Chapter 13
A
fter watching Jayce disappear into the ship, Azahara redirected her attention to the crew that had forcibly separated her from him. Alyse, leading the charge, had practically threatened to have Xol physically hoist her onto her shoulder and carry her along if she resisted.
Azahara needed no further persuasion. Though she longed to linger and converse with Jayce, they had ample time for that.
It was evident to both of them that he had no immediate plans to depart, and they still had at least twenty more days at sea before reaching Ilkiz.
She didn’t just want to know more about him; it was an insatiable need.
Jayce remained a tantalizing enigma, and she was determined to unravel every facet during their time together.
Considering everything, she had a wonderful time with the crew, especially Tessa.
They formed a close bond quite quickly, and Tessa reminded her a lot of Skyy, just with less attitude.
Azahara had pleaded with Tessa not to let her purchase anything and to claim that Tessa had bought it for her if she found something.
They both shared a laugh, knowing that, ultimately, it would ruin Jayce if he lost.
Théodore, Alyse, and Xol formed a group, searching for a better ale at Azahara’s request. Meanwhile, Lucala, Carmen, and Zayne were stationed at the food stand, indulging in what appeared to be sweets.
Zephyra, Darian, Tillin, and Yelena ventured further into town, spending their coins on more opulent clothing and goods.
Azahara and Tessa shared similar tastes, favoring secondhand items over newer, flashier ones.
“Do you think he’ll like this one?” Tessa confided in Azahara, revealing her crush on Zayne and their past nights of enjoyment, which had never gone beyond that. Azahara assured her she wasn’t an expert on love or relationships but offered her ears to listen.
“It’s beautiful,” Azahara remarked, gently tugging at the delicate lace shreds that left nothing to the imagination. “I’d like it.”
Tessa smiled at her, “So, you like both men and women? Like Alyse?”
A small chuckle escaped her lips, “Not so linear; I enjoy everyone. If I’m attracted to them, then I pounce.” She playfully jumped at Tessa, causing her to gasp and grab at her chest for support. They both let out a hearty laugh.
“What about you and Jayce? Is that a thing?” Tessa asked sheepishly.
“I’m not really in the market,” Azahara said, picking up a piece of lingerie. She knew it was something she would typically purchase but instantly put it down to avoid temptation. “I recently lost the love of my life, and while Jayce is kind, caring, and beyond gorgeous—”
“Devastatingly. Dear lord, what does he eat?!”
“Right?” They groaned simultaneously.
“Though, I could say the same about you, Azahara. Whoever it was that blessed you must have favored you.” Tessa placed the outfit back on the table and walked alongside her.
“I wouldn’t say I’m blessed, but thank you,” she sighed.
Azahara wouldn’t openly admit it, but whenever someone commented on her luck or being “blessed” in the looks department, she wondered if they realized it was equally a curse.
She might never have become an obsession if she had been the ugly duckling.
She’d just be an ordinary, run-of-the-mill human.
Sensing her compliment didn’t have the effect she wanted, Tessa aimlessly picked up an item from the table.
She continued, “The only reason I ask about Jayce,” she cleared her throat, “is because... well, the way that he looks at you,” her tone sheepish, peering over at Azahara, who was beginning to blush.
“I wish someone would look at me like that.”
Taking a breath of air through her nose, Azahara looked at the Neptune. The high cliffs of Itotaki granted a stunning view of the docks.
“I’d be lying if I say I didn’t love the way he looks at me,” she confessed.
“And the way he protects you, by the goddess, what I wouldn’t give for someone to be possessive over me like that,” Tessa cooed.
Safe and happy… She drew in a sharp breath.
“I cannot tell the future, but I do know that there is someone that lives for nothing more than to keep you safe and happy. Above all else.” When she woke that morning, she remembered that Death had said those words.
Was Jayce that someone Death was speaking of?
“That is all I want for you. To be safe and happy.” Those were his exact words.
Needing to extricate herself from her overthinking mind, she shook her head.
“Yeah, doesn’t make him any less overbearing at times though.
” Some would likely say the same about her.
He remained extraordinarily patient, which continued to raise the question: Why?
Was it truly because all he wanted to do was make her happy?
To keep her safe? How… why… I just… I just want to understand.
