A Question of Counsel

by Archer Kay Leah

  But Lira made her question everything, inspiring Aeley to reach for more than drowning her nightmares in whatever decanter she could swipe and giving her life over to everyone else. Lira was her something more, giving her a chance to fully be herself in the ways she had forgotten. Their conversations kept Aeley honest, and allowed her to talk about anything, admitting things she never normally would because she feared judgment. It seemed like Lira was always composed and calm, as if she always had everything under her control in a way Aeley envied. Chaos did not surround her, and she offered comfort and relaxation. Aeley, desperate to have order in her life, felt drawn to Lira. Even more, Lira was easy to talk to, and she listened more than most people.

  Yet Lira rarely spoke about her life, keeping secrets instead of trusting Aeley. The only time she talked about herself was when she was confronted, and especially when she was trapped. She was more forthcoming when Aeley pointed out how she said one thing, but did another. And she never drove Aeley completely away from Ryler and Emon, despite snide remarks about their egos. If anything, she'd instructed Aeley to contact them and ask for their help. If she cared as much as Aeley wished she did, would she not have run them off?

  She had also seemed too comfortable with Allon. It was difficult to forget how he had stared at Lira, almost like he knew what she was doing. Had they known each other the entire time? If Allon was friends with her brothers, Lira would have seen him on occasion. It was difficult to believe that she never would have met him. Why would she say nothing?

  Not to mention she knew about the marriage contract the entire time and played it off. But she had a reason, an explanation that made perfect sense. Except the brothers knew everything she'd said to me, almost like it was rehearsed, or like they've heard it over and over again. And she just happened not to be there when Ryler took me. Are they all just coincidences?

  Aeley gripped her head and leaned against the wall. No! This is exactly what they want. Stick to your original reaction. You're paranoid, just looking for a reason to keep being unhappy. They're liars. And there's got to be a way out of this. They couldn't have thought of everything. If they're friends of Allon's, they can't be that intelligent. At least, not that perfect.

  When she looked up, she found the guard watching her again, his fist wrapped around the sword hanging loosely from his waist.

  "What are you looking at?" she yelled.

  He remained silent, but the corners of his lips twitched a sign of his restraint.

  "So I'm good to stare at, but you can't talk to me?" Aeley paced and glanced at the keys on the wall. She needed to get them into the cell. And the only way is to get him in here. But I have to have something to get his attention and I've got nothing.

  The lust on his face made her want to scratch out his eyes. Did he expect her to strip if he continued to stare? Seeing the bulge in his pants, she wondered if he was aroused or if it was a trick of the light.

  "You come in here and try anything, and I'll make sure you don't see anything again," she mumbled, spinning away. She wished Lira were with her. She'd think of something. Something I wouldn't. Knowing how modest she isn't on the inside, she'd probably call him over and seduce him like she did me.

  Memories of the armoury focused her mind on Lira. She remembered the taste of her and how her body curved with each touch. It had been worth everything, even the chance of being caught, to hear Lira moan and cry for more. Even the way she touched herself drew Aeley in…

  Aeley stopped in the middle of the cell, the chain rattling when she dropped her arms. Maybe this was her third option. Could it really be that simple? No. She glimpsed the guard. He seemed restless, eager to do something, and she needed to get away. There's no reason why they have to be mutually exclusive, assuming I'm that desperate—which I am. It's either this or I make a deal that cages me for the rest of my life. And I've never been good at being quiet.

  "Hey, you," Aeley called. When he faced her, she moved towards him. Her steps were slow and she swayed her hips deliberately. Gripping the bars, she leaned forward and tilted her head downwards to peer at him through her flickering lashes. "You've got to be terribly bored, standing around here watching me do absolutely nothing. I can't imagine this is any fun." She pouted and drew her hand across the skin above her tunic. "A guy like you should be out and doing things, showing off and having fun. You and that big, hard, powerful sword you're carrying. Girls like that: a man who offers them something so strong, so ready. So long, and lacking for nothing but the right place to shove it in, over and over and over."

