Shadowsinger

Chapter 9

Gwyn was grinning at him as she swung the door open, and crossed to the piano. She perched on the edge of the seat, letting Azriel sit more in front of the piano itself. Still, she was right next to him, and he almost leapt out of his skin when she covered his hands with her own, guiding him towards the keys as she explained the basics. She laughed at his surprise and he relaxed immediately, a shadow flitting out unbidden to explore the piano itself, before settling on Gwyn's shoulder. She grinned, 

"You're the bravest one, aren't you?" Azriel could have sworn that the shadow puffed up at her words, and the others shot out to join it. "Do they really understand me?"

"Yes, and they listen to you, I've never seen them do that before, usually they're really shy, it took years for them to talk to me."

"They don't talk to me, or at least I don't understand them if they do."

"You would understand, it's like someone whispering in your ear, but its not a different language, the difficulty isn't learning to speak, but to listen." She nodded, and giggled when a shadow twirled down her arm, and skittered across the piano,

"Shoo, you're gonna get in the way," it made its back to her, hovering around her wrist as she demonstrated a simple series of notes for Azriel to copy. Even here, even dressed comfortably as she was she was the most beautiful female he'd ever seen, her hair glimmered in the candlelight, and her eyes gleamed with joy at each note, especially when Azriel got it right. She was a better teacher than he was, easily, and he must have said as much because she snorted,

"I'm not sure piano lessons and self-defense are really comparable, Az. Besides, you taught us to fight," well, he'd helped Cassian teach them to fight, "And the silent stuff with me, piano's a way different skill, you teach it differently." True, and she had picked up everything he'd taught her remarkably quickly, although that was more a reflection on her than him, "Here, Az," she moved his hand slightly, "What are you thinking about?" You. He couldn't say that,

"Sorry, just," a shadow danced around, "Got distracted." Gwyn laughed, 

Ask her to dinner

What? No.

Now.

Azriel sighed, and started at the sight of the clock, cauldron it was late,

"Have you seen the time? We should get to bed."

Dinner. Now.

He fought the urge to roll his eyes, and almost fidgeted,

"Can I take you to dinner tomorrow? As a thank you. I know a lovely little restaurant on the Sidra, it's usually nice and quiet in the evenings." He was expecting her to say no, that she wasn't comfortable around people that much yet, but she nodded,

"Yeah, that's be lovely,"

"Six sound alright?" Gwyn nodded and grinned, she was still grinning when he left. The shadows leapt and spun around him, not calming down even when he tried to go to bed,

Does she think it's a date?

I don't know. Does it matter?

Yes. We like her. You should kiss her.

I'm not kissing her. She doesn't need another male like that. Not until she wants it.

She does want it.

Then let her make that step. I will not push her.

It's not pushing her if she wants you.

Stop it. If she makes that step then great, if not, I will not make it for her.

Azriel rolled over, and the shadows swirled slower,