Aera stirred as she heard him. She lay on her back, naked in the bed, with her head turned slightly, her black hair loose all over the pillow. After the rain it had dried in waves, curling in locks and loops. On hand was across her belly, the other against her face, over her bruised eye.
Taris watched her for a while before he stripped off his clothing and lay back down beside her. The movement woke her, her violet eyes opening with a smile. She took him in her hands and pulled him towards her. "Where did you go?" She asked sleepily.
The shadow elf bent and kissed her. "No where."
Aera knew he was lying. His hair was a bit wet from the rain and he smelled different, but she didn't question him. "Don't leave again." She pleaded softly against his lips.
He groaned. "Oh, I'm not going anywhere." She grinned under his kiss as she pulled him atop her.

A while later, they were dozing again. Aera lay in his arms breathing softly, while Taris slept with his head buried in her hair, the soft blows of his breath warm against her ears. When suddenly Aera's eyes snapped open, wide and staring, and a chill ran through her body. She sat up, breaking from Taris' arms, her head tilted like she was listening. 
"Aera?" Taris yawned. "Is something wrong?"
She didn't move. "You don't feel that?" Her back tingled and her hands itched. [i]A shadow lurks within the city[/i]. "Something's wron-" 
She was cut off by the sound of hurried feet, when suddenly Paytin stepped inside the room, flushed and wet. Aera started and made to cover herself, but the maid threw up her hands. "My Lady, you need to come back to the castle, right away." Paytin's blue eyes darted to Taris, who was now sitting up beside the princess. "Something happened, and if your husband finds you missing, we'll all be in trouble."

With a nod, Aera got up, ignoring the gentle hand on her wrist that said 'stay'. She got dressed and started pulling her hair into a braid. She fastened her cloak and lifted it, making sure none of her hair was showing. When she was ready, and smiled at Taris. "[b]Until later, my love[/b]." and she and Paytin went out.

Instead of going through the palace, Aera took Paytin to one of Envy's houses and took the hidden tunnel to her chamber. When they emerged, there was a loud knocking on the door. They threw off their cloaks as Paytin answered, Kentaro's page standing there, looking red faced with frustration. "Its about time you..." he glanced at Aera and bowed. "Apologies for the late call, my Lady, but the Prince needs you urgently."

Aera blanched, but nodded, and followed the page to Kentaro's room. When she got there, her hands flew to her mouth. He was covered in blood and pale as snow, though it appeared that none of the blood was his, and the stench of urine filed the air. His light eyes glared at her for a long while, his nostrils flared, but instead of screaming at her, like she expected, he embraced her. "Kentaro, what happened?" She asked cautiously. 
"Kasca." He shook against her. "Someone murdered him." 
She gasped, holding him. She was sorry that her husband had lost his friend, not that Kasca had died, as wrong as it was for her to admit. "The killer," he continued. "Told me I would be next. That I have seven weeks, at most." He kept the words about deserving Aera to himself. It would be too obvious. He pulled back and looked at her, his finger running over the welt on her cheek.
Holding her emotions in check, Aera kept a straight face, though her eyes darkened.
"I'm sorry." He whispered. He hands ran up her arms and across her back, unfastening her dress. "I will be good to you."
Now, Aera's heartbeat jumped. Not only did she not want Kentaro, but she smelled of mint. Of Taris. But she couldn't deny him without raising suspicion. "You need a bath, my prince." She attempted to stall. 
He looked down and back up again. "Its mostly on my clothes. The rest I'll wash tomorrow." He began pushing her toward the bed. "I have faced death tonight. I want to be with my wife."