Page 60 of Redeeming the Angel

“Thank you, Queen Mother.I am grateful for your mercy and wisdom.”

Don’t thank me yet, I thought.

Sure enough, Zareth’s forgiveness and my mercy would be difficult to bestow once I learned that the treason the already executed Lord Cregan had committed had aided Mephistopheles on his attack on Wurrakiasix monthsago.

“When did you learn of this betrayal?”I demanded.

Something in my eyes must have revealed my rage, for he cowered.“A month after the attack!But I still had to allow time for an inquest and fair trial.Cregan Goshawk was one of my strongest allies.His daughter was betrothed to my son, for fates’ sake!”

“Hmmm.”I wanted to rail at him for withholding information that could have helped prevent future attacks.For executing this Lord before finding out how he’d contacted the Evil One and just what aid he’d given that enabled the attack, but it was best to leave that up to Zareth.“And what of the girl?”

“Though the inquest found her innocent of the conspiracy, her reputation is still tainted as a traitor’s daughter, therefore I cannot wed her to my son.”At my sharp look he flinched and rushed on in a placating tone.“But I’ve made her my ward and will arrange a suitable marriage for her so she may regain her honor.”

I shuddered inwardly at the mention of arranged marriages.They almost always did more harm than good.However, Wurrakia was rather backward when it came to gender roles and, for the most part, a woman needed to be married to be able to have respect, status, and assets.There had also been a few advances from the last time I’d been here, such as women being able to become knights, men being allowed to become healer mages, and, most recently, same sex marriage being permitted.

Still, I wanted to make sure this girl would be as safe as I could.“Does she have the option to join the Mothers and Sisters of Medicine?”

“Of course!”Aylmer said far too quickly for comfort.“That was the first choice she was given!”

I nodded, realizing something.The Mothers and Sisters were a sect of healers so dedicated to their work that they forsook marriage and many worldly goods, such as lands and manors.Instead living in communal campuses attached to their hospitals.Normally, if a woman or girldidown property, it was given to the sect to generate income for their living expenses and hospitals.But in this situation…

“I assume you seized her father’s lands and assets?”

Aylmer crossed his arms over his chest.“That is my right as ruler here.”

“Of course,” I waved my hand in a placating gesture.“I was only wondering whether the girl’s hand will go to a knight you wish to reward or if you’ll have to command a reluctant one to take her.”

The Wurrak lord’s eyes narrowed.“And what business is it of yours?”

I maintained a diplomatic smile.“Very little, so long as you select a man who she can truly be safe with.One who could protect her.I imagine with her father’s crimes, many people unfairly blame her and are inclined to be cruel to her.”

“So youdounderstand how delicate this situation is.”Aylmer rubbed the bridge of his nose.“And with her having been betrothed to my heir, my people are even more outraged that she’s a traitor’s daughter…however, I cannot fob her off on a loutish commoner, as that would reflect poorly on my choosing her for Gerard before we learned of her father’s crimes.”

“Ah.”Why did so many people insist on blaming a person for someone else’s wrongdoings?Sins of the father, the Christians on Earth named it.A phrase that came to mind after Lucian failed me.“So you must punish her, though not too much.”

“Exactly.”Aylmer nodded vigorously as if wanting me to praise him for this.“I wish the blasted chit would have accepted my offer to send her to the Mothers and Sisters.She would have gotten her blue robes back quickly and regained respect even sooner.”

As one who’d had her own taste of confinement, I felt I could understand this girl.And fates knew ithadto be miserable being under the same roof as her former betrothed.“May I meet her?”

Aylmer sighed.“Very well.”

Unfortunately, the young lady was out for her afternoon horseback ride.The last thing I wanted to do was deprive her of what little fresh air she was permitted.

“Perhaps another time,” I said, suddenly eager to leave this place.“I’m afraid I have many obligations at home.However, there is a chance that the king may wish to question her about what she knew of her father’s activities, so she’d best remain alive, healthy, and accessible.”

With that, I transported myself home.

The moment I stepped back in the tower, I sighed with relief.

Then groaned when I found Lucian and Gabriel down in the solar.

“I need yours and Lucian’s help with something,” he said moments after Zareth let him and Lucian inside.“I designed a guitar for Sylvis, but I’m not the best person to build it.You’re better at woodworking than me, Lucian.And Kerainne, you can sculpt anything.”

Lucian agreed with an enthusiastic grin, eager to help a friend.I sighed in defeat and also promised my help.Sylvis was like a daughter to me and I knew she would love such a gift.Gabriel’s well-drawn out designs also activated my inner artist.

He’d already sanded and planed some gorgeous pieces of wood from a bloodwood tree, gathered Shellandrian steel strings, and collected iridescent shells from the island of Verdan, where the leprechauns lived.Lucian somehow talked his way into having us work on it at his house.

I soon found myself spending many hours alone with him in the same room while Lucian carved the neck and body pieces out of the blood wood and I carved frets, bridge saddle, pegs, and tuning knobs out of the shells.

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