Just left my readers on a major cliffhanger on one of my stories so I'm going to escape their anger by writing a chapter for this story. Enjoy!

Chapter Quote:
"Anger is one letter short of danger."
~Archon
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Chapter 11

Kiara

I blinked my eyes open. The surroundings to me were unfamiliar, which became my first warning sign I'd gotten myself into some seriously deep trouble. I forced myself to sit up. My vision was blurry but I was able to make out that I was in a cell of some sort. The only light came from torches lining the walls outside my cell.

"Hello?" I whispered, crawling towards the bar.

"They're not here," a woman croaked. "They won't be back in for a while."

I whirled around, seeing who had spoken. An elderly woman sat in the corner. Her face was sunken in, her hair was scraggly, but there was still a hint of her former beauty left. The two of us stared curiously at each other.

"What's your name?" she finally asked softly.

"Princess Kiara."

"You're a princess?"

"Yes. I was Princess of Athens but recently I was married so now I'm Princess of Thrace. Could you tell me where I am? The last thing I remember was being on a really bumpy cart. I got kidnapped, that's for sure."

"You're in Rome. Valerius must've taken you. He was the one that oversaw you being brought down here. You say you are Princess of Thrace?"

"Rome?! Oh gods, how am I going to get out of here?! I needed to talk to my husband and I still need to. He has to know and- there has to be a way out of here!" I let out an aggravated sigh, angry at letting myself captured. Turning back to the kind woman, I said, "And yes, I'm Princess of Thrace. How long have you been here? Do you know?"

"Let's see... do you know how old Valerius is?" the woman inquired.

"The same age as my husband I believe: twenty."

"Then it's been ten years."

"Ten years?" I squeaked.

"I caught a fever in an allied town and while I was weak, the Romans took advantage and captured me. They took me hostage. My husband, if he's not dead already, must think I'm dead. I've heard no news of my family. I have no idea whether the Romans have captured Thrace or not, or if they killed my husband and son, if my husband and son were overthrown..."

"I can assure you the Romans have not taken over Thrace. And I think I would've heard if Thrace's rulers had been overthrown. What was your husband and son's name?"

"Alkis was my husband. Kyrian was my son."

I stared at her in shock. "Alkis is your husband? And Kyrian is your son?"

"Yes. Are they still alive?"

"Yes! Yes they are! I'm Kyrian's wife and if you're his mother that must mean you're Tysiphone," I breathed.

"You know me?"

"I know of you. I think I might've been cursed by your statue but that's a story for another time. My gods, Kyrian will be thrilled to have you back!" I exclaimed.

She gave me a smile. "You really think my son will come after you? Does he even know where you are?"

"Your son, my husband, is the most feared general. Romans fear the thought of him. And after meeting him and knowing him the way I do, I know he is coming for me. You will join us going back home. I swear to you."

"You two love each other?"

"Words cannot describe how much. The only kingdom foolish enough to kidnap me is Rome so yes, Kyrian will definitely know where I am."

Tysiphone took my hands in hers. In a quiet voice, she said, "You meant to tell him you were pregnant, didn't you?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Why didn't you?"

I looked down ashamedly. "We were in a nasty argument. Someone had convinced him I'd been killed in an ambush. According to his friend Julian, he barely did anything. To get him to do something, Julian hired a prostitute to get his mind off things. Kyrian was drunk out of his mind when I found him and Theone going at it. I threw her out, demanded an explanation, and then went for a walk to clear my head. I get hit on the head and the next thing I know, I'm here."

"It will be a boy. It is always a boy first in Alkis's family," Tysiphone whispered. "Congratulations my dear. I must ask... what is Kyrian like? I haven't seen him since he was ten."

"He's tall. He towers over everyone. He's blonde, has beautiful green eyes. He's kind, loving, light-hearted, entertaining, caring... everything a mother would want her son to be."

Tysiphone's eyes shone with tears. "My dear boy..."

"I see you two have acquainted yourselves with each other. Good. You two will be in here for a very long time," a man said.

