Chapter 36

Tristan shut his study door harder than he intended.

"Sit." Tristan ordered as he placed Sapphire on one of the plush chairs which covered his study. Making his way over to the cabinet, he took out a bottle of brandy, pouring it in a glass.

A thousand different thoughts ran rampant in his mind, the letter burning a hole on his desk. He looked down at his hands to see them trembling slightly, his breathing uneven. He felt like coating his hands in blood as well as licking her in a room until he was certain it was safe. The upside was she was alright.

His agitation was due to that bloody letter. Poor Robert, he needed to make sure his solar was alright. He was afraid the lad may have soiled himself, the lad had been petrified. He hoped that was not the case, but knowing Robert, it most likely was.

"I thought you did not drink." Sapphire said, testing the waters.

"I don't, this is for your wound." Tristan said, his words spoken through gritted teeth.

Sapphire watched his every move. The way he he placed the brandy away before lifting the glass and placing it beside her. The tightness around his eyes, the strain of his jaw. The whiteness to his knuckles. He seemed relatively calmer than he was earlier, his body no longer giving off waves of death. He was a walking contradiction.

Tristan left his study to fetch warm water and towels, all the while a scowl occupied his handsome face. Returning to his study, he placed everything besides Sapphire. Taking out his dagger, he cut away the sleeve of her injured arm. The blood had the material sticking to her arm, he clenched his jaw shut, his eyes smoldering in anger. He prayed she didn't need stitches. He was glad it was not her sword arm, but she lost too much blood. He was going to murder Robert.

Sapphire winced slightly as the sleeve of her arm was gently pulled away by Tristan. She watched as his jaw grew taunt, his silver eyes dancing with anger. She couldn't comprehend why he was so angry, surely he was over reacting? Robert hadn't meant it, a fact Tristan knew.

"Why are am you so angry. It was an accident." Sapphire whispered, unable to speak any louder due to the brandy being poured in her wound, the burning sensation was not pleasant. She bit down her lip to stop any noise. She didn't need Tristan worried unnecessarily.

"You will not be needing stitches, however, you may not be able to use this arm for a weeks time. If you do so, I will need to stitch it." Tristan said, avoiding her question as well as her gaze.

Sapphire sent him a glare.

"My lord husband?" Sapphire prompted with a raise of a perfect brow.

Two could play.

The nerve of the man! By all means, he could be angry, so long he had a bloody reason! And at the moment, Sapphire didn't think he had a bloody reason at all.

Tristan stared at Sapphire. She was looking at him expectantly, waiting.

He glared. What was he supposed to say? Although, she looked breathtaking in anger, her eyes dancing with a unique fire.

Tristan pulled her towards him until they were a breath apart, not able to tolerate the distance any longer. She drove him insane.

"You shan't be able to distract me." Sapphire said, her breathless voice betraying her.

Tristan stared at her impassively, his eyes glowing in triumph, before crushing her against him, being extra careful with her arm, and seizing her lips with his own. Her surprised gasp was all he needed to join them as one.

Sapphires arms tried to grab hold of his, to no avail. He held her arms prisoner, making her immobile. Her heart beat a tattoo in her chest, she was sure he could hear it. This man never ceased to control her, her body, as well as her heart, were his to do as he pleased, as a serpent was to a flute, a moth to a flame.

Sapphire pressed herself against him, knowing it was a lost battle, for now. She craved his touch, but the brute not only wouldn't let her touch him, he wouldn't touch her either!

The kiss was different from his other caresses, but welcomed nonetheless.

His tongue explored her mouth with a brutality and harshness he did not expect, much less comprehend. He poured his anger, worry and frustration into that one kiss, willing her to see what he did. As abruptly as the kiss had began, Tristan pulled back, ending it, his breathing ragged.

"I beg to differ." Tristan husked with a slight smirk, his eyes alight with desire.

"You, sir, are an arse." Sapphire managed to get out through her harsh breathing. The kiss had left her reeling. She tried to get her breathing back to normal as she stared at his arrogant smirk.

Pompous brute!

"Shall we go to bed, you seem tired." Tristan said as he ran his hand down her thigh rather provocatively, much to her pleasure, and displeasure, finally touching her.

"I think I would prefer a conversation, my lord husband." Sapphire said as she held his hand, her hormones running rampage. She watched the desire in his eyes, his smoldering silver gaze pulling her in. His eyes were hooded, darkened by lust. As much as she loved the fact he desired her, she needed him to speak. He had been acting rather strange for a few days, especially now.

