10. Azra
10
Azra
T he heartwarming sight of Brielle twirling in circles with Willow and little George is hard to look away from. A smile is so wide on her face that her eyes are nearly closed. I can’t help but admire her strength to grace this world with her smile when I know she is hurting on the inside.
“She deserves this happiness.” A small smile pulls on the face of Brielle’s brother as he stands next to me. A wine glass occupies his hand as he watches his sister throw her head back and laugh.
“First thing a human has said that I agree with.” I smile before bringing my glass to my lips.
“You think she will be mad if I ask to leave?” My brow quirks. I slowly turn to Zach, his tired eyes meeting mine. No one but I, know it’s because he spends his nights sneaking into Andrea’s room. I made sure to seal their room from any noise escaping so Brielle didn’t become suspicious.
That is the last thing I’m going to allow to happen and put her through more stress and pain than what she’s going through.
“Not enjoying your time away from the atrocity of humans you deal with every day?” He rolls his lips to stop whatever smart comment he is about to make. I would never harm anyone Brielle cares about but I think I’m starting to like this human. He’s smart.
“I need to get back to work, keep my mind busy from—” Zach’s voice trails off while looking around the ballroom. When he doesn’t find Andrea, his eyebrows pinch. He slightly shook away the thought running through his head. “I just would rather be home,”
Actually, I haven’t seen Andrea in a while either.
My eyes meet soft brown ones as they get closer and I can’t help but let my gaze drink up the rest of her curvaceous body. It takes over every thought in my mind. I lean back on my throne and let the thoughts of what I’m going to do to her spill down the mental tunnel connecting us. Her full red lips quirk to the side before glancing around to see if anyone is noticing her flush.
She cuts me a sideways glance before moving around the dais to where her brother is standing, “What’s wrong?”
“I was just telling Azra that I have a lot to do back home, I would rather leave now if possible.” He winces, readying himself for whatever reaction he thinks Brielle will give him.
“Okay, I understand. It’s a lot to take in at first, for anyone.” Her sympathetic smile caused a painful pang in my chest. She didn’t get the option to go home when it was too much for her. I did that to her, causing her pain once before. I would behead anyone that would even think about doing what I did to her.
“Azra, can you find someone to evanesce him back home, please?” Brielle’s eyelashes flutter with a huge grin.
“Where did you learn that word, angel?” Hearing her speak a word so ancient and embedded in my past makes my dick strain against the zipper of my pants. I quickly summon Torin, never taking my eyes off the curves of Brielle’s body. My favorite curve on her, her smile, shines bright as she hugs her brother goodbye.
Brielle kisses my cheek before going back to the main floor to mingle with more of her people. They are as much hers as mine at this point. She will make a magnificent queen.
My eyes scan the crowd for her friend. My ears keen in for her voice but I am met with nothing. Standing, I let Brielle know I will be right back, luckily she doesn’t question me further. I notice a small crack in the door leading to the garden. Anyone could have left but I sense her.
I only make it down the stone steps before Andrea barrels into me from the other side of the hedge that separates the garden and the forest.
“S-sorry,” she stutters, slightly spooked, she glances over her shoulder before looking at me. When she recognizes who she has run into, she plasters on a smile I know is fake. I quirk up a brow. “I was just-um-getting some fresh air, it was getting kind of stuffy in there.” She tries to pin back an extra curl that came free of her pulled-back hair.
“Are you okay?” I stare out into the tree line and see a familiar figure. Rage immediately boils into the pit of my stomach. I mask it with a cool calm so I don’t frighten Andrea even more.
“I’m fine. I’m sure Zach is looking for me.” She quickly walks past me, her skin damp with sweat.
“He went home. Work things but Brielle is in there, I’m sure searching for you.” I sense her halt at the confession of Zach leaving early. I heard their little fight, I know that’s why he left but it’s not my place to mettle.
She continues into the ballroom and I vanish right to where my brother is leaning against the tree.
“Beautiful party.” His smile only pisses me off more. My wings flare as my hand wraps around his throat, the tree bark groaning as I press him into it.
“What the fuck are you doing?” My teeth clench as he only smiles. I press him harder into the trunk of the tree. Leaves fall from the branches above from the movement of my brother pressed against it.
“I don’t know what you mean brother, I haven’t done anything.” His sly tone has me wanting to pummel him right through this bark. I drop him and straighten out my sleeves.
“I don’t have time for your shit, Ash. I have—Brielle has too much going on to worry about you hurting Andrea.”
“I would never—” His features tightened in anger before I cut him off.
“Save it, because you have. You won’t be easily trusted around her again. So stay the fuck away, don’t make me tell you again.” I don’t give him enough time to argue back with me before I am back by the garden. I roll my neck and check over my suit to make sure everything is in its place.
I’ve suspected Ash’s snooping, but I never thought he would actually approach her again. I rid those thoughts out of my head before entering the ballroom again.
