Leaving Raventhorn

(Alessia) I stared at Emperor Azrael, wondering whether I had heard him correctly. He had just told me I was going home with him. I didn't understand why someone like him would want me at his residence. I looked toward the servant, hoping she might explain what he meant. "Your Majesty, you want me to work at your pack house?" "No, Alessia. You're coming with me because you need somewhere safe to recover." "But I don't know how to do anything else." "You don't need to do anything right now." I looked at my bandaged wrists and wondered whether he would change his mind. There were hundreds of servants who could work faster than me. I couldn't even carry a basket without stopping to rest. Perhaps he would send me back once he realized how useless I had become. Azrael approached the bed and pulled a chair closer. I immediately straightened, expecting him to give me instructions. Instead, he sat down and looked at the untouched glass of water beside me. I had been afraid to drink it without permission. "Have you had any water?" "No, Your Majesty." "Why not?" "I wasn't told I could." He looked at the glass before picking it up. I watched him bring it toward me, wondering whether I should reach for it. My fingers hurt when I tried moving them, but I managed to take it. He waited while I drank several mouthfuls. "You're allowed to drink whenever you're thirsty, Alessia." "Even without asking?" "Yes." I looked at the remaining water, trying to understand. Brant had always decided when I was allowed to drink. Sometimes he refused simply because he enjoyed watching me beg. I couldn't imagine having water whenever I wanted. The servant returned carrying a tray with a small bowl of soup and bread. She placed it on the table and adjusted the pillows behind me. I thanked her, although I was uncomfortable having someone serve me. She gave me a friendly smile before leaving. "Eat what you can," Azrael instructed. I picked up the spoon and tasted the soup. It was better than anything I had eaten in months. I wanted to finish everything immediately, but my body wasn't accustomed to proper meals. After several spoonfuls, I had to stop. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I can't finish it." "That's fine. Orvian said you need small meals until your body becomes accustomed to eating again." "Will the cook be angry?" "No one is going to be angry because you couldn't finish your food." I placed the spoon beside the bowl and rested against the pillows. Azrael watched me briefly before standing. I wondered whether he had important matters to attend to. Someone as powerful as him probably didn't have time to sit with a servant. "Orvian wants you to rest before we leave. I'll have someone bring you clean clothes." "Thank you, Your Majesty." He walked toward the door, but I remembered something before he reached it. I wanted to ask whether I could collect my belongings from the servants' quarters. There wasn't much, but I had kept a few things hidden beneath my mattress. I wasn't certain whether I was allowed to take them. "Your Majesty?" He turned around. "Yes, Alessia?" "Can I collect my things before we leave?" "Of course. What do you have?" "A dress, a comb, and a little wooden box." "Where are they?" "Under my mattress in the servants' quarters." He nodded and told me someone would collect them. I thanked him again, relieved that I wouldn't have to leave everything behind. The wooden box was something I had owned since childhood. I couldn't remember who had given it to me, but I had always kept it. After Azrael left, the servant returned with clean clothing. She introduced herself as Elina and explained that she had been assigned to help me. I watched her place a simple cream dress on the bed. It looked far too beautiful for someone like me. "Would you like help getting washed, miss?" Elina asked. "Please don't call me miss. I'm Alessia." "Of course, Alessia." She helped me into the bathroom, where a large tub had already been filled. I stared at the clean water, remembering how long it had been since I had taken a proper bath. Elina tested the temperature before helping me sit down. I tried washing myself, but my injured wrists made it difficult. "Let me help you," she offered. "I'm sorry." "There's nothing wrong with needing help." I lowered my eyes while she carefully washed my hair. She avoided the injured areas and helped me rinse away the dirt. When she finished, she wrapped me in a clean towel. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this clean. Elina helped me into the cream dress and brushed my hair. I watched her work through the tangles, expecting her to become annoyed. Instead, she took her time and stopped whenever I told her something hurt. When she finished, she helped me return to the bedroom. I sat on the bed and examined the dress. The fabric covered my thin arms and reached my ankles. I had never owned anything this beautiful before. I wondered whether I would have to return it when we reached the imperial residence. A knock sounded before Azrael entered with Orvian. The physician examined my wrists and asked whether I felt strong enough to travel. I admitted that I was tired but wanted to leave Raventhorn. He checked my bandages before giving Azrael permission to take me. "Your belongings have been collected," Azrael told me. "Thank you, Your Majesty." "Are you ready?" "Yes." Azrael approached and lifted me from the bed. I was embarrassed that he had to carry me again, especially with Elina watching. But I knew my legs wouldn't support me for long. I rested against him as he carried me into the corridor. Several imperial guards waited near the entrance. I recognized one of them from the dungeon inspection. They bowed as Azrael approached, then opened the large doors. Outside, a black vehicle waited beside the entrance. I looked around, expecting to see Vaedric or Vanessa. Neither was standing among the guards gathered near the entrance. I wondered whether they knew I was leaving. Part of me still expected someone to order Azrael to put me down. "Where is Alpha Vaedric?" I asked. "He's being kept under guard." "Because of me?" "Because of his own actions." I didn't know what to say. Azrael carried me toward the waiting vehicle while his guards moved ahead. I looked back at the pack house where I had spent most of my life. I had never imagined leaving Raventhorn without being chased or punished. Azrael helped me into the vehicle and arranged a blanket over my legs. He sat beside me while one of his guards took the front seat. The door closed, and the vehicle began moving toward the gates. I watched the pack house disappear behind the trees. "Your Majesty, will I ever have to come back here?" "Not unless you choose to, Alessia." I turned toward him, unable to believe his answer. Nobody had ever allowed me to choose where I wanted to live. I looked through the window as we passed the final border guards. Raventhorn was behind me, and I had no idea what awaited me at the emperor's home. End of Chapter 6