A Court of Lightning and Shadows

Fifteen

The meeting had gone well, Keir hadn't given anything away. Briar's father and brother hadn't been in the Court.

Azriel made his way up to his room, carrying a plate with food for Briar.

He knocked on her door, but got no answer. He checked if the door was locked.

It opened with a soft click. He found Briar laying in the bed, the sheets pulled up and covering her entire body. She was curled up in a ball. Azriel smiled.

He put the plate next to her door, maybe when she woke up, she would be hungry.

Briar woke with a scream. It was more muffled than a real scream.

It was the same nightmare as always. Her mother dying, her father punishing her and her brother assaulting her. 

Briar ran to the bathroom and vomited into the toilet for the first time in days.

She was breathing heavily, tears rolling down her face. She was used to it now.

She sat against the toilet for a few minutes, thinking as she finally made up her mind about what to do.

Azriel woke to his door opening. He grabbed Truth-teller, but soon saw who the figure was.

She was wearing pyjama shorts and a large shirt, something she had been wearing for the last few days.

"Briar?" he asked. He wasn't sure what she was doing here.

"I-... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have bothered you." she said. She turned to open the door.

"No, is there something wrong?" he said.

She turned around, "I had a nightmare. The same one as always." she said, her voice almost breaking.

"I... When I spent time with you, before I sleep, I don't have them." she said. Azriel's heart skipped a beat.

"You want to stay here?" he asked. She nodded.

Azriel lay down on the other side of the bed. He made sure to lay really close to the edge, making place for Briar.

Briar carefully lay down on the other side, also close to the edge while careful not to touch his wings. She pulled her knees to her chest and closed her eyes, her front facing the door.

Azriel could hear when she fell asleep, her breathing turning soft and even.

He found himself falling asleep soon after.

Azriel woke up later than he meant too. He looked around the room, but soon looked down as he felt the weight on his chest.

He looked down to find Briar sleeping, with her head against his chest and her arm wrapped around his middle.

He didn't want to move and he didn't want to wake her up. She finally looked peaceful.

He could miss a few hours. Rhys wouldn't mind.

Azriel stared up at the ceiling as his thoughts circled his mind.

It was his job to keep Briar safe. Her father and brother were still out there, keeping out of sight apparently.

He didn't want to think about it. Not now. Not with his mate sleeping next to him.

He felt her arm move away from his body. When he moved his head down he found Briar looking at him.

"Hi." she said, slightly moving away from his body, but still keeping close.

Azriel smiled, "No nightmares?" he asked.

She shook her head softly. "I slept very well actually." she said, "Thank you, for letting me stay here."

"Of course." Azriel replied. It didn't take long before she moved away from him and climbed out of the bed.

Briar had gone back to her own room.

She opened her door, peaking her head out of it. The house was quiet.

She had to admit that she felt hungry. She could try to eat something. Staying in her room wouldn't do her anything good. It definitely didn't solve any of her problems.

She walked downstairs and found Feyre in the kitchen. Azriel, Rhys and Mor were no where to be seen.

She immediately walked over to Briar with worry in her eyes. "Would you like something to eat?" she asked. Briar nodded softly and sat down on a chair.

Feyre gave her a plate. Briar appreciated it, but only ate the toast.

"How are you?" she started.

"I'm doing better." Briar told her. Since the night on the roof, she had been feeling better.

Feyre eyed her, like she didn't know what to ask.

"What is it?" Briar asked.

"Rhys said I shouldn't ask, but I just need to," she said. Briar stopped and watched her.

"Rhys told me, that Az had come down with your scent over him." Briar's eyes went wide.

"Then you came into the kitchen and I smelled him on you." she said, a questioned look on her face.

"I slept in his bed because I didn't want to get a nightmare." Briar said.

Feyre's mouth fell into a small 'oh' and she laughed.

Briar let out a nervous laugh as she gently pushed the plate away.

"Do you care about Az?" Feyre asked, sitting next to her.

She didn't really know what caring for someone felt like. "I think so."

"Why go to him?" she asked. It sounded like a genuine question, not to mock her.

"Because I don't get nightmares when I spent time with him." she found Feyre with a small smile on her face.

"He deserves it." she said. Briar turned her head to Feyre, giving her a questioned look.

"Azriel is... I can't explain it, but he deserves someone like you by his side." Briar didn't know what she meant by that, but was happy with the High Lady's approval.