The hall was filled with silence and the study was empty. The sun slid into the bedchamber from the balcony and rested on her harden face. Her green eyes blazed in the morning light and her fiery hair rested down her back. She silently slid to her feet and walked over to the nearby table. Picking up her sword, she strapped the weapon to her side and drew on her boots.

Lacing them, she glanced over to the bed and watched her husband sleep. She knew he needed the rest and left the room without a word. He had stayed with her all night, comforting her until she was finally been able to succumb to sleep. Silently she flipped through the paperwork on her desk and took a deep breath. Her hand rested on her flat stomach and she rose.

The child was growing in her and had no clue who loved him more than life. Her vision blurred and she bit her lip. The tears vanished and she took a deep breath. She didn't have the right to mourn. She had to punish the murderer of her mother and then carry this child to birth for her husband.

Her eyes drifted to the glowing balcony off to the side and she stepped outside. The morning light was calming and she saw the execution arena filling up with spectators. Her eyes followed the testing of guns and she shook her head. There would be no need for them. The man would not be leaving the arena alive, she'd see to that.

"You're up early."

The arms slid around her waist and she felt him burrow into her neck. Savoring their moment, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. He knew when to relax her but she couldn't afford it at the moment. Slowly she withdrew from his warm embrace and returned to her desk. His gaze lingered on her back and she felt it burning through her.

Unable to focus, she looked up and found him leaning against the doorway. He knew what the morning brought but seemed careless to it. Sighing, she returned to him and he drew her back into him. His mouth seized hers and she let him devour her. A knock from the door broke her free and she caught herself.

Ala silently entered the room and bowed. The woman watched the two shift from privacy to societal members instantly. Krystal met her gaze and the woman nodded.

"I'll be there in a few. Prepare the prisoner."

"He is on his way as we speak."

Nodding once, she watched Ala withdraw from the room and close the door. Shoving her hand through her hair, she rolled her neck and walked over to her desk. Picking up her hair tie, she bound her hair back and adjusted her sword.

"Are you ready for this?"

"Yes."

He closed his eyes and let out a sigh. Looking back at his wife, he saw the harden soldier walking to the door and he followed her. They moved down the hall and stepped into the morning's light. The sound of excitement carried from the arena and led them to the execution. He caught her stride quickly and walked next to her to the death of her brother.

As they entered, he watched his father's face move into shock and his mother give a gasp. Swallowing the doubt himself, he caught her shoulder in comrade comfort and she stepped in front of King Derek. A side door was opened and she watched Bryan drag the murderer to the center. Holding herself in control, she watched the man be thrown down and the guard move to the family behind her. Val stepped up to her and handed her the keys to the man's chains.

She took them without a word and silently approached Jacob. His eyes burned up at her and he struggled away from her. Stepping on a chain, she pinned him still and knelt in front of him. The key entered the lock and the chains fell free.

His eyes widened and he said, "Thank you."

Her hand flung the keys back to Val and she drew her sword. The blade flashed in the light and she watched the color drain in the man's face. He forced himself up to his feet and she turned to Simeon. The man tossed her a spare sword and she handed it to Jacob.

"A duel?"

"You won't die quick enough."

His eyes flashed and he asked, "Why kill me? Haven't you already fulfilled your oath?"

"My oath will never be fulfilled."

His blade met hers and they circled each other. The pain began flowing through his body quicker and he winced. Her blade cut into his shoulder and the sword clattered onto the ground.

"Pick it up."

Slowly he managed to grab the sword and block the coming blow. Stumbling backwards, he caught himself and met his sister's burning gaze.

"Fighting your own blood won't avenge Father."

"Nothing will."

"Then why do this, Kris?"

Her eyes burned coldly and her sword bit into his hand. He caught the sword with his other hand and stepped out of reach.

"Hit a nerve have I?"

"You killed our mother. That is why."

"Like it matters? She would've died in that battle anyways. She felt like she had to protect that brat in you."

