Lorcán with a humble demeanor brought the two to his castle that overlooked the southern city of Ifera. He explained that he had come to build the small empire in the south that lived in peace with the kingdoms of the east and west, but all three were mostly kept away from the north. Azrael knew all too well of the north and Líadain.

The ball was being held in two weeks and everything was in full swing. The main hall was mostly blocked off from prying eyes and only a few were allowed in from time to time. Azrael has swept away with the beauty of the castle but also the arrangements for the ball. Lorcán had decided to put her to work. The first few days they were there Azrael was to help with flower arrangements and she happily obliged. Raden on the other was keeping to himself either hiding away in the lavish bedroom Lorcán had prepared or walking around the grounds.

On day three Lorcán had Raden called for a meeting. Raden's gut was telling him to run, but he pushed the feeling aside. He was led by a servant through the hustle and bustle of castle life. Many stopped and stared or hushed whispers between maids and servants as they rushed around in small groups. Raden ignored it and kept pushing through. The servant quickly moved and Raden had to speed up to keep up with the servant. Shortly after what seemed like a showing of the death angel, Raden was standing infant of a large oak door that was stained an almost black color.

Raden glanced over at the servant. "So am I allowed in or do I have to wait to be called in?"

The servant didn't answer.

"Alright then." Raden took ahold of a cold handle and turned it. Surprisingly it turned with ease and the door opened leading to a spiral staircase. "Here goes nothing." He slowly walked up the staircase until he met heavy curtains blocking the view of what seemed to be an office.

"You may enter whenever you feel ready." Lorcán's voice pierced through the curtains.

Raden pushed through and was met with a chaotic mess. Books and scrolls were haphazardly thrown around the room. Raden was careful to not step on anything that was on the floor. For the library to be in such a perfectly organized arrangement, this place was the complete opposite.

Lorcán peered down at the chair in front of his desk. "You may sit if you chose to or remain to stand."

"Why did you call me in here?"

Lorcán walked around his desk. His gaze at the globe sitting on the edge of the desk collecting dust. "What is a death angel doing at my library?"

Raden narrowed his eyes. Was he to answer this? "I'm not the smartest celestial, but aren't you the God of knowledge?"

"This is true." Lorcán turned his full attention to Raden now. His harsh stare filled Raden with anxiety. The one thing Raden made a priority was to never cross paths with the Gods. "I know exactly why you were there, but I thought we could play a nice little game of tell the truth." He crossed his arms. The deep blue on his robe showed nicely in the sunlight that was flooding in through the window. "So, are you going to explain or am I going to?"

Raden bawled his fist tightly by his side and took a deep breath. Don't do anything stupid. "I don't think I need to explain anything to you."

"No?"

"You already know. So why drone on about it?" Raden was challenging him. Seeing if he could get a rise out of Lorcán. A dangerous game to play in all honesty.

"Because I'm curious Raden when you read through that codex what was going through the mind?" Lorcán had what seemed to be a small satisfied smile etched across his face. "Were you filled with horror at the sheer power of this weapon or was it relief because now you had your answers? Or guilt because that girl downstairs arranging the flowers will never know how dangerous she is." Raden held Lorcán's stare. He would not show weakness. Not now.

"Are you going to tell her?"

"It's not my place," Lorcán sighed out, "Like many others, I chose to keep my nose out of this war. So why start drama where it's not needed."

And there it was. Just like all the others… he was just like them all. Hiding in his precious castle acting all high and mighty. A coward.

Raden felt a weight on his shoulders lift. He never realized it was there. Although he was grateful that this would stay between them, Raden felt his blood boil. "Is that all you called me in here for? Just to answer your own fucking question?"

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Lorcán snapped his head quickly towards Raden catching him off guard. "I've heard a great deal about the tempter and mouth on you, death angels, but I will not be insulted in my own home. You may leave."

"Complete waste of my time," Raden mumbled to himself, but Lorcán heard every bit of it.

"If anyone is wasting precious time it would be you."

Raden whipped around and flames flashed in his eyes as the anger started to bubble up. "Excuse me? Where the fuck do you get off..."

"You would've been better off staying in the field that Azrael found you in," Lorcán said calmly. Raden stood speechless. "The moment you came into her life has been nothing but trouble. She seems like a nice girl from what I have seen. However, you have strung her along and wasted her precious time and on top of that have broken her already fragile heart."

"Now hang on..."

