A maid no more. Azriel looked at the woman in the mirror, expecting to see something changed in her. But, she looked the same. She traced her face as she looked at herself in the mirror. She touched the lips that Ashmeer had kissed, the neck that he had rained kisses down on, the breasts that he had touched, and they felt no different.
But, she felt different and so sore down there!
Her heart contracted with pain as she remembered how strange Ashmeer had been once they had returned to her room, thanks to her new powers. He had looked at her up and down sarcastically and said, "Imagine spending one's whole life as a warrior, gaining scars, working towards one purpose, and then having a tiny little thing like you come and take it all away."
He had moved towards the Book in her hand and said, "Let me keep this safe for you."
The Book's voice popped up in her head, "No....don't let me go Azriel....keep me with you....don't give me to him."
Azriel took a step back and said, "No, the book does not...I mean me....I think it's a part of Andora and I must discuss it with mother and Eva and Galvin and..."
"Galvin does not even want to see your face. Why would he want to discuss the Book of Secrets with you?"
She felt a pang, when he said that whispered, " I know but I will find a way to get an audience with him."
Suddenly, Ashmeer smiled a brilliant smile and closed the gap between them, "Oh, my Little One...you are so lovely, I cannot stay angry with you at all. Come let me love you one more time."
His hands were already urgently pushing her down on her bed, but Azriel could not bring herself to let him touch her. She was too hurt.
"I'm sore Ashmeer....please...."
A dark look crossed his face, but then his features settled into a smile and he said, "Of course..my Little One, how can I forget...it was your first time...we have many more occasions for this."
He had left then, borrowing a shrug from her and leaving her alone to sigh in relief once the door shut.
Now after a little rest and a meal, it was almost dusk. Time passed differently, in the ruined castle. She had realized that now in the past two times she had been there. She hobbled to the window and looked out. The weather was pleasant and cool, and she inhaled the fragrant air from the garden below. Her Gardner knew she loved wild roses and had planted a whole bunch of wild rose shrubs below her window, which looked out into the castle's inner garden. She felt a sudden need to be down there in the garden, away from all her problems.
As she stepped into the garden, she felt lighter. She had spent many happy moments there, with father, Malvina and Galvin in happier times. Now things had changed too suddenly for her to even process what was going on. Everything had happened so fast in the past few days, she didn't know how to react to it. She needed a day by herself just to process this and understand what was happening.
Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her and someone coughed, "Penny for your thoughts Azriel...."
She looked back in a daze to see Duke Ashdeen standing there. He looked as pensive as she felt.
"Ashmeer told me everything about the Book of Secrets Azriel....why didn't you tell me anything before this?"
She was silent, she wondered what he had told her about the Book and her own nature. She was terrified of what the Duke might think and do next. So she kept quiet.
"Azriel, I wasn't lying when I told you that I could help you....things are not always what they seem...Ashmeer is...., " he shrugged, "Anyway I do not wish to burden you with any more problems, you have seen enough struggle and pain in the past few days."
He took a step towards her and said, "If you ever, need anything, I'm there Azriel...just know that...one day you will realize this. I think."
He took her hand and kissed it, "Azriel...I want you to know...."
"What is going on here?", Eva's voice rang out sharp.
"Nothing Eva, Azriel, and I were speaking. We are almost family now", The Duke countered. The moment though was broken and he nodded at Azriel and Eva and said, "See you both at the war council meeting tomorrow. The mines of Andora cannot wait much longer. We must ride into them by day after."
When he left, Eva said, "Wow, Azriel....not yet a debutante and two suitors already...not bad dear sister.....whom would you choose?"
"It's nothing like that Eva," Azriel said...."The Duke is a strange man, and Ashmeer is...."
"I know, he is the love of your life....isn't he?"
Azriel kept quiet. She could not let her sister know of her tangled thoughts regarding Ashmeer now. She was truly confused.