"I imagine there'd be elections. But how would we prevent hundreds of people running?" Islo asked and frowned at my notes.

We were moving forward on future plans for how we were gonna run our country. We had outlined how many representatives we wanted from each country. Three from each. And then two from Andaheim, including me. And I'd be impartial. I'd still be a part of our little government, but I wouldn't make decisions based on my own opinions or intentions.

"Maybe there needs to be some sort of requirement," I muttered and tapped my pen on the table.

"It can't be based on education. Some won't have had access to it. But maybe they need to have smaller elections? Maybe they need to put down small governments in their own tribes. And from those there will be chosen representatives who go to Andaheim."

"Do you think they'd be up for being self-governed?" I looked up and met his gaze.

"Yes. They've asked for this for years. If we do this, it'll revolutionise the whole nation. I also think you as the king should sign the laws, still. We can't just absolve you of all responsibility."

I nodded. "I know."

"The country needs a monarch right now." He put his hand on top of mine. "And you're already a wonderful king, Quinn."

"Thank you. I wouldn't be anything without you." I took a deep breath, bracing myself for the next thing. "Is there any news? Of the plans?"

"No, not yet. They've just told us to be ready for when they come."

"Did... Did you hear Dreki? He said there'd be raids on the supply convoys."

"It's probably them. They wanna cut off Andaheim and they're in the best position to do so. No one knows Aatskina country like the Aatskina people.

"I guess that's smart. But how much longer?"
"Be patient, Sweetness. It'll happen when it happens." He leaned in and kissed my temple. "And they'll get us out of here. You, me and Isla. And we'll retake the country. Together."
I smiled and nodded. "I like the sound of that. And I'll see Al."

"And you'll see your sister. Talk to her too."

"I can't wait."

"You will make the statement and you'll sound fucking sincere do you understand?" Dreki growled and slammed his hand down on his desk.

"I don't want to make more statements."

"Do you want your fiancé's other leg to be crushed too?"

"No," I breathed and looked down at the document he had handed me. I'd do another dumbass statement about how glorious the nation was and how our enemies would be crushed. It would paint Aatskina as evil. How they all wanted to tattoo our skin with their marks and make us conform to them. I hated it. It made my skin crawl to hear the constant broadcasts in the radio. Even the radio had been ruined by Dreki.

"Then read the script, Quinn." Dreki looked tired. He never looked tired, always looked very put-together but now he just looked exhausted. His hair was kind if ruffled and not slicked back. He had dark circles under his eyes too.

We moved into the room where I did all my recordings. They had set up this whole studio, with machines that would record my voice onto these film-looking strips of plastic.

I sat down by the round microphone, perched on a metal stand.

"Say something," the technician said. He wanted to sound test.

"My name's Quinn," I said into the microphone.

The technician had a pair of headphones on, listened for a moment and then gave me a thumbs up.

I looked down at the document and swallowed. I took a deep breath.

"My beloved citizens. It is your king speaking. These are troubling times we are facing as a nation. But we are strong. Together we will succeed over the enemy." I paused and glanced up at Dreki. The speech was ridiculous. He sent me a pointed look, urging me to get back to my dumb speech. "We have to stand together with the pride that defines our nation. As proud as we stood with my father, King Flóvin av Stál in the War of Ice, we will have to stand together once again. For the nation. Thank you."

I sighed and looked back up at Dreki. "Who even writes these?"

"Several people who knows how to write speeches. Thank you, Quinn. We don't need you anymore."

I rolled my eyes and left the "studio". I always felt so dirty after doing this and I just wanted to soak in the tub as fast as possible.

Except it was occupied. Islo opened his eyes and smiled up at me, as I entered the washroom.

"Hey," he murmured.

"Is the water still warm?" I asked and unbuttoned my shirt.

"Yeah, come join me."

I took my clothes off and joined my fiancé, revelling in how warm the water was. I leaned my back against his chest, slipping in between his legs. He ran his hands over my chest and then one ran up to my jaw, tipping my head to the side so he could kiss the side of my throat.

"Where have you been?" he murmured against my skin, not stopping to let me answer.

"Dreki had another dumb speech for me to read."

"They are indeed dumb," he chuckled and leaned back. I didn't move with him. He started massaging my shoulders and it was all I needed right now. My body was so tense, but it relaxed under Islo's touch. It became almost liquid, so he could form it however he wanted.

"You have so many knots in your back, Sweetness."

"I keep getting them. I don't know why."

"You've been under a lot of stress lately. When you're stressed, your shoulders go up to your ears."

I snorted and looked back at him. "That's not true."

He smiled a little wickedly back at me. "No, but you do tense up."

I winced when he dug his thumb into one particularly sore knot. His fingers were replaced with his lips fast and I groaned softly. And then he continued to massage me, and then kiss me when it hurt too much. Soon my back felt so much better and I relaxed back against Islo. He circled his arms around me, kissing the back of my head, before he too relaxed.

We just sat there for a while, enjoying the silent moment. A moment of bliss.

When we were as wrinkled as prunes, we got dressed for bed and snuggled up under the covers. Very closely. I loved this feeling of being completely clean, warm and in bed with Islo. Just lying here, listening to the goodnight Jazz hour on the radio.