Lorcán stood tall and narrowed his eyes as he points a firm finger in Raden's direction. "No! You will listen to what I have to say." Raden took a step back at the sheer force of Lorcán's voice. "You're undying loyalty to Merikh has broken Azrael. That girl loves you and you're either too blind to see that or you've chosen to ignore it."

"You don't understand what Merikh will do to her if I chose her over this war," Raden choked out. There was pain again. "He wants her dead because of her powers but he knows that I won't let that happen if I choose her then he will kill her."

Lorcán let out a frustrated breath. "There are more important things than bloody war. You may not understand that because war is what you were created for." He paused and rubbed his temples for a second. "This may be the last good moment for Azrael and for you. I suggest you be truthful with her now before it's too late."

Raden left the office soon after. His head swimming with thought after thought. He decided that going for a walk would be better than being cooped in that room.

~~~*~~~

Azrael loved the distraction of floral arrangements. She didn't have to worry about what the next step would be or her powers. Her thoughts were solely on flowers for the few days she had been there. Azrael was grateful for the busy work after all it kept her mind from wandering to Raden.

The masquerade ball was to be held now in about a week and a half. Azrael still didn't have a dress. She didn't mind too much because she knew that if push came to shove a shop in the city would have something.

As she began her day early with breakfast, a servant boy came for her. Azrael was to meet Lorcán at the main entrance in twenty minutes. No other explanation was given and the boy soon left. Azrael was quick to finish eating and say her apologies as she rushed out of the small staff kitchen to find the entrance. With the help of one of the butlers, Azrael was led to the entrance and found Lorcán standing in much simpler clothing than that of what he wore to the library.

He gave a warm smile and held out a hand for her. "I'm sorry for the rather short notice but I thought you would like to be fitted today for your dress."

"Oh very much so," Azrael exclaimed and gladly took Lorcán's hand.

He led her through the doors to a beautiful chestnut horse saddled and waiting for them. Lorcán climbed on and turned to offer a hand to Azrael to lift her up. As she took his hand, he pulled her up with ease. She was surprised at the lack of struggle but then again, he was a God after all. They made their way down to the city below. The royal city of the southern kingdom. A beautiful place is full of magic and welcoming of all kinds.

Lorcán rode through the city as it was still waking up. Many stopped and greeted them and Lorcán made it a priority to speak with every person who greeted them. Azrael had never seen this kindness before but she was growing to love this city already. With a few more stops to speak with strangers, they finally made it to their destination. It was a rather small seamstress shop situated on the east end of the city away from the hustle and bustle.

"I of course have personal seamstresses but for this to be an important dress…" He looked over at the shop. "This needed the best there was."

Lorcán allowed Azrael in first. The shop wasn't much. A wall of various fabrics and on the other side a large mirror with a small lifted stage for the customer. It was rather dark and Azrael was wondering if they were even open yet.

Her answer would quickly come as a grumpy-looking halfling walked out from the back. "We're not taking in any walk-ins. Now get out."

"Um…"

"Now Festin, that isn't any way to talk to a young lady." Lorcán cut in. He remained his calm warm self, but something in his tone demanded obedience.

Festin looked between the two and walked right back the way he came grumbling about who knows what. Azrael glanced back to Lorcán and he gave a simple nod. Not even a minute later a tall woman appeared. Her skin was a light blue and her eyes were completely black. She wore a simple pair of navy-blue pants and cream colored tunic. Her inky black hair was tightly woven into a braid to keep from distorting her view. Azrael stood in silence at the strange yet beautiful woman.

"Ah Lorcán, how wonderful to see you," The woman greeted. A soft smile played on her lips and she gave a brief hug to Lorcán before returning her attention to Azrael. "And this young lady is?"

"Azrael," Azrael answered in a soft manner.

The woman held out a hand. "It's nice to meet you. You can call me Maie." Azrael shook her hand and smiled. It wasn't every day you met the fey. "Now what can I do for you today?"

"I am having a masquerade ball and Azrael here is my personal guest. I want her to have the best dress money can buy," Lorcán answered.

"Say no more. Azrael if you'll step up on the stage where we can start." Maie turned to Lorcán. "You can leave us be for now."

Lorcán nodded and assured Azrael he would be close by and left while Maie soon began her magic. Azrael felt the excitement bubbling in her stomach. She was going to a king's ball of all things and having a dress tailored by a fairy. Never in million a year would she have dreamed this.