Sitting atop the throne beside Alexander, I hold my breath. Prisoners are brought before us for judgment and sentencing.
The king's deputy drags the prisoner into the throne room. He's shackled, with his hands in front of him and his legs in chains, making it difficult for him to walk. "Your Majesty, the accused was caught impersonating a member of the royal guard."
A soldier from the royal guard steps forward, the witness who turned the accused in to the king's deputy. "He killed one of my men and then infiltrated our ranks to commit treason. We believe he shared battle plans with the enemy. Our soldiers are at risk and many more may die before dawn. I've called them back to the palace, but it takes time for word to spread through the kingdom."
"Do you have anything to add?" Alexander asks the prisoner. "Any last words before I sentence you to death?"
"You're a coward to have the executioner end my life. Take the blade and do it yourself. Blood for blood," he snarls at Alexander.
"At sunrise tomorrow, you shall be hung, drawn and quartered. Send him to the dungeon." Alexander waves for the king's deputy to take the prisoner away.
The bottoms of my palms sweat. Sentencing a man to death isn't something I had thought about being forced to do as queen. I'm grateful the decision fell on Alexander, but I also wonder if there had been less evidence, would he be so quick to judge and execute?
"Bring in the next prisoner," Alexander says.
I grimace. There's more than one?
A child no more than eight, dressed in rags and his hands chained in front of him, was brought into the room.
"Now what did this child do? Steal a loaf of bread?" I whisper to Alexander.
He glares at me to be quiet. "What is the accused being charged with?" Alexander asks.
"The child killed his family," the guard who brought him in says.
"They weren't my parents!" the boy shouts as he tries to break free. The guard grips the child's arm to keep him from escaping.
"How old are you, child?" I ask. Examining him further, I see stains of dirt on his face and dried blood on his shirt.
"Seven." His eyes narrow and he stands taller. "My parents live up north. They couldn't afford me and my two younger sisters, so they sold me to the swordsmith. He then auctioned me to the highest bidder."
I stand up from the throne, approaching the boy. "What's your name?" I ask.
He grows docile, perhaps understanding I mean him no harm. "James. I want to go home."
I circle the child, glancing him over. I've never heard of such a transaction. If my parents had sold me, I'd probably have done the same thing to the buyers, murdered them as well.
"Isabella." Alexander's voice is grave. He gestures for me to come back to the throne.
I saunter back, sitting down atop the chair and lean closer to Alexander. "You can't execute him. He's a child."
Alexander sighs. His voice is low, keeping the conversation solely between us. "I know, but he also murdered two people."
"Did he have another choice?" I ask. My eyes narrow. "Some crimes are committed for the good of the country. In war, people die. Soldiers don't serve sentences or find themselves executed for their sins. James was forced into a battle he didn't ask for. Be merciful and just."
"Do we have any additional information on the family that bought James?" Alexander asks the guard.
"No, sir. The neighbors confirm a child lived next door who didn't belong to them. They believed he was a cousin to the family, living with them after the plague killed his parents."
Alexander stares at the child. "And you say your parents are still alive?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," James says.
"I will only relinquish the child to his biological parents. He shall stay in the dungeon until we can corroborate his story," Alexander says. "Send two riders north to search for his parents. One shall come and pick the child up if they are willing to rear him properly."
"The dungeon?" I can't believe he'd send a child to the prison cells in the basement of the castle. "You're locking him away?"
"I'm doing what's best for everyone," Alexander says. "What's right isn't always easy."
I stand up, not being able to take any more of this today. The sun has set and soon it will be dinnertime. I've lost my appetite, the thought of dining with Alexander I find repulsive.
"What's easy isn't always right," I say, countering his argument.
"Where are you going?" he asks. His voice is low, so only the two of us can hear the disagreement. It's probably best.
"To my chambers, I need a break from all this ruling."
I skip dinner with Alexander. It's not as though I'm hungry enough to eat a decent meal. I beg my maids to steal some extra bread from the kitchen for me. I may not be starving, but I should eat something to tide me over until morning. They would do anything for me and surely bring me butter, jam and a half dozen types of bread to enjoy.
