Rakta rolled his eyes at the Ace walking right next to him. Seeming to sense that he was under scrutiny, Tamsus turned, still looking abnormally pale and asked, "What, Rakta?"

The question was almost lost in the roar of the crowd around them as they walked along the broad city avenue that led to the glittering white turrets of Diamond Castle. Rakta sighed, a warm sense of home settling deeply into his chest. He could already feel Avinos in his arms.

Silently, he wondered if it would be completely out of question for the future Queen and her King to disappear for a good five minutes or so during the festivities.

He jumped slightly when Tamsus elbowed him and turned to the other Ace to find himself on the receiving end of one of the Heart's infamous scowls. The expression had become a nervously whispered joke amongst the Diamond ranks, but Rakta had learned to discern between Tamsus' many scowls.

The one he wore at the moment was nothing more than mildly irritated and wishing for some entertainment. Rakta gave him an apologetic half smile and said, "Should you really be walking around like this? A week ago Dynami had skewered you."

Tamsus just threw back his head and laughed, his hair tied loosely at the nape of his neck, several strands fluttering around his face as he grinned at the Diamond Ace. "Oh, Rakta," he said with another, smaller laugh, "She didn't even hit anything important! I'm not about to be carried back after our triumphant taking of Club Castle."

A red rose was thrown towards them, sailing gracefully through the air. Tamsus reached up and snagged it, twirling the spiny stem between nimble fingers. He didn't seem to mind when the thorns drew little lines of red across his skin as he brought the bloom up to his nose. Smiling in a way that was somehow unfocused, Tamsus looked down at the flower and said, "Mavros loves these."

"Has the Queen arrived yet?" Rakta asked, frowning at the rose. Avinos preferred poppies.

Tamsus tucked the thorny flower into the lapel of his coat and shrugged. "Maybe."

Rakta gnawed gently at his lower lip, careful not to bite through the skin. A ridiculous promise on a moonlit balcony had made him very conscious of accidentally biting his lip hard enough to draw blood. He wanted to ask why the other Ace didn't know the whereabouts of his queen, but resisted.

After four weeks together with the Heart, he had learned through no uncertain terms that the relationship between Tamsus and the Heart's Queen was tricky to say the least and bloody to say the most.

In a way, Rakta thought, looking at the other Ace. That bloody rose is rather poetically symbolic.

Then Rakta snorted and rolled his eyes. He had never cared for poetry or symbolism before and he wasn't about to start now. All he knew was that what was between the Queen and her Ace was their business and he didn't much care to pry.

After that, they walked in silence, Tamsus occasionally glancing around at the fanfare that was in honor of their triumph. He looked slightly surprised, like this had never happened to him before. Rakta couldn't decide if he was enjoying the attention, or if he just wanted an escape from the overwhelming movement and noise and sound.

The chaos here was not like the chaos of a fight and even Rakta felt twitchy and uncomfortable, his senses overkill as they tried to take in each bright movement and every exuberant sound. He could only imagine that it was worse for Tamsus who seemed to have senses that were even sharper than his own.

They both sighed when the copper colored gates wrought in the shape of a diamond came into view, open and welcoming the conquering heroes.

Rakta started to smile, resisting the urge to sprint the last hundred or so yards to his princess and instead settled for a slight increase in his pace. Tamsus laughed, matching him every step and called, "I told you we'd get you back soon enough."

Shaking his head, Rakta attempted to see over the three Diamond generals in front of them as they entered the courtyards of Diamond Castle. The cheers and whistles were still loud, but not quite as cacophonous behind the shelter of the walls and Rakta stood on his toes, trying to see Avinos.

Then, there she was.

Four weeks away had increased her beauty tenfold and Rakta suddenly found it difficult to breath.

Her hair was loose and flowing like a river of red down her back. Her perfect, pale shoulders were exposed by the sleeveless gown she had elected to wear even though it was still cold enough to see his breath. She glimmered in the weak winter sunlight, the tiny diamonds sewn onto her gown catching and reflecting the light back in a dazzling display.

On her wrist was the heavy chunk of iridescent stone that matched the corresponding band on his finger.

Rakta decided that as the future King, he could care less about propriety and broke away from the other soldiers, sprinting across the yard, his boots attempting to slip over the thin sheen of ice.

