19 Bedside Manners #2
“Since taking the throne, I’ve restored our Empire’s fortunes, brought riches to our worlds, and led our armies to victory over our ancient enemies, yet still the council doubts me.
If the princes will not support me, then I’ll replace them with councillors who will.
” Astrid set her jaw, and the truculent guard chose discretion and remained silent.
Nodding to the healer, the Emperor said, “Release my Consort from the medbed. I need him bathed and clothed in time for today’s hunt. ”
The healer undid the straps around my wrists, ankles, torso, and hips, but I did not sit up, instead I gingerly placed my hands over the white medical towel which lay upon me.
Astrid spoke rapidly with her guardsman in Imperial, then turned to me, about to ask a question or speak a command, but she paused when she saw me still seated on the medical bed.
I squirmed underneath the medical towel. “I’m afraid I left my uniform in your suite, along with the rest of my things.”
Astrid broke into a grin. “I’ll send a servant to fetch them, but I fear anything in the suite was likely destroyed by lancer fire. Don’t worry – we’ve made arrangements to have a new uniform tailored for you before the hunt.”
The brown-scaled guard sniffed. “A replicated outfit would serve just as well.”
“But that’s not the Commonwealth way,” Astrid said.
Stepping close, Astrid gently laid her gloved palm against my cheek.
“Now, Levar, as my Consort, you receive access to my person and my protection, but little more. You cannot command my princes or armies without my confirmation. You do not speak with my voice. Despite this, people will assume you have influence over me, that they might control me by controlling you.”
I laughed. “As if I could ever convince you to do anything you had not already made up your mind to do.”
Astrid’s returning smile flickered into concern. “Yes, but many will assume you can. Even if they think you cannot, they may threaten you to manipulate me. For that reason, I wish to send Ankhelina with you, to keep you safe.”
I was about to ask who Ankhelina was, but the mouthy Imperial guard stiffened slightly when Astrid said this. I frowned. “Are you sure that’s wise? You may wish to choose a guard who doesn’t consider me deadweight.”
“You are worse than deadweight,” Ankhelina growled in thickly accented Commonwealth Basic. “You will get my Emperor killed.”
“Enough,” Astrid shouted, glaring over her shoulder at her guard before turning back to me.
“Ankhelina is more than an Imperial guardsman. She is my Champion, my sworn blade. I trust her to obey me as I would my own hand. Her life is mine to command as I choose, and I choose to have her protect the only man I care to see survive this conference.”
“My countrymen will not appreciate being scowled at by an Imperial guard while we discuss strategy,” I said.
Astrid looked surprised. “You actually wish to return to your countrymen, even after all they’ve put you through?”
I sighed. “They are still my people. I cannot abandon them to defeat when we might yet reach a compromise which will ensure my nation’s survival.”
Some of Astrid’s tension melted, and her mouth formed a relieved smile.
“I’m glad to hear that. The demon on the hoversteed came from my Empire, but we have not been able to identify their human accomplices who killed my guards and sniped at us.
It seems whoever ordered my assassination had help from both Empire and Alliance.
I hoped you would return to the Royal Commonwealth delegation, where you could find our enemies amongst the Allies. ”
Ankhelina glared at me, and I returned the expression. The idea of working in her company did not thrill me, but if Astrid thought it was necessary… “Who are these enemies of yours?”
“I do not know who they are, not all of them. The surviving assassins have yet to give up their conspirators’ names,” Astrid said, her lips pursing in anger.
I raised an eyebrow. “Should we not wait until the threat to you is identified?”
“If they’ve not yet broken, then they won’t break until it’s too late.” Astrid paused, considering before she continued. “The person behind this attack could be anyone, even one of your countrymen. I ask you to watch the Royal Commonwealth delegation, to see if any seek to harm me.”
My back stiffened as she made this request of me. “You ask me to spy on my people?”
“Your Emperor asks you to protect her,” Ankhelina said, turning her burning golden eyes on me.
“I am still a sky captain in Her Majesty’s army. I cannot betray my country and my Queen,” I replied, raising my chin.
The Emperor’s Champion opened her mouth, but Astrid raised her hand and silenced her. “I’m not asking you to commit treason, Levar. Only to find if there are any amongst your countrymen who would wish me dead.”
“You ask who would harm you, when we are at war. Depending on your definition, everyone in my delegation wishes for your defeat,” I said.
“Your Queen sent her uncle to negotiate a peace with me, and you to help him. If there are assassins in your prince’s council, they would be the traitors, not you.
You would be doing your kingdom a service.
This peace is unpopular in my Empire. Many of my lords wish to take your capital and burn it in revenge for defeating us two hundred years ago.
I promise you, should I die and another take the throne, any chance of peace will die with me. ”
I rubbed my face in my hands, working over the conflicting emotions inside me, my desire to serve my country as well as to protect the woman I loved. It was a choice I was not certain I could make.
“I cannot betray the Commonwealth, nor will I allow anyone to harm you,” I finally managed to say.
“Would you die for her?” Ankhelina asked.
I looked up at her, resentment burning in my newly demonic breast. “I already have. To die again would be wasteful. Next time, I intend to kill for her.”
Astrid smiled again, her eyes sparkling with mirth though she did not laugh.
She raised her hand, and the talkative guard reached into the pouch at the back of her belt and drew forth a package wrapped in leather.
Her face impassive as stone, she extended her arm for me to take it.
“If you are to kill for me, then you’ll need this,” Astrid said.
I grabbed the leather-bound packet, but Ankhelina refused to release it.
I looked into her eyes, and saw the warning in it, the promise of death should I harm her Emperor.
I tried to answer in kind, that I would never hurt her.
Apparently, something of my intent was made clear, for the guard released her hold.
Gingerly, I undid the leather wrappings.
My eyes widened. “Am I allowed to carry this?”
Astrid’s smile was positively wicked this time. “Being Consort has its privileges.”