A Court of Lightning and Shadows

Thirty

Azriel woke up to a still dark sky. The sun was just starting to peek through. 

He had finally slept a full night. The last few weeks had been rough. He didn't sleep at all, or he would wake up because of nightmares.

He watched his mate lay beside him. Briar's skin had gone back to her own warmer skin tone, but she was still unconscious.

Before he got out of bed, he placed a kiss against her head. He then made his way downstairs and found Feyre and Nyx.

The High Lady gave him a small smile. "How is she?"

"Still unconscious." he said. Feyre nodded softly with acceptance. "Is Rhys awake?" he asked.

"Yes, he's with Cassian." Azriel gave her a questioned look. "He wanted to wait for you, but he.. didn't." she said.

"Where are they?" he asked.

"Informing the Illyrian Camps about Briar's father and brother." Feyre said, "They want you to come with them to the Court of Nightmares later, they will be back in an hour." Feyre said.

He muttered a soft thank you before leaving the room.

Azriel hadn't said a word to Rhys or Cassian. He only followed them to the Court of Nightmares.

He could sense that they were talking mind to mind, but he didn't care.

Azriel would go to the cells while Rhys and Cassian were going to talk to Keir. He was going to question them and probably torture the information out of them. But he would leave the kill for Briar, if she wished to do it herself.

The familiar smell of the dungeons filled his nose. He hated it, but it was part of his job.

Azriel opened the cell door. He could only feel his anger rise. He was finally facing the two people that had been responsible for his mate's fear and pain.

The male was seated on a chair in the middle of the room, tied up. His eyes widened at the sight of Azriel entering.

"I-I didn't do anything." he said.

"Keep telling yourself that." Azriel said with a cold voice.

The male shook his head as he saw Truth-teller in his hand. 

He was now standing in front of Briar's brother, pointing Truth-teller at him, "You are a real coward, you know?"

He spat at his feet. "She deserved it."

"What did she ever do to you?"

"Her being born was the whole problem." he said, "Half Fae with weird powers. She never fit in."

Azriel stared at him. "What was the point of using her like that?"

"It was easy. Why pay for a whore when she is free, and easier?" he grinned. "She would pass out after some time though. My father did most of the damage."

Azriel lunged forward and pressed the knife into his chest. Blood spilled from the cut.

"Don't talk about her like that." he hissed in his face. "You are really messed up inside that head of yours."

The males eyes had turned wide again, fear glistering in them.

"I would love to kill you right now, but that is not my decision to make." he said. He made another cut from his shoulder to his neck. Deep enough to spill blood, but not to let him bleed out.

"Don't touch me." he spat.

"Did you listen when Briar asked you not to touch her?" Azriel asked with a stone cold face.