Page 33 of The Golden Rose Of Valenul

Azriel’s gaze flickered up to search her face, his brows pinching with sorrow. “It’s why I became a personal guard.”

“What?” She gaped at him.

“I want to protect others from the same fate.” He pulled his finger free of the pages, letting the book close. Turning his attention to the bookshelf beside him, he stood and slid the fae tales into the empty space with care. “The Caersan who killed her was an officer in the army.”

Ariadne’s heart crashed against her ribs. Everything made sense. His incessant watchfulness and cool, solid temperament. Why he had yelled so frantically when the dhemons attacked. The frustration when she told him to leave her alone. All of it was because of what happened to his mother–what happened to him–by someone they should have been able to trust.

“Did…” She bit her lip again. “Did you see it happen?”

He turned back to her but kept his gaze downcast. “I begged him to stop hurting her.” His mouth twisted, and he exhaled hard through his nose, those eyes snapping back to her face. They shimmered as they had the morning before. Tears. “I was too young to make him stop.”

“Azriel…” She sucked in a breath, the impropriety of her addressing him by his first name halting her train of thought.

His jaw tightened, and he closed his eyes for a long moment. “I should go, Miss Harlow.”

Stooping again, he picked up the sword and swung it onto his back, fastening the straps with sure fingers. Ariadne watched, uncertain what to say next. When neither of them spoke, Azriel stepped around her chair, heading to the doors.

Without thinking, she grabbed his wrist. “Wait.”

He froze, gaze trained ahead.

“You are a fantastic guard,” she said, the words cracking. “I am honored to have you looking after me for as long as you are willing.”

A pained smile curled the corners of his mouth, and he turned to her, taking her hand in his and kissing her fingers. When he spoke, his voice was soft and lovely. “Until the very end, Miss Harlow.”

The library doors snapped open as he released her hand. Ariadne whipped around in her chair to find her father and Loren standing in the doorway. Azriel took a big step away from her and bowed deep, fist over heart.

“Strange,” Loren said coolly. “The library is hardly a place where she needs a guard.”

Her father shot him a questioning look. “I am glad to find you both here.”

“How may I be of service, my Lord?” Azriel asked, the usual rumble back in his tone. The switch from soft and smooth to rough and gravelly was so sudden, it took a beat for it to register to Ariadne’s ears as the same voice. It itched at the back of her mind, as it had the night they met.

“You will chaperone tonight, Mister Tenebra.” Her father then looked at her. “General Gard is requesting your company for a turn at Laeton Park.”

Ariadne got to her feet, dropping the book on the chair behind her so she could sweep into a curtsy beside Azriel. “I would be honored.”

“I have business to attend to in town,” her father explained. “I will escort the three of you as far as the Council Chamber.”

With another quick bow, Azriel said, “I will have the horses readied immediately.”

Then he was gone. Ariadne watched his retreat, a hollowness forming in her chest. Even as Loren smiled at her and bowed, taking her hand in his to press his lips to the same place Azriel had just done the same, she could not feel the same sweep of anticipation she once had.

“Madan, please.” Azriel stood at the stable, one hand gripping Jasper’s reins and the other shaking at his side. His heart ached, and nothing he did filled the emptiness expanding in his chest.

“You know as well as I,” Madan said without looking at him, “we can’t change our assignments. The Princeps ordered me to go with Emillie.”

He swallowed hard, throat burning. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked. Please do this for me.”

“I’m sorry, my brother.” Madan finally turned and laid a heavy hand on Azriel’s shoulder. He squeezed once. “You have to do this.”

He did. He knew he did, but it still hurt. In order to continue his life, he must harden himself against the bond. There would be no way to stop the inevitable nuptials between Ariadne and Loren. The best way to do so was to put himself into a position to face it as often as possible.

“It won’t be much longer,” Madan said after a beat. “Brutis said he’s only getting worse. If you can delay the engagement—”

“No.” Azriel grit his teeth and pulled Jasper toward the open stable doors. “I won’t take the position. They’ll never accept me anyway. She’s better off with the General.”

“Az–”

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