VALORIA WILDEROSE
"I think we'll be leaving now." I rise from the table, make a quick bow, and leave—though not without grabbing Azrael and tugging him away.
He doesn't budge at first, looking at me with disappointment, like I'm taking his favorite toy away from him, until I throw him a look. Begrudgingly, he gets up, rising to his feet and tagging along.
None of them dare to stop us.
I drag him a good distance away, tugging at his sleeve until we're at a small fountain that's quiet and lonely. Only then do I let go of his arm and catch my breath.
I don't speak immediately, and thankfully he stays silent, waiting for me to gather myself together again.
I pace back and forth for a while, trying to figure him out, until I realize that I can't.
"Why did you do that?"
"Rescue you from a dire situation? You're welcome, by the way."
"Do you think you saved me? Do you think I needed saving in the first place? I thought you loved seeing me suffer."
