Chapter 12: Suspicions

Robin was startled out of his deep sleep by a loud honking sound. It then magnified hundredfold and seemed to echo off every wall in the palace. He groaned, burying his face under his pillow. Beside him, he felt Regina do the same. "Let me guess…the geese you warned me about?" she murmured.

"Unfortunately," he replied as yaps and barks joined the cacophony. "And there go the dogs."

"Lovely," she sighed.

He reached out blindly, feeling for her hand. When he found it, he grasped it tightly. "It won't last for too long. I promise."

"I hope not. I do really like sleep."

"Me too," he replied with a chuckle.

She cuddled closer to him, her vanilla scent enveloping him. Robin wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "I'll see if there's anything I can do, but we might have to do with a little less sleep for a few weeks."

"I feel bad for Ana and Will. They have to get married with that as a backdrop."

"They'll be so happy to be married, they won't even notice. I hardly noticed anything but you on our wedding day."

"I was quite fixated on you as well. Well, except when the fireworks were going off."

He smiled, burying his nose in her hair. "I cannot compete with those. I know that."

She hummed before sighing. "At least Snow gets to leave. She'll be able to get more sleep than us."

"Are you going to miss her? I know you've enjoyed having her here."

"I have," she agreed. "And I will miss her. But I know she has to go home. I just hope she can visit again soon."

He opened his eyes at last, seeing now that hers were open as well. There was a sadness in them that pained his heart and he reached out, rubbing her cheek with his thumb. "Snow is always welcomed here."

"Thank you," she whispered. Regina closed the gap between them, pressing a quick kiss to his lips.

Robin smiled before sighing as the dogs got louder. "Shall we give up pretending we'll get any extra sleep this morn?"

"I guess." Regina pulled her pillow off her head. "What else can we do?"

"I think we can find something," Robin said, climbing out of bed. "Maybe an early morning ride?"

She smiled as she smoothed the blankets on her side of the bed. "That sounds lovely. Do you know a place where we won't hear the geese or the dogs?"

"Absolutely," he replied, pulling out clothing appropriate for riding. "And I'll have you back to farewell Snow. Promise."

Robin was true to his word. Using the position of the sun to determine time, he brought Regina back in time for both of them to change and to be in the courtyard as Snow prepared to return to Mist Haven.

Johanna escorted Snow into the courtyard as several servants loaded their carriage with trunks and goods. Snow wore a white traveling gown under a gray cloak and her hair was braided again. Her mood wasn't as cheery as it had been and Robin knew she was sad to be leaving Regina.

Snow ran up to his wife and threw her arms around her. "I'm going to miss you."

"I'm going to miss you too," Regina replied, holding her close. "But I will write you every week. I promise."

"And I'll write back every week. I promise." Snow sniffed as she pulled away, a few tears streaming down her cheeks.

Robin stepped forward, handing the princess his handkerchief. "You are always welcomed here in Sherwood."

"Thank you so much." Snow then motioned for him to come closer. He leaned down and she whispered: "Take good care of her and keep loving her. Please."

"I will. You have my word," he assured her. She nodded, placing his handkerchief back in his hand before giving Regina one last hug.

One of Sherwood's soldiers helped Snow and then Johanna into the carriage as Uncle Christopher approached him. Robin clasped his hand. "I wish you could stay for Ana's wedding."

"I do too," he replied, "but I promised King Leopold I would escort Princess Snow home. With his birthday a few days away…"

Robin nodded and Uncle Christopher squeezed his shoulder. "Be strong against the council. Hold your ground when it comes to whatever you really believe in. Don't let them push you around."

"I am doing my best," Robin told him, sighing. "Sometimes it just doesn't feel like it's good enough."

"Your father had the same doubts. But just hold your head high and don't give up. You will win, like he did." Uncle Christopher squeezed his shoulder again before hugging him.

Regina approached him and he wrapped his arm around her, taking comfort from her as much as she took comfort from him. "I'm going to miss her," she said, waving to Snow.

