talk to Shadow. Despite everything that's happened between us, you gave me back my life. It's only fair that you let me save yours."

"All right..."

•~•

Several hours later in the castle courtyard, General Collins and Finitevus stood outside while Sonic and his men gathered with the rescued children. Finitevus wandered through the group of children before approaching the general. "How was it?" he inquired.

"Not too difficult to extract the children, but we weren't able to save two of them," he said sadly.

"Don't beat yourself over it too much. You managed to rescue forty-eight children. You should be proud," he commended.

"Thank you, my lord." The wolverine walked over, joining Sonic by his side along with the children. Soon enough, the portcullis opened and a crowd of eager parents flooded inside, reuniting with their offspring.

For once, Finitevus couldn't help but beam at the sight. He reminisced about his own son when he was young and holding him in his arms, but another guest interrupted his thoughts. "You did well," a voice said from behind. He turned only to find Isabelle. She hooked arms with him as she snuggled up close. "You deserve a reward for being so generous in helping us," she purred.

He smirked suggestively. "Do I now?"

"Mhm." She kissed his cheek.

"To the bedroom it is then" he spoke as he guided her back indoors.