Sighing, Shardea got out of bed and went to her salon across the hall to bathe, hoping that it would in some way wash away the terrible feelings she was having. She sat in the tub for hours, just meditating and watching the candles burn in the semi darkness. There was a mystic effect about the room, and she didn’t feel like leaving it and going back to the real world.

When she finally emerged, she threw on a slinky turquoise dress and meandered downstairs. The palace was quiet without Memnon’s enforcers there, and without him there to scream at them every chance he got. In a way she missed him, but in a way his absence was a blessing. All these thoughts were too much for Shardea. She decided she needed to go speak with her advisor at once.

Sully sat out in the courtyard amidst the flowers and trees, gazing at the sky. It was a warm day, and the sun shone down upon his tanned, bare back. Shardea almost had to check herself when she approached him, and she almost lost her ability to speak.

“Sully,” she said thinly. Sully glanced up coolly and smiled when he saw her.

“How nice of you to join me after your half day of meditating in your bathroom.” He grinned. “I have a feeling you came to seek my advice?”

“You’re too good at your craft, psychic,” said Shardea with a smile. “I suppose I do have something to discuss with you, if you’re willing to listen to me ramble about petty things.” Sully smiled sympathetically.

“No issue of yours is too petty for me to handle, my lady. Proceed.”

“Well, as usual, it does have something to do with my husband.”

“More grief from that dictator?” mumbled Sully. “Forgive me. Go on.”

“I feel like this dispute is my fault, because I couldn’t keep to myself and be quiet when he told me to.” Sully’s eyes widened.

“He shouldn’t expect you to stand by and not say a thing. If he truly loved you he wouldn’t subject you to such.” Sully sounded defensive. Shardea was almost surprised.

“I know,” she admitted. “I tried to bear it, and it was too hard.” Sully nodded.

“Did you find out if he was running things around behind your back?”

“He was,” sighed Shardea. “All this time he’s been plotting conquests I knew nothing of.” Sully’s eyes narrowed.

“There was something about him I always despised,” he said. “Some evil. I could sense it.” Shardea let out a shaky sigh.

“I don’t know what to do, Sully. I don’t even know if I love him anymore. He’s not the man I fell in love with. He’s just a shell of his former self, possessed by a tyrannical demon.” A tear fell from her eye and she began to cry.

“Come, he’s not worth it,” said Sully gently. He put an arm around Shardea to comfort her, and she buried her face against his shoulder. In response, Sully pulled her close and held her tightly, gently stroking her hair. Strangely, he felt a sudden closeness to her, and felt closer to her than he’d ever been. It was a strange feeling beyond all words in the human language. Whatever compelled him to act now was making him draw her still closer, and now she was clinging to him as if she clung to her salvation in him. Suddenly she lifted her face to his and their eyes met. Her hand found his cheek and caressed it, and she leaned in toward him, mesmerized.

“Sully,” she whispered, then suddenly she snapped back to reality. “Oh gods, forgive me.” She jumped up. “That didn’t happen. I didn’t almost just kiss you, I swear. I, uh, I have to go.” With that she stood up and fled the garden. Sully raised an eyebrow at her as she went. He sighed and shook his head.

Shardea ran inside and went in the first room she saw and slammed the door. Her mind was a blur, and her heart was racing. For some reason, the sight of Sully shirtless lying in the courtyard had evoked a response from something within her, as had being in his arms and staring into his eyes. Her lord had only been gone a day. Was she already starting to fall prone to infidelity?

“Madam?” A voice shattered Shardea out of her thoughts. She whirled around, faced with a puzzled Thorak. “Is there any particular reason you’re in lord Memnon’s throne room?” Shardea glanced around, realizing that this was in fact where she was.

“I was…looking for you, Thorak.” she lied. “I was uncertain about the number of guards surrounding the perimeter of the palace. Are you sure there are enough?”

“I assure you, my lady, you are safe.”

“Are you sure?” Shardea toyed with her hair, blinking at Thorak. He sighed, defeated.

“You win. I’ll go check.” He left. Shardea breathed a sigh of relief. Halfway down the hall, Thorak stopped. “Wait a minute,” he muttered. “I just checked the perimeter!” he shook his head and went off down the hall.

“That was close,” muttered Shardea. As quickly as she could, she fled back to her chamber. She had a feeling the coming days were going to be very hectic. There were so many things she had to see to as long as Memnon had left her in charge…her train of thought derailed. Wait. Did Memnon leave her in charge? Only one way to find out! She went off in search of his minion Thorak once again.

It took her three trips around both floors of the palace to finally find Thorak. When she found him, he seemed to be hiding off on the terrace. She frowned as she threw the door open. “Thorak? Why aren’t you doing your job?”

