Azazel's POV
We walked for hours, deeper into the Wildlands a place untouched by realm, for some unknown reason.
And trust me Everything here felt alive. The trees were twisted with blood-colored leaves and it looked like it was watching us. The sky was red in color. And The air filled with ancient magic, thick and breathing. This is the kind of place where even the shadows had teeths.
I have heard about this place but I have never been here before so I am being careful with my steps, nandros was also being careful.
But Azrath moved like he belonged here. He walked Confidently, Deadly and Silently. I hated his confidence, pride and ego, I hated everything about him. He is so focused.
Meanwhile, I could barely focus. Every time I stepped too far, the bond will flare, dragging me back toward him like an invisible leash tightening around my ribs. It didn't just burn it ached. It felt Like missing a part of myself I never asked for.
"I'm going to kill whoever made this curse," I muttered.
Azrath chuckled, deep and cold. "i will kill him first before you do, I am reason this curse was set".
"Not everything is about you, Flame-for-Brains."
"Actually," he said, pausing to glance at me with that smug golden stare, "this one is."
I groaned and shoved past him.
But as I stepped forward, the earth shifted beneath my feet. Something moved. A rumble. A hiss. And then.....
A tree moved —no, a living branch of a tree wrapped around my ankle and yanked me into the air.
"Azazel!" Nandros shouted from behind as the vine twisted and thrashed me.
Azrath cursed and leapt forward. In seconds, more vines shot out, wrapping around his arms and legs, trying to pull him in opposite directions. The forest is alive.
"It senses us," he growled through gritted teeth.
"It feeds on rage and powers so you should please stay calm sire" nandros said, a book suddenly appeared on his hands and he started reading something.
I gasped, choking as a vine curled around my neck. My vision blurred.
And then suddenly fire.
I was going to die if I didn't do anything, so I summoned the dark flames and erupted the entire tree in it, I called on the dark shadows and their released me from the vines.
Azrath looked at me as black blood rolled down from his eyes and nose.
"Oops" I whispered realizing I was hurting him.
I stared up at him, . "sorry "i said before I threw the shadows on the vines holding him.
He landed on his feet before he quickly grabbed my hand and dragged me towards a clear opening.
~
Azrath's POV
That forest now wanted her dead.
She made a mistake by showing her real powers.
And Now it knows she is the demons princess.
I hadn't realized how deep the bond went until she started to black out and suddenly used magic. My knees buckled. And My head rang. It felt like my heart was collapsing too.
I dragged her to a clearing and only let go of her when I was sure we were far away from the forest. Nandros sat on a stone silently. The air was tense, quiet. The kind of quiet before another storm.
Azazel sat on a stone also, her eyes darker than before her hair a mess, and blood on her jaw.
She still looked infuriating.
And infuriatingly... beautiful.
"Stop staring," she snapped.
I didn't.
She glared at me. "What?"
I shook my head snapping out of whatever daze I was in.
"You're reckless," I said. "You'll get us both killed."
"Well, I wasn't the one who left my damn heart lying around for someone to steal."
I leaned closer, voice low. "You didn't steal it you fool, You awakened it."
She blinked. "What's the difference?"
"One is theft," I said. "The other is fate."
She looked away, jaw tightening. "I don't believe in fate."
"You should." I said, she looked up at me before she said "not everyone is a divine being like you".
Silence.
Thick and heavy.
Until she whispered, " what did you do Azrath, why do your own kind wants you dead?"
I froze.
That question brought back some unwanted memories.
"that should be non of your business demon," I said slowly. "we shouldn't care about each other's personal life, we should only find ways to locate Ashen sanctum and break this curse" I added.
"i don't really care Mr.dragon, I was just curious" she replied.
"well weren't you thought curiosity kills," I questioned.
She smiled, a dangerous kind of smile "I was dragon, but you should know if a Demon wants to know something, it will go to whatever length to find out, and I promise you I will find out your little secret".
I also smiled, amazed by her confidence. "okay then demon, make sure to keep your word."
She stepped closer. "i will Azrath" I was a bit taken aback when she called my name, "Your kind is full of liars so it's hard to believe you will" I replied.
She bit her lower lip "And yours is full of traitors."
Her eyes glowed black. "why do I have to be stuck with a dragon, and a traitor for that matter" she muttered between gritted teeths.
I didn't answer.
I am starting to lose my temper, and if I do I will end up killing both of us, so I knew I had to control myself.
She sighed and Her voice softened.
"Is the curse doing this to us?" she whispered. "Making us… feel things?"
I looked up at her.
"I don't feel anything for you except hatred"
"Liar, I also feel the hatred but there is something else,"
I looked away cause the truth was?
She was right.