On Azrael's Wings (26 page)

Neito raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I see.” He pondered for long moments. “Tell me, Azrael, had you no information on Shonal’s guilt, would you still have done this deed?”

Azrael sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat. To deny would be dishonest, to admit would prove her dishonor. “Yes, I would have done the same to protect Ursula.”

This set off another round of outrage that Neito shouted down. When the room was once again still, he ordered his niece to look at him.

“You stand accused of murder and kidnapping, Azrael. Granted, the Queen Mother wasn’t hurt by your actions and you brought her to her own rooms rather than away for ransom, but the charges stand.” He sighed, obviously unhappy. “You claim your actions were not murder but murder was in your heart nonetheless. That accusation stands, as well.”

Azrael nodded, heart sinking. She wondered if she’d at least hear of Ursula before she was executed. Certainly her uncle would understand.

“Your actions, however, have saved Barentcia from a bloody civil war. I’m certain Shonal would have denied any allegations regarding his father and resisted with force. You’ve also saved me from having to make the decision on his execution. I have no doubt that he was guilty of murder and would have received punishment for his actions.”

The council, having had enough surprises for the day, snorted and scoffed amongst themselves but did not speak their sentiments aloud.

“I have been confirmed as King by these wise and noble men,” Neito continued, voice rough with sarcasm. The nobles in question at least had the decency to blush. “It is my duty to judge you as I see fit, Azrael. Do you submit to my judgment?”

“Of course, Your … Majesty,” Azrael said, confused at his question.

Neito nodded, studying her. “Azrael, Duchess of Wrendon, General of the Third Army, you stand accused of the murder of King Shonal of Barentcia, your sworn liege and cousin. You have pleaded not guilty but this Crown believes you would have slain Shonal regardless of the circumstances of his father’s death. You are guilty of murder, Azrael.

The dark woman dropped her gaze again, mouth tasting of ashes. Her argument had been a last attempt to turn the tide, but the verdict was expected.

“You also stand accused of kidnapping the Queen Mother, Gerina, and coercing her to assist you in actions that caused the death of Shonal.” Neito tilted his head as he gazed at Azrael. “The deposition you sent me, however, had Gerina’s signature as witness. Therefore, I find you not guilty of these charges. I believe that the Queen Mother was asking for your assistance with the deposition and, while her assistance was somewhat coerced by you, she had ample time to stay you from your course.

“It is the decision of the Crown to banish you.”

Azrael’s head snapped up as she stared at her uncle. Hope flowered in her heart, lack of food compounding the weakness in her body and causing her to shiver.

“You are hereby remanded to Wrendon where you will remain for the rest of your days, Azrael. The Third Army is to be disbanded, though any and all of your men are welcome to petition the crown for transfer into other units. You are allowed only twenty men as your guard. Your properties and belongings here in the city are hereby confiscated by the Crown.” Neito sighed and leaned forward. “Do you have any questions for me?”

Her mouth worked a moment before she found her voice. “If it please the Crown, Majesty,” she said. “What has become of Ursula, the woman who was with me in Shonal’s chambers?”

“Fortunately for young Ursula, the council took pity upon her. It was obvious from all reports I’ve read that she had nothing to do with Shonal’s demise. She is safe.”

Azrael snapped her eyes shut, the rush of relief so palpable she wavered. Her uncle was still speaking and it took a moment for her to return her attention to him.

“… you will be escorted to Wrendon. In that time, you will remain sequestered in the family wing. I want a full report of what transpired that day, Azrael, do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” she said, nodding. “You shall have it by the end of the day.”

Neito finally smiled. “Oh, I think tomorrow will be soon enough, Azrael.” He leaned over and murmured something to Suma before calling to the men at the door. “Guards! Remove the Duchess’ shackles.”

“Aye, Your Majesty!”

Azrael was led out of the council chambers by the guards who stopped outside to call for a chisel and hammer. Suma exited with them, standing stoically nearby as they waited. Once the required tools were delivered and the shackles removed, he stepped forward. “I’ll escort the Duchess to her quarters.”

There was some grumbling among the guards but Suma’s tone brooked no argument and he outranked them. Once they were dispatched, he asked, “Are you well?”

Rubbing her wrists, Azrael said, “As well as can be expected under the circumstances. How long has it been?”

“Five days since I left,” the blond said as they began to walk down the corridor.

“Report.”

A ghost of a smile played across Suma’s lips. “We had no trouble leaving the city. Shonal apparently had no idea of what we carried. They turned down another hall. “After our arrival at your uncle’s he ordered me to muster the army and march them here.”

Azrael grunted. If the sun was any indication it looked to be only mid afternoon. “When did you leave Neito’s?”

“Midnight, force marched to get here so quickly.”

“I take it there were no difficulties upon your arrival?”

