A Court of Shadow and Song

Chapter 12

Thank you so much for all the kind comments! They definitely encourage me to keep writing!

Gwyn POV

Azriel was in bed for three days before his wings started to resemble normalcy. On the third day Rhys and Eris set up a meeting in the cottage dining room and Azriel made his way out of his room. Gwyn nearly sobbed at the sight of him walking without wincing in pain. She had been far more worried for him than she let him realize. Seeing him on the ground covered in flames nearly killed her.

It would have killed her, she had realized, if he had died. She couldn't think of a reason to want to live in a world where he didn't exist.

Gwyn dismissed the thought each time it entered her head. The thought was too powerful, too absolute for her to comprehend right now. She needed to focus on this meeting.

"I told my family two of the guards turned on my father. Their dead bodies helped to solidify the story." Eris wore his stress like a dirty tunic. Everybody could see it and everybody tried to ignore it. Gwyn knew there were battles within Eris that he was not ready to talk about. "I can't say there were many tears. But no one seems to be questioning the story. There have been so many betrayals in our court recently so I don't think it came as much of a shock." Rhys remained quiet, observing them each individually. His eyes lingered on Azriel and the way his body was instinctively positioned to guard Gwyn.

"We still have the threat of Koschei's men. They are going to know something is amiss. They just lost their only ally." Azriel's voice sounded normal again, and Gwyn thanked The Mother, The Cauldron and every god that might be listening for his health.

"We will worry about that when you are fully healed." Rhys said.

"I'm fine-" Azriel started, but Rhys held a hand up to silence him. Gwyn sent a little thank you to Rhys as well but was stunned when he glanced to her, eyebrow cocked. She blushed, remembering her own mental wall was not up and he had heard her thoughts. What else had he heard? Her blush deepened.

"When the healer gives you the OK on your wings we will resume the mission. Until then, I want you here, taking it easy. Nothing is worth losing you. Either of you." Azriel grimaced but did not fight his high lord.

"Eris, is there anything we can do for you as you settle into your role?" Rhys turned his attention to the new high lord.

"Just keep your ears and eyes open. I am going to be occupied with my new duties. And I am going to be looking over my shoulder constantly waiting for one of my father's men to make a hit. I would appreciate the additional eyes and ears... especially from people I trust." He held Gwyn's gaze when he said that. Gwyn averted her eyes, feeling embarrassed as Azriel cleared his throat.

"We will do what we can to help you." Rhys assured, "We owe you a great deal. The Night Court is in your debt." Gwyn knew it was hard for Rhys to say. None of the inner circle liked Eris. Rhys's statement was a testament to how much he valued Azriel's life. And her own.

~*~

Rhys took Azriel to the garden before returning to the Night Court, leaving Gwyn alone with Eris. "How are you?" He asked.

"I'm fine." It was only partially a lie, "I was healed the night of the attack."

"That's not what I meant." Eris insisted.

"It was frightening." Gwyn admitted. She had been having nightmares again. She hadn't succumbed to a nightmare in nearly a year. But they were back, albeit different. But stronger than ever. Rather than Hybren's men holding her down, she dreamed of Beron killing Azriel in front of her and turning that cold gaze to her. "When I close my eyes-"