a court of light and shadow

chapter 26 (Azriel)

authors note: sorry for the long wait, both of authors had a lot of things to do.

Hope you enjoy the chapter!

K. & N. 

..................

After a rough night, in the morning Azriel didn't eat his breakfast, he went to a training room. Shadowsinger couldn't sleep last night, every time he closed his eyes Gwyn's broken voice was ringing into his ears and her pained face was staring at him.
Tears because of him.
Gwyn wasn't a replacement for Elain as she thought. She was someone else, someone who Azriel wanted to be with.
Shadowsinger grabbed his daggers from his room and went into training, hoping that little Priestess will be there.
"You were with Gwyn last night when we left," Azriel heard Cassian's words to Balthazar, he froze in front of the door and waited for last, "She looked- bad."                                                                     "Yeah, she wasn't feeling well. I just offered her comfort, that's it." Said calmly Balthazar, even from here Azriel saw Cassian's smirk, "Oh? and what kind of comfort?"

Azriel's blood went cold in his veins.
Eyes darken as he launched himself on Balthazar and punched him against the wall. Fingers digging into his tunic, Balthazar's eyes widen in shock, Cassian gasped. Azriel didn't care about any of that.
"Did you touch her?" He snarled to Balthazar, one hand moved into the male's throat. Balthazar didn't answer at first, Azriel brought his face closer to him, noses almost touching, "I repeat." something deep from his voice shook male, his eyes widened but no fear in there."Did you touched her?"
Balthazar pushed him away, "Of course I didn't touch her you bastard!" he shouted angrily, "Who do you think I am? I would never touch a woman without their permission. Especially when it comes to Gwyn." Cassian stepped between them, "Az what's happening to you, brother?" Azriel's siphons were shining bright exposing his anger.
"She's my friend," Balthazar said quietly.
Cassian grabbed his brother by Truth-Teller, made him turn to him and said calmly, "Azriel, if it's Gwyn- tell me what happened." his hazel eyes were begging to tell the truth. Azriel couldn't take it anymore, he nodded.
"Valkyries won't be here another two or one hours. Take your time," said Cassian. Balthazar waited too. Male seemed interested in why or how Azriel made Gwyn feel- pain.
So Shadowsinger told them.

.........

For a while three of them were quiet.
Then Cassian breathed hard, "Damn. I- I don't know what to say."
"Let me get this straight." Balthazar started, Azriel looked at him and gave him a nod.
"You tried to kiss second Archeron sister."
"Yes."
"Even you knew she is mated."
"Yes."
"And you gave Gwyn a necklace which was meant to Elain."
"Yes," he mumbled annoyed.
"And now Gwyn found out and she's in pain."
Azriel gave Balthazar a glare, which the male ignored.
"AND. I will add that Gwyn thinks she's a replacement of Elain." Cassian added. Azriel snarled quietly at him.
Both Gwyn and Elain were in pain because of his dumb mind.
"Explain everything to Gwyn," suggested Balthazar and Azriel looked at him like he just said 'Tamlin is a good man'
"I'm sure she will understand." Cassian nodded.Balthazar's eyes widen as he gasped, "Oh, shit." he looked at Cassian and then at Azriel, "Do you understand if Nesta and Emerie will found out, they will kick your ass so hard for breaking Gwyn's heart that I truly believe you won't be able to walk for weeks." Cassian burst out laughing, while Azriel realised how big trouble he was. Gwyn would probably tell them about necklace-thing, but that wasn't the worst part. Azriel had to apologize to everyone; Gwyn and Elain mostly. Also Elain's mate - Lucien.
He had every right to know, how Azriel almost stole his mate, it doesn't matter if Elain was rejecting the bond or not.
He rubbed his eyes. Cauldron, what has he done.
He wasn't himself last few months, he lived over five centuries and never had been so distracted.

after a few minutes, Emerie and Nesta walked into the room, both of them sending death glares his way. Azriel suggested Gwyn already told them about everything.

"Is it just me or both of them looks at you like they want to slit your throat open?" Balthazar whispered to him, Cassian stood up smirking at his mate. Shadowsinger noticed a cup in Nesta's hand, boiling. and another cup in Emerie's hand. 

They walked to three males in front of them. Oh, Nesta's gray eyes were on fire, same goes for Emerie. 

"Hello ladies.'' smiled Balhazar, but their eyes were on Azriel only. He didn't dared to ask about Gwyn, even need of it was big. Maybe Cassian knew it by look at him and slowly asked, "Where's Gwyneth?" his mate's gaze stopped on Azriel, Emerie snorted as answer, "I think you know answer, Cassian.'' because of him, she wasn't here. Of course.

 Nesta took a step toward him. He could feel his own heartbeat becoming faster. She opened a mouth and Azriel got ready to hear all bad things she could say about him for hurting Gwyn, but... she closed her mouth and only shook her head. Instead of Nesta, Emerie spoke, "I suppose, you had your reasons to do what you did. I just can't believe you did that to Gwyn.''

He bowed his head, his emmbaressment and anger twinning to each other, everytime he thought how much Gwyn was hurting.

"She may forgive you, but she will never forget.'' said Nesta lowly. She raised her eyes and looked at him straight in the eye, "And neither will we.'' only then did Azriel notice the huge ice cold water bottle in Nestas hand. next thing he knew he was soaking wet and freezing, especially in his lower part. The females were already walking away. behind him Baltazar and Cassian had doubled over laughing and clutching their stomachs.

"Oh, shit.'' Balthazar giggled like a lady.

"Brother, I can feel your pain right now.'' Cassian chocked out through his laughter. 

"Remind me to never get on your bad side.'' Balthazar called after the females. 

Azriel glared at both of them. Even he knew he deserved more than this.

Without saying a word to the males, Shadowsinger disappeared into his shadows.

He needed to talk to Gwyn immediately. 

But first- he needed to a new pair of pants and boxers... and maybe a good hot bath.