Starlex could not enjoy the comfort of her bed without her husband lying beside her. Bonn and Leiffen were housed on the far side of the palace, in the servants' chambers no less. It made Starlex burn, but she knew her only course toward happiness was to somehow convince the king of the legitimacy of their union, and of the importance of sending troops to Kadaar at once to fight the Thrades.

She hoped Bonn Skaard's private conference with the king had yielded some results, but she hadn't been permitted to speak to him afterward. Rigel had whisked her to the top of Oran tower to see Flenn Illymium. Their meeting was lovely, although she was saddened to see her old friend appear so weak, their violet eyes half-closed and distant as if they were close to entering the next, and final, realm of their existence.

The positive change in her cousin, Rigel, was a joy to see. Although he had lost Jabe, he had found a new passion.

Starlex was told that Hyperia and Tylla (now married to Roland Davadas) would be returning to the palace soon to honor her return.

But what about my marriage? thought Starlex.

She would give up all the luxuries of Oran just to be with Bonn again. She was hugging herself to assuage the ache inside her when Hyperia came crashing through the door with her riding veil flying about her face.

"My sister! My darling, baby sister!"

* * *

From his small, modest room in the servants' chamber, Bonn Skaard gazed out the window at the mother and daughter moons, floating high and milky in the hazy night's sky. He had been provided with a bath and fresh clothes. The meal he and his men had eaten was excellent: crisp, roasted pheasant, root vegetables, bread, and wine, but he was far from satisfied.

Despite what he had expressed to Scipio Davadas, about the reality of the Thrades' threat, of the losses Kadaar had already suffered, the king had not been completely moved to join his cause.

The King had promised, however, to meet with him again the following day to discuss it properly. Still, Bonn worried. The Thrades could be attacking his people at that very moment.

Knowing he needed rest to keep his wits about him, he lay on the cool linen sheets, closed his eyes, and tried to sleep.

* * *

"But, I told you," Starlex insisted for the umpteenth time, "Bonn Skaard is my husband."

Hyperia sat at the foot of her sister's bed, shaking her head in disbelief. "And I told you, I do not approve, nor will I ever approve of this marriage."

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"It doesn't matter what you think." Starlex gazed at her sister with a boldness she had never dared express before. He's my husband and there is nothing you can do about it."

Hyperia stood, adjusting the pleats of her gown over her padded belly. "Oh, my sister, what a little fool you are."

Starlex's voice was calm when she replied, "Please don't judge something you don't understand."

The queen's glare was as sharp as a stiletto's blade. "So, you had you a proper roll in the hay by some Skaard bull, and you think that makes it legitimate?" Her laugh was haughty and ugly. "No, that only makes you a slut who's now ruined herself for a proper Oran union."

Before Starlex could respond to the insult, Hyperia continued. "We will have to keep it under wraps." She pointed at her sister. "And you will have to keep your silly mouth shut."

"Are you insane?" Starlex sprang from the bed. "Bonn Skaard is my husband. If you can't recognize that, I will return to Kadaar at once and never see Oran again."

Hyperia gripped Starlex's shoulders, her fingernails sharp. "Do you think your life is your own? If so, you're more of a fool than I thought." She ran her eyes up and down her sister's slim frame. "I suppose you think you're a woman now. How is that Skaard stud in the sack?" She licked her lips lasciviously. "I just might pay him a visit and find out for myself."

Starlex smacked Hyperia across the face.

The queen recoiled, holding her cheek. "I could have your head for that."

Starlex held her sister's gaze until Hyperia wheeled and left the chamber, the skirts of her riding habit fanning out behind her.

Starlex waited until she heard the Queen's footsteps fade, then she threw a light robe over her sleeping gown and fled her chamber. Padding quickly across the main hall, careful not to wake anyone, she found the back staircase and followed it down to the courtyard. She crossed the garden, her pale figure illuminated by moonlight, and practically ran to the guest quarters where the Skaards were being housed.

She found Bonn's door and knocked softly. He opened the door and at once his sleepy eyes lit up with love. She threw herself into his arms and they toppled onto the bed.

For the remainder of the night, they made love, desperately as if it were the last time. Their passion was at last spent, they lay peacefully in each other's arms. Their idyll was shattered when the palace guards kicked open the door.

With spears drawn, the guards surrounded the bed. Hyperia entered through the open door and stood over the couple.

Pointing at the bed, the queen announced, "By order of royal decree I charge you, Bonn Skaard, with treason."

"Treason?" he asked, half-laughing. "On what grounds, Milady?"

"On the grounds that you raped my sister, Princess Starlex Illymium. These men are my witnesses."

"Raped!" Starlex rose from the bed, shielding her nakedness with the linen sheet. "He's my legal husband."

"Legal in Kadaar, perhaps, among the barbaric Skaards, but not here."

His muscles tensing from the insult, Bonn stood next to Starlex.

"This lady is my wife. If we're not welcome here we'll leave for Kadaar immediately." Bonn reached for his sword belt dangling from a hook on the wall.

Four swords from the guards were thrust toward Bonn's throat. Starlex screamed and Bonn slowly raised his hands. The sheet fell to the floor, exposing his nude body.

Hyperia took a deep breath and hungrily ran her violet eyes up and down his chiseled form, lingering for a moment at his prodigious manhood.

"Sister please, don't hurt him," Starlex begged.

Hyperia cocked her head toward the lead guard. "Take him to the dungeon."