Ignite: The Archangels Chronicles

Azreal was a leader, a force to be reckoned with in her own right. She didn't need some overbearing man making all her decisions for her.

"You must stop this," Azreal began waving her arms about, not knowing how to put her emotions into words "whatever this is," she continued to stumble on, "I need space to speak with my people."

Belial opened his mouth to object when Tarquin beat him to it.

"Did you not hear what Nadie said?' Tarquin had taken up that 'holier than thou' presence as he explained himself further, "You two share not only a physical connection but a mental one as well," Tarquin gestured between them "I'm sure your both beginning to see the effects of that bond. Being able to read each others thoughts even with your mental barriers are up. Your connection, and you, will only be weakened by staying apart." Tarquin aimed a pointed look at Azreal as if scolding a petulant child.

Belial nodded his head in agreement with Tarquin, crossing his arms he added "We are stronger together." Turning to Azreal with a smug look on his handsome face.

Azreal shook her head, "That may be the case, but I'm not going to have you acting this way to anyone who speaks with me." Her nerves were frayed and she just wanted to escape this whole mess.

Belial circled his arms around her slim figure, "There is nothing to escape, darling."

Azreal growled, angrily pushing his arms off her as he laughed and backed up

"Okay, okay, i will leave you alone." Then he smiled the most radiant smile Azreal had ever seen before quickly turning away. He sauntered toward his brother, calling over his shoulder "For now."

Azreal silently cursed the gods for not only throwing the whole kingdom on her back, but the insane pair of Demon twins she was now apparently stuck with.

Azreal shook her head again to try and clear it once more; she was pretty sure she was losing her mind. "The others have all followed Nadie, we should catch up to her." Azreal pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a frustrated breath before she continued, "I will go up to the front of our procession, and I want everyone of our thirteen taking up the back except Lucia, I want her patrolling our right side, with Boah and Lynn on the left.

Tarquin nodded his head quickly and turned grabbing Eros' sleeve. Eros had a puzzled look on his face as he turned away, but said nothing.

"Are you okay?" Bea's voice was soft, but Azreal heard her just fine.

"I don't think I will ever be okay" Azreal grumbled.

Bea gently grasped her hand and said quietly, "i know, but I also know how scared you must be. Losing everyone, only to gain and even larger group to care for," Bea trailed off as her eyes slid in the direction of Belial and Minx leaning against they're swords causally, as if they weren't trying to listen to every word they said.

Azreal threw up a dense dome of air to try and block out their snooping.

"And finding your mate in the middle of a death match that ended with the murder of hundreds of people, isn't exactly the easiest thing to go through." Bea continued, and the more the beautiful girl talked the tighter she gripped Azreal's hand.

Azreal had lost all feeling at this point. She kept hearing that Belial was her mate and all these things, but Azreal was too shocked or too confused to feel anything anymore but,

"Nothing about my life is easy."

Was all Azreal said as she slowly withdrew her hand from Bea's.

The sadness and pity in Bea's eyes was almost too much for Azreal to b.a.r.e. "Just get into formation." Azreal ground out stomping past Bea.

She knew the girl only wished to comfort her, but Azreal hated that look. She could see her parents in that look, her sister...

Azreal just kept walking, she knew the demon twins were following her and she didnt care at the moment. She didnt care much about anything at all.

Azreal trudged threw the sand, needing to find Nadie and get to the head of the group. A child with thick red curls dodged into the crowd and Azreal squeezed Ren's amulet. Looking around her she saw more of the same; sad broken faces covered in soot. Children scared and crying. These people were unfamiliar to her, but they were all untied, a part of this continent. No one was safe under the false kings rule.

It was always the same, a few admirers, but mainly people just stared at her. Eyes empty or forlorn, wishing she was more, could do more for them. Azreal just let out a heavy sigh and pushed on.

Nadie was at the head of the group with Jara and Nyx on either side of her.

"Hey, about what happened.." Azreal needed to explain herself to Nadie, make her understand that she had no other choice but to give in to her magic.

