shadows don't lie

Chapter Thirteen, Part Two

Azriel stayed sitting beside her on the bed until she fell asleep before he finally stood and used one of his shadows to silently push a chair over.

He probably wouldn’t be sleep anymore tonight anyways, so it didn’t bother him. Still, he put his head down in his arm, his right hand still gripped in hers.

He listened to her breathing, the rythm settling in his body like some foreign lullaby.

The night slowly dragged on and he stayed awake the entire time, watching Inei when small sounds escaped her throat, and adjusting her blankets when he noticed her tossing and turning.

Azriel wished he could do more for her, but he did his best.

Eventually the sun began to peek out over the horizon, his shadows fleeting away to the darker corners of the room.

Dispite his promise to wake Inei up at dawn, he remained silent, watching her soft face slowly light up in the morning sun. She looked so calm compared to the painfully shut-off face that she often wore.

He was drawn out of his thoughts when her eyes cracked open, immediately finding his own.

A small smile splayed across her lips and he couldn't help himself as he drank in the picturesque scene, and the sharp delight in her eyes.

"You stayed." She said, surprise seemingly lacing the words.

Sitting down beside her he raised his brows. "Why do you sound so surprised?"

She opened her mouth as if to say something and promptly closed them once more.

"Nothing?" He teased, and she squinted at him feigning annoyance, but he could sense her enjoyment.

Inei made to sit up but quickly froze, staring down at the blankets.

"What is it?" He asked her and her eyes darted up to his.

"I- I'm just thirsty. Would you grab me some water or something?"

He could tell that that wasn't what was truly on her mind, but he gladly stood up and walked for the door. As he passed through the doorway, he heard her mutter a small 'thank you', and it was enough to make him smile.

Azriel made his way into the kitchen and grabbed a small pitcher of water from the counter pouring the clear cool liquid into a glass that his shadows had retrieved for him. He also noticed a small green bottle that had a folded up note beside it.

--
The tonic for Inei. Please consume one capfull every 4-6 hours as needed, and send for me should anything change.
-Madja
--

He hummed softly as he folded the note up once more.

Grabbing the emerald-tinted bottle and the glass of water in his other hand, he quickly found his way back upstairs and he knocked lightly on the door before pushing it open

She wasn't in bed, and he noted the stain of blood where she had layed.

He heard a shuffle from the bathroom and when he turned towards it, he found the door locked shut.

"Inei, please open the door. I have water and your tonic."

Azriel heard her sniffle and one of his shadows told him that she was crying.

He set the glasses down on the floor beside the door and rolled his shoulders, his wings tensing with the movement.

"I really need you to open this door so I can help, Inei."

He heard more shuffling before she finally responded. "I'm okay Azriel, I'm just.." She died off and he swore he could hear her tears hit the ground.