The next day I went over the plan, and replanned for different contingencies. Like if the army approached from the sky, or if they had certain treasures. Wukong zoned out about five minutes in. I eventually sent him out to see if he could get any allies from his so-called brotherhood.

After an extensive planning session that lasted all morning, the generals and I broke for lunch. I took a walk around the palace to try and clear my head.

I still hadn’t quite accepted the fact that Wukong was back. We were together again.

I was still mad at him. I’d probably be mad at him for a very long time. And another part of me felt empty. All of my suffering just turned out to be a fucking scheduling problem. One that could’ve been solved if we bothered to learn a little more before jumping in feet first.

For one, I wouldn’t trust Wukong when he said he had everything under control. I’d verify where he was going, how I could find him, and what was going on. I rubbed my bracelet. Our very first stop this morning had been to the research division, and I had our bracelets engraved with tracking formations. Just a little bit of chi and I’d know exactly what direction he was in, and how far, as long as he was wearing his own bracelet. I pushed chi into it again.

I knew where he was. I could find him if he doesn’t come back.

I could breathe again. I let go of the bracelet and sighed. There was another formation etched into them. If I sent some chi into it, it would cause the other bracelet to vibrate.

It was an emergency button. If I pushed it, Wukong would know I’m in danger, and rush to my side. He had a formation that would do the same thing, but he assured me he’d never need it. We’ll see.

I just wanted to get through this crisis with everyone alive. The entire castle was on high alert, and we were stockpiling as much food and chi as possible. But no evacuation plans.

If this all went south we had nowhere to run to. We had to defend ourselves here and now.

I needed to eat something. I sighed and turned towards the kitchen. I needed to stop worrying. Everything that can be done was being done. We just needed to plan for a few more contingencies, and then we’d wait.

Honestly, that would probably be the worst part.

I ate something I didn’t really taste and we went back to meetings. We ironed out the last few details, and broke around dinner.

I went to the throne room to try and keep morale up. Most of the monkeys were nervous, but some were excited they’ll get to take part in battle with the king. Whatever it took to keep them calm I guess.

We played games and sang songs while the musicians played. I constantly kept checking Wukong’s location with the bracelet. He’d been bouncing around all day, but now it felt like he was coming back home.

I breathed a small sigh of relief. He was almost here. He was coming back.

I retired to the Royal Wing for the night. I needed to try and relax.

I slipped my dress into my necklace and climbed into the bath. I just had to not think about the possible impending war or my marital issues.

It wasn’t working.

I sighed. While the water was nice it wasn’t having the effect I wanted. It felt like all my mind wanted to do was run and worry.

I trailed my hand through the steam. Maybe I should just get out. Of course, trying to go to sleep in this sort of mood was going to be nigh impossible. I’ll be on edge all night.

I pushed off from the edge and floated. I closed my eyes. Just me and the water. No impending doom. Just me and the water.

Not working. I sighed and opened my eyes again.

Wukong.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

I jerked up, out of the water, narrowly missing Wukon’s forehead. “Lunus! Wukong, what the hell are you doing? You scared me.”

He giggled. “I gotcha! I finally pulled a good prank on you!”

Uh oh, I recognized that somewhat slurry, gleeful tone. “Are you drunk!?”

Drunk and in the bath naked. He laughed and swam up to me. “I had a few drinks. It’s rude to turn down hospitality when you’re asking for help.”

“Ugh, did you at least get any troops to help defend the mountain?”

“Yes! They’re sending them over tomorrow! Everyone but Macaque, because he is dead.”

“Huh? Macaque is dead? When did that happen?”

“When I killed him.”

I stared at him. “What?”

He giggled again. “It’s a secret. None of the other brotherhood knows. I killed him when he made you sad.”

“You mean all the way back when we first met? After he drugged me?”

A cross look appeared on his face. “He made you sad. He made me break my promise. I asked him what was in the drug he gave to you but he wouldn’t tell me where he got it. I made him talk.”

The look disappeared as soon as it came. It was replaced with puppy eyes. “I made you sad too. I’m sorry Yue.”

Wow, he was really drunk. I was also a little pleased he killed Macaque back then. I really hated that guy.

