OLD FRIEND

Back in his study Azriel continued going through the previous documents that required his attention. Tonight was another night . Another night to go and hunt in the woods .He hadn’t bit on a flesh for a while now and his fangs itched, they yearned for flesh . A knock sounded on the door , he wasn’t expecting anyone at the moment. For a while his mind went to Grace “ Was she back to continue her mischievous games?” He thought. There was nothing else left to offer her , her blood helped him a lot but he didn’t require them anymore, for some reasons he couldn’t even fathom himself.

“Come in “

“ For a moment I thought you were dead “ James Spoke mockingly as he strode towards the table .

James , Azriel’s long time friend. He was a tall fair Man , with a well built body that every woman wished for in a man , a round face that was complimented with a pointed a pointed nose.

In the human world, he’d pass for someone in his thirties, but like Azriel, centuries had passed in the blink of an eye. Yet, unlike Azriel’s calculated stoicism, James lived for indulgence, for the thrill of the moment. A notorious womanizer, he was the type of man who would sweep you off your feet only to leave you wanting more, his nights filled with excess, laughter, and the kind of hedonism that made him impossible to resist.

He’d often raise a glass and with a roguish grin, he’d say, “Live your life to the fullest, man. Who needs rules when you’ve got charm and the world at your feet?” His laugh was carefree, yet there was a darkness behind it—like he knew exactly how fleeting it all was.

Azriel's piercing gaze locked onto James, his eyes narrowing slightly as he asked, "What brings you here, James?" His tone was curt, devoid of warmth, but James just chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Ah, come on, Azriel, don't be like that," James teased, his voice low and husky. "I've missed you, old friend. The least you can do is give me a warm welcome... or a decent drink, at the very least."

Azriel raised an eyebrow, his expression unyielding, but James just laughed, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "I know you, Azriel. You're as emotional as a block of ice, but I'm not buying it. You're hiding something, and I aim to find out what it is."

James leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "I've heard rumors, Azriel. Rumors that you're taking a wife. Care to tell me what's going on?"

Azriel's expression remained impassive, but James detected a flicker of irritation in his eyes. "My mother's scheming something, James. But I assure you, I'm not getting married. At least, not yet."

James grinned, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Well, in that case, let's make a toast to bachelorhood... and to the freedom to indulge in all the pleasures life has to offer."

Azriel raised his glass, his expression dry, but James just laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Cheers, my friend. May our glasses always be full, and our hearts always be free."

The room was silent for a while before Azriel Spoke , “there will be a ball for me to choose a queen , your invited “

“ Well look at the man that says he isn’t getting married anytime soon .James replied a hint of amusement on his tone .

Azriel leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes glinting with a sharp, almost dangerous edge. His voice was smooth, effortless, but the tension in the air could have been cut with a knife. “Who says I’m going to choose a wife?” he asked, his tone dripping with indifference as though the very notion of a future bride was laughable.

James narrowed his eyes, not missing the cold edge in Azriel’s words. “Wait, you don’t plan to attend the ball, do you?”

Azriel let out a soft, mocking laugh, the sound low and dangerous. “I only said yes to the ball. I never promised to attend.”

James’ lips tightened into a thin line. “And your parents won’t get angry?”

Azriel’s gaze never left James, and his smirk was the only answer he needed. “You should know by now that I don’t care about whatever they think or do.” His voice hardened, a flicker of disdain in his eyes. “My scheming mother is planning something, and I aim to figure it out before she tries to pull any strings I don’t want pulled.”

The room was thick with unspoken words, and James seemed to consider that for a moment, but his voice remained steady as he spoke again. “Well, you can’t avoid it forever. You are Prince Azriel, the future ruler of this kingdom.” There was no mockery now—only the truth, heavy and inevitable.

Azriel’s gaze didn’t waver as he leaned forward, his tone dangerously calm. “I’m very much aware of that, James.” His lips curled into a smile that was anything but warm. “But don’t mistake my silence for submission. The throne doesn’t control me—I control it.”

The room seemed to grow colder, the fire crackling in the hearth suddenly feeling distant, as if even the flames knew better than to touch the raw tension between them.

James swallowed, his usual bravado faltering ever so slightly. Azriel stood up, taking a slow, deliberate step forward, his presence overwhelming. “And if my mother thinks she can force me into a marriage, she’ll soon learn that I’m no puppet, and I’ll tear her plans to pieces.” He paused, his voice dropping lower, quieter. “I don’t need a wife, James. I don’t need anyone. But they’ll need to watch their backs when I’m done.”

James exhaled sharply, the weight of Azriel’s words hanging heavy in the space between them. There was no escaping it now. The prince was a force of nature, and no one—not even his parents—could bend him to their will.

But Azriel knew one thing for sure: If anyone was going to burn the kingdom down, it would be him.

“ Very well then “ James replied . After few minutes , James stood up from his chair , adjusting his tie in the process .

“ I’ m going to take my leave now , if you need me , you know where to find me “.

“Thanks for gracing me with your presence my dear friend “

As James left, the door creaked shut behind him, but Azriel didn’t move immediately. He lingered in the dimly lit study, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. The cold flicker of the candles only added to the oppressive silence, and the shadows in the corners of the room seemed to watch him.

His fingers lightly grazed the spines of the books scattered across the desk, but his mind was far from the pages. He wasn’t thinking about politics or his mother’s schemes. No, he was thinking about something—someone—else.

With a sharp exhale, Azriel stood and pushed the books aside. The night had crept up on him, the darkness outside now more profound. Perfect, he thought bitterly. Just what he needed—more time in his own head.

He moved toward the door, his footsteps echoing through the empty hall as he made his way to his room, every step heavier than the last. The cold stone walls seemed to close in on him, but it wasn’t the castle that felt suffocating—it was the constant pressure of his destiny, his title, the crown waiting for him to claim it.

That was why he needed to go to the woods, to pour his frustration out on something, to clear his mind , for peace of mind even if it was just for an hour .