"I know," Aiden said quietly, holding his wife as tight as he could. "It was rash and bold and probably more than a little unwise." He laughed to himself, giving Stefanie a kiss on the top of her head, not wanting to let go of her even enough to lean down, at least for the moment. "But I couldn't stand it any longer. I was trying to plan another little deception, another excuse to hide away with you for a few days and I knew it just wouldn't be enough anymore."

Looking down into her eyes, the wide and open eyes that had come to view him with so much trust and so much love, Aiden sighed. "Let's take what we can for now, at least, all right? Come on," he told Stefanie, leading her back into the palace where she still reigned as Queen, no matter how much time had passed or whether she was in residence or not. Aiden had always ensured that everyone who served him understood that.

Servants and attendants bowed and followed as they walked through the timeless halls to the royal apartments, where they were left alone.