"I am too," he replied, waving to the princess as well. "She's a sweet girl who is well on her way to being a good queen."

"I think so as well." Regina continued to wave as the carriage began rolling out of the courtyard, its journey back to Mist Haven just beginning.

Robin hugged Regina. "Come. Why don't we sup alone in our rooms?"

Their midday meal turned into so much more.

Regina laid under him, a fine sheen of sweat making her skin glow in the afternoon sun as she writhed with every stroke against her clit. Her curls were fanned out over both their pillows and her eyes were closed as her tongue darted out to wet her lips. Robin cupped one of her supple breasts, thumb teasing her nipple, as he continued to enjoy the beautiful sight beneath him.

"Robin," she moaned. He chuckled, leaning down to suck at a spot he knew would undo her more. As his lips closed over the soft skin there, her fingers dug into his hair and her nails scratched his scalp.

He licked the spot before pulling away. "Do you want more, lovely?"

"Yes," she gasped. "I want all of you."

"Then you'll have all of me." He kissed her before trailing kisses down her neck and to her breast. Robin took her nipple between his lips and began to suck.

She dug her nails into his scalp and hooked her leg around him. He had to adjust his fingers but he continued to stroke her clit, her juices coating his fingers as she grew more and more aroused. She was almost ready for him.

Her other hand snaked between their bodies and her fingers closed around his cock. Robin hissed before glancing up at her. "Don't let go."

"Not a chance," she said, eyes closed as her body began to tremble. She pumped him slowly but it worked—he was growing harder. He felt her spread something wet when her thumb flicked his tip. They were both so close.

"Gods, Regina, I need to feel you," he moaned.

She arced into his touch. "You are."

"Not just like this. I need…I need to feel how warm you are, how soft and wet…I need to feel you around my cock…I need…" He let out a strangled moan as she gave his balls a squeeze. At this rate, he doubted he would be able to wait much longer.

Regina tugged at his hair, urging him to raise his head and capturing his lips were own. Her tongue swept his mouth and he gave in, entering her with a swift thrust. She broke the kiss to moan. "Faster," she panted in his ear.

He obliged, thrusting at a faster pace while trying not to hurt her. She continued to moan and gasp when she wasn't pressing kisses any place she could reach. Robin enjoyed her warm, soft body pressed against his and he continued to massage her breast.

"Robin…I'm…I'm close," she said, wrapping her other leg around him as well. It allowed him to sink deeper into her and his head began to spin.

Her walls tightened around his cock; she was even closer. Robin kissed her neck as her back arched and she let out a strangle moan of his name as she came. He continued his pace until his own release sent his heart racing and stars dancing in front of his eyes.

Robin collapsed next to her and she rolled over, resting her head on his chest. He carded his fingers through her curling hair. "I love your curls," he said, out of breath.

She chuckled. "Really? They are a wild mess that made several servants cry while trying to tame."

"Why tame such wild beauty?" He kissed her hair.

Regina hummed, her eyes closing. "You only say that because they aren't attached to your head."

"That is a good point," he conceded, closing his own eyes. "Still, I think they are very beautiful."

She traced patterns against his skin. "What do you want to do now?"

"Just lie here in your arms, just like this, for a bit longer. How does that sound?" He felt sleep tugging at him, sucking his desire to do anything else.

"Do you have some place to be?"

"I'm the king," he said, chuckling. "They can wait for me for a change."

She chuckled as well before growing quiet. "We're already on shaky ground with your council, though…"

A pang of guilt hurt his chest as he thought about how worried Regina was over how precarious her position in his court was. He then worried he wasn't doing enough to protect her like he promised, doing enough to secure her place at his side. Or doing enough to assure her.

Robin kissed her forehead. "Do not worry, lovely. They are all off doing other things today and have not requested my presence. So I am free to spend my time how I wish. And I wish it to spend it here with you."

