shadows don't lie

10K Special Chapter #2

Azriel firmly shut the door behind them, turning to Inei who just grinned sheepishly.

“A little drunk?” He asked, repeating what she had announced moments earlier, and she rolled her eyes. “I’m not that drunk Az.”

He shook his head. He could see it in the way she stood, the slight movements of her correcting her balance as she began to sway this way or that.

“I think we should go to bed.” He said, motioning down the hall, but Inei had other plans. “Want to go on a walk?”

Azriel huffed. “It’s freezing and dark outside. Why do you want to go on a walk?” She shrugged, the movement flashing in the corner of his eyes.

“It sounds nice.” She muttered, and Azriel looked at her. “I don’t think it’s a good idea..”

She smiled. “That’s alright Az. I’ll go by myself.”

He stopped in the middle of the hall, prepared to say no, but he pushed the urge down.

She’s allowed to do whatever she wants. I don’t have to stay with her every single second.

“Take a sweater then.” He made himself say, and he caught the flash of disappointment in her eyes.

“Okay.” She replied in a tone just as forced as his own, and she disappeared as she stepped backwards into her shadows.

Azriel sighed softly, his whole body screaming to follow her, but he shook his head once more.

He made himself continue walking through the halls, calmly, and he replayed the expression she wore in his mind.

That glimmer of sadness in her eyes, thinly veiled defeat at his words.

Azriel growled, frustrated, and he threw open the nearest balcony doors, opening his wings as he leapt into the skies to go find her.

----

She hummed softly, an old melody that someone used to sing to her, making her way through the streets of Velaris.

The skirts of her dress swished around her with every step, and as she watched the faelights float and the shops glow in the night, she made herself smile, ignoring the lack of warmth at her side that she had grown attached to.

Faint music wafted to her on the gentle breeze, and she began to subconsciously make her way towards it, the soft melody still playing on her lips.

----

Azriel glided over the green copper roofs, the scents of different foods making their ways towards him as he followed the shadows that led him to Inei.

A chill had broken out over his body, and judging by the clouds in the sky, it would begin to snow very soon.

He flew over building after building, and noticed that he was quickly approaching a large gathering of fae, all dancing and weaving together to some fast-past song that was played through the streets.

Azriel dipped lower, and settled on the roof of a house that overlooked the festivity, and he darted his eyes over the throngs of people, looking for Inei.

He didn’t have to look long however, because in the center of the crowd, there was a small empty circle, and in it, Inei spun around wildly.

Her eyes were closed and she had her arms flung out around her, and the fae near her just laughed and cheered on.

Azriel leaned against a chimney, settling in its darkness, and one of his shadows flitted down and through the crowd, until reaching Inei, where Azriel tugged on her own shadows for attention.