Azrael was the only thing that made sense right now. His voice, his composure, his quiet presence, it grounded her when everything else felt like a nightmare.
Still, something deep inside whispered that he wasn't safe either.
That under that gentle face and smooth tone was the same darkness she saw in Rhydric.
The same beast.
Azrael made her sit down on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping under her weight. Then, to her surprise, he crouched down one knee on the floor, the other bent so he could look up at her properly.
The gesture made her chest tighten. He smiled faintly, though she could tell something was off. "You're trembling," he murmured. "Take a breath."
Athena exhaled shakily, her eyes flicking over his features. "Why are you smiling?" she asked under her breath, almost accusing.
"Because," he said with a soft chuckle that could make a woman wet. "you look too cute when you're trying to act brave."