"Good," she replied. "Because I was going to be really upset with myself if I did manage to convince you to leave."

He smiled, toying with her curls. "Rest now, lovely. I'll be right here when you awaken."

When Robin awoke, the slant of the sun told him it was late afternoon. He stretched out under his warm blankets before realizing his wife wasn't beside him. Robin frowned as he felt her side. The sheets were still warm and her vanilla scent lingered in the air, so he doubted she had been gone long.

He sat up and heard sounds coming from his bathroom, realizing that was where Regina had gone. For a moment, he thought about joining her but decided to let her have some time to herself. As he had told Lady Wellingsbury, they didn't have to spend every waking moment together.

Robin pulled on a loose shirt and a pair of breeches before padding out to his parlor. He poured himself a glass of whiskey and headed to his favorite chair, pausing when he saw a letter bearing his name on it. Curious, he picked it up and smiled when he recognized Regina's familiar elegant cursive.

She hadn't bothered with a seal so he was able to open it with one hand. He settled back, sipping his whiskey as he began to read the letter.

Dearest Robin,

I know it must seem strange to write you a letter when we can just talk…but I was given a book of Queen Susanna and King Peter's love letters. They struck me as so romantic and made me remember your letters to me when we were courting. I missed them and so I thought I'd write you first.

(I also hope that in some ways I may be more eloquent with the written word when the spoken fails me).

We've been married a month now. And I can honestly say it's been the happiest month of my life. Waking up next to you each morning thrills me and promises me another day of joy. Another day filled with your smiles, with your caresses, with your kisses, with your arms wrapped around me when I need them the most.

So thank you for loving me. Thank you for holding me when I'm sad or in pain. Thank you for actually finding me fascinating, even though I'm still pretty certain I'm not. Just…thank you for being you. You're a diamond in the rough, trust me.

And I do worry about the council and Keith because they want to take you away from me. I'm afraid I'll go back to that dark and hopeless place I was in before your uncle suggest a marriage between us. I can't imagine my life without you, Robin. So I will do everything I can to make certain I stay by your side.

Here's to you, my darling husband.

Always yours,

Regina

Robin folded up her letter, smiling. He held it against his heart as she entered the room, braiding her damp hair.

She stopped when she saw it, growing sheepish. "You found the letter?"

"You left it on my chair, love," he replied, motioning for her to join him.

"I know. I guess…I don't know…" She sat down on his lap, playing with his hair. "Was it too weird?"

He kissed her forehead. "Of course not. I thought it was sweet. It seems I'm not the only one with a romantic streak."

She chuckled. "I guess you're not. So you wouldn't mind getting more love letters? You won't find them odd?"

"Of course not, lovely. Write me as many as you want. I just have one request," he said, setting the letter down.

"And what is that?"

"That you at least give me time to respond in between letters." Robin cupped her cheek. "You think you can do that?"

She nodded, laughing. "I can definitely do that."

"Good. Now, what shall we do with ourselves for the rest of the evening?" he asked her.

"While I'm certain you want nothing more than to take me back to bed," she said, "I think we should probably sup with your family. Especially since Will and Ana will be married two days hence and will leave us for a honeymoon."

Robin sighed, knowing she was right. He did want to spend as much time with his friend and cousin as possible before they disappeared for another month. "Alright, lovely. I'll send an invite to them all and we can eat in here."

Robin took his seat at the head of the council, praying to the Great Being for the strength to do what he needed. The conditions at the village could not continue. "Lord Ellis," he began, "did I or did I not order you to relinquish control of doling out meat to the nearby village back to the Royal Gamekeeper?"

Lord Ellis shifted in his seat, looking nervous. "Your Majesty…"

"Yes or no?" Robin pressed.

"I didn't think it was an order," he said. "I thought it was something to take under advisement. I did and thought it best if my men continued to handle things. The Royal Gamekeeper is very busy."