"One kiss?" Tristan asked with a small pout.

Sapphire blinked. Who would have thought? Tristan was acting very strange. The face he made had a strange effect on her, then again, everything pertaining to him held her captivated.

"Are you feeling alright, my lord?" Sapphire asked cautiously, staring at him as though he was some sort of experiment.

"It's Tristan." He growled. "And why shall anything be wrong?"

"You are acting quite peculiar."

"Desiring ones wife is called being peculiar? Strange." Tristan mused. He watched her agitation in amusement, but knew he had to get to the crux of the matter. He wanted nothing more than to be inside her, but that would need to wait.

Sapphire rolled her eyes, not giving in. With a roll of his own eyes, she watched as Tristan stood up and walked to his desk, retrieving something and then sitting besides her once more.

"You need to keep someone with you at all times." Tristan said softly, all traces of the light atmosphere from moments ago gone. He fingered the parchment, not taking his eyes off of it. Loathing it with every fiber of his being.

Sapphire noticed the change in his demeanor, altering him to be hard and distance, cold, aloof.

She despised it. His voice brought her out of her musing.

"I care not where you wish to go, it is of utmost importance someone is always with you." Tristan said in a soft, deadly voice, one that had shivers of apprehension dancing along her spine.

Tristan fingered the missive once more before handing it to her. Sapphire looked it over once and then twice.

There lived a great king, one who knew no weakness. Try as his enemies might, they could not find a way to delude him, to conquer him. That is, until the day he acquired a small bird. Within that beautiful creature, lay the life of the king. Thus, his enemies overpowered him once and for all, never having to set sight on his appalling person ever again.........

"Well, you are no king." Sapphire said with a bright smile.

"Sapphire." Tristan admonished, "that was a poor attempt at a jest."

"I do not see you trying, my lord husband." Sapphire said with a scowl.

"Infuriating woman, would you please have someone accompany you at all times? Preferably Alexander, Duncan, or Gerald." Tristan said in exasperation. He needed her to listen. He couldn't, wouldn't let anything happen to her.

"You are not an option?" Sapphire inquired innocently, too innocently.

"I am not an option because I shall always be there."

"Interesting."

"This is import, Sapphire. It is not a joking matter." Tristan spat, frustrated.

"I was trying to make light of the situation." Sapphire said wide eyed, taken aback with his harsh tone.

Tristan felt like an arse. He shouldn't have been so harsh. How could he explain to her she had to be careful because.... Because she had to. Lord Rivers would have his head if something were to happen to her.

"I apologies, but in my defense, it was poorly done." Tristan said, his voice slightly teasing.

Sapphire rolled her eyes before becoming serious.

"Why would someone send you such a note? And more importantly, who?"

"I have not the slightest of ideas." Tristan growled.

"It shouldn't be of surprise. I have accumulated a number of adversaries through out the years." Tristan muttered bitterly.

Tristan's mind ran rampant, who could it be? And why now? It was obvious why now, they thought he had a weakness. He stared at Sapphire through the corner of his eye. She was frowning, biting her delectable lower lip..........

He shook himself from his lustful stupor. Now wasn't the time to be thinking with certain parts of his anatomy. He needed to think with his head, and fast. Tristan ran one hand through his hair in irritation. When that didn't help, he ran a hand over his beard, his gray eyes as cold as steel as he began calculating.

Sapphire frowned. From all the things she had heard about him, he stayed away from people. He hardly spoke to his own staff, how was he to make enemies? She would need to ask someone, the question was, who?

"You will stay with Alexander, I need to take care of certain tasks." Tristan said as he stood up, holding his hand towards her.

Sapphire grimaced, accepting his hand.

Tristan cocked his head to the side, silently waiting for an explanation.

"I believe Alexander is indisposed at the moment." Sapphire said while a light blush covered her cheeks.

Tristan ran a single finger along said cheek, speaking softly.

"Pray tell me, why would he be indisposed."

Sapphire's blush darkened. Tristan's eyes glittered with amusement and something darker.

"He has the runs, has he not?" Sapphire questioned, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Your glorious blush betrays you."

"It is not so glorious if it betrays me."

Sapphire said warily, staring into his gaze, captivated.

"It is to me." Tristan said simply. Nothing but the stark truth in his words. She was everything to him. She was sweet, determined, kind, stubborn, beautiful, exquisite and all his.

