Blade of Love by Ann M Pratley

Author:Ann M Pratley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, fantasy, dragon, medieval, sword, knight romance
Publisher: Ann M Pratley

CHAPTER 44

Lady Cecily was startled but happy to be summoned to meet with the queen the next morning. Although lifelong friends, she'd found that since marrying Sir Henry and bringing five children into the world, she had less time to invest into the friendship she shared with Azura.

As she entered the palace, she was guided by a guard to where the queen sat in the sunshine.

"What a peaceful image you present, Your Grace," Cecily said as she approached.

Azura chuckled quietly.

"And yet, you greet me with a formal greeting that does not give me peace at all, as you well know!" she teased.

"I do know," Cecily replied, grinning as she took a seat beside the queen. "Are you well? The groom who summoned me did not tell me anything other than to come at once."

"Yes, I have need of your assistance," Azura said.

"Anything, Your…" Cecily started to reply before the look of challenge appeared on Azura's face, causing Cecily to change her wording immediately. "Azura."

"Good," Azura replied, smiled. "We are to have another wedding at the palace."

Cecily nodded. "Yes, Princess Semera…"

"No," Azura said. "Well, yes, but that is not for many months yet." She paused, enjoying making her friend wait for a while before she continued. "Iztal is to marry."

"Iztal?" Cecily asked, confusion evident on her face. "But he is to be a knight."

Azura laughed out loud.

"Now, Cecily, I am sure that you cannot object to a knight marrying, given that you are married to one."

"No, of course not," said Cecily. "I am surprised as I had not suspected Iztal was involved with any young woman. Whenever he comes to our home to share a meal with us, he and Edward are always talking about battle and their training." She took a moment to process the news. "Who?"

"Marin," Azura replied.

"Marin?" Cecily asked. "Semera's lady-in-waiting?"

Azura laughed again.

"Yes, the very same," she said. "It appears she is on a similar life track as you have been."

"Similar, yes, although she is marrying a prince," Cecily said. "I sense that you have a question for me, however, Azura. In what way do you require my assistance?"

"I believe it could be beneficial for you to talk to Marin about her options," Azura said.

"Options?" Cecily asked.

"Once she marries," the queen replied. "Iztal has said that Semera asked if Marin will remain her lady-in-waiting. He also said that he'd like that to be Marin's choice. I think you are uniquely qualified to talk to her and help her decide what she would like to do. You could also talk to her openly and honestly about being married to a knight. We have watched Sir Henry go into battle on several occasions now. It is not an easy thing to watch when the men ride away, with none of us knowing who will return and who will not."

"Yes, you and I have witnessed the scars of war when nursing returning men, and preparing bodies for burial," Cecily said. "If it were up to me, there would never be any conflict.

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