Even Lord Nottingham was frowning at Lord Ellis. Robin knew that while the man no doubt wanted to see his son on the throne, he wouldn't openly flaunt an order from the king the way Lord Ellis was doing now. It seemed this time most of the council was on his side.

"I will let the Royal Gamekeeper tell me if he is very busy," Robin replied. "And I will then determine who will dole out the meat. You are hereby ordered, Lord Ellis, to have your men cease their involvement. Do you understand?"

Though he narrowed his eyes, Lord Ellis nodded. "I understand, Your Majesty."

"I move that this council ensures that Lord Ellis complies with the king's order," Lord Sumner, the oldest member of Robin's council, said.

Lady Langston was the one to second it. "You overstepped, Laurence. We are not more powerful than the king," she told Lord Ellis.

The motion passed unanimously, with Lord Ellis naturally abstaining. Lord Sumner nodded. "I will be checking up on you, Laurence. Understand?"

"Is this the type of reign you want?" Lord Ellis asked Robin. He could feel the anger radiating off the man.

He did not back down. "One where my subjects are treated fairly and given meat that is not spoiled? Yes, that is exactly the type of reign I want. My father made it clear that he wasn't going to let the nobles continue running roughshod over the peasantry."

"And look what happened to him," Lord Ellis muttered.

The room went so silent that Robin could hear the pounding of his heart. He glanced around at other members of the council, most who looked horrified or at least concerned. All except Nottingham, though he looked angry.

Lady Langston voiced what they were all thinking: "You are certainly not suggesting that King Edward's death was anything but natural, Lord Ellis. Are you?"

"Of course not," he quickly replied, but he didn't meet anyone's eyes.

Disturbed, Robin decided to put off confronting Nottingham over his soldiers' contemptable behavior for another day. "I think that is all for today," he said. "Thank you all."

Lord Ellis almost ran from the room but it was the only exit Robin took notice of as he soon got lost in his memories. He thought about his father's last hours. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, though. Father had shown him some agreements and explained the reasoning behind them. It was there that it had been decided to sup privately instead of publicly and they had gone to meet Mother in their rooms. The servants were their own and the food didn't appear to have been tampered with…but would anyway really notice poisoned food?

"Robin? Robin, talk to me," Lady Wellingsbury said, shaking his shoulder gently. She looked concerned and as shaken as everyone else.

He sighed. "Do you…Do you think we all too readily accepted my father's death as natural? That we should've questioned it more?"

"Maybe," she replied. "But, Robin, given your father's age, it was not unreasonable to think his heart would just give out."

"I know, but at the same time, he seemed so healthy. Yes, he wasn't as fit as he used to be, but he wasn't overweight. He and Mother had gone riding only a couple days before," he said.

She nodded, patting his hand. "Or maybe it was just something Lord Ellis said in anger and meant nothing."

"It didn't seem like nothing." Robin leaned back, shaking his head. "What do I tell my mother?"

"Nothing. This won't leave this room until the council decides what to do with Lord Ellis' outburst. Do you understand me?" Lady Wellingsbury gave him a stern look.

That gave Robin pause. He had always been honest with Regina, hiding nothing from her. Yet he supposed there was always going to be something he couldn't tell her one day. He just hadn't thought it would be so soon.

"I understand," he said at last. She nodded, patting his shoulder again before leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Robin did his best to put Lord Ellis' words from his mind but he failed. When he returned to his rooms, Regina was able to pick up on his distress immediately and questioned him. So he told her a half truth. "I settled the meat issue with Lord Ellis. The council voted to keep an eye on him and he wasn't happy."

"I imagine he wasn't," she said and left the subject alone after that.

As Will and Ana's wedding day dawned, he put all thoughts of Lord Ellis aside. This was his and Regina's first official outing as king and queen and they were both in the wedding party, so there would be a precarious balancing act between their royal duties and their duties to their friends. He was certain they would pull it off, though.

Robin brushed Will's shoulders as he made certain his friend's doublet was straight. "I trust my uncle already threatened you within an inch of your life?" he asked.