The sky darkens from night, though the storm lifted and passed hours ago. Going to the creek felt like a lifetime ago. I eat in peace, staring out at the garden, leaving the window ajar.
Down below, Hannah and Sebastian are kissing by the roses. It's sweet and if I weren't so annoyed by Sebastian, I'd be happy for her. I can't bear to watch another minute. I shut the window and stalk to my bed.
There's a knock at the door.
"Come in," I say to whoever dares enter.
Alexander lingers in the doorjamb. "Are we sleeping in separate beds now?" he asks. "Avoiding me at meals? This seems like the wonderful start to our marriage."
"You put a child in jail!" I can't let that one go.
Alexander sighs and steps into my chambers. "It's for his own good. If he is a danger to anyone else, he should be monitored. If he's not, then he'll be released within a few days. He's put up with far worse for much longer, I'm sure."
"Doesn't make it right," I say. Sitting at the edge of the bed, I cross my arms. "What are you doing in here?"
"You're my wife," he says. "It's fine if you're not ready to be intimate again, but I do expect you to join me at dinner. The kingdom needs to see us united, that we are a team. I expect you to join me in our bedroom as well."
"I thought you said—"
"Even the maids talk, Ella. Sleeping in two separate rooms is bound to cause rumors throughout the castle and probably the kingdom. We can't have that, for either of our sakes."
I don't disagree. He does have a good point, but still, I'm not comfortable with relinquishing control.
"My room, now," he says with a snap. It's not a question; it's an order. He stares at me, as if he disapproves of what I've done. "The longer you wait, the more spankings you'll endure, Ella. Don't make me carry you."
Spankings? I'm not a child. Why treat me as one? I open my mouth to protest but realize it will do little good. He is the king, and though we're married, we're not seen as equals. I feel anxious, with my heart pounding and stomach tense, but I take my time, hesitant to enter his chambers. Alexander is just a few steps behind. I swear I can feel the heat of his breath against my neck. His hand lands on my rear, forcing me to jump in the hall and walk faster.
Once inside, he shuts the door, leaving us alone. "You defied me today in the throne room, Ella. I don't like being sassed by my queen."
Does he really plan on spanking me? Perhaps it was only a threat? He'd swatted me once in the hall. Was that it? It hadn't been so bad. I'd almost liked it, a little.
He struts over to me, forcing me back against the window. The glass is cold at my back and his hands fall to my hips.
I swallow nervously, staring into Alexander's eyes. There's not a word for me to say, nothing that will change his mind if he's serious. That is one thing about Alexander; he's always determined to get what he wants.
"We don't have to be intimate, but you will pay for what you did. I can't look weak among my men."
"Pay? How?" I'm almost afraid to know the answer. He pulls me toward the bed, grabbing me by my arm, leading me where he wants me to go. I thought he said we weren't going to be intimate? My eyes glance from the mattress to Alexander. "What are you planning?" My voice betrays me, quivering as I speak. I'm terrified, and my heart won't stop pounding wildly.
"Even queens need discipline. You will not disobey me again," he says. "Now come here."
I don't want to, but do I have a choice? He threatened earlier to carry me. My stomach knots, unsure what pain will follow. The last time I'd been spanked, I'd been a small child. I can't even remember what I'd done to deserve it. Alexander sits at the edge of the bed. "Get on my knee, face down."
"What?" I don't understand. Is he serious? Maybe I can convince him that I won't cause any more trouble.
"Discipline, Ella. You deserve to be spanked for your behavior and insubordination. Do you think I'd let anyone speak to me the way you did today? Come here, or I'll drag you over and you'll get double the lashings."
My eyes widen and I glance at the door. How far could I get? Maybe I should have left the other day when I had the chance. Slowly, with trepidation, I walk toward Alexander. "Can't we do something else?" I ask. Even though I'm nervous, I step closer, trying my best to seduce him. "I'd much rather run my tongue along your prick."
Alexander raises an eyebrow. Sweat beads his forehead. "You're just dragging out the inevitable," he says.
