She's stunned, but

For the first time since Alexia assumed the role of your spymaster you see her stunned by an unexpected development. Taking advantage of her shock you pull the woman into your arms and bury your face in her red hair.

"You and I are going to be unstoppable, my love." You whisper confidently into Alexia's ear, "I want you to move in with me right away." It is impossible to miss the way Alexia stiffens in your arms, and you sense immediately that once again you've misread the situation.

"Sire -" Alexia pushes fiercely against your arms until there is space between you. "Bruce, I don't think that's a good idea, your majesty. What will people think?"

"They'll think that I want to marry you and make you the queen of Kalion, because that's what I'm going to tell everyone who asks." You are as direct as ever, but just the idea that anyone would think badly of Alexia is making you angry. "Even if it isn't any of their damned business." Alexia smiles sweetly at you and then sighs softly.

"You can't marry me, Bruce."

"Why by the thirty-nine levels of Hades not?" You interrupt her before she can even begin to explain. "You're a free woman of age and I love you," you take a minute to look her in the eye before continuing, "and I believe you love me, so I say we get married." Alexia shakes her head slowly without breaking her gentle gaze.

"Because as your loyal advisor, I cannot take part in any action that will weaken my king or country." You groan softly as she goes on. "Just the possibility of a union with Kalion has kept three or four city-states like Polheres willing to deal with us and our unusual views on the rights of women and the horrors of slavery. When you take a queen, Sire, she must be worthy of you and more than that, she must be viewed by all as a perfect match for a king. Anything less would be a slap in the face of all the cities that have offered you their daughters and been turned down."

"I don't care about any of that, Alexia." You pull her tight into your arms once again and try to kiss her, but Alexia jerks away from you.

"Stop it, Bruce!" The passion in her voice weakens your grip more effectively than any wrestling move, and Alexia steps away from you. "I've been a mess for the past two days, Bruce." The tremor in her voice makes it clear that this is no easy matter for her. "Yesterday I rode off into Athenapolis leaving you undefended, last night I let you sleep in my bed, and this morning I almost -" Alexia slaps away your hand when you reach for her.

"Ever since your duel with Prince Ioasis, I haven't been able to think straight." She turns to meet your bewildered gaze. "Did you see the way he looked at me when he accepted your stupid challenge?" You nod, remembering how the arrogant nobleman had licked his lips when he made the comment about taking your throne and all that came with it. "Everyone else in the tent may have thought you were fighting for the throne of Kalion, but I couldn't shake the idea that the two half naked warriors were fighting over me." She puts her face in her hands, but you can still make out the muffled words. "That the winner would claim my virginity as his reward."

"Alexia!" You interrupt her monologue, trying not to get distracted by her revelation of chastity. "You knew I was going to win, I would never let that creep touch you, besides if he did try to mess with you you'd put a knife through his ribs."

"Maybe, but maybe not." Alexia refuses to concede your point, "Sometimes the gods decide to humble their heroes, Bruce. Even Achilles was defeated at the walls of Troy, and your absurd terms would have made him the rightful king of Kalion. Killing him would be regicide." Before you can reassure her, she brushes away your arguments. "The point is that for the past two days I've made at least two clear errors in judgement and almost a third. Big ones, errors that could cost me and the whole city-state of Kalion everything we care about." Alexia lifts her head from her hands and straightens her back until she is once again the strong woman that you love, she places her hand on your arm and smiles sadly.

"I can't do my job if all I can think about is your god-damned cock," Her tone softens and she steps forward to rest her hand on your chest. "I'm scared Bruce." It was hard for you to imagine Alexia being scared of anything, although the revelation of her inexperience with men explains a little of her nervousness. Before you can reassure her that you'd be gentle, she clarifies what she means. "I'm afraid if I give in to what we both want that I'll be no use to you."