I was grateful because I didn’t think my body could handle much more burning or slicing.
After keeping me up Sunday night, I was able to sleep for a few hours Monday morning while he was making his delivery only for him to keep me up the whole night last night and allow only a few hours of sleep this morning. I was exhausted, and I think he saw that which was why he only kept me chained up for a half an hour today. One orgasm for each of us.
I pleaded for more, but he simply told me no, released me, and headed for his office to work.
Since we had gotten in the car, Azrael had been silent, and I understood why. We had no idea what the museum would hold, but knowing Thomas, I knew it wasn’t going to be anything beautiful.
We drove and drove and drove, the sun long since set. It was a long time before we finally pulled up to a curb and put the car in park.
My brows furrowed. Were we here? I didn’t see anyone anywhere, a few people walking on the sidewalk, but nothing more.
Azrael’s door shut and a moment later my door was opening.
I climbed out, the red dress floating around me like waves of the ocean. It was made of tulle and silk, falling to my knees, one side was longer than the other. The sleeves fell off the shoulder, but I had on a sort of shawl with a hood. It tied around my neck, the fabric pulling together to cover my scar and shoulders, falling just below my shoulder blades, the hood large.
I didn’t want to wear it, but this was an event held by people of the church, so I had to keep up my image.
For now, Azrael promised.
“Put this on,” he said before we took a step in either direction.
My eyes fell to his hand where a beautiful silver ring with a heart-shaped red jewel was placed in the center, outlined in beautiful shining diamonds.
My eyes widened, my lips parting. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and it matched the bracelets we both wore!
“Out in the world, people don’t know who you belong to. That you are not to be touched. This is the only thing they respect. Not scars or bracelets, but this. You may wear it whenever you’d like, but you have to wear it when we go on errands like this so that the civilians know that you belong to someone.”
Of course, I would wear it. I didn’t want anyone else touching me either, but I would have worn it anyway. I think I might have worn it even if he asked me not to.
I reached for it only for him to pull it back.
“Left hand.”
My brows furrowed. I lowered my right hand and held out my left, my heart skipping when he gently grabbed my hand and slid the ring onto my ring finger.
The jewels were so big!
“Perfect fit for the Queen of Hearts, hmm?”
I held out my hand, admiring it, feeling the smile stretch across my face. I nodded, finding his eyes.“Thank you so much,”I told him.
But his eyes were on my lips, watching them carefully.
A moment passed before he turned his attention to the city. He was incredibly still, his eyes watchful. “This way.”
Without hesitation, I pulled my hood on, joined his side, and we headed down the city sidewalk. It was the first time I had ever walked down the street before. People, not ones from the church, just normal people, walked by without even looking at us. Nobody cared about my hair color or that I was looking up or that I was wearing a dress that showed my legs out in public. It was incredible. Azrael and I were nearly invisible. We could do anything. Anything at all and nobody would care.
The thought made me stand a little taller, my hands brushing my skirt with every step, my hair drifting out from my hood and down over my chest. Out here in the sea of people, I could justbe. I could exist without being seen. I was invisible.
We walked down the sidewalk, across a street, and down another city block before we found the entrance. There was a thick rope made of velvet sitting in front of a man who stood in front of the door.
I met his eyes without blinking, fighting the urge to look away. That urge was weaker now, but still there. Part of me wondered if it would ever go away.
“Azrael Thorin,” Azrael said in way of greeting. “Judge Ruiz invited me.”
The man watched me, his eyes narrowing.
I angled my head. Was he trying to see inside of me? There was no tar to speak of inside of me, but him…
