The Bride He Hates-Chapter 126: Reconnecting
Lyanna’s trial was scheduled in three days and Azrael was completely absorbed in preparing for it. He reviewed evidence with her, helped her organize her testimonies, and practiced responses to likely accusations.
But more than that, he stayed close to her, both physically and emotionally. When Lyanna worked late, he brought her food and sat with her. When she practiced her testimony, he listened to her without judgement.
"You’re different these days." Lyanna said on the second day of their preparations. "You are somehow more attentive and present."
"I realized I was being absent when you needed me the most." Azrael replied. "I’m correcting that mistake."
"By suddenly becoming the perfect supportive husband?" Lyanna asked skeptically. "You weren’t this supportive even before the attack. Did something happen?"
"I just have started realizing that maybe the ruthless version of you is exactly what Thornfield and I need." Azrael smiled.
"You want a wife who can make brutal decisions without flinching?"
"I want a partner who can make impossible choices without breaking down." He replied. "I need someone strong enough to do what I sometimes can’t."
"You’re not just saying this to make me feel better before the trial, right?"
"Not at all. I’m saying it because it’s true. And I think making brutal decisions, without emotions affecting your thought process is not weakness, it’s extraordinary strength."
Lyanna was suspicious of this sudden change in him, but she didn’t want to ask him about it. She knew she had no answers if he started asking questions once they entered that territory. So she decided to go with the flow.
On the afternoon before the trial, Azrael insisted that Lyanna to take a break from preparations.
"You need fresh air to clear your head before tomorrow."
"I need to review..."
"You need a break. Come with me."
He led her to Thornfield’s gardens. The autumn flowers were in full bloom. They walked in silence for a while, enjoying the afternoon sun and the crisp autumn air.
"I haven’t been here in weeks." Lyanna said, looking around.
"Neither have I." Azrael replied. "We’ve both been too caught up in politics and council meetings."
They found a secluded corner of the garden, hidden behind hedges, with a small fountain in the centre of the courtyard. Azrael pulled Lyanna down to sit beside him on the fountain’s edge.
"Remember when we used to sneak away here?" He asked. "When we had defeated both the Council of Light and The Covenant?"
"We’d disappear for hours," Lyanna remembered. "And drive Victor insane trying to find us for meetings."
Azrael reached over and took her hand.
"Lyanna, tomorrow everything might change. The trial could go badly and you could lose your positions and things could become even more complicated than they already are."
"I know."
"So today, I want to just be with you not as the queen, but as my wife. The woman I chose to spend eternity with."
He cupped her face and kissed her slowly. She kissed him back, letting herself be in this moment instead of calculating tomorrow’s probabilities.
"I’ve missed being with you." Azrael said as they broke the kiss.
"We haven’t had many moments like this recently." Lyanna replied.
"Then let’s make this one count."
He stood up and pulled her to her feet. Then he led her deeper into the garden, to a more secluded area where trees created a canopy of leaves.
"Azrael, what are you..."
"Sshh." He cut her off. "No thinking and planning. Just focus on the moment."
He kissed her again. His hands gripped her waist tightly pulling her closer. Lyanna wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to his touch. She could feel his physical desire and the heat of his body against hers.
"Here?" She murmured. "In the gardens?"
"Why not?" Azrael replied.
He backed her against one of the trees and pressed his body on hers. He kissed her neck, her collarbone, and the sensitive spot behind her ear that always made her go crazy.
"Someone could see." Lyanna whispered, though she did nothing to stop him.
"Let them. Let the whole castle know the king desires his wife."
His hands moved to the buttons of her dress, and he started opening them slowly as he kissed her more passionately.
"We’re supposed to be taking a walk." Lyanna said, even as her own hands moved to his shirt.
"We are walking...just ... with a detour."
They made love in that secluded garden corner, hidden by trees and hedges. It was slow but intense.
In the evening, Lyanna was preparing for her final testimony for the trial and Azrael sat with her, reading her remarks.
"This is strong." He said. "Instead of apologizing for your decisions, you’re explaining the reasoning. That’s how it should be."
"Will it be enough?" Lyanna asked.
"It’s the truth. The council will either accept it or they won’t."
"So philosophical."
"I’m being practical. You can’t control their votes. You can only control your testimony, so just focus on that."
Lyanna put aside the documents.
"I’m ready then." She said.
"Then let’s stop working." He stood up and offered her his hand. "Come here."
Azrael led her to the centre of their chambers and put his hands on her waist.
"What are you doing?" Lyanna asked.
"Dancing with my wife." Azrael said. "We haven’t danced for a long time. I miss it."
"There’s no music."
"We don’t need music."
Azrael started moving slowly, guiding her in a simple waltz.
Lyanna followed him. It felt strange. She remembered loving to dance with him and how it used to make her feel light and joyful. But now she felt nothing special.
They danced in silence for a while. Finally, Azrael pulled her close and stopped moving. He then kissed her forehead.
"Now let’s get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
They went to bed early. Lyanna lay awake for a while, her mind running through the trial scenarios and probable outcomes, while Azrael was already asleep with his arm around her waist.
She should’ve felt comforted, safe, loved and protected. But she couldn’t feel those emotions anymore. But she felt anchored. As if him with her meant she wasn’t alone.
It should be enough.
