Chapter • 13

•⋅ 1750 B.C. ⋅• •⋅ Calisto ⋅•

"What did you say?" I couldn't believe it. Azrael was surely wrong again.

"Sir, I don't believe you got it wrong."

I needed to

"Repeat it" I growled.

"I..."

He didn't have the heart to speak, not after what occurred when he took the damned blessed being into my palace.

It was an affront, a real attempt on Loren's life.

"I understand what you wanted to tell me that day" he hastened to speak "but this time it was Asmodeus' fault."

Asmodeus.

The prince of lust.

He never meddled except when Asra got involved in something complicated and he stepped in or even took the blame. It was obvious that Asmodeus had no appreciation for me and he didn't try to hide that in any way.

"What did he do this time?"

It was impossible that Asmodeus would be involved in anything dangerous or even problematic, but the truth was that I was unaware of the nature of Asra and Asmodeus' involvement. And that fact really bothered me.

"He took the duchess with him to the third territory" Azrael said and it was obvious that even though he felt fear, a part of him liked that.

He was pleased.

"How? Why didn't you warn me before?" I asked sinking my body into the armchair.

"You were... busy" he said and I understood. He was torturing the damned girl.

My fists clenched.

"Why didn't you interrupt?"

I didn't need an answer, it was pretty obvious why.

Because Azrael didn't want to.

"It was better that way" he admitted "in the end, you weren't even visiting her and she certainly..."

I interrupted him with a gesture in the air and Azrael's hands held his own neck as he searched for air.

"I think you have it wrong, Azrael" I spoke, low and clear "I ordered you to be my helper, my eyes within my house, but I never allowed you to be... so arrogant."

My eyes glittered with a certain irritation.

"Don't forget where you came from. You are still just a fallen one and you will always be just that" I growled "don't you dare speak of Asra as if you are superior."

Asra was the phoenix that swallowed the sun, the being that was able to defeat the God and clash head-on with his entire army.

It was a fact: I could not love her, because love was nothing I deserved. But that didn't change everything I felt towards that woman.

It was Asra who held me when everything was falling apart, it was she who forced me to eat, who took care of Loren in his first months. She was the one responsible for making me stand up and react (in the best and worst possible way). It was thanks to Asra that I decided to live, so who was he to suggest that everything would be better this way?

Asra had disappeared along with Asmodeus and that could only say one thing: she was possibly in danger.

"What do we know about the third territory currently?" I questioned, because I knew I couldn't just barge in, but Azrael faltered, shifting his weight from one leg to the other.

"Well..."

"Spit it out!" I spoke between teeth and he sighed.

"It has been said by some minor demons that Lucifer is planning a revolt."

I raised one of my eyebrows.

"Lucifer?"

That could only be a big joke.

"Yes, it's rumored that the princess is inciting chaos in your territory and little by little..."

"Stop!" I ordered "you know Lucifer wouldn't."

He remained silent. It was clear that he didn't trust Lucifer, Azrael didn't trust practically anyone.

Probably not even himself, but even though he couldn't judge him for that, it was Lucifer.

"It wouldn't be so surprising" he muttered "she has betrayed before."

I closed my hands into fists.

"Azrael!"

He snorted and I couldn't help but remember that day. The truth was that no one knew what Lucifer - the first among the angels -, had been through. His fall was not only a dethroning, a betrayal. Lucifer was practically destroyed, cursed, and all I could see in her was the same thing they did to my wife, because Lucifer fell for her. For Loren.

I knew that, but I wouldn't let it go so easily.

"You know she's here, that she hasn't even woken up since..." I stopped, in the end, that was still worrying.

"Well" Azrael shrugged "Asmodeus requested a visit to her kingdom and when he went, he took Asra with him. He said he would solve whatever the case was."

That was good on the one hand, but annoying on the other. After all, everyone knew the truth about Asmodeus: he hated work and would never, ever help any being existing in hell.

Asmodeus was like me.

A me before Loren, before....

"Enough!"

I sighed.

"And they have already left" I muttered.

"Yes" Azrael said without any rodeo, just confirming even though it wasn't even a question.

"Then send word for her to return."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because she is still the duchess and if she wishes to become politically involved with the kingdom, it is something she possesses for herself as a right. If you wish to prevent it, you need to convince her to return, not order it."

I grunted.

She would be in danger in that place and worse...she would be with Asmodeus.

I slid one of my hands through my hair and looking at the office window, grumbled.

"How much blood do we have?"

"What?"

"How much blood do we have?" I repeated loudly, but Azrael didn't seem to want to hear.

"No!" he hastened to say, "you know what..."

"That's not for you to decide" I spoke quickly.

"But the third territory..."

"I am the emperor" I spoke "there is no danger to me and I would never let Asra get hurt again."

"And what the hell does that matter?" the angel exploded "you don't even love her! What the fuck! Damn it! Stop this disgrace and move on, let her move on."

I bit my mouth so hard that the ferrous taste of my blood invaded my taste buds.

"Have you forgotten who you are talking to?" I growled, "I am still your king, Azrael. I am your lord."

He cringed, but I knew he wasn't wrong and yet... yet the thought of never seeing Asra again made my heart heavy.

That was impossible. I didn't love her, but I couldn't let her go.