Everything she did held him captive, bewitched him until he couldn't see anything but her. He only had to think of her sweet smile and it had him softening inside, feeling emotions he had read about, but never understood, never experienced. From the scrunch of her nose when she found something displeasing, to the way she withered in passion beneath him. Everything she did ignited an emotion in him, and he was helpless to stop it, nor did he want it to stop.

Tristan leaned in and kissed her deeply. She was...... Everything.

He didn't bother to seek entrance, he seized it, exploring her mouth and committing it to memory. No matter how many times he kissed her, touched her, it would never be enough, and so help him God, he didn't want it to be enough. He didn't want his craving, his madness to end. He was content, happy, with insanity.

Tristan pulled back, his breathing ragged, eyes still dark with hunger.

"Tell me."

Two simple words, that's all it took for her to give him the answer which he sought. Like a sirens call, she was hopeless to stop her response. It seemed her mind and body belonged solely to him, for they were not her own.

"Isabella mixed an herb with the biscuits she made to give Alexander the runs. She knew he would eat them." Sapphire breathed.

Tristan smirked. "Did she now? This will be verra entertaining."

He took her hand more firmly in his and led her out his study.

" I will have lord Rivers stay with you."

Tristan and Sapphire walked in the great hall to find lord Rivers in front of the hearth speaking to Isabella. Isabella smiled wickedly, quite proud of herself.

"Your friend seems to be very happy with herself. Go, I will be back shortly." Tristan said, he released her hand only to pull her back into his embrace for a rough, brief kiss. In their brief touch, his kiss held an urgency that should have frightened her, him, but all it did was make them clung tighter to each other.

The men and staff watched in silent awe, not wanting to ruin the moment. They had seen their lord smile and laugh over the days, and now, he was being.... simply human.

Cook watched from the kitchens, wiping away a rogue tear. They were all so very happy to see their lordship happy.

Cook had been with Tristan when he was a lad, training to become a knight. He had watched Tristan work day and night with no one but Asher by his side. When the other boys would mock the old, or anyone beneath them for that matter, Tristan would stand against them. He cared not if the person he was defending was kin or unknown. He stood for justice. When Tristan had decided to come back for his tittle, he couldn't let him go alone, he had grown fond of the boy. And now he could finally see him happy.

Sapphire walked towards her uncle, slightly dazed. Kissing her beloved husband always left her wanton. The desires he provoked in her were surreal. She was becoming quite greedy.

"Darling, I love you and Tristan, but I do not enjoy seeing his tongue down your throat." Lord Rivers said, trying, and failing to be serious.

"It is called kissing, uncle John. You should be happy he only kisses me in front of everyone, some people I know have done far more." Sapphire said while eyeing her uncle.

"Guilty." Lord Rivers smirked, not at all bashful.

Sapphire rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless. She loved her uncle.

"Sapphire I am so very happy." Isabella said in delight.

"That brute of a man has had the runs the entire time."

"He looks a bit pale, darling. How much did you add?" Lord Rivers asked in slight concern as he watched Alexander race out the great hall once more.

"Say, what happened to the remainder of the sweets you made? Pray tell me, no one else had the misfortune of eating them." Lord Rivers said, his brows furrowing slightly.

"I put the rest away, uncle John. All though I feel awful about about Alexander."

"He deserves it." Isabella snipped.

"Isabella.." Lord Rivers warned.

Isabella pouted but held her tongue, knowing her father was not to be argued with.

Tristan knelt by the castle walls. There were no foot steps indicating the person had climbed the wall. The only way the parchment could have reached the other side was if someone had climbed the wall and got over, or entered the village. Which meant someone had delivered it personally.

Tristan's blood turned cold, different scenarios going through his mind. The first thought of Sapphire. He needed to keep her safe. If something were to happens to her......

A viper lay in his nest. Once he got hold of the person, he would have to pay with his life, of that Tristan would make certain.

No sooner had plans of retribution began to form in his mind, his blood warmed to a raging inferno. He wouldn't rest until that persons blood was shed. No one harmed what was his, and Sapphire was most definitely his, his alone.

A slight movement to his left drew Tristan's attention. A form he recognized far too easily hurriedly made their way amongst the trees.

"Andrew! Andrew!" Tristan growled.

Andrew froze, he couldn't feign ignorance. Making sure his face was clear from the fear which held him in its brutal clutches, he turned to face Tristan. He loathed him for making him fear him, but he naught but a fool if he didn't fear him.

"Where were you?" Tristan questioned, his gaze narrowing.

