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Zavian stepped up to her, towering over her frame. Freya matched his fiery gaze with a strong one.

“I have her back, “, Zavian said. Freya’s eyes narrowed at that. “And the last time someone tried to hurt her, I had them kept over a furnace and dried to death. The only reason I am holding back with you now is that we are of the same blood. I cannot say what will happen if you happen to even breathe the same air as her.”

“So you’d kill me over a maid, is that it, Brother?”

“Yes, so mark my words, and stay away from her,” Zavian warned again. He turned his back to her and walked away.

“How blind are you?” Freya screamed. “We didn’t survive the war only for you to lose to a human.”

Zavian closed his eyes, taming the beast of his temper. He turned to his sister, and the next words out of his mouth sent chills up her spine.

“If you cannot live with the fact that Neera is not going anywhere, you can go and join your father and brother.”

Freya was stunned. She could not believe her ears. Zavian had said that to her? Her brother... the one she loved the most? All because of a maid!!! No, this was not happening.

.....

As she stood watching him leave, she barely recognized him. It was hard to accept, but it seemed the king has gone mad.

...

Penelope stood a few meters away from the King’s chambers, craning her neck past the stolid guards in front to see if Azriel had exited its ornate doors.

The door finally opened, and the Commander General stepped out. Penelope hurried over to him and waited for him to give her the news she sought.

“She’s fine like I told you.”, Azriel said. Penelope didn’t seem convinced, for her eyes kept returning to the doors. Azriel put a hand on her arm and steered her away.

“This evening,” Azriel promised. “You will see her this evening. The King wants her to have enough rest before anyone is allowed.”

Penelope’s tensed shoulders sagged at that. She could finally get to see Neera for herself instead of getting second-hand information about her well-being. As much as she appreciated Azriel’s help and patience with her constant questions regarding Neera, there was still a relief that came when she will set eyes on her.

Penelope could remember the event two days ago and how everything had crumbled. The supposed wedding of the century became a huge disaster that will definitely go down in history. The King picked a maid to wed in front of dignitaries far and wide. Not only had Zavian slapped an insult on all their faces, but he had put Neera’s life in danger.

“Why did he do that?” The question that had been bothering Penelope to ask finally came out. Who was she to question the actions of the King, and especially from his best friend, but it had to be asked. Neera was the only thing closer to a family that she had.

“Honestly Pen,” his eyes were soft as he spoke, “there are just some things that are beyond our understanding,” he slid the back of his fingers down her cheek, “and beyond our control.”

Penelope stepped back at that and switched her facial expression to neutral. Azriel saw it as the exact moment her walls were back up.

“Thank you, my Lord, I’ll take my leave now,” she spoke, but Azriel blocked her before she could make a move to leave. “You know, I spent the better part of yesterday trying to understand why exactly you are giving me the cold shoulder. You were warming up to me, and suddenly, you withdrew. I tried to bring out the exact time it happened and then,” he snapped his fingers. “it occurred to me. You saw me with another woman, and you got jealous, didn’t you, Pen?”

Pen was appalled at that statement. How dare he? How could he be so full of himself to think every woman that threaded the surface of their world wanted him?

“You are mistaken, my Lord.”, she moved to the left of him to pass and leave, but Azriel matched her steps and blocked her again.

“I highly doubt I am,” he smiled. “Were you wishing it were you in my arms that day?”

“My Lord”, Penelope held in her frustration. “May I speak freely?” she was brewing inside.

“By all means.”

“If I wanted to be in your arms,” she chose her words carefully, “it would have happened a long time ago, but I don’t want, so it didn’t happen. I would have taken those expensive gifts you gave me and made a better life for myself outside these walls, but I don’t want your gifts. My Lord, what you do with anyone behind closed doors is of no concern to me.”

“Hmm...”, Azriel pursed his lips in thought. “so what I am hearing is that you refused my gifts because you are choosing to stay back? And that’s because you want to be around me, is it?”

He almost laughed at the barely contained frustration in Penelope. This was way more fun than flirting with her. It was nice to see she had that rage that he wanted to break out of her seams one day.

Pen breathed in and out. She knew very well that Azriel was looking for a reaction from her, but she was not going to give it to him.

“I have affairs to tend to, my Lord,” Penelope said, head downcast.

Azriel smiled. He moved to the side, and she jolted off in tiny quick steps.

As he watched her leave, a chuckle left his lips. She was an interesting person, and he was only just getting started with the fun of getting to know her.