"Who are you?" I demanded, standing to face the stranger who had entered our cell.

The man gave me a feral grin. "I am Arsenius."

"Should I know you?" I retorted.

"Show your captors respect, woman, or I'll have you lashed," another boy growled.

"Oh she's just curious," Arsenius remarked. "You'll have to excuse my grandson. He's still learning. Very happy to torture. One of the finest interrogators in Rome."

"Really? I think my husband could give him a run for his money."

"Ah, Kyrian of Thrace. Yes, quite the fearsome warrior. However, all warriors have an Achilles Heel, and while he has the looks of his mother here, he has the flaws of his father."

"Kyrian has flaws, but none that could be exploited to benefit your cause," I snarled.

"But there is. You see, Alkis and Kyrian are both fatally loyal to their wives. Why do you think we took Tysiphone? It caused Alkis anguish. He thinks she's dead, but wait until he finds out she's been alive this whole time when we send him her head. He'll go mad from the grief. Your head, my dear Kiara's, will be soon to follow."

Arsenius stepped toward me, grabbing my chin gruffly. He studied my face carefully. I stared at him, not backing down. "Shame we have to kill you sooner or later. So pretty. Have you bared Kyrian any children yet? Impossible, you haven't been married long enough. Maybe I won't kill you, take you for my own, send you back with my child. Kyrian will be forced to kill you as is custom when a woman cheats on her husband."

"He would know I didn't cheat on him willingly. He knows I'd die before I'd give a Roman a child."

"I can still make you mine," he growled, shoving me into the wall. Tysiphone barreled into him. He struck her face. She went down to the ground. I crawled next to her, cradling her head in my lap.

"You monster!" I shouted.

Valerius growled, "Hold your tongue or you'll be next."

"My husband is coming for me, and when he gets here, he will kill you," I declared.

"He'll be dead," Arsenius laughed. The two men exited the cell, leaving me and my mother-in-law alone. Her eyes were shut but I knew she was awake. She had a small cut on the side of her but otherwise, seemed fine.

I took a deep breath to calm myself. "Just hang tight, Tysiphone. Kyrian's coming."
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Kyrian

I stabbed my dagger into the map. It quivered in place as I braced myself against the table. "What the hell do we do?!"

"Getting angry will do nothing. I'm beginning to think that maybe Rome doesn't want war, but wants something in trade," Julian remarked.

I took the bait. "What do they want?"

"You. Think about it: you're the one that is bringing fear into Abbadon's heart. He's the one that is terrified you'll destroy Rome and take if for your own. Someone in his army has found your weakness and that's your wife. They know you would die for her."

"I would. I will. What you said about not wanting war, maybe there's a way we could trade me in for Kiara and then get me out later. The Romans won't kill her because she's leverage, but they might try things with her and if they do and she has one of their children, by law, I would have to kill her and Julian, I would kill myself before I laid a hand on my wife. I couldn't do it," I whispered.

"They won't get her pregnant," Julian said carefully.

I glanced up at him. "What do you mean?"

My friend rubbed his forehead, his brow furrowed. "I'm not sure if telling you this is a good or bad thing but you need to know, at least have some piece of mind that they can't get her pregnant."

"What is it?!" I demanded.

"Do you remember when you walked in on mine and Kiara's conversation earlier?"

"Yes. You told her she needed to tell me something."

Julian let out a sigh. "You're going to be a father, Kyrian. Kiara is pregnant."

Multiple emotions surged through me: excitement, joy, enthrallment, anger, panic... "A-a father?"

My friend nodded. I grabbed my knife, a plan formulating in my head on how to rescue my wife. "Julian, gather four soldiers, two of them being the youngest we have. Have them meet us in the stables at dusk."

"What exactly are you planning on doing?" he asked, running up next to me.

