"My Lord, we've been looking for you. Your urgent attention is needed outside," the warrior said.
"I'll be there in a second," Azriel told him.
He bowed and closed the door as he exited. Azriel, in a flash, closed the space between him and Penelope and pressed a kiss on her lips. It was different from the others he gave her, this one was soft, careful, a promise.
Stepping back from her looked like a real pain to him. "I have to go."
She nodded. "I know."
"Pen," he said. "Say my name, even if it is just once."
"My Lord, I can't…"
"Say it, Pen."
Penelope's tongue was lead in her mouth. "Az…riel." And the name felt strange, foreign.
Azriel smiled. "Good, I want you to say it even better after the war when you are all dressed in white, and I make you my bride in front of the whole world."
There was no time for Penelope to process what he had just said before he exited the chamber.
....
