"Tell me the truth," I demanded as Eli and I left the barracks and stepped out on the courtyard. "How's the moral?"

"We're holding up, Lord King," he answered. "A lot of the more experienced men were supporters of Echar and Ashor, so we are left with the young men. Knowing there's a war coming we doubled the training."

"I've reached out to the dukes of Gera and asked for more men." I stopped and gave him a once-over, he was barely twenty years old and had climbed the ranks quickly. He had the light features of the north, a polite face with freckles over his nose. He was certainly too sweet looking for a soldier but he seemed to have earned the respect from his men. "I was thinking of promoting you to Colonel of my army Eli, but I really need you in charge of my personal protection," I mumbled and noticed the surprised expression on his face.

"I understand Lord, it's an honor to be the Commander of the KingsGuard."

"Do you know anyone suitable for leading my army?" I continued and feared he would have nothing to say. But he did.

"Sir Roland," he mumbled shyly. "I know you say he's a traitor Lord King, but he's always been very loyal to you."

I licked my lips and nodded a few times, "He'll get his chance to make his case, but until then?"

"My father fought beside yours when they were young," he began, "he's too old to lead an army now, but I believe he would be a great advisor."

"And he would be loyal to me?" I asked with narrowed eyes.

"He is loyal to Gera, Lord, and if he finds out they murdered your father and your brother I am sure he will do anything to protect you, and our people," he added quickly.

I nodded slowly and pondered it over. Maybe an old graybeard was what I needed. Someone with more experience. "We're siding with Faria," I told him. "Their Alpha will arrive with an army of Lycans soon. Will that affect his decision?"

"Better than standing alone, isn't it?" Eli mumbled. "We all need to accept them, since they're our only ally at this point."

I gave him a smile and realized why I liked this man, he was open minded and rational. "Send your father a message then, and offer him a chair in my council."

I left the young man with heavy steps, knowing I still needed someone who could lead my army. If the dukes of my lands were keen on protecting their wealth they would support me and lend their soldiers to my aid. Because who knew what the leaders of our enemies were planning to do with my country if they conquered it. They would probably kill most of us and populate the estates with their own people. I needed more answers and I knew someone who could give them to me.

The dungeons were overflowing with prisoners and my chef was right, this was a problem. As soon as I stepped down there men and women started to call out to me, from behind the bars, and swore their allegiance to me.

"You will all get a chance to explain yourselves, at a formal trial," I muttered and felt relieved when I was greeted by the prison guard. "Have someone bring Kendrick Roland to my office, in chains please," I instructed and turned to leave the dreadful place. I felt bad for the many men and women who were down there, but reminded myself they were criminals and traitors to the crown.

I needed to see him alone, but at the same time I was afraid my emotions would betray me. I pondered the option to invite Angela, but almost instantly dismissed the thought. This had to be a personal meeting, I needed all kinds of answers, and I needed him to tell me the truth.

It didn't take long for Kendrick to arrive with his escort and I ordered the guards to wait outside. I was seated in my extravagant chair but lately I'd started to wear the clothes I used before I was King, they reminded me of who I once was.

"Sit if you wish," I said and pointed at the chair in front of my desk. I watched the man study me with tired eyes and dirty skin. He smelled awful and he still wore the same outfit as the day I arrested him. "Or stand," I muttered as he didn't move.

"Why am I here?" He asked with a voice that matched his exhausted appearance.

"Because I need more answers."

"And why would I give them to you?" he countered and I noticed a bitterness in his voice. Was he angry at me? Disappointed? Clearly he understood why I had to chain him up?

"Because you want to live?" I asked and met his eyes. "Because you want to go home to your woman and forget you ever met me?"

I could see him falter by my words, "They will kill me, I switched sides, remember?"

"No, I don't," I sighed, "I have no idea which side you are on, Randy."

"Don't call me that!" he hissed, "you have no right to call me anything but Roland, not after what you did to me!"

"And what did I do?" I said, raising my voice and pushing the chair back me, "Should I have spared you because of my feelings for you, while I arrested the other traitors? It's not like I had a choice!"

"Not that," he growled.

"What is this about then?" I sighed and rubbed my forehead.

"How quickly you disposed of me only to find another," he muttered and I realized this was about Rillon.

I stepped around my desk to take a seat on its hard wooden surface in the midst of the piles of papers and scrolls, to get a bit closer to him."I was heartbroken and lost after your betrayal, you can't judge me for needing someone," I mumbled low.

"I was going to tell you everything," he insisted, but his voice was still harsh and cold.

I felt rage building up inside but I knew I had to restrain myself. "And how do I know that's the truth when all you did was lie to my face?"

His eyes softened and I could see a change in his attitude when he suddenly took a step forward, "I never lied about my feelings for you."

"Just everything else then?" I chuckled and let myself relax a little. "I wish things were different," I continued, "I could really use your expertise."

"What about the Alpha?" He muttered.

"He's not going to lead my human army, he has his own to care for," I sighed.

"But he will fight for you," he stated, but I shook my head.

"No, he's fighting for the safety of his people, and he knows that we'll be stronger together. There's a difference."

I watched him lick his cracked lips as he thought this through, "so it was a one time thing then?"

"Does it matter?" You have a woman waiting for you? Don't you want to live to see her again?" I shouted as I felt all sanity leave me. What the hell were we fighting about? What did he want from me? What did he expect me to do? Take him back? We never even started a relationship, it was mostly flirting and now he acted like we were a married couple and somewhat bound to each other.

"Yes, it matters!" he hissed and I watched his muscles tense underneath his ragged shirt. "I am in love with you Adrian and I was prepared to leave it all for you. I would have, if you'd just let me prove myself to you."

"But that changed because of Rillon?" I asked astounded, "I thought the lies and me placing you in the dungeon would be our biggest issue. And the prospect of me having to watch you hang in the gallows."

"I understand why you had to do that, but somehow I thought we could work things out. Then I saw you with him and it broke my heart."

I sighed deeply, "and now what? Me sleeping with another man is worse than the lies and the trickery you and the others plotted inside my own home?" I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"Of course not," he muttered, "I just thought I meant something to you."

I took a hesitant step forward and reached out to touch his cheek, surprised that he let me. "So tell me what to do with you," I almost begged him. "What do you want from me?"

"Take me back," he whispered and raised his shackled hands to place one over mine, "let me show you I'm loyal to you by executing the traitors by my own hand. I'll swear my allegiance to you all over again, in public, and I'll tell you everything I know about the coming war."

My heart wanted him, but the more rational side of me knew I couldn't let him back into my heart. Not that easy and not that quickly. Not as my lover, but I needed him as something else.

I removed my hand from him abruptly to walk past him and opened the door to let the guards inside. "We'll discuss this further in the morning," I ordered with my most king-like voice. "You need a bath and some clean clothes. You'll find your old room as you left it." Then I turned to the guards, "Unchain him, and report to commander Eli, my decision has been made. Sir Roland is back as my Colonel. Inform the commander that the events of his arrest were all planned by me and Roland in an effort to find out who was on McGregor's side. "And now we know."

The look on the guards' faces did not surprise me, they were relieved. Sir Roland was respected and he treated his men well. Losing him as their colonel must have been tough even though Eli did his best to step into his shoes. I watched Kendrick's expression carefully, he looked relieved as well, but there were other feelings showing in his eyes. Surprise maybe, but also determination. And I prayed I had made the right decision.

A/N - Thank you for reading this far! Hope you enjoy the story :)