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

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚇𝚇𝙸𝚇: 𝙰 𝚁𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚂𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝙳𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛

Kazi stared at Azrael, his hand warm on hers, their chests heaving in the aftermath of the stolen kiss. A million questions swirled in her mind, a tangled mess of confusion and desire. But before she could voice any of them, Azrael opened his mouth to speak.

"K—"

The sound of his voice was cut short by the clatter of footsteps approaching from the direction of the gardens. Panic surged through Kazi. She couldn't be seen like this, not with Azrael, not after what had just happened.

Without a word, she pulled her hand free from his grasp, her skin tingling where he had touched her. Her heart pounded against her ribs, and a frantic beating echoed in her ears. She did not care where she went as long as she got as far away from Azrael as possible.

She ran along the corridors, her thoughts a jumble of emotions. What did she just do? She had kissed the prince, the very person she was supposed to push away. Her deception weighed more heavily on her than ever before.

Rounding a turn, her speed pushed her forward, and she collided into a someone. "Be careful!"

Kazi looked up, her eyes widening in shock. It was King Eldarion, his face full of concern.

"Apologies, Your Majesty," she stammered, forcing herself into a respectful bow. "I was not paying attention."

The King chuckled, a warm sound that calmed her racing heart slightly. "No worries, Sir K. It happens to the best of us. Lost in thought, were we?"

Kazi forced a smile. "Something like that, Your Majesty." Her mind scrambled for a way to escape the conversation.

"Speaking of thoughts," the King continued, "Have you heard anything from your...aunt...General Kazi, regarding the marriage proposal?"

"I, uh...no, Your Majesty," she stammered. "I have not heard anything from her."

The King frowned. "Hmm, that is peculiar. She is taking her time considering it, is not she?"

"I...I apologize on her behalf, Your Majesty," Kazi mumbled, feeling a blush creep up her neck. "I am sure she will get back to you soon."

"Nonsense," the King waved a dismissive hand. "She is a busy woman, I understand. No need to apologize. Just let me know when you hear something, alright?"

"Of course, Your Majesty," Kazi said, bowing again.

The King gave her a nod and continued his way. Kazi watched him go, her heart pounding against her ribs. She had survived the encounter with the King, but the memory of Azrael's kiss lingered in her mind like a phantom.

She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her racing heartbeat. What would happen if they found out? If the truth about her identity, her mission, was exposed?

The vision of Queen Evangeline's venomous stare appeared before her eyes. The king's trust. Azrael's...kiss.

A shiver ran down her spine. The tangled web of deception she had created was tightening around her, threatening to suffocate her. Could she keep up the charade any longer? Could she continue to play the part of Sir K? Could she maintain this facade of a loyal guard while her heart ached with a forbidden desire for the very man, she was supposed to hate...?

Kazi continued to walk through the palace corridors, her mind a chaotic storm of emotions. She needed to clear her head, to separate what had happened from the potential consequences. As she turned a corner, she nearly collided with a young woman carrying a basket of linens. It was Uriel.

"Sir K!" Uriel smiled as she greeted her. "I did not expect to see you out and about yet. Are you feeling alright?"

Kazi forced a smile, relief washing over her. "Much better, Uriel; thank you for asking. Just a little stiff from the...well, you know."