Page 132 of What Fury Brings
She knew she could do incredible things without magic.
She said, “I know my own worth, Auntie. I just don’t know if others will see it.”
“They do. You’re about to have everything. You rest now, and let me handle Glenaerys and Shaelwyn.”
Olerra shook her head. “I want to be at the trial.”
“Very well. We’ll have you brought in.”
“Thank you, Auntie. Now may I see him?”
“Of course. He’s outside. We fought over who would get to be here when you woke.”
“You mean you told him you would see me first and made him wait.”
“Yes, exactly.”
When Sanos was finally admitted into the healing quarters, he didn’t know what he would say to her. Gods, but he hated seeing her covered in gauze yet again.
He managed, “I really wish you would stop getting hurt for me.”
She shrugged, then grimaced at the pain. “With Brutus and Amarra joined, there should be few occasions for it. But if you’re asking me to stop fighting, the answer is no. I will always fight to protect those I care about.”
“And I’m part of that list?” he asked. There could be no doubt as to her feelings after what she’d done for him, but he wanted to hear her answer.
“You’re the first name on it.”
Sanos felt so out of his element. He didn’t know how to go about this. They were tiptoeing around the issue. Both of them speaking as though their marriage was a sure thing. Yet not asking the important questions.
He decided to be brave.
“You told me once that I should be honored to become your husband. You spoke with such confidence on the matter that I hated you instantly.”
She grinned.
“I hated you, and yet, I was enamored with you. You’re so fierce and protective. And then I came to learn about your softer side. The way you care for your people. Your fear at not being enough for Amarra. I love all the parts of you. I love how you’ve taken care of me. I want to take care of you, too. I want us to be equals.”
She patted the bed beside her, and Sanos sat.
“Lie down,” she said. “Hold me because I can’t hold you yet.”
He didn’t hesitate, placing his hands carefully where there wasn’t gauze and stroking her skin.
“We will be equals,” she declared. “We’ll find a way, even if we have to work at it every day. The moment I am recovered, I will show you how much you mean to me.”
He shivered at the words. “I look forward to it.”
The trial was held in the same room where Glen once tried to behead Olerra’s chosen. It seemed a fitting turn of events that her cousin would be forced to stand where Sanos once stood, looking around for aid where there was none.
No, her only ally, her mother, was by her side, covered in chains just as she was.
Olerra was healing well. She could walk now but not run. She couldn’t lift most things. Not even a shirt to pull over her head, but she wasn’t going to miss this.
Numerous allies of Glen came forward to speak on her character and all the things she’d done for the country. The spymaster spoke of instances where valuable information gathered by Glenaerys stopped assassination attempts on the queen. The treasurer spoke of how she improved the kingdom’s finances. But no matter how many people spoke well of her, the testimonies of those bringing the charges against her were damning.
They had found letters sent to the king of Brutus with Glen’s signature, stolen by Olerra’s spy. The king hadn’t bothered to burn them, likely because he lost nothing if his connection to Glen were found out.
The soldiers Glen had instructed to let Atalius’s troops into the city gave her up. It took hours of questioning, but it finally happened. And then came the testimonies of everyone on the battlements who had heard the king admit to Glen’s treason.
