Chapter 15

Ezequiel emerged from the castle with Trinity. He was wrapping the details of the expedition and getting the names of the Elysium soldiers that were going to be joining him. They had decided that it was better for the expedition to be small scaled after all this was meant to be a recon mission with the intention to gather information not start a war. That would come afterwards.

"Then we will go ahead and do that," Ezequiel finished out before vowing in goodbye. As he did, he immediately sensed a strong gaze on him. His skin on the back of his head felt warm and for some unknown reason his heart started palpitating at high speed. His body was trying to tell him something that his mind had missed. With this extreme physical change anyone would have expected him to show a reaction, but not Ezequiel. He kept his poker face until the end. It was not until he turned and made eye contact with none other than Emilia that that poker face of his melted away and a swift smile appeared on his face. However, that smile was gone just as fast as it had appeared. The only one who noticed it was Emilia, but this only confused her more. Had he smiled because of her, but why? They barely talked to each other. In fact, it was safer to say that they were complete strangers, but there was no denying that there was something in that nothing that they had created since the beginning.

Ezequiel took steps to his father, and it was then that Emilia noticed she was staring, but how could she not. This being who was now walking towards them, towards her, was just so beautiful. His dark hair and imposing broad shoulders were something that she wouldn't mind getting lost in.

"Wait, what? Did that thought come from me?" Emilia was just as shocked as her inner self, and she could not help but scold herself. "Emilia stop it, stop it" She failed to control her voice and that last part was heard by everyone who in response turned to look at her with puzzlement.

"Pardon me, my lady? Yazakiel was the one to enquire. "Stop what?"

Emilia's cheeks turned bright red with embarrassing. It felt as if she had been caught red handed ogling a forbidden fruit. She quickly tried to change the subject and divert their attention from her.

"So, you say an important matter brought you to Elysium?"

"Ah, yes," Yazakiel was easily influenced, but for her luck Clementine was not so easily fooled. She had observed Emilia and she did not fail to notice her lingering gaze on none other but Ezequiel!

Clementine looked at her friend and while making eye contact, she whispered, "Oh my lord,"

Emilia gave her a confused look, and in returned Clementine gave her a "don't even" stare.

Emilia had been caught, and although she knew she was going to have to give her friend some answers she still did not know them herself.

In Ezequiel's mind he did not understand why the sight of Emilia had brought him such warmth. She was nothing to him, and the most annoying part was that he didn't even consider her an acquaintance. She was just her brother's annoying friend. Wasn't she? No, she wasn't. From day one he knew that she was someone who was going to affect him in every way possible and this is why he had always chosen to distant himself from her. He couldn't allow himself to feel this, but as much as he tried to deny it, he couldn't lie to himself. He knew that even if it was for a mere second, the sight of her enchanting orange red hair that could rival the noon sun was enough to brighten the darkest depths of his heart.

"I don't have time for this," Ezequiel had more important matters to take care of and as soon as he made it to his father and the rest the storm that had invaded his mind was gone. His cold facete was back stronger than ever.

"Afternoon ladies. Father it is time to leave. It is getting late and there are still things to prepare."

"Things to prepare. For what?" Azael wanted to know what this was all about. He hated how he was never included in his father's business and if he had anything to say this was going to end today.

Ezequiel turned towards him and without answering him he simply turned around and started walking away.

"I will get the horses."

Azael knew that he was not going to be able to break his brother, but maybe his father would finally let him in.

"Azael this is not the time nor the place to talk about this." Azael was wrong.

"Father, it is never the time. I understand that I am not the oldest, but I have trained just as hard as my brother. Please believe me. I am just as capable as him."

"Azael,,."

"No, father please,"

"Son as I just said, this is not the time nor place…:"

Azael knew that there was no used in keeping up with the nagging. His father was not going to change his mind, and this broke him.

Yazakiel noticed the disappointment in his son's eye. He wanted to tell him that it was not that he wasn't just as capable as his older brother. He trusted him and knew that he was meant to do great things, but he was still his baby. Many people viewed Yazakiel as an imposing figure, with a lack of sensitivity, but underneath that hard exterior there laid a man who loved his family above all.

"Let's go home. I will speak to you and your brother." Yazakiel gave in. He wasn't going to take him on the expedition, but he could at least let him know what was going on.

Azael could not believe his ears. Was his mind playing games with him?

"My daughter I hope you have a pleasant evening. Lady Emilia, I hope to see you soon."

And with that Yazakiel walked in the direction his eldest son had walked leaving behind a speechless Azael.

Noticing that Azael had frozen up due to shock Emilia took this opportunity to slap the back of his head.

"Hey, wake up!"

"Hey that hurt,"

"That's the point. What are you doing just standing there? This is your opportunity. Go with your father."

Emilia knew how much this moment meant for Azael. The thought of finally being included gave a sense of completeness. As if all the training they had undergone was finally paying off. This was something she could relate to because this is exactly how she felt when her father finally decided to let her take part in the training of the Elysium soldiers.

"Yes, you are right," Azael jumped into action turning towards Clementine and leaning over to plant a quick kiss on her lips. However, just as his lips were about to land on hers, she lifted her hand and covered her mouth stopping his advances.

Azael was stunned and was about to protest when Clementine extended her right hand and gave him a meaningful look.

Azael was not happy about this, and he shook his head as a firm no.

Clementine raised her eyebrow in a challenging way and the ever-immature Azael crossed his arms in front of him willing to accept the challenge.

Clementine still with her right arm extended in front of him, lifted her left hand and started a silent countdown. First three fingers up, then one came down leaving two fingers up. When there was only one finger left, Azael panicked and yelled, "fine!" reaching over and taking her hand and giving her an endearing kiss on the back of her palm.

His lips lingered on her beautiful palm as he whispered, "You will pay for this."

Clementine felt his hot breath on her skin, and it send a tingling sensation all over her body. Her cheeks rosy up and at that moment she wanted to do nothing, but jump on him and kiss him. Azael felt her skin and body react to him and he gave her a devilish smirk. Clementine would have jumped on him if not for Emilia who stepped in between them breaking their hand contact.

"Go now. Don't worry I will take good care of her. Gosh you guys can be so irritating sometimes."

Azael did not waste another second and after saying a quick goodbye he ran to his father and brother who were waiting for him by the entrance gate.

Out of the corner of her eyes Emilia noticed Ezequiel and how even though he tried not to show it, gave her a fleeting look that raked all over her body. His stare was so hot she wondered how his actuals hands would feel.

Clementine did not fail to notice that sudden change on her friend and coming from behind her screamed on her ear, "Emilia, spill the beans."

Emilia turned to look at her fiend giving her a confused look.

"What are you talking about?"

"So, we are going to play it that way. Fine. Do you want me to say it out loud?"

"I really don't know what you are talking about,"

"Okay, you asked for it." Clementine inhaled a deep breath and in a very loud voice for everyone to hear shouted, "Emilia, spill the beans about Ez...!"

and at that moment Emilia jumped on her friend covering her mouth with both her hands and looked around to see if anyone had heard her.