The morning at court dragged more slowly than any the Empress could remember. After a poor night of sleep trying to decipher her husband's message, Aurora was exhausted.

Each supplicant brought their request or complaint. Some brought gifts. One gentleman actually sang a song that he wrote about the glories of the Valiant Empire. He hoped to be admitted to the royal players.

"…glory, glory, GLOOOORY to the Valiant Empire. glory, glory, GLOOOORY to the Empress." He sang in a low baritone.

Aurora rubbed her temple gently while smiling as big as she could. What the man lacked in creativity, he made up for in vibrato. The Empress gave him an application and sent him to her musical director. It was the least she could do.

Her afternoon was filled with Council meetings. The bird's message was formally relayed. Zan spoke of the shortcomings of the bird system and as a group they discussed solutions.

"What if we tattoo the birds' feet so we we know where they came from?" Birger suggested.

"But what do we do if the birds need to be relocated? Tattoos are permanent." Ezer argued.

"We can mark it out and make a new tattoo!" Birger dug in his heels.

"Have you ever tried to tattoo a bird's foot? I cannot imagine it would be easy." Ezer gazed haughtily at the other Councilman. He crossed his arms defiantly.

The two began to bicker, but Nanny's voice overrode them. "I wonder how those birds taste with gravy?"

The room went silent, and Aurora's shutting eyes shot wide open. "Nanny!"

Zan shrugged, "Not that great, I imagine. Far too stringy."

Nanny gave a satisfied nod that her goal had been achieved. "I did have a thought," the fat woman went back to their task. "I have seen the falconers use a metal ring around their bird's foot to identify their ownership. Would that not work for these birds also?"

The Council contemplated her suggestion. "The rings would have to be small to keep the bird's flight from being hindered," Ezer said as he nodded slowly.

Birger stroked his beard. "And the inscriptions would need to be well done…"

Zan grinned. "I will talk to the keeper of the menagerie. Perhaps we can implement something very soon. If it pleases Your Majesty," the Chief added.

All eyes moved toward the Empress. Aurora's head was propped on her hand, but her eyes were closed. Her breathing had fallen into a steady rhythm. Zan cleared his throat lightly. The woman's blue-flecked eyes flicked open as she realized that she had been caught snoozing. "It pleases me," Aurora responded, having no idea what she agreed to. But the Council would not have suggested it if it were a bad idea. She would ask Zan about it later and fix it if needed.

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"With your permission, Chief Zan," Nanny rose from her chair. "I will help Her Majesty. She has had her fill of our company."

Aurora shook her head. "It is not you. I am just tired."

"We are done for today, anyway. Glory to the Empress!" Zan dismissed them.

Nanny took Aurora back to the loving care of Bella and Candela. The ladies-in-waiting ushered their mistress into the room and changed her into something comfortable. Bringing dinner to the sitting room, the ladies made sure that the Empress went to bed early.

"You must take care of yourself," Bella chided her.

"We need you in your best health," Candela added.

"I will be guarding just outside your bedchamber, Your Majesty," Nurlan promised. "You can rest easy."

Aurora was grateful for their attention. "Thank you," she said with a yawn. When her room was empty, she laid down, happy to give into sleep at last.

—————-

The Empress awoke suddenly. It was dark. She froze.

At first she could not pinpoint what was wrong. Aurora lay still on her side on her large bed when a chill ran down her spine. She heard a noise behind her, soft and barely audible. It was breathing. Someone was in the room with her.

Trying not to panic, the Empress pretended to shift in her sleep and moved her hand toward the knife hidden near the top of her bed. She thought briefly about how many weapons she had stashed in her room in case she needed them. There were so many! Finding the knife with her fingertips, Aurora pulled the handle into her grasp slowly.

Her body tensed. It was now or never if she wanted to have the element of surprise. Aurora shut her eyes tight, trying to focus on the source of the breathing. Whoever was watching her was directly behind her a step or two away from the bed.

Steeling her nerves, Aurora gripped the knife and leapt off the bed. Her blade came to the intruder's throat, but strangely he did not move.

It was definitely a man, but as the moonlight from her window was behind him, that is all she could see. "Identify yourself!" Aurora whispered. Her heart raced as her throat went dry.

The man ran his fingers along the contours of her face. They continued down her neck and arm before wrapping around her waist. The weapon at his neck did not seem to bother the man. He pulled the woman into his embrace.

His touched thrilled the dark-haired woman. Aurora would know that feeling anywhere. "Devrim?" Her voice cracked. She could scarcely believe her own senses. Was this a dream? In answer to her plea, the man pressed his lips to hers, leaving no doubt. Her husband had returned.

Aurora threw the knife from her hand as she wrapped her arms around her love. It clattered noisily along the ground.

Hearing the sound, Nurlan burst in the room. "Are you alright, Your Majesty?" he asked with his sword drawn. In the dark silence, the general began to panic. He quickly lit the nearest lamp only to discover his error.

Nurlan beheld the couple in a passionate embrace and his face blanched. Of course the Empress was not alright; she was doing far better than that. The soldier backed away bowing. "My apologies, Your Majesties. I will not disturb you again." He could not hide the Cheshire grin as he closed the door, but the others did not notice.

Devrim lifted his bride from the floor and swung her in a circle before releasing her to catch her breath.

"You scared me!" She said, hitting him playfully. "I did not know you would be here. Why did no one wake me?!"

"I told them to let you sleep, but I wanted to check and make sure you were alright. I suppose I stayed watching you longer than I intended. You just looked so peaceful." Devrim paused as his face scrunched in confusion. "Wait, how did you not know I was coming? Did you not get my message?"

"You mean that vague excuse for a note? You did not even sign your name, and I had no idea where it was from." Aurora's eyes narrowed.

Devrim thought for a second before looking at her sheepishly. "I did write it rather quickly. A detail or two must have slipped my mind."

"Mhmm," the woman grumbled. Devrim whisked her into his arms again, and all her displeasure vanished. "You are here now," she giggled. "How did you get past Nurlan?"

Devrim gave a sly grin. "I came in the usual way." He inclined his head toward the secret passage.

"I really should put an alarm on that door," she giggled. Aurora paused her reverie. "Alaron! Is he with you? And how are Junayd and Gandr?" She held her breath as she awaited the answer.

"Alaron is here and we can discuss him tomorrow. Gandr and Junayd are both fine as well. We all made it back safely."

"Small miracles," Aurora breathed.

"You are the only miracle I see," Devrim countered with an alluring smile. The Emperor pulled his wife close to him and kissed her.

"Smooth talker," the woman laughed when she had use of her lungs again. She moved away from her husband and yawned. "I suppose we should turn in if we are planning to talk about everything in the morning. It must be very late."

Devrim's heart clenched. "Is that your gentle way of dismissing me?" He turned toward the passageway with his shoulders dropped. His steps were heavy.

As he reached the exit, the Empress could stand it no longer. She sauntered forward, and slipped her hand in his. "You misunderstand me, good husband. I did not say where we should turn in for the night. Come here, and I will show you just the spot I have been saving for you."

The joy returned as the Emperor leapt onto the bed. He kissed his wife on the nose as she climbed up next to him. "You had me going for a moment," he said with a chuckle.

Aurora smiled coyly. "I am just getting started…"