5. Azra
5
Azra
M y days have been filled with triple-checking all the border patrols. My sentries are probably tired of seeing me so often but Torin has been hearing rumblings in the mortal realm of vampires disappearing. No one knows where they may be and if they are dead or alive. I rather stay extra vigilant.
Although our lands can be accessed anywhere in the mortal realm with a strong enough power, there are certain entry points where the veil is thinnest and it takes little effort to enter. Usually where the earth generates its own magic. Heavy flowing rivers, waterfalls, large forests with trees brushing the skies; anywhere you may feel overcome with its beauty. There is a beacon of magic pulsing through those grounds.
My father made sure to craft places like this perfectly so humans could feel his connection, love, and care. If only he would have put such love and care into the angels running his armies, and helping his people.
A small pull reminds me I have somewhere to be.
I softly land on the grass of the ledge where my siblings and I fell. My wings tuck behind my back. “Glad you’ve finally agreed to talk. It’s been two fucking weeks.” I slip my hands in my pockets as I approach who is waiting for me.
“Save your bullshit lecture, I don’t want to hear it,” Ash mutters while looking out at the body of water in front of him. It takes a lot to surprise me but the shock that took over my senses when Ash spoke Caroline’s name when Andrea arrived was unexpected. If I had even the slightest feeling he would have done what he did, I wouldn’t have brought her here.
“Tell me what happened,” I demand. Ash hasn’t spoken Caroline’s name since that day she met her devastating end. Whatever came over him was serious enough to spook him. Ash may not share much but I know my brother. I feel the fear and pain still radiating from him even now.
“Nothing happened brother. Simply a momentary lapse of judgment.” His sarcastic smile doesn’t meet his eyes. I know he’s hiding something.
Before he can pass me as he turns to leave, I reach my hand out and grip his bicep to stop him. My gaze stays on the rocky skyline before me as I tighten my grip and warn him, “I don’t know what you’re hiding or what you saw that day but the next time you put your hands on Andrea or anyone Brielle invites into her home, I will break both of your hands and make sure they heal slowly.”
Andrea is a breath of fresh air here for Brielle but I can’t help but feel uneasy about her presence. I’m undecided if it’s because she is truly human or if there is something else there. Something strange that Ash really did see.
Ash grunts as I slowly turn my head to meet his eyes. I let my power flare slightly in my eyes to solidify my warning is more of a promise. His jaw ticks before he gazes ahead and yanks his arm from my grasp. I let him walk away this time.
My hand glides down my face as I let out a deep breath. I’m already on edge because the Underworld has been suspiciously quiet since Lilith’s death. I’ve sent Torin to snoop around to see if he can get any ideas of what may be going on.
He always comes back with nothing. I know better than to think nothing is going on down there. Lilith’s death should have started a war against the vampires at the very least.
Lucifer mentioned her death was overdue when I met with him right after the slaughter. So why do I have this looming dark feeling something is coming?
Today was draining. Learning nothing more about the condition Brielle is in has me distracted. I can be anything but distracted until the threat to Brielle is gone.
Whoever that threat may be.
Her beautiful powers, as strong as mine, are almost completely gone. I felt the shift that day when her powers began to push into me. They were stronger than most common angels I have encountered. Her strength doesn’t surprise me but has she been too strong for too long? Has my savior finally broken?
Is all of her power going to her just trying to hold herself together?
I smell the wine immediately upon walking through the kitchen entryway. The giggling becomes louder as I walk to the dining room. Leaning against the door frame, my gaze lands on the most beautiful creature in the room, smiling and laughing before me. She is such a stubborn woman for trying to fight her battles alone. She will never have to do such things as long as I am alive.
“Azra! You’re home!” Brielle slightly slurs as she rushes toward me. Heavens, she is even more beautiful with her rosy cheeks from the alcohol, if that’s even possible.
She rises on her tiptoes, her lips brush my ear, sending a delicious chill down my spine.
“I’ve been drenched for the past hour waiting on you.” Her wine-tinged breath warms my ear, her words warming something else as the blood rushes there.
“Oh? Have you, angel?” My gaze glosses over with an unbearable need for the woman before me as she pulls away. Her bottom lip is sucked between her teeth as she peers up at me through those long dark eyelashes.
She brings me to my fucking knees.
“Get a room!” Andrea yells at us, snapping me out of the trance Brielle seems to always put me in. She then giggles alongside my sister, they each have equally flushed cheeks. I finally notice the three bottles of wine on the dining table.
“Drunk are we ladies?” I ask a question I already know the answer to.
“Well, goodnight everyone!” Brielle quickly shouts, her anticipation barely hiding beneath the surface. I smile once more at my sister and Brielle’s best friend before I am pulled out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
I could watch Brielle’s hips sway in front of me for the rest of eternity as she led us up to our bedroom. A small thump draws my attention away from her perfect ass in enough time to grab her before she falls from tripping on a step.
