A Queen's Knight Ch. 12-14

"How did you discover such... intimate details about the prince?" Aldwyn asked.

"I slept with the prince's escort," Allegra replied plainly as she cleaned the wound before her.

Aldwyn was slightly puzzled, "From what I understood of your report, the prince's escort was of the same disposition as his prince."

"He enjoys the pleasures of both sexes."

"Does the prince know of his escort's... indiscretions?"

"Only those involving other men. I've even heard that the prince will watch from seclusion as his escort is engaged."

"It would seem you've found a place suitable for your inclinations after all."

"Indeed," Allegra's smiled coyly as she took what should have been a cutting insult into an awkward compliment.

There was a long pause. Finally Allegra commented, "So the King has decided to honor you as a hero. If he were to honor you any more, he would have to adopt you."

Aldwyn immediately recognized this as the opening of Allegra's favorite interrogation method. "My patience for your commentary ran thin years ago. If you have something of substance to say, then say it. If not, say nothing."

Just then Allegra poked a section of new raw skin with the cloth. Aldwyn hissed as he gave Allegra a flash of anger. "I see time has not improved your temper," Allegra was smirking in a way that she knew greatly annoyed Aldwyn, "Hopefully your passions have remained intact as well. They were about your only redeeming features."

"Only you would consider them to be redeeming features."

"You didn't seem to disagree at the time."

"I would appreciate not talking about this. The war brought out the worst in all of us. Besides, I was a much angrier man then."

"You always did work up an... appetite after a battle. In fact, I'd wager that you've got the hunger now." One of Allegra's hands reached for Aldwyn's chest. At first Aldwyn didn't resist her advance, momentarily enjoying the familiar caress, but as her hand began to descend, he sharply grasped her wrist.

"Are you going to finish with my wound or do I have to do it my self?"

Allegra's expression momentarily turned serious as she began to tie the fresh bandage to Aldwyn's shoulder, but her enchantress self quickly returned, "All that pent up passion is going to have to come out some time. What are you holding it back for? Who are you holding it back for? Oh, don't tell me you and your lady..."

Her voice was cut off as Aldwyn grabbed her by the throat and forced her against a wall. Aldwyn's voice was harsh, "Don't you ever speak of my lady in that fashion ever again!"

A sparkle of fear flashed in Allegra's eyes for an instant before Aldwyn removed his hand from her throat, regaining some of his composure. Allegra felt the skin where she had been grabbed and managed to whisper, "I guess I hit a nerve." Allegra's voice, still a whisper, turned serious, "You do fancy her, don't you?"

"During the war," Aldwyn's voice was soft, "I saw so much death. At the time, I did not question what I was doing. I followed my orders and carried out my duty. After I returned home, I began to reflect on what I had done and seen. So many good men died both under my command and by my sword. I began to wonder if it was worth the blood that had been shed."

Aldwyn paused before continuing, "Then one day, I was summoned to my lord's chamber. He informed me that I was to be made captain of the guard. At the ceremony, I saw her; My Lady. I had not seen her for nearly seven years. She had been a child, barely a youth, when I'd left with her father. She had grown to a young beautiful woman. At that moment, I knew; for her, it was worth it. I knew I would do anything for her. I would fight for her. I would die for her. Yes, I love her, but she does not return my affections. But I can still serve her, and I will do so until the day I die, and that is enough for me," Aldwyn's voice was whisper by the time he finished.

"I wouldn't be so sure," Allegra's voice was quickly returning.

"What?" Aldwyn asked.

"She used that incident during court to make sure she could keep you at her side indefinitely. I think she has plans for you," Allegra smiled, not a coy smile but a genuine smile.

Just as Allegra was finished, there was a knock at the door, "Sir Knight, the King Dietrich wishes your presence."

"You're wanted," Allegra smiled coyly.