Zemblanity

Chapter 9

Azrozan sat quietly beside the bar counter at Majesta taking small sips from his whiskey. He was so engrossed in his alcoholic blues that he didn't notice another presence just two seats away from him.

"Whiskey; neat." The familiar voice pulled him out of his glass. He stared at her silently but not subtly enough for her to not notice.

"We know each other's clan now Azra, let's do this right and not interact." Seraphina said without once glancing in Azrozan's direction.

"I think we both know it's a lot more complicated than that." Azrozan said almost in a trance.

"It's only complicated if we make it which I won't be doing and I suggest neither should you." Seraphina said and took a sip from her arrived drink. Azrozan finished the rest of his drink in one sip and walked closer to Seraphina.

"I don't know why you're doing what you're doing but I am not going to pretend that there is nothing here." Azrozan said standing close enough for Seraphina to feel a shiver at his breath.

"You don't know? How about the fact that we're committing treason for even looking at each other without the intention to kill each other? Or the fact that we've already fucked up enough by locking lips twice? Or that I am going to get married and yet you're chasing something that isn't possible? Do you want me to keep going?" Seraphina said and for the first time tonight looked at the young Archfiend.

"You're getting married?" Azrozan asked; perplexed. Seraphina sighed and looked down to her glass.

"Well I have a date with him tomorrow, but either way I don't have a choice so yes I am getting married, just after Talini is married and given the clan control." Seraphina said.

"So there will be two men joining the royal family?" Azrozan asked.

"Not really, Malachi is already a part of the south-east second council." She said.

"Malachi Berretta? Geline Berretta's husband? Really Sera?" Azrozan's voice held a panic even he couldn't decipher.

"I don't have a damn choice Azrozan. Father chose him for me." She said and took a huge sip from her whiskey.

"He is the reason behind her death! How can anyone be okay with this?" Azrozan had no idea why he was angry.

"I don't know! I wasn't asked. I was just promised off to him and I am in no position to decline." She said trying to hide her emotions to the best of her ability.

"So you're just going marry a man who killed your family member?" Azrozan sounded bitter.

"Like I said, I don't have a choice." Seraphina said nonchalantly.

"The Sera I know wouldn't just succumb to this." He said.

"You've met me twice or thrice, you don't know a 'Sera'! What you know is a figment of your own fucking imagination and fantasy. Now leave me the fuck alone." She finally snapped.

Azrozan remained silent but did not move an inch. He signaled for the waiter to refill his glass and looked at Seraphina who was staring right into her glass.

"Look Azrozan, I am not happy about this but I was always aware of the fact that sooner or later I will be married to someone; whether I like that person or not is irrelevant. But this doesn't concern you, nothing happening in my life does." Seraphina said looking at him.

"As much as I want to agree with you for the sake of my clan, I cannot. I feel something for you and that is too young to be named but I want it to grow so that I can put a name on it.

The first time we kissed, we were oblivious to a lot of things but the second time we knew enough to stop yet none of us did." he said.

"You feel something too and somewhere I understand your denial but I cannot get myself to ignore these feelings." He added.