Whispers Of Desires: A Sense Of Truth {Book 2}

꧁༺ 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓧𝓛𝓘𝓧: 𝓤𝓷𝓻𝓪𝓿𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓢𝓮𝓬𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓼 ༻꧂

The silence stretched between them, carrying an unsettling tension. Kazi finally cleared her throat, the awkward tension.

"Your...your wings," she stammered, her voice uncharacteristically hesitant. "Are they...going to be alright?"

Azrael's gaze dropped to his side, where his wings were now tucked out of sight.

"Just a few bumps and bruises," he said, forcing a smile. "Nothing a few days of rest cannot fix."

Kazi was not convinced. She could see the way he held himself slightly stiffly, as though every movement caused him pain. But she held her tongue, knowing pushing him would not help.

There was a pause of silence and Kazi looked down at her injured arm a wry smile playing on her lips. "Another scar to add to the collection," she mused, trying to lighten the mood.

Azrael's eyes met hers, his gaze warm and unexpectedly intense. "Thank you, K," he said, his voice low and sincere. "For your bravery. You...you mean a lot to me..."

Kazi's breath caught in her throat. His words hung in the air, carrying an unintended weight. Did he...? Did he mean...

Azrael seemed to realize his near slip-up. He coughed awkwardly, flushing slightly. "I...I did not say..." he stammered; his usual arrogance momentarily forgotten.

"I hope you heal," Azrael said trying to change the subject. Azrael gave a nod and turned towards the door. His hand rested on the knob for a moment, then he finally pushed it open and stepped out, leaving Kazi alone with her racing heart and a confusing jumble of emotions.

A smile bloomed on her face, a genuine, unguarded smile that lit up her features. The memory of Azrael's words echoed in her mind, a sweetness that threatened to drown out the voice of duty. But, as she soaked in the unexpected warmth, a spark of determination flared within her.

No matter what emotions arose, her mission remained essential. She was Kazi, the General of Niameda, and duty came first. She would not let anything, not even the alluring Prince Azrael, deter her from locating the traitor and assuring Niameda's safety. In the back of her mind, she heard a voice similar to Azrael's, suggesting that duty and anything more might coexist. She pushed the thought away; it was foolishness.

Kazi's arm ached with each step, but she persisted. Her throat felt parched, and the physician's directions to rest completely had already been forgotten. Ignoring the dizziness that accompanied her movement, she tiptoed along the silent corridors, her palm tracing against the cool stone wall for support.

She was about to round a quiet corner when a familiar face appeared from the shadows. Kazi froze, her breath seizing in her throat. "Ren?" She whispered.

A big smile spread across his face. "K!" he whispered yell, charging towards her. Before she could react, he drew her into a close hug.

"I heard about your injury," he continued, his voice full of concern as he backed away. "Everyone's been discussing it. I was so worried!"

Kazi managed a feeble smile. "It is nothing serious, Ren," she reassured him, forcing her voice to remain calm. "Just a few scratches."

He looked at her sceptically. "Scratches? "You nearly got killed by a changeling, K!" His voice grew softer with concern. "You should not be out of bed. "What are you doing here?"

Kazi shifted uneasily beneath his gaze. "I just needed some water," she whispered, feeling like a child who disobeyed directions.

"Water?" Ren lifted his eyebrow. "Seriously? Couldn't you have just called for a maid! You should be resting."

His voice included a trace of annoyance as well as an undercurrent of protectiveness that made Kazi groan in response. "I do not want to bother anyone," she replied defensively.

Ren laughed, "Do not be silly." Allow me to fetch it for you. "You go back to bed and rest."

Kazi hesitated for a moment before feeling dizzy and swaying slightly. Ren grabbed her arm before she could stumble.

"See?" he asked, his voice full of mild pleasure. "Return to bed with you. "I will be right back."

Kazi thanked him for his help and let him take her back to her chambers.

Kazi stretched, wincing slightly as the movement worsened the throbbing pain in her arm. The physician had finally let her out of bed, but strict rest restrictions still followed.

With a sigh, she began unfastening the buttons on the shirt, moving slowly and deliberately.

As she walked closer to the full-length mirror on the wall, she noticed a sparkle of light. She paused and looked closer. A small piece of paper, wrapped neatly, was tucked gently beneath the beautiful wooden frame.

Kazi's pulse raced with curiosity. She carefully unrolled the parchment, her brow furrowing as she read the words.

'There is a puppeteer pulling the strings, K,' the message began, the words written in a flowing script she did not recognize. A shiver danced down her spine. Who knew her name? And who dared call her "puppeteer"?

The message continued, vague yet intriguing. 'They orchestrate the chaos, the fear. But perhaps...perhaps they find themself drawn to your unshakeable commitment, K. "Find them, K, and maybe the strings will stop being pulled.'

Kazi read the message several times, her thoughts racing. Who was the mysterious author? Did they understand her true identity as a Niamedan spy? More importantly, what did they mean when they said they were "drawn to her"? An uncomfortable sense of being watched crept in the pit of her stomach.

Over the next few days, Kazi found herself confined to her chambers, frustration and worry gnawing at her insides. With her arm still healing, investigating the cryptic message was impossible. She spent her days with people visiting her quite often.

Ren, his face etched with worry, brought her light reading material and engaged her in lively conversation, his presence a welcome distraction. Nia visited too, her eyes filled with concern, bringing her gossip from the court and news from Niameda.

Azrael, however, remained a distant figure. He had visited once after their initial encounter, his behaviour stoic and quiet and his wings were hidden. His visit had been briefing, filled with awkward silences and lingering glances. Since then, he had been a ghost, his absence leaving a strange emptiness in her heart that she tried desperately to ignore.

Princess Athiel, who was tireless in her pursuit, had made daily visits to Kazi. But Kazi, unwilling to deal with the princess' unwanted approaches, had started to fake sleep whenever the guards announced her arrival. The charade was tiresome, but Kazi preferred it to the princess' oppressive attention.

Kazi was increasingly irritated as the days turned into weeks. The letter haunted her, ringing through the night. She wanted to be back on her feet, to find the truth that lied beneath the surface of Althea. But, for the time being, she was obliged to be patient, like a caged lioness waiting for the right opportunity to escape.