Love Before Blood

Chapter 14

Avalon’s POV

When I came out of the bath area, I saw Bryce and Azriel talking. I was about to ask them what they were talking about, but all of my thoughts disappeared when he told me that I looked exquisite. I couldn’t help but blush, and after I asked him where we were going, I expected him to scoop me up and fly out the window. However, he grabbed my hand instead and brought me to his black dragon, Midnight.

He helped me into the saddle and sat behind me. His arms reached around my waist to grab the reins. With the flick of his wrists, Midnight flew into the sky. When he took off, I leaned back into Azriel. Just like the first time we flew, he was warm. I nestled into his chest. Into the warmth that he always seems to provide for me.

I didn’t realize where we were flying to until I saw buildings below us. Azriel leaned down toward my ear, and despite the wind blowing around, he said,” I know you haven’t seen the city up close. We’ll take a stroll, and when you’re ready to move on to our next stop, just say the word.”

I nod my head and with another flick of the reins, Midnight landed in the center of the city with stables on the side for the dragons. There was a stable boy who came out and took the reins from Azriel. Much like the first time, when my feet touched the ground, my legs felt like jelly. Of course, Azriel caught me in time. Once I adjusted, Azriel paid the stable boy, and he guided me to a street where markets and shops were placed.

Jewels shining in the window, food grilling and sizzling, and candy stands on display. I don’t know how long I stood there like an i***t, Azriel took my hand and said,” Where would you like to go first?”

“I don’t know.” There were so many places I wanted to go and try some clothes on. Though, I doubt they would fit me. “Could we look at all of them?”

He smiled and nodded. Without letting his hand go, I started walking down the street, taking in everything it had to offer. We passed by different shops and went into one where there were a lot of girls going in and out. I curiously looked into the window and saw there were very beautiful dresses on sale. “That would be our most famous clothes shop in the land,” Azriel said,” Do you want to try something on?”

“Um...maybe just one or two?”

“After you, Princess,” he said with a little bow.

When we came in, a girl about my age came up to us and helped me pick a few dresses to try on. The dresses at the shop had very vibrant colors and looked like they were meant for a special ball. I saw a sign on the door and it was for the Snowfall Ball. “Ah, the Snowfall Ball,” he said,” I remember going to those all the time as a kid.”

I gave him a puzzled look. “The Snowfall Ball is a grand celebration for the first snow that falls, which will be coming up in a few months.”

“Oh,” I said. I’ve never really liked snow all that much. Snow would usually mean that winter is here and worrying every night that we won’t freeze to death. Speaking of which, I still haven’t sent a letter to my mom; to ask how she was doing and to tell her how I’m doing. How could I have forgotten about that?

The girl who was helping us earlier came by and said,” I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to overhear, but we are having a sale for couples who are attending the Snowfall Ball together. If you’d like, we can customize the sizes for you.”

Azriel was about to say something but he gave me a look that said “up to you.” He must’ve sensed I wasn’t excited about the Snowfall Ball. “Could we make an appointment for a later date?” I asked.

“Of course,” she said,” We can discuss the appointment after you try on these dresses.”

“Actually, I’ll let him decide,” I said,” I have a lot of free time on my hands, but he doesn’t, so I’ll let him tell you the best day for the appointment.”

I tried on the dresses in one of the fitting rooms that was provided. The only one I really liked was a simple light pink dress. When I finished, Azriel had already set the date for the appointment. I told her that I would take the pink dress, which Azriel paid for with just a few gold coins.

Once we left the store, I felt my stomach growl. “Hungry?” he asked.

I nodded my head. “What would you like?”

I followed my nose to the sweet smell of cinnamon and fruits. Next thing I knew I was standing in front of a crepe stand. I’ve heard of them, but I’ve never had any. “Hello there, miss,” the man said to me,” What would you like today?”

I'm practically drooling at this point. I looked at Azriel and pointed at an apple, cinnamon, and whipped cream crepe. “We’ll get two of those crepes, please.”

After the man gave us the crepes, I immediately took a bite out of mine, and all I could think of was the heavenly taste that was flooding my mouth. “Well, I know where to take you the next time we’re here,” Azriel said as he chuckled. “I don’t know how you guessed it, but this is actually my favorite crepe

As I scarfed my crepe down, something catches Azriel’s eye. “Wait here,” he said,” I’m going to go get something from that stand real quick.”

