Chapter 44
FORTY-FOUR
C ommander Azerius. Ze . Just another thing he lied about.
He looks different.
That's my first thought as I'm coming down from the shock of seeing him here.
His hair is longer, running past his shoulders. His clothes, too, are more polished. He's wearing a black linen shirt underneath brass armor that's molded to his broad shoulders and muscled chest. At his waist, he has a thick belt that houses the scabbard of his sword—a dusty gold metal embedded with red rubies. His pants are tight around his leg muscles, framed by leather straps that hold a collection of daggers around his outer thighs.
Like this, he looks even more dangerous than before.
Yet there's one more striking feature.
On the right side of his face, rune-like tattoos run from his hairline down his neck, disappearing into the collar of his shirt. Half of his face is marred by those swirling black designs, so stark against the deep purple of his eyes.
Everyone is on their feet for his entrance, bowing slightly as they don't dare to make direct eye contact with him.
But while Rhea and Maros are behaving reverently in his presence, Thea is white as a sheet, her body trembling lightly as fear makes its home in her features.
Oh, God. She's scared he might be here to reveal her secret.
I stealthily grab her hand under the table, squeezing tight as I give her a comforting look.
She smiles sadly at me, her entire countenance dejected.
Damn you, Ze.
"Commander Azerius, what brings you here? We were not expecting you," Maros notes.
Ze doesn't acknowledge him as he surveys the dining room until his gaze lands on me. His jaw hardens, his eyes gleaming dangerously.
"Balthazar," he calls out, his voice thundering. All the while, he doesn't take his eyes off me as he lifts his hand, awaiting something.
A small man appears from behind, a leash in his hand, which he passes over to Ze.
He grunts, pulling on the leash to reveal the cutest brown cow I've ever seen. Striding into the room, he rounds the dining table, coming right toward me.
Everyone is staring at him dumbfounded, especially as he stops in front of me, extending the leash toward me.
"For you," he nods.
My lashes flutter in confusion.
"What?"
When I don't take the leash from him, he grabs my hand and places it in my open palm.
"It is for you."
"I don't understand." I frown.
"It is a cow," he mentions, his lips compressing.
"I can see it's a cow, but why would you give me a cow?" I ask, still confused.
"It is a cow from your world. For you. To eat."
I stare at him in disbelief.
"You... You brought me a cow?"
"A good cow." He nods. "It was the most expensive cow in your world."
A chuckle echoes in the room, and I look over to see Wyn holding her hand to her mouth to stop herself from laughing. There's a mix of amusement and bewilderment in the reactions around the room, but I can only share the latter as I have no idea what might have prompted this display.
I sneak a glance at the cow at the same time as she opens her mouth to release a loud moo before coming forward to lick my hand.
A smile pulls at my lips at how cute it is, and I bring my hand to the top of her head to pat her.
"You like it?" Ze asks as he pushes his chin up, his lips curling around the corners.
I don't reply. I have nothing to say to him. But since he brought me this cutie, I can't say no to her.
"You." He points to a staff member on the sidelines. "Take this to the kitchens and have them prepare it for her," he commands.
My eyes widen, and before I know it, I pull the cute cow into my arms, hugging it as I give him a death stare.
"You heartless heathen," I mutter.
The cow releases another moo , nuzzling her snout against my belly.
"Shh, it's okay, baby. I won't let the bad man hurt you."
A look of shock crosses his face.
"W-what? Bad man? I brought you a cow!" He thunders.
"And now you want to kill it."
"Because you cannot eat it raw!"
"I will not eat it at all," I huff.
How could he think I would eat this cute cow now that she's adopted me as her human?
His brows go up in indignation.
"But I brought it for you to eat," he repeats. "It needs to be slaughtered and cooked, or your weak human body will get sick." Of course he would find another way to insult me and my weak human body . Why the hell is he even here?
The mention of slaughter makes the cow burrow deeper into my embrace, and I give him another scathing look for scaring the cow.
"You're scaring her!"
"It is a cow!" He grits his teeth. "To eat . You have eaten cows before."
"But not a cute one like this. How could I eat it after seeing her?" I ask as I direct my attention to the cutie in my arms. "You're a cute girl, aren't you? We're going to be good friends."
"You are not keeping the cow," he suddenly states.
"You gave it to me."
"To eat ! Not to keep as a pet," he groans.
"Well, it's your mistake for assuming I'd eat it," I retort. "But you've given it to me, so now it's mine and you no longer have a say in it."
"Human!" His nostrils flare as he stares me down.
I continue to pet the cow, all the while returning his glare with a mutinous one of my own. I've already established a connection with her—one that heartless Ze would have no idea about.
He continues to look at me for moments on end before he releases a deep sigh.
"You like it that much?"
I nod decisively.
"I shall make arrangements for her accommodation," he eventually relents, though it takes everything in him to accept this defeat.
