Two hours into the tour, Dana became impatient and felt like the head guard was stalling.

“Look” Dana halted the procession “I’m really impressed.  I mean, seriously, I wished Queen Helena would let us have half of what you’ve shown me.”  She looked around the giant arcade room, “but I really need to take Tina back, she must appear before the Elders.  Where is she?”  The captain looked around, realizing that she has yet to see her prisoner.

“Um” Shane smiled at Dana “if you’ll just follow me, I was leading you in that direction.”  She gestured an in the direction past the arcade room, “all part of the tour.”  She covered.

“Oh okay” Dana fell for it.

“It’s okay Shane” Tina’s voice sounded from behind them.  The guards stopped then turned around.  After realizing that she was being accompanied by the Queen, they bowed in respect.

“Your majesty” the guards sounded.  Dana and her detail did the same.

“Carry on” Bette relieved.  “You are the Helena’s captain?”

“Yes, I am, your majesty” Dana remained bowed, never making eye contact with the Queen.

“Good, I have a special request” Bette said then stood in front of the captain, taking her by the shoulders.  “Should anything happen to her” the queen said loud enough for the shorter woman to hear, “I, personally, will come after you and your detail with an orb so large and powerful that you will continue dying for the next lives to come.  Am I clear enough for you?”

Dana could only gulp and then nod at the Queens threat.

“Good” Bette hugged the guard to her.  “Has Shane given you the tour?”

“We just ended the tour here your majesty” Shane piped in, grinning at Dana’s pale face.

“Splendid” Bette clapped and then went back to stand in front of Tina.  It was a good thing they said their proper good byes upstairs in the privacy of her chamber or else she would surely lose the respect of her troops.  “Miss Kennard, I bid you a safe trip and speedy return.  The council will see that you are an exceptional being and that our treaty is the outcome of it.”  She extended her hand for the blonde to take in a farewell for now hand shake.  The second their hands touched their pulses exchanged bodies.  Each woman carried the beat of the other in their heart for the time being, until their inevitable reunion.  That time couldn’t come fast enough