The Queen of Flame and Shadow

Lordy

I just want to say thank you to @Queen22Fireheart for all of the comments they write on the chapters. They really help me write away. 

Azriel 

It was comforting to spend the night and early morning on the roof with Celaena. He was able to momentarily forget the aches and pains that he had, both physically and mentally. The reprieve did not last for long before Rhys crash landed on the roof looking like he had some important news to share. Celaena also seemed to loath the break in silence and fixed an angry glare on Rhys. 

"Hey, don't shoot the messenger," Rhys said in a joking tone. 

Celaena replied with her usual snark, so at odds with the revelations she shared last night. "I would never shoot a messenger. I just want to shoot you in general." 

Azriel could not help but smile a little at that. 

"Fine, then I guess you don't want to know about the High Lords meeting that we have coming up in two hours at the Dawn Court." Rhys looked satisfied holding all the cards. 

"Well then, I guess I don't since you just told me all that I needed to know." Celaena then got up, sadly letting go of his hand and already strutting away, still looking glorious despite the bandages.  "Too da loo boys, I have an outfit that is in need of being found." 

With that she left the roof leaving a thoroughly disheartened High Lord and a sad Az already missing the feeling of her hand in his. Rhys turned to look back at Az with a look that said he did not enjoy not having the upper hand. 

Az could not help but chuckle a little bit at Rhys. "Hey, at least you are not the spy brother, or else we would never have any secrets." With that he also got up, leaving Rhys on the roof to stew a little and also went in search of his leathers he used for special occasions. He was not sure why he spent some extra time polishing the siphons, certainly not for Celaena. No, certainly not. 

When he was done he still had about half and hour of downtime before they had to go. Mor, Amren, Rhys, and Cassian had already gathered in the living room, going over what was going to happen at the meeting. Since Azriel never said anything during the meetings, only listening, he decided to seek out Celaena to see if she was okay or by some small chance needed help. He arrived at he door, knocking and waiting for a response. 

"Who is the lovely person that is stalking me standing in front of my door?" She said in a singsongy voice. 

He used a voice that he knew was deep and alluring. "Azriel."

"Why darling Azriel come on in, I am almost ready." 

With that the opened the door and stopped dead in his tracks. She was wearing a dress that he had not seen since his childhood and had no idea where she found it. The dress was made out of velvet with a tight silhouette that hugged all of her curves and hollows and pooled on the ground by her feet. The front was plain black with only a few tendrils of gold coming from the sides, but it was the back that was truly magnificent. A golden embroidered dragon ran the length of the dress with the head curling along the top of her shoulders and the tail ending on the ground. He almost fell to his knees from just looking at her. Her face was also a work of art. All that she had on was a fierce wing and blood red lipstick. She truly was a goddess. 

"Would you mind helping me with my hair, I seem to be having trouble putting in these combs." 

His feet moved on their own accord and planted him right next to her. He took a small breath and was able to detect her lemon verbena scent that he loved. He gently took the combs from her hands. He then motioned her to turn around and was able to sweep her hair up. Centuries with Cassian's man bun helped him become experienced with hair. 

His eyes met hers in the mirror when he was done.

She cocked a half smile. "We look gorgeous. Now, are you ready to walk onto the political battle field, my friend." 

His heart grew a little bit. She called him his friend. "But of course my dear, shall we?" He offered up his arm in a very respectable way and led her to the others. 

She only responded quietly once they arrived in the living room. 

"We shall bring them to their knees you and I."

So, why do you think?