I do as I'm told, leaning on his knees, my bottom right where he wants it. "Dear, you have too many clothes on. I want you to feel the sting of your wrongdoings."
He lifts my dress, leaving me exposed, the cool air cradling my rear and his eyes given more of a sight than ever before. "Just do it," I say, wanting the humiliation and embarrassment to be over. I can't see his expression, but I imagine he's smiling.
"Be glad I'm not demanding this in front of the entire castle," he says and slaps his hand down on my bare ass.
My cheeks clench and the sting almost feels good. Does he know the reaction he's caused? He strokes my rear, making the pain cease and the desire build within me. "You're a dirty girl, do you know that? Saying such vulgar things to me."
I moan, wishing his fingers were doing something else, touching me and stroking me instead of spanking me.
His hand comes down again with a second strike. This one is harder, more of what I expected, and I whimper in protest.
"What, you don't like that?" he asks. "I will bet you do. You want me to spank you again, don't you? That's why you're moaning. You're a naughty girl, Ella."
I feel conflicted. I don't want the pain, but the experience also feels enlightening. I'm aroused and I'm not quite sure why. Is it because I'm half-naked lying on my husband's lap or something else?
His hand comes down again over my sensitive rear.
"Promise not to defy me again in front of my court." His tone is stern; he's not fooling around.
I hadn't thought I'd defied him. We are both leaders of the kingdom, he the king and I the queen. "Ella?" he asks, waiting for my answer. He spanks me again, probably because I don't answer quickly enough. My bottom is raw and throbs terribly. Is he enjoying this?
A single teardrop cascades down my cheeks. Maybe I haven't made things easy for him, but I haven't intended him any harm, either. "I'll behave." It's the most I can offer. I'm not one to make empty promises, knowing I won't keep them.
"Let this be a reminder of what happens when you defy your king." He spanks me again; the sting grows unbearable as my skin burns and I shift uncomfortably against his lap. It's a mixture of both pain and pleasure. I enjoy his undivided attention. Is this what it takes to get that from him?
Arousal courses through my body, making me wet. Is it visible to him when he spanks me? Can he see my glistening pink folds? A blush spreads across my cheeks and I'm certain it covers my breasts and chest. My rear hurts and I reach out to rub the pain away, only to feel him grab my hand and push me to the mattress. He pins my wrists above my head, both of them. I can't move. I'm exposed. My ass is still showing, and I feel his body straddle mine.
"I want you, Ella, but I won't force myself on you." His breath caresses my ear, causing a shudder to course down my spine. "No. I'm going to make you beg for it when you want me to please you. You're going to have the entire castle know that I'm the one doing those wonderful things to you and the best part, Ella? Hannah is going to watch."
I chew my bottom lip raw. My thighs are burning, and I feel wetness seeping against the mattress. His words and spankings have already aroused me. Do I give in? I don't want to. I'd rather make him suffer after the way he's treated me and all he's done.
"Do you want me, Ella?" I feel his teeth scrape my ear and I whimper, thrusting into the bed. I squeeze my eyes shut, willing my heart to calm down and my arousal to extinguish.
"No," I say into the mattress. "I don't want you. I don't want this."
"Really?" he sounds surprised and lets go of my hands and moves away from me. "Okay. If you don't want it, I won't give it to you."
I expect him to leave the room to escape my rejection, but he doesn't. He climbs onto the mattress and lies down, his head on the pillow. "We're still sleeping in here together. Nothing's changed, Ella."
Lying in bed, I can't sleep. Alexander is snoring beside me, making it harder for me to relax. I stare at him in the darkness of the bedroom. It would be so easy to shove a pillow over his head, just as he did to his own father, but I won't do it. I'm not a murderer. Even if I don't agree with his punishments and rulings, we are married.
From outside the bedroom, I can hear movements and noise. Is it Sebastian visiting Hannah late into the night? Could it be rebels infiltrating the castle walls?
I slip out of bed as quietly as possible. My footing is light on the floorboards, though they still creak in protest. Turning the door handle, I venture out into the hall. The castle is dark, except for an oil lamp illuminating the path.
