Authors Note: Thanks for the reviews guys! Bit shorter but I'm writing the next today too. Anyways Lcsaf- my 100th review! Thanks!

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Edge

'Then I have a question for you Tin Man.'

'Yes Ma'am.' He replied climbing back to his feet his expression serious.

'I need you answer this for yourself.' DG told him her bright eyes locked on to his. 'Not as a General. Or as my protector. Or as a Tin Man. Regardless of the probably consequences. I need your honest and real answer.'

'Okay.' Cain said his heart begin to race a little. What was the Princess planning?

'Cain- will you marry me?'

'Cain- will you marry me?'

'Cain- will you marry me?'

… … …

Wyatt Cain froze. Every muscle in his body went tense. His jaw locked shut and the muscles there jumped and twanged. His eyes went huge for a moment and he thought briefly that he might fall to the ground. DG smiled at him in pure joy. She was obviously utterly enjoying his shock and surprise.

After a long moment he opened his mouth to reply. DG held up a hand and stopped him before he could speak.

'Don't you dare say a word until you're completely sure Tin Man.' DG's voice was bright and somehow cheerful but Cain knew her well enough to hear the edge to it. He opened his mouth again and again the Princess raised a hand. He fell silent.

'I really mean it. The very first thing you say to me or within my hearing will be your answer to the question.' Her eyes were locked on his. Cain had to take a fast breath just looking at DG. She was a picture... She looked utterly fierce. Her blue eyes were blazing, her cheeks had an attractive flush on them and she was stood rigidly facing him. It was as if she was grown several inches, her dark hair was a little mused but she looked capable. She looked in control. In fact, Cain realised, swallowing to clear his throat, she looked like a Queen.

He raised a single pale eyebrow after he had recovered himself a little. He knew she would realise what he was asking. Normally he wouldn't indulge anyone in a game like this one but her manner worried him.

'Because I have no time to argue this. I have war to stop… a country to run… people to save… and you. I have no time to fight you into wanting to be with me. But believe me Wyatt if it is not now then it could likely be never. I love you. I want to be with you…' DG had been speaking very quickly but as she finished she slowed down a little. Paused to suck in a gulp of air. Then she continued: 'I had not imagined this but I'm sick of the game my mother is playing. That the Elders of the Islar-Nari are playing too. I think it is time to change the rules.'

Cain stared at her for a while but he was careful not to say a word. She was serious. He felt his heart begin to pound.

'Is everything alright?' it was Glitch's voice calling from the door of the hut. Without a word Cain and DG turned and walked back towards their friend.

He was leaning out the door carefully avoiding the gaze of their guard who was looking less than happy.

'Is everything alright?' Glitch asked again. DG nodded and let him lead her into the room.

'Yes. I've made a decision.' DG told him. Now they were all back inside the hut, Day was still shackled in his corner of the room. But now he was sat up and wide awake. There was a shadow of fear in his surly expression.

'Did you speak with the Queen?' Seb Cook asked. He was on his feet and paced towards her from the far end of the room. His voice was filled with concern.

'I did. But…' DG paused. Cain took a pace closer to her making a slight noise as if he was going to speak. But she shook her head. 'No I'm fine. And don't you go opening your mouth until you're sure you know what's coming out of it.' DG scolded him.

'I'm sorry?' Glitch asked looking from the Tin Man who was still a little pale to the Princess who was flushed.

'I have asked the General a rather important question. His answer… well let me just say I need his decision quickly. It's rather urgent, especially as my mother is on her way. But I want him to concentrate on his answer.'

'So he's not allowed to speak?' Seb asked confusion obvious in his voice.

'Yup.' DG agreed.

'I don't understand.' Glitch said very simply. Studying the princess for a moment then turning his dark eyes on his friend the Tin Man. His jaw was tensed but there was an odd light in his eyes, it seemed to Glitch to be a hopeful and pained look.