Tessa chuckled. “Most men are, let’s be honest.”
That made her laugh; Tessa wasn’t wrong.
“And,” Tessa put her arm around her and drew out the word, “I’m sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine.” She placed her hand on Azahara’s, smiling at her.
She was getting ready to tell her about Kaed, because while Jayce was incredible, so was he. That one day, a delusional part of herself hoped that he, too, could sail on the Neptune with everyone. She knew that Tessa would like him.
Amidst the bustling market, a voice reverberated around them, carrying a sense of dread. “I can’t imagine either,” it said.
It was an unimaginable feeling, the fear that immediately took over her. Rolling bumps began at the back of her neck and ran to her toes, as when she turned to see him physically standing before her, she nearly threw up.
“Holy smokes, speaking of painstakingly beautiful men—” Standing there, with a disgusting smirk across his face, was the being of her nightmares.
As he took a step toward them, he utterly overwhelmed her senses.
His sharp features were a stark reminder of how deadly he was to her, causing her body to tremble.
“Tessa, get behind me.” Azahara placed a hand on Tessa, guiding her to stand behind her.
“Goddrick...” The name on her tongue made her nauseous.
He rolled his eyes back, visibly reveling in hearing it come from her tongue.
His sharp jawline was set, and as he smiled at her, those slanted crimson eyes devoured any strength she had, rendering her utterly powerless.
“This feels like déjà vu, wouldn’t you say? Or, at least, in your mind. We both have different memories of the day you came to me.” Her breath was shallow, and she could feel Tessa trembling as she clutched her dress.
It was highly unusual for Goddrick to appear with an audience, which made her fear all the more palpable.
He moved closer, and she extended her hand towards him while stepping herself and Tessa backward.
Her skin began to glow, illuminating the space around them, the shoppers started to part.
“Back off.” Her shoulders angled towards him as if she were prepared to fight a god. “What do you want?”
A snarl contorted his face, devoid of any smile but filled with pure anger. “I’m collecting what is mine.”
In a whirlwind of events, he surged towards her, seizing her wrist in a tight grip. Then came the explosion. Azahara barely had a moment to turn, witnessing Tessa’s body disintegrate right before her horrified eyes.
The realization that the encroaching darkness had extended close enough to ensnare Tessa, and just as she had done to Thall, her body was obliterated.
“No! Tessa!!” Her scream was so piercing that it caught in her throat.
It caused the ground to shatter, and fragments of it to lift as though gravity had been removed.
Anger and pain, much like that fateful day, consumed her, setting off another explosion that unleashed a shockwave of raw power cascading across the entire port. The island quaked, causing the buildings to tremble and the cliffs to topple, sending them plummeting into the sea below.
Goddrick’s laughter reverberated in her mind, and it was the last thing she heard before darkness completely enveloped her.
When Azahara awoke, there was no light, and she had to blink several times to confirm that her eyes were indeed open.
It felt like she was blindfolded, though nothing obstructed her sight.
It wasn’t just her vision that had been stripped away, but all her other senses as well.
There was no scent, no sensation of hot or cold, and she couldn’t perceive anything beyond the hard metal encircling her wrists.
Her bare feet shuffled on the solid floor beneath her, and even though she couldn’t feel the sensation, she knew she was standing. She jerked her shoulders, attempting to free her arms from above her head. Still, she couldn’t discern whether she was pulling or just flailing around.
When she looked down at herself, it was as though she were a light in an abyss of darkness. The dress she had been wearing was gone, and her naked, bare body was exposed. Although there was no vibrating sensation, she could see her skin trembling.
Tessa… Seeing her beautiful face turn to ash in mere seconds sent pain straight through her body.
The tightening around her lungs threatened to suffocate her, and she tried to kneel, but the chains that gripped her wrist had no give.
Did I do that to you? No, I would never have. I would have never hurt you like that.
Tears streamed down her face, yet the numbness in her body offered no confirmation of their presence. As they fell and hit the floor, there was no sound of splashing or sobs in the void she stood in.
“Help...” No audible sound emerged from her throat despite her efforts to vocalize. Struggling to figure out how to speak, she tried again, and again, and again, but silence was all that met her attempts.