Shadow Queen - Azriel x oc

↳ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 8 - ˢⁱᵍⁿˢ ᵒᶠ ʷᵃʳ

゜✧*̣̩☽⋆SHADOW QUEEN ✧*̣̩☽⋆゜

𝓼𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝔀𝓪𝓻

I despised the High Lord as much as he abhorred me—if not more, I quickly discovered. At least, he treated Laenna well (but not great), as far as I could tell. She was in wings deep. Completely infatuated. That was all that mattered.

It was almost unbelievable. Her eyes beamed like the stars that shone through the windows. She only had eyes for him. He was her saviour. No other thought seemed to cross her mind. It made me feel things I didn't want.

Jealousy doesn't look good on you, Angel. Do you know what does? Those Markings and nothing covering them.

Me? Jealous? Please.

If I thought about it... I was NOT jealous of Laenna being with the High Lord. I envied what they had, the bond clicking into place.

That was when I realised the pressure on my chest ached even harder when I saw them together. My heart longed for something like that, and the feeling was undefinable.

It's almost like feeling homesick or something you've never... lived.

The words rang truer than I wanted. Did the voice know the feeling? To put it into words... they would have to know, right?

The Night Court was an interesting place, that much I could say. I'd only been here uninvited or invited before its actual High Lord was born. The place hadn't changed much; the people, however...

"So, little Shadowsinger, or should I say Queen?" the High Lord mocked, watching all expression leave my face. "Will you tell me where you've been hiding all this time? Or should I pry your mind open for answers?"

"I'd like to see you try now," I had strengthened my mental shields with every possible means. Multiple walls were erected to safeguard my mind, and the surrounding shadows concealed everything in pure oblivion. The correct path could only be revealed to another Shadowsinger, and I had not encountered one yet.

"And might I remind you I'm four times your age?"

"That hasn't stopped me before. Why would it now?" his shoulders shrugged.

"Because they weren't like me," I smiled, but my shoulders were tense. I despised being in his presence. His Court of Nightmares was a perfect match for him. Most whispers about it were true. The place was cold like him.

"Right, the Shadow Queen," he moved his hands around, his mist mimicking my shadows. I wouldn't stand this sort of disrespect. I didn't care that he was Laenna's mate.

"How's King Hybern?" My upper lip twitched, hiding a snarl. "Hit a nerve? You old beings are so temperamental."

"And you, young ones, are so disrespectful. Cut the small talk. Tell me why you brought me here." I began to lose my patience.

"One reason is obvious," he gestured to the shadows emanating from my hands. My kind was one of the most coveted species by the Courts. Having a Shadowsinger in your Court meant we could find information from others without being seen or heard. That was the very same reason I went into hiding.

"All I know is that you're hiding something within the premises of my Court. That much I could retrieve," he smirked, proud of himself.

"You sure about that?" I feigned confidence. 𝒱𝑒𝓍𝒶! I can't—wouldn't—let him find out. I loathed this mind-reading prick.

"Your expression tells me so. And I feel you don't want me or anyone to find out. Which only makes me want to know more about it."

"So, I think we can reach an agreement." I was confused. I raised my brows, urging him to continue.