“I’d appreciate if my rider finds there’s some remote inn or luxury Firenz tent, I don’t give a damn what it is, except that whatever it is, is within but a few miles of this beach. Just as long as Cap can take you there and take care of business before there’s a mutiny. Who would have thought we’d be less happy when you two started to get happy? Though, the point is, you need to really get happy so the rest of us don’t consider regicide.”

“I’ll do my best to see if I can make things …” I searched for words. “Calm down sooner than that.”

He dipped his chin. “I would be forever grateful, my queen. As would Nis. Tint. Bond. Ore. Nav. And about five hundred other men.”

I started quietly laughing.

He gave me a wink and began to continue in the direction he’d been heading (which, I would note, was away from his king) when I stopped him.

Xi again looked to me.

“I hate for you to have to go back, so perhaps you can send a sailor in your stead. But could you get word to my husband I’d like to speak to him when he has a moment?” I requested.

“I’ll send the one I least like,” Xi offered.

I started laughing again and nodded. “It would be appreciated.”

He gave a slight bow and murmured, “Anything for my queen.”

He then resumed on his path away from my husband and I watched him eventually call out to a man who rushed to him. Xi spoke some words, the man did not look happy, but he nodded to his superior officer and started to trudge toward his king.

I avoided his eyes as he got near me, pressed my lips together in order not to smile, and made my way over the sand to the lapping sea.

In the ensuing days since I showed my husband my magic, I had made many overtures to his men, most especially his closest lieutenants, and had been rewarded beyond my wildest dreams.

They were good men and their fun-loving, close nature that I’d been witness to these last many weeks being something I, myself, finally could enjoy was like being awarded a precious gift.

Though I did not kid myself.

The joviality and courteous attention I now enjoyed had naught to do with these overtures and everything to do with the fact that Aramus and I were not only getting along, he often held my hand when we’d stroll the beach. I also endeavored greatly to make him laugh as often as I could (and succeeded frequently). Further, we had all our meals together, and when he left me, I’d made a habit of pressing my body to his as well as my lips.