shadows don't lie

Chapter Sixteen

Azriel woke up to find Inei standing over him, silently staring down.

It had surprised him to find her like this, especially considering that she was often fast asleep when he got up in the mornings.

A slow smile spread across her face.

“Today’s the day Az.” He was glad it was too dark for her to see his face.

He was going to go check out the spring court today, and Inei had insisted on joining him.

He knew that she was quickly becoming as skilled as he was, but some part of him still disliked the risk of bringing her.

Still, it wasn’t his place to say no, especially if his High Lord and Lady needed another pawn for their games. The thought made him cringe slightly and Inei shifted.

“You are awake right?” He snorted and sat up, and in the dim lighting he could make out Inei’s form in the dark Illyrian leathers that he had commissioned for her.

Yes, he was indeed grateful that it was dark.

“I’ll get ready, go eat something. I’m not sure how long this will take.” He could feel her disappointment at being sent away but she obliged and the door clicked behind her as she left.

Azriel stood up, his wings stiff from sleeping wrong on the slightly too-small bed.

Normally he would have been provided with a larger one, but it wouldn't fit well with Inei's as well, so he just forgone it.

He enjoyed the company anyways.

Shaking off the last bits of sleep, he turned to his dresser and pulled out his own leathers, his two siphons flashing as he came into contact.

He deftly slipped into the pants, and pulled the jacket over his wings, and grabbing his multitude of blades he slipped them into the various pockets where they belonged.

Azriel grabbed Truth-teller from its spot under his pillow, and strapped it around his thigh. He would be taking no chances on this trip today, for Inei's sake.

Finally leaving his shared room,, he walked through the house before finding Inei sitting at the counter in the kitchen picking at a small bowl of fruit.

He stalked up behind her, grabbing a grape and popping it into his mouth, and she looked up at him and his multitude of weapons, and grinned like a fool.

“You look so scary today, master Azriel. Should I be worried?” He choked on the grape and she grinned wider as he regained his composure.

“Stop calling me that, it was one slipup.” She rolled her eyes.

“As you wish.” She turned back towards her fruit before saying, “But really, is there anything I should know before we go? You seem to have a full armory on you.”

Azriel took a seat beside her. “I’ve already filled you in about everything, but we need to still be cautious anyways.”

She nudged him in the arm with her shoulder. “Who do you think I am? I can be cautious.”

He gave her a look out of the corner of his eye and she grimaced.

“Okay,” She muttered. “I see your point.”

----

Azriel picked out a few more pieces of her breakfast before he finally told her that it was time to leave.

It was still dark outside, and freezing for that matter, but she could help herself from getting excited.

“Great, so to the spring court right?” Azriel tossed a crumpled up cloak at her.