"He did," Will confirmed. "But are you going to do it as well?"

"All I'm going to say is that Ana is like a sister to me and I am the king." Robin gave him a cheeky grin.

He nodded. "Duly noted. But I assure you I have the same plans to betray your cousin as you have to betray Regina—not doing so."

"Good to hear." Robin clapped his shoulder. "Are you ready for tonight?"

"You know I am not pure like you were," Will said. "So I am ready."

"Well, then, I guess you can tell me if it's different if you really love the woman than if you don't," Robin said. "For I have always loved my bedmate."

Will laughed. "True."

John, the other groomsman, opened the door. "Are you ready, Will?"

"I am," he replied, grinning. "Let's go get me married!"

Robin chuckled, following his friends out of the room and down to the chapel. This wasn't going to be the extravagant affair his wedding to Regina had been and if he was honest, Robin was a bit jealous. He had had no say in their ceremony or else he would've married her here, preferring the intimacy and history of the chapel to the cold grandeur of the cathedral.

As they entered, those gathered rose out of respect for Robin's status as king. They bowed as he followed Will down the aisle, taking his place beside the groom at the altar. Everyone remained standing as they faced the door, ready to welcome the bride.

The doors opened again and Regina entered, clutching a bouquet of roses. As she walked down the aisle, the people bowed to her. It relieved Robin to see her getting some respect as queen at last.

She looked beautiful, even in the simpler gown Ana had chosen for her and Ella to wear. The dress was made of velvet and was a bright red color. It opened up to reveal a white silk skirt underneath that was widened by the several petticoats he knew she had to be wearing underneath it. A ruby necklace hung around her neck, something Robin had requested be brought from the Royal Treasury just for her. Her dark hair was curled and pinned up, all resting inside her tiara. Regina stepped onto the altar and gave him a small smile before winking at Will, who only briefly glanced at her before staring at the center aisle again.

Robin finally tore his gaze away from his wife to pay attention to the bride. Ana floated down the aisle on her father's arms, dressed in a beautiful but simple white silk gown. Lace lined her sleeves, which only came to her elbows, and tiny pears were sewn into her bodice. Otherwise, the dress bore no other embellishments.

Her blonde hair was pinned up into an elaborate bun made of braids and soft pink ribbons. A long lace veil trailed from it, held by Ella to prevent it from snagging on anything, and a shorter layer covered her face as Sherwood tradition dictated. But even through it, Robin could see her brilliant smile and how her blue eyes sparkled as she focused on Will.

Uncle Joseph placed her right hand in Will's. "Be good to her, lad," he told him.

"I will," he promised, leading Ana up to where Tuck waited to perform the ceremony.

Robin watched with a sense of pride and an overwhelming feeling of joy as his best friend and his cousin pledged to love each other for the rest of their lives. As they exchanged rings, he looked past them to his own bride, who met his eyes and gave him a beautiful smile. Her eyes shone and he knew she was as happy for Will and Ana as he was, despite not knowing them as long. They were her friends and he knew how special that made them to her.

Ana and Will shared their first kiss as man and wife as Robin led the applause, clapping louder than everyone there. Will turned to him, shaking his hand before Ana kissed his cheek. "I hope you two are as happy as Regina and me," he whispered.

"Regina said the same thing back in my room," Ana whispered back, laughing a bit. "Almost two months of marriage and you now share a brain."

"It'll happen to you two too." Robin winked at his cousin before giving Will a gentle push to head down the aisle.

He then held out his arm to Regina. "Shall we, my love?"

"We shall," she said, beaming up to him as she locked arms with him. They followed Will and Ana out of the chapel and onto the Great Hall for the wedding feast.

Robin stared at the soup presented before him and he wondered if poison had been slipped into it. Were those really black pepper flakes? Or something much more sinister? Is that what he had missed the night Father had died?

