Whispers Of Desires: A Sense Of Truth {Book 2}

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚇𝙻𝙸𝚅: 𝙰 𝚆𝚒𝚏𝚎'𝚜 𝙳𝚞𝚝𝚢?

One week later, Azrael and Kazi were wrapped together in bed, and Kazi let out a heavy sigh as she nestled further into the warm embrace beside her. Azrael, always aware of her moods, moved slightly. "What is bothering you, my love?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep.

Kazi turned to face him with a cheeky frown on her brow. "Azrael," she said nervously, "My chambers received an unusual message this morning."

Azrael, intrigued, raised his eyebrows. "Unusual? Do tell."

"Apparently," Kazi continued, her voice tinged with annoyance, "your mother has decided to sign me up for a... 'Married Women's Council.'" She air-quoted the last two words with distaste. "She seems to think that it would be good for me to meet other women in the palace and learn about my 'wifely duties' or some such nonsense."

Azrael held back a laugh. "Married Women's Council? What on earth for?" he asked, sitting up in bed, pulling the sheets with him.

"There is more," Kazi said, a malicious gleam in her eyes. "The message specifies a meeting in a few weeks where they will... discuss things and offer assistance with married life."

Azrael broke out laughing, throwing his head back and letting out a boisterous guffaw. "I cannot believe she would do that," he chuckled, wiping tears from his eyes. "I can only imagine your reaction to such... guidance."

Kazi pouted playfully. "It is not funny, Azrael. Apparently, the purpose is to offer advice and support to newly married women. And while I appreciate the sentiment," she said, her voice turning serious, "one, I do not need their advice on how to be a wife, and two..."

She hesitated, then leaned in conspiratorially. "One of my soldiers discreetly informed me that everything discussed at these meetings gets reported back to... your mother."

Azrael's smile faltered. "Reported back? That is... odd. I did not realize she was so invested in my life." He paused, then reached out to brush a lock of hair from Kazi's face.

Kazi shrugged. "Let's just say, I do not want to upset your mother. I am actually quite fond of her."

Azrael gazed at her, amused and concerned. "You are a remarkable woman, Kazi. Here you are, concerned about making problems for my mother, but she is the one interfering in our lives."

Kazi grinned and squeezed his hand. "It is the thought that counts." she remarked. But a note of seriousness crept back into her voice. "On a more pressing note, duty calls. Some of our missing men from the trade ship..."

Her speech drifted off, and Azrael noticed a hard look replacing the joyful spark in her eyes. "Have you found something?" he asked gently, reaching out to touch her cheek.

"Indeed," Kazi said, pushing back the covers with a determined glare. "After a thorough search of Lady Layil's rather... compromising chambers, my men found hidden information. Seems some of our missing soldiers were kidnapped. I have an army to brief and plans to make."

Azrael watched her rise, a surge of pride swelling within him. Kazi, his warrior wife, his companion, was a force to be reckoned with.

"A wonderful person indeed," he murmured, reaching out to pull her close for a quick kiss before she left. "And a brilliant general. Now go out there and save the day, my love. And remember, you have a very eager... assistant waiting for you when you return."

Kazi glanced back, bringing a light-hearted smile back to her face. "Do not worry, Azrael," she reassured. "I will be back before you know it."

With that, she walked into the bathing chamber, leaving Azrael to contemplate the upcoming council meeting with mix of amusement and worry for whoever dared to try and "advise" his fierce 'companion'.