Lyanna was exhausted when she woke up the next morning. She'd fallen asleep at her desk, reading books during the early morning hours.
Her neck and back were stiff. Books were lying open on the desk. Her head was aching, and her eyes felt gritty.
A folded piece of paper on the desk caught her attention. It was sealed with red wax bearing the Thornfield crest. It wasn't there when she was reading.
She broke the seal and unfolded it.
You have to attend a council meeting with me in the evening. Wear the gray gown.
Just an order.
She crumpled the note in her fist angrily. He couldn't even bother to address her properly, just giving her orders like she was a servant.
A knock at the door made her look up.
"Come in."
Clara entered carrying the breakfast tray.
"Good morning, my lady. I hope you slept well."
The question nearly made Lyanna laugh.
"I slept maybe for three hours at my desk."
"His Majesty expected that." Clara put down the tray on the small table near the fireplace. "He said you'll have a light schedule today. Breakfast, then rest until he returns from his council meeting in the afternoon. Your lessons with Lord Adrian and Lady Helena had been postponed."
"How generous of him. When will the meeting end?"
"I'm not sure, my lady. Council meetings can run for hours when there's important business to discuss." Clara walked towards the wardrobe, pulling out the gray day dress Azrael had mentioned in his note. "But he was very clear that you're to wear this and stay in your chambers until he sends a message for you."
Stay in your chambers. Like a prisoner.
"I understand." Lyanna replied in a neutral tone as she walked to the table and sat down.
The breakfast was simple but well-prepared. Clara helped her dress after breakfast, pulling the gray gown over her chemise and lacing up the back. The dress was beautiful but the colour was dull.
Appropriate for a prisoner, I guess.
"Is there anything else I can help you with, my lady?"
"Can you bring me more books? Something like poetry or…"
"I'm sorry, my lady." Clara's face fell. "His Majesty has instructed us not to bring additional items into your chambers without his permission. He wants you to rest and reflect today."
"Reflect on what?" She asked.
Clara had no answer.
"If that's all, then I'll take my leave, my lady."
After Clara left, Lyanna stood in the centre of her beautiful prison and looked around. The room was spacious and luxurious, but it was her prison.
Hours passed but Lyanna had nothing to do. She tried to read Helena's books but couldn't concentrate. She paced in the room instead, walking from window to door to fireplace and back again.
By midday, she wanted to scream from boredom and frustration.
This is deliberate. Azrael wants me to show that I can't even walk without his permission.
She tried to open the door, despite knowing it was locked.
"Hello?" She called out. "Is anyone there?"
A guard replied through the door.
"My lady?"
"I want to go to the library or the garden. Anywhere other than this room."
"I'm sorry, my lady. His Majesty's orders were very clear. You've to stay in your chambers until he returns."
"When will he return?"
"I can't say, my lady."
Lyanna pressed her forehead on the door, fighting the urge to pound on it like a child throwing a tantrum. But that's probably what he wanted, to prove she was weak and spoiled.
She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. She began pacing again. She didn't know how much time had passed, when she heard the sound of the lock clicking.
Azrael entered inside looking completely unbothered.
"Good afternoon. I hope you rested well in the morning."
Something in her snapped.
"Rested?" She shot back. "You locked me in here like a prisoner! I've been pacing in this room for hours with nothing to do, no one to talk to. This is…"
"This is your life now." He interrupted her calmly, closing the door. "Get used to it."
"I'm your fiancée, not your prisoner!"
He laughed.
"You're both. Did you think agreeing to marry me meant you'd have freedom? You're here because I allow it. You breathe because I permit it."
"That's not a marriage…that's slavery!" Lyanna's hands clenched into fists.
"Call it what you like. It won't change anything." He stepped closer. "You seem agitated. Perhaps confinement doesn't suit you?"
"No, it doesn't! Because I'm not a doll to be kept on a shelf!" She shouted. "I need a purpose, something to do besides sit in this room waiting for you to decide what I'm allowed to do!"
"You have a purpose. Your purpose is to become my wife, which requires discipline and patience. And these two qualities you clearly lack."
"I have both! But I can't…"
"Lower your voice." He ordered. "You're speaking to your king, soon to be your husband. You need to show proper respect."
"Respect?" Lyanna laughed bitterly. "You want respect while you treat me like property? You're a monster. You're cruel and controlling and…"
Then suddenly he was right in front of her, using his vampire speed. His hand gripped her arm, not hurting her, but it was firm.
"Careful." He murmured. "You're testing my limits."
"What will you do?" She snapped back. "Kill me? But then you won't be able to take your revenge. Lock me up? You've already done that. Tell me, Your Majesty, what other punishments you have planned for me?"
"You really want to know?" He whispered.
Lyanna instead of answering, grabbed the nearest object, a vase, and threw it at him. But he caught it easily.
For a moment, they just stared at each other. Lyanna's chest heaved with anger, and fear while Azrael was expressionless.
Then suddenly, her back was against the wall, and his hand was holding her throat to show he could crush her if he chose.
"Throw things at me again, and I'll chain you to that bed. Is that what you want?"
Lyanna stared into his eyes. His hand was at her throat. She was terrified. But she was also furious. She spat in his face.
The shock on his expression would have been comical in any other situation. No one had dared do that to him in centuries.
Time stopped. Azrael stepped back, wiping his face. When he looked at her again, he looked vicious.
"Well." His voice was soft, and dangerous. "I was going to let this tantrum pass with just a warning. But you've made your choice."
He turned towards the door, yanking it open. Two guards, immediately came running and stopped in front of him.
"She is confined to these chambers until further notice. There will be no visitors except Clara. She will be given nothing other than her meals. She wants to act like a rebellious child. She'll be treated like one.
If she tries to leave, you have permission to restrain her by whatever means necessary. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Azrael then turned back to Lyanna.
"You'll stay here until you learn obedience. It can be for a day, a week, or a month. It's completely up to you. When you're ready to apologize, send a message through Clara. Until then, enjoy your freedom."
He then left, closing the door.
She stood there frozen for a moment, then rushed to the door and tried to open it. But it was locked, of course.
She pressed her ear to the door and heard Azrael still giving orders.
"No one is allowed to enter except Clara with meals. If she screams, ignore it. She'll exhaust herself eventually. And if anyone tries to help her, they'll answer to me personally."
Then he was gone.