There are sounds again, but they aren't coming from Hannah's room. Three or four male voices are talking over one another. They're loud but muffled. Where is it coming from?
I can't make out what's being said. I follow the sound in the direction where it's coming from, down the back stairwell. With quiet and precise movements, I take the stairs one at a time, careful not to make a sound. Finding the next floor down, I recognize one of the voices. He was the other guard who had joined us at the creek earlier that afternoon.
"We can't prove it," the guard says to the other men.
I step closer, my feet finding a weak floorboard and it groans loudly under my weight. Grimacing, I step off it, but the damage is already done. Three are outside of the room and weapons drawn on me. Three swords are staring at my throat.
I swallow nervously. "Put your weapons down now!" I demand. Are they out of their minds? "I am your queen."
They each look at one another before nodding and lowering their swords. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. You startled us," the guard from earlier today says.
"What's your name?" I ask. He hadn't provided it earlier. I'd like to know everyone in the castle, although there are quite a few servants and guards on duty.
"William," he says. "We didn't mean to threaten you, Your Highness."
He must know a threat to the crown is punishable by death. Did they not recognize me at first glance? Or were they too caught up in some plot that the sight of any person frightened them? I have no intent to put him to death, unless he does intend harm to come to me or Alexander. I will protect him, even if I feel he may be wrong in his actions.
William points to the two standing beside him. "This is Bridget and Richard."
"Bridget?" I look the fellow over to realize it's a lady in a guard's outfit. "You're all guards?" I'm surprised to find a woman guard in the palace or, frankly, anywhere. It's untraditional. Does Alexander have any idea that a woman is serving to protect his honor and his kingdom? Should I tell him?
"We are," Bridget says, locking eyes on me. "We find the best way to infiltrate the rebels is to have a female guard spying on them. King Alexander has confided in you about the rebel factions?" Her eyes widen and she looks almost apologetic for mentioning it.
"Of course." He's told me bits and pieces, but I don't dwell on what little I know. "What can you tell me about your time as a mole?" Is this how Alexander gathers his information about the enemy?
Bridget glances at Richard and William, almost as though she's seeking their approval before confiding in me.
"Go ahead," William says.
"Not everyone agrees that Alexander should be crowned king. Many within our country believe that Alexander's cousin, King Frederyk, should assume the throne. Although he's not the direct heir, he is a diplomatic king and he's influential. His allies stretch along our borders, giving way to hostile nations that could attack us at any moment. Our peace treaties are in jeopardy. The only country that still has a secure alliance is your homeland, Queen Isabella."
"How do you gather your information?" I ask. "Are you sure it's reliable?" I don't doubt their credibility, but I do question whether the enemy knows there are spies in their mist.
Bridget's cheeks burn. "I'm sleeping with King Frederyk. I'm one of his many mistresses. A man can't keep anything a secret when we're in bed together."
"Oh." My eyes widen surprised by her confession. "So, it's reliable information?"
"If it weren't, Queen Isabella, King Frederyk would have already had my head on a chopping block."
I don't doubt she's right. "Does King Alexander know of your undercover work?" I ask. Would he approve if he knew all the details?
"No, my queen. I've thought it best to leave the specifics out," Bridget says.
"Do we know if King Frederyk is planning an attack on our kingdom?" With his allies mounting our border, I suspect it won't be long until someone makes a move.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Richard says. "King Frederyk has aligned himself to attack our villages first. His desire for the throne knows no bounds. He will kill women and children without a second thought."
"Do we know when this will happen?"
"Within a few days' time. A month at most," William says. "War is coming."
I don't dare ask what we do. It is a king and queen's job to give orders and a soldier's responsibility to take them. "Have you told all this to King Alexander?" I ask.
"Yes, earlier today. I offered to include you in the discussions, but he insisted you were resting this afternoon."
I'm not pleased with being left out of important decisions, but at the same time, I recognize that this has only been my country for a few days. For Alexander, it's been his country for his entire life.
I bid goodnight and sneak back into our chambers.