Chương 348: Planning
"You want to visit the Duchess?" Devrim looked at the Empress skeptically. The sudden suggestion had caught him off guard.
Nodding, Aurora explained, "I think Colvyr and I should leave the palace until everything settles. I would beg you to come with us, my dear, Aurora added to the Emperor with a sad smile, "but I do not like being denied, and I know you want to see this through. It will be easier to focus if we are not in the way."
"But will there be another attack if you are not here?" Councilman Metehan wondered. He was one of the newest members of the Council, but had quickly become well respected for his judiciousness. All eyes looked his way, so he continued. "If they know you are not here, then surely they will follow you."
"No one outside of this room needs to know I have left," Aurora answered and then grimaced. Her eyes cut to Councilman Ezer. "Though I don't like the idea of leaving behind a decoy."
"Anna will happily volunteer without a second thought, whether or not I like it. That new wig of fiery hair looks almost identical to your own." Ezer placed his cheek against his palm and rubbed his temple. "But if she is going to do this, we better make a plan where she will not be in any danger."
"Agreed," Devrim raised his hand in pledge. "We will do whatever we can to keep both the Empress and Anna safe."
Aurora loved her lady-in-waiting dearly. Her mind was already thinking of safeguards to put in place.
"For starters, we will announce a change in the Empress's and prince's sleeping quarters. Anna will be seen entering the new room, but have a way to sneak out. Then if someone attacks the new rooms, we will know there is a spy in the palace."
Her plan made sense, and easily gained the Council's support. The meeting went on with different suggestions being made and solutions being decided. Eventually the energy that Aurora got from her small meal began to wane. She tried to hide her yawn, but no one was fooled.
"We have enough to get started," Chief Zan said gently. "Please entrust us to begin our work, Your Majesty."
Wanting to protest, Aurora held up her hand, but another yawn overtook her. She ended it with an embarrassed smile. "I trust you, Councilmen. If you will excuse me."
Her eyes pleaded briefly with her husband before he dutifully helped her from her throne and into the wheeled chair. The cut on her leg stung worse than a thousand bees when she put her weight on it. She could feel something ooze from her wound. 'That can't be good.'
"After I rest, I want the doctor to get some fresh bandages, and I want an update on Nanny." Aurora said as she was wheeled from the room by Nurlan.
Devrim, who walked beside her chair, inclined his head. "Yes, ma'am. I suppose that means we are not wheeling you back to the infirmary as I would prefer."
"I want to go back to your room, my love. I do not want to take the doctor's bed, and…" she added sheepishly, "I want you to hold me while I sleep."
The Emperor reached down and squeezed her hand, "I will never pass up the chance to hold you, my love." Aurora failed to notice the tinge of sadness in the man's voice.
Devrim's eyes glistened as he looked at his beautiful wife. He had come terribly close to losing Aurora to the clutches of the hideous wolf.
His heart clenched at the thought of what would have happened if he had been just a moment later. Squeezing her hand a second time, he released his bride in order to get her to the upper level.
As the two men lifted the chair up the stairs, Aurora was able to peek out of one of the slitted windows as they rose. The shadows across the courtyard were very long, threatening to be overtaken by the shade cast by the large protective wall. It was late afternoon.
Reaching her husband's room, Nurlan handed off the chair to the Emperor. "We will keep careful watch," he assured them as he motioned to the other guards who had been summoned.
When she entered the Emperor's suite, Aurora found the room had already been prepared for her arrival. Candela had a spare nightgown for her mistress, and she helped Aurora change out of the sterile white tunic she had been wearing from the infirmary.
With help, the fiery-haired woman made herself comfortable on the bed. She wiggled her way until her head was leaning on her husband's chest. He wrapped his arms protectively around her and she gave a contented sigh.
However, the sleep that had seemed so close in the Council's meeting room now seemed to evade her.
"What is wrong?" Devrim asked, running his fingers gently through her long hair. No matter how long it grew, the top always remained shades of orange, yellow and white while the ends were nearly black as pitch.
Aurora squeezed her eyes shut and groaned. "It's nothing. I just thought we were past all this. I do not want to leave you again!"
Devrim tilted his head forward and kissed the woman on top of her head. "Hopefully it will only be for a short while. We can meet at the entrance to the storehouse anytime you want."
Aurora snapped her head up and glared at him, causing the grey-eyed man to chuckle. How did he know her plans?! Devrim shrugged and gave a soft chuckle.
"What? You did not think I would buy the nonsense about visiting Duchess Ashleigh, did you? I mean she is a lovely woman, but making that trip with Colvyr would not be easy, and we aren't sure who we can trust."
The Empress pursed her lips as her brow furrowed. "Do you think the Council knows?"
"No, I doubt even Zan realizes you plan to accompany him. But I know you well enough to see your trap within a larger trap." Dervim brushed his finger down her nose, causing her to wrinkle it and roll her head onto a nearby pillow.
"Trap?" She said innocently. "Whatever do you mean?"
"You already said that if your new sleeping quarters are attacked, then someone in the castle is a spy. Now if the Duchess's castle is struck by those infernal creatures, you will know that there is a spy on the Council."
Autra smiled wryly. "You seem to have everything figured out. I want to trust my Council completely, but I have a spotty track record on that front. We cannot be too careful." Aurora pressed her lips firmly together. The human world could not handle another Cafer-like Councilman.
Devrim pulled the woman back toward him, his strong arms bringing her comfort. "It was a brilliant move. You are brilliant."
"You are pretty amazing yourself…Did you mean it when you said we could meet at the Storehouse whenever I want?"
"Try and keep me away. Although I think you may forget all about me with Brinn to talk to. I know how much you miss her."
With a quiet smile, Aurora's gaze became distant. "Message balls are nice but they are just not the same. It will be good to be able to see her in the flesh. And Colvyr will enjoy spending time with his Aunty Brinn and Uncle Alvar."
"Just don't leave him alone with those two. They can be quite impulsive. That makes for fun friends but terrible babysitters." Devrim said, only half joking.
The Empress chuckled, "Mhmm, I will be sure to tell them you said that."
"And I will deny it wholeheartedly!" The grey-eyed man lifted his nose in the air as he arched his brow.
Aurora propped up her chin up on her husband's chest and inclined her head toward Devrim.
"I love you," she said with her eyes full of emotion. "You always know just what to say to make everything alright."
"I love you too." Devrim caught a stray tear that dripped down her cheek. "Don't worry; we will get through this together. Everything will be fine."
"I know," the Empress answered, her sleepy tone returning. "If a cataclysmic war couldn't tear us apart, two measly wolves do not stand a chance." Her eyelids drooped as she inhaled her husband's scent.
The Emperor returned to stroking Aurora's hair gently. "So true, my love. Now rest."
He needn't have bothered with the last words. Aurora was fast asleep in his embrace.
Devrim shut his eyes and listened to her shallow, peaceful breaths. While he could not imagine what the future would hold, whatever happened, he would keep her safe. Even if that meant sending her from him. For now, his arms would be her protection. The man kissed his bride's head once more.
"Rest well, my love. Rest well."
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