CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
AZURA
Azura was aware of the crisp, soft feel of the sheets before anything else. Then, the silvery light traced her cheeks and gently flickered on her eyelids as if begging her to wake.
The suns are so peaceful here. There’s two but they don’t glare. They just ask politely if you’d like to see them in all their glory. They don’t throw everything into a harsh glare.
Even though the light of the dual suns on Nova Aurora was not very powerful, it still felt pleasantly warm and didn’t take anything away from the refreshing cool of the breeze.
From her side of the bed in her bedroom at the palace, she reached out, rolling over. Onyx was right beside her, one arm over her waist. She curled into his chest, her gaze lingering on his lips and the contentment in his expression. She stroked his chest with her fingertips, still trying to take in all that had happened to her in just a few short days.
Onyx’s eyes fluttered open, and the smile that bloomed on his face made Azura’s heart stop in her chest. She loved him. She knew that. She loved him for all that he was and more, but the way he reacted to her was something else entirely.
No one, ever, has been so happy to see me. It’s like every time he sees me, I make his world all over again.
Onyx reached out, running his fingers down her cheek, and tucking a stray curl of her hair behind her ear. Azura rolled closer to him, smiling up at him and feeling herself slipping into the soothing warmth of his embrace.
A knock at the door shocked Azura so much that she actually jumped. Her heart constricted in her chest, and her muscles tightened painfully all over. Behind her eyes, a headache began to throb.
This is more like what I’m used to. Disaster after disaster.
“What is it?” Onyx called, clearly annoyed.
“It’s Master Martin, sir! He’s gone again!”
Onyx swore, leaping out of bed to grab his pants. Azura sat up, and as her feet touched the floor, she suddenly felt weak.
I can’t keep doing this.
Onyx had his pants on, and he was hurrying to open the door.
“Do we have security forces looking for him?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Trackers?”
“Yes, sir. Several wolves have tried to follow the scent from his room.”
“Where is Kyra?”
“She is at a friend’s house, sir. She and her three friends claim they have not seen him.”
“Fuck!” Onyx swore. “I knew I should have put a guard on that boy. Bring us some food. We’ll be down soon.”
“Yes, sir.”
The runner hurried away, and Onyx shut the door, heading back to Azura with his face as dark as a storm cloud. Azura felt trembly and frightened. She couldn’t even be angry anymore.
“Don’t worry,” Onyx said. “We’ll find him.”
She nodded, starting to cry. Onyx quickly came over to her side of the bed and hugged her. His warm chest against her cheek and his strong, deep heartbeat comforted her so much that the tears vanished, even though she still felt that twist of fear inside.
I’m not alone now. Onyx is with me. I don’t have to do this by myself.
She got up slowly, dressing in a simple gown with loose trousers. The food arrived, and even though Azura felt like she couldn’t eat, Onyx wouldn’t let her leave until she’d at least had a few muffins and some coffee.
“You must keep your strength up,” Onyx told her, “so you can be there for Martin.”