“All right, walking is a danger now,” I mutter as I turn her and toss her over my shoulder. Her squeal is followed by a drunken hiccup. All I can do is smile and give her a soft spank with my free hand.
“Hey! *hiccup* What was that for?” Her hands push against my back as she straightens and glares at the back of my head. A glare I have become very familiar with so I can easily feel it.
“For getting so damn drunk you are a hazard to yourself!” I shout over my shoulder to her, my grin evident in my tone. “And for having such a delicious ass, angel.”
The last comment has her hand reaching to spank me. Surprisingly, that small action has my dick pressing even harder against the zipper of my pants. That is something we will explore at a different time.
A chuckle escapes my lips as we enter our bedroom. I’ve gotten used to hearing my laugh since meeting Brielle. For centuries, it was such a foreign sound.
I reach the bed and toss her onto it. A sight I will never tire of. Just as I’ll never tire of those honey eyes that gleam and glisten every time they peer up at me through those thick dark lashes. Damn, she is perfect.
“I’ll go run you a hot bath so you can relax. I’m sure your day of planning was quite taxing.” I smirk, teasing her. I know how much she hates things like that. Before I can turn, Brielle’s legs wrap around mine and cross at the ankle, stilling me. My eyes slowly take in the sight of her propped up on her elbows as her legs hold me in place.
“Why don’t we stay right here?” Her devious smirk and sultry voice have me nearly dropping to my knees.
“Let’s sober you up first, yeah?” I grab her chin between my forefinger and thumb and press a gentle kiss on her forehead. She sighs and releases my legs.
“Do you have to be so respectful?” she mumbles as she falls back and throws her marked arm over her face to cover her eyes. I know the pain of how they got there but seeing her marked as I am causes my heart to warm in my chest.
I huff a laugh. “Trust me, angel, I am anything but respectful when it comes to fucking you,” I swear her golden eyes shine as if she’s watching an unruly fire. “But I’d rather you feel every inch of me inside you. Not have you numbed by the alcohol pumping through your flawless body.” Her teeth sink into her lower lip before I turn toward the bathroom.
After I’ve made sure the temperature of the bath water is perfect, I walk back into the room to find Brielle staring out of the window.
My head lowers as I approach her. I sense the pain and sadness radiating from her. My arms wrap around her from behind and we stand in silence for a few minutes. Her silent tears drop onto my hands that rest on her stomach.
“Talk to me,” I whisper into her hair and press kisses on top of her dark chocolate locks.
“I just have this haunting feeling that she isn’t gone. She’s still hunting me.” I know who she is without her saying her name.
All the nightmares I have to force her to wake from, Brielle always screams the same things, the same names. My chest squeezes to the point of nearly suffocating me as I watch her in mental pain every day.
I kiss her one more time before pulling her back into my chest, “You’re safe, baby. Nothing I ever say will erase the things you have endured but I am here to help you, in any way you want me to. But you are safe here, I promise. If you want me to do anything, be anything, I will, for you.” I squeeze her as she relaxes slightly into my hold.
Finally, she gazes at me with her glossy red eyes. Her usually tan skin is lighter. There are bags under those once fiery golden eyes and her beauty takes my breath away.
Placing my lips on the salt streams running down her face, my tongue darts out just enough to taste them. She pulls back, her nose scrunched with a grin I don’t see often anymore.
“You are my savior , Brielle.” My fingers brush strands of hair behind her ear and I kiss her forehead.
“Thank you,” She pulls me in and grips me tighter. I will hold a candle to her dark thoughts any and every time she needs. Just so she doesn’t have to go through voicing them.
Resting my hand on her cheek, my thumb rubs the damp skin that has soaked up endless tears.
“You never need to thank me for this. You have saved me, Brielle. In more ways than one, I will do everything in my power and then some to make sure you are safe and happy. Do you understand?” I search her eyes as they begin to well again.
“I love you,” she whispers, nodding before her lips crash into mine. A complete electrical current travels through my body at the touch of our lips. When she pulls away, it’s almost as shocking.
“Can I have that bath now?” She smiles up at me, her beautiful eyes stirring in the candlelight. Without a second more passing, I pick her up and carry her across our room to the bathroom.
A wave of my hand has more hot water filling the tub in front of us. Slowly setting Brielle down, she undresses as she stares up at me. My hands squeeze at my sides before grabbing her wrists.
“Allow me, angel,” I whisper as I raise her arms and pull her shirt up and over her head. Keeping my eyes on hers, I slowly drop to my knees, hooking my thumbs in her leggings on the way down.
My eyes snap away from hers when I realize she is bare in front of me. Peering back up through my brows, I catch the tiniest smirk pull across her beautiful full lips.