  Aeley dropped her gaze to his groin, pleased to have been right about the arousal. Would the rest of him be convinced by her act? She sucked on her bottom lip and ran her hand down her chest, tugging on the laces of her tunic. "It's been awhile since I had any man let me handle their weapon," she murmured, "which is a shame, because I can't help myself when I'm holding it. I love the ups and downs, the power of the thrust, and the heat of the moment when you give everything. The feeling of my hand wrapped around its hard shaft, flexing with anticipation."

  When he neared, she slipped her fingers inside her tunic and pulled on the skin above her left breast. "It's such a shame that you're on that side and I'm on this one. I guess I'll just have to enjoy you on my own."

  Aeley walked to the straw pile in the corner, her hands swinging with her hips. You can do this. You have his attention. Just get him inside and the rest will be easy. She sank into the straw and leaned on her side, propped up by her elbow.

  "I know you can't talk to me, but did they say anything about not enjoying me?" Aeley cupped one hand around her breast and bit her lip before drawing her hand down her body. With slow movements, she pulled her tunic upwards and pulled her fingers across the exposed skin. Licking her lips, she slipped her fingers inside her pants. The metal cuff raked down her groin, cold and weighted, as her fingers crept deeper. Her fingertip slid over her clit and she moaned, a soft sound followed by a louder moan when she rubbed harder. She thought about Lira and willed the wetness to come. Her fingers slid through her moistened lips and she drove one finger inside, throwing back her head.

  "Goddesses—oh—I'm so ready," she called between forced moans. "For you. I'm so—oh—oh—I need… yes… If only you could be inside me—so wet—"

  Keys clinked. Metal rattled. She heard a bolt slide back and the whine of the hinges. She opened her eyes and saw the guard come for her with a thirsty grin, his hands around the buckle of his belt.

  "Yes," she hissed. With a tug on her pants, she exposed the flesh of her groin and pressed deeper.

  She heard his belt hit the floor and his sword clatter. You're an idiot. You're going to deserve this. When the keys clanged, she almost laughed.

  Instead, she sat up and threw out her hand, her glistening fingers catching his attention.

  "Wait. Let me," Aeley said between laboured breaths, scrambling onto her knees. She reached for him and massaged the bulge in his pants. Nuzzling his arousal to elicit the moans from his lips and the small thrust of his hips, she curled her fingers into his pants and pulled down, revealing his swollen cock slowly.

  Without hesitation, she ran her fingertip down its length, pleased when he shuddered. With a glance upwards, she saw his eyes close. This is going to hurt, she thought and drew back.

  She thrust her head forward. Quick and hard with a jolt, she slammed her forehead into his cock. Before he could move away, she gripped his erection and tugged before twisting the assaulted skin.

  He howled and she jumped up. He covered his crushed sex and stumbled back. "You—"

  Aeley ran around him and flung the chain over his head. It looped around his throat and she pulled.

  The guard's hands flew up to his neck. His fingers curled around the chain. "Stop—" He struggled, his voice raspy. He choked for air.

  She twisted the chain and pulled. Pushing against the ground with all the force she could manage, she dragged him back. He reached around to slap her. Aeley
held on, giving the chain a hard yank to dig it into the lump in his throat. The metal links rubbed and scraped her hands. Ramming into him with her shoulder, she pulled hard at the same time.

  His struggle lessened. His hands weakened and his fingers unfurled, his gasps quiet.

  He slumped into her. She jumped back and let him crash to the floor.

  Aeley thrust her heel into his temple, satisfied when his eyes remained closed and his head swung to the other side without resistance. Dead or alive did not matter. She collected his sword and the keys. She ran without looking back.

  Clutching the chain to her chest, Aeley rushed up the stairs to the door. No boots, no armour. I'll have to make it work. She looped the keys to the belt and strapped it around her waist. Comparing the keys, she hoped the smaller one belonged to her shackles. When she jammed it into one cuff and turned, she was relieved to hear a small click as the cuff released. Shaking her scratched wrist, the cuff fell to the floor as she removed its counterpart.

