After a shortlived moment, Queen Antea tore herself away from Gage. She was either experiencing deep sorrow or humiliation, he couldn't tell which. Flipping her skirts angrily behind her, she stormed to the otherside of the room. Her back was facing him, and he saw her continue to struggle for breath, but it was not because she couldn't breathe, her composure had been lost and she was struggling to regain it.

Finally she flipped around like a door flapping in the wind. "Do not tell anyone what you have seen."

Gage stared blankly at her. What was he supposed to do, keep it a secret that the most frightening queen had cried? No, not cried, sobbed uncontrollably. Then it came to him, trust was the most influential tool in his career.

"Of course not, Your Highness." Gage bent his head slightly, showing his loyalty.

He turned on his heel and began walking back to the secret passage door.

"That's it?" Queen Antea demanded.

Gage turned back to her. "What?"

She sized him up and down. "You mean to tell me you are actually going to keep this a secret?"

"Is it not your orders?"

Antea became flustered. "Yes it's my orders, but you have-" She swallowed hard attempting to regain her royal exterior.

Against his will, Gage gave a closed-mouth smile.

Antea abruptly stopped trying to explain herself when that interesting smile appeared in the candlelight. She tried to continue with her anger, "Why are you smiling?"

"You're cute when you're confused."

Antea ignored the feeling of compliment. No one had ever said that to her. Of course she had royal beauty, but cute? Fighting the urge to ask for more, she said, "If you don't mind, I need sleep." She glanced at the lump on the floor now beginning to stir. "Take him to the dungeon."

"Of course, Your Highness." Gage obediently left the room with the assassin swung over his shoulder.

Antea removed her gown and climbed into her satin sheets, and staring at the paneled ceiling, formed a plan.

Eros stalked around town square, careful to hide his face from lurking knights. Every time he remembered his successful plot, he only wanted to laugh with joy. He had tricked the monarchy. Minutes before they came at dawn to take him to his death at the gallows, he had been able to switch clothes with a sleeping cellmate. He had escaped his death. The thought thrilled him so much than he almost wanted to try it again.

"Eros?" A woman with a shrill voice asked.

Eros turned, afraid of returning to his fate. It was Etin, his sister's friend - a prostitute.

"I thought I saw you killed-"

"Sh!" Eros grabbed her arm and threw her into an alley, but not before checking for onlookers. There were none.

He explained the story to Etin, realizing she could be a useful ally. After all, she was friend of the assassin who now worked in the palace.

Gage entered the meeting hall where he had first been offered the job. Along both sides of the table the council of Queen Antea waited for her entrance. The daily meeting was more important today. Antea was adamant that every council member attend, and told them not to plan any other activity for the rest of the day.

"The Royal Highness, Queen Antea." A thin man at the door announced.

The double doors were swung open by two guards, and the Queen entered, quite a contrast to her appearance the night before. She wore a long dark aubergine gown that seemed to radiate business.

"Don't expect to receive any breaks until I am satisfied. We are changing the policies of our government into one where my life is not threatened every second I turn around," She said in a deep sharp tone. Then sat at the head of the table in her gold seat upholstered with velvet.

"How do you suggest we do that, Your Highness? These laws have been in place for thousands of years." One of the men objected.

Antea's eyes flashed at him. "Am I the Queen?"

The men went silent.

She raised her posture and sucked in her cheeks, then asked in a demanding tone, "Am I the Queen?"

The men mumbled a "yes", and she continued.

"I am going to change a few laws, and since we seem to all agree that I am in charge, it shouldn't be too difficult, should it?"

The men were silent again.

She cleared her throat. "Should it?"

"Yes." The men spoke in unison. Antea was not someone they desired for an enemy, especially today when her overwhelming resolve dwarfed her consuming indignation.

"Good. Then let's begin."

To Be Continued... Wow, all the reviews have really inspired me to keep this one going. Please review and tell me what you think, and I will do the same for you!