I barely hover my lips over her upper thigh, still staring into her fire-lit eyes now. Her hands run through my hair as I pepper kisses dangerously close to her exposed middle.
A low growl rumbles my throat causing her head to fall slightly back. Standing, a smirk pulls at my lips still tingling from the touch of her skin. Brielle’s head snaps forward with a scowl already on her face.
“Why’d you stop?”
“Your water will get cold for a second time. We can finish this after.” I grab her hand to help her step into the steaming tub as she sighs and rolls her eyes.
“You know you can be a real cock block sometimes,” she mutters as she sinks up to her neck in the hot water. Her eyes threaten to roll back as she relaxes. I reach forward and wrap my hand around her wet throat, forcing her eyes to stare into mine.
“The only cock block in this relationship, angel, is that attitude. Now let me take care of you.” My brow raises as her teeth bite into her lower lip.
The water in the tub slushes and her legs squeeze together under the bubbles. Loosening my grip around her neck, I slowly drag my hand between her breasts, then down her stomach and grab her left wrist.
Water splashes as I pull it up, exposing her hand. “The moment I laid my eyes on you, you were mine. Don’t let this bare finger fool you, Brielle. You. Are. Mine . In every sense of the word.” I move her hand down her stomach. “The one being that deserves my undying worship,” finally stopping it on top of her pulsing clit. I drop to my knees, her half-lidded eyes watching my every move as her chest heaves up and down. Her tightened nipples break through the water with each heavy breath. “My queen,” I whisper close to her ear as her fingers circle her clit.
“Say that again.” The demand in her voice has my dick pressing against the tub through my pants.
“Which part, angel?” My tongue glides along the shell of her ear as a moan escapes her lips. “The part where I called you my queen while you played with this perfect cunt?” I slide my fingers into her tight hole as her fingers stay where I left them.
Another moan is released as I pump my fingers into her. Her head leans back against the tub with her eyes closed. It isn’t long until she is pulsing and coming around my fingers.
“That’s my good girl,” I whisper in her ear. I pull my hand from under the water and kiss her temple. I move back to stand but a small strong grip on my jaw halts me.
The desire and impatience in the brown eyes before me make me smile as she lowers her hand and unbuttons the rest of my shirt. I let her lightning-scarred hands slowly undress me, standing only for her to unbutton my pants as well.
She doesn’t have to say anything, her eyes tell me everything I need to do. Stepping into the steaming water and lowering myself, Brielle immediately lunges on top of me. Water splashing and pouring over the edge.
Her lips slam into mine with such force I taste blood. That doesn’t stop her or slow her down one bit. My need for her is almost unbearable as she dominates my mouth with hers.
My hands wrap around each side of her generous hips as I slowly guide her to a seated position on top of me. She lifts slightly on her knees, her mouth never leaving mine. Our tongues fight one another to get closer, deeper.
She lines herself perfectly and as soon as I feel her tight entrance on my tip, I shove her down. A loud moan escapes between us breaking our kiss as she begins riding me vigorously. The loss of heat from her kiss is distracting so I lean forward and pull her nipple into my mouth. Brielle’s head flies back as she picks up her pace.
Another orgasm is building in her by the way she throbs around me. Even the water in this bath has nothing on how wet she is for me.
“What’s the rush, angel?” I mutter around her other nipple I sucked into my mouth.
“Use your mouth for something other than talking right now.” Her breathy voice has a chuckle passing my lips as I watch her use me for her pleasure.
She’s close. I can tell by the way she tightens and picks up speed. Watching her unravel on top of me has me not far behind her.
“Azra!” she screams my name as she comes. Her nails dig into my shoulder. The last of my will snaps with the sting. I grab her as I completely let myself spill into her. A growl forcefully escapes as my orgasm pulses throughout my entire body.
Brielle relaxes and eases herself off me, now sitting on the opposite side of the tub, our legs intertwined. Although this is a massive tub, I still don’t quite fit in it. If my wings weren’t concealed, I definitely wouldn’t fit.
I watch her as she sinks further into the water, her cheeks flushed from the steam and what we just finished.
“Your smart mouth is on another level when you’re drunk.” My brow lifts as I nudge her leg with mine. She squints her eyes and then flicks the water droplets hanging off from her fingertips toward me.
I laugh, grabbing the bar of soap. I signal for her to turn and come toward me. Her back now lying on my chest, I rub the soap on her wet skin. Gently, I clean every inch of her perfect curves.
As soon as Brielle hit the bed after the bath, she was out. I’m not so lucky, I have been staring at the ceiling for the past two hours. The sun will be rising soon and I’m not tired at all. My mind won’t shut off with all the questions I have about Brielle’s powers.
It’s impossible for her to be completely drained so what is stopping her from using them? What is dulling them? I feel it. I can still feel that flicker of force within her.