A happy shriek rang through the air making everyone pause and Avinos picked her skirts up, the deep red flying around her legs as she ran to meet him. They collided hard enough to knock Rakta's breath away, but that didn't matter.

What really affected his breathing was when she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a passionate kiss, completely ignoring the watching eyes and muttered discomfort of those around them.

Words like "inappropriate" and "uncouth" floated around them, but they were quickly drowned out by a wolf-whistle and the cheering and stamping of feet from the soldiers who had come in with them.

Avinos finally pulled away, her eyes shiny with tears and her cheeks red with cold and Rakta couldn't help himself when he bent down to kiss her once more, his arm wrapping firmly around her slim waist, the crimson silk of her dress cool and smooth like water under his callused fingers.

Someone tapped at his shoulder and Rakta used his free arm to wave them away. The tapping came a little more insistent and Rakta turned with a snarl on his face, just to find Tamsus grinning at him and Avinos.

"You two will have plenty of time for that." He wiggled his eyebrows, making Avinos blush, but then he scowled. Rakta deduced it was his playful scowl, which was confirmed when he stamped his feet and blew dramatically on his fingers. Looking beseechingly at Rakta, he said, "I know you northerners aren't affected by the cold like normal Cerdyn, but do you think we could move this inside before I turn into an ice sculpture?"

Rakta raised a considering eyebrow, watching as the other Ace shivered a little to demonstrate his point. With a laugh, he tucked Avinos firmly into his side and said, "Aw but Tam, you'd make such a pretty lawn ornament."

Tamsus' tongue poked out between his teeth as he tried to stop from laughing at that, but his grin gave away his amusement. He pretended to think it over before shaking his head solemnly. "Nope. Just carve a statue out of crystal and we'll call it even. Just as pretty as an ice sculpture and will last through the summer thaw."

"And you won't be dead and frozen," Rakta pointed out drily.

The other Ace just shrugged as they began their walk toward the doors of the castle. "Who's afraid of death? Certainly not me. I just don't fancy being a statue here is all. It's too boring up here in your great white north."

Rakta laughed and turned to Avinos. "What do you think, my princess? Shall we move this inside before our tender Heart friend here freezes into nothing but ice?"

Avinos smiled a little uncertainly and in a voice that broke his heart with its clear sweetness, said, "We certainly wouldn't want him to become a permanent addition here."

Tamsus smiled widely at the princess and swept them both a a grandiose bow before they all walked into the castle, chased by the whistles and cheers of the Diamond people.

                                                                        ~~~

"It's much better when you can dance, rather than lurk in dark corners," Avinos sighed, resting her head on his chest as they whirled about the floor, this time under the bright candlelight of the ballroom.

"Lurk?" murmured Rakta, smiling down at her. "I never lurked."

She giggled and teased, "You certainly lurked. Acting like you weren't supposed to be seen and watching."

He whirled her away before pulling her tightly into him. Kissing her lightly, he said, "Avi, I was unseen. By everyone but you."

She laughed, the sound clear and bright and several of the people around glanced fondly at their princess, their eyes awkwardly avoiding that she was in the arms of the Deck's Ace. Avinos bit her lip, looking coyly up at him through her lashes and he sighed, wanting to melt to his knees and beg for her mercy.

The princess opened her mouth to say something, but stopped when the brassy sound of trumpets ripped through the air. Everyone stopped dancing and talking, the general festivity of the moment put on hold.

The doors to the ballroom opened and movement rippled through the crowds as everyone knelt. Everyone, aside from Avinos and Rakta, who simply bowed, Avinos spreading her skirts out in a pretty curtsy.

They knelt for their Queen, and for the High Queen of Wonderland.

Mavros came in, her dress the exact blood-crystal shade of Tamsus' eyes. Rakta was certain he would have found her gorgeous if his heart didn't belong so entirely to another. Queen Mielas followed half a step behind the High Queen, resplendent in a white dress covered in a design of diamonds crafted from shimmering pink crystal.

Both Queens smiled at the people around them. When Mavros nodded her head, Mielas' raised voice called, "Rise! Enjoy the bounty our new High Queen has so graciously shared with us!"

Everyone rose immediately to their feet, the sounds of joviality crashing once more through the marble hall, making Rakta's ears ring uncomfortably. A flurry of movement that was entirely too purposeful for an event like this caught his attention and he turned to find Tamsus cutting his way through the crowd.