'I'm about to do something that sets me apart from my family it's going to change my life. Yours too if you're with me…' DG shut her eyes for a second. 'I need Cain to make this decision without trying to make my life easier or harder… it needs to be what he wants and nothing more. And if he speaks… I know he can talk me out of it. And I don't want to be. I want to know yes or no. Then I can get on with everything else that it to come.' The last sentence was said with downcast eyes but everyone there knew they were directed at Cain. His jaw twitched again but Cain said nothing.

DG felt sick. What she had said was absolutely true. She knew if Cain tried to argue with her he would win. He was the person she trusted beyond anyone else and if he said they couldn't make a decision like this then she would believe him. But she needed to know. Need to know if he wanted to be with her, if he was willing to go against the Queen.

Marriage. She thought her stomach twisting. It was a huge step. The thought made her feel a little uneasy but it was one way: probably the only way, to make sure her mother wouldn't stop them being together. When he had fallen to his knee in front of her she had known that was his way of telling her he was with her. Come what may. But if they didn't resolve what was happening between then now, there would not be time to later. The future, whatever happened would be busy. There would be no time.

More than anything else DG knew she loved Wyatt Cain. Loved him and wanted him in her life.

'You're going against what the Queen wants.' Glitch said. He was still wildly curious about what was happening between DG and Cain but it was obviously personal. So he focused on the issue at hand.

'She refuses to come to an agreement. She told me I could not make this decision. I know that the Queen would chose to keep the political advantages the Reed Lands bring rather than help our people. But the Islar-Nari are not asking the Queen. They're asking me.' DG fidgeted with her hair as she spoke.

'So you're going to make a deal?' Glitch said softly.

'I am. Against my mother's wishes. Directly against her wishes. I am doing what I know is best but that is not how she is going to see it. She will be here in a day or so. When she gets here I am going to be on her… there will be trouble. I don't expect you to stand with me.' DG spoke in a gentle voice. After a moment the hut was completely silent as if everyone was holding their breath. Then she felt Cain's hand on her shoulder. It was his silent confirmation of his actions earlier. He was with her.

'I am at your service.' Glitch said. His voice sounded formal and he, as Cain had been, was on one knee before her. Before DG could turn to look at Cook she heard him kneel too. His knee making a dull thump on the ground.

'I too.' He said and his voice did not shake at all. DG looked around at the men with her. Her heart and her eyes felt full.

'I am going to do this my way.' She said flatly. Glitch grinned.

'Good.' The advisor said firmly.

They stood that way for a long moment. DG in the centre, Cain behind her with his hand on her shoulder. Glitch and Seb on their knees before her all of them smiling faintly. It was an almost perfect moment.

From his corner Lyle Day realised exactly what he had done. He had betrayed them and in some ways made them stronger. The only person he had hurt, he grasped, was himself. He could have been a part of that. A part of that group. That family.

The door, with the utterly perfect and appropriate timing that DG had rarely experienced, opened. Sisara stood there and she observed the group with a small frown.

'It is time.'

'I'm ready.' DG said turning to leave the room.

'I'm coming too.' Cain said. Everyone in the room turned at his voice.

He had been thinking. Not that the Princess had given him option to do anything else. But her earlier words had struck him almost like a physical blow. She was changing the rules. She wanted to set the world out in a new way and part of that was putting them together in a manner that wouldn't be undone. He felt honoured. She loved him. There was no pity there. It was real and he loved her. And he wanted to be with her.

But there was still all the old questions. Age… Appropriateness… However-

'Is that your answer Tin Man?' DG asked. Her heart thundering in her chest and filling her ears with a low buzzing.

'Yes.' Cain said with a nod and smile. DG let her eyes shut for a second.

'Yes?' She asked.

'Yes.' He repeated closing the distance between them. DG let herself be pulled roughly into a passionate kiss. She lost herself in the sensation of their meeting lips. Of feeling his heart thunder under her hands. He'd said yes.

'Whoa.' Seb Cook said quietly.

(Authors Note: Hope you've enjoyed- review please!)