"I went hunting." Andrew answered evenly, a thin layer of sweat beginning to form on his brow. He couldn't loose now, not when he was so close. It was only a matter of days.

"Where is your game?" His voice came out softly, menacingly, beckoning a person to spare themselves. His beautiful features impassive. He looked as if he had been carved from granite, not a single emotion marred his beauty.

Andrew drew in a small breath of air.

"I was not able to catch anything."

Andrew said, looking anywhere but in Tristan's cold silver gaze. His eyes alone had Andrew rethinking his loyalties. He now knew why Tristan was so widely feared, and he despised being amongst those who feared him.

"My men and I go hunting once a week, what caused you to hunt. Has the butcher run out of meat?"

Tristan questioned impassively. He knew the butcher had an abundance of meat, he made sure of it. Tristan never let there be any shortage for his village.

Ever.

"Where is your game?" Tristan repeated with a raise of his brow.

Andrew looked down at his empty hands as if just now realizing he was empty handed, no prey what so ever. He decided on a different approach.

"I did not hunt for the flesh, I did it for the thrill."

Tristan watched him with cold calculating eyes. He needed more proof, which meant he needed Andrew to assume he let him be, for now. The man was a guile bastard. Tristan saw it in the way his shoulders were set, from the way he watched everyone, everything. There was nothing lost about this man. Tristan would have to proceed with caution.

"Very well." Tristan said, dismissing him.

"May I be of assistance?"

"No."

Tristan's answer was curt and immediate.

Andrew ground his teeth together but refrained from saying anything. He was already in a compromising position, he needed to be careful. It was all because of that bloody bitch! He wouldn't let Tristan or his hounds gain anything on him until it was too late.

"Gerald!" Tristan called, turning his back on Andrew. He felt when Andrew began to walk away, his footsteps hurried, but careful. A man familiar with running.

"We need to check in the forest." Tristan said, fully aware of Andrews listening ears a couple of feet away.

Lowering his voice, he said

conspiringly. "I need you to keep a watch on Andrew, but you must be very careful."

Gerald gave a barely there nod, it was all Tristan needed to know he had understood.

"My lord, the forest could take us days." Gerald said, his voice loud and clear.

"So be it." Tristan said as he walked the opposite direction.

His mind was reeling. It could, or could not be Andrew, but something in his gut told him he was the one. Tristan ran over the facts in his mind.

The person delivered the parchment. There were no foot prints along the castle wall to indicate someone had climbed the wall. Nor where there any marks on the wall.

The culprit could have done one of two things. Either they could have left the parchment, and immediately retreated, or they could have waited to leave.

If they had left immediately, there would be footprints, or at least an animals trail. There were none. The person had waited, it could be Andrew.

"Gerald!"

"Aye, my lord?"

"Where was the parchment found, inside the castle gates or outside?"

"Inside, my lord."

"Which means our culprit is no' an outsider."

Gerald's features hardened.

"Aye, my lord."

"You remember what I told you."

Tristan said staring at the stones.

"Aye."

"Make sure it is done."

He didn't wait for Gerald's reply as he strode towards the village. He needed others to keep a watchful eye on Andrew as well.

"Bullocks!" Alexander gasped as he sat on a chair in the kitchen.

"Would you like something to eat, sir Alexander?" Cook asked with a snicker.

"Nay." Alexander said, wide eyed. He loved to eat, but he didn't fancy going to relieve himself, again.

"More for the rest of us. Ye eat as if ye are starving." Duncan grunted, a grin forming on his face at the longing on Alexander's face.

"Would ye like a bite?" Duncan teased, putting a spoonful of soup under Alexander's face tauntingly.

"Sod off." Alexander growled. He was hungry.

"Aye, this apple pie taste verra fine." Robert quipped as he stuffed said pie in his mouth, his eyes gleaming with wicked glee.

A growl like sound emitted from Alexander's throat before he stomped out the kitchens in frustration. Damnation! He was hungry. He did not understand why his stomach was upset.

Alexander was lost in his musing, not noticing where he was heading until he collided with another person, his hands going around her waist to prevent the fall.

"My apologies, your ladyship." Alexander said sheepishly as he removed his hands from around her person.

"No worries, sir Alexander, I was looking for you." Sapphire said as she pulled out a small pouch."

"Ye have an upset stomach, aye?" Sapphire asked.

She felt horrible. Alexander was pale as death, Isabella had added more than required of the herbs. She needed to fix it before he turned ill.

Alexander let out a breath and nodded.

