The evening found her working on the accounting books, checking Marwin. She read his correspondence to Aktis and made a few corrections. Among other things, she crossed out the information that she was leaving Emfer. She also told him to add about financial problems and an empty treasury. That should make Aktis happy. On the way to dinner, she met Moros. He told her about Tendred's confession. "You're my brother, tell him that you have scruples and need time. This is all new to you, because you've never felt anything like this before towards another man. You're rediscovering yourself and stuff like that," She told him without hesitation.
"How do you do it?" Moros was sincerely surprised. "You have a ready solution for everything."
"Not for everything - Setia shrugged - these are standard words that women come up with on the spot depending on the situation they are in. Don't worry about spring, as soon as the snow stops, we'll go to Fenigrid."
"Well right, you've already planned the invasion."Moros decided not to be surprised by anything anymore. After a moment of hesitation, he looked at Setia and asked. "Who is Jefre?"
Setia instinctively looked around to see if anyone was standing next to them, Moros watched her nervousness in silence, her uncertainty told him more than words.
"Jefre is very dangerous, he's an effective killer." She said this in a hushed voice, almost a whisper, and added . "Watch out for him."
"So why did you bring him here?" He continued this whispered conversation.
"It's a long story and a strange one. I feel that I will need him. For now, we have to tolerate his presence. Don't say anything to him, don't reveal our plans and arrangements." She looked around again and, adjusting her dress, walking forward with a confident step. They entered the dining room. Tendered was sitting at the table in the company of several city councilors and two merchants involved in the trade of expensive furs from Orchad. The conversation was not going well, Tendred glanced at Moros every now and then and absentmindedly answered the councilors' questions. Setia felt sorry for him, he had fallen in love without reciprocity. After dinner, she returned to her chambers in the company of two servants. Jefre stood by the door. Dressed in a fresh black and red caftan with two swords fastened to his back, he made a stunning impression. He didn't even look at her as they passed. He stood guard, just as he had said.
Tendered slowly walked to his wife's chambers. He visited her in the evenings once, sometimes twice a week. They had agreed to do so to silence the servants. No, they had not consummated their marriage. Setia had not insisted and he had not even suggested it. Besides, she had said herself that she would be understanding. He sighed, his thoughts were constantly revolving around her brother. He would have preferred it if Moros was waiting for him now. A new guard was standing in front of his wife's chambers. Tendered did not know him. He was a tall blond with unusual eyes that looked at him with ... hatred? Tendred felt uneasy, and without looking back he entered.
"Welcome my husband." Setia, in a thin white shirt, was sitting on the bed. She still had her silver mask on her face. She never took it off. " Did something happen?"
"No, everything is fine." He did not feel like telling her about Moros. It would be too strange, even for their odd marriage. "Is this the new guard?" He nodded towards the door.
"Yes, his name is Jefre, - Setia tried to sound indifferent - He's a good warrior. He'll be useful to us. And why do you ask? Do you like him?" Setia smiled; it was just way too tempting not to tease her husband.
"No." He pouted. "He has strange eyes, but that's not important." He looked around the room and went to a table with dried fruit, nuts caramelized in honey and wine.
"Would you like some?" She pointed to the strong red wine from Prenian.
"I'd be happy to." Setia stood up and sat down at the table. "I got a reply from the commander of the Shadow Army. This is a mercenary army of over five hundred soldiers. They will be at our disposal in early spring. I'm still waiting for the reply of three other commanders."
"You're fast, you're actually acting just as you promised before the wedding." Tendered silently watched as the wine, under the influence of his hand, created a small vortex in the goblet. " I want to be present during the talks and negotiations - he added in a firm tone - and I want to look through the correspondence you send."
Setia took a sip of strong wine and shrugged her shoulders, then nodded in agreement.
"Is there anything else I should know? - Tendered was slightly irritated by his wife's independence. Although he himself had no idea how to organize a mercenary army, he did know one thing: he wanted to take a bigger part in everything.
"No, that's all for now, the treasury is stocked, we have more people." Setia calmly listed all the facts he already knew, not intending to inform him about Marwin's betrayal or the assassin she had sent to kill Brandis. "And how is your private box? " She asked conciliatorily.
"I still have money." Tendred was not placated by this question. He was dissatisfied, it was not Setia who irritated him, but her brother. He was not a good conversation partner, he knew that. For a long moment they sat in silence, drinking wine.
"You know, I'm tired today and a little irritated." He finished his wine and stood up. "I'll go now. See you in the morning."
"See you tomorrow." Setia poured herself some wine. She had been drinking too much, but she didn't care. After the recent events, she deserved some relaxation, and this Prenian red was excellent. Tendered left and Setia took off her silver mask. She stretched and thought with satisfaction about the warm bedding. She heard a quiet creek behind her and Jefre entered. He closed the door behind him and turned the large metal key in the lock. Without a word, he stood by the bed and began to undress. Setia lay down and watched him. Her new guard was making it interesting for her, he gently put down the swords, hanging them on the back of the chair, then unbuttoned the jerkin, button by button. Setia felt her heart start to beat faster. She hadn't been with a man since Ars died. And that had been a long time ago. Yes, she fancied that fucked up Orchad. Jefre took his time, relishing the moment. He liked it when women submitted to him, especially women like the Emfer dutchess. She was predatory, brave and he felt some ruthlessness in her and that attracted him the most. The fact that in a moment he would be fucking the wife of the duke, who had just emerged from her chambers with a sour face, added to the piquancy of the situation. He leaned over her legs and gently ran his hands over the soft skin, moving them higher and higher. He stopped at the scar from the arrow that he had discovered on her right leg. He looked closely at the tattoo with the mercenary symbol. She was not lying. When she had not yet lost her eye, she must have been a good killer. He pulled up her shirt and gently touching her, he was learning the map of her body. His lips sensually caressed the skin on the inside of her thighs, her hands landed on his head and he didn't stop caressing her. He heard her throaty moan and with a conqueror's smile he placed more kisses, first on her stomach, then between her breasts, and finally leaned over her extraordinary face. Setia saw the muscles of his arms tense and gently ran her fingertips over his skin, and after a moment with one skillful movement she wrapped her legs around him and found herself on top of him in a rider's position. She quickly took off her shirt, then grabbed his hands and placed them on her breasts. She heard his rapid breathing, for a moment she allowed him to caress her, she smiled before she firmly grabbed his wrists and held them above Jefre's head. Her lover smiled, this gesture reminded him of their first meeting.