"I'm going to get Kiara home."
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Kiara

Days passed. The only things that happened around here was Arsenius and Valerius coming to mock us and a boy who brought us food. Every day I tried to talk to the boy. He seemed pretty innocent into what was happening. However, he never spoke a word. Then I realized that he probably didn't understand what I was saying. He was Roman, I was Greek. Two different languages. It was a good thing I'd learned Latin because most people could understand their first language and then Latin. The next time he brought our food, I tried it.

"Hello," I said. He kept his head bowed, hidden from me, but he murmured a hello. "What's your name?"

"Z-Zarek..."

"Nice to meet you Zarek. I'm Kiara. Thank you for bringing the food." He didn't say anything. "Are you one of Valerius's and Aresnius's protégées?"

"What does that mean?"

"An apprentice. Are you learning their trade?"

"No."

"May I see the face of the boy who is bringing me and my friend food?" Zarek shook his head. "Please?"

"No! I'm ugly!"

"Why on earth would you say that?"

"Because that's what I'm told."

"Look at me, Zarek," I ordered softly. The boy hesitated but ever so slowly, he lifted up his head. I gasped. The boy was far from ugly. In fact I could tell he would be extremely handsome when he grew up, but his face was marred by black and blue bruises, cuts and gashes. Instinctively I reached out to cup his face. He flinched away from me. "Who did this to you?"

"If I tell, they'll beat me."

It didn't take long for me to figure out who he was talking about. "Arsenius and Valerius. They do this to you?" Zarek nodded. Rage floored me. "Bastards, both of them."

"Valerius is my half-brother. We have the same dad. I'm the bastard son."

"You might be the illegitimate child but it is Valerius, my dear boy, who is the bastard." At this, he gave me a small smile. "Do you want something to eat?"

"I'm not supposed to eat. I am being punished for breaking a marble bust when it was actually Valerius who did it," Zarek explained.

"Will they know that you took from my plate?" I asked. He shook his head. I grabbed a piece of bread off my plate and handed it to him through the bars. Zarek devoured it.

"Thank you, Your Highness," he said.

"Call me Kiara. May I ask you something?"

"Yes."

"If you could, would you leave this place and go somewhere else?"

"I would. But I don't have the money nor the means."

"What if I gave you a way out?"

"How could you do that from here?"

"I can't. It's what I want you to do when my husband rescues me. Do you know a way out of the city without being seen by the guards?"

Zarek nodded. "The river. It has gates that open and shut so small boats can't come in if they don't want them to. You can swim through them though."

"When you hear of my husband coming to get me, escape through there and meet me on the other side. I can provide your safety. I know you have a hard time trusting people considering all that you've been through, but will you trust me?"

"You're the nicest person I've ever met. I trust you."

I cupped his face gingerly, careful not to hurt him. "You are the bravest boy I have ever met. And thank you for the food. Be careful, okay?"

Zarek disappeared up the stairs. I dragged my food and Tysiphone's over to the wall. She opened her eyes and said, "You're very kind, do you know that?"

"The boy has been through hell and back. He doesn't deserve that."

"How do you know you can trust him?"

"I don't, but I feel I can. You'd be surprised at the vengeance men hold against people who have hurt them. I trust the rage that is inside him."

"Is that why you are so certain that Kyrian is coming for us? Because he was hurt by your kidnapping?"

"It's the only hope I have to hold onto. I will not let go of it."
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Two weeks later...

I wouldn't tell Tysiphone, but my hope was beginning to fade. I lost count of the days shortly after being imprisoned. For all I knew, it could've only been a few days or months that I'd been here. Thankfully I had Zarek. The boy snuck down in the middle of the night to talk with me. Apparently there was a hidden tunnel that no one used or knew of besides himself. He said it was because he'd tried to find every way out of the castle there was so one day, when he made his escape, he would know all the places to hide.

On the second week of my imprisonment, Arsenius and Valerius came downstairs, faces stoic. Knowing something was wrong, I asked them. It was Valerius who answered. "It seems you were right. Your husband did come. He's offering a trade. Come with us."

"Tysiphone comes too!" I demanded.

