Page 99 of Night of Death and Flowers

Drake looks from him to me, then shakes his head, sighing. Ari follows Azkiel deeper into the depths of the forest, and I breathe in the woody scent, closing my eyes.

When my eyelids flutter open, I find Azkiel’s eyes focused on me and a prickly sensation climbs through me, and my lips press tight at the memory of him buried inside of me.

My cheeks flush, and Death’s lips part to speak, but Drake clears his throat, stepping beside me. “Nice dress.”

“I’ve been waiting for you to say something,” I say, ensuring Azkiel continues walking so he doesn’t attack Drake again.

“Am I right in my thoughts?” Drake asks.

My face burns and Drake’s green gaze tracks my facial expression, then spots the marks from Azkiel’s nails embedded in my wrist.

He grabs my hand, then drops it while Ari and Azkiel walk ahead. “Tell me you didn’t,” he hisses in a whisper, then shakes his head, disappointment filling his rugged features. Unlike me, he stinks of blood, while I smell like the wilds, mixed with a musky scent, like… Azkiel.

“I can’t,” I admit, lifting my chin.

Drake’s dark brows draw together, his lips down-turned as he looks me up and down.

“What the fuck is wrong with you? He’s a murderer. He put us on this island.”

Ari pauses ahead, her brows rising as we all come to a halt.

“He did, but he is also getting us out,” I shout, putting out my arm when Death draws closer. “Stop! I can handle this.” I turn my gaze to Drake. “If you hate Azkiel for his actions, then you should despise me, too. I killed Isolda just so I could get here. I’ve done worse and will continue to, to protect the people I love.”

He jabs a finger in Death’s direction. “You’re becoming darker by the day, and it’s drawing you to him.”

Azkiel halts, then turns, his shadow casting a tower over Drake. Twigs crunch under his boots when he reaches us, and I rub my temples as a low growl leaves his voice. “Be very careful of your next words, boy.”

Drake scoffs. “I’m not afraid of you.”

Death’s demeanor shifts into the ancient darkness I’d seen before. Red crosses his stare, a dangerous flicker of fire that—if not extinguished—will burn Drake. “You should be.”

I barely throw myself between them in time as Azkiel’s hands reach for Drake’s throat. Death’s fingers meet my neck instead, grabbing his hand before he can kill him. “Enough. I don’t need your help!”

Ari grabs my arm. “Why don’t we stop for a little?” she tells Drake. “So we can calm down. I—I’m not feeling well, anyway.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

Ari’s soft touch roots me to the spot. “I feel weak. I need a minute.” Ari sucks in a deep breath, then places a hand against the trunk of a graywar tree, leaning over.

“We’re so close to shore. I can carry you.”

She turns her bloodshot, wild eyes to me. “No. I just need a drink. I’ll go get some rainwater.”

She shoots Drake a look. “I’m thirsty, too.”

Conflicted, I settle under the contorted tree. Clouds merge overhead, rain slowly pattering from a drizzle into heavy thuds through the interwoven branches above.

She turns, turning her back to me as she fumbles under a tree, gathering water with Drake.

I avert my gaze from them and turn to Death, the tension palpable as he refuses to look away, drinking me in with his moonlit eyes. After a few minutes, Ari slides next to me with a large leaf shaped into a bowl that holds rainwater. “I got you some, too.”

“I’m good, really.”

She arches her brow. “You are parched. Now drink.”

I roll my eyes, then smile. Ari’s eyes widen as she watches me drink it, then places it in front of Azkiel. He hesitates briefly, but upon seeing my urging smile, he accepts it. “Thank you, Arabella.”

My heart balloons as he says her name gently, then drinks the water.

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