Chapter 43 Azahara
Azahara
Illyan, as expected, provided confirmation that the camp had heard them, even though it was unnecessary.
As she woke the following morning and dressed, Illyan was ready to talk about the events at the training area. “I would have come to see you immediately, but I knew there would be shockwaves after that event.”
She should have felt embarrassed, even flustered, but instead, she only confirmed their accusations.
The first entanglement they had experienced had been full of passion and unrequited pent-up frustration, but the rest of the night was devoted to exploring their mutual comfort zones.
A few broken pieces of furniture and a looped belt around the pole in the middle of the room were the sole remnants of their night.
Kaed came from around the veil stead, a privacy fold he had tucked behind as Illyan walked in, as he was completely naked. Now dressed, he placed a kiss on Azahara’s forehead. “I’m going to catch up with my brethren. You going to be okay?”
Smiling up at him, she nodded and kissed his lips quickly.
“Yeah, I’m going to head over and tell the medical staff we are staying.
” She would also need to cancel the request for the cart and horse—no need at this point.
“Catch up tonight?” He leaned in and kissed her once more before nodding and walking past Illyan.
“Do I get a kiss?” They leaned towards Kaed, lips perked out.
“In your dreams.” Ducking away from the Fae’s advances, Kaed quickly made his exit.
“Such a heartbreaker,” Illyan commented, looking over at Azahara, who was shaking her head. “What?”
Following a brief exchange regarding the previous day, Illyan departed, leaving her to collect her bag and prepare for the day’s errands. Most of her time would be spent with Zhal, but she prioritized completing the necessary tasks before then.
Exiting her tent, she walked straight into someone’s back. “Oof—hey.” The cloth of the white cloak tangled in her arms as she tried to move freely away from them.
“Oh!” The person before her stepped away quickly.
When he turned to face her, she was met with an absolutely stunning, illegally good-looking man.
His dark brown, flawless skin seemed to glow, and his enchanting light pink eyes held a mysterious allure.
High cheekbones and a long-bridged nose with flared nostrils gave him an air of regal strength.
His hair, twisted into dreads and pulled into a high bun atop his head, added to his commanding presence.
He stood at least a foot taller than her, his frame broad and imposing.
Thick lips curved into a smile, revealing his white canines, a grin that promised trouble and charm in equal measure.
“My goodness, you’re beautiful.” She could appreciate true beauty when she saw it; this man was just that.
“You flatter me.” His cheeks rose as his smile widened. “I do not mean to be presumptuous, but you must be Azahara.” His head bowed slightly, and she was confused about why he was.
“That is I, and you are?”
“Karver. Officer of the White Cloaks, Karver Alexander Cross. If you please, Miss, you may call me Officer Cross or Karver.”
“No need to be so formal. Karver, it’s a pleasure.” She put her hands behind her back and turned to be on her way. “Have a wonderful day now.”
As she stepped into stride, Karver was at her side. “Oh, but actually,” he said. It caused her to stop walking. “I already know how this conversation is going to go, but—”
“Oh, no—” She shook her head and stepped away from him. “I didn’t mean to make you think I was—we could, no.”
The surprise on his face was palpable, and he let out a hearty laugh. “No, Miss, you are quite beautiful, as he said you would be, but I believe we play for the same team.”
She had to think about that for a moment, and as it dawned on her, heat rose to her cheeks.
“Oh.” Her voice was a mere whisper. That was a gross assumption on his part. She technically played for every team.
Wait, what did he mean by he?
“As I was saying, I know how this conversation will go, but it is as commanded.” He placed his hand on his hip, tossing back the long white cloak that draped down to the ground. “Commander Latimer has assigned me to guard over you throughout the—”
“Commander Latimer?” The name was familiar, but why couldn’t she place it?
“Um.” He laughed nervously. “Jayce Latimer.”
Azahara turned from him and began walking away.
Rushing beside her, Karver walked in stride with her. “This is exactly how he expected you to react.”
“I don’t care. Tell him I don’t need a babysitter.”
“He said you’d say that too—” he said under his breath, catching her side-eye; he cleared his throat. “After what happened yesterday, there is a lot of heat on you right now.”
“Did you see what happened yesterday? Did he?!” She threw her hands up, exasperated over the conversation.
“No, I am second in command after Commander Latimer, and the king has been on high alert since your reports.” At least he is aware I was the one who brought the information to them.
She thought, releasing an irritable sigh.
“Commander Latimer cannot leave the king’s side, so he has requested me to stand in his place. ”
“Tell him I don’t need you.” That sounded harsher than she meant it to be. “No offense.”
Keeping in stride with her, he dropped his head and let out another hearty laugh. “Miss, I—”
“Please, call me Azahara, or even Aza; I don’t care. Just, please, do not call me miss.” Her fingers ran through the tendrils of her hair as she leaned her head back, cursing the sky. “You aren’t going to leave, are you?”
“No, Azahara.” She could tell without looking at him that he was smiling.
“Can you send a note to Commander Latimer for me then?”
“I am here to both protect and serve you within reason. A letter to my Commander can be done.”
She looked at him then, a stoic expression on her face. “Tell him I said he’s a bad dancer.”