One week later, Azrael and Kazi were wrapped together in bed, and Kazi let out a heavy sigh as she nestled further into the warm embrace beside her. Azrael, always aware of her moods, moved slightly. "What is bothering you, my love?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep.
Kazi turned to face him with a cheeky frown on her brow. "Azrael," she said nervously, "My chambers received an unusual message this morning."
Azrael, intrigued, raised his eyebrows. "Unusual? Do tell."
"Apparently," Kazi continued, her voice tinged with annoyance, "your mother has decided to sign me up for a... 'Married Women's Council.'" She air-quoted the last two words with distaste. "She seems to think that it would be good for me to meet other women in the palace and learn about my 'wifely duties' or some such nonsense."
Azrael held back a laugh. "Married Women's Council? What on earth for?" he asked, sitting up in bed, pulling the sheets with him.
"There is more," Kazi said, a malicious gleam in her eyes. "The message specifies a meeting in a few weeks where they will... discuss things and offer assistance with married life."
Azrael broke out laughing, throwing his head back and letting out a boisterous guffaw. "I cannot believe she would do that," he chuckled, wiping tears from his eyes. "I can only imagine your reaction to such... guidance."
Kazi pouted playfully. "It is not funny, Azrael. Apparently, the purpose is to offer advice and support to newly married women. And while I appreciate the sentiment," she said, her voice turning serious, "one, I do not need their advice on how to be a wife, and two..."
She hesitated, then leaned in conspiratorially. "One of my soldiers discreetly informed me that everything discussed at these meetings gets reported back to... your mother."
Azrael's smile faltered. "Reported back? That is... odd. I did not realize she was so invested in my life." He paused, then reached out to brush a lock of hair from Kazi's face.
Kazi shrugged. "Let's just say, I do not want to upset your mother. I am actually quite fond of her."
Azrael gazed at her, amused and concerned. "You are a remarkable woman, Kazi. Here you are, concerned about making problems for my mother, but she is the one interfering in our lives."
Kazi grinned and squeezed his hand. "It is the thought that counts." she remarked. But a note of seriousness crept back into her voice. "On a more pressing note, duty calls. Some of our missing men from the trade ship..."
Her speech drifted off, and Azrael noticed a hard look replacing the joyful spark in her eyes. "Have you found something?" he asked gently, reaching out to touch her cheek.
"Indeed," Kazi said, pushing back the covers with a determined glare. "After a thorough search of Lady Layil's rather... compromising chambers, my men found hidden information. Seems some of our missing soldiers were kidnapped. I have an army to brief and plans to make."
Azrael watched her rise, a surge of pride swelling within him. Kazi, his warrior wife, his companion, was a force to be reckoned with.
"A wonderful person indeed," he murmured, reaching out to pull her close for a quick kiss before she left. "And a brilliant general. Now go out there and save the day, my love. And remember, you have a very eager... assistant waiting for you when you return."
Kazi glanced back, bringing a light-hearted smile back to her face. "Do not worry, Azrael," she reassured. "I will be back before you know it."
With that, she walked into the bathing chamber, leaving Azrael to contemplate the upcoming council meeting with mix of amusement and worry for whoever dared to try and "advise" his fierce 'companion'.
Sunlight rushed through the windows, waking Kazi up
Sunlight rushed through the windows, waking Kazi up. She stretched and yawned, then glanced over at Azrael's side...which was empty. A tiny frown formed on her brow.
But then, a delightful aroma tickled her nose. The smell of eggs in stark contrast to the normal scent of expensive perfumes that lingered throughout the estate. Curiosity piqued, Kazi put on a robe and walked outside her chambers.
The sound of clanging pots and mumbled obscenities led her to the source — the kitchen. Kazi nearly dropped his jaw when he saw in the doorway. Azrael stood there, wearing an apron, his back turned as he expertly flipped eggs over in a sizzling pan.
The maids scurried around him, their faces a mixture of amusement and nervous anticipation.
"Azrael?" Kazi's voice, soft with amusement, caught him off guard. Azrael spun around, and the egg almost flew out of the pan. When he saw her, relief washed over his face. "Kazi!" he said, a sheepish grin replacing his frown. "Good morning, beautiful."
Kazi, unable to contain her laughter, crossed the room and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, burying her face in his back. The maids, taking this as their cue, hurriedly scurried out of the kitchen, leaving the couple alone.
"What in the world are you doing?" Kazi asked, her voice muffled against his back.
"Making you breakfast, of course," Azrael replied, his voice warm and affectionate. "What better way to start the day than with a delicious meal prepared by your loving husband?"
"A loving husband who shouldn't be anywhere near a kitchen, if the state of this egg is anything to go by," Kazi replied with a giggle, giving him a squeeze before pulling back.
Azrael peeked down at the slightly lopsided egg. "Alright," he admitted, "maybe I need a bit more practice. But the sentiment stays."
He carefully plated the breakfast, setting it on the table with a flourish. "There you are my love. A small token of my appreciation for all that you do." Regardless of the presentation, the food smelled delicious.
Kazi took a tentative mouthful of the breakfast and closed her eyes in delight. The eggs were perfectly cooked, the potatoes crispy on the outside and fluffy within.
"See?" Azrael replied smugly, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. "I told you I was a good cook."
Kazi, unable to resist taunting him, swatted his arm. "A good cook," she admitted, "but a terrible breakfast artist."
Azrael laughed and pulled her in for a brief kiss. "Perhaps," he whispered against her lips, "but a very skilled husband when it comes to... other matters."
Kazi blushed, a cheeky smile on her lips. "Do not get ahead of yourself, Azrael. Although I have to admit," she said, her voice lowering to a whisper, "the thought of you helping me out of a particularly restrictive gown later is an enticing prospect."
Azrael's eyes grew dark with longing. "Later, Kazi," he said, his voice thick from eagerness. "But for now," he gestured towards the breakfast table, "do not you have a... council meeting to prepare for?"
Kazi groaned dramatically, her smile fading slightly. "Oh, right. That dreadful council." She sighed dramatically. "There goes my morning. Apparently, I need to go shopping for another one of those... obnoxious, gigantic gowns."
Azrael chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Perhaps," he suggested, "when you return, we can have a private meeting of our own. Just the two of us. Away from the prying eyes and ears of the court. We can discuss matters of state in... greater detail."
Kazi smacked him on the arm again, but her eyes shone with amusement. "Azrael, you are incorrigible. But I would not want you any other way."