But back to sad Wukong. He whimpered and gave me another sad look. “It’s all my fault Yue. I know you said you forgive me, but I still feel bad. I hurt you. I’m not a good husband.” He sank down into the bath until his mouth was under the water and looked away from me.

What was I supposed to say to that? I nodded. “Yeah, you haven’t been a good husband.”

He whimpered again, a weird sound coming from under the water.

“But I gave you another chance. A chance to be better. And while I gave you a second chance, you shouldn’t count on a third. So treat me right, okay?”

He nodded, splashing water everywhere. He popped his head back above the water. “I’ll do anything Yue. Just tell me what you want me to do and I’ll do it. I’ll be a good husband.”

“Well…” Did I have anything for him to do? Let’s see, his brotherhood committed the troops, the defenses were in order, and we had plenty of chi for the defensive formations.

No. I was thinking too much like a queen. I needed to think like a wife. What did I want him to do for me?

“I know. My muscles are tight from sitting all day. Can you give me a massage?”

He nodded eagerly and popped up onto the ledge. He patted beside him. I pulled myself out of the pool and sat on the edge.

Wukong began massaging my shoulders. Ah, that did feel nice. I could feel myself relaxing as he continued to my neck and back.

He moved lower. Towards my tail. I should stop him, but I felt so good…

He touched my tail and it felt like lightning arcing through me. I let out a squeak and stiffened up.

His hands retreated. “Yue! I’m sorry did I hurt you?”

No, but now I suddenly felt the urge to do something I hadn’t done since he left. I turned back towards him. “Actually Wukong, there’s something else I want you to do for me…”

Mnnnn. Warmth. Fuzzy soft warmth. It felt so familiar.

It felt like home.

I didn’t even have to open my eyes to know who was holding me. Wukong. I knew him by his touch, his scent, and his breathing.

I felt so safe. So warm. So comfortable. He was right here. He was with me.

I just wanted to lay here for the rest eternity. Just snuggled up next to him in bed from now until the end of time.

I enjoyed the feeling as much as possible until he started to stir. Eventually, he woke up enough to say, “Yue?”

“Shhhh.” I tugged him into a tighter embrace. “Shut up. Don’t ruin the moment.”

I wasn’t ready to move yet. He readily complied, his arms pulling me closer. After a few minutes, he started purring.

We stayed snuggled like that for a very long time.

But we eventually had to get up.

I groaned and blinked open my eyes. I patted Wukong. “Okay, that’s enough. We need to get up.”

He blinked and stopped his purrs. “Can I talk now?”

“As long as you think about it first.”

“Oh.” He paused for a moment. “I love you.”

Well, at least he said the thing most unlikely to piss me off. It was something.

I sighed and pressed my lips against his in a brief kiss. “I love you too. Even if I don’t like you very much right now.”

He sat up and stretched. I swung myself off of the bed and flashed a dress on. I looked out the window.

It was about midmorning. I looked over the island as Wukong got dressed.

So much preparation and planning. It wouldn’t be for nothing. I’d keep my monkeys safe.

“It’ll be okay Yue. I’ll protect you and everyone else.”

I shook my head. “Your job is to handle any strong foes we can’t. We can handle regular foot soldiers. When are the troops from the brotherhood arriving?”

“They just said tomorrow. So, sometime.”

“And did they mention how many troops they were sending?”

He paused. Then shook his head.

I probably shouldn’t expect much. “And how much do you care about keeping those troops alive?”

“Well, it’s a war right? People are going to die.”

“Yeah. But that doesn’t mean our people have to die.”

He gave me a look. “What are you thinking?”

“I think we should station the allied troops in the valley leading to Water Curtain Cave. It will slow down the celestial troops and make them spend more time in our most heavily trapped and fortified route. The losses the celestial army will incur will be astronomical. But… the allied forces will be trapped in a meat grinder. Between our traps and the enemy. I don’t think any of them will survive.”

“Ah.” He was quiet for a moment. “I’ll follow your lead Yue. I trust you. If that’s what you think is best, we can put them there.”

I nodded. Sometimes to spare your own, you had to sacrifice others. I was a leader.

Leaders had to make hard decisions.