The Spy Returns

Adeline glided back onto the dance floor, her gown shimmering with every graceful step. The guard, ever watchful, fell into step beside her, a silent sentinel in the midst of the swirling dancers. As I rose from my throne, Jacob's hand closed around mine, halting my movement with a firm grip.

"Where do you think you are going?"


His voice was a low rumble, tinged with a hint of warning. I met his gaze, determination shining in my eyes.


"I am going to help our daughter."


Jacob's brow furrowed in anger.


"This is her first ball, she should be dancing with gentlemen, not navigating the intricacies of court politics."
"She does not need to dance with gentlemen," he countered, his tone unwavering.
"Adeline is already betrothed."

"Jacob, she is betrothed to a man she has never met."
"We have both heard the rumors.”
"Alexander does not wish to marry."
"He sees this union as a burden, not a blessing."


Jacob's fingers clenched into fists at his sides, the weight of responsibility heavy upon his shoulders. The welfare of his kingdom hung in the balance.


"That is Adeline's problem," Jacob countered, his voice tinged with a hint of defiance.
"She is not a pawn to be bartered at will."
"I intend to fulfill this treaty," he declared, his words a solemn oath that reverberated in the air between them


Before I could utter another word, Jacob's command sliced through the air, swift and authoritative. With a mere gesture, he signaled to a guard who moved swiftly to obey, pulling the velvet curtain shut with a soft, muffled rustle. The thick fabric cocooned us, veiling our conversation from the curious gazes beyond.

In the hushed intimacy of our clandestine space, Jacob's words hung heavy, his voice tinged with a mix of resolve and resignation.


"Katherine, I care not for our daughter's happiness."


His declaration pierced the air, laden with the weight of duty and tradition, the echoes of generations past reverberating in the solemnity of his tone.


"Alexander may possess the firm hand Adeline needs."
"Does he hold the gentle touch she craves?”
“Those things do not matter.”
“Do you recall me being gentle when we married?”


I could not breath as his hand was on my throat. The room was filled with a deafening silence, broken only by the sound of my struggling breaths. His grip tightened, sending waves of panic coursing through my veins. I clawed at his hand, desperate for air, but his hold was unyielding.

My vision blurred, dark spots dancing at the edges as I fought against the overwhelming pressure on my windpipe. In that moment, time seemed to stretch endlessly, each passing second an eternity of terror.
Just as I felt myself slipping into unconsciousness, there was a sudden shift in the air. His hand faltered, releasing its vice-like grip, and I gasped for breath.

My senses slowly returned. I focused on the figure before me. His face was contorted with rage, his eyes wild with fury.
With a defiant glare, I pushed myself to my feet. The curtains reopened. Jacob extended his hand to me.


“My lady, might I have this dance.”
“It would be my pleasure, my lord.”


I followed Jacob onto the dance floor. He had a firm grip on my hand. We moved with grace and precision. The gathered assembly saw what Jacob wanted them to see. A loving couple. One that embodied their titles. Like always I imagined I was dancing with Jake. The dance concluded. I quickly found my way to Adeline. I knew that I would pay for this decision later.


“I require a moment alone with my daughter.”


The guard walked away with a nod of his head.


“Thank you, mother.”
“Are you okay darling?”
“I do not know why he is so persistent.”
“Your father ordered him to stay by your side the whole night.”

“Mother what am I going to do?”
“Feign ill, I will handle the rest.”


We made our way back to the balcony. We curtsied to Jacob.


“Your majesty, I believe that I must retire for the evening.”
“Adeline, the guest of honor cannot leave before the party ends.”
“I am feeling unwell, I would not wish to embarrass you by fainting.”

“Very well, your mother will escort you to your chambers.”
“Good night, your majesty.”


Adeline and I made our way to her chambers, the weight of the evening's events hung heavy in the air. The grandeur of the ballroom faded into the background as we stepped into the quiet sanctuary of her private space. The door closed behind us. Adeline's facade crumbled, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

Her sobs echoed off the walls, each tear a testament to the pain she carried within. Without hesitation, I drew her close, my arms a refuge against the storm of emotions raging inside her. I gently wiped away her tears, my touch a soothing balm against the rawness of her grief.

With practiced ease, I unpinned her elaborate hairstyle, each delicate motion a symbol of the trust she placed in me. Her midnight black locks tumbled around her. I marveled at their beauty, the tendrils soft against my fingertips. Carefully, I brushed through the curls, the rhythmic motion a comforting rhythm in the midst of chaos.

I braided her hair. The simple act of taming the unruly strands felt like a small victory amidst the turmoil. With each twist and turn, I wove a shield of strength around her, a tangible reminder that she was not alone in her struggle.

Together, we shed the layers of the evening, the heavy fabric of her gown falling away to reveal the vulnerability beneath. We sat in silence.
Eventually, exhaustion claimed her, her breathing slowing into the steady rhythm of sleep.

