It took a while, with shared kisses and touches seeming much preferable to covering up, but we eventually managed to get dressed and sat on the chaise in his room, our hands entwined.
“You said you saw me that night.” Azurill began uncomfortably, his eyes averted to the floor. “That it looked like the men had been ripped apart.”
I squeezed his hand, nodding even if he couldn’t see it. “They deserved it.”
Azurill laughed sadly, shaking his head. “They did, but the way I did it…” He sighed miserably, “Every king since my ancestors forged these kingdoms into one, has had this same tattoo I do.”
I looked curiously at him, and he lifted his face to meet my eyes head-on.
“It’s spelled to pass from high king to high king, as long as they share my family’s blood.” He explained quietly, sorrow looming in those beautiful teal orbs. “Each gem,” he pointed to the diamond on his neck, “This isn’t just a tattoo; the real, actual gems are worked into the skin with magic.”
My eyes went wide at the explanation, reaching out for his neck. He flinched slightly, as if expecting admonishment or disgust, and I softened, rolling my eyes fondly at him as I ran my fingers along the shape of the diamond. It felt just like a normal tattoo. Whatever magic had changed its properties to slip beneath the skin must have been powerful beyond measure.
“Because of this, I can call the power of the gems at any time,” he continued, watching me closely for a reaction. “The nature of the tattoo means I can also combine all of the gems, and their properties seem to be amped up by the tributes to each god that surround them.” He pointed to swirling designs surrounding each gem, and I realized they were highly detailed, yet so small that it was hard to notice unless pointed out.
“It allows you to do things with them that others can’t.” I realized, remembering the vision I saw. “You can do unbelievable things with them, can’t you?”
“That’s one way to put it,” he said ruefully, squeezing my hand like I might leave if he didn’t hold on. “Sometimes, the power is…too much. It can warp my reactions, make me more vengeful or violent.” He hung his head, and I couldn’t stand seeing him so upset over this.
“Azurill,” I cupped his cheek with my free hand, “You are not a monster, okay? You’re one of the best men I’ve ever met. We are all susceptible to those urges; you just have extra power behind them. Taking out a group of murderers who deserved it is the very last thing you should feel shame over. And who knows?” I shrugged casually. “Maybe it’ll come in handy with Carnelian.”
He stared at me blankly for a moment before barking out a laugh, shaking his head with a growing smile. “I should have known you, of all people, wouldn’t mind. Not when you were out for blood and vengeance.”
“Of course.” I smiled impishly, shrugging. “Plus, it’s very sexy when your eyes go silver and you get all growly.”
His lips swept mine up once more, and I laughed into his mouth, wondering if this is what happiness felt like.
It sadly couldn’t last all day, however. We had a job to do, after all. So, Azurill called his council into the room, and I watched anxiously as they all took in the fact that I was present. Ruri was the only one who seemed to really mind, rolling his eyes and collapsing on the sofa.
Arianell came forward and pulled me into a hug, much to my surprise.
“It’s going to be so nice to have another woman around!” She groused good-naturedly. I laughed slightly, shaking my head.
“I still have to actually win,” I reminded her, but before she could respond, Ruri spoke up.
“Why is she here?” He demanded, and Azurill reached over and slapped the back of his head. “Be nice. That’s my future wife you’re talking about.”
My cheeks went red, a flush working its way down my body, which seemed to have gone strangely numb, even as I felt my blood rushing to my heart, pumping away twice as fast as normal.
Future wife.
I swallowed hard, trying to hold my emotional reaction in. Azurill came over and directed me to sit with him, keeping our hands together all the while. I had never loved him more.Appreciated him more,I corrected myself in a panic.
But I thankfully didn’t have long to dwell on that mental slip, as Azurill launched into an explanation of everything that had happened since he’d last spoken with them about me. The reactions around the room varied, as we knew they would. I had prepared myself for it, but it was still overwhelming.
“You cannot be serious!” Ruri raged, throwing his hands up in the air. “You can’t trust her!”
“She told him the truth, Ruri.” Balthazar defended us, and I found myself completely shocked. I thought he’d be the wariest of them all. “She was manipulated by Carnelian, and when she realized the truth, she immediately confessed.”
“She can’t be held responsible for thinking it was Azurill.” Wyn spoke up next, “She was achildwhen she heard Az was responsible for destroying everything she knew. I’d be pissed off too.”
“Are you sure you can trust her?” Emrys asked, looking between us. “No offense, Lady Jac—uh, Lady Linnea.” I smiled slightly at him, letting him know none was taken. It was reasonable for them to be worried.
“Trust me, I want nothing more than to get vengeance for my family,” I told him, before looking over to Azurill. “Well, almost, anyway,” I admitted.
Azurill smiled softly down at me, and I heard Arianell sigh happily. She reached up to dab at her shimmering opal eyes.
“I’m just glad you’ve found someone you actually want to marry,” she teased with a shrug. “I thought that might have been an impossible task, to be honest.”
