Lion Head Mesa or the house burns down

the two strong men were led beneath the mesa and into the halls still faintly scented with flowers. 
the servant he had sent ahead had not prepared his throne room; instead, the small party was redirected to treva's own apartments, the spacious first court before her bedchamber.
ramesses was unsure that she had ever held her own guests here. but it was lovely, already set with meats and the drink of fermented pine needles.
now he deferred to her; sat where she indicated, and while ramesses meant to keep the scene, he centered it now upon his lovely, persuasive treva.