"No, she's staying right there," Arsenius retorted. I struggled violently, trying to break free. I yelled at my mother-in-law, promising her I'd get her out of there. My captors laughed at me as they escorted me outside. They put me on a horse. Valerius hopped up behind me, wrapping one arm around my waist to keep me steady. I shifted uneasily on the seat, not liking the physical contact. It only made him grip my waist tighter. There was only five Romans total that set out past the city gates, one of them being Zarek. I wondered why they were bringing him along.

The ride took about ten minutes. When I saw four horses and four men in the distance, my heart leapt. I knew who was in the front and I couldn't wait to see him. The Romans came skidding to a halt. Valerius slid off, dragging me to the ground, forcing me onto my knees.

"Zarek! Take off her chains!" Arsenius barked. My friend scurried over to me with the key. He fumbled to get the lock undone.

"Escape the minute you get back," I breathed. "I will convince my friends to stay and wait for you."

Zarek gave me an almost imperceptible nod. He unlocked the chains which fell to the ground. I rubbed my wrists, glad to be free of them. Standing up, I ran over to Kyrian, throwing my arms around his neck, running my hands through his hair, kissing him passionately out of love, joy, and gratitude.

"I'm so happy to see you," I said.

"And I you," he breathed.

"What is the trade? What are you trading me for?" I questioned. My husband pulled away from me, slowly backing up towards the Romans. He didn't need to say anything for me to understand. Julian grabbed me the arms, holding me back as I cried for Kyrian not to do this, that it wasn't worth it.

He smiled sadly at me. "If it's a boy, name him after me, vasílissá mou. If it's a daughter, name her after her brave, beautiful mother. Make sure they know who their father was."

I sank into Julian as I watched the Romans chain my husband as a prisoner. I didn't try fighting against Julian's death grip on me. I looked up at him. His face was hard, but I saw the pain in his eyes as he watched his friend willingly turn himself over to their enemy. As the Romans rode off, Julian let me go. I hit him violently on the chest, screaming, "How could you let him do this?! You're his best friend! You were supposed to stop him!"

Julian pulled me into a hug, attempting to console me. The two other guards turned their backs to watch for any incoming enemies. When I finally was able to get my emotions under semi-control, Julian gave me smile and said, "Did you really think Kyrian would hand himself over to the Romans without having an escape plan?"

"What?" I murmured.

"Come. We need to get you to safety and then I have a rescue mission to go on," my friend told me.

"Just how exactly are you going to get into the city?" I queried, following him.

"We have a cart with a hidden compartment. I'm going to hide in it and get myself into the city. Then I'm going to go rescue Kyrian."

"Two things: how are you going to get into the palace without being seen and how are you going to get two people out of the dungeon?"

"What do you mean two people?"

"Kyrian's mom is alive. The Romans have her. She's been my companion the past two weeks I've been there. She's weak, she's old, and she needs out of there. If you're going to rescue Kyrian, I'm going with you because I know three things you don't: a way to get into the city bypassing the guards, a way into the dungeon bypassing the guards, and a person who would be willing to help us escape."

"You're not going with us Kiara! It's too dangerous!" Julian protested.

"I'm the only person my acquaintance trusts. He's been beaten by men his whole life. You need me if he's going to help you. Furthermore, as the highest ranking person here, you don't get a choice in the matter. I'm going with you."

He sighed in defeat, running his hands through his hair. "At least let us get to our cart. Tell me your plan on the way there."
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Julian

I couldn't believe I'd let Kiara convince me to let her come. However, her plan was a solid one, much better than the one Kyrian and I had come up with. I just prayed he forgave me for letting her come with me to rescue him.

"Kiara?" a boy whispered.

"Zarek?" she replied. A young Roman popped out of a bush, running straight for her. He threw his arms around her waist in a hug, gripping tightly. "You came!"

