The bedroom door slammed open, surely denting the wall with its force. Kat's head snapped up. Her husband blazed towards her chair, fury radiating from his tense body.

"What did you do?" he growled, coming to a halt as he stood imposing over her.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked, bewildered.

"What did you do?" He leaned down, putting his hands on the armrest to cage her in. "The dungeon master reported that Riolf is missing and that you visited him this morning. So, what. Did. You. Do?" His voice was biting, blue eyes icy as he glowered at her.

Kat's heart practically leapt out of her chest at his harsh tone, tears rushing to her eyes. "Jayden..." she whispered; feigning hurt at the accusation. "I don't know what you mean. I didn't do anything.

"Don't lie to me," he said lowly. "I know you saw Riolf."

Like you've lied to me? She sighed a little, shoulders slumping. "Yes, I did. I didn't think you would mind, I just... I know what it's like in those dungeons. It's a terrible place. I was afraid that he might have... I worry about him, Jayden. I still care for him despite my efforts not to. I'm sorry, I truly didn't think it would matter to you." A small sob escaped her lips as she bowed her head.

He raised her chin with his knuckle, forcing her to look at him again. His gaze was less heated, but deadly serious. "Katarina, did you let Riolf escape?"

Her eyes widened. "No! How could you even—Jayden, I would never do that. He tried to take everything away from you. I may still worry about him, but he was in that cell for a reason. Please, I didn't know he was going to escape after I visited, or I would never have gone." She put her hand on his arm, eyes swelling with tears.

Jayden was silent as he studied her worried eyes. He softened. "I understand, gem. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to approach you so angrily. It's already been a very long day and hearing that he's escaped... it just worries me. What if he comes after you?" His fingers brushed her cheek. "I don't want anything bad to happen."

Kat pushed him back a little so she could stand and wrap her arms around him, gently rubbing her fingernails up and down his back. "Nothing's going to happen to me," she whispered as he tucked his chin behind her shoulder. "I'm the last thing you should worry about right now."

He pulled back to look her directly in the eyes. "Never. You will always be the first thing on my mind."

"You can't say that," she said softly. "The kingdom comes first."

He cupped her face. "Even if I am forced to put the kingdom's needs above yours, you will always be more important to me. Even when wars, famines, and traitors are taking my time, you will be in my thoughts. Those things don't have nearly the same place in my heart as you do."

Kat closed her eyes, heart aching painfully as he kissed her. If only I could believe that.

She had to let Jayden go for a few hours as he led the search for Riolf, but when the evening was almost over and twilight was considering approach, it was time to find him again with her invitation.

"Begging your pardon." She stopped a soldier who was traversing through the castle. "Do you know where I can find the king."

He bowed to her. "Your Majesty. I believe I saw him in the courtyard with the general."

"Thank you." She made her way to the nearest courtyard door. The sun almost blinded her, but if she shielded her eyes and squinted, she could see well enough to pick out the cluster of men in the courtyard. There were horses and people coming and going, turning in their report to their superiors or running off on their next mission.

Jayden's golden crown gleamed on his golden head, making him easy to pick out among the soldiers. He was in discussion with the group of leaders at the center of everything, throwing his arms around in agitation.

As Kat approached, one of the soldiers the king was conversing with noticed and brought Jayden's attention to her. She smiled sweetly at him when he turned around, trying to calm her shaking hands by folding them neatly.

He left the group to meet her partway. "My dear gem, what are you doing out here?" he kissed her forehead.

Kat glanced at the low sunset. "It's getting late. I thought perhaps you could rest from trying to find Riolf and come on a walk with me." She tucked her hands into his, letting them dangle playfully as she smiled at up him. It was so easy to pretend that she truly did just want to take a walk with him, that they were in love and the world was perfect. If only...

He grimaced a little. "I'm afraid not, darling. We must find Riolf. If we leave him to his own devices he may try to stir up a revolution."

"He's clearly not going to be found today," she said. "It's almost dark and it will be impossible to find him at night."

His gaze swept over the courtyard as he frowned. "I know. But I'm going to have my men continue investigating through the night. If he is to make for another city he'll have too much of a head start if we let him travel all night."

She sighed a little. Just come with me already! "Well... they surely don't need you here all night. You have a whole day of ruling tomorrow—you need your rest." She took a step backward, tugging him with her. "Come on a walk with me. We'll stroll through the gardens, enjoy the night air, then retire to our room for the night. Maybe take a bath? Cozy up in the bed?" She tilted her head up, widening her eyes pleadingly.

He met her eyes with a little laughter in his own. "You're trying awfully hard to be cute today. What do you want?"

Don't panic. Don't panic. She smiled. "I haven't seen you much today. I just wanted to spend some time with my husband. Please?"

He gave a half-sigh, half-laugh and shook his head. "All right, gem. You win." He glanced over his shoulder. "Pelham! I'm retiring for the night. See to it that the search continues and let me know the moment you find Riolf." He barely waited for the general to bow before turning back to Kat. "Lead the way, my queen."

She squeezed his hands, then pulled him away from the busy courtyard.

Jayden took in a deep, contented breath as they stepped into the garden. "Thank you for forcing me to take a break. You know I love nights like these. Especially when I get to spend them with you." He squeezed her hand, brushing their shoulders together.

The evening was lovely. The temperature was cool, but not chilly, and a few distant stars were peeking out from behind the pink clouds, as if blessing the wandering couple. Or judging the cruelest betrayal.

Kat hummed sweetly in response, remembering the days, not so long ago, when she would have practically melted at his warm voice and sugary words. She tried to keep her stride meandering as they strolled towards their favorite tree, even though her legs desperately wished to run forward and have the night done with.

I feel like I'm always pretending anymore. Maybe after all of this I'll be able to stop with the lies and figure out who I truly am. I thought I knew the answer to that six months ago, but that was before Erion died and I was imprisoned. Now everything has changed. Even I have changed in ways I was not prepared for. Someday, I'll find time to reevaluate myself and figure out how to move forward. That is, provided things turn out favorably.

As they turned onto a wider path, memories of their wedding overtook her mind. This is where we walked down the aisle, she thought achingly. I never thought I would live to regret that day.

"Can you believe we were married just ten days ago?" Jayden asked softly. "It feels as though it were years, and yet only yesterday."

"Time is a fickle thing," she agreed, stopping next to their tree and running her fingers over its bark. "Not long ago, I believed I may never marry. Now look at where I am." About to betray my husband who also happens to be the one all Driem believes to be a benevolent king. Are Riolf and Edrick almost ready? I thought perhaps they would catch us before we got here.

Jayden faced her, running his hands up and down her arms slowly. "And I was afraid I would have to marry a woman I didn't love. How lucky I am that you came along." He was smiling down at her with that sweet smile that had always made her heart pound. It was pounding now, but not from the expression on his face.

"It appears we were both lucky," she said, forcing a smile onto her face. Where are Riolf and Edrick? Jayden leaned in, gently closing his mouth over hers. It felt so good to just let herself sink into his embrace. This is it. The last kiss. The last moment I'll be able to cherish with him. Before she could think any further, she put her hands on his cheeks and pressed against his lips, holding the kiss, putting all the love she still felt for him into it. A tear slipped down her cheek, shining in the starlight as she relished his presence for just one more moment that seemed to stretch into a thousand.

Then he was gone.