A Court of Shadowed Hearts (ON HIATUS)

Chapter Four

Cadryn POV

Shit.

"My orders from the High Lord were perfectly clear," I tell the Spymaster, hoping my combination of irritation and nervousness wasn't as visible as it felt. "and I don't think either of us wants to talk to the other, so why don't we just agree to do that as little as possible while were here?" Without waiting for a response, I march toward the rocky entrance to Hewn City.

Only to be stopped a second later with a rough hand gripping my arm. Azriel's gaze is more amused than it should be for a brooding asshole. "Finished with your little speech?"

My eyes narrow into a glare. "Get your hand off me."

He does no such thing, teeth flashing as he says, "Firstly, I want you to understand that if you do anything to compromise this mission - killing Keir, for example - there will be hell to pay."

How dare he--

"Secondly, you will obey every command I give you regardless of your distaste in me."

"So you agree you're a prick?"

His jaw clenches, hand releasing me as he straightens. I resist rubbing the area; he didn't hurt me like I know he could, but the force of his grip had been enough to convey the message that he could do far worse than land me a few scratches. "And lastly, you are to understand that if you speak out of line around the nobles, because of that temper of yours, I will report back to Rhysand."

"You sound like one of the Camp Lords who tries to control every female in sight." And a tattle-tale, I don't add.

He doesn't respond to the quip, but I catch the muscle tick in his jaw.

Okay, that might have been a low blow, considering Azriel, Cassian and Rhys have spent the last few centuries trying to break the misogynistic control the Camp Lords held over the females at the selected war camps.

Seconds of silence tick by, neither of us willing to back down. With about two feet of space between us, I'm again reminded of his dominating presence; his hazel eyes, like an amber moon, shining down on me with blazed attention.

Finally, I say, "So if you're allowed to make conditions regarding our stay here, do I get to do the same?"

He gives me a look. "I'm your superior, so no you don't."

Jokes on him: I was already making a mental list. "There you go again with the controlling behavior." I cross my arms.

The condescending tone with which I make my statement seems to vex him more than the actual words. "You'd do well to heed my warnings, pet." Azriel says. Without giving me chance to retort, he stalks to the rocky entrance.

"We'll see about that." I grumble to his back. My cheeks tingle with a rush of blood, and the skin has definitely gone blood red - thank goodness he didn't see it.

I take a deep, calming breath. And follow him through the entrance to the Hewn City.

* * *

The first thing I'd been taught during training was to always keep some sort of mask in place. Be it, innocence, cunning, neutrality or foreboding. The mask I currently needed to don was that of a maiden hopelessly in love with her suitor (husband was an impossible word to use when it came to Azriel.)

The tunneled entrance to the City was lit only by the occasional torch, flickering with a flame that would never burn out. Deep orange light casts the rocky grey walls in colour fit for a magnificent sunset - not a labyrinth of darkness, a place of chaos and evil.