I watched him cross the street to a small jewelry stand. I wonder what he’s getting. Probably some jewelry for his mother, I should probably give his mother something too. After all, she does invite me to lunch on a daily basis and has treated me as one of her own.  When he came back over, I was nearly finished with the crepe. “After we finish eating, what’s our next stop?”

We flew on Midnight for a few hours to a warmer and sandy place. I could smell salt in the air, and the sound of waves. The air was still cold, but the sound of the waves was comforting. The water was in different shades of blue I’ve never seen before. When we landed on the sand, all I could see was the endless ocean.

I’ve seen different paintings of the beach at different times of the day, but I think the most beautiful scene was when it was at sunset or sunrise. The water would be orange and the clouds would be painted pink and grey. “I’m guessing that this is the first time you’ve ever been to a beach?” Azriel asked.

“It is,” I said,” I’m pretty sure I told you this before, but I’ve only seen the beach through the paintings that would be hanging on the palace walls. I’ve always dreamt of spending a day on the beach, with no one to bother you, and to listen to the sound of the waves.”

Azriel held out a hand out for me to take, and I took it, of course. As we strolled, Midnight was running along in the sand and splashing water. However, something caught my eye in the sand when Midnight came out of the water. It was white and was cracked all the way through, like it was missing a half.

I picked it up and put it through the water to wash off the sand that was sticking. I let go of Azriel’s hand to carefully examine it. It had a pearly reflection on it. “What did you find?” he asked.

When he saw what I was holding, he said,” Oh, you found a Fate Shell. It is a very rare find on this beach. There’s a legend that says if you find one, you are destined to be with someone, and the other half of your Fate Shell is who you are destined to be with. Your soulmate in life and death.”

Humans don’t usually believe in that sort of legend, but a part of me was hoping that our shells would fit. “Do you have one?” I asked, my heartbeat was rising in anticipation, and I felt like I could hear my heartbeat.

“I do,” he said, and with a wave of his hand a fate shell appeared in his hand. “I found mine years ago, and I’ve been waiting for the right person to take to this very beach.”

I smiled at him and said,” Do you think our shells will fit?”

“I don’t know,” he said,” To be honest, I’m a little scared to find out now. Because if our shells don’t fit that would mean that you were meant to be with someone else. And the thought of not having you in my life...it’s a very frightening thought.”

I felt the same way he did,” I know how you’re feeling. We can find out...when we’re ready to accept the truth.”

After putting my fate shell into my purse. I looked into those beautiful eyes of his and gently cupped his face. For the first time, I think, he leaned into my touch and it felt like time had stopped. However, the faint sound of the waves reminded me that it was still moving. “Can I exchange a thought for a thought?” he asked when I stroked my thumb on his cheek.

I nodded and he put his hand over mine. ” I think what I like most about you is how understanding you are, for any situation. You are the most amazing human I’ve ever met, and I’m thinking of having a relationship that doesn’t involve any marriage alliance or marriage arrangements.”

I smiled once again. “That’s four thoughts,” I said,” I owe you an extra thought.”

“Four?” he asked.

I nodded my head,” You told me what you feared just a moment ago. I count that as a thought. Not many people voice their fears.”

Azriel gave me a look of excitement. His eyes were glittering for the first time in a long while. The last time I saw that same spark in his eyes was our wedding day. “I’m thinking the same thing as you are. You are the most amazing drake I’ve ever met,” I said while looking into his eyes.

He smiled at me and was leaning towards me. I thought he was going to kiss me on my lips, so I flinched, bracing myself for the impact of his lips. However, he kissed my forehead instead. I felt heat rising to my cheeks when his lips made contact with my forehead. “We should head back,” he said,” It’s going to be dark by the time we make it back to the castle.”

I nodded my head and followed him to Midnight, who was waiting patiently underneath the trees that were nearby. I saw curiosity in Midnight’s eyes, and I gently patted his snout before getting onto the saddle. The entire way back, I leaned into his chest and kept thinking about the kiss he gave me. Oh why didn’t I just let him kiss me?