Chapter 4

AZIEL’S POV

I stood by the window, arms crossed, staring out into the distance. My shoulders quivered with anger as I gritted my teeth, barely containing the rage that was bubbling up inside me. I could feel my heart racing, and my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. I tried to take a deep breath, to calm myself down, but it was no use. The anger was too intense, too all-consuming.

My ears perked up as I heard her footsteps approach, and I clenched my fists as the door creaked open. I turned to face her as she entered, her head bowed. I had to remain strong, I told myself, even though my heart was pounding and my stomach was twisting in knots.

"What the hell were you thinking, Rayna?" I shrieked, my anger erupting like a volcano. I watched her flinch at my outburst and immediately felt a pang of guilt. But I couldn't help it; I was furious. 

I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself, speaking in a low, measured tone. "Why did you do it?" I asked, trying to keep my voice level.

Rayna took a step towards me, her eyes full of fear, and slowly raised her head to look at me. "She needed help, brother," she said, her voice shaking. "She was in so much pain." Tears welled in her eyes, and I could see the hurt and guilt written all over her face. 

I realized then that she had done what she did out of compassion, not malice. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.

"I know," I sighed, "but I've already told you not to meddle in their game," I grunted, my back to her as I stared out the window.

"I...I couldn't just stand by and do nothing," Rayna stammered, her voice breaking. I could see her fidgeting with her fingers out of the corner of my eye. 

"What if it had been me, suffering like that?" she continued, her words laced with emotion. I sighed, gripping the window ledge so hard my knuckles turned white. I was so angry, but I couldn't bring myself to yell at her. I was just...tired.

"Don't be so naive," I said, my voice dripping with irritation. I turned to face her, my eyes narrowed. "I didn't save you just to put you in danger again. You've been my top priority ever since I held you in my arms. I would give my life for you, and you know that. You have me, and all of my warriors to protect you." I was trying to make her understand that she was safe and that no one would ever hurt her while I was around. That she would never be like the girl. But I knew she was too stubborn to listen.

"That's exactly why I couldn't just sit back and do nothing," Rayna cried out, stamping her foot in frustration. I raised an eyebrow but said nothing. I knew she was just trying to help, but I didn't think she understood the consequences of her actions.

"I have you and thousands of our people to watch over me," Rayna sighed, taking a step closer to me. I stood still, watching the girl who had been like a sister to me break down in emotions. "But she doesn't have anyone," she said, her voice breaking. "I would have been dead if it weren't for you," she continued, her eyes welling up with tears.

"You're being so emotional right now, Rayna," I said, my voice low and controlled. “Gods, I didn't train you to be this naive.” I knew I sounded harsh, but I needed her to understand. I'd trained her day and night, preparing her for any danger. I couldn't let her forget that. I turned my gaze to the field, where our warriors were sparring. I took a deep breath, trying to push the frustration out of my mind.

"I'm not being naive," she said, her voice heavy with frustration. "She saved me, even though she could have run. She chose to stay with me, even though it was dangerous. She didn't have to do that." I could hear the conviction in her voice, but I still couldn't understand her logic. 

To me, it seemed like she was putting herself in unnecessary danger. None of it made any sense to me.

"You wouldn't have needed to be saved by her if you hadn't gone to rescue her in the first place," I said, a growl escaping my lips as I watched a warrior get injured from the intense training. 

"You got hurt because of her," I continued, my voice sharp and insistent. "And if I hadn't felt the surge of energy that you had shifted to my form, you might have died." I knew I was losing my temper, but I couldn't help it. I was so frustrated with her stubbornness, and I was worried about her safety.

“I could have taken them down and rescued her all on my own if you hadn't put up your shield and shut me out from using your power.” she groaned as if that was supposed to be my fault.

"If I'd let you use my strength, you could have been killed," I said, my voice echoing through the study. I walked over to my desk and placed my hands on the surface, trying to steady myself. 

"You are you, not me. Having my strength wouldn't have guaranteed that you could use it effectively. The people of this nation want me dead, and they could have killed you before they realized you weren't me." I was furious, and I knew I was losing control. But I had to make her understand the risks she was taking.

"Why did you shift into my form? I specifically told you not to, because it's too dangerous. So why did you do it?" I slammed my fist down on the table, and it cracked under the force of my anger. I could feel my heart pounding, my breath coming in short, sharp bursts. I was on the edge of losing control, and I knew it. But I couldn't help it. I was so angry, and I needed to know why she had disobeyed me.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely a whisper. I shook my head, turning to face her. I could see the tears welling up in her eyes.

"I know you're sorry, but I can't let this go unpunished," I said, forcing my emotions down and locking them away in a mental vault. I couldn't afford to let them get the better of me, not when it came to this. "If I don't hold you accountable, you'll just do it again and again. And I can't let that happen." My voice was cold and emotionless, a stark contrast to the fire that was burning inside me.

"Return her to where you found her, and don't you ever do something like this again," I said, my voice firm and resolute. "Only save those within our wall. You must understand, this is for your own protection." Rayna's face fell, and she took a step back, putting more distance between us. I could see the hurt in her eyes, but I couldn't allow her to put herself in danger like that again. 

“I’m sorry, brother, but I can't return her.” she gulped hard, “She’s staying here, and I won't let you send her away. She's not safe out there,” she added, anger rising in her chest as she spoke.

"I know you won't listen to me, so I'll make you choose," I said, grabbing a file on my desk. "Either send her back, or you'll be banned from the future plans." A smirk crossed my lips as I watched the shock register on her face. I knew this would be a difficult decision for her since she was so invested in the future plans. 

But I also knew that I couldn't allow her to put herself in danger again, no matter how much it hurt her. I cared for her so much that I didn't want anything to happen to her.

"I..." She swallowed hard, her tongue twisting in her mouth as she struggled to speak. "I'll turn over the files I'm working on," she said finally, her voice tight with anger. "But I'm keeping her here." She crossed her arms over her chest, her jaw clenched in determination. 

My fist clenched, and a growl of frustration escaped my lips. "Damn it!" I grunted, storming out of my office. 

I could feel the anger boiling up inside me, threatening to burst out of my control. I needed to get away from her, before I did or said something I would regret.