"I promised you I would. Now, lead the way. The sooner we rescue my husband and Tysiphone, the sooner we can all get out of here," Kiara promised. Zarek motioned for us to follow him. We waded into the calm river. It was only about waist deep. We picked up our cloaks so as not to get them wet. They were the only things we had that gave us any warmth. The boy led us through dimly lit streets to a garden where he climbed through a hedge. Kiara went through first. I went after her. Zarek dashed to the shadows of the palace. He pulled on one of the torches. At first I thought he was just losing his balance, but then I realized he was opening up a secret tunnel. How this kid figured that out, I'll never know. I didn't care at the moment. I just wanted to get my friend and get out of there.

"Be careful, the stairs are steep and there's no railing," Zarek warned quietly. Carefully we made our way down the steps. It seemed to take forever before we reached another door. Zarek pulled out a stone and peered through it. Voices could be heard on the other side.

"Mother and son reunited. Once we get the information out of you Kyrian, we will be sending your head and your mother's to your beloved father and wife," Arsenius gloated. Their footsteps receded as Kiara mumbled, "I'd like to chop his head off."

I bit back a laugh. "Okay, Kiara, you and Zarek take Tysiphone. I'll take Kyrian. Be careful not to make any sound."

The three of us stepped into the dungeon. Torches flickered in the dark, giving us some light to work with. My eyes instantly settled on the limp body be cradled by a woman. Kiara was already kneeling at the cell. The woman's eyes were filled with tears as she said, "You came back!"

"Shh! I promised I would. We're going to get the both of you out of here. Just hang on," Kiara whispered. Zarek had disappeared to go get the keys. He came back a few seconds later with them in hand. I hastily unlocked the cell door. My heart dropped as my eyes adjusted to the scene. I wasn't sure what shocked me more: the fact that Queen Tysiphone was still alive or how badly beaten my friend was. Not giving myself time to ogle, I threw Kyrian over my shoulder. Kiara wrapped her arm around Tysiphone who was stronger than she looked. We shut the cell door again and hurriedly went back into the tunnel. Zarek shut the door after us. He led us back to the outside where we made our way back onto the streets.

"Okay, I told the guards to meet us back near the river entrance so we wouldn't be seen stuffing bodies into a cart. Do you think you can carry them that far?" Zarek questioned.

"Do you think you can get us there without being seen?" I countered. He nodded. I told him to lead the way. We had a few close calls with sentries walking past us but otherwise, we managed to get to our escape ride problem free. It was scaring me how well this was going. Something had to go wrong.

"Zarek, get ahead of us and meet us at the entrance to the next closest town. Then you can hop a ride home on the cart okay?" Kiara said, holding the boy's hands.

"Excuse me?" I hissed. "He's Roman!"

"A Roman who saved our lives tonight. I promised him if he help me escape, that he could come home with us. I will not let him be subjected to the torture he's been through any longer, Julian. He's coming home with us."

Knowing I wasn't going to win this argument, I begrudgingly agreed. Zarek kissed Kiara on the cheek and slipped through the gates. Kiara went into the cart first, pulling Kyrian in as gently as she could. I pushed him in to help her. Tysiphone climbed in next. I went in last. One of our soldiers, dressed up as a merchant, closed and locked the door to the hidden compartment. We were now in pitch darkness.

"Whatever you do, until we hear the okay from the other soldiers, stay quiet. Understand me?" I whispered. The two girls agreed. I felt the cart jerk into motion. My heart felt like it was going to jackhammer its way out of my chest. Was this going to work? I hoped so. Ages seemed to pass before it halted. I heard Roman guards asking why they were leaving. My soldiers answered flawlessly. There was some shuffling of boxes on the cart. The Romans must've been examining the goods. Soon though we exited the gates. How far we made it, I don't know, but suddenly bells were ringing and even inside the compartment, I heard guards shouting. Our cart kept rolling. My soldiers must've acted like they didn't think anything was wrong. I thought we might be in the clear until I heard Romans shouting at us to stop. The cart did.

"Is there a problem, soldier?" One of my men asked.

