136. Levi
LEVI
With little ceremony and a muttered apology, Azrael disappeared shortly after Violette and Lazarus left, and I’m left in the palace alone. Thanks to my gifts, I’m able to see where they are. Just to make sure they’re all okay.
Even Lazarus, I begrudgingly realize.
When I took a peek, I’d found Azrael in his palace in Vassileo, sealing a letter with wax only for him to will it away and open a portal to a house in the same neighborhood as my target, and remembered him mentioning Persephone and Mors living nearby.
Jealousy had my stomach twisting into a giant knot–especially when I saw them with my own eyes. Mors and Persephone are striking to look at.
But when I witnessed the dynamic between the three of them, that jealousy turned into something else.
Longing.
They didn’t act like lovers or former soulbound.
They seemed like family.
I wanted Violette and me to have that with him.
And potentially, Lazarus, even.
Watching Azrael show up at Mors and Persephone’s home, watching them console him as he weeps...
I can’t help but feel a sense of betrayal that he doesn’t want to be consoled by us.
If he hadn't shared his mind, memories, blood, and body with me—inadvertently revealing to me the depths of his love for us—I’d question everything we’d experienced together.
But as Persephone, with tears in her gaze, strokes the length of his arm, and Mors studies him with unmistakable concern, understanding, and love filling his eyes...
I find I no longer have the stomach to watch them. To be an intruder in a private moment that’s not meant for my eyes.
My first impulse is to confide in Violette, but it would do no good; would only cause more heartache and jealousy. Which is the very last thing she needs right now.
So I guide my mind and spirit to the house where my father’s usurper lives,while my physical body is left behind on the decadent guest bed of Violette’s palace.
It’s the first time I’ve mustered the courage to finally visit the location Jeriko found for me.
I’ve held back from travelling the various potentialities that could occur when I finally come face to face with this person.
Not for fear of being overcome by him, but because some part of my mind, my intuition, is telling me it won’t be the simple torture and execution I plan for it to be.
I find myself bracing for impact; stomach churning with unease, muscles tight with anticipation, and a foreboding sense of doom suffocating me.
Now that the moment has finally arrived, after all these years, I fear that I’m not ready for it.
So here I remain. Staring at this large, seemingly peaceful, and deceptively cozy home decked out with flowerbeds and a white picket fence sitting on about an acre of land surrounded by a suburban forest.
Tension winds tighter when my eyes land on the kids jungle gym off to one side of the backyard. Though it appears weathered and somewhat dilapidated from age and disuse. Thankfully, I see no other signs of children. No stray toys or balls. Hear no shouts, laughter, or cries.
If there are any children, I know I won’t be able to enact my plan for revenge.
Fuck.
“Levi..."
The sound of Violette’s voice thrusts me back into my body. Violette’s seated on the edge of the bed. Lazarus stands beside her, eyes reddened as though having recently wept.
Yet Violette’s eyes remain clear.
“You gave Tempus the pin..."
She nods, searching my gaze. “Yes... Have you seen Azrael?”
I sit up, grasping her hand to give it an encouraging squeeze.
Fuck, I hate lying.
“Not since you left.”
She studies me for a moment, but gradually, a soft smile curls her lips.
A hopeful one.
It takes every ounce of my strength to shove back my guilt and heartbreak. After seeing Azrael with Persephone and Mors, something tells me that we won’t be seeing Azrael again for a while.
Brow furrowed, Lazarus’ eyes bore into me as if he can sense my despair from where he stands. Still, I manage to say, “Let’s hope it works.”
Lazarus’ voice is firm. Earnest. “It has. In more ways than you know.”
I arch a brow. “You can feel it? From this point in time?”
He nods. “All those years that were filled with despair and loneliness, are now softened and eased by hope and, despite my moments of weakness, cynicism, and impatience, there was still an underlying, unwavering hope deeply rooted within me. Like a great oak weathering passing storms and seasons.”
It worked.
Lazarus and Azrael were still of one body, one mind, one spirit when Tempus took the pin to him which means Azrael’s experience of it would be similar. Though memories can vary depending upon the individual…
Violette’s eyes glisten. Lazarus’ gaze lowers to hers as his hand rises to cup her jaw, thumb stroking tenderly over her cheek. “You’ve changed me and altered the course of my life in unfathomable ways..."
Lazarus bends to press kiss to Violette’s lips.
The action is filled with such softness and reverence that it stills the very breath in my lungs.
“I love you, sweet seraphim, and wish for nothing more than to dedicate my life to showing you just how grateful I am that Akash has blessed me with you.”
I expect to feel a wave of jealousy.
Instead, I feel a swell of emotion.
And when I witness Violette’s lips part to welcome him; her tongue sliding against his...
Arousal.
A soft sigh of pleasure escapes her and my cock instantly throbs, twitching with need. Thankfully, their eyes are closed, and I take advantage of the fleeting privacy to adjust my cock and hide it behind the waist of my trousers.
Drawing a deep breath, I rise from the edge of the bed.
Lazarus and Violette straighten as she breaks their kiss, eyes promptly searching for mine. “Darling?”
I begin pacing. “Yes?”
“Are you alright?”
No.
“Yes.”
Her features tighten with concern. Lazarus’ brow furrows.
I allow a partial truth to slip free. “I’m just... worried about Azrael.”
Her expression tightens. “Have you searched the future?”
That at least I can answer honestly. “No.”
Lazarus’ hand seeks out Violette’s as if to reassure her that he’s there, and has no intention of leaving.
I need to leave this room.
I need to take action.
Find an outlet for the tension and anxiety coursing through me.
“I need to pay someone a visit.”