Leaving her chambers, the echoes of the ball still ringing in my ears, I retreated to my sanctuary. I crossed the threshold. The sight that greeted me stole the breath from my lungs. Nyx, silent and inscrutable, perched like a shadow in the darkness of my room, his presence a harbinger of secrets yet to be revealed.


“Nyx, you startled me.”
“My apologies your majesty.”

“Adeline has grown into a beautiful woman.”
“She takes after her mother.”
“I unfortunately bring some bad news.”

“What has happened?”
“Has the king called off the treaty?”
“No, my lady.”
“Alexander has taken a mistress.”


My heart sank at the news. I had hoped that Adeline stood a chance of being happy.


“The guard that was dancing with the princess, does he pose a threat to the treaty?”
“That guard is of no consequence.”
“He was just Jacob’s way of showing that Adeline is ineligible.”

“Thank you for informing me about Alexander’s mistress.”
“You should know that Adeline has been groomed to Alexander’s preferences.”
“I am afraid that might have all been in vain.”


We heard approaching footsteps. I turned around and Nyx had disappeared. I quickly began to make my way towards the bathroom. I did not want to still be in the parlor when Jacob entered the room. I began the process of removing my heavy dress. I was not shocked to see the bruises already forming on my neck. I heard the door open. Jacob quickly found his way to the bathroom.


“Katherine, do you care to explain what that was all about?”
“Adeline was not feeling well.”
“She needed to rest.”

“Why did you not return to the ballroom?”
“The ball was nearly over; I did not feel my presence was needed.”
“Katherine, you know where your duties lie.”


I could hear the anger rising in his voice.


"My lord, I am aware of my duties, but I needed a moment alone.”
“The festivities were overwhelming, and I found myself suffocating amidst the chatter and laughter."


Jacob’s jaw clenched, his expression hardening as if carved from stone.


"Your excuses do not excuse your absence, Katherine.”
“As the queen, you represent our family.”
“Your presence is expected at all times, regardless of your personal feelings."

"I apologize if my actions have caused any embarrassment."
"I will endeavor to fulfill my obligations more diligently in the future."
"See that you do, Katherine."
"Our family's reputation is at stake, and we cannot afford any lapses in decorum."


I flinched instinctively as he raised his hand, a reflex born from too many past encounters with violence. To my surprise, instead of the anticipated blow, his hand came to rest gently on my cheek, his touch tentative, almost uncertain.

In that moment, the tension between us shifted, transforming into something unexpected. His touch, though unexpected, felt oddly comforting, like a gentle reassurance amidst the chaos of our surroundings.

He wrapped his arm around my waist, drawing me closer to him. I felt a rush of conflicting emotions swirling within me. Fear mingled with confusion, yet beneath it all, there was a strange sense of warmth emanating from his embrace.

The heat of his body pressed against mine sent a shiver down my spine, igniting a fire within me that I hadn't realized was there. Despite the uncertainty of the situation, there was an undeniable connection between us, pulling us together like magnets drawn to each other's presence.

Caught in the intensity of the moment, I found myself unable to look away from his piercing gaze. There was a vulnerability there, a rawness that mirrored my inner turmoil. As our eyes locked, time seemed to stand still, the world around us fading into insignificance as we existed in this shared space of closeness and understanding.

I knew that this was wrong. After everything why should I love him? He had shown me nothing but abuse since the day we were married. He was the reason that my true love was dead. He was the reason that my child would be unhappy.

His hand lingered on my cheek. His hand on my hip pulled me even closer to him. We were now up against the wall. He leaned in closer. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls like silent spectators to the forbidden embrace. His lips, warm and insistent, pressed against mine with a hunger that stirred a tempest within. Each kiss was a question, a plea for something unspoken yet desperately desired.

My breath faltered, caught in the tender trap of his embrace, as his lips traced a path down to my neck. A shiver ran down my spine, betraying the conflict raging within me. I hated how effortlessly he could awaken dormant desires, how his touch still ignited a spark of intimacy that I yearned to extinguish.

His fingers brushed against my skin, igniting trails of fire in their wake. Tational thought melted away, leaving only the raw intensity of the moment. His presence was intoxicating, drawing me closer even as I struggled against the tide of emotion threatening to engulf me.

In that fleeting moment, caught between desire and restraint, I surrendered to the inevitable pull of his touch, allowing myself to be consumed by the flames of passion that flickered between us. In the quiet darkness of that room, with nothing but the echo of our breaths and the thundering of our hearts, we became entwined in a dance as old as time itself, where desire intertwined in an eternal embrace.

I lay in his arms that night. I was trying to make sense of what happened. One minute he is angry with me. The next he is clinging to my body. I could not help but feel like I was betraying who I am. I was also tossing around what Nyx said. Should I tell Jacob what I know? No that would only bring up suspicion. I needed to try and solve this on my own. If Alexander rejects Adeline, she will be cast out. Her father would strip her of her title. Maybe this was the answer to our problems. If Adeline was rejected, I could use that as my chance to escape once and for all.