Chapter 2, very short. Forgive me, I'm still trying to work out the details -- should I do this and risk flames, etc. You know what I mean. Oh well. At least this story more or less broke my writer's block, though not for the story I'm hankering to finish. Drat. Who knew that writer's block is into specialization these days?

Basic disclaimers in Chapter One. Feedback will be bronzed and displayed on my wall, flames will be flushed down the toilet. ;)

Avalon Castle was considered to be one of the seven most beautiful structures in the land, which also included the golden statue of Alara, the mother-goddess whose blood runs in the royal family. Even in the stifling heat of the summer, the courtyard and gardens were scenes of tranquility, cool sanctuaries where the castle's harried inhabitants could seek peace for a moment.

"Away with ye, woman! I've nae mind t'play yer silly games."

Well, most of the time.

"I merely thought you would enjoy a cool drink in my chambers." Lady Emma's expression was perfectly innocent, though her eyes promised something well nigh impossible to associate with the word. "And perhaps... a little entertainment later, hmm?"

Sir Sean looked around desperately, but his traitorous students had vanished as soon as the half-succubus mage came into view. He tried to concentrate on keeping his body from reacting to the bared expanse of creamy skin, which she made sure was impossible for him to ignore. His effort was an ignominous failure. The mage stepped closer, effectively pinning him against the cherry tree. Her scent wafted through the warm air, and he found himself wishing that she did not smell so good.

Lady Emma smiled seductively, caressing his lower lip with a finger. His temperature jumped a notch. "You should never play hard to get, Sean. It does not become you," she scolded. The white silk of her dress brushed against his hands as she tipped her face upwards, bringing his head down for a kiss.

"Sir Sean?"

"Damn! Uh, um, thank God. Over here, lad!" He pushed her away and practically stumbled towards the page, who wilted under Emma's glare.

"S-Sir Logan requires your p-presence immediately, sir. I-in t-the Knight's Hall," he stammered.

"I'll be there at once." Sean bowed to the mage. "By yer leave, m'lady," he said and fled, the page hot on his heels.

"Damn," Emma fumed.

"Spying on your subjects, beloved?"

High King Magnus, standing at the window, nearly jumped before remembering his dignity. He turned around to meet the amused smile of a beautiful dark-skinned woman.

"Their daily lives are always a matter of concern to me, my queen," he said mock-pompously, earning a laugh in return. She leaned against his arm, watching a white-clad woman striding away from the fruit garden.

"Sir Sean and Lady Emma again?" Even with the distance, High Queen Ororo could ascertain the mage's annoyed expression. "I pity her apprentice today."

"I don't know why he refused to court her. She is obviously willing, and I wager that she would not try to distract him from his duties -- unlike many courtships I know."

The High Queen glanced up at him from beneath snowy lashes, her blue eyes mischievious. "Was I a distraction from your kingly duties during our courtship, then?"

"No, no, of course not," he said hastily. "You know I have always considered you to be half of my soul."

"As do I." She gave him a lingering kiss, then changed the subject. "Do you know when Sir Jonothon will arrive?"

"I have just received word that the bridge at Xavier Gorge was damaged. He would have to take the old route through Salem Forest." Magnus frowned. "The delay is unfortunate -- time is something we scarce afford."

"With the Genoshans massing at the border, I would think not," she agreed. "Our spymaster reported that Black Air rebels are aiding them, and more are expressing interest."

Ororo contemplated the cloudless sky for a long moment, and finally continued, "Bastion and his Sentinels left us with a decimated army, not nearly enough to wage a full-out war against Genosha. I..." She left the sentence hanging, but he caught the unspoken words.

"So am I, my love." For a fleeting moment the High King's mask fell, and he became merely a man fearing for his wife and unborn child's future. Magnus curled an arm across her shoulders, drawing her back into their chambers. She was safe, at least for today, and he meant to cherish the temporary peace.