A Queen Among Blood: Chapter Sixty-Three - Yildiz

A Queen Among Blood: Chapter Sixty-Three - Yildiz
The sound of urgent fists pounding against my bedroom door pulls me from my wonderful sleep, but as my senses wake up one by one, I take in the pleasurable heat brought by being nestled in my animai’s arms and his intoxicating scent. I want to stay like this forever, but the pounding is relentless.

“I get the feeling they won’t go away until you answer the door,” says Oshmin in a sleepy voice.

I groan and bury myself deeper against his side. “Make them go away,” I grumble.

“They’re your sisters, you make them go away,” he argues, turning his back to me and depriving me of my cosy snuggle spot. I pout and land a jab to his back that causes me to wince and shake my hand as my finger throbs in protest. Stupid indestructible God. “I bet that hurt you more than it hurt me,” he lazily mocks.

“Smartass,” I mutter.

Begrudgingly I fling off the covers, get up and make my way to the bedroom door. I open it and finally bring the pounding to a halt. “Was all of that really necessary?” I ask tiredly as I take in the feldgrau and glittering gold aura of my sister Bike.

“You have to come join us,” she says urgently, “They did it. They finally did it! Aulen, Arthwin and Manon caught Isolde. She’s currently in the cells,” she rejoices. Her words have the sleep evaporating from my body and now I’m completely alert as adrenaline spikes through my system.

“What do you mean they caught her? How?” I ask in utter shock. I can hear Oshmin moving in bed, no doubt paying attention to our conversation.

“Manon managed to track her down. They found the home she’d been hiding away at and managed to apprehend her early this morning.” Her words send an unpleasant chill down my spine.

Damn it! I got so distracted by all the crap with the Gods I left all that research to Makbule to handle alone, and now it’s too late. See? This is why we don’t have animais. I’ve spent my life being a diligent and proactive irshiust. I never drop the ball or shirk my responsibilities. Then I get an animai and suddenly I’m dumping things on my sisters or finding myself needing to get away for some R&R. Don’t get me wrong, I love Oshmin with my entire being, but the drama with him and the Gods has been a nightmare for my work ethic. I haven’t slacked off this much… well, ever. Thirty-thousand years and this would have to be a first.

“Has anyone spoken to her?” I ask.

“She’s not saying much, but she confessed to everything as soon as she arrived here,” she tells me. This revelation sends me reeling.

“She what?” I whisper in disbelief.

“I expected her to gloat or be smug or something, but nope. She just casually admitted to every single crime and said she is prepared to accept the consequences of her actions,” she shrugs.

“That doesn’t make any sense. The consequence is death. Who stays on the lam for centuries only to just roll over and accept capture and death?” I question sceptically. None of this makes sense. Makbule and I were certain she was innocent. Maybe Manon has her spelled. She may be coercing her into a confession. I have to get Arthwin or Aulen to scan Isolde and ensure she’s not influenced by any magic. We couldn’t have been wrong… could we?

“I thought you’d be happy about this. We’re talking about the makkari that killed Nuray. We can finally get justice for our sister, but you look confused and like someone just killed your pet,” she says with a displeased tone.

“I’m sorry, I’m just shocked and confused. I’ll join you shortly, I just need to get dressed,” I explain as I try to remain calm.

She nods, “Very well. Don’t take too long,” she says and walks away.

I slowly shut the door and walk back into the bedroom, my brain sifting through scenarios trying to find one that makes all of this make sense. We thought she was innocent. I felt it in my bones. How could I have gotten it so wrong?

“What’s wrong?” Oshmin asks as he reaches out, taking my hand and gently pulling me close to him while he sits on my bed.

“This doesn’t make sense,” I whisper, my eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

“Talk to me,” he urges while rubbing my hips soothingly, which helps me calm down a little.

“Makbule and I… we… we were sure Isolde was innocent. But to hear that she’s confessed, and no one has detected lies in her confession… I just don’t know what to think.”

“Do you still believe she’s innocent?”

“I don’t know what to believe. I was so sure we were right. How could I get it so wrong?” I say as I look down at his glowing frame.

“What can I do to help?” he softly asks, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“I don’t suppose you can tell me if I’m right or wrong, can you?” I ask half-heartedly.

“I would if I could, but you know the rules.” I let out a deep sigh. “I can say this. Your instincts are there for a reason, and in the short time I’ve known you, your instincts have never led you wrong. So whatever your gut is telling you, I say keep listening to it,” he encourages.

“What if this time my gut is wrong?” I nervously ask.

“What if it is? At least you can move forward with a clear conscience knowing you tried and did everything to make sure everything was right.”

I smile and lean down and softly kiss him. “Thank you.”

He smiles against my lips, returning my kiss. “You can thank me more later if you’re interested,” he teases.

I chuckle, “We’ll see.”

I make quick work of getting dressed, not wanting to keep my sisters waiting longer than I already have. I need to go there and assess the situation. I need to find out if something has been done to Isolde, surely magic has to be behind this somehow. A memory spell, a puppeteering spell. Something. Makbule’s and my theory was perfect, now this has thrown a spanner in the works. But I’m going to take Oshmin’s advice. I’ve always trusted my instincts, no reason to stop now.

Once I’m fully dressed I place a quick peck on Oshmin’s cheek. “What will you do while I’m gone?”

“Relax in here a little longer. Maybe get some more sleep or read a book,” he shrugs.

“I don’t have any books in here and if I did they’d be in brail,” I point out.

“Good thing I have magic,” he says tapping the tip of my nose, “Now go, before your sisters blame me for holding you up.”

“I’ll see you when I’m done then,” I promise and quickly dash out, heading straight for the cells.