  She opened the door slowly and peered through the crack. When she pulled the door further, she held her breath and listened. Silence.

  Slipping into the hall, Aeley pulled the sword from its scabbard and held it tight. She closed the door, hoping it would make her escape less obvious if anyone walked by. Pressed against the wall, she hurried ahead, light on her feet as she passed rooms and turned corners, searching for stairs to a level aboveground. The only advantage to being barefoot was that she made little sound. I'll take anything right now—

  Voices came towards her from down the hall.

  Aeley froze, then rushed quickly backwards. She slipped through the open door of one dark room and hid just beyond the threshold, out of sight. The voices grew louder, the words clear. Two guards, she surmised from the chatter. With one hand gripping the sword, she held her breath and waited. Please don't look. Please don't look. Please don't be going to check on me.

  The guards passed the room and continued down the hall, their voices fading.

  There's at least two I have to worry about, she thought, and breathed out. When she found no one else in the hall, Aeley hurried forward. There has got to be stairs here somewhere! How could they possibly go without… wait.

  Around the corner, Aeley recognized the silhouette of a long staircase. If this place is anything like home, the main floor's on the other side of that door. Running up to the door, she pushed and expected light to blind her.

  A cool darkness dotted with yellow light greeted her. Not more cells! Aeley squinted, the frame of a window entering her sight, followed by another, and then another. It was night, she realized, while she listened for movement. Hearing nothing, she forged ahead, staying close to the walls. She glanced at the marble floor, smooth under her scraped feet, and white like the pillars lining the corridor. Colourful tapestries hung from the ceiling and touched the floor, waving as she passed.

  A white light stole her attention. Staring out the windows, she recognized the moon, shining between two clouds before disappearing behind them again. If she were not trying to escape, she would have stopped to appreciate the apparent beauty of the estate.

  I need a way out. Any way out. I'll take any door.

  She heard more voices. Boots scuffed the floor. Goddesses! Can't You give me a chance?, Aeley wanted to yell, as she slid behind one of the tapestries and waited.

  "She should be down here," a woman's voice said. "There's no other place to hold her."

  "Except a bedroom," a familiar man's voice answered with a grunt.

  "Please don't. Just—let's keep going," the woman responded, flustered.

  Mayr? Lira? Aeley hoped, trying not to jump out.

  "And you're sure there's not many guards to worry about? I'm not getting killed for this," a second man said, his annoyed tone easy to recognize.

  Gren. After taking a breath, Aeley stepped out. "Looking for someone?"

  The group stopped. Lira fell back into Mayr.

  "How did you—where did—how?" Lira stammered.

  "I really don't want to talk about it," Aeley answered sharply. Talking to Lira was not easy, not with her thoughts full of doubt. Her head was crammed with conflicting thoughts and she ached everywhere, even more since strangling the guard. She had more questions than answers. "Thank the Four you're here," she told Mayr, grabbing his wrist. "Can't tell you how happy I am to see you. How did you find me? I didn't think anyone knew."

  Mayr pointed at Gren. "He figured it out."

  "I found out they were visiting Allon," Gren explained, gesturing behind him with one of his swords. "I came back as soon as I could, but you weren't there. Then we heard your carriage was ransacked and you were gone. Figured you were here, so we came to rescue you." He stared at her bare feet and one of his brows rose. "But apparently we're late."

  "He said it was my brothers and I just couldn't belie—"

  "We need to get out of here," Aeley interrupted, pointing up the hall.

  Mayr looked confused as he glanced at Aeley, and then Lira. "Yeah, I know. So let's go back the way we came."

  Lira frowned. "We came in through the kitch—"

  "Fine. Let's get going." Aeley brushed past Lira and Mayr to follow Gren's hurried lead through the hall. "Where are they? I don't know when they saw me. I don't know how long I've been gone."

  "The day. And they're probably still boasting about Ryler's escape," Gren replied.

  Behind her, Aeley heard Lira whisper, "What did I do?"

  "I don't know," Mayr whispered back.

