Page 48 of The Crimson Walls Of Algorath

Azriel batted the memories away. She could do any of that to him without his consent. The worst part was that he’d do anything she wished of him.

Because if he didn’t, she’d kill him sooner, and he couldn’t let that happen.

“It’s not usually too bad,” Raoul reassured him after noting the look of disgust on his face. “Most of the time, the other Desmos and their guests will gawk and speak about you as though you’re not standing right in front of them…then they move on.”

Azriel didn’t believe it for a second. Melia wanted him to suffer, and she’d do everything in her power to ensure it happened.

So when Paerish arrived several hours later flanked by more guards, Azriel watched warily as all of the prisoners gathered around. Tensions heightened. Everyone knew what was happening. Many, like him, were not pleased.

“You are to wash and report to the back doors within the hour,” Paerish proclaimed and pointed toward a building Azriel hadn’t yet been to. “The Desmo requests you wear the clothes provided at the bath house.”

Getting clean would not be the worst of the evening, at least. Azriel started off with the others and made it three steps before being stopped, a hand on his chest. He turned to Paerish without saying a word.

“The Desmo would like to thank you for your cooperation,” Paerish said and held out a large vial filled with deep red liquid. “A gift.”

In an instant, Azriel’s mouth watered. He hated the idea of drinking anyone’s blood but Ariadne’s, but now was not the time to be picky. If he ever wanted to see his wife again, he’d have to survive. Drinking blood would ensure his body recouped after fights.

Yet anything from Melia came with a price. Azriel didn’t take the offered vial and asked, “What does she want?”

Something flashed in Paerish’s eyes, and they shook their head. “Nothing. Only for you to be well enough to fight again.”

Unlikely. Still, Azriel took the vial and popped the cork. He tipped the blood back into his mouth and, as always, didn’t swallow. He tilted his head forward, forcing the metallic liquid toward his hollow fangs, where he pulled it directly into his body.

It was only after he’d ingested the blood that he realized something was wrong. Metallic though it was, it was strange and not typical of any blood he could recall drinking. It left a bitter aftertaste that made his mind go numb.

No.

No, it was like thinking through a fog worse even than that of a severed bond. One moment, he stood with the captain of the guards…the next, the vial had shattered at his feet. He stared at Paerish, not quite remembering what they’d last said. Not quite recalling why he’d even needed to speak with them.

He blinked hard to clear his head. Someone spoke to him, but their voice was muffled. It didn’t matter anyway. His body felt lighter than it had in years. As though someone had stripped away every care in the world.

It felt wonderful.

No.

No.

It felt horrible. She had done something to him. She had tricked him. Again. Made him believe she would not leave him crying in the foyer—

Wait. That had been Ariadne, not Melia. His wife had left him. Where had she gone? Was she safe?

Azriel shook his head, then fell against the wall behind him. Two sets of hands grasped his arms and hauled him back to his feet.

Why had he been on the ground?

Someone pulled him back into the sunshine. He groaned and shielded his eyes from the brightness. His feet dragged in the sand, forcing him to his knees for a heartbeat before he was hauled back up again.

But if it’d only been for a second, why was there sand on his face?

The door of his cell shut behind him. Azriel stared at the tattered shreds of his bed and fell onto it, his horns clacking against the stone floor. His head throbbed.

By the time he fell asleep, he couldn’t recall how he’d gotten there.

Chapter 12

Less than a week after Ariadne’s arrival, Madan waited in the dining room to say goodbye to his sister. Again. He did not argue when she insisted on leaving so soon despite wanting her to stay for her own safety. With his new position as the Lord Governor of Eastwood, he would need to report back to Laeton to meet the Council soon and would, therefore, leave her behind anyway.

Besides…if anyone discovered she had been in Monsumbra or that he had hidden her from the Princeps, he would likely land in a similar position as his brother. Such a predicament wouldn’t bode well for anyone involved.

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