Sapphire opened the pouch to reveal a round vile. "Drink this tonic, and your stomach will feel at ease." Sapphire said as she handed him the vile.

Alexander took the vile with a grateful smile. Unscrewing it, he lifted it to his mouth when Sapphire said, "I suggest you take it with something, it's very bitter."

"I will take it as it is. So long I can began to eat again, and not have to empty the contents of my stomach every other minute, a wee bit of bitterness is no' a problem." Alexander said with a crooked grin despite his current health. He lifted the vile and let the foul liquid run down his throat, all the while managing not to gag.

"Bloody bollocks. What in the devils name did ye put in this." Alexander muttered as he wiped his mouth, not liking the foul taste which lingered in his mouth.

"I see you are feeling better already." Sapphire said warily.

"I did warn you."

"Aye, ye did." Alexander said with a warm smile.

"I wanted to ask you something, that is, if I will gain the answers I seek."

"Why do I not like the sound of that?"

Sapphire shrugged.

"That is for you to know, sir. Now, will I be able to get answers or shall I look else where?"

"Nay, I will answer you to the best of my abilities." Alexander grumbled.

"Shall we take a walk around the battlegrounds?" Sapphire asked as she looks up at Alexander. He was tall, not as tall as Tristan, but enough so she had to slightly tilt her head.

Alexander stared at her dubiously.

"I do not think that is a good idea, my lady."

"Alright, but somewhere private."

Alexander stared at her warily before leading her close to the hearth.

"What is it you wish to ask, my lady?" Alexander asked while running a hand through his blond locks, cautiously awaiting his ladyship to speak.

"I wanted to ask things pertaining to Tristan. When did you begin to work for him? How was he like? And does he have enemies who wish him harm?" Sapphire said nervously as she worried her bottom lip as well as her fingers.

Her main concern was Tristan.

"It is not my place to ask, but may I know why?" Alexander asked as he leaned back, sitting more comfortably.

"I assume you know about the parchment?"

"Parchment?" Alexander asked, clearly confused.

"I see you don't. Worry not, Tristan shall have you know by the end of the evening." Sapphire said with a wave of her hand. The brute was too busy telling her to stay out of trouble. He acted as if trouble was attracted to her!

Alexander nodded his head. He was certain Tristan would let him know.

"Lord Knight came to train as a knight when he was a young lad. He came earlier than most lads who wanted to train to be knights. His small frame often made him vulnerable to be preyed upon by the other boys." Alexander said fondly as he smiled at the memory.

"He proved them wrong time after time. He wouldnae let anyone get close to him, always preferring to be alone with Asher. He would awake before dawn, have a bit to eat and begin with his training. He never spoke to anyone, and if anyone attempted to speak to him, he ignored them.

" Soon enough he began to fill into his body. His impressive frame and strength could not be bested. Amongst all of us he was the best. I would go to battle with him. He was our commander, our leader, everyone would need to answer to him.

"He fought with deadly intent which left not only the opposing side, but us stunned as well. If he were to look at someone, anyone, it would be enough for them to be filled with fear. And I testify to that concept, it's no' fib. When I would look into his gaze it would be cold, assessing. With that one look it felt as he if knew our every strength, our every weakness." Alexander whispered, his eyes distant.

"He fought without fear. Swords would graze his arm, but it seemed as if he hadn't felt them. He could wield a sword with both arms, exceptionally well. If that was not enough, he moved with an agility which left us begging for death. His attacks were rarely seen coming. His arrows never missing their target. Him and Asher moved as one, united.

"I always found him to be cold and blood thirsty, why else would he distance himself from everyone around him? His horse was magnificent, still is. But once Asher had hurt his leg, that was the first time I had seen him shed tears. He spent the entire night by the beast's side. That's when I learned he never slept in his own room, he always slept in the stables with his horse.

"He seemed perfectly content and at ease with himself, always speaking and smiling with the beast. And at times I thought the beast actually understood him." Alexander said, his voice filled with awe at the memory.

"Asher was fiercely protective over Tristan. Just as his master, he wouldn't communicate with the other animals, preferring to be alone. He wouldn't let anyone ride him exceptTristan. When the boys would pick on Tristan, he would come out of the stables and attack them, not letting them get anywhere near Tristan. A mother protecting it's child, that's how I would look at it."

"Why would they bother Tristan?" Sapphire asked confused, unshed tears swimming in her eyes.

Alexander smiled sadly.

