Page 80 of Ringmaster
“It was just a bad dream. Really, I’m okay.” I lie, locking down every trace of emotion.
“Do you want to tell me about it?”
“No. It’s already fading.” Another lie.
“Alright. Let me know when you’re ready to leave. I laid an outfit on the table over there. You’ll want the maneuverability when you’re wielding magic.” He nods toward a neat pile of clothing beside a vase of marigolds. The thoughtfulness reminds me how deeply Azrael loves me. Even in chaos, he thinks of me. Even in silence, he shows me love.
The outfit is perfect—soft leather pants hug my skin, a corset I’m not eager to lace but I have him help me with it anyway, and sturdy boots. I’m ready for my first magic lesson with Zora.
Azrael stares at me, a look somewhere between endearment and hunger. I bat my eyelashes. “I take it you like it?”
He smirks, unabashed to being caught. “It feels like something’s missing.”
Azrael looks around as if he’s misplaced something, and I steal a glance in the mirror. The girl staring back is not who I was yesterday. My skin glows flawlessly. All signs of my age erased.
The tattoo on my hand tingles as Azrael steps into view behind me. We stare at our reflection. Everything about him compliments me. His dark hair and my light, his height to my lack of it, his strength to my slender frame. A faint glow of angelic light surrounds me, he’s framed by shadow. I’m truly the light to his dark.
He leans in, turning my face toward his. Azrael’s lips are soft, the bond carrying his message:You’re perfect for me, angel.
“Here—these are for you. The corset’s designed so they can slip inside.” He kneels, showing me two dark-metal daggers, their hilts even darker. He slides the first into the corset’s sheath. Runes flare, then fade.
“Let me see your arm,” he says.
I hesitate, and his face falls. “Do not be afraid, my love. I could never harm you.”
Still not convinced, I offer my arm. He grips it tightly and swipes the glowing dagger across my skin. I scream, bracing for the sharp burn or the rush of blood—but nothing comes.
“Why did you do that? How?
“They’re imbued. They belong to you. Touch it.” I make no moves to take the dagger from him. “Darling, trust me.”
I hesitantly accept the dagger, and it buzzes in my hand—jolts of magic crackle over my skin as the runes and inscription glow.Mine to shield, always.
“Azrael,” I breathe, “I hope I never have to use these.”
“Me too, but I can’t help being a little overprotective when it comes to you.” He slides the second blade into my corset.
Azrael stands, and my hands fall against his chest as I step closer. He wraps me in a tight hug, and I inhale his scent, relaxing into the embrace.
“Come on, angel. I’ll walk you to Zora’s, then I have some things to take care of. I’ll meet you back there in a few hours,” he whispers against my ear, making no move to release me.
“Okay,” I sigh.
“What is it?” he asks.
“Nothing. I just would rather spend time with you.” I’m being selfish, trying to buy more time with him before my impending death.
A foolish thought curls in my mind: if I don’t go to Zora, maybe death won’t find me.Stop!I argue with myself. The Fates were clear—I can’t meddle with destiny without sentencing us both to death.
I sigh again, “I’m sorry. I just—“ I make my best attempt to steady my voice. “I’m just going to miss this,” I say, inhaling deeply and memorizing his smell.
Azrael kisses me gently. “I’m going to miss you too, angel. But it’s only a few hours. It will be over before you know it.”
I smile up at him, hoping he’s right. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He steps away from me, tugging my hand gently and I follow after him. We walk in silence all the way to Zora’s. I’m too busy thinking about death, each step we take bringing me closer to it.
