A Court of Shadow and Song

Chapter 9

Azriel POV

When Azriel was alone, he convinced himself to tell Gwyn everything was a mistake. He told himself he could handle the sadness that would fill those teal eyes because he knew it was for her. But the minute he was with her, all logical thoughts went out the window. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and kiss her again and again. A kiss from the Little Valkyrie was enough to bring Azriel to his knees and confess every sin to her as if she were the only God that mattered.

No one sees me the way you do. Her words echoed through his mind over and over as he tried to find sleep. And even still as they walked side by side to town the next day.

No one sees me the way you do.

This puzzled him. Clearly she had not paid notice to the way Eris looked at her, or Emerie, Mor, Nesta, Cass. Even if they didn't look at her with a romantic interest. They all looked at her as though she alone carried the answers to the universe. She didn't understand how adored she was if she thought Azriel was good enough for her.

Azriel shook his head, trying to clear the thoughts from his mind and focus on the mission. That was all he should be focusing on while they are in the Autumn Court. Distractions made you sloppy. Distractions got people killed.

That's it, Azriel thought, this is nothing more than a distraction. I need to clear if from my mind in order to do my job. Just as I have always done.

But Azriel thought kissing the Little Valkyrie would clear it from his mind. Get it out of his system, he thought. But it had done the opposite. It was as if all of his senses were now consumed by her. Waiting for the next fix, the next kiss. He felt as though he had lived his life blind and was now able to see. But all he could see was Gwyn. Azriel had no idea how to handle this feeling. This infatuation. Would another kiss end this? Would something more?

No, Azriel dismissed the thought. He would not think about that. He would not think about what it might be like to hold Gwyn's naked body in his arms. Or how she might taste if he allowed his tongue to drift lower... lower.

Damnit. Azriel let out a growl.

"Everything okay, Shadowsinger?" They were walking the last mile to the town in order to ensure no one saw them fly and ruined their cover.

"A bug flew into my mouth." Azriel knew it was a bad lie. He could tell Gwyn also knew this, but she didn't ask any more questions.

He watched silently as she made her way into the heart of the town. Her charm turned on and, again he was in awe of her. She effortlessly mingled with the townspeople, even the men, which Azriel knew was no easy task. The townspeople were much more open to talking with her today, and he knew that was because she stood up to the guard. More admirers, Azriel thought with a soft smile. He found it difficult to be angry in her presence or even annoyed. She was light and she always snuffed out his darkness.

Azriel's ears perked at a lower fae talking to Gwyn, "You're the female that beat up the guard." She asked, hopeful.

"I wouldn't say I beat him up," Gwyn was modest, but Azriel saw the smile behind her words.

"You did!" Another fae said, joining the conversation, "I heard you brought him down with a little ribbon."

"So you aren't one of his spies then." The first fae asked.

"One of whose spies? The High Lord's?" Both faes nodded.

"Yes, him and the demon he has signed his soul to!" Gwyn's face paled and Azriel immediately went on alert. They suspected enemy spies were in this territory, but it was a whole other thing having it confirmed.