Emily's heart pounded hard on her chest as her lips found their way back to Arthur's eager mouth. She could almost savor the danger in his words, the ultimate implications of their secret escape. She craved him, and she yearned for freedom even more. Yet, she was not fully convinced she could risk it all in an attempt to reach the other side.

–Arthur… I love you, too. You have no idea how much I wish we could run away and never look back. But are you completely sure about this plan? Even if we are lucky enough to get on a ship, crossing the ocean is extremely difficult, even for experienced sailors. We have all read the chronicles about the navy, the storms, and the sea monsters. Also, your husband will probably send an entire fleet to hunt you down. He may not care about your feelings, but he certainly cares for his pride.

–I know it sounds complicated, but my father and I came up with an appropriate strategy. He has a vessel ready, along with a competent crew of dissidents and their families. He will take the ship to the east side, far from the main dock, the naval base, and the fishing towns. He is a noble, so no one will question his moves. In the meantime, I will pretend to do business on the shore. I will tell Leandre I want to buy a shipyard. I always bring a couple of guards and maidens when I am on a trip. This may be the only chance I have to escape, but I can't leave without you, Emily. I would never forgive myself for it.

He embraced her tightly, pressing her little by little against the fine couch. Emily was instantly captivated by the grip of his palms and the power in his voice, the untethered passion it entailed. She felt her skin gradually warming up under his clever direction. All she was praying for in life was to be free. Still, she never wanted to belong to someone so badly. Love was a beautiful contradiction indeed.

–I will join you, Arthur, but there's no backing down now. If we fail our mission, we are both doomed; I hope you know it.

–I know it, dear maiden. But I would rather face my demise by your side than live a prosperous life without you.

He removed her silk nightgown very gently, while she searched for his crotch underneath his trousers. She grasped his manhood and rubbed the hardening tip on her lips, caressing it with her tongue. Arthur groaned as he pushed himself deeper into her welcoming throat. Emily knew exactly how to make him squirm; she had learned to read the reactions of his rough body. Her free hand cupped her lover's butt and her forefinger roamed his tight entrance, gradually making its way inside him. She would suck him and finger him simultaneously, until Arthur became so aroused that he pulled away and climbed on top of her. He filled her up with a single, ravenous thrust then, and made love to her so vehemently that Emily had to cover her mouth to restrain her screaming.

*

A couple of days later, Lord Leandre returned to the mansion with marvelous news: the king and his chamber had successfully signed a decree to conquer the archipelago. The first troops would be sent in the middle of the summer and their first target was Sphinx Island, famous for its yellow hillsides and emerald mines. He walked into the main hall with his entourage, ordering the help to cook a few suckling pigs and fetch his best barrel of wine. Emily heard the racket from the nearby corridor and decided to show up; Lord Arthur was already there. He congratulated his husband and pulled him for a big kiss. The rest of the staff were taking turns to pay him respect, so Emily proceeded to join them. If she really wanted to succeed in their plans, she had to act as innocent as possible. She bowed to her master with usual courtesy and reached out for his hand to kiss it.

–Thank you for ensuring our realm's flourishing, Sir.

–Do not thank me, dear maiden. That is what I live for, and for my lovely family, of course.

He snapped his fingers to request a chair and made Emily sit by his side. Lily's cheeks were burning with anger. She could barely keep a straight face as she filled her master's golden cup. The housekeeper also approached him to express her support and admiration, though she was genuinely concerned by the ultimate consequences of the war. She tried to ask him about it, but Lord Leandre disregarded her questions with his natural lack of care.

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–Yes, Jade, sacrifice is an essential part of both personal growth and social transformation. Keep our people in your prayers and trust the gods' guidance… Also, tell the errand boys I need an orchestra, my favorite singers, and a few acrobats to perform tonight. I want to celebrate.

—Of course, my Lord.

Lord Leandre would spend the rest of the evening discussing the importance of the conquest and the ancient prophecies, along with his ideas to convert the pagans and help them embrace the holy traditions. However, as soon as he got drunk, all he could talk about were the monetary benefits and the business opportunities to come, including the tithe increase. Lord Arthur took advantage of the situation to express his intentions to buy a shipyard and invest in a couple of warehouses by the shore. His husband seemed pleased with the initiative; he even suggested a few favorable deals. Emily had left the table by then. She was busy conversing with Jenna in the back of the house.

Emily had no doubts about her friend's impeccable character, intelligence, and bravery, and she trusted her more than anyone else in the world. Therefore, she could not simply escape and leave her behind, condemned to a life of servitude. She wanted her to join the mission, or at least have a chance to decide on her fate. She still was not sure how she was going to react, after all, dissidence was a tremendously scandalous subject. Nevertheless, she knew by heart that Jenna would never reveal her secret or reprimand her for being who she was. She finally mustered up the courage to speak about the plot, right after Jenna expressed her open disapproval for Lord Leandre's plans. Now that they were completely alone, she was comfortable enough to criticize the war propaganda and mock her master's hypocrisy.

–You were right, Emily, the king has yielded to the religious council's demands. Our people have been fooled and manipulated, thrown into an absurd conflict that will result in thousands of losses and incalculable human suffering. This can't be the gods' design; I refuse to believe it. Leandre is not satisfied with us; he wants the pagans' souls as well. That bastard is preaching and laughing all the way to the emerald mines. I wish we could repudiate our masters, just like they repudiate immodest maidens.

–Jenna, there is something we can do about it…

Emily reached for her hands and held them tightly. She did not realize how reckless the plan sounded until she said it out loud for the first time. Jenna listened thoroughly, without uttering a word, and eventually pulled her friend for a hug, displaying a benevolent smile.

–Dear Emily, you are so brave. I am proud of you, and I wish you nothing but the best. I will pray for you every step of the way; I promise you that. But I cannot follow you in this mission. I have a life here and… love too.

Emily raised an eyebrow, taken by surprise.

–Do you have a lover?

–Yes, Jade, the housekeeper. We have been together for a while. She is the most beautiful woman I've ever met, inside and outside. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. She would never leave Rosetta; this land feels like home to her, and she feels like home to me.

Emily breathed out, moved by her tender confession. She understood Jenna's reasons, although it was hard to accept her refusal.

–It is alright, I'm happy for you. Perhaps one day our society will change for the better, and no one will ever be afraid to fight or to love. See... I have a lover too; I also want to spend my life by his side.

–His? Emily! Who is he? Is he that secret admirer you told me about?

–Please don't make me say his name. All you should know is that his husband is preaching and laughing all the way to the emerald mines.

Jenna's jaw dropped and she almost jumped in her spot.

–Sister! Have you gone mad? I heard some people find a certain allure in danger but…damn, you definitely crossed the line.

–We shouldn't have done it; I am completely aware of that. But it is too late to stop. We are in love, Jenna. And we have no choice but to run away together.

Jenna tried her best to calm down, even though her mind was running wild.

–We can't choose who we love… You will be fine, as long as you care for each other, and he treats you with respect. But what about your child? Lord Leandre will never let you leave the house in your current condition.

–Don't worry; I will be under the moon's influence by…Oh, shit.

Suddenly, Emily felt her stomach turning. She had been so immersed in the plot in recent days that she had not noticed her period was delayed. Her friend looked at her right in the eye then.

–Emily… are you expecting?