When I returned to the palace my guards and maids could tell something was wrong. As I walked past James he moved like he was about to reach out to me, but thought better of it and stayed away. I wondered what he would've said or done if there hadn't been another attentive guard beside him. He always seemed to have the right words in my worst moments. My maids behaved similarly saying nothing, but Lydia asked James to fetch me something to drink, like they were all trying to solve the problem on their own. Truth be told, I was grateful they didn't grill me about my emotions because I had no idea what to tell them or how much I was even allowed to tell them. I didn't know what I could say about the former king and queen without offending and if my actions at the manor would get me in some kind of trouble.

After a few minutes there was a knock on the door and I was offered beer or wine. The smell of beer reminded me of my old owner and his vulgar ways so I took the goblet of wine and drank the entire portion in a few gulps before I asked for another. The wine was wonderful, tasting so much better than the potato water I had grown so used to. I wanted to drink it all night long. My maids looked moderately stunned, but Lydia bowed her head in compliance and returned to James with her request. Jasmine said nothing, busying herself with cleaning my spotless room and Isabelle picked up our stitching from the previous days with a timid smile, offering me my botched work.

I stitched with Isabelle for a couple hours and when my mind became too loud with too many unanswered questions spinning in it I would drink more wine. Fretting over the former queen's words would not solve any mystery that the king kept hidden and regretting my actions would not change them. Sure, they would label me as a brute but who in this palace hadn't? So I chose to enjoy my wine until my brain felt fuzzy within my skull and my eyes drooped with relaxed exhaustion. I drank until I stopped noticing the worried glances my maids shot each other every time I picked up my goblet and I lost track of how many times James had delivered more pitchers. I had never been drunk before, but it felt lovely right now. It seemed to be exactly what I needed.

Hours later Lydia indicated that I should change into my evening gown and have my hair redone. I just scoffed at her, feeling like my old self, like the woman I kept hidden whenever I was inside this grand place. I told her that I would be fine in my day dress with my frizzy hair. She appeared anxious at my refusal, but curtsied in agreement and allowed me to stitch until James announced that dinner was ready. I let out a sigh that was close to theatrical in protest, but managed to get to my feet and over to the door.

"Are we sure she should be going to meet with the king at all?" James asked warily, ignoring me to speak only to my maids.

"No, we aren't sure." Lydia retorted, "But we are not going to be the ones to deny the king his wishes. Are you?"

James examined my face in defeat, then extended his elbow to me, "Come Queen Willow."

I was delighted to be walking with James, though I stumbled so often that he slid his arm around my waist just to keep me upright. I was amused by the warm feeling in my body, but it seemed that I was the only one who thought it was funny because James seemed concerned. And his expression was mirrored on the other faces that we passed, even on the guards who announced my arrival into the dining hall. I felt a little bad at that, I didn't intend to make anyone feel uncomfortable. I just wanted to feel like myself again.

But the only person who didn't look upset was the king. He didn't look concerned at all when he saw me standing in the door way with James's arm still wrapped tightly around my waist. He looked furious and he made a noise that sounded animalistic which caused James to let me go immediately. At the release of support I staggered and stumbled until I tipped into my seat, giggling like a child to myself. There, my attention was taken off the king and James and zeroed in directly on the food. I hadn't realized I was starving, but now I felt like I could eat everything in sight. It all looked so wonderful and smelt so amazing.

"What's wrong with her?" the king boomed, his dark eyes flashing to James.

"She requested a large quantity of wine before the meal, my lord." James answered.

"Leave us, all of you." The king demanded, his eyes roving over every person in the room, "I need to speak with my wife."

I should've been scared considering the way that everyone else quickly ducked out of the room and I should've been terrified of the way that my husband stalked over to me, his expression unreadable. But I wasn't. All I could think about was how handsome he looked and how hungry I was.

"Why are you drunk?" He asked when he reached my end of the table. He looked exquisite in his breeches and shirt. The navy of his shirt made his dark eyes seem darker. I couldn't help but stare at him in awe for a moment. It was hard to believe that he was mine. This perfect creature was my husband.