“What?” Thorak looked up guiltily. “Oh. Forgive me, I wasn’t expecting you to…” His eyes widened. “What can I do for you?” he offered a sheepish smile.

“Nothing really,” Shardea shrugged. “I just wanted to know if lord Memnon left me in charge of affairs while he is absent.” Thorak bit his lip.

“Actually, no.” he said with a little smile. “He didn’t. He left me in charge.” he smirked. Shardea glowered.

“Great,” she said. “Excuse me.” She turned to walk swiftly inside, but Thorak caught her by the wrist and pulled her back to him.

“Watch your step,” he said coldly. “I’ll be watching you.” He kissed her hand softly, then released her. She tore away from him and fled to the door, giving him a glare on her way out.

“I never liked you, Thorak.” she hissed as she left.

As she fled, she ran head-on into Sully and they almost knocked each other down. Shardea screamed and Sully clapped his hand over her mouth.

“Shardea! It’s just me!” Shardea sighed with relief.

“Sully, thank the gods I found you. Everything’s been so hectic today, I’m just happy to see someone familiar.”

“What’s happened now?” asked Sully with a smile.

“Memnon left Thorak in charge, and I think he just threatened me.” Sully burst out laughing.

“Thorak?” he demanded. “Are you sure?”

“Yes!” Shardea almost laughed. “Come to my chamber with me and I’ll tell you about it.” They set off upstairs.

Elsewhere…

Memnon’s troops had the small province surrounded on the field where the two armies were about to clash. The army on the other side of the field was about a third in size with weapons that didn’t stand a chance against Memnon’s. With a satisfied smirk on his face, Memnon rode up atop the hill on his black stallion, as regal as he, and drew his sword. He glanced back at his army.

“When I give the word, fire your arrows at these scourges,” he told them. “They stand no chance.”

“Sire, we are outnumbered,” said the general to the prince on the other side. They glanced warily up at Memnon who was looking very menacing atop the hill, his battle flags fluttering in the wind behind him. He was as deadly as a viper, as regal as a god. The prince hung his head, defeated.

“We cannot defeat him,” he said. “If we do, we will all die.”

“What then, your grace?”

“Go forth and give him my notice of surrender.”

“Surrender?” demanded the general.

“Yes,” replied the prince. “We shall comply with his wishes. Anything to avoid having to lose more lives to him.” The general bowed.

“As you wish, your highness.” He got on his horse and rode across the field.

“Wait,” Memnon told his troops. “Hold off your weapons a moment. Someone’s coming.” The general approached, holding up a white scarf in his hand.

“The prince offers his unconditional surrender,” he said. “We will comply with your wishes.” Memnon smirked.

“I thought you’d see it my way.” he said. “When I am ruler of the land, you can be known as the province that opened the door for me to the City by the Sea.”

*~*~*~*~*

Shardea lay facedown on her bed, the back of her dress unlaced, with Sully’s hands massaging her bare back. She let out a soft sigh.

“Sully, I knew you were good at something besides foresight,” she giggled.

“Yes, and a lot you don’t know of,” joked Sully, making Shardea blush at his suggestion. “You’re very tense.” He remarked, roughening his touch a little.

“Stress,” she declared. “I can’t seem to take the pressures of ruling lately.” She sighed. “You know, it doesn’t even seem like I rule anything these days. Memnon has taken over and suspended my rights and expected me to obey him. Why would I want to be queen when I’m ruled over in my own palace?”

“You’re being rash,” warned Sully. “If you give up the throne, you can’t go back.”

“I’m not giving up anything,” Shardea said deftly. “Just relocating. You see, I’ve been thinking.”

“Uh oh…” joked Sully. Shardea laughed.

“I’ve been thinking maybe it would be better if Memnon and I went our separate ways. I could give him his portion of my kingdom as advised in our treaty, build a palace elsewhere and begin again.”

“It sounds cunning, my lady. I’m sure you’ll have time to consider your options.” He paused. “So I’m supposing Memnon is out of the picture?”

“I suppose,” Shardea sighed. “Unless he comes back a changed man, in a good way. But you didn’t hear that from me.”

“I understand.” Sully said in a smooth tone. “I know how you feel. Just know I’ll be here to help you in any way you need me.” Shardea smiled and sat up, holding her dress up so it didn’t fall down. Sully smiled at her. “Anything you need from me, I’ll give it to you.” he added. Shardea blushed. Abruptly, their eyes met, and Shardea found herself losing herself in Sully. His eyes were so green, so shimmering that she found it impossible to break gaze with him.