"They did not know of his status. Whether he was a bastard or a commoner or a noble. They knew naught. He was thin, they didn't see him as much competition. There were heirs in our training group, Tristan and I being the only ones who they knew nothing of. I spoke and joked with everyone, they set aside their pride for me, but not for Tristan, and he didn't care.

"They were also very jealous of him, they all wanted Asher for their own. As well as the fact Tristan knew more about the sword than they did. He was magnificent.

"I knew I had to get to know him better, and I tried. I pestered him for months before he finally began to speak to me. It was a grunt here and there, but it was a start nevertheless. Soon enough Asher began to trust me and Tristan reluctantly gave in.

"When news reached he was lord Knight and was required back at his estate, a large number of men wanted to come with him. All though he kept to himself, with his characteristics, he won the hearts of many. I, myself had wanted to come with him. We all knew a lord needed men and we were more than glad to serve under him.

"All the times we went out to battle, even when we practiced, he drove us hard, but only for our own good. He constantly put others before himself. The men would loose hope in themselves, but he wouldn't loose hope in them, always encouraging them forward."

"There was a man, Daniel, he only had one arm, had lost it in battle. No one wanted to take him in. Tristan took him in and told him he would make an excellent swordsman. By then Daniel had lost hope himself, he didna want to try, but Tristan pushed him until he became one of the very best.

"He holds a special place in our hearts, your ladyship. I do not know what happened to him before I befriended him, but he is a good man." Alexander said as he stared at Sapphire.

She wiped away her tears with a slight smile. Throughout the entire time Alex had spoken, she couldn't stop the unbearable pain, the sorrow which gripped her heart. Her sweet, kind husband, her Tristan, had to go through so much. And now he had more to worry over.

"Thank you, sir Alexander."

"The pleasure is all mine, your ladyship."

"What in the devils name is going on here!" Tristan growled, his eyes filled with anger.

Alexander and Sapphire looked towards him, quickly standing.

"Tristan what-" Tristan cut her off as he stalked towards Alexander, roughly grabbing his collar. Lord Rivers smirking behind him.

"I believe I asked you a question." Tristan menaced.

Alexander kept his hands to his sides, struggling to breath.

"I do not know what you are saying." Alexander wheezed, barely able to breath.

"Why the hell is my wife crying? What did you do?" Tristan snarled while Alexander managed a smirk.

Sapphire rolled her eyes, quickly running to Alexander's aid. What was he thinking smirking at Tristan!

"Tristan, put him down. He was telling me a tale of a small lad, the story made me tear. Now put Alexander down. Uncle John, explain to him!" Sapphire said in exasperation, her tears completely gone.

"Put the boy down, Tristan. Saph has a habit of crying when a bird dies."

Lord Rivers said with a smirk, not making a move to stop his son-in-law.

Tristan let Alexander go, taking a step back.

"My apologies, Alexander."

"No worries, it was amusing to see you go daft." Alexander said with a smirk, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"I'll show you daft." Tristan growled threateningly.

"If you two are done acting like savages, I would like to eat. Something smells delicious." Lord Rivers said as he took Sapphires arm, heading towards the kitchens. Sapphire turned around and glared at them both.

"I do not want you to fighting."

"Tristan, I would like to sleep."

"Alexander." Tristan growled.

Alex smirked, helping himself to some pie.

"I see you're eating again." Tristan said as he put away the damn parchment.

Him and Alexander had been locked in his study for hours as he told him everything he had discussed with his other men, trying to form a plan.

"Aye, lady Knight gave me a tonic."

"Aren't you wondering how you became ill?" Tristan asked with a raise of his brow. He needed to get back at that pestering thing called a sister-in-law. Who better than Alexander.

"I suppose I ate something sour."

Alexander mumbled around a bite full of pie.

"You're an imbecile."

Alexander lifted his feet off the table with a scowl. He had as much brain as brawn!

"You think you suddenly became ill? Cook does not keep sour food." Tristan said with a roll of his eyes.

Alexander thought on his words before putting the pieces together.

"That wench!"

"Aye." Tristan smirked.

" I believe justice is in order, eye for eye." Alexander said wickedly. The wench though herself a princess, he would show her.

"Do you have a plan?"

Alexander shook his head no, but he'd be damned if he didn't come up with one soon.

"Luckily for you, I do." Tristan smirked.

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And I'm sorry for the delay, I couldn't make the story flow.

It's one in the Mornin and my brain finally started writing.

I apologize for any mistakes, can't keep my eyes open.

Lastly, thank you guys for the comments, you guys have no idea how much your words mean to me, thank you sooooo very much!