Destiney's hysteria had lasted for hours. She could not understand how Rowl had deceived her. She had believed that he understood her feelings and was falling in love with her. All along he had only been using her. She wanted to die every time she remembered his taunting words. He truly wanted King Siefer to suffer from the knowledge that his wife had betrayed him, not with just anyone, but with his own brother. How could she have known that Rowl was the king's brother? It did not really matter who he was. Destiney had betrayed her husband. She was to blame.

King Siefer kept a knife in a cabinet by the bed. Destiney grabbed it and tried to plunge it into her chest. Alexis was stronger. She twisted Destiney's wrist, and the knife fell to the floor. Alexis commanded, "Stop this nonsense. Killing yourself will not solve anything. You are the queen, and Milisaria needs you to be strong."

Destiney sobbed, "I am not a queen. I never was. I am too weak and easily swayed to be a queen. I betrayed my husband and turned my back on Milisaria, all for the attention of a man. I let his smooth lies and sweet words undermine my beliefs. I allowed his ideas to become mine without question. It was a treasonous act, and I must die."

Alexis replied, "Yes, you made a big mistake. You cheated on your husband, but that is not punishable by death. You did not spread Rowl's lies. You continued to run Milisaria as King Siefer instructed. You have not committed treason. Now you must stand up and use your power as queen to ensure that Milisaria is not taken from the king. We must make preparations to defend this world from Rowl if necessary. I have spoken to King Siefer. He is on his way here."

Destiney was surprised. She begged, "Tell me what he said. Does he know of my infidelity? Does he hate me? How soon will he arrive?"

Alexis described her conversation with the king. She began, "King Siefer is worried for you and Scyon. He is well aware of his brother's arrogant and violent ways. He is the one who gave Rowl the scar. They battled when Rowl robbed a shopkeeper and almost killed him. Rowl was banished for life. That is not even his real name. He changed it so he could sneak back to Milisaria. The king does not know that you slept with his brother. That is for you to disclose. He only knows that Rowl was trying to influence your judgment."

"Why did he not call me? Is he still angry? I miss him so much." Destiney began sobbing once again.

Alexis had reached her limit. She got in Destiney's face and shouted, "Stop feeling sorry for yourself! If you expect me to pity you, then you better think again. I am angry that you did not listen when I warned you! I am angry that you are only concerned with yourself at this moment. You are stronger than that. I expect you to wipe your tears, get dressed, and make plans to save this kingdom for your husband and son."

Destiney took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and nodded. She showered and dressed. She left the king's quarters with her head held high. Whispers followed her as she went to the council room. She stared the whisperers into silence. She would not allow the rumors to build momentum. King Siefer deserved better. She addressed the council, "Milisaria is being threatened. We must keep it safe. King Siefer is on the way home. There is a traitor in our midst. He will seek to turn as many villagers as he can against the king. We must find him and stop his plans. The knights must be warned and put on watch."

The council spokesman asked, "Who is this traitor? Where did you get this information?”

Destiney replied, "He is King Siefer's brother. He goes by the name Rowl. He seeks to incite a rebellion and destroy all authority in Milisaria and in the colonies. He says the people should rule themselves and the king only craves power. He is very persuasive. I am ashamed to say that I listened to his lies and allowed him to make me believe in his ideas for a short time. I got the information straight from the traitor himself. He has run from the city. I am sure he is going to the villages to spread his propaganda."

The council knew Rowl's past well. Many had been on the council when he was banished. They believed Destiney and asked her to join them in planning a resistance. They sent a guard for Nabvan. The Milisarian Knights would be key to saving the planet.

Destiney and Alexis were locked in the king's quarters with their children. Nabvan had ordered them to remain there. There were loyal Milisarian Knights guarding the entrance to the chamber. They would willingly give their lives for the queen and their commander's mate. Destiney was not happy with the current situation. She wanted to be outside to greet her husband. She needed to say she was sorry and that she loved him before the battle started. Destiney feared for King Siefer. Though she had done everything she could to ensure his safety, there was always a chance that Rowl or one of his followers would find a way to kill him and he would never know how she felt. She knew the guards on board the spaceship would protect the king with their own lives, but he had not taken a large number with him.