Chapter 25

As the crowd dispersed, leaving whispers and stolen glances in their wake, Athasia turned to leave, irritation evident in the sharp click of her heels against the polished floor. However, before she could take another step, a voice as smooth as silk and as dangerous as a blade called out to her.

"Fenice Oscura."

The words rolled off his tongue like a quiet declaration.

Athasia stiffened, her green eyes darkening as she turned to face the one person she least wanted to deal with at the moment. And there he was—Zamiel, standing with an infuriating smirk, his gray eyes holding an intensity that made the air feel heavier.

Mira, who had been standing beside Athasia the entire time, felt the shift in atmosphere immediately. Her brows arched in amusement, but she said nothing, simply crossing her arms as she observed.

Before Athasia could react, Zamiel moved—swift as a shadow, his hand snaking around her waist and pulling her flush against him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Athasia's voice was laced with irritation, but Zamiel only chuckled, his lips curling at the edges.

"Welcoming you properly," he murmured, his other hand reaching up to brush a stray strand of platinum hair from her face.

Mira watched the scene unfold with open amusement, her sharp gaze darting between the two. "You two really have a way of making a scene wherever you go," she mused, tilting her head. "I don't know whether to be impressed or horrified."

Athasia ignored her, her eyes locked onto Zamiel's. "Let go of me."

Zamiel, of course, did no such thing. Instead, his grip tightened ever so slightly, and before she could shove him away, he leaned down, his lips ghosting over the curve of her neck.

Athasia tensed. "Zamiel."

"Missed me?" he murmured, pressing a slow, lingering kiss against her skin.

A shiver ran down her spine, unbidden and unwanted, and she hated herself for it. She hated the way her body reacted to him, the way her breath hitched despite her mind screaming at her to push him away.

Mira's smirk widened. "Oho? Now this is interesting."

Athasia clenched her jaw, shoving against Zamiel's chest. He let her go, but not before trailing his fingers lightly down her arm—a barely-there touch that sent another frustrating jolt through her.

She inhaled deeply, reigning in her irritation. "You're really getting bold."

Zamiel's smirk deepened. "I'm only getting bold because of the way you cling to me." His voice dropped lower, his words laced with something almost predatory. "Especially when I give you pleasure."

Mira whistled, shaking her head. "Damn, Zamiel. No shame, huh?"

Athasia's eyes darkened dangerously. Without hesitation, she grabbed his wrist, twisting it slightly—not enough to cause pain, but enough to remind him that she wasn't someone he could manhandle at will.

"You talk too much."

Zamiel chuckled, unfazed, his free hand reaching out to brush against her waist once more. "And yet," he mused, "you never stop listening."

Athasia clicked her tongue in irritation, shoving him off at last. "Stay out of my way."

"Oh, Fenice Oscura," Zamiel called after her as she turned to leave. "That's the one thing I can never do."

Mira, watching the entire interaction with sparkling eyes, sauntered up beside Athasia as they walked away. "You know, for someone as deadly as you, you sure let him get away with a lot."

Athasia shot her a look. "Shut up."

Mira only grinned. "Nope."