Song of Feathers and Claws

Part 7

Four days later Anue stood in the doorway to one of the Noble Retention rooms. A room that was essentially a dungeon cell for the nobility and possible royalty if it was ever called for. There was a whole wing of these kinds of rooms, as even in war or coups it was considered completely barbaric in this part of the world to hold prisoners of titles in cells in the actual dungeon.

Anue stared across the way at the bed, with the unconscious Angelicus tied down to the posters. His existence enraged her, and she didn't know why. He hadn't woken since the night in the dungeon, but if she stood close enough to him Anue could feel his body mending.

"Has he stirred?" Derrick walked up next to her, leaning against the wall next to the doorway, facing out to watch the hallway.

Anue shook her head, "He hasn't but he still breathes."

"What do you think happened?" Derrick turned to face her, "You know, to cause you to feel what he does?"

Anue shrugged "Magic is the most likely answer, but he is a divine, could be some sick joke from one of the Gods perhaps"

"The gods haven't interfered with anything Mortal related in thousands of years, if you believe what the stories have told us" Derrick sighed looking down to the hallway to see the other group of guards patrolling.

Anue didn't respond. All she knew is that she wanted this Angelicus to be awake, she had questions.

"How was your formal date with the Duke,"

"Don't make me want to puke this early in the morning. I wanted to take a blade to one of our throats. Preferably my own" Anue laid her head on the door. "Between the two of us Derrick, my anger is subsiding but I am fearful to see what this Duke does once he has the power of King."

"If you fear for your safety my lady, I have no issue with slaying him and taking the fall out." Derrick straightened up and placed his hand on the hilt of his blade.

"No, save your life for another day. I don't fear my personal safety, that man has the fighting prowess of a page." Anue's face started to twitch, she felt a wash of pain go over her. "He is waking" she walked closer to the bed, she sat down on the chair next to it.

Derrick walked in, as he did so the sounds of armour clanking moved closer as more guards stationed themselves outside the door.

Anue now closer could sense more. It was strange and disorienting, she felt her breaths, and his, his pain and her own body. The new is what angered her so. Even with her anger, it was like a spell that was keeping her soft towards this thing, it wasn't strong and she could still keep her general disdain, but it was still pulling at the back of her head.

The past four days, when she wasn't off doing her duty as Princess or dealing with the affairs of engagement with Gustav she was in here with this creature, studying him. As she didn't know what else to do, the war had made her learn to study her enemy closely, and thus why she does not turn down her alone time the duke, as she needs to know how he works.

Anue did the same with the unconscious man, there was some that she could learn from just how he looked. His upper chest and arms were well built, especially his left; he looked like an archer. The Calyces on his hands and fingers also helped her decision on his fighting style. His long black hair was slowly getting tangled from his days spent laying in the bed. His skin was as white as alabaster, with the bright blue veins running through him.

He slowly started moving, as he blinked awake.

He looked around, confusion filled his face as he slowly looked about. Anue's head pounded, as he did such, so she could only imagine his did as well. He finally laid his eyes on her.