“One or two.” At her questioning look, Suma shrugged. “The city guard were none too pleased to have an army demand admittance and control. It took a bit of time for the council to decide it was politically beneficial for them to allow us inside.”

The military discussion served to ground Azrael, a subterfuge of normalcy that eased her nerves. When they arrived at her suite, she was heartened to see two of her personal guard. She responded to their salute, almost believing it was a normal visit and that they weren’t there to guard but to keep her imprisoned.

“Suma,” she said, turning.

Before she could continue, the captain held up a hand. “I’ve had a bath drawn for you and food delivered.” He paused. “You’ll find her inside.”

Azrael’s heart thumped and she sighed. “Thank you.”

“As you’re no longer my general, Your Grace,” Suma said, using her royal title for the first time, “I would petition to be the captain of your guard. When you have time to consider my request, you can call me.”

“I would be proud and honored to have you.”

They stared at each other before Suma pulled her into a hug. “Thank you for staying alive as I requested,” he whispered gruffly in her ear.

Tears threatened Azrael and she fought them back, returning the embrace. “Aye, I told you I’d not be the one dying.”

Pulling away with a suspicious snuffle, Suma bowed. “You have someone waiting, Your Grace. I’ll check in on you tomorrow morning.”

Azrael nodded and inhaled deeply, regaining some equilibrium. “Good afternoon, Captain.” She turned to the door, hesitating for a mere heartbeat before stepping inside.

Despite the fact she hadn’t been in this suite of rooms since her father died, it looked clean and cheerful. A fire burned merrily, dispelling the early autumn crispness that could be seen through the windows. The smell of food made her head spin and she swallowed against a bout of nausea at the rush of hunger.

Ursula was nowhere to be seen.

Needing the brunette more than sustenance, Azrael swallowed against the bile and stepped further into the common room. “Ursula?” she called, voice rusty. A clatter and exclamation drew her attention to her father’s old quarters. Before she could move toward the doorway, her lover appeared there, amber eyes wide.

“Milady!” Ursula exclaimed, dashing forward to embrace the dark woman. “I was so worried about you! The council would tell me nothing of your whereabouts and health!”

The impact of their meeting almost caused Azrael to take a tumble. She held tight to Ursula for balance, sinking into the delicious sensation of her lover’s body against hers. “Ah, sweet Ursula,” she murmured. She inhaled deeply of brunette hair, a hint of roses dissipating the last of the dungeon stench in her nostrils. “You were all I thought of every waking moment.”

Ursula helped her to a chair near the fire, hands insistent as she explored Azrael for injuries. She made soft noises upon her discoveries, eyes mournful as she found the receding lump on Azrael’s head. “We must call a surgeon!” she said, following the blood stains on Azrael’s clothing to the cut on her neck. “This is beginning to fester!”

Azrael caught her lover’s hands. “We’ll call later, Ursula. A little while longer won’t make a difference and I’d much rather fill my afternoon with your visage than some crusty physician.” She noted the woman wouldn’t meet her eyes, chewing her upper lip as was her wont when upset. “Look at me, Ursula.”

Amber flinched away from black once, twice, before being captured. The tears that threatened spilled over and she threw herself into Azrael’s arms. Days of fear now relieved poured from her.

Some time passed as they embraced one another and released their worries. As Ursula regained control of her emotions, she pulled back to see tear stains on her mistress’ face. In wonder, she wiped away the moisture with a thumb. “You cry for me?”

Azrael smiled. “Yes, love, I cry for you.”

Ursula swallowed against a fresh bout of tears. “When I was taken at the gates, the soldiers destroyed my papers,” she said.

Gaze sharpening, Azrael said, “No matter. I’ll draw up new ones tomorrow.” She hugged Ursula, dreading the turn of conversation. “You’re a free woman, sweetling, and can do or go where you please.”

“What is going to happen to you?”

Azrael sighed. “I’ve been banished to Wrendon and sentenced to remain there until I die. No more warring for this soldier; only plantings and harvests to the end of my days.”

A curious smile crossed Ursula’s face. “It doesn’t seem like much of a punishment.”

“It doesn’t, does it?” Azrael agreed, squeezing the brunette. “My uncle is now king and is a good hearted man. While what I did was wrong, other factors came into play. Shonal was not long for his throne in any case, regardless of my actions.”

Ursula nodded, having heard rumors of many things over the past few days. “And I am free to do as I wish?”

Azrael became grave. “Yes, Ursula, you are a free woman and I will do everything in my not so extensive power to assist you in your choice.” She swallowed as the woman in her arms thought over her fate.

“I told you before, Azrael,” Ursula chided, voice gentle. “I only wish to be with you. If that means banished to Wrendon for the rest of my days, so be it.”

Unsure of her hearing, Azrael paused to stare at Ursula. The welcome smile and warm eyes melted her and she crushed the brunette to her. “Gods, I love you, Ursula!”

“I love you, Azrael.”