"I love this song," I said as a famous singer came on. The song was a hit right now. Every station played it. And it was so nice. It had these quiet bits and then it'd pick up the tempo for the chorus. I loved the voice of the singer too. He had this rough voice.

"I wonder if he ever thought a king would say that about his song," Islo mused. "Do you ever think about that?"

"Can't say I do," I chuckled and moved even closer to him, repositioning a bit on his chest. His hand was in my hair, massaging my scalp. "Maybe I should send him a letter. That I enjoy his music."

"I bet he'd actually like that. And it's good press for you too. You're young and engaging with the music scene is what every young person does. It could make you seem really relatable."

"I'll write one tomorrow then." I smiled and closed my eyes.

Dreki burst into our apartment with two guards.

"Take him," he growled, and the guards grabbed Islo. I tried to step in their way, but the choker erupted in painful blasts of electricity. I fell to my knees and then down on the floor. My body stopped working and I had no control.

It felt like forever before the pain stopped. I gasped for air, fighting to force it down my lungs. I looked up to find Islo on his knees, his hands shackled on his back.

"Now, tell me what you know." Dreki said without taking his eyes off my fiancé.

"About what?" Islo growled.

"Don't play dumb."

"I'm not playing, asshole. I don't know what the fuck you're talking about."

"The convoys, Charred! We haven't had a single one come through in a month!"

"How in the fuck is it my fault you can't protect your convoys?" Islo sneered and shrugged off the hand of the guard from his shoulder. "I am here, aren't I? I can't bloody well place bombs on your convoys."

Dreki seemed to consider that for a moment. He hesitated a moment too long, because Islo was just getting started.

"You monitor everything I do. I am never able to even contact anyone without you knowing. How would I know anything about this? Am I just being your punching bag? Do you just need someone to blame so you can throw a fit?"

Islo got a fist in the face for that by one of the guards.

"Please," I whimpered. "Please don't. We don't know anything." I stayed on the floor, careful of not moving my aching body.

Dreki glanced down at me. "Grovelling suits you." He turned on his heel, snapped his fingers and the guards unlocked the shackles around Islo's wrists, leaving us behind. They even slammed the door after them.

"Quinn," Islo breathed and was by my side immediately. He helped me to the sofa very gently and took my face in his hands. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," I muttered and nodded. "I'm alright. Are you? You're bleeding."

He moved his fingers up to his eyebrow and looked down at them. "Shit," he murmured. "I don't want Isla seeing this."

I rose and walked to the bathroom, my legs still feeling a little stiff. I returned to the sitting room with a washcloth and put it on his eyebrow. He sighed and met my gaze.

"I don't want her seeing me like this, Quinn." His eyes were shiny, and his voice shivered.

"And soon she won't have to anymore. We'll get out of here, Islo. We will. I promise."

He closed his eyes and nodded. A tear unhooked itself from his lashes and I caught it with the washcloth, playing it off as if I was just making sure I was stopping the bleeding in his eyebrow. He had never cried in front of me before, and I wasn't sure he was ready to now, considering how hard he was clenching his jaw and fists. He was obviously fighting it back and I didn't want to push him. He could be vulnerable with me if he wanted. And if he felt safe doing it.

"And Isla will grow up breaking so many hearts."

Islo snorted and opened his eyes. "I'll break so many faces if anyone dares to break hers."

I smiled. "You know, I think I'd help you with that."

"What a romantic couple's activity," he murmured and put his forehead down on my shoulder. "I'm so tired, Quinn."

"I know," I said softly and put my hand on the back of his head. "You don't have to do anything today. We can do whatever you want."

"I just want you to stay with me. Please."

"I will. Forever, Islo. I'll always stay with you."

"Thank you. I'll be strong again soon, I just..." He trailed off and sighed.

"You're entitled to your feelings. You're entitled to not be so strong all the time, Islo. You're so amazingly supportive all the time. Let me support you for once. Yeah?"

"Okay," he whispered.

I took my fiancé to bed, gave him his pills and tugged him in. He was so exhausted. I put on the radio for him and then stayed with him. He needed me and I'd stay with him until the end of times.

Islo woke up yelling. I sat up with him and pulled him into my arms. His nightshirt was drenched in sweat and his eyes were so wide.

"It's okay," I murmured and held him close.

He was panting so hard, digging his fingers into my back. "I can't do this," he whispered in between pants.

"You can. You're amazing and strong. And I'm right here with you. Right here, in this bed."

"In my bed. Which you stole," he said. I could hear he was trying to make a joke. And I chuckled because it was a pretty good joke.

"I wanted you closer," I breathed and got him to scoot down with me, placing his cheek on my chest. He shivered and I pulled the covers up further, covering everything but his face.

"And my bed was better than yours. How you ever slept on that thing is a mystery. It was way too soft."

I snorted. "Yeah. This one is more supportive."

"You're more supportive," he murmured and kissed my chest. "And beautiful."

I smiled down at him and ran my hand through his hair. He sighed so softly and moved up a little, kissing my throat. I couldn't hold back a small moan and my hands tightened in his hair. He chuckled a little and ran his tongue over my skin.

"We should go back to sleep," I whispered but didn't really mean it.

"Distract me first. Help tire me out," he murmured back as his fingers found the buttons on my nightshirt.

I'd be a horrible person to deny him, so for entirely unselfish reasons, I indulged.