The words echoed in her ears and she swung. The blade left a mark down his chest and blood stained his shirt. He dropped to a knee and smirked. Laughing, he lifted his head and looked up at her once more.

"Admit it. Marrying into this kingdom will ruin the last of Gabriel's line."

Her sword rose and she growled. Bringing it down, she watched his eyes widen and then a sword clashed against hers. Their blades rested around Jacob's neck and he fell back onto the ground. Looking up, she met her husband's black eyes and lowered her sword. Jacob let out a sigh and she turned her gaze back to Bryan.

He stepped past her and drug Jacob to his feet. The man was thrown onto the ground in front of King Derek and she watched him be forced to meet the king's gaze.

"You find your mother's death a joke? Why?"

He smirked again and said, "She knew it was all a lie yet she protected that lie."

Derek rose to his feet and said, "Alexander stopped my Captain of Guard from slaughtering you. This is not a joking matter."

"Captain of Guard? My sister? Making her replace Gabriel until she's a threat too?"

The blow sent whispering through the audience. Her green eyes met her husband's black eyes and he looked back at his father. Derek stood looming over Jacob and held his sword at the man's throat.

"I never wished your father's death. It was too late for me to help him. I gave my word to protect his daughter, believing you were dead. I will keep my word. Krystal shall remain in my protection and the earth will be rid of you."

Her feet moved her in front of him and she blocked the blow. Her sword cut into her brother's throat and she held the king's gaze.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"I said I would kill him."

Derek shook his head and said, "Your conscious has too much on it now. You cannot handle the death of your brother on top of everything else. Neither of your parents would want it."

Her sword pushed his away and she coldly said, "This is my job."

The swing sliced Jacob's throat and his eyes went white. His hand caught her wrist and he watched her stare him down. His body went cold and his head dropped to the ground. The hand clutching hers turned hard as ice and she stared at the corpse. Derek turned to his wife and she rose.

The queen rested her hands on the woman's shoulders and said, "You did well. Come rest inside the castle."

She pulled on Krystal, but found her efforts futile. Glancing to her son, she found him watching the woman in her hands as if he understood. Kissing the woman's forehead, she withdrew to her husband's side and the arena began emptying out. Ala led the guards away and glanced back at the two. Turning her back on them, she returned to the castle with the guards.

Hearing the last person withdraw from sight, he stepped behind Krystal and rested his hand on hers. The sword clattered onto the ground and he caught her collapsing. He knelt on the ground and rocked her in his arms. Her silent tears dampened his shirt and he kissed her forehead. Her body was cold and trembling in his arms and he held her closer to him.

"You were so strong. Let it go now. Just let it go."

His eyes moved up to the rising sun and he closed them. His hand ran up and down her spine. His lips kissed the top of her head and he let her grieve. The woman had lost everything so fast and had nothing left to hold onto but him. He couldn't bare losing her to the grief and guilt consuming her with every nightmarish day.

Feeling the trembling stop, he glanced down at her and lifted her face to him. He brushed her tears away and kissed her gently. Her arms wrapped around his neck and he kissed her forehead. Letting out a sigh, he glanced down at her and brushed his knuckles along her face.

"I'm here, Kris. I'm here."

Her green eyes were distant and she took a deep breath. He watched her get to her feet and pick up her sword. Her gaze lingered on the body and he caught her shoulder. She looked back up at him and he led her out of the arena. The trip back was silent and he watched her leave him at her old chambers.

Sighing, he walked down the hall and made his way to speak with his father. She left her chambers and made her way down the hall. Stopping at her father's portrait, she stared at her father's face and drew her sword. Kneeling, she held the blade out and closed her eyes.

'Jacob is dead. Mom is with you. Please give me strength. I can't lose anymore. Please protect Alexander and the life growing inside me.'

Her eyes met her father's and she rose to her feet. Sliding her sword into her sheath, she took a deep breath and withdrew back into her chambers.