Tales of Love and Power

Chapter 23: Abzalin

The moon hung high in the velvet sky, casting it's light over the balcony where Abzalin stood. The cool night breeze brushed against his skin offering a hint of relief from his stressful day. In that quiet moment, as he enjoyed the perfection of his view from the balcony, Mahaila's voice guided him to peace.

I want to be your everything. Your friend, lover, comrade.

He smiled as the wind brushed his face. It's touch was strangely reminiscent of hers, soft and gentle.

I want to believe in what you believe.

He inhaled the scent of the wind and imagined that it was the scent of her.

I wish to look at the sun and see what you see.

He remembered the sweet taste of her lips.

Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I'll stay.

He remembered the softness of her voice.

May your people be my people and may your God be my God. I want to believe in Azlah"

He opened his eyes and gazed up at the moon. Abzalin saw her image on the moon. He saw her image in the sky. He saw her image drawn in the stars.

"Zukul." He called out from the balcony, his voice breaking the silence. Zukul emerged out on the balcony and gave him a quick bow. "Yes, your Majesty."

"Where is Lady Mahaila?"

Zukul swiftly responded. "I believe she is in her chambers, My king."

Abzalin smiled as an idea came to mind. He turned around and faced Zukul with a hint of mischief on his expression. "Come, I'd like to give her a visit." He spoke amused. Abzalin hurried to Mahaila's chambers in anticipation of seeing her. Zukul announced his arrival as he entered the concubine's quarters. Girls scurried to create a path as Abzalin continued marching forward.

He was eager to see her. To hold her in his arms and to gaze into her eyes. As he reached her chamber doors he saw Dazya and Astrea standing by. "No one should come in unless I summon them." He ordered opening the doors. "Yes, Your Majesty" The two women replied swiftly, Astrea sounding more nervous than Dazya.

Abzalin went through the threshold of her chambers and turned his head around searching for her. "Mahaila," He called out seeing her figure standing by her bed. Her hands were in front of her, her head bowed as she went into a deep curtsy.

"Your majesty," She said her voice trembling.

Abzalin took a step towards her at last taking in her appearance. His breath caught in his throat as she came into view. He felt as if his eyes had betrayed him. The woman before him could not have been the same Mahaila he had known the day before.

Her face once flawless and radiant was now plagued with cuts, bruises, and swelling. He struggled to see the image of her beauty under the sight of all her bruises.

"Mahaila," He whispered, her name falling from his lips like a question.

Mahaila began to plead to him as her body began to tremble under the weight of her aches. "Please..don't look at me." She let out a breath of agony as she felt her aches turn to pain. "I've lost my beauty, Your Majesty. I am not worthy for you to look upon."But Abzalin did not look away. Instead, he stepped closer to her, his eyes never leaving her. He observed every cut, and bruise, knowing each was a statement of her suffering. He reached for her, his hand hovering near her face, hesitant to touch for fear to cause her more pain.

"What's happened to you?" He asked softly, his voice heavy with emotion. She began to sway under the weight of her intensifying pain. He rushed towards her catching her and guiding her to sit on the edge of her bed. He knelt before her, taking her trembling hand in his. "Who did this to you? I'll see to it that they are punished. I'll suffer no one to bring you harm." He spoke attempting to mask his rage.