Page 48 of Off with Her Head

Our advisors exchange glances, weighing the proposal's merits against its risks. The Duchess speaks first, practical as always. "Ironwood's forces may resist outside intervention, even with Edmund incapacitated. Their anti-magic stance predates Mara's influence."

"Then we approach diplomatically," I decide. "We freed their king.”

"And if diplomacy fails?" Lysander questions, the military commander considering all contingencies. “If that’s not sufficient enough for them?”

"Then we proceed anyway," Ravenna states firmly. "The pool threatens all three kingdoms as long as it flows unchecked. We cannot allow historical boundaries to prevent necessary action."

"Preparations will require several days," I observe. "Edmund needs time to recover and our forces to reorganize."

"And we need rest," Ravenna adds, concern for me flowing through our bond. She's acutely aware of how much the battle and the severed connection drained us both, how much energy we expended in defeating Mara. "We will need strength when we visit Ironwood.”

I nod, acknowledging her words. "Establish watch rotations and continue cleansing operations. We'll reconvene tomorrow to assess the progress," I tell our assembled advisors. “Dismissed.”

They bow and withdraw. The moment the doors close, I can immediately feel fatigue wash over us.

"You're exhausted," she says simply, reaching to brush a strand of hair from my face. I briefly close my eyes as the warmth of her hand grazes my skin.

"As are you," I counter, leaning slightly into her touch. "We both pushed our limits today."

"It was worth it," she replies, a small smile softening her typically hard expression. "Though I wasn't certain until the final moment that our plan would succeed."

"Doubting our combined brilliance?" I tease, moving closer until barely an inch separates us. "How very unlike the Queen of Darkmore."

"Perhaps the Queen of Hearts' wild influence has made me less certain of predetermined outcomes," she responds, hervoice dropping so suddenly it sends pleasant shivers down my spine. "Though I find I don't mind the uncertainty nearly as much as expected."

I close the remaining distance between us, my hands finding her waist as hers come to rest around my neck. "Well I, for one, had absolute faith in our strategy," I murmur, though we both know through our connection that I harbored my own doubts. "After all, we make quite the formidable pair."

"Indeed we do," she agrees, one hand rubbing the sore muscles in my lower neck. "In more ways than originally anticipated."

I lean in, inhaling her scent as our mouths collide. Her lips are soft against mine, sweet like apples and so demanding I immediately open for her. I moan into her mouth when her tongue slides against mine, tangling as we get lost in each other. She smiles broadly, teeth tapping against my upper lip as she finds enthusiasm in how quickly I unravel for her.

She pulls back, leaving us both breathless. "In a thousand lifetimes, I would have never expected this," she admits softly. "When I journeyed to Underland for that first diplomatic summit, the last thing I anticipated was..."

"Falling for the Queen of Hearts?" I finish, biting my bottom lip with a small smile.

"Finding my other half," she corrects, her thumb tracing circles into my skin.

"And I never imagined the witch-queen of Darkmore would steal my heart," I reply, only half joking. "I built walls of fear and cruelty specifically topreventsuch vulnerabilities."

"As did I," she acknowledges, understanding what I’m feeling. We both ruled through isolation.

We are alone no more.

"Your chambers or mine?" I ask, suddenly feeling the need to take her to bed.

"Yours," she laughs, a mischievous twinkle lighting her eyes.

Taking her hand, I lead her through the halls until we reach my chambers—ourchambers now.

The changes extend here as well, the excessive opulence balanced by elements of Darkmore's elegant restraint. The massive bed remains, but its ornate frame has been simplified into plainer lines while maintaining its essential grandeur. The walls, once covered in ostentatious tapestries depicting heart magic's wildest manifestations, now feature more subtle artwork combining both our kingdoms' aesthetic traditions.

With a gentle push, Ravenna guides me toward the bed, her eyes never leaving mine. The weight of our responsibilities has momentarily lifted, leaving only us—two queens who found each other against all odds.

"We've earned this moment," she whispers, her fingers trailing along my jawline. "Just us. No kingdoms, no threats. Only Scarlett and Ravenna."

I lean into her touch, savoring the way her skin feels against mine. "Only us," I agree, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

Her hands find the intricate clasps of my gown, skilled fingers working them loose with surprising efficiency. The way she undresses me— it’s deliberate,appreciative, as if unveiling a treasured artwork. Each inch of skin exposed to the cool air sends a shiver through me that has nothing to do with temperature.

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