Chapter 116: Burning Truth

"You once told me that someday, I might regret meeting you." That was the moment he turned to face me. A deep melancholic feeling swept over me as I stared into his eyes. His hand was still resting gently against my waist. "It's starting..."

I could do nothing but lose myself entirely in his gaze.

A few moments later, Azi released me from his embrace. He sat up and shook his head, taking a deep breath before turning back to me.

"Wait for me here. I'll just get something from the barn," he said before standing up and walking toward the nearby structure. He walked with his head slightly bowed, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his sweatpants.

I was left alone, staring blankly up at the dark night sky. What does that even mean? I don't understand. Did I do it? Did I actually succeed in getting close to him?

If that's the case... then why am I not happy at all?

Azi returned moments later. He told me to sit up, and I complied. We sat facing each other on the soft grass. Suddenly, the memory of that night in the house behind the mansion flashed through my mind. This scene somehow reminded me of the fireflies.

Azi produced a candle and struck a match to light it. I kept my eyes fixed on his face as he cupped his palm around the flame to shield it from the gentle wind.

"This is what I do when I can't sleep," he whispered softly. My eyes drifted down to the flicker of light as he looked up at me. "I light a candle and watch it melt."

I stared into the steady candle flame. "Why can't you sleep tonight?"

"The sky is calm and the weather is pleasant. It would be such a waste to fall asleep early," he responded, his eyes meeting mine. "You see, Shekina... you are just like a lit candle. Pure and innocent at first, but you melt as time passes by. You cry tears that never fully dry, leaving behind marks that haunt you every single day."

He handed the candle to me so he could wipe the warm wax droplets from his fingers.

"Take this as advice from me," I heard Azi say, my gaze still glued to the melting wax. "As much as possible, don't let painful memories hover in your head for too long. Forgive yourself, but don't forget. Learn to give up, but never stop fighting. Don't end up like me."

I raised my eyes from the flame to look at Azi, who was staring intently at the candle in my hands. "Release and breathe..." he whispered.

Using my bare fingers, I pinched out the candle flame. Azi looked up at me, surprise flickering across his features. I wiped the stray melted wax along the side of the candle, took the matchbox from his hand, and lit it once more. I brought the warm flame up between our faces.

"You are still living in the heat of a fire that someone from your past lit for you," I stated, looking straight into his eyes. "I appreciate your advice, Azi. But I hope you can accept mine, too. Do yourself a favor and extinguish the old fire that haunts you so you can start a new one."

Azi remained entirely motionless, staring directly at me.

"There are plenty of reasons why certain things are better left in the past, but letting them ruin your present peace isn't one of them." I lifted the candle higher between us and gently blew out the flame. "That's why sometimes, you have to extinguish the fire from the past to protect your present. That's what moving on means, Azi..."

I gave him a soft, reassuring smile, until he suddenly leaned in close. He claimed my lips swiftly, pulling me into a kiss that made my eyes flutter shut. I felt him gently take the candle from my hands. Resting one palm behind my back, he lowered me down until I was lying on the grass beneath him.

He broke the kiss briefly, leaning down to whisper words that sent an eerie chill straight through me. "It's too late to extinguish the fire, Shekina. Maybe if you had come into my life sooner... there would still be a chance. But not now... not when I have already become the fire itself."

That thought haunted me the entire night. Sleep eluded me until I finally confronted the terrifying emotion stirring deep inside my chest. The realization hit me like a heavy blow in the dark.

Fear. I was terrified, not for myself, but for him. I felt like he was a ticking bomb that could detonate at any given second. One wrong move... one slight trigger... one unpredictable event, and he would completely snap.

When I opened my eyes the next morning, I was back in my bedroom. I sat up and began getting ready for the day. A small note taped to the back of my bedroom door caught my attention. I walked over and read the message.

I'll be out for a while. Prepare. You will come with me when I return. – S

A nervous pang shot through my chest. I had no idea what was going through Azi’s mind or why he decided to drag me along on a mission. I had no real skills to offer him. In fact... he was right, I would probably just get in his way.

As the warm water ran down my body in the shower, my fingers absentmindedly touched my lower lip. Flashbacks of last night rushed through my mind, how he had kissed me... so remarkably gentle, so undeniably raw and honest. I couldn't bring myself to deny it, I liked it.

A faint smile touched my lips as I stepped out of my room. Feeling my stomach rumble, I headed straight for the dining hall. Inside, I found Lord Maximus, Nikolai, and a woman sitting with her head bowed, though it wasn't Tabitha.

I bowed politely as Lord Maximus’ eyes landed on me. "Good morning, Lord Maximus, Master Nikolai."

"Good morning to you as well, Lady Kina. Come, sit down and join us for breakfast," Lord Maximus invited warmly.

I took my usual seat across from Nikolai. The unfamiliar woman raised her head and offered me a soft smile, which I politely returned.

"Azi will be out for a short while, Lady Kina," Lord Maximus noted, taking a sip of his drink. "He might not return until late tonight. By the way... have you met Lady Yvaine?"

"I don't believe so, Milord," I replied, glancing at the woman sitting beside Nikolai.

"Ah, my apologies." Nikolai cleared his throat. "Lady Kina... meet Lady Yvaine. She will be my slave from now on."