Her chest tightened. She had heard the stories — of how the high king was merciless, callous, and unfeeling. But every single time they talked, she glimpsed something different.
And he did care, despite his cool, icy exterior, as strange as it was. He'd saved her life, after all, yet now he was anxious about Kael's absence.
Her thoughts spiraled, twisting into a confusion of emotions, until Azazeal's voice brought her back to herself.
"What's on your mind, Elora?" he said, the tone gentler than she'd expected.
She jerked her head up, surprised. He stared at her with eyes so sharp that they seemed to cut through her and look directly into her soul. It had a ferocity in it that made her heart stutter.
"Nothing," she said quickly, ducking her head and allowing her dark hair to fall forward to cover her face.