Sully’s eyes were locked on Shardea’s and he had no hope once he gazed into her eyes. He knew he was lost now, and nothing could bring him back. Suddenly he was recalling scenes from long ago. Once before, he and Shardea had made love, and the way he felt when he was pleasing her was indescribable. Suddenly he realized he wanted to feel that again. Before he knew what was happening, he found his lips locked on Shardea’s. He kissed her feverishly, baring his soul to her, opening himself to her in ways he never thought he would and gladly, she accepted him, wrapping her arms around his neck and returning his passionate kiss. Suddenly Sully broke away, panting.

“Forgive me,” he said, panic in his voice. “I didn’t….I…”

“Hush,” said Shardea as she kissed Sully again. She pulled him closer to her, running her hands down his back. He felt suddenly weak in the knees, and he quickly corrected the problem by pushing Shardea back onto the bed, falling on top of her. “Sully,” she whispered. Sully smiled deviously and kissed Shardea again, this time letting himself become more dominant, taking Shardea’s face in his hands and kissing her possessively. Their tongues dueled each other as Shardea’s hands ran through Sully’s hair, and Sully’s hands caressed Shardea’s body. Abruptly he pulled away from her lips and dropped a kiss onto her neck, blazing a trail down her neck to her breastbone. Then he stopped and looked up at her.

“Am I going too fast?” he asked gently.

“No,” replied Shardea. Her hands ran over his bare shoulders and their eyes met. Sully saw nothing but desire in Shardea’s eyes. “Sully, I want you naked, right now.” Sully’s eyes widened and he smiled coyly.

“If that’s what you want.” He stood up and stripped slowly, keeping his eyes on the ground. Shardea watched him as he stood exposed to her, the flames from the nearby candles dancing in his eyes. The flames cast a golden glow over Sully’s naked body in the dim light of the room. Even in the semi-darkness, Shardea could see Sully was blushing. He was beautiful. “Now what?”

“Don’t move.” Shardea told him. She stood up and went to Sully, putting her arms around his waist. Her dress fell to the floor. Sully pulled her close and kissed her passionately. His hands were in her hair, trailing down her body, touching here, caressing there, until he found it unbearable not to be on her and he pounced her to the bed. He pinned her down by her shoulders and planted kisses down her body. Each touch of his lips sent waves of passion coursing through her. Every caress he gave her drove her to the brink of insane need. Sighing Shardea wrapped her legs around Sully. “Take me, Sully,” she pleaded.

And for the time the two were together, it was as if time stood still. All they could see was each other, the passion in the other’s eyes. All they felt was the searing heat from one another’s bodies, the closeness of contact, the smooth touch of their naked bodies upon each other, writhing in the throes of passion. All they knew was each other’s pleasure.

But little did they know that they were not the only ones who knew of their exploit. They were oblivious to the world as Thorak walked away from the crack in the door through which he had been eavesdropping. He could only imagine the reward he could get with this information. Smirking to himself, he went off down the hall.

Sully and Shardea lay in each other’s arms that night, peacefully sleeping, when one of Sully’s odd night visions shattered him out of his sleep. He sat bolt upright. Shardea stirred next to him as she stroked his stomach. “What is it?”

“I’ve had a vision,” he declared. “One of Memnon’s closest knows of our affair. He’ll use the information as leverage for himself, to get himself higher in favor with Memnon.” He sighed. “I know Memnon. As cruel as he is, he will not kill you. He may strike you, and he may curse, humiliate or exile you, but he won’t kill you.” A grave look crossed his face. “He won’t hesitate to kill me. The only thing I can do is flee.”

“No,” pleaded Shardea. “You can’t leave me. I need you. You know I’m nothing without you.” Sully lowered his eyes.

“We don’t have many options.” he said sullenly.

“Then go,” said Shardea deftly. “And I’ll go with you. We have something in common, Sully. We’re both in fear for our lives from Memnon.”

“If you wish to go with me, then that’s your choice.” said Sully. “No matter where you may go, you still rule Avonlea until you step down.”

“When will we leave?” asked Shardea.

“Tomorrow, as soon as possible,” he said. “We’ll sneak out if we have to. I know a place where we can wait this out. It’s not as luxurious…”

“I don’t need my pleasures, as long as I have you.” Sully smiled.

“And you’ll seek pleasure from me?” he giggled. Shardea tickled him playfully. He wrapped his arms around her and rolled over on her to keep her down. They smiled at one another lovingly. “Go back to sleep,” Sully said softly. He lay back on the pillows, and Shardea nestled against him, closing her eyes. Sully watched her for a while, then closed his eyes to go back to sleep, and not have to worry about if his plan was going to work.