  There was no time to explain. "We need to be careful," Aeley said, turning the corner. "They could be—"

  "At home, listening to people who really shouldn't be here."

  Aeley stopped and almost bumped into Gren. Ahead, Ryler and Emon stood with two of their guards, swords drawn. With slow movements, Gren withdrew his second sword from the scabbard on his back.

  "Emon! Don't do anything stupid!" Lira yelled and rushed to Aeley's side. Mayr pulled her back, shushing her when she struggled to get away.

  "What? Like you?" Ryler laughed. "Or how about you, Aeley? You should've just taken the deal. But no, you had to mess it all up and run off. Now we have to fight, and it could get messy."

  "Fortunately for you, we can't afford to keep so many guards, nothing like the illustrious Dahe Stewards." Emon sneered. "Otherwise, you'd have been caught and beaten down already."

  "This isn't helping anyone!" Lira shouted.

  "Would someone get her out of here?" Emon stepped forward, his sword held level before him.

  The two guards moved. Gren leapt towards them, catching their swords with both of his own and forcing the men back.

  "That leaves you for me and your pet for Ryler," Emon said. He rushed forward, swinging his sword high.

  Aeley blocked Emon's sword when it came down. From the corner of her eye, she saw a blur of colour as Mayr threw Lira aside and intercepted Ryler's attack.

  Before Emon could fall back, Aeley struck low, snarling when Emon's sword stopped hers. Seeing his shoulders tense, she fell back and readied herself for his next attempt. When he shuffled forward and lunged again, she hit back hard, making him back away with each thrust.

  "This will not end well," she yelled at him. "Don't make this worse. Just stop now."

  "No!" he yelled.

  She lunged. Their blades crossed. Twisting his hand, he pulled her into him. His free hand gripped her hair and tugged.

  "Lira!" she heard Mayr yell. Aeley peered over Emon's shoulder.

  Emon laughed and yanked her head back. Aeley shrieked and tried to hit him with her free hand. Ramming his sword against hers and into her chest, he knocked the breath from her. Her sword skidded across the floor. With one hard thrust, he pushed her to the ground. "Not so smart!" he shouted and stood above her, the tip of his sword at her throat.

  Aeley stared up the blade, waiting for him to drive it into her.

  "Now I've got you," Emon said with a growl. "Right where—"


  Emon stopped. His mouth fell open and he blinked. Tearing his gaze from hers, he turned.

  Wedged deep in his back was a knife, glinting in the torchlight.

  Beyond him, Lira stood with wide eyes and both hands covering her mouth.

  Gren rushed up behind Emon and struck his lower back with the butt of a sword, making him fall over. "You're done. Time for you to join your friend," he muttered, digging his heel into Emon's neck.

  "You're so stupid, Lira!" Ryler yelled. Pinned to the ground by Mayr, he lay on his stomach, his face squished into the floor. He struggled to free his hands from Mayr's grip. "You messed up everything! We were doing fine until you came along. Couldn't keep to yourself, could you?"

  "I didn't do anything!" Lira protested.

  "You got in the way!" Ryler yelled. "Now you've thrown a knife in his back. I told Emon we should've gotten rid of you first."

  "What?" Lira whispered. "As in kill me?"

  "You weren't supposed to get involved," Emon answered. He squirmed under Gren's weight sitting on his back. "Then Allon said he saw you with Aeley… said something was going on. When we saw you at the meeting and how… friendly you were, we couldn't let you get her. We were coming for you next."

  Aeley scrambled to stand. She resisted the urge not to crush Emon by stomping on him, especially his head. They lied—and I believed it enough to treat her badly, even if just for a short while. But if I tell her, it could make it worse. She'll just get mad that I'd believe it of her at all.

  Staring at Lira, she wished she could apologize. Lira deserved better than suspicion. She certainly needed more than someone who doubted her motives. After everything, would she be forgiving?

  The shock on Lira's face worried Aeley.

  "Now what?" Gren's voice broke through her thoughts.

  Aeley glanced at each face, noticing for the first time that the two guards lay on the ground, unconscious or dead. Should she have expected less?