Azareth felt warm and comfortable, she was content to stay in bed all day. When she heard a soft snore behind her, she turned her head. Jurah was asleep behind her, his arm draped over her waist. Azareth turned back and shut her eyes again, she knew she was safe to go back to sleep.

There was a soft knock on the door, but Azareth made no effort to move. She heard the door open and light footsteps coming into the room. Azareth assumed it was Midrina coming in to check on her from last night. As the person moved around the room, Azareth opened her eyes and looked to see who it was.

It was Midrina. Azareth shut her eyes, but she could feel her whole face heat up. Azareth listened to her moving around the room for a few minutes. Then after what seemed like an eternity, she left the room again. Azareth relaxed again, releasing a deep breath. She was startled when Jurah’s arm pulled her in closer to his body.

“I thought she’d never leave,” Jurah whispered groggily. Azareth smiled weakly, she turned around in Jurah’s arms, wanting to face him.

“Me too,” she whispered to him. He’s eyes fluttered open and he looked into her eyes. They just stared at each other for a long time, not wanting to ruin the peace.

“How are you feeling this morning?” Jurah asked. He reached up and gently brushed his fingers over Azareth’s cheek.

“I feel good,” Azareth said. Jurah looked at her concerned, not sure he believed her. He took his hand away and sighed.

“You don’t have to pretend with me, you can be honest with how you’re feeling.”

“I am.”

“Az, you could have died last night.”

“I could have died many times in these past months.”

“You don’t think I know that,” Jurah said. He sat up, running his hands through his hair. Azareth sat up and looked at Jurah worried. He pulled his knee up and leaned his arm on it, looking away from her. Azareth put her hand on his arm, wanting to cox his gaze back to her.

“Jurah.”

“Azareth, I,” Jurah paused and slowly turned his head to face her. Azareth could see his eyes were teary and she felt her stomach drop. She reached up and placed her hand on his cheek. “I can’t loose you.”

“You won’t,” Azareth told him. She leaned her forehead to his and shut her eyes. “I am right here, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.” Azareth opened her eyes and saw Jurah relax with her words. He opened his eyes and smiled softly as he gazed at her. Jurah’s hand caressed Azareth’s cheek and gently moved to her chin. Jurah took a light grip on her chin and tilted her head gently. Before Azareth knew what he was thinking, Jurah gently placed his lips on hers.

The kiss was light and sweet. Azareth was stunned, her breath catching in her throat. She relaxed into the kiss, feeling her cheeks burn. Jurah pulled away releasing her chin. Azareth opened her eyes and looked at him shocked.

“I’ll see you at breakfast,” Jurah said. Azareth nodded her head slowly, letting Jurah stand. As Jurah left the room, Azareth turned and watched him leave. She groaned and fell back on the bed as the door shut. The door opened not a minute later and Midrina came waltzing back into the room.

“Good morning, how are you feeling?” Midrina asked. Azareth looked over and saw a smirk playing on Midrina’s face.

“I feel well,” Azareth said. She sat up as Midrina walked over and began to examine her. Midrina gently touched Azareth’s neck, causing her to wince.

“The bruising has darken, but we can cover it for now.”

“How bad is it?”

“No need to worry, it’ll be gone in a few days,” Midrina said. The two of them moved to the other side of the room. Midrina straight to the wardrobe and Azareth to her mirror. Azareth scanned her neck in the mirror, seeing burgundy colour around her throat. She sighed and gently touched the discoloured skin, flinching at the tiny touch. Midrina came over and handed her a dress to put on. When Azareth got dressed, she saw the bruise was covered by the caller of the dress. It wrapped gently around her neck and came down in front over her chest. Her shoulders were left bare as the pale pink fabric flowed over her body. Midrina placed a silver chained belt around her waist and clasped it in the back.

“Ready for breakfast?” Midrina asked. Azareth nodded and the two turned to leave the room.

Azareth was sitting at the long table. She was thinking about her night before, not sure how to process it fully. Her parents and Sana were talking about their tour of the kingdom. They had mentioned seeing the young dragons in the pens and were curious why they we kept locked up. Azareth heard the question, but she forgot to answer.

“Azareth?” Sana asked. Azareth blinked and looked over at her friend.

“I’m sorry, what was the question?”

“The young dragons, why are they locked up?” Sana asked. Azareth made an oh face and nodded her head. She sat down her fork and looked at her un touched plate of food.

