Page 11 of Ruling in Flames (Reborn 5)
I turned sharply into Azrael, nearly slamming into his chest. “Did I say that out loud?”
His ears heated as he examined my face. “No, I can sometimes pick up on your thoughts. I…I didn’t mean to intrude, but your concern is loud, and I can tell how worried you are.”
I deflated. “I don’t mind you in my thoughts—I’m worried, you’re right. I don’t fully understand what’s going on, and I’m worried we left everyone in terrible danger. Especially the little ones. What if they—”
“Despite being young, they are powerful, and they know how to keep hidden.” Azrael tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “Half the time the guards would forget about them, and the other half I would force them to.”
My throat tightened. “You protected them?”
“I did what I could get away with. Ry sees everything I do, but sometimes I managed to turn the guards’ attention. None of those children deserved to be there. It was the least I could do.”
I examined his words and saw only truth there. “You were a prisoner also.”
“Yes,” he hissed, looking down at his wrists, his gaze darkening but almost seeming to spark with lightning. “But not anymore. He has no control over me.”
I smiled at his clear happiness as the pieces to who Azrael was started to fit together. He protected the innocent. Even when he was a prisoner, he had put those who couldn’t fend for themselves first. He wouldn’t have hurt Bella, and it was obvious he hadn’t wanted me to end up in Ry’s grasp. I could feel the good radiating off the man, but I didn’t say that. Instead I just wrapped my arms around him and gave him a hug.
I instinctively knew he would reject the label of being ‘good,’ but that was okay—I knew his secret. He didn’t hug me back right away, but after a few seconds his hands slid around me and he tucked me under his chin so I was wrapped up in his muscular arms. The sound of rain coming down around us was peaceful and I let out an exhale, knowing we needed to keep moving but loving that he was giving into this moment.
Finally, I pulled back and offered him a small smile, intertwining our hands once more and leading him forward. Though we walked in companionable silence, I could practically hear his thoughts, worries, and concerns.
I would show him he didn’t need to feel that way though. There was something important between Az and me, even if it scared him.
When we finally broke through the last tree at the edge of the clearing, I dropped Az’s hand and sprinted forward, falling to my knees in front of Anani. He was knocked out, his handsome face completely relaxed as if he were simply sleeping.
I brought a hand up to cradle his face, needing him to wake up. “Anani.”
My simple call of his name had his blue eyes snapping open, and I couldn’t help but smile, moving forward and searing my lips to his hard enough that he let out a growl that vibrated through every part of me. I pulled back and felt tears well in my eyes, so happy to see him okay…and alive.
Holy shit. He was alive.Anani was alive.
Az cleared his throat. “I’m going to fly up and see if I can find that peak.”
Anani offered him a nod, sharing a look with him, as I heard the flap of his wings. My head tilted up to watch him fly away before looking back down at Anani. I would’ve taken the time to appreciate the moment and how beautiful Azrael looked flying, but there were a lot of emotions overwhelming the awe I felt.
“I thought you were dead.” My voice was wobbly and uneven, filled with the pain I felt at the idea of him being hurt, let alone dead.
“Peanut,” he breathed, his voice rough. “My beautiful, beautiful mate—you jumped right in front of his fucking fire. You sacrificed your life for me—”
“And I would do it again.” Tears spilled out of my eyes and streaked down my cheeks. “I would do it again, because I love you. I love you so much, Anani. I’m so sorry I put you in danger.”
“I’ll always follow you into danger, always, and when you went to save him, I knew what I was doing. I understood what I was risking, and I absolutely do not regret it.”
Pressing my forehead against his, I relaxed into his frame, feeling his magic wrap around me as he let out a low rumble in his throat that lit up every element of my being all at once. I could feel his dragon reconnecting with my phoenix, and the relief I felt because of that was like nothing else in this world.
When I suddenly felt him slide something onto my finger, I looked down to find that on my right index finger he’d placed a delicate gold sigil ring that had me swallowing, feeling an overwhelming sense of meaning. I didn’t know what it represented, exactly, but I could tell it was important to him.
“What is this?” I asked in quiet curiosity.
“It was my mom’s ring. She wants you to have it.”
His words took a moment to process before my mouth popped open, my gaze widening in realization. “Your mom? She’s alive? You saw her?”
“She appeared to me, but she’s not alive,” he explained, his eyes filled with heavy sadness and happiness, an odd mix to be sure. “She said a lot to me, most of which I want to explain to you and Ledger together, but she wanted you to have it and I would love for you to wear it.”
I couldn’t help but bring my hand to my chest, cradling the sentimental piece. “Then I’ll wear it. As long as that’s what you and Ledger want.”
“I’ll need to tell Ledger,” he said, looking concerned over the prospect of relaying what happened to his twin. “I’m not sure how he will possibly believe me. I can barely believe that it happened myself.”