"We need to inspect your cart. We have prisoners who have escaped and we must find them!" the Roman replied. Naturally, as our enemies started searching the cart, Kyrian began waking up. But could he do it quietly? No, of course not. Kiara softly hushed him but he wasn't listening. Then there was silence from him. Whatever she'd done to shut him up, it worked. Kiara, Tysiphone, and I waited with bated breath on whether we'd make it out of this without being discovered. Our question was answered when the cart started moving again. I still didn't let out my breath until one of the soldiers opened up a small panel and said, "We're in the clear. I suggest staying hidden until we're in the next town though."

"Good idea. Be on the lookout for that Zarek kid. The last thing we need is another vengeful Roman after us," I said. My guard left the panel open so we could have some fresh air. I looked over Tysiphone's shoulder at Kiara. She was gently stroking Kyrian's face. "How did you quiet him down?"

"I kissed him," she answered.

I chuckled. "And how are you my Queen?"

"Very tired, very cramped, but very happy to be somewhere other than that cell. Julian, it is a pleasure to see you again," Tysiphone responded weakly.

"The pleasure is mine. You have no idea how ecstatic your husband and Kyrian will be to have you back alive." Tysiphone closed her eyes. Within a few minutes, she was sleeping, probably more soundly now than she had in the past ten years.

"Julian?" Kiara whispered.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for rescuing them. I'm sorry for being such a hothead about going with you."

"You helped get them out of there alive. You saved my friend. I should be thanking you as well. You should get some rest, we have a while before we get home." Kiara rested her head on Kyrian's bloody shoulder. His head turned ever so slightly towards her even though he was passed out. I smiled at the sight of them, proud to be friends with them, and satisfied to know that the kingdom we lived in would be in good hands.
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Kyrian

Every time I woke up, my whole body was shaking, bumping up and down. Every time I tried to see where I was, I blacked out again. The first time I woke up fully, I was in my own bedroom. Julian was leaning against the doorway to the balcony. Kiara sat next to me, her hands holding mine. Zelina was replacing bandages on my torso.

"Kiara," I croaked. My wife's head whipped around to look at me, her eyes wide with delight.

"You're awake!" she breathed. Julian suddenly appeared next to her.

"You sure gave us a scare," my friend admitted. "You've been in and out of consciousness for two weeks. Although being in a stable bed, not a bouncing cart, probably helped."

"So that's what all the bouncing was. Why do I remember Kiara being there to rescue me?" I queried, blinking the sleep out of my eyes.

"Because she wouldn't let me rescue you without her going. Before you get mad at me, her plan was way better than ours."

"You're okay though? Both of you?"

"Much better now that we're in the comfort of our own home and far away from the Romans," Kiara said.

"Comfort you may be in, but when was the last time you slept? Both of you look exhausted," I pointed out. I tried to sit up but all three of them pushed me back down much to my chagrin.

"We only got back about three days ago. We've been trapped on a cart for about two weeks getting you home," Julian explained. "Kyrian, Kiara, make sure you never let yourselves get captured again or may the gods help me, I will kill you both myself."

Kiara grinned at him while my mind started putting pieces of the trip together. "Who was the other woman? There was another woman in the cart with us."

"When you're up and walking, we will go see her. She's in worse condition than we thought. When we rescued you at night, we couldn't see, and when I was trapped with her, I didn't have enough light to see the extent of her injuries." My wife cupped my cheek.

"Zelina, why don't you come with me and I'll help you get more bandages?" Julian suggested. I thanked my friend silently for his ability to pick up on what I was thinking, and at the time, it was that I wanted to be alone with my wife. The two of them left. The moment the door shut, tears started to fall silently down Kiara's face. I reached up and wiped them off.

"What's the matter, vasílissá mou?" I questioned gently.

"You idiot," she laughed. "I could've lost you."

"You didn't though. Besides, I couldn't let you stay there in that hell hole."

"Promise me that if for some reason it ever happens again, you will find a way to save me without getting yourself captured."

"I promise, but I will never regret what I did. I saved two lives: yours and our child's," I said lovingly, placing a hand on her stomach. "Kiara, what happened with Theone, I'm so-"

"There's no need to be sorry. I'm sorry I doubted you."