“They are unpredictable, since they don’t have lords yet to help keep them on the island. Most of the rouge dragons from history were younglings who left before the choosing ceremony.”

“But Cephie left,” Faylen said. Azareth turned to her mother and sighed.

“Cephie was my birth mother’s dragon, she was fully trained for decades before she died.” Azareth looked around the table, she was wanting help with her family. Jurah and Artibain unfortunately weren’t there. The two of them had opted to go question Sansun without eating breakfast. Azareth looked at the seat at the other end of the table, Jurah’s seat. She felt her cheeks burn as her thoughts moved on to the event of the morning.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, your majesty,” Azareth heard a voice. She looked to her left and saw Jerin was standing next to her.

“Jerin, what is it?” Azareth asked. She could feel Sana’s eyes staring holes into her, making her palms grow sweaty.

“Lord Jurah and Artibain, they request your presence,” Jerin said. Azareth nodded and stood up. Faylen, Hastos and Sana looked disappointed as they saw Azareth stand up.

“I’m sorry, I-”

“We know, important business,” Hastos said. Azareth looked at them and felt her stomach twist with guilt. She looked away and followed Jerin.

“Azareth,” Sana called. Azareth stopped and looked to see Sana walking over to her. Azareth smiled weakly at her.

“Yes?”

“I know you have a lot on your shoulders,” Sana said. Sana sighed and glanced over her shoulder at Azareth’s parents. “We know, but if you can make some time to spend with us it would be appreciated. Even only for a couple hours, not just at meal times.”

“I promise, I’m trying,” Azareth said. “I can’t explain right now, but there is just some things I can’t explain right now.”

“Remember, they can’t be here forever,” Sana said, she turned away from Azareth. Azareth took in a sharp breath and whipped around to leave.

Jerin led her through a back door of the dining hall. It went down a small corridor and then dropped down as the floor turned into a steep stairway. Azareth walked down the stairs holding her dress away from her feet. At times like this she really missed wearing her pants, she wouldn’t have had to worry about tripping.

When they reached the botton of the stairs Azareth felt a chill run up her spin. Tje dougens looked dark and damp in the light of the torches. There was a tiny window in each of the cells, but no more than a few inches tall and maybe six inches wide. She could hear voices coming from the end of the long corridor, she knew who it was instantly. Jerin stopped ten feet away from the finale cell, gesturing for Azareth to go ahead of him. She nodded and walked by him, Jerin bowed his head and then turned to leave.

Azareth walked up to the cell door, she saw the three people standing inside. Jurah leaning against the right wall. His arms crossed as he glared daggers at the prisoner. His black hair was a mess and brushed out of his face. Azareth looked at his hands and saw his knuckles were cut. They had dried blood on them from earlier bleeding. Azareth looked, she saw Artibain pull back and punch the prisoner in the chair. Artibain was sweaty and his brown hair was platered to his face. He stood up and shook out his hand, glancing at his knuckles.

Azareth’s gaze then landed on the prisoner. Captain Sansun. The man her Andrion had trusted with his life. The man who betrayed that trust. Sitting in the chair, his face coverned in blood. His left eye had swollen to the point he couldn’t see out of it now. She could see a huge gash in the eyebrow about his swollen eyes. She looked down and saw his lip was split and blood was dripping from his mouth. Azareth cleared her throat and the three men turned to look at her.

“Az,” Jurah said. He opened the cell door and let Azareth walk in. “He’s not talking.” Azareth nodded stepping closer to the disgraced captain. She noted his hands were tied to the chair, but she looked to exhausted to try anything dangerous.

“I see you’ve been busy,” Azareth said softly. Artibain stepped back and let Azareth get a better look at the blood man. The torch light seemed stronger in the cell, having a couple set up just outside the door helped see inside.

“You did tells us to do whatever it took,” Artibain said. He rubbed his dominate hand, looked over his bruised knuckles.

“I understand you’ve opted to stay silent, but I’m here now and I am not going to be so gentle,” Azareth said. Sansun looked slowly up at her, his smug expression showing now fear. Azareth raised an eyebrow at him and pursed her lips. She nodded her head once and then leaned forward. Her hand gripped tightly onto Sansun’s middle finger on his right hand. In a one swift motion Azareth twisted his finger in a awkward angle, there was a cracking sound. Sansun groaned loudly in pain, as Azareth releaed his finger. The men looked at Sansun’s hand and saw his finger sticking up nearly touching the back of his hand.

“You don’t have the guts,” Sansun said, he gritted his teeth and spat at Azareth.

