A Court of Souls and Shadows

24. Azriel/Raven

AZRIEL

I awoke to a warm body on top of my own. I blinked my eyes open slowly, turning my head slightly to look down at the beautiful woman asleep in my arms. Raven's silver-white hair was splayed out behind her, shimmering in the morning sunlight that cut across the room. Her cheek rested on my chest, her soft breaths fanning across my skin. I smiled as I reached up to play with her hair, watching her sleep. She stirred in her sleep, wrapping her legs around mine, snuggling closer to my side. My cock stirred uncomfortably in my briefs at her closeness. I leant forward and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, before attempting to extract myself from the bed without waking her. The last thing I wanted to do was leave her, but I had work to do for Rhysand before the day's meetings that couldn't wait.

Raven gripped onto me tighter as I tried to move and I stifled a laugh. She looked so adorable, her hair messed up from sleep, her mouth hanging slightly open as she slept. I tried once again to move, and her eyes blinked open, that icy-blue stare going right to my soul. She smiled as she leaned up to press a kiss to my jaw. "Good morning," she said softly, her voice thick with sleep. "I was hoping last night wasn't a dream."

"Definitely not a dream," I replied, cupping her face in my hands and bringing my lips to hers. I groaned into her mouth as she deepened the kiss, her tongue tangling with mine.

"Baby," I moaned, "I have to go. I'm sorry."

Raven pulled away and jutted out her bottom lip in a pout. I laughed and pulled her to my chest, kissing the top of her head. She held on to me so tightly, like she was afraid I would disappear forever if she let go.

"What do we do now?" She whispered, her voice shaking. I pulled back to look at her, searching her face. I furrowed my brow in confusion at the fear in her eyes.

"What do you mean?" I said.

"About you and me," she said softly, looking away. I gripped her chin between my fingers and forced her to look at me.

"Now I court you," I said with a grin, leaning forward to peck her lips.

"Oh yeah?" Raven said, raising her eyebrows and smiling back at me.

"If you'll have me," I said, getting up from the bed to pull my armour back on. Raven tracked my movements, smirking at my obvious erection. When I finished dressing, she got up from the bed, walking over to me to wrap her arms around my neck.

"I've been waiting to have you, believe me," she said, a cheeky smile stretching across her face. I smiled and kissed her once more, before reluctantly releasing her to leave. She slapped me on the ass on my way past her, and I let out a startled laugh at the contact, looking over my shoulder at her.

"I'll see you later," she said with a wink.

"Wild horses couldn't drag me away."

* * * * * * *

RAVEN

I followed Cassian to the chamber the meetings had been held in the day before, unable to wipe the stupid smile from my face. "Someone had a good night last night, I take it?" He joked, jabbing me in the ribs with his elbow. I felt a blush staining my cheeks and refused to meet his questioning gaze, biting on my bottom lip. "I could say the same to you," I replied, "heard you had a visitor?" Cassian's face turned bright red as he sputtered in surprise at my comment.

"Who told you that?"

"Azriel saw you with someone, dumbass," I shot back.

"And how would you know that Azriel saw me? Was it your room he ended up in last night?"