Then I ignored him and extended my hand towards a glass filled with fine wine. He intercepted my extension by grabbing my hand. The skin on skin contact sent a wave of pleasure up my arm that was so lovely and so peaceful I shut my eyes for a split second, but then opened them when I felt him try to tug away. I made a disgruntled noise and latched on firmly to his hand. When he didn't pull away again I let out a little sigh of victory.

"Eat some bread and drink some water." The king said, but his stare never moved from my face, "After that I'm taking you to bed."

I did as he asked, though I really wanted to fill my stomach with everything in sight. It all looked so wonderful and tasty; it would be a real shame to let it go to waste.

"No." the king snapped when I went for a slice of ham. "More water."

"You're no fun." I pouted, but I followed his instructions anyway. Even being as intoxicated as I was I was quite afraid of him.

"What am I going to do with you, Willow?" he groaned, no longer sounding annoyed just exasperated.

"Love me." I blurted.

If I had been sober I would've never said such a thing and even in my drunken stupor I vaguely knew that it was not the right thing to say. I didn't know what kind of response to expect from King Archer after my impulsive words, but I did not expect him to reach forward and tenderly brush the back of his hand against my cheek. His dark, intense eyes met mine and all I could do was stare until he abruptly turned away.

"You shouldn't have drunk so much alcohol tonight. Your body still hasn't recovered from all those years of neglect; you need all the nutrients you can get. What you did was very irresponsible, Willow."

I didn't say anything for a long time. I was tired of his chiding, like I was a small child who couldn't handle myself just yet. So to keep myself out of verbal danger I kept my mouth shut while I drank enough water to please the king and didn't utter a complete word when he helped me out of my chair. That didn't mean that there was no giggling or snorting, but I hardly cared and I certainly couldn't tell if the giddy feelings came from the drinks I had had or the touch of the king. I tumbled against him repeatedly, grabbing onto his expensive jacket when I fell, or pressed my body against his chest to regain my balance and he kept a firm hold on one elbow while his other arm was looped around my waist.

Before I knew it I was back at my room and the king was dismissing James and his partner before he eased me passed the threshold.

"I'll get her to bed, you three retire early." King Archer said to my maids.

In no time my maids were gone and odd feelings swept over my whole body. I was still drunk and dizzy from all the movement, but still so happy all the same. And I knew that, with my maids gone, the king was going to be the one to undress me so I eagerly stood in front of my vanity, waiting. The thought filled me with desire, desire that I surely would've repressed if I had been sober. I wanted this man more than I had ever wanted anything in my life, yet I was terrified and confused at the same time. I knew nothing about him and I knew he understood even less about me. He had done awful things, things that had made me fear for my safety and my wounded neck was proof of that. He was part animal. And I still wanted him.

My drunken mouth made me brave enough to strive for a middle ground tonight.

"Tell me about your first wife." I said, staring at my mirror. I couldn't see the king but I could feel him tugging at my corset and the tightness around my ribs slowly loosening. It felt good to be able to breathe again.

"What would you like to know about her?" he replied.

To be fair I wasn't expecting an answer from him. It took me a moment to counter and when I did it was absolutely not the right question.

"Did you love her?" I asked.

"No, but I wanted to and I thought I could, over time."

"Was she a good wife?"

There was a pause, his hands stopped working.

"No, she wasn't. I thought she would be a good queen though. She was very proud and confident. She got what she wanted and I assumed those would be good traits for a queen to have. People loved her far more than they loved me. That was why I picked her in the first place. Now, it's my biggest regret."

"What made her a bad wife?"

"Well, she did leave me in the middle of the night for no reason. I would say that that would make any woman a bad wife. And prior to that she was demanding and cold towards me. I tried to give her everything she wanted, but it was never enough. I should've known on our wedding night that she didn't truly want to be with me, but I was young and excited."

"Was she a werewolf?"