"Balthazar," he calls out again, and his man scurries over to get the cow.
"I don't trust you," I hiss at Ze, holding on tightly to the leash.
"I give you my vow the cow will come to no harm, human." He rolls his eyes.
"Your vows are of no consequence to me. You are a liar and I don't trust you."
He narrows his eyes at me, his body tense.
"My vow is binding," he adds through gritted teeth. "You can ask anyone in this room and they will tell you that."
I sneak a glance at Thea's parents, and Maros gives me a brisk nod. Still, I'm somewhat apprehensive to part with her now that she's mine.
Looking down, I pet her a while longer.
"I shall call you Belinda." I smile. "Now be a good girl and follow the man out. He will not hurt you."
She gives me another moo as if understanding my words, and I reluctantly relinquish my hold on the leash.
Balthazar takes Belinda out, and I wait for Ze to follow, too, but he's still rooted to the spot. And to my everlasting surprise, instead of leaving, he takes a seat at the table next to me.
"You may sit now." He inclines his head at his hosts.
The insufferable oaf!
"It is a surprise to see you here, Commander," Rhea notes as everyone finally sits down.
"I have pending business in Arche. We are in Code Red."
Both Rhea and Maros appear stricken by the news.
"And Cerenios?" Maros asks.
"He is on a mission. I cannot divulge much else about it, but I have a meeting with His Majesty tomorrow and I will advise you what I shall advise him as well. You need to have your army on standby, with a division that is proficient in handling demon attacks."
"Demon attacks? In Aperion? You must be mistaken..." Rhea murmurs.
"There has been a new development." Ze's lips flatten in displeasure. "Demons have been sighted in the intermediary realms and I have reason to believe they have found a way to travel between worlds in their physical form."
Gasps erupt around the table.
"Impossible," Maros mutters at the same time as Rhea takes a sip of her wine, her eyes filled with worry.
"Do you think there is a chance of them entering Aperion?"
"We are not taking any chances," Ze explains. "It is clear the demons are planning something, but none of our sources have been able to find out what it is."
"That is terrible," Rhea whispers. "I have to ask... Is Cerenios in danger?"
Ze's lips flatten into a thin line.
"His mission is dangerous, but Cerenios is more than capable of handling it. I have trust in him and his abilities."
Although Ze's words are assuring, that doesn't stop Rhea from worrying, and she's not the only one. Glancing at Thea, I note the pallor of her skin and the light tremor in her limbs. Catching my gaze on her trembling hands, she removes them from the table, folding them in her lap as she straightens her back and attempts to act unbothered.
"The demons have never tried anything like this before. Why now?" Rhea asks as she shakes her head in disbelief.
"I am not certain. It is possible they did not have the resources before. But after Elias's defection..." he trails off, and my brows go up in question. No one explains what that means, though, and a heavy silence descends upon us.
"That damn Elias." Maros strikes his fist against the table. "I cannot believe I trusted him."
"You were not the only one," Ze comments drily.
"We should have taken your counsel. If we had, none of this would have happened. The chalice wouldn't be missing either."
"It is what it is." Ze shrugs, though I note the ghost of a smirk touching his lips. "For the time being, I will reside in Arche to oversee the security detail for Arwyn's majority."
"What?" Wyn's eyes widen.
"Why would that be a problem?" Rhea asks.
"It is merely a precautionary measure. Arwyn's majority will be attended by some of the most important people in Aperion. It will be the perfect opportunity for an attack, if that is their plan."
I stare at Ze unblinking, a little taken aback by this new manner of his. He's surprisingly eloquent and persuasive, his words and tone demanding immediate attention and respect.
"You are right," Maros sighs. "You are welcome to stay in our home for any amount of time you require. Having you here for Arwyn's majority will, indeed, put my mind at ease."
"Why don't you go stay with the king?" Thea suddenly quips, not even bothering to hide her disdain. "Our home may be a little too lacking for a figure as lofty as yourself," she adds sarcastically.
Ze's lips curl around the corners.
"I have decided to lower my standards. You are welcome."
"Ze." I give him a harsh look as I kick him under the table.
He turns to look at me, the picture of innocence.
"I will have the guest room at the end of the hall," he says, not taking his eyes off me. It slowly dawns on me that the room in question is right across from my own.
"Of course. I will send the staff to prepare it for you." Maros nods, firing off instructions to some of the staff on standby.
With that settled, the staff brings an extra plate for Ze, and the duke and duchess nod at us to start eating.
I swallow as I gaze down at my plate, my mouth watering the more I stare at the assortment of appetizers. It's been a while since I've last eaten, yet I don't want to make a fool of myself considering the environment I'm in.
I pick up my fork and knife and carefully cut into the steamed vegetables, bringing a bite to my lips. The taste is divine, not that I expected anything less considering the fancy presentation.
Everyone eats in silence. Everyone but Ze, who's staring at his food with an inscrutable expression.