Avinos followed his gaze and they both watched in silence when Tamsus finally stood before his queen. He sketched her a quick bow, a roguish smile enhancing his already severely handsome looks.

The Queen pressed her gloved palm against his cheek briefly before he leaned down to whisper something in her ear. Rakta smirked when his sharp gaze caught the way Tamsus bit lightly at the Queen's earlobe as he spoke.

His gaze flicked to the Queen's face and was astonished and slightly unnerved to find her expression was merely one of polite disinterest. Then, Tamsus said something, taking the Queen's hand before pressing it flush against his chest, right over his heart. Mavros looked up at him, a spear of concern flashing briefly over her beautiful features before Tamsus said something else and pointed at where Avinos and Rakta stood watching.

The Queen looked over before beckoning imperiously at them. Rakta bit lightly at his lip once more before Avinos' hand tightened reassuringly around his. He gave her a sideways smile, never taking his eyes off of the Hearts as he began cutting them a path through the milling nobles.

When they stood in front of Queen Mavros, they both bowed until she gave them an airy laugh. "Avinos, dear, there is no need for such a silly show. We are both Queens here are we not?"

Avinos looked like she wanted to correct the other woman, but Rakta increased the pressure on her hand and she just smiled politely, dipping her head in an agreeable nod. The Queen smiled warmly and turned to Rakta. Her eyes traveled slowly down, then just as slowly up as she seemed to consider something.

Rakta wanted to squirm under her gaze, feeling much like what he imagined it would be like to be a slave at market. Instead, he calmed his breathing and slowed his heartbeat and returned the Queen's gaze with an impassive one of his own.

The Queen murmured, "What an impressive Ace you have, Avinos. I'm rather jealous."

Tamsus made a small disgruntled sound and Mavros turned like a snake, gripping his chin almost cruelly. He never blinked and Rakta averted his gaze slightly. The Queen held his gaze for a long moment before she smiled, her lips a deep red against her white teeth. She kissed Tamsus lightly, pulling away when his hand went to her waist before saying, "Of course he could never replace my Tamsus."

Avinos, admirably hiding her own discomfort, smiled and said, "Then I guess it's rather fortunate that Rakta is my Ace and Tamsus is yours. It would be the worst sort of untruth if I said I didn't share your sentiments about Rakta being irreplaceable."

Something warm flooded his chest and he smiled down at the princess, who was still smiling politely at the Queen.

The warmth chilled quickly, like blood spilled onto fresh snow at the brief look he saw pass through Mavros' eyes. A sudden greedy hunger lit her scarlet eyes, but just as quickly disappeared behind a delighted smile. She laughed and said, "Well, then I must thank you and your Ace. It would seem I owe him something of a life debt."

Rakta raised an eyebrow at Tamsus, who just shrugged, not bothering to rub away the red lipstick that was at the corner of his mouth. The shiny hue looked too much like blood for Rakta to be entirely comfortable, but his attention was diverted when Avinos asked, "Really? Whatever for?"

"My Tamsus was wounded rather dreadfully. But Rakta saved his life. For that I am eternally grateful."

Rakta blinked at the possessiveness of those two words. My Tamsus. It made him wonder if the Queen saw her Ace as an actual person, or merely an object to be admired and used as seen fit. His eyes flicked to the other Ace, who was staring at the Queen and he frowned, wondering if perhaps the Queen wasn't the only one who suffered from preoccupation bordering on obsession.

Avinos was saying some other pretty words to the Queen, but Rakta was no longer paying attention. He was just considering why Tamsus had told the Queen about what had happened. When Rakta had made it back to the hedge maze after killing the Club King, Tamsus had made the other Ace swear that he would tell no one of what had happened with Dynami.

He was startled out of his musing when Avinos curtsied once more to the Queen. Rakta hastily followed her with a bow of his own and then she was towing him across the hall, muttering something about fresh air.

Rakta tried to ask where they were going, but then they were there and he looked around the small balcony in amusement. Moonlight glittered off of the light powdering of snow and he took his jacket off when he saw Avinos shiver and rub at her bare arms.

As he draped it over her trembling figure, she knotted her fingers into the collar of his shirt and eagerly pressed her mouth to his. Rakta tried to control his reaction, then decided that was useless and crushed himself as close to her as was possible. She stumbled slightly as they moved, until Rakta had her pressed up against the cold marble of the castle wall.

