[color=lightgray]Kizoh’s shadow lingered in a hidden corner of his heart, subtle yet insidious.

[i][color=#972f2f]A moonborn in chains of gold.

Fire, so recently reined.[/color][/i]

Azariah hadn’t flinched, though outrage and fear raked hot-cold fingers down his spine. Eryn’s presence had been a much-needed boon. He had felt the returning squeeze from her palm, had accepted and cherished the silent support.

Ensconced in the carriage, far away from the palace, it was safe again. Well, [i]safer[/i].

Azar took in a shuddering breath, let it out in a slow, long exhale. [color=c83f49]“Yes. [i]Graced.[/i]”[/color] He sensed Eryn did not think of gracing as a positive, but the concept itself was so antithetical to everything he believed in, the bitter disdain in his tone was automatic.

He watched the scenery pass by through the carriage’s window. [color=c83f49]“I want…”[/color] he trailed off, shook his head. He faced his wife. [color=c83f49]“I [i]will[/i] free him. Even if…”[/color]

Even if sending his father to the afterlife was the only freedom left to him.

His irises burned akin to the muted glow of embers; a drowsy fire, lying low as it waited to be stoked back to a full flame. It was deceptively calm – [i]tame[/i], Kizoh had assumed.

[color=c83f49][i]Good.[/i][/color]

More the fool her. If she believed that, it was only to his – no, to their advantage.

A spark was all it would take, and sitting next to Eryn, hand in hand, was already [i]so close.[/i]

It wasn’t a cage at all. It tasted like the beginning of freedom.

[color=c83f49]“Well,”[/color] Azar arched an eyebrow at Eryn’s answer. [color=c83f49]“Then I hope you’ll get along with our servants. They don’t bite,”[/color] he winked. [color=c83f49]“Besides, there’s always me.”[/color]

His expression grew brighter when Eryn expressed that she would like a party, after all. [color=c83f49]“Really?”[/color] His eyes sparkled with all the joy of a child in a candy shop.

[color=c83f49]“We can have a feast as soon as we get home, of course, but any true party needs planning. We could have it by the sea, if that’s what you like. We’ve a few manors bordering the Tidelands and Pearl Isles too. Or it could be at one of your estates, if that’s an option.”[/color] Azariah didn’t expect it to be, but offered regardless. [color=c83f49]“There is at least someone from the Lunevere who’d want to come?”[/color] He phrased it as a question, because if her family hadn’t even sent anyone to accompany their departing countess, he had no idea what their exact relationships, habits, or expectations were.

[color=c83f49]“Just so you know, if it’s a proper Nymere celebration, there’ll be lots of singing and dancing involved. People, music, performances – we like it loud and vibrant. Let me know if you’d rather a more private affair, though.”[/color] He bumped his shoulder lightly into his wife’s, a knowing grin emerging. From her demeanour so far, he gathered a traditional party might overwhelm her. But if she was still willing to give it a try, he’d do what he could to make it a pleasant experience for her.

He laughed at her compliment. [color=c83f49]“Oh?”[/color] He smirked, mischievous. As he felt his wife’s thumb graze his, he intertwined their fingers, clasping their hands into a grasp a shade more intimate. [color=c83f49]“I do live to defy expectations,”[/color] he waggled his eyebrows. He leaned in to whisper into her ear, [color=c83f49]“You’ve barely scratched the surface, [i]Eryn,[/i]”[/color] he purred. He leaned back with a chuckle, the slyness lingering for a few beats longer before curiosity overtook it. [color=c83f49]“What [i]did[/i] you imagine?”[/color][/color]