"Can we go for a walk?"

"You should stay here and rest some more," she protested.

"I'm getting claustrophobic. Please?" Kiara sighed and agreed. We waited for Julian and Zelina to come back before I started getting up. I threw my arm around Kiara's shoulders as she helped me stand up. Although a little unsteady on my feet and only able to take really small steps, I managed to make my way downstairs with the help of my wife and friend.

"Your dad and the other woman are in the throne room if you would like to see them," Julian informed.

"I thought the woman was bedridden like I was?"

"Turns out you two are extremely similar in healing. Let's go see her." The three of us headed in the throne room direction. Servants that passed by instantly bowed or curtsied to us. Upon arriving, Julian opened the door. My father sat with a woman in his lap. I'd never seen him look at another woman since my mom died so the sight shocked me.

"Dad?" I said. "What are you doing? Who is this?"

The woman turned around. Bruises marked her face, she had a gash on the side of her head, her blonde hair was scraggly from being locked in a cell, but her green eyes glimmered with happiness. "Kyrian? My dear, sweet boy, is that really you?"

"Do I know you?" I replied. My brain was still scrambled from my ordeal so I knew I knew her, but where from was the question.

"You've grown so much!" she exclaimed, hobbling over to me. She cupped my face in her hands. "Oh Kiara, you weren't kidding, he is tall! You have my eyes! You always looked so much like your father but now I see you started to look like me!"

"M-mother?" I stammered. "No, this isn't possible. You... you died of a fever and-"

I felt the strength leaving my limbs. Kiara and Julian quickly brought me over to a chair. I collapsed into it. My father came over to me, putting his arm around the waist of the woman claiming to be my mother.

"I didn't die of a fever. I was taken by Romans and you were made to think I'd passed away. I've been trapped in that cell for ten years. Arsenius bided his time so he could wait and take your wife prisoner too so he could-" my mother choked off.

"He wanted to send you and your father our heads, so he could break the both of you," Kiara finished quietly.

"They will pay for what they did. I am going to bring Rome down to her knees to get my revenge for what they've done to you," I declared.

"How about first you get your health back up to standards?" My mother suggested. She hesitated before asking, "May I hug you?"

I gave her no answer. I pulled her into a hug, careful not to hurt her injuries. My mother began crying into my shoulder. Julian and my father wrapped their arms around Kiara. They were smiling with pure joy at each other.

"We're having a dinner in two days to celebrate the homecoming of all three of you," my father announced. "Tysiphone, let's get you back to our room so you can rest some more. Kiara, Julian, make sure Kyrian stays in bed. I want them getting well sooner than later."

"Come on, General. Let's get you to bed. We'll see you two at dinner?" Kiara queried.

"Wouldn't miss it, darling," Tysiphone replied. She and my father left the room. My wife, friend, and I were soon to follow. Once I was in my bed, Julian went home to see Penelope. Kiara lay down next to me. I kissed her on the forehead, grateful to have her by my side again.

"Do you think it'll be a boy or a girl?" I questioned, staring at the ceiling. I saw my wife close her eyes as she answered, "Boy. Your mother told me that in your family, the boys are always born first. What do you want it to be?"

"I don't mind. I'm just glad that I get to have a child with you."

Kiara kissed me on the cheek. "Me too, General. I'll talk to you in a little bit, I'm exhausted."

I chuckled as my wife easily fell into a deep sleep. I pulled her close to me before I closed my eyes. I knew this happiness wouldn't last forever. I was royalty and so was she. Most royals came to bitter ends and while it was a sad thought, it was also a true one. But for now, I pushed that out of my head and revelled in the sheer fact of how my life was going now. I had a beautiful, adoring, intelligent wife, I had my mother back, and I had the best friend I could ask for. They were my life, and I would protect them with my life.
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Long chapter! Oh, before I forget, I do know that some of the facts (such as Valerius and Zarek's ages are off in this story) are different than in the books but for plot reasons, I altered them. Hope you understand!