Ifrit Boyfriend: Behrouz Part One (special preview)

Behrouz chuckles. “You think I am a fool, don’t you, Siyana?” He claps his hands around his waist. “How long have we known one another?”

“Too long,” I roll my eyes.

“And in all this time, you’ve always thought me the fool.” He cracks his neck. “I can see it in those bleak, dead eyes of yours. Good thing your body is better looking.”

“You say that every time, Behrouz,” I scoff. “Please, get to the point, you interrupted my meditation. If I don’t get it done, I can’t make a promise for your safety.”

“It gets me hot when you threaten me.” The flames under his skin glow brighter. “Fine. You think I am stupid, but trust me, I am not.” He puffs out his chest. “I have the sucker that the arrow came from in holding, just outside your village.”

I furrow my brow.

“There’s a reaction.” Behrouz grins. “Come with me now so you can see for yourself.” He curls his fingers, beckoning me to follow as he kicks open the doors.

I follow him into the snow, seeing that beyond the gates, there are two Ifrit guards with one of my hunters. One of the Ifrits has a Glacier Boar on his shoulders.

I open the gates and allow them just inside. The Ifrit tosses the Glacier boar at my feet. Behrouz takes hold of my hunter and rips off his hood.

“Recognize this one?”

My eyes widen ever so slightly. It’s my brother, Brantov. His face is bruised with a cut running down his cheek to the corner of his mouth. He looks at me then casts his eyes away. I can already tell he is guilty.

“What have you done to him?” I snarl at Behrouz. I try to approach him, but the Ifrit guard keeps me at bay.

“He threw the first punch,” Behrouz scoffs. “Shot one of my men too.”

I glance towards my brother. “Is this true?”

He bows his head low. “I am sorry, Siyana.”

I glance back to Behrouz and stiffen my jaw. “Since it is my brother who committed these crimes, I take on the responsibility of his actions. I don’t know his reasons for doing them, and right now, I am far too angry to listen to them.” I glare into Behrouz’s dark eyes. “Please release him.”

Behrouz clicks his tongue then breaks into a wide grin. “And what do we get in return? He broke our laws, he trespassed, he shot at one of my men, he started a fight. I’m looking for justice, Siyana.”

I take a slow, calming breath then fold my hands together. “Then let me take the punishment.”

“Siyana, no!” Brantov shouts.

“Shut up!” I hiss at him. “You have lost this fight! Do not start another one!”

Brantov cowers down while I turn my glare back on Behrouz. “Hunters are few and far between here, but Priestesses like me are at a high right now. I trust my girls to take my place and do what is right. So punish me, Behrouz, but do not punish my people.”

Behrouz turns to his men and says something in their language. The guards drop Brantov then go back out the gate and walk away. “Now you, get out of here.” Behrouz pushes Brantov, who runs back into the village.

“Just you and me, Siyana,” Behrouz growls. “No one to argue, no one to stare.” He folds his arms across his chest. “Do you honestly mean to take the fall for your brother?”

A harsh wind picks up and cuts across my cheeks. “I do.” 

“Where do you sleep at night?” Behrouz asks.