Chapter 137 Breaking the Rules

Chapter 137 Breaking the Rules
I followed him back to our room. He locked the door before turning around to face me. He crossed his arms, glaring down at me.

"What, Azi? He's just a kid—"

"Did you just try to flirt with a man who already has a son?" He furrowed his brows.

"Wait, what? I didn't know he had a son—"

"So you would have kept flirting with him if he didn't have one?" He took a deep breath. "I didn't know you had this kind of taste in men. Your preference in men is absurd. You know that? Dumb."

He walked over to the table and was about to grab the flower he gave me, but I beat him to it. "This is mine now. You already gave it to me. No takesies-backsies!"

I couldn't hide the smile on my lips. The annoyance written all over Azi’s face was priceless.

"First of all, I didn't flirt with him," I began explaining myself. "I was looking for you last night and ran into him. You said it yourself, they are hospitable. He was just being a gentleman by escorting me while I looked for you. That's all. Now stop acting like a jealous boyfriend—"

"I am not jealous of that lame guy," he cut me off. "Why would I be? He's cheap. A rose? Hell no. But the way you ignored me just to approach that kid—"

"What the fuck, Azi?! Are you jealous of that kid?" I blurted out.

My eyes nearly popped out of my head. He was impossible. First the father, and now he was picking a fight over the son? Everyone, really?

"I'm not jealous of that kid! Damn it, Shekina. But the way you looked at him—"

"He's a kid! That's literally it!"

"You looked at him like he was the most precious—"

"For fuck's sake, Azi. He's a child—"

"That's it!" he cut me off, looking completely fed up with me. "You're making me want to give you a damn kid too, just so you'll stare at him the way you stared at that child!"

I was completely rendered speechless by his sudden outburst. What came out of his mouth was so unexpected. But that last part... this man was going to drive me insane.

"I'm sleepy..." He lay down on the sleeping mat, hugging a pillow and turning his back to me. "You can stay here if you want. Do whatever you like. I won't stop you from doing what you want anymore."

"Really?"

He looked back at me in disbelief. "Are you testing my—"

"Just kidding," I quickly took it back. "Go ahead and sleep, Azi. Maybe you're just really tired."

He buried his face into the pillow. "Damn. I'm so frustrated," he murmured.

I sat beside Azi, admiring the flower in my hand. With a scent this sweet, it could easily be made into perfume or a scented candle. I couldn't help taking another deep breath of its aroma.

"Azi. I'm just going out for a moment, okay?" I informed him before placing the flower on the table. I wanted to visit Mrs. Dawsey to see if she knew what could be done with the flower.

Azi didn't answer, so I assumed he was already asleep. But as I tried to stand up, he suddenly turned toward me and pulled me down, making me fall directly onto his arm.

"What am I to you, Shekina?" he asked.

I felt my heart race frantically once again. Whenever Azi and I got this close, my heart always acted up like this.

He gently brushed my hair with his fingers. It was so soothing... like a lullaby. "Aside from being your master. I want to know how you see me."

I swallowed hard. "You are the only master I ever want to serve for as long as I live."

It was the absolute truth. I wouldn't even know where to begin if he ever let me go. I was terrified of waking up one morning serving someone else.

I felt him pull me closer, resting my head against his chest. His scent was far better than both hyacinths and roses. To me... it was the most addicting fragrance in existence.

"You know that this is an abomination, right, Shekina?" he whispered. "According to the rules, a slave isn't supposed to harbor personal feelings toward her master. If broken, the most severe punishment shall be served."

Breathing heavily, I responded, "I've heard about that."

"How about the rules of Azekiel Vancourt?"

"Azi..."

"Touch my piece, and the rules will be broken," he mumbled. "Steal it, and the game will be wrecked." His grip on me tightened. "Harm it, and the game is over."

He was terrifying me. His words sent butterflies through my stomach, but they came with an overwhelming depth of sincerity. It sounded almost like a threat.

"I've already lost my first piece..." he continued. "I don't want to lose you. You are my last piece. Protect me, Shekina. Please be a secret. You are the only one who can save me."

I felt his grip slowly loosen as he released me. "Go now. I'll just rest."

That was the moment he completely freed me.

I stood up feeling entirely dazed. As usual, his words spun around in my head like a whirlwind. I was just about to walk toward the door when he spoke up again.

"Do you want to do it with me?" he asked.

I turned back to look at Azi. "Do what, Azi?"

"The ritual."