The emperor's command

(Alessia) Vaedric looked at the chains around my body before answering. I kept my head lowered, afraid of what he might say. The emperor stood outside my cell, waiting for an explanation. Nobody had ever questioned the way I was treated before. "She's a dangerous prisoner, Your Majesty," Vaedric answered. "The wolfsbane prevents her from using her abilities." Azrael looked at me again. I wanted to tell him I had no abilities, but speaking without permission had always earned me punishment. My wrists hurt whenever I moved, and the chain around my chest made breathing uncomfortable. I remained seated against the wall. "Does she have a wolf?" Azrael asked. "No, Your Majesty." "Then what abilities are you restraining?" Vaedric didn't answer immediately. I glanced up and noticed Brant standing beside him. The guard was staring at the floor, refusing to look at anyone. I wondered whether he was afraid the emperor would question him next. "She has a history of causing trouble," Vaedric explained. "That wasn't my question." Azrael's voice made Vaedric lower his head. I had never seen my Alpha behave this way around another man. He usually expected everyone to obey him without hesitation. Watching him struggle to answer was something I never thought I would witness. "She's been accused of assisting rogues, Your Majesty." "Accused or convicted?" "Convicted." "By whom?" "The pack council." Azrael looked toward one of his guards. The man immediately approached and waited beside him. I watched them, wondering what the emperor intended to do. My body hurt too much for me to think clearly. "Bring me the record of her trial," Azrael ordered. "Yes, Your Majesty." The guard left without another word. Vaedric watched him disappear through the passage before turning back toward Azrael. I could see that he wasn't pleased with the request. There had never been a trial, and I knew he couldn't produce one. "What is your name?" Azrael asked me. I tried answering, but my throat was too dry. I swallowed several times before managing to speak. His silver eyes remained on me while he waited. I wondered whether he would become angry if I took too long. "Alessia Vale, Your Majesty." "How old are you?" "Twenty two." "How long have you been imprisoned?" I looked toward Vaedric before answering. He was watching me with an expression I recognized immediately. Whenever he looked at me that way, I knew another punishment was coming. I lowered my eyes again. "Answer me, Alessia," Azrael said. "I was brought back yesterday, Your Majesty." "That wasn't what I asked." I rubbed my bound hands together, trying to ignore the burning. Nobody had ever asked me to explain how much time I had spent here. I wasn't certain I could remember every imprisonment. Some had lasted weeks, while others continued for months. "I've been locked up many times since I was a child," I answered. "How many?" "I don't know, Your Majesty." Azrael turned toward Vaedric. The Alpha opened his mouth, but the emperor raised his hand before he could speak. I watched Vaedric immediately stop. Nobody at Raventhorn had ever been able to silence him so easily. "Open the cell," Azrael ordered. Brant hurried forward with his keys. His hands shook as he searched for the correct one. I moved farther against the wall when he approached the door. I didn't understand why the emperor wanted it opened. The lock turned, and Brant pulled the iron door aside. Azrael stepped inside while his guards remained in the passage. I tried getting to my knees, knowing I was supposed to bow before someone of his rank. My legs gave way before I could manage it. "Stay where you are," Azrael said. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty." "There's nothing to apologize for." I stared at him, unsure whether I had heard correctly. He crouched in front of me and examined the chains around my wrists. I tried hiding the injured skin beneath them, but he had already noticed. His expression changed when he saw the burns. "Who put these on you?" "The guards, Your Majesty." "On whose orders?" I looked toward the doorway. Vaedric stood outside with Brant, watching everything. I knew what would happen if I accused either of them. The emperor would eventually leave, and I would remain here. "Alessia," Azrael said. "Look at me." I raised my eyes. He was close enough for me to see the silver in them clearly. I had never met anyone with eyes like his. I wondered whether all Primordial Lycans looked this way. "Nobody is going to punish you for answering my questions." I wanted to believe him. But Vaedric had made promises before, only to break them whenever it pleased him. I looked at the emperor's guards standing outside my cell. They seemed to be waiting for him to give another order. "Alpha Vaedric ordered them, Your Majesty," I answered. Azrael stood and faced the doorway. Vaedric immediately lowered his head. I pulled my knees closer, expecting the Alpha to deny everything. He had always been good at making me look like a liar. "Remove the chains," Azrael ordered. Brant stepped forward. "Your Majesty, she's been accused of treason." "Did I ask for your opinion?" "No, Your Majesty." "Then do as you're told." Brant entered with his keys and approached me. I moved backward before I could stop myself. He had hurt me too many times for me to remain calm when he came near. Azrael noticed and stepped between us. "Give me the keys," he ordered. Brant handed them over immediately. Azrael returned to my side and examined the locks around my wrists. He removed the first chain without pulling against my injured skin. When the metal fell away, I stared at the marks it had left behind. The second chain came off my wrists, followed by the one around my chest. I drew in a breath without the metal pressing against me. My skin still burned where the wolfsbane had touched it. I wondered whether I would ever stop feeling its effects. "Can you stand?" Azrael asked. "I can try, Your Majesty." He offered me his hand. I looked at it, uncertain what he expected me to do. Nobody had ever helped me stand after a punishment. Usually, the guards ordered me to get up and struck me if I couldn't. "Take my hand, Alessia." I placed my trembling fingers in his. He helped me to my feet, but my legs couldn't support me. I stumbled, and he caught me before I fell. I immediately tried pulling away, afraid I had offended him. "I'm sorry!" "You're not in trouble." I looked up at him, confused by his answer. He kept one arm around me while turning toward his guards. My body was shaking, and I couldn't stop it. I wondered whether he would change his mind and leave me here. "Bring my physician," Azrael ordered. "And have a room prepared for her upstairs." Vaedric stepped forward. "Your Majesty, she's a convicted traitor." Azrael turned toward him. I felt his arm move as he adjusted his hold on me. Vaedric stopped speaking before the emperor answered. The guards beside the doorway stood waiting. "Until I say otherwise, Alessia Vale is under my protection." End of Chapter 3