A court of water and worlds

Chapter #48

Hi everyone! I am sooo sooo sorry, it has been over a week since I last posted. I have just been so busy, I got a job and school still sucks but hopefully in the next few days I can get a couple more chapters posted. thank you so much for reading!
Also this chapter is not the dinner party yet. I'm sorry, I know you probably really want Gwyn and Az back together again. I am working on the next chapter right now and we have some Gwyn and Az shit in there so yay!

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Azriel woke up to a light autumn breeze well before Dawn.
He had been Sitting on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands for about three hours now.
He couldn't sleep.
It was hard enough getting to sleep at night and taking naps seemed impossible, but he managed to get in a few hours before being pulled from his sleep from a nightmare.
It had been just like the one he had in the forest near Koschei's lake.
He didn't know what it meant, and didn't know how to decipher it.
All he knew was that the night black sword Gwyn held in his dream was most likely Narben.
Though he had never seen the sword before, he had heard stories of it, not just from his mother.
The sword supposedly radiated not just darkness but death, and legend says that you could feel it from miles away.
Azriel still didn't quite believe in Gwyn's theory, that he was the true owner of narben.
They couldn't even confirm if Narben existed in the first place.
This was not what he should be worried about.
He should be thinking about Koschei. Yes, Koschei who had shrieked in fury at his sword— Gwyn's sword.
Gwyndolin, the other made sword.
Azriel could say with at least ninety-nine percent certainty that truth teller was in fact Gwyndolin.
He had planned on talking to Amren about it when he got back. He also planned to ask her about Narben and the rumors she had heard on it.
Sometimes, Azriel forgets how old she was. He huffed a laugh. Cass did love calling her tiny ancient one. she had kneed him in the balls.
Azriel sighed.
He missed his friends. Though he was not super excited about this dinner party tomorrow night.
Rhys and Feyre usually have them once a month as an inner circle meeting and a chance to just be together.
He loved his family and was excited to get home to them, but he just had so much to do.
From figuring out that whole sword problem and Koschei problem he had a lot on his plate.
He got up from his bed as he felt the first sun rays of Dawn break through his window.
He stretched his arms over his head along with stretching out his wings.
He closely examined the faint scar left on his abdomen.
It was very hard for Fae to acquire scars, which he had learned the hard way from being brutalized by his brothers.
But, he didn't think that the Carrions' nails would leave a mark, and if he had one, Emrie must too.
He wondered why she hadn't said anything.
Not that it is super important, but Azriel found it strange that a simple scratch of claws could leave a mark on him forever.
He pushed away the thought as he quietly stepped out of his room and into the hall.
He was just getting water, or that might have been his excuse if anyone caught him.
He made his way down the hall stepping softly heel to toe not making a sound.
The house was beautiful, probably Vassa or Lucien's doing. Azriel was pretty sure Jurian didn't have a love of interior design.
The floors were lined with ornate tiles and there were so many windows, as if trying to let in as much light as possible.
Most of Azriel's shadows hid behind his wings afraid of the light, but one shadow always stayed out in the sun, basking in it. It tangled around his finger and he smiled.
It kept dancing around his fingers saying good morning.
His smile widened and he whispered good morning back to it.
He scented a male as he had arrived at the end of the hall and into a very open beautiful living area.
But the male's scent was not one that usually resided here.
"Azriel," Eris smiled as well as any Courtesan.
Azriel didn't let his shock affect his facial features as he took in the oldest son of autumn.
Azriel had been going back every month or so to check on the "band of exiles" as they called themselves.
Azriel had laughed initially at the name but then remembered when He, Cass, and Rhys used to come up with nicknames for themselves. Fare to say, they were embarrassing.
But the last three months Eris hadn't been at the estate.
Rhys Who was in contact with Eris the most, said that things were getting out of hand at Autumn court again and Koschei was still in alliance with Beron.
Rhys had told Him this though Azriel didn't give one shit about autumn court or who ruled it.
The people of autumn might as well be Illyrian brutes with fancier taste.
He swallowed his rage, cooling his features to impassiveness.
Eris' grin widened as if he knew how much Azriel wanted to make him bleed right now.
He had left Mor, he had—-
Eris always said he did it for a reason though.
Maybe he knew Mor was gay—
No, that did not excuse his behavior.
He had left Mor to die alone in the forest... and Azriel would always hate him for it.
"It's been a while, shadowsinger," Eris drawled and Azriel stepped fully into the room.
Eris was looking lazy as ever leaning back in a chair, feet crossed but his eyes were still stone cold as if he had never been relaxed.
Azriel said nothing as he poured himself a glass of water from the table behind the couch.
He turned back to Eris who had gone stiff.
"Have you been in autumn lately," Eris asked with calm fury, and Azriel could have sworn the look in Eris' eyes... he had seen in another set of eyes before.
"No," Azriel said plainly as if he were talking about the color brown.
"I don't concern myself with your court," Azriel added and Eris only nodded but looked contemplative.
"Your scent is mixed with one of a Venserra's" Eris murmured and Azriel was unable to hide his shock.
He quickly lowered his brow and said "I am in Lucien's estate, that could be the scent you're picking up."
Eris nodded and smiled lazily, masking his earlier confusion, "right, silly of me to forget."
Azriel was about to call bullshit, Eris never forgot little things like that.
Eris might be a bastard but he wasn't stupid.
"I see you're both awake," Lucien strode in on near silent feet.
A fox was what Rhys called him. Azriel had always made sure to be extra careful around Lucien.
Elain was on his heels greeting them and Azriel's confused grew.
Did Elain and Lucien just walk in here... together?
"Lucien can winnow us back," Elain said, taking Lucien's hand.
Lucien's eyes widened at the contact but Elain remain emotionless.
Neither of them bothered to acknowledge Eris.
Azriel got up and took Lucien's other outstretched hand.
One of his shadows moved closer to Lucien, it was the only shadow that would brave the sunlight... More like bask in the sunlight.
Azriel quickly pulled his shadow back before Lucien noticed.
He had tested out his shadows this morning and they were still weakened enough where he wasn't able to winnow.
Lucien merely asked "ready?" And at the dip of Azriel's chin Lucien winnowed them to the townhouse.