Chapter 37

Aktis sat as if paralyzed, holding a roll of paper in her hand. She nervously unfolded it and read it again, even though its contents were familiar to her. She stood up and walked to the window, the huge courtyard was bustling with activity as usual. However, nothing was able to catch her attention for long, she was absent, lost in her own thoughts. She looked into space, trying to see the invisible. A man of medium height entered the room. He was well built with light, short curly hair thinning at the top of his head. Blue eyes were fixed on Aktis' figure.

"Have you read it?" She lifted the roll. "Some interesting news. So many years of absolute silence and suddenly he is getting married. And with whom? A girl from nowhere, an orphan, rich and very radical, judging by what our man in Emfer reports."

"We'll see, after all, an official letter with an invitation to the wedding arrived." Brandis tried to calm his lover down. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her towards him

"Yes - Aktis smiled crookedly - an invitation." 

She freed herself from his embrace with an agile movement. 

"I felt like she was plotting something, what kind of woman is she? We all know that he wasn't looking for women". She laughed bitterly "There's definitely something behind it."

"Or maybe he finally fell in love - Brandis decided to downplay the matter - let's not worry too much. Do you want to go to the wedding or not?"

"Do I want? - Aktis raised her voice - No, I don't want to, but I have to see her and find out everything! We are here and we live like a king and queen because I try to plan everything in advance. However, you can only plan when you know everything." She had a firm look on her face and pursed her lips tightly.

"I love it when you're so bossy." Brandis smiled and wanted to hug her again.

"Not now - Aktis pushed away the persistent admirer - instructions need to be given, the wedding is in two weeks. We have to prepare. The journey itself will take us three days. - she sighed - I don't like traveling such distances. Send out to book the best inns along the way."

Brandis nodded, he knew there was no point in arguing with her now. It will calm down by the evening, then there will be a chance for nicer conversations.

As soon as the door closed behind Brandis and his footsteps fell silent in the corridor, Aktis approached the box standing on the table by the window and pulled out a stuffed purse. Then she moved towards the huge fireplace. She stepped onto the extinguished and swept hearth, then pressed the convex stone just below the ledge. With a quiet creak, part of the fireplace moved away, revealing a dark corridor. Aktis went inside and closed the secret passage. She knew this route by heart, she didn't even need a candle. After a few steps, she saw light.

"Jefre! Jefre!" She shouted into space.

In the flickering light of the candles she saw the silhouette of a man. She moved quickly towards him. He stood there in the dimly lit secret room. Tall, broad-shouldered with muscles of steel. He had short blond hair, dark eyebrows, and unusually light eyes. There was a scar on his right eyebrow, but it did not disfigure his masculine face but added to its mystery. Jefre, flashing his teeth and smiling, approached her.

"I am at your service." He said in a low, hoarse voice that irresistibly made her want him. Aktis stroked her lover's hair, soft as velvet.

"I have a task for you." She said, looking him straight into those amazing eyes. 

 "You will go to Emfer and find out everything about Tendred's future wife."

"Should I kill her?" There was this nonchalant smile on his full lips.

"Not yet."

"All right." He said indifferently, then leaned down and pressed his lips firmly onto hers.

"Not now - she pushed him away, catching her breath - you have to hurry, the wedding is in two weeks. I want to know everything about her." She handed the purse to Jefra, who hid it and then bowed low.

"As you command, my Queen." After these words, he picked up his traveling bags, strapped on his sword and after giving her one last look, he took the other exit to fulfill her order. 

Aktis loved him, he was ruthless. He fulfilled her every wish immediately and without hesitation, and did not ask unnecessary questions. When she told him to get rid of her husband, he did so by faking an accident. She had to get rid of him after he wanted to send her away on charges of infertility. He had a bastard with another whore, so he felt entitled. She also ordered this whore and her son to be killed. Jefre completed this task without blinking an eye. She knew he won't let her down now either.

The road to Emfer led in a straight line through the Parsena River, then the Preton Lowland and then the northern slope of the Judgor massif. Jefre was riding fast, he calculated that at this pace he would be there in about a day and a half. He liked traveling at night and the thought of the task ahead of him made him excited. He needed a challenge, the action turned his whole world on. He liked to live hard to feel that he was really living. He was wondering who Tendred's wife is, it was always said that he preferred boys. 

The poor naive girl certainly doesn't know what she's getting herself into. He stopped several times for a short rest. He didn't need sleep, but the horse unfortunately had to rest, so he managed to reach Emfer at the scheduled time at first light. The guards were just opening the main gate and let the newcomer in without a word. Jefre went directly to the inn, the only one in this city. It was empty, so he would have to wait before he started to inquire about Tendred's wife.