Leaving the dungeon

(Alessia) Nobody spoke after the emperor's announcement. I looked at Vaedric, waiting for him to object again. His face had turned red, and his hands were curled into fists. I knew he was angry, but he couldn't do anything while Azrael was standing beside me. "Your Majesty, perhaps we should discuss this privately," Vaedric suggested. "There's nothing to discuss." "But the charges against her are serious." "Then you should have no difficulty proving them." Vaedric lowered his head, and I wondered what would happen when the emperor left. I had never been protected by anyone before, and I didn't know how long his protection would last. My legs were becoming weaker the longer I stood. I tried holding myself upright because I didn't want to cause more trouble. Azrael noticed me struggling and looked down at my feet. I had lost my shoes during my previous imprisonment, and the stone floor was cold beneath them. He removed his black cloak and wrapped it around me. I stared at the expensive fabric, afraid of getting it dirty. "Your Majesty, I'll ruin your cloak." "It's only a cloak." "But it's expensive." "Alessia, you're more important than a piece of clothing." I didn't know how to answer him. Nobody had ever spoken about me as though I mattered. I pulled the cloak around my body, trying to hide my torn dress. It was the nicest thing I had ever worn. Azrael bent down and lifted me into his arms. I grabbed his clothing because I wasn't expecting him to carry me. My face became hot when I noticed the imperial guards watching us. I wondered whether I was supposed to ask permission before touching him. "Please, Your Majesty, I can walk." "You can barely stand." "I don't want to inconvenience you." "You're not inconveniencing me." He carried me out of the cell while his guards moved aside. Brant stood near the wall, watching us with an expression I couldn't understand. I remembered all the times he had dragged me through this passage by my chains. Seeing him unable to approach me felt strange. "Detain the dungeon guard," Azrael ordered. Brant immediately dropped to his knees. I turned my head when I heard him begging for mercy. He had never shown mercy to anyone imprisoned here. I wondered whether the emperor would punish him for what he had done to me. "Your Majesty, I've only followed orders!" Brant cried. "Then you'll have an opportunity to explain whose orders." Two imperial guards seized Brant by his arms. He struggled briefly before one of them forced him to remain still. Azrael continued walking without looking back. I watched Brant disappear behind us as we approached the stairs. The climb seemed longer than I remembered. I rested against Azrael because I didn't have the strength to hold myself upright. His arms supported me without causing pain to my injured wrists. I was still trying to understand why he was helping me. When we reached the upper floor, sunlight came through the windows. I closed my eyes because I hadn't seen much daylight during my imprisonment. The air smelled cleaner than the dungeon, and I could hear people speaking somewhere nearby. I wondered whether they knew the emperor was carrying a prisoner through their pack house. "Where are you taking me, Your Majesty?" "Somewhere you can receive proper care." "Am I being moved to another prison?" "No." I looked at him, uncertain what that meant. Vaedric had transferred me between cells before, usually when he wanted to frighten me. Sometimes he allowed me to return to work before finding another reason to imprison me. I couldn't imagine being taken somewhere without being expected to work. Azrael entered a large bedroom on the upper floor. A woman wearing a servant's uniform hurried inside and pulled back the blankets. I noticed the clean sheets and the pillows arranged against the wooden headboard. I had never slept in a bed like that. "Your Majesty, is this someone's room?" "It's yours while we're here." "Mine?" "Yes, Alessia." He placed me on the mattress, and I immediately tried sitting upright. My dirty feet had touched the clean sheets, leaving marks behind. I pulled them away and looked toward the servant, expecting her to become angry. She simply approached with a basin of water. "I'm sorry about the sheets," I whispered. "They can be washed," Azrael answered. A knock sounded at the door before I could respond. An older man entered carrying a leather medical bag, followed by another imperial guard. He bowed to Azrael and approached the bed. I moved backward when I noticed the instruments inside his bag. "This is Physician Orvian," Azrael explained. "He's going to examine your injuries." "Will it hurt?" "I'll make sure he's careful." Orvian placed his bag on the table and examined my wrists. He asked permission before touching the burns, which surprised me. Most people at Raventhorn grabbed me whenever they wanted something. I watched him inspect the damaged skin without saying anything. "How long were the wolfsbane chains on her?" Orvian asked. "Since yesterday," I answered. "But I've worn them many times before." "How often?" "Whenever I'm imprisoned." Orvian looked toward Azrael before returning his attention to me. He examined my arms, checked my breathing, and asked several questions about my meals. I admitted that I hadn't eaten properly in a long time. When he pressed two fingers against my wrist, I wondered whether he could tell how frightened I was. "She's severely malnourished, Your Majesty," Orvian explained. "The repeated wolfsbane exposure has also damaged her skin and weakened her body." "How long until she recovers?" Azrael asked. "That depends on how much damage has been done. She needs food, water, treatment, and complete rest." "I'll see that she gets everything." Orvian cleaned my wrists and applied medicine to the burns. I tried remaining still, although some areas hurt when he touched them. He explained that ordinary wolves healed quickly, but wolfsbane could prevent their bodies from recovering properly. Since I had no wolf, he couldn't promise how quickly my injuries would improve. After finishing, Orvian handed the servant a small container of medicine. He gave instructions about cleaning my wounds and changing the bandages. I listened carefully, wondering whether I was expected to remember everything. I had never been responsible for caring for myself this way before. "Can I return to the servants' quarters after this?" I asked. Azrael looked at me. "Why would you return there?" "Because I still have work to do." "You're not working." I looked down at my bandaged wrists. Mistress Virelda would be furious if the laundry wasn't finished, and I knew she would blame me. There were also floors to clean and meals to prepare. I wondered whether the emperor understood how much trouble I would be in. "Your Majesty, Mistress Virelda will punish me if I don't finish my duties." "She won't be punishing you again." "But she's the head housekeeper." "And I'm the emperor." I looked up at him, unsure what to say. He spoke as though that settled everything, but I had spent years obeying Virelda's orders. I couldn't imagine simply refusing to work. Even lying in such a comfortable bed made me feel as though I was doing something wrong. Azrael turned toward the servant standing beside the door. He instructed her to bring me something light to eat and plenty of water. She bowed before leaving the room. I watched her go, wishing I knew how to make myself useful. "Alessia, you're going to rest," Azrael told me. "Yes, Your Majesty." "And nobody here is allowed to hurt you." I wanted to ask whether that included Vaedric. Instead, I pulled the blanket over my legs and looked toward the door. I still expected someone to come and tell me there had been a mistake. Until then, I would try not to do anything that made the emperor regret helping me. End of Chapter 4