Chapter 200 My Angel | 093

Chapter 200 My Angel | 093
NOELLE

I'm still blushing. I don't think I've stopped since Azren sat up in bed, wide-eyed, whispering that the runes were gone.

Even now, as we walk into the sitting room together, my cheeks are burning so hot I'm sure everyone can see it.

Azren's hand is wrapped tightly around mine. His grip is warm and steady... stronger than before. There's a lightness in his movements too, as though something heavy has finally been lifted from his shoulders.

Danika looks up first. Her eyes immediately widen.

"Kaz... look at him."

Kaziel turns, and I swear the entire room goes still.

Azren steps forward slowly, rubbing the back of his neck as if he suddenly feels shy under their attention.

"They're gone," he says in a low voice.

Danika blinks. "Gone?"

He nods, lifting the hem of his shirt. The skin of his torso is smooth. No angry red runes. No faint glow. No marks at all. There's only clear, warm skin.

Danika gasps softly.

Kaziel exhales, his shoulders dropping like tension just drained out of him all at once.

"No..." Danika breathes, moving forward. "They really are..."

Azren glances at me briefly, his fingers tightening around mine.

"Noelle... she marked me."

And just like that, my face explodes into flames. Danika's gaze snaps to me. Then slowly... her lips curve. And she smirks. My mother in law smirks at me! Kill me now.

"Oh," she drawls, and Kaziel's mouth twitches.

"Oh," he echoes.

I suddenly find the marble very interesting. Azren clears his throat, still holding my hand.

"They started glowing when she bit me. Gold... not red. Then they faded completely. Like they were never there."

Danika's eyes soften instantly. She wraps her arms around Kaziel tightly, burying her face in his chest.

"Kaz... it's the same," she whispers.

Kaziel's arms close around her automatically, his expression warm as he looks down at her.

"Yeah," he says. "It is."

I blink, looking between them.

Danika pulls back slightly, smiling at me now.

"That's what happened with us too," she explains gently.

My eyes widen.

"Really?"

She nods.

"When Kaziel had a sigil affecting his core... marking him got rid of it."

My blush deepens.

"Oh..."

Kaziel huffs softly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"To be fair," he mutters, "she was the one who suggested it."

Danika immediately looks up at him.

"Well, yes. Because someone wasn't thinking clearly."

Kaziel raises a brow. "I had a fever."

"You were about to walk into a trap with no plan."

"I had a plan."

"You absolutely did not."

"I did. It was just... evolving."

Danika snorts. "That's not a plan. That's just you being reckless."

Azren's shoulders start shaking beside me. He's clearly trying not to laugh. Kaziel glances at him.

"Don't start."

Danika folds her arms, her eyes narrowing playfully.

"You were burning up, half delirious, and still trying to be heroic."

Kaziel sighs. "My brain wasn't working right."

"Exactly."

"And you were bossy."

"I was saving your life."

"You were threatening me."

"You needed threatening."

"You enjoy it."

Danika's eyes widen slightly. "I did not—"

Kaziel smirks faintly. "You definitely did, dove."

Danika nudges his chest.

"Stop it."

Azren lets out a soft laugh now, unable to hold it in.

I'm smiling too, even though my face still feels like it's on fire. Danika glances at me again, her expression softening.

"But really... Noelle," she says gently, "you did something incredible."

I swallow hard. "I just... followed my instinct."

She nods knowingly. “Sometimes instinct knows best."

Kaziel studies Azren carefully. "How do you feel?"

Azren pauses. Then he exhales slowly.

"Clear," he admits. "Like... like something was pressing on my chest for days, and now it's gone."

Relief floods Danika's face. She reaches forward and hugs Azren carefully.

"I'm so glad," she whispers.

He hugs her back, gentle but firm. Kaziel rests a hand on Azren's shoulder.

"Well," he utters, "looks like history really does repeat itself."

Azren glances at me, his eyes warm.

"Yeah," he murmurs softly.

My heart flutters. And I'm still blushing. I don't think I can ever get used to this.

...

I help Azren button his shirt, my fingers moving slowly and reluctantly, as if taking my time might somehow delay what he's about to do.

He stands in front of me, freshly showered, his hair still slightly damp, his skin finally free of those terrifying glowing runes. Even now, I keep glancing at his chest as if I expect them to reappear.

They don't. And yet... my chest still feels tight.

I pout as I smooth the fabric over his shoulders.

"Do you really have to do this?" I mumble softly. "You're just recovering, Azren..."

He exhales, his hands settling gently on my waist.

"I need to know what's going on in the enemy camp," he tells me. "And I'm not going alone. I'll be with my dad."

That should comfort me. It does. But it's still not enough.

