Laying on his bed, arm wrapped around Zephrine's shoulders, hugging her close, Xavier thought back to the events of the day.

"You're quiet." Zephrine spoke so softly, Xavier wasn't even sure she had at first. She laughed at him when he jumped.

"I thought you were asleep."

"How could I? We both know that dangers of thinking alone. So what's wrong?"

Xavier sighed. "Did I make the right choice with Rosario?"

"Do you want me to answer that as your subject or as someone who loves you?"

"As a Queen would."

Zephrine thought for a second. "Then no. I don't think you did."

"Well, I can't take it back now. I sentenced him in front of the whole kingdom." Xavier started to shake. 

"Hey, hey. Who said anything about taking it back? Help him escape. We'll hide him in the castle, I'm sure Caius will take him in." Zephrine grabbed his shoulders, running her hands along his chest soothingly.

"You're so much smarter than I am. You should be in charge." Xavier tilted his head down, letting his lips fall on Zephrine's forehead.

"Well, in order to do that, I'd either have to kill you or marry you."

Xavier smiled. "I'll take the latter, please."

Zephrine took his face in her hands, pulling him closer to her. After a tender kiss, she finally answered him. "Someday, when this whole Vana situation is figured out. But now, we need sleep so we can think of a plan."

The next morning, Xavier woke in a panic. He was having trouble seeing, everything was bathed in pure white. He felt tears roll down his cheeks as he feared the worst. Zephrine was walking through the door, carrying a tray full of ham, fruit, and rolls. She set the tray on the table and ran to the window and drew the curtains closed, and his vision went back to normal.

"It's okay, it's okay." Zephrine came to Xavier's side, and he flung himself onto her lap, sobbing like a child. She stroked back his hair and rubbed his back gently. Despite everything they had been through, to Xavier, her rough, callused hands felt like pure silk.

"I was so scared! I thought- I thought-" He risked looking up at her. "God, I'm so weak! I'm sorry."

"Xavier Quillsnake!" Zephrine lifted his chin with her finger. "You are not weak! Hell, you're probably holding it together better than I would have. You were scared! And you had every right to be."

Xavier hugged her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist, avoiding her side.

"I'm going to tell you something that my father told me, okay?" She sat him up, letting him rest his head on her shoulder. "Don't ever let yourself think emotions make you weak. You feel things for a reason, Xavier. Don't be ashamed of it."

"Your father mentioned me by name?"

"I paraphrased. Do you want breakfast?"

"I want you." Xavier pulled Zephrine closer to him, sitting up straight. Though his eyes were closed, and his lips right in line with Zephrine's, his hands found their way to an area just below her armpits. She didn't seem to mind, and deepened the kiss.

It was when Xavier started to slide his hand up her thigh that she screamed. For the first time, Zephrine pushed him back. She was paler than snow, shaking like a leaf, wide-eyed and breathing heavily. She looked like a wounded deer.

"I'm sorry, I forgot." Xavier reached out to touch her, but decided against it.

She shook her head, blinking back tears. "I still have nightmares about it. Guess we're both a little jumpy, huh?"

"Yeah." Xavier blushed a little. "Why don't you go see if Rhys can help you with the nightmares?"

"Maybe." Zephrine took a deep breath, and the tornado behind her moonstone eyes subsided. "You might also want to ask Caius to draw you a cold bath." She covered her mouth with the back of her hand, trying not to laugh.

Xavier nodded, feeling himself go pink.