The rest of the night is spent dancing and laughing with the beautiful people of my kingdom. Andrea came to us shortly after returning to let us know she was retiring for the night. I didn’t miss the sheen of sweat that was still glistening on her hairline and a scent I am all too familiar with.
Brielle drops to the bed after everyone is long gone and we have retreated to our room, the skirt of her dress billowing out with the force. “As much as I fought to not have this stupid ball, it was fun.” She sighs, staring up at the ceiling. “I don’t know how I’m going to get this dress off though.” She rises, her hands searching for the buttons.
“Allow me.” I stroll toward her, her lower lip curling into her mouth as her eyes follow the lines of my body down until she reaches a certain spot. I immediately see the flick of excitement in her eyes when she realizes I’m ready for her.
My fingers graze the bodice dangerously slow, her breasts swelling with each heave of her chest from how tight it is.
“I think there are buttons somewhere—” The sound of ripping fabric fills the room along with her gasp. I drop the dress, letting it splay out on the floor around her feet. Her wide eyes meet mine, “Azra! That dress was one-of-a-kind!” Her perfect bottom lip pokes out in a pout.
“I’ll have it repaired,” Brushing my fingers gently down her spine, I watch as the goosebumps rise all over her flawless skin. “I couldn’t stand not seeing all of you for another second.” I gently kiss her shoulder as her head falls back onto mine.
“Before we start this.” She turns to me with an innocent smile. “Could you see if there is some of Willow’s cherry pie left? I didn’t have a chance to eat tonight and I am starving.” A chuckle leaves my lips before they press to hers.
“I’ll be right back, angel.” I kiss her forehead once more before leaving the room. The stillness in my home after a ball is always so calming.
A figure turns to me from staring out the window as soon as I walk into the kitchen. Andrea gives me a half smile as she tightens the blanket around herself.
“Can’t sleep.” She shrugs.
“Brielle wanted pie.” I smile back before rummaging through the food Celeste saved from the ball.
“Did Zach say anything about me?” Andrea’s voice shakes a little. Grabbing the pie, I turn and place it on the island to cut Brielle a piece. “You know, like before he asked to leave?” I glance up at her solemn face, still, no resemblance to my brother’s late lover.
“No, just that he needed to get back to work.” I shake my head and continue to plate the huge piece of pie I know Brielle will scold me for. Andrea nods before staring back out of the window. Picking up the plate, I turn to leave, trying to ignore the urge to say anything else.
Stopping in the archway, I close my eyes and let out a sigh. “Don’t let whatever you are feeling for Ash get in the way of your life. I promise it’s temporary.” I walk away before she has a chance to answer.
I roll my shoulders and shake out any thought of that entire situation before entering our bedroom again. Brielle’s dark hair is sprawled out on my pillow, her breathing is even as I approach her all bundled up under the blankets.
A smile blooms across my face as I shake my head and set her pie plate on the nightstand closest to her. Slowly, I undress and crawl into bed next to her making sure to not wake her.
I could stare at her sleeping all night, which I will most likely do. I haven’t had a great night’s sleep since we got back from the Underworld. Most nights I watch her sleep and make Torin scour the lands to make sure there are no threats. Just to take extra precautions.
Brielle suddenly turns to her back, her head beginning to shift side to side on her pillow. I sit up and place my hand on her arm to wake her gently. Goosebumps erupt along her arms and legs. When I touch her skin, I quickly snap my hand back because of the heat radiating from her body.
I look down at my smoking hand and then back to her skin that is glowing with a golden light.
“Brielle!” I yell and grab her, not caring about the fiery pain shooting through my hands into my forearms.
“NO! NO! Please Azra! Please come back to me!” Brielle screams, her eyes still shut. I pull her into my arms.
“Ahhh!” My molars crush against each other as my body burns holding onto hers.
“Wake up, Brielle. I’m here. I’m not dead, baby. I’m here. It’s only a dream!” I shout as I pull her away from me and try to shake her awake.
Her eyes spring open and are consumed by a bright gold light. She looks toward me for only a second before she opens her mouth and lets out a piercing scream. Suddenly, I’m being thrown off our bed by the light bursting from her and a force that feels similar to that day in Lilith’s cave.
The room stills after the force of her power that exploded around us. I jump up immediately and run to her side. She kicks herself back until her back hits the wooden headboard and she draws her knees up to her chest.
Tears are streaming down her face that are coming from her normal deep brown eyes. I sense her fear so I slowly approach her.
“You’re home, you’re safe.” I hold my hand out to her and slowly move toward her, giving her time to adjust to being here and not wherever her nightmare took her.
She lunges forward and almost knocks me over, squeezing me tight as she sobs into my chest. I hold and kiss her, trying not to let my fear show. Her nightmares have been frightful but never like this. Never harmful.