Alexia's not done

"I've been thinking about Mara and Sara, Bruce." Alexia has that contemplative look that you've come to know as she works out a half-developed theory.

"They seem nice enough." You offer blandly wondering how to turn the topic back to your developing relationship, Alexia however, is clearly thinking along different lines.

"I think you should bed at least one of them." You almost **** as you hear her.

"What-!?!" You finally manage to get out. "I can't do that!" As pretty as the sisters are, and they were clearly chosen to tempt any man, you are not going to **** them to your bed and violate the trust the pair and their father have placed in you.

"You're right," for a heartbeat you think Alexia has come to her senses, but it just gets worse, "you can't have just one, it would devastate the other sister."

"Alexia!" Your voice takes on the regal tone that you use when you wish to end a conversation. "I will not lie with either of those two lovely young maidens. How could you even suggest something like that?" This encounter has taken a left turn and you're not sure exactly when.

"I'm just working it out now, Bruce, but the more I think about it the more I like the idea." You try to stop her but she silences you with a raised finger and you decide to let her spell out her reasons before you end this once and for all. "OK, first of all - there are the rumors about you and your oath-brothers. I know you're not lovers, but I've told you before that this is a reoccurring issue every time the three of you disappear for hours on your 'adventures'." You snort angrily but let her continue. "Some of your men don't know what to make of you; it wouldn't hurt to take a pretty young lover or two."

"That's their problem, not mine!" You cannot contain your emotion any longer, but Alexia waves off your outburst like it is an annoying horse-fly.

"Secondly - If those two are plants by the city of Athenapolis, it might not be a bad idea to let that weasel Lord Darius think that he has succeeded in corrupting you." Alexia pauses to stare at you sternly, very much like her father used to. "That is, my king, if you can enjoy those pretty things without falling in love with them?"

"Alexia, they're still teens!" You interject again knowing that many women younger than these two women are regularly married off to older men and if taken as prizes they'd be subjected to a much worse fate, "I could never fall in love with sheltered debutants like those two. Those poor things don't know a thing about the real world." It was true, listening to the twins as they ate made it crystal clear just how naïve the two were. "They are like fragile pottery that might shatter if I even just raised my voice at them."

"Don't let Mara and Sara hear you say that, those two young women are as juiced up as any lover." Alexia is not even phased by your objection. "They've been told what to expect from the virile king they've been sent to serve, if you don't call them to your tent they'll think they are not good enough." You imagine that many men would very much like to spread the smooth soft thighs of the pretty brunette sisters, but you are much more tempted Alexia's her muscular form? Before you can tell her how you feel, your spymaster finished her argument with a wicked rhetorical roundhouse.

"Soon, your majesty you will have to take a bride to your wedding bed." Alexia reminds you of your duty, "your queen will be as sheltered and naïve as those two, and likely just as virginal. It is your responsibility as the husband to make that experience one of pleasure for both you and your bride." This is getting ludicrous. The woman you are trying to seduce is recommending you practice your love-making skills on others? Perhaps this is the opportunity you are looking for.

"Maybe you and I could -"

"Stop it Bruce." Once again you are cut off. "We're not talking about us. I'm talking about someone like Procris, daughter of Aeolus from Herapolis. She's turning sixteen this year, and her father has sent out feelers about a possible marriage."

"Why are you doing this?" You have to concentrate to keep your voice low as there could be a dozen or more men and women just on the other side of the canvas walls. "I don't want a sixteen year old girl. Not in my bed and not as my queen." Your emotions have gotten the best of you because instead of playing it cool, you tell her what you should have shared years ago.

"I want you."