Chapter 115: Under Night Skies

His eyes dropped down to the bouquet of roses clutched in my hands. Sensing his cold stare, I quickly hid them behind my back.

He cleared his throat, his tone dangerously calm. "There is a trash bin a few meters to your left."

I bit my lower lip. Heartbroken at the waste of perfectly good flowers, I walked over to the bin and gently dropped Ragnal’s bouquet inside.

I walked back over to Azi, keeping my composure. "What brings you out here? Are you heading somewhere?"

I gasped as his hand shot out, grasping my wrist tightly. He pulled me along, and I let myself be dragged behind him without a single word of complaint or question.

We stopped near a magnificent white horse tied to a tree near the stables. Wait... what? Don't tell me—

"What should I name her?" Azi asked suddenly.

My mouth hung open in utter shock. Is he seriously asking me to name his horse?

I took a slow step toward the horse. She was as large as Nikolai's steed, but far gentler. Her coat was pure snow-white, marked only by a letter S on her side.

"Sigrid," I mumbled softly. I turned to Azi with a faint smile. "Sigrid is a fitting name for her."

He stared silently before giving a single nod. Untying Sigrid's reins, he mounted swiftly and extended a hand. I took it without hesitation, and he hoisted me onto the saddle behind him.

He urged the horse forward into a full gallop, far faster than Nikolai's, yet I felt no fear. Perhaps because I wasn't new to riding, or perhaps because I was with him.

The cool night air rushed past us under a star-crowded canopy and a watchful full moon. A small smile touched my lips. Why did this feel infinitely more romantic than that lavish restaurant?

"Why did you stay out so late?" Azi asked over the sound of thundering hooves.

"We had a lot of details to discuss," I answered truthfully, but quickly added, "I won't stay out late next time. I'll make sure to come back earlier."

"So... there's a next time?"

"Well, yes. There's still a lot of preparation left to do."

We stopped at the same scenic overlook Nikolai had taken me to before. Azi dismounted first and offered a hand, but I ignored it and slid off the horse on my own.

He released Sigrid's reins, allowing her to graze peacefully on the grass nearby.

I turned to Azi, who was staring up at the moon. "How are the preparations for The Etril coming along on your end?"

"Fine," I replied quietly.

I sat down on the grass, pulling my knees up against my chest. It still felt surreal to be having such a calm conversation with Azi. A slight awkwardness lingered between us.

"I feel like sleeping out here tonight," Azi stated out of nowhere, lying down flat on his back in the grass.

I looked at him in disbelief. "Seriously?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"So... do I have to sleep out here, too?" I asked timidly.

"You won't be sleeping," he smirked, keeping his eyes on the night sky. "You're here to keep watch while I sleep."

"Oh..." I nodded slowly. "Okay."

The smirk vanished from his lips. He rolled his eyes, returning his gaze to the stars. Silence descended upon us once more, only the rustling wind and the soft sounds of the horse grazing broke the quiet.

I let out a soft yawn. "Looks like I'll fall asleep before you do," I teased gently.

"It's you..." he said suddenly.

I looked down at him. "What?"

He closed his eyes. "You were the one I intended to bring. I have no idea why you assumed I meant Emris, I was looking directly at you. Even Emris knew it."

My lips parted in shock. Anxiety and a strange excitement surged through me, fear of becoming a burden, paired with the thrill of going with him.

"I might just get in your way, Master Azi," I admitted quietly. "I only beat the twins out of sheer luck. I'm not ready for a real field mission."

"Of course you'll be a hassle," he chuckled softly, eyes still shut. "Who said anything about you fighting? I just don't want to return right away, so I'm bringing you along. I don't feel like worrying about what reckless nonsense you'll pull while I'm gone."

I carefully laid down on the grass beside him, turning onto my side to face him. "I won't do anything to cross you again."

"How many times have you said that already?" He turned onto his side as well, propping his head up with one hand to look down at me. "You let your emotions drive you, Shekina. That's why you act so recklessly. Only weak vampires allow their emotions to govern their actions."

I lowered my eyes, unable to refute his words. He's right. As Theron once said, 'There is a thin line between courage and recklessness.' I had been recklessly crossing that line all along.

"What about what you told me before, about staying close to Lord Maximus?" I asked softly. "It'll be difficult to monitor him if I'm away on a mission with you."

He raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were supposed to be remorseful. Why the excuses? You're coming with me whether you like it or not. End of discussion."

He rolled onto his back, hands resting over his chest. In the moonlight, his striking features stood out, his long eyelashes, high nose bridge, and deep crimson lips.

"I just want you to claim what is rightfully yours, Master Azi," I whispered sincerely. "You've sacrificed far too much for this clan. It's time you take your place."

He let out a heavy sigh, closing his eyes. "I don't know. Just shut up now, Shekina."

"Why, Azi? Are you having second thoughts?"

"I said shut up."

"Okay..." I turned onto my back as well, staring up at the night sky.

I fought back a heavy yawn as exhaustion washed over me, sitting up to stay awake. But before I could, Azi grabbed my wrist and pulled me back down.

My breath caught in my throat as his arm wrapped tightly around my waist, pulling me close against his chest.

"Don't say a word," he whispered into the dark, his grip tightening around me. "I'm going to say something I'll probably regret later. I'll only say it once, so listen carefully."

I closed my eyes, letting the warmth of his body push away the night chill. The scent of his dark cologne wrapped entirely around me.

"Do you really think I felt nothing when I killed your friend?" he whispered, his voice barely audible against the rustling grass.

I gasped softly. "It's in the past now, Azi..."

"Right. That was the plan... but seeing your horror felt wrong," he continued, strangely vulnerable. "For once, someone was actually horrified by my cruelty and couldn't stand seeing me covered in blood."

"Azi..."

"Maybe you won after all, Shekina. Maybe... meeting you was my greatest mistake."