shadows don't lie

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Inei pulled on the long black dress that hugged her form before pooling at her feet, and she looked in the mirror as she pulled on the matching cloak. She silently admired the golden embroidered leaves that lined the cloak, and how they shimmered in the light.

It was the day of the Winter Solstice, and Rhysand had visited her to deliver the special clothes, as well as to extend an invitation to join them on their trip to the Court of Nightmares.

He had also been sporting a nasty looking black eye, and Inei guessed it had to do with why she hadn’t seen Azriel in an entire day.

She had reached out with her shadows a few times to check on him, but had only received short replies, and from what her shadows could tell, he was far away.

She hadn’t run into Helion again either, and when she had finally worked up the nerve to look for him, he was already long gone.

Turning away from the mirror, Inei walked over and sat on the edge of her bed. She would be leaving soon to go to Hewn City, and Azriel still wasn’t back. She was beginning to have second thoughts.

Whether it was because of her encounter with her High Lord, or Azriel's absence, she had the strangest feeling like something bad was going to happen.

The door opened and her head snapped upwards.

Az walked in, dirty and battered. “Cauldron Azriel, what the hell happened to you?”

She rushed over and grabbed his face, looking at a cut that extended down his cheek, but he grabbed her hands and slowly lowered them.

“I’m okay.” He murmured, and she raised a brow. “Az, you stink, and we have to leave in a little less than an hour.”

His head drooped and he nodded. “Right. I’ll go shower.”

He made to walk past her, but as he stepped forwards, he paused like there was something he wanted to say.

Instead, one of his shadows whispered, “I’m glad you decided to come with us.”

Inei gave him a small smile, and nudged him towards the bathroom. “Go clean up, Az.”

She didn't know why he was all beat up, but she would ask him after he had a chance to refresh himself.

After a little bit, Azriel left the bathroom and she could tell he was feeling at least somewhat better.

He wore what she assumed were a clean pair of leathers (she hoped), and her eyes traveled back upwards, and she raised a brow at the odd expression on his face, noting that the cut on his face was already sealing over.

She finished wrapped a silver and leather belt around her waist, saoirse hanging in its sheath over her thigh. She looked back up at him, still feeling the weight of his stare.

“Everything okay?” His throat bobbed as he swallowed and he nodded. “Okay..”

She was becoming increasingly worried that something was wrong, and she fidgeted with her hands as she looked down. “Did I do something wrong?”

Her eyes flicked up in time to see him shrink back, his brows pinched with surprise. “What? No. Why would you think that?”

She shook her head, smothering the feeling like something was off. “Nothing, I just felt like you're acting odd.”

Azriel smiled, his eyes softening, and he stepped towards her. One of his hands twitched like he wanted to reach for her, but stopped himself.

“I promise I’m okay. More than okay, really, I’m just a little tired.” She hummed and met him in the middle, wrapping her arms around his torso as she breathed in his scent.