“You don’t seem to listen,” Azareth said. “I am tired of waiting for you to talk. I know you know about the assassin. So this mornig I am giving you two choices, talk and live the rest of your life in the cell. Or stay silent and be executed as a trator the murder of the king.”

“You don’t scare me girl.”

“I thought you say something along those lines, that’s why I had something written up. This morning, the lovely Midrina drafted this letter. Stating everything we know about you friend King Maan and everything you didn’t tell us about that kingdom, Asleria. She agreed, disgracing you in public would be devstating to you.”

“I call your bluff, girl.”

“Maybe I am bluffy,” Azareth said. She leaned over and gripped onto Sansun’s arms tightly. She let the fire inside her grow and spread down her right arm. She lifted her hand slowly and let the flame grow in her palm. As the fire dance over her fingers, she could see thr reflection of the flames in Sansun’s eyes. She stared at him and saw the fear growing inside him.

“Cephie told me something interesting about my fire,” Azareth said. She pressed her bruning hand to the ex-captain’s bare arm. He started to scream as she pressed her hand harder to his skin. After a few seconds she pulled her hand away from his arm. “Only fire in the world that can burn a dragon lord.”

Sansun was staring at his burned arm in horror. His breathing was labored as he tried to calm himself, unsure of what had happened. Azareth stood up straight, she let her hand burn moving the flames around her hand. Sansun turned to looked up at her horrified, Azareth smiled at him.

“I am done letting you get your way, I will burn you alive in front of everyone if you don’t answer my questions.” Azareth saw Sansun’s eyes dart from her to the fire and to her again. He dropped his head and Azareth waited for a response. After a long minute Sansun nodded his head slowly and Azareth extinguished the flames.

“What do you want to know?” Sansun asked. Azareth saw Jurah bring a chair into the cell and set it in front of Sansun. She sat down and straightened herself up. She crossed her legs and folded her hands over her knee.

“What does Bledric want?” Azareth asked.

“He wants someone in control of Berlar who will follow him.”

“Why?”

“He’s afraid. Berlar and Truffween are the only kingdoms he doesn’t have a foot hold in.”

“What do you mean?”

“The giants, the orcs, they’re under his thumb. When he starts war, and he plans to, they will fight for him against anyone who tries to defy him.”

“Is that why my father had to die? He wouldn’t bow down to his demands?” Azareth asked. She gripped tightly onto her dress, trying not to show her rage. Sansun nodded his head and looked at the ground.

“All Andrion had to do was agree to his terms.”

“What terms?”

“Claim Bledric as the true king of Akbinor and govern the new territory for his almighty kingdom.”

“Akbinor?” Jurah asked. He stepped forward and stood behind Azareth’s chair. “What the hell is Akbinor?”

“Bledric wants to turn the world into his own mighty kingdom,” Sansun said. “One kingdom, with one king and only that king.”

“That’s ambitious,” Artibain said, destain in his voice. Azareth took in a deep breath and leaned forward towards Sansun.

“Do you know about the assassin?” She asked. Sansun looked up at her and a smirk played on his face.

“I see,” Sansun said. He started at Azareth and then his eyes scanned over her body. He stopped and stared at the high caller of her dress. “Covering the bruises are we? I should warn you, unless he hears from me Bledric will keep sending you those lovely messages.”

“How do I stop he’s messages?”

“Meet with him,” Sansun said.

“No,” Jurah and Artibain said. Azareth stood up and turned to the two men behind her. She raised an eyebrow at them and they both looked at her concerned.

“Excuses me?” She asked them.

“You can’t go meet with him,” Jurah said. Azareth could see in his eyes, the desperation to keep her here.

“He’s right, the last royal to meet with him died,” Artibain said. Azareth sighed and went back to her seat.

“What if I don’t meet him? What if he doesn’t hear from you?” Azareth asked. “How long before he starts war?”

“I’d give it three more days,” Sansun said. “Maybe less.”

“Azareth,” Jurah said. “Let’s us return and discuss this.” Jurah rested his hand on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. Azareth stood up and walked out of the cell. Sansun started to pull on the ropes that bound him to the chair.

“Don’t walk away from me! You need me,” Sansun began to yell. “Only I know Bledric! I know how he thinks!”

Azareth continued down the hall, growing further away from the cell. Jurah right behind her. She paused at the bottom of the stairs and looked to see Artibain locking the cell and turning toward them. The dark hall was filled with Sansun’s struggles as the three of them turn and followed the stairs up.