Chapter 17: Secrets Revealed....

(Azriel POV)

My father looked at me in shock. His face was ashen grey. Mother looked like she might faint. Malvin and Galvin looked like they had been hit by lightning. Suddenly, mother's face crumpled and she screamed at father, "I knew it Vizriel, she is that witch's child. Oh my god! I knew it. Heaven Help me when I thought she was your late sister's daughter. I should have known."

We all watched her stomp out of the study in anger. I looked at father in shock, "Father...."

Ashmeer and Ashdeer stood up to leave. Ashdeer looked at Vizriel and said, "Resolve this family matter, Vizriel, we will reconvene again in a few hours. We have much to prepare ourselves. I will take Galvin with me for helping us in the preparations."

They stomped out and we looked at each other in silence. Father was too far gone by now to register anything. His ashen grey face was now even darker and he was clutching his heart, as if in great pain.

Eva gave a sob and ran towards him, screaming at Malvin as she held father before he fell with a thwunk into his chair, "Get the royal physician now Malvin, don't wait."

Malvin took one stricken look at father and ran out of the room. Azriel, ran to open all the study windows, and then ran back to her father, who was by now moaning, his face was flung back and he was clearly unable to breathe properly.

"Father," she sobbed holding his arm, "Please hold on, Malvin is bringing the physician."

But Vizriel just grabbed Azriel by her collar and pulled her close to him. He whispered into her ear, "Daughterrrrrrr...mine.......at the Seventh Common, ....go.....ask for.....Nuria.......the medicine......................"

Azriel sat in stupefaction. Thankfully her father's whispers had been too low for anyone else in the room to hear. Thank the lords it was only the three of us. I heard Eva sobbing and shaking father, begging him to wake up. I felt like time itself had stopped. Everything was in slow motion. It was not making any sense at all. Was father asking for medicine, or was he telling me, I was his daughter? Thoughts were tumbling around in my mind, as I sat immobile unable to help Eva. I just sat in a corner, sobbing as they took father away to his chambers. I sat in the study wondering how many more shocks were to come.

I felt neither hunger nor thirst, just a deep gnawing pain inside. My whole life, as I had known it had been taken away from me. Andora, my home was under threat, my mother, stern but gentle, was not my mother, my father, who had always indulged me had lied to me all his life, and my own future was dark and unsteady now. I hated my life and I had nowhere to turn to.

In the dark fog of my thoughts, a name popped up in my head- Nuria...Nuria was the one I had to get to. I felt a great urgency to reach her now. This very minute. I ran down the stairs and made haste to the stables. The Seventh Common was a day's ride away, in the very far north west of Andora. There were enough people to look after father here. I needed some answers and I needed them now.

I was at the stables, when a hand caught me and pulled me into a corner. I looked up startled to see Eva.

"Where are you going? I've been looking all over for you. Father keeps asking for you."

Tears streamed down my eyes, as I sobbed, "You heard what father said. I have to get to the Seventh Commons. I have to meet Nuria...I need to know."

"And you will," said a quiet voice. "But, you cannot go alone Azriel. I will not permit it."

I looked up in shock at Ashmeer, when had he come and what did he know?

As if he could read my mind he said, "I know enough Azriel, but I chose to ignore it. Do you really think I would have not found out all there was to about my betrothed? When we realized that Eva was already promised to the Duke of Ascan, we decided it would be you, " he gave an apologetic glance to Eva and continued, "It wasn't personal. It is just the way we work. Understanding all threats is important if you want to stay alive in Irismus."

He walked up and held my hand, "Let me take you. It will be faster Azriel."

Eva grabbed his arm and hissed, "I'm coming with you. Azriel maybe my half-sister, but she is my sister nonetheless. Malvin and Galvin have enough on their plates. Lets go before father gets worse."

Ashmeer nodded imperceptibly and whistled to his horses. "These horses will carry you two to the Seventh Common. They are the fastest horses available and well trained. I will be nearby but I will reach myself."

"But how...?"

He was gone already, in the blink of an eye he had disappeared.

Eva grabbed the reins of her horse and said, "Let's go Azriel....he said he would reach on his own, so lets trust that."

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