His large hands settled on my hips, giving up on my corset entirely, but I didn't mind because I could finally breathe again. The king was looking at me through the reflection in the mirror. Maybe it was the alcohol that was twisting in my head but he didn't look angry or strict. His expression was softer and thoughtful. I thought it made him look heartbreakingly handsome and having his attention so focused on me made me feel utterly beautiful.

"No, she was a human, like you."

"Did you find her at the previous selection or did you know you were going to marry her before that?" I asked.

The king's brow furrowed deeply and his thumbs rubbed my hips through several layers of fabric. It was still enough to make me shiver.

"I was hoping to meet my mate at the selection, and when I didn't I picked what I thought was the next best thing. I had known her for a long time, she came from a good family. We had played together often as children and flirted as teenagers. Everyone approved so even if I wanted someone else it didn't matter. Now, why weren't you at the first selection?"

"My master didn't want me to go. By the time the royal guards found out you had been married so my master was simply fined." I replied.

"What happened with my parents that made you feel obligated to get so drunk?" he asked, a note of disappointment in his voice.

"Do your parents know I'm human?" I blurted, weaving around his question.

"Yes." He whispered, his voice coming out distracted.

"Do they know I'm a slave?" I questioned, worried about their opinion. God knows a woman like the former queen could make demons out of regular folk with the snap of her finger.

"No. I haven't told anyone- people who witnessed certain things like your maids- may have assumed things, but I haven't told anyone." He murmured.

"Why not?" I demanded, slightly surprised.

"Because," the king whispered, "you are their queen. You are my queen." His voice was filled with such passion it nearly startled me.

When I brought my attention back to him I noticed that he had dipped his head down towards the smooth curve of my neck. His eyes were closed and I could feel every breath on my neck before he gently nuzzled me. That tiny gesture of affection seemed to break down his barriers. His hands tightened on my hips like he was trying to pull me closer and control himself all at once. I watched him intently in the mirror as he moved his lips towards to the delicate skin as my heart pounded madly in my chest, wanting nothing more than for him to touch me. To kiss me. It felt like he had hypnotized me.

And finally his lips brushed against the sensitive skin in a feather light kiss. It was minimal, yet I let out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding and tipped backwards, leaning my back against his shoulder. With that, the king finally let go of some of his restraint and began moving his mouth over the skin, his lips pressing firmer as his arms pulled me tighter against him. My breathing came out in little gasps and my hands moved behind me to grip his clothing, needing more of him. The drunken state I was in had nothing to do with the complete ecstasy I was feeling now. I wanted to stay like that forever, with him holding me and kissing me.

Until I felt his teeth bite down. I registered the threat immediately and my mind was filled with thoughts of the bloody, painful wound he had left on my neck last time. Without thinking at all I thrust my body away from him and clasped my hands around the place he had bitten. Clearly there was no blood- it had only been a playful nibble at most- yet my heart was pounding away in my chest. And now it wasn't from pleasure.

After I turned around to face the king again I noticed his hands were up in a surrendering position and his chest was heaving just as hard as mine was.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked.

The compassion in his voice seemed to make my legs wobbly.

"No." I answered truthfully, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that. It's just-"

"It's alright. I understand." He interrupted. The cold, distant demeanor had returned to his face and voice. "Come, let me help you out of your dress so you can go to sleep. I don't want you to be exhausted tomorrow."

I obeyed the king and moved back to him, allowing him to finish the task of undressing me. I still watched him in the mirror, hoping I would catch him looking at me with desire or compassion. It didn't happen. His eyes were focused on my corset. I had broken whatever beautiful moment we had shared and my heart tightened with regret. When I was left in my dressing gown he turned away from me and told me he would see me the next day.

"Stay." I whispered weakly, watching his back move towards the bedroom door.

"I don't think that would be wise, Willow. You need your rest. And I need mine."

He left without looking at me.

****The last of the daily updates. I hope those of you who are reading this for the second time are noticing differences!****