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

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚇𝚇𝚇𝚅𝙸: 𝙰 𝙵𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛'𝚜 𝚆𝚒𝚜𝚍𝚘𝚖

A few weeks had passed, since Azrael arrived back in Althea. The air hung heavy with a suffocating silence as Azrael's walked through the corridors of the palace, his steps measured and purposeful. He could feel the weight of his decision pressing down on him, like an invisible force that threatened to crush his very soul. He knew that he had made the right choice, but that did little to ease the ache in his heart.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the silence. "Azrael!"

He stopped, recognizing his father's voice. King Eldarion stood at the entrance to the throne room, his expression concerned. "Father?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly.

His father motioned for him to enter the throne room. As Azrael walked inside, he couldn't help but notice the tension in the air. Inside the throne room, his father sat on a white chair, where his advisors normally sat and gestured towards another chair. "Sit, son," he commanded, his firm but there was a hint of gentleness that Azrael had not experienced in a long time.

He sat down slowly. The silence stretched on for a while, broken only by the nervous tapping of Azrael's foot against the marble floor.

Finally, King Eldarion spoke, his voice with a hint of amusement. "You look like a kicked puppy, Azrael." He chuckled softly. "Or perhaps a lost child."

Azrael scoffed, "Funny you should say that Father," he muttered.

King Eldarion's smiles faded, replaced by a seriousness that mirrored Azrael's own. "Do you know why I proposed the marriage to General Kazi?" he asked, his eyes boring into his son's.

Azrael shook his head. "No, Father. I thought it was a political move, to strengthen ties between Althea and Niameda."

King Eldarion chuckled, a low rumble that echoed through the vast chamber. "Politics, yes," he admitted, "but not entirely. You see, Azrael," he continued, his voice softening, "But from the first moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was the one for you."

"Father we are not similar," Azrael said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Love has a curious tendency to bloom in the most unexpected places, between the most... opposite people." King Eldarion paused, gathering his thoughts.

"But she lied to me, Father. She deceived me all along. Confused me, made me question everything."

King Eldarion raised a hand, silencing his son. "Did you ever ask her why?" he inquired; his eyes boring into Azrael's. "Did you ever give her a chance to explain herself?"

Azrael faltered, a flicker of shame crossing his features. "No, Father. I was...I was too angry, I suppose." He looked down at his hands, clenching and unclenching them in his lap. "I should have given her a chance to explain, but...I couldn't bear the thought of." He trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

King Eldarion sighed. "Governor Nari, her father, contacted me weeks ago. He revealed that General Kazi decided to come to Althea undercover to uncover a traitor within our midst. However, the mission was cut short due to the little altercation with your sister Athiel."

Azrael's eyes widened in surprise. "A traitor? Here, in Althea?"

"Indeed," the King confirmed. "It seems General Kazi was willing to go to great lengths to protect both Niameda and Althea...and although she fell for you in the process yes...she was willing to put her life at stake for both kingdoms...even if it meant... deceiving you."

Azrael remained silent, processing this new information. Deception was still a bitter pill to swallow, but understanding Kazi's motives somehow made it easier to bear.