He shuddered at the need and longing he felt coming from her in palpable waves and was glad to know that he wasn't the only one who had been affected by their long time apart. Her fingers traveled up his neck, skimming over the sensitive skin gently before tangling her hands in his hair.

A low growl he couldn't stop reverberated in his chest as his arms tightened around her, one hand braced against the freezing stone. He was beginning to feel a little light-headed when Avinos pulled away, breathing hard.

A flush spread across her cheeks in the most enticing way and Rakta bent his head to once again capture her mouth, but she pushed lightly against his chest. He tried to spring back immediately at the small rebuke, but she wouldn't let him. Instead she laughed and tousled his hair, wrinkling her nose.

He caught her hand, pressing her chilly fingers to his lips and asked, "What?"

She sighed and whispered, "Your hair's too long."

Rakta blew a strand of red out of his face and raised an eyebrow. "You don't like it?"

Avinos pulled a face, winding a strand of his longer than usual hair around her finger. She shook her head and said, "It makes you look like him."

Rakta bit gently at his lip when he realized who she was talking about. With a sigh, he rested his forehead against hers, wanting to drown himself in the sunset glow of her eyes. Copying her and winding a strand of her poppy colored hair around his fingers like he had been dying to do for years, he said, "Tamsus is probably the only reason I'm standing here before you Avi. I'm not sure I could have beaten Dynami all on my own."

She sighed in a grudging way, but didn't argue, which caught him by surprise. Usually, Avinos would press her point until he gave in from sheer frustration at her circular logic. It startled him when she said, "Stay away from the Queen."

He barked out a laugh. "Why?"

Muttering darkly, she said, "I don't like the way she looks at you."

Rakta laughed again, placing his hand against her flushed, warm cheek. "And just how does she look at me?"

Avinos pursed her lips, tugging him closer to her in a way that was distinctly possessive and utterly adorable. "She looks at you like you're something to collect. Like she wants to put you up on her shelf and show you off to guests at dinner parties."

Rakta's mouth twitched and he tried valiantly not to appear as amused by this as he actually was. He failed miserably and Avinos smacked the back of her hand into his chest, making his laugh burst out in a throaty chuckle.

Avinos tried to hold on to her severe look but melted as he laughed and pulled him into another lingering kiss. Rakta hissed in protest when she finally pulled away and smoothed the front of her somewhat rumpled gown, then did the same for his decidedly more rumpled shirt.

Straightening her hair, she sighed and said, "We need to go back in. It wouldn't do for us to miss the High Queen's speech."

Rakta muttered under his breath and she whispered in his ear, "Don't worry. I've become rather good at sneaking into the barracks. I've spent every night in your bed."

She blushed slightly at the confession and Rakta had to fight the sudden urge to sweep her away from everything here. But he'd have to be content with the princess' promise. Avinos kissed him lightly and tugged him along back into the light and somehow paltry warmth of the party.

Avinos muttered something under her breath as they slipped in and found the Queen already in the middle of her victory speech. Rakta found it difficult to concentrate or care about her elegant speech or charming words.

All he could do was alternate his attention between Avinos and the chiming of the clock-tower, counting seconds until he could have his princess all to himself.

The Queen droned on about the renewed bonds between the Red Decks and how they had finally taken their rightful place forcefully from the Black Decks as was their right. She spent a lengthy time thanking Queen Mielas and her armies for the blood they'd shed in sacrifice for this glorious occasion.

Then she turned her gaze on Rakta.

"Finally, I must give my heartfelt thanks to the Ace of Diamonds." She smiled at Rakta and beckoned him forward, her smile faltering slightly when he didn't let go of Avinos' hand, pulling her along with him. When they were standing in front of the Queen, Rakta gave Avinos one last smile before stepping forward and giving the High Queen a deep bow.

The Queen smiled gracefully at him and said, "We as a people are blessed to have two such brave, fierce and dedicated Aces. Not all Decks are as lucky as we and I only hope that they will be here to protect our monarchs and our kingdoms for a long, long time."

The room exploded into cheers and Rakta bowed again.

He was so eager to steal away with Avinos now that the ball was officially over, that he didn't heed the calculating look the Queen's gaze held as her eyes followed him and his princess from the room.