A Court Of Flowers And Shadows {Azriel Shadowsinger}

Chapter Forty-Three

"How'd it go?" Mor asked as she sat up, straightening out her shirt from where she sat beside Cassian. 

"The Bone Carver," Rhys started, "is a busybody gossip who likes to pry into other people's business far too much." 

"Well you do the same so I feel like you're being a bit hypocritical," Amara mumbled, Feyre having to hold back a giggle as she was the only one to hear her. Amara sent her a soft smile and wrapped her arms around her when Feyre leaned her head on her shoulder. 

"But," Rhys continued, "he can also be helpful, when he chooses. And it seems that we need to start doing what we do best." 

Amara rolled her eyes and started to play with Feyre's hair as Az and Rhys went back and forth talking and asking questions about the best way to handle the situation. Cassian was completely silent as he took in the information, knowing that it was probably best that Azriel be the one to ask the questions. Feyre flexed her numb fingers so Amara carefully took her hands and helped arm them up. Amara took a quick glance out the window and sighed when she saw the familiar white head of hair that meant that Dolores (who had literally never made the trip to any of the houses owned by the High Lord) was making her way up to the townhouse. 

Once Rhys was finished explaining everything that had happened, Azriel spoke up. "I'll contact my sources in the Summer Court about where the half of the Book of Breathings is hidden. I can fly in to the human world myself to figure out where they're keeping their part of teh Book before we ask them for it." 

"No need," Rhys told him. "And I don't trust this information, even with your sources, with anyone outside of this room. Save for Amren." 

As always, Dolores had spectacular timing because that was when she knocked on the front door. Azriel looked over at Amara with an amused smile, Feyre raising an eyebrow because as far as she was aware, there wasn't a single person that actually knocked on the front door of any of the estates that Rhys seemed to own. 

"Nobody answer that door," Rhys said before he turned his attention back to Azriel. 

"Okay, well, if she breaks your front door down then it isn't my problem," Amara said with a shrug, Feyre leaning in to her a little bit more. 

"We're not taking risks where this is concerned," Rhys told Azriel, completely ignoring Amara's comment and the knocking on the front door that just would not stop. To say that Dolores was persistent was an understatement. "Amara, I swear, if you don't answer that door." 

"You're the one that said not to answer it," Amara pointed out before she got up and went to go see her very annoying friend. 

Once the front door was opened, Amara saw the biggest grin that she had ever seen on Dolores' face. "What did you do?" 

"I  didn't do anything. Brigette, on the other hand, punched a homophobe and it was hilarious and I am totally giving her a raise," Dolores told her, her eyes lighting up. 

"Wait, seriously? And you ran all the way here to tell me that?" 

"Amara! I am not going to wait to tell you that a homophobe got punched in my bakery and that it was Brigette of all people to do it," Dolores exclaimed, as if Amara was being ridiculous for questioning her urgency. 

Amara tilted her head slightly and raised an eyebrow at Dolores. "Please tell me that you were going to punch the homophobe but Brigette got her first?" 

"Oh definitely. I was about to hit her with a saucepan because for some reason I had one in my hands, and then Brigette just popped up out of basically nowhere and punched her in the face and I personally think today is the best day of my life," Dolores rambled with a massive grin on her face. "I really hope that she sues the place. Then I can punch her myself." 

"I don't think that's how it works, gorgeous," Amara told her with an amused smile. "Do you want to come in? I think they're just about wrapping up." 

Dolores looked at Amara softly, frowning slightly. "You're not going to make me apologise to your mate for having a go at him all those years ago, are you?" 

"No. No, I won't." 

"Then I would love to come in." 

It seemed that Amara was completely right about the fact that the others had finished planning everything because Rhys was already on his way out when Amara led Dolores in to the main room. She glanced over at Az who shook his head for her to not ask about it. 

"I'll tell you the plan later," he told her down the bond as Amara and Dolores sat with Feyre on the couch. 

Instantly, Mor handed out glasses of wine and sighed, looking at the fire that continued to blaze. Cassian had his head leaned back against the back of the couch, eyes closed as he held his glass of wine. Az was still looking out the window, watching the snow fall and the people of Velaris wander through the streets. Feyre leaned her head on Amara's shoulder and drifted to sleep quite quickly, no doubt exhausted from the events of that day. Dolores was glancing around before her eyes settled on the falling snow. Amara just watched her friend and smiled slightly before she sipped her glass of wine, finally feeling somewhat content in the house now that Rhys was no where to be found. 

~~~~~

Fun Fact: Dolores was born in the Dawn Court, but her mother is from the Winter Court and her father from the Night Court.