He turns towards the mirror, taking his fingers through his hair. It's really growing fast. The ends are touching his collarbone now. Almost as long as his dad's. It does suit him. Too well actually.

I bite my lip, my fingers curling lightly into his shirt.

He notices immediately.

Azren turns to fully face me, his hands sliding up to cup my cheeks, his thumbs brushing softly across my skin.

"What's wrong, Angel?" he asks gently.

My throat tightens.

"I just..." I swallow, my voice soft. "I just got you back. I'm scared."

His expression softens right away. He presses his forehead gently against mine.

"I'll be fine," he smiles. "I'm stronger now. And Dad won't let anything happen to me either."

I nod slowly... but the worry doesn't fully leave. I almost tell him that those people are unpredictable.

That something could still go wrong. But instead...

Something else slips out.

"I think..." I hesitate, my cheeks warming. "I think you just got me pregnant."

Azren arches a brow. I blush harder, my heart racing.

"I—I mean..." I lower my voice, embarrassed. "I'm ovulating... and earlier... you... um..."

My cheeks burn hotter.

"We... didn't exactly hold back."

He just stares at me for a moment, a slight crease in his brows. Then his lips slowly curve into a smirk.

Oh no.

I smack his chest lightly, mortified, covering my face with both hands.

"Azren!"

He laughs softly, warm and amused, gently catching my wrists and pulling my hands away.

"Angel..."

He leans down and kisses me softly. When he pulls back, his gaze is warm and thoughtful.

"You know I'm okay with kids," he utters. "I want as many as possible..."

His thumb brushes lightly across my cheek.

"But what matters is what you want."

My heart squeezes. I gaze into his eyes, seeing the man I love more than anything in the world.

"I would never force my selfish desires on you," he continues softly. "And I know you want me happy... but your happiness is my happiness too."

My eyes sting. He brushes his thumb beneath my eye gently.

"Do you want kids now... or years later?"

My throat tightens.

"I... I do want kids," I whisper, my voice trembling slightly.

Emotion wells up in my chest, my vision blurring.

"I just..." I swallow hard, my tears slipping. "I just want you by my side... raising them together."

His expression softens even more, something protective and tender flooding his eyes. He pulls me into another kiss.

"I'll protect that dream of yours," he whispers. "With everything I have."

My heart melts completely, and I wrap my arms around him, holding him tight.

And for a moment... All I can think about is the future.

A future with him. With laughter. With children. With love. And I silently pray that nothing takes that away from us.

He reaches for his watch next, slipping it onto his wrist with practised ease. The familiar motion makes something warm bloom in my chest. It feels so normal. A total opposite of what our lives have recently become.

Then he sprays his cologne.

The scent immediately fills the air. My shoulders loosen without me even realizing it. I inch forward and wrap my arms around him tightly, pressing my face into his chest. Then I inhale deeply, breathing him in.

He chuckles softly, surprised.

"You okay, Angel?"

I nod against him, still holding him close. I sniff quietly, my fingers curling into his shirt.

"Your scent and your cologne complement each other so well," I mumble.

His hand slides into my hair, stroking gently.

"My baby is really clingy today. Wish I could stay a little longer to enjoy this," he teases softly.

I huff, but I don't let go. He presses a kiss to the top of my head, his voice turning softer.

"I'm worried you'll follow me."

My chest tightens. I pull back slightly, looking up at him. His blue eyes are gentle but serious.

"Whatever happens... stay safe," he says. "Stay with my mum. She's already worried sick. About Dad... and about me."

My throat tightens. I nod slowly.

"I will."

His hand cups my cheek, his thumb brushing my cheek.

"Promise me."

"I promise."

He exhales softly, relief flashing across his face before he leans down and presses a lingering kiss to my forehead.

Then he takes my hand.

We walk downstairs together, pressed close. His fingers are laced through mine, warm and steady. I lean into his side, my shoulder brushing against his arm as we move slowly towards the sitting room.

Kaziel is already on the couch.

Danika is perched beside him, close enough that their shoulders touch, her hand wrapped tightly around his. They look quiet and calm on the surface... but I can see the tension in the way her fingers grip his.

And suddenly... I understand. I understand how my mother-in-law must be feeling. Watching her husband and son walk towards danger while she waits, hopes and prays.

Azren's hand tightens slightly in mine.

Azren bends and presses a gentle kiss to my forehead.

At the exact same time, Kaziel leans down and kisses Danika's forehead too.

The moment feels... mirrored. Danika's fingers tighten in Kaziel's shirt. My hand grips Azren's.

Neither of us says anything. We don't need to. Then, slowly, the two men turn towards the door.

And walk out together.

Danika's gaze meets mine, and I know exactly what she's thinking. She badly wants to follow them. And so do I.