shadows don't lie

Chapter Thirty Five

Inei dropped into the plush chair in the corner of Azriel’s room with a heavy sigh.

It had been five days now, and yet Azriel still wanted to stay up in the House, sequestered away from everyone but Nesta and Cassian, who still avoided their wing.

Inei had a feeling that it had been silently agreed to give her space to breathe, and while she didn't mind in the least, she was becoming increasingly bored nonetheless.

She picked up her head, looking over at Azriel who had picked up one of the supposedly ‘smutty’ books that he had gotten for her on her first day back, and she couldn’t help but smirk at his poor attempt to hide his interest in the book.

His eyes trailed slowly over the cream pages, completely oblivious to her stares.

“I want to go somewhere.” She said, laying her head back down, and he glanced up from the pages, surprised.

“As in around the city? Or somewhere else?”

“Somewhere else.” She replied, and he marked his page, setting the book down.

“Where do you want to go?” He asked her, crossing his arms, and she looked at him for a moment.

“Someplace new. I think it would be good to get away for a day or two.” Azriel’s eyes glimmered, and his mouth twisted.

“If you give me an hour to get some things together, we can leave.”

Her brows pinched together.

That had been easier than expected.

“Where will we go?”

A mischievous smile split his lips. “That’s a surprise. Get a bag with some clothes ready, and I’ll be back in a bit.”

Inei nodded, and Azriel left the room without another word.

She reached curiously for the bond, and she sensed only hidden excitement on the other end. She didn’t look any further though; let surprises stay that way.

She stood after another moment, her boredom long forgotten, and she didn’t waste time as she grabbed a backpack, shoving enough clothes in for two days.

--

Within the hour, Azriel returned with a small grin on his face, his hair windswept, no doubt from flying. He carried no bags, or any type of supplies that she could see, and her confusion must have been apparent.

“There’s no point in flying with all that weight if you can just store it,”

He held up a hand and two of his shadows split away from his wings, revealing a bag that sagged against its straps as he caught it out of the air.

She felt foolish, but he didn’t laugh, instead only holding out a hand to take her bag. She offered it to him wordlessly, and once he had stored it within his shadows, he gripped her hand.

“We have to leave now if we want to make it there before dark.” She rolled her eyes, following him out towards the balcony, but he stopped before the armoire pulling out a thick cloak lined with soft fur, wrapping it around her shoulders.

“We aren’t winnowing there?” She asked as his fingers brushed over her chest as he fastened the clasp at her collarbone.

She avoided his burning gaze, and he replied dryly after a moment. “It’s not too far, but it’s worth it if we fly. You’ll see.”

There was a sort of tension between them in the moment of silence, one that she hadn't let herself acknowlege yet.

Azriel seemed to pull away first though. He tugged on her arm, pulling her out onto the balcony, and lifted her into his arms with ease.