Nadie held up a hand stopping Azreal from continuing, "What is done is done." She croaked out, waving a hand in dismissal. "I'm glad you decided to listen for once and brought your handsome young mate with you."

Azreal didn't turn around to check, but she was fairly positive he had that possessive, smug look on his face as Nadie smiled at Belial giving him a little wave before continuing. "Have you decided where were going to make camp?" Nadie continued as if she wouldn't hear another word on the matter.

Azreal was a bit stunned but answered, "Well I would assumed that we would want to stay along the coast line as much as possible to avoid patrols in the Singing Sands."

Belial interjected "What about the kings outposts along the shore?"

Azreal countered, "They will be easier to avoid along the coastline than if we are spotted in the sands. There are many caves and tunnels along the coast to hide out in and i have a certain one in mind for where were going to make camp for the night."

Belial looked impressed, "You sure know your strategy plans."

Azreal simply said "This is my continent, I grew up here. My family used to vacation and train all over the continent. My father used to always say it was the best way to get to know his people. By going to their homes and learning about their traditions and seeing what really needs to be done for the people. You cannot rule from inside a palace."

Nadie's head bowed "May the King rest" and crossed her fist over her heart in a sign of great respect. Belial and his twin doing the same.

The memory weighed on Azreal, "Let's keep moving East, We only have a few leagues before our resting point and we don't want to be caught out in the Sands during the day."

Nadie pursed her lips but said nothing as she turned back to Jara and Nyx eagerly awaiting their orders.

Belial was harder to shake though.

"Your father sounds like a good man." He said peering into Azreals face.

"Yes, he was." Azreal was puzzled. "You know who I am right?" Surely if her name didnt give it away her wings had.

Belial's midnight hair fell across his brow as he tilted his head and gazed at her "Do you know who I am?"

Azreal stuttered. "Well, no, but.."

Belial cut her off. "Then why would you expect me to know who you are?"

"Well you are on MY continent.." Azreal retorted.

Belial crossed his arms "But, if you don't know who I am then it would be fair to assume that I'm not from this continent, and if I'm not from this continent then how would I know who you are?"

He had Azreal all mixed up and it showed on her face.

Belial laughed and so did his twin who was walking a few paces behind them.

Azreal rolled her eyes, "Can't one of you shift and do something useful like, I don't know, patrol from above?"

Belial frowned "Don't tell me your all work and no play?"

Minx saw the outraged look on Azreals face and abruptly called "Ill take first lookout!" Before shifting into a falcon and shooting off into the sky.

"Are you always like this? Or have you been saving all this pent up sarcasm just for me?" Azreal sighed.

Belial nudged her and replied, "Oh its just for you babe."

Azreal coughed out a laugh, he had this twinkle in his forest green eyes. He was being annoying as hell but Azreal couldn't help but find him endearing. The way he c.o.c.ked his head when he studied her almost reminded her of a cat.. a very, very, handsome cat.

Belial's smirk only widened, his sharp canines peeking out, as he read what Azreal was thinking.

Azreal's face turned a deep shade of pink as she whipped her head away from his and began walking at a much faster pace.

The sand had gave way to grassy knolls filled with lemongrass and lavender, they were close to the part of the coast that has been deserted for seven years. Many say the grounds are haunted by all the dead royals that were murdered in their sleep. Even the False king has no interest in the Sacris families grand summer palace.

Nadie was waiting at the final hill before the valley walk to the palace, the other survivors had marched ahead and some had even made it to the palace, but none had gone inside yet. They all stood still looking up to her as the last of them filtered into the valley bellow. She could see Minx's falcon form flying high above the turrets.

Nadie softly smiled "Welcome home Queen Azreal." And crossed her fist over her heart bowing deeply, the rest of the survivors below doing the same before parting to make a path to the palace for her.

Azreals eyes teared up as she covered her mouth with a shaking hand. Belial stepped up to her side and took her small hand in his and squeezed it reassuringly as they took the first steps to taking back her kingdom.

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