The Illyrian Warrior

Chapter Twenty-Six

He stood in her doorway awkwardly. He was wearing Illyrian leathers, but they had been cleaned of any dirt and grime, they seemed to shine in the light. Davina swivelled on her chair to face him.

"Azriel?" She asked, not quite believing her eyes.

"Before you get mad at me", he said holding up his hands defensively, "Rhys sent me".

Davina was going to kill Rhysand.

"Why?" She asked as politely as she could.

Azriel sighed, his cheeks turning pink, "he told me to stop moping around and go pick you up for the meeting".

Davina huffed a laugh, before turning back around to face her mirror. Her heart was thumping in her chest.

"Are you going to help me with my hair, or not?" She said holding out a few pins in her hand.

Azriel seemed to hesitate for a second, eyes scanning her back before forcing himself to step forward. He stood behind her gently taking the pins from Davina's hand. She tried to calm herself as his hands lingered at the base of her neck for a moment.

"Just pin down any loose hairs", she said, "I can't reach the back".

As Azriel very gently began pinning down her hair, Davina was reminded of the first week she stayed in Velaris. She thought of when he put the balm on her scars, when he was so gentle and caring. Life seemed so much easier all those months ago, it's surprising how quickly things can change.

"You look stunning", he said voice raspy.

Davina willed her heart to calm, knowing he could hear its thunderous beat.

"Thank you", she said, admiring herself and him in the mirror.

For a second she could imagine their future together. He'd pin her hair every night before an event, cook dinner for when she got home from work, perhaps they'd watch more movies like they did on that couch. She blinked and it was gone.

Azriel stepped back as he finished her hair.

"I hate these scars on you", he said voice strained.

Davina tensed, "why?"

Perhaps he wished for her to be unmarked and soft like Elain. Maybe he thought her scars were ugly.

"They remind me that I was never quite quick enough to save you", he said glaring at her back as if it could erase the scars, "it reminds me that I wasn't there when you needed me most. I hate it".

Davina stood from her vanity table, turning so she could face him.

"They are not your burden", she said seriously.

He gulped forcing his eyes to meet hers.

"I don't believe you".

Davina looked at him sadly, "you don't need to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, Azriel".

Not Az...just Azriel.

He shook his head as if clearing his mind of such thoughts.

"I know I should be apologising to you", he said, "for how I hurt you, for what you saw on Winter Solstice".

Davina braced herself for whatever blow he was about to deal.

"And trust me", he said, "I will grovel later, but I believe Rhysand and the others are waiting for us".

He held out a hand for her to take. She hesitated for only a moment. He said he would apologise later, Davina wasn't sure if an apology was what she was looking for. Nevertheless, she grasped his hand and Azriel winnowed them to the townhouse.

They appeared on the front doorstep, Davina immediately let go of his hand, she was afraid that if she didn't she wouldn't ever want to. They'd be having the meeting at the townhouse since Rhys didn't want Devlon at his home and Cassian didn't want him in the House of Wind. Nobody lived in the townhouse anymore, everyone had gone their seperate ways. Davina was surprised that Rhys hadn't given it to Mor or Azriel, maybe even Elain. Davina didn't hesitate to open the door and step inside, she was mainly retreating from Azriel, being in his presence was both intoxicating and painful. She immediately spotted Rhys talking to Cassian, Devlon was nowhere in sight.

"You cunning bastard", Davina hissed so only Rhys could hear.