"Robin? Robin, is something wrong with your soup?" Regina asked softly, laying a gloved hand on his arm.

He shook his head as he patted her hand. "Sorry. Just lost in thought."

"Anything you wish to share?"

"No," he said, picking up his spoon. He realized he was just going to have to chance it for now. "Just silly little things."

Regina didn't look convinced but she turned back to her meal, leaving him to his secrets for now. He sighed as he started to eat, praying that wouldn't be their last conversation. He'd hate to ruin his cousin's wedding by dying.

As the rest of the courses were brought out, Robin forced himself to eat as if he wasn't afraid of poison. Yet Regina kept a concerned eye on him the entire time, even while conversing with Ana and Ella through the meal.

"Your Majesty," a servant said, approaching the dais. "Lady Wellingsbury requests your presence."

Robin nodded, placing his napkin down. He kissed Regina's hand with a smile. "Excuse me. I'll be back shortly."

"You better be. The dancing will begin soon," Will replied, cheekily. "You wouldn't want the other men in court to steal your lovely bride."

"Robin knows I can't be stolen." She squeezed his hand before turning back to Ana again.

His heart light, he hurried over to where Lady Wellingsbury waited for him. She had her arms crossed and she was giving him an annoyed look. "You're being paranoid," she told him.

"There's a chance my father was murdered. I think I'm allowed," he whispered, glancing around the room. Was someone present there responsible?

She took Robin's chin and guided him to look at her. "We don't know that. So relax. You're going to make people suspicious if you keep this up. Regina already is. I can tell."

He nodded. "She's concerned, yes."

"Then stop it," Lady Wellingsbury said. "You don't want to worry her. Now go, dance with your queen and be happy. We'll worry about everything else another day."

"Thank you," he replied, hugging her. Worrying about something that might not happen was tiring, he had to admit.

She stepped away, heading back to where Mother sat, while he turned back to the dais. Keith, though, stepped in his path. "Your Majesty."

"Not now, Keith. It's my cousin's wedding," Robin said wearily.

"Our cousin," he replied. "You can't keep denying our familial bond."

Robin grimaced. "You won't let me."

Musicians took up their place and started to warm up. Keith smiled. "Ahh, looks like the dancing will soon begin. Tell me, will the queen dance with other men tonight?"

"I'm certain she will." Robin frowned. "What concern is it of yours?"

Keith shrugged. "None, I guess. It's all a concern of yours, I suppose. A beautiful queen, a room of men…"

"I will remind you that accusing the queen of adultery is treason. Familial bonds won't save you from the hangman's noose," Robin warned, his ire rising with each word out of Keith's mouth.

"I'm not accusing her of anything. But I overheard her speaking to a man the other day. When I turned the corner, she was alone and seemed rather nervous. She refused to answer any of my questions."

"Which was her right. I fail to see why you think I should know this." Robin tried to move away.

Keith stopped him. "Don't be blind, man. Why was she talking to another man?"

"Because there is no law saying a woman must stop interacting with all members of the opposite sex after marriage," Robin snapped. "Woe to the woman foolish enough to marry you if you think that, Keith. Now unhand me and leave my wife alone."

"Fine. Avoid the obvious. Don't come crying to me when she plays you for the fool, Your Majesty." Keith spat out Robin's title before stalking away.

Robin took several calming breaths before returning to the dais. Will and Ana had started their first dance as man and wife so he held out his hand to Regina. "Shall we open up the dancefloor, my dear?"

"What did Keith want?" she asked, glancing to where the Nottingham clan sat.

"Nothing of importance," he assured her, taking her hand. "Come. It's a wedding. Let's dance and be happy."

She smiled, letting him pull her up. "I am happy."

"So am I," he replied, kissing her. "Now let's go show the world."

A/N: Does Lord Ellis know something Robin ought to know? Or was he just speaking out of anger?

Next chapter is going to have a big step in the Outlaw Queen relationship!

Enjoy your weekend!

-Mac