(Azriel Pov)
I looked at the Duke in shock, what was he trying to say.
He kept his hand out with the proffered kerchief and said, "Azriel, I need to see the real you. I don't need you to dress like some courtly woman. Keep that for when you are presented at the court to Ishatar."
I quietly took the kerchief and wiped my face clean. Even though the Duke had hurt my feelings, he was right. I had felt very conscious with all that gunk on my face. I wiped it off and silently handed him his kerchief back.
He smiled at me and said, "Azriel, there is much to do and talk about, but I also realize that you are alone and bereft. I suggest you enjoy this journey till we reach Irismus. It will take us at least a week to reach the capital city, and I want you to find some peace till then."
"How do you propose that?" I asked him curiously. I had never seen this kind side to the Duke. He was not that bad maybe? I looked at him in wonder.
"Well, for one Azriel, I suggest we tell each other our stories, however simple and small. For the other, I also think I should tell you as much as I know about the history of Irismus and all its brethren, its rules and its people. That way you will understand a little more about our world."
I was entranced, once the Duke began to speak, his voice was soft and melodious. Sitting here with me right now, I felt him relaxed and he looked much younger somehow. I was curious to know as much as possible about him, but before that I wanted to know why Ashmeer did what he did. So at the risk of annoying him, I asked, "Ashdeer....I was wondering if you could tell me more about your half-brother. I mean, why did Ashmeer do what he did?"
He sat back in silence and then said, "I think I know a bit of the answer but what I tell you, you may not like. Yet, I believe you deserve to know the truth if anyone does."
He sat back in the carriage, sighed and began, "As you know Ashmeer and I are half brothers, but there is something you don't know. Ashmeer is not really my father's son as well."
I reeled in shock, "What?"
He smiled and said, "Well. Yes, quite a shock is it not? My father felt the same way, but he never dared to expose the truth to anyone but me. That too, on his deathbed. Actually, my mother died when I was very young, and my father decided to marry again. As with all alliances, he decided to marry the daughter of one of the chieftains of the Koshi clan up in the mountains. However, the chieftain's daughters had run away from the village, so they offered to him, the daughter of the second in command. She was very beautiful and father fell in love with her very soon. What he didn't know was that she had a demon lover from the Blight, and had already become pregnant with his child. The demon helped her hide her pregnancy for a few months after the wedding. Demon's breed differently from us, so she was able to hide this fact from father and even all the women at father's palace were unaware of it. Finally when she gave birth, the child was human, but carried his father's mark on his cheek."
"The scar...." I murmured softly.
"Yes, the scar. The Koshi clan has always had the right of way with the birds, Azriel. Their people can transform to mythical bird like creatures, including it is rumoured the Silver Phoenix."
I kept quiet, I didn't dare tell the Duke what I really was, so I said nothing.
Instead, I nodded. "Well," he said. "Father was devastated but he didn't dare to tell anyone by then. It would have been too much for the world to know that the mighty Duke of Irimus had been gulled by a demon, and his wife carried his child. So he adopted Ashmeer, and brought him like his own son. Now that both our parents are gone, Ashmeer has begun to feel a greater pull towards the demon side. He is a very strong magical creature, but unfortunately, the lure of evil is pulling him away all the time. I tried very hard to educate him and bring him up in our human ways, but I am not sure how much of influence I hold with him."
I sat there in stunned silence. It had explained a lot to me of Ashmeer's true nature and his own split personality. Warm and loving and human one minute and then hard and cold and demonic the other.
"Do you think he will return?"
"Yes, Azriel, of course he will return. Your blood ceremony has bound you to him, unfortunately. Much as I was keen to prevent it. By the time, I sensed your true nature, it was too late, the offer had been made. I tried to stop the betrothal to save you from being bound to him, but I couldn't. I was weak and I hesitated when I should have taken action sooner.
"How will the blood affect me?" I asked in curiosity.
"I don't know that yet. I believe it binds you two together in some way Azriel. I intend to go back to Irismus and study the bond and see how we can break it."
I nodded, worried about my future now. Ashmeer was still alive, that I was sure of. His blood still coursed through my veins and it was warm, not cold. If I shut my eyes, I sensed him, very far off, but I did."
"One more thing," the Duke said quietly, not quite looking at me. "The blood bond can be further cemented by the body bond. Did you and Ashmeer at any point.....?"
I didn't know what to say. Shame coursed through my veins, and my cheeks were red. I had to be brave and answer him, "Yes, once!"
He sighed and shook his head, "Makes my work all the more difficult Azriel.....but were you careful about.?"
"Yes" I answered, a bit abruptly. "yes!"
"Thank god, for small mercies." He declared and was quiet till we broke our journey for the day at a respectable inn.