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

꧁༺ 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓛𝓧𝓘𝓥: 𝓐 𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽'𝓼 𝓓𝓮𝓬𝓲𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷 ༻꧂

The silence stretched on, thick with unspoken emotions. Kazi, unable to meet Azrael's gaze, busied herself with picking at the hem of her gown. "What now, Azrael?" she repeated his question, her voice trembling slightly.

Azrael ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that mirrored Kazi's own frustration. "What do you want to happen, Kazi?" he asked, his voice softening.

Kazi searched his eyes, a flicker of hope igniting within her. "I... I thought we could talk," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Communicate, understand each other."

"We are communicating, Kazi," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps not in the way you envisioned, but we are."

Kazi bit her lip, the weight of his words settling on her shoulders. "But what do you want, Azrael?" she pressed. "Do you still want to go through with this marriage?"

Azrael sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I want a lot of things, Kazi," he admitted. "I want a love built on honesty, a future where deception doesn't hang between us like a dark cloud. But I also have responsibilities."

"Responsibilities?" Kazi repeated, her voice cracking slightly.

"I am the second prince of Althea," Azrael explained, "I do not have the power my brother wields, the power to change laws, to break centuries-old traditions."

"And I suppose I am just some woman from a barbaric kingdom, expected to bend to your will?" she countered, her voice dripping with little bit of anger.

"No, Kazi, that is not what I am saying. But I have a duty to my people, just as you do to yours." He paused, searching for the right words.

"And are you suggesting I should abandon Niameda to become a trophy wife in Althea, trapped in a palace, silenced and expected to churn out heirs?" Kazi asked, her voice trembling with anger and betrayal. Kazi met his gaze, her eyes blazing with defiance.

Azrael's gaze softened, the anger fading from his eyes. "No, Kazi," he said, his voice gentle. "I do not expect that from you. I know how much you love and are loyal to Niameda. It is a part of you, just as being a prince is a part of me.

"Azrael... what are you saying?" Kazi asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She felt as if the world had been turned upside down, the foundation of everything they had built together crumbling before her eyes. "Do you still want me to be your wife?"

He walked up to her, met her gaze and cupped her face, "I am saying, Kazi," he began, his voice wavering slightly, "that I love you. More than life, more than breath itself. More than this stupid crown that sits on my head." He paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself before continuing. "I love your fire, your strength," he murmured, his thumb gently tracing the outline of her lips. "I love the warrior beneath the beautiful gown."

Kazi's chest felt warm, and the sensation threatened to overtake her. Azrael, the arrogant prince, had just confessed his love for her.

Before she could respond, he crashed his lips against hers, his tongue demanding entrance into her mouth. He cupped the back of her head, holding her close as he kissed her with a passion that left her breathless. She could feel the desperation in his touch, the need for this connection between them. Her heart raced as she gave in to the sensations, returning his kiss with equal fervour. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him even closer, their bodies pressing tightly together.

Azrael's touch ignited a firestorm within Kazi. His hands roamed her back, sending shivers down her spine. She clung to him, her fingers digging into his shoulders, feeling the hard muscles beneath her palms. Their kiss deepened, their tongues tangling in a dance of desire. The kiss felt endless, consuming, as if the world outside of this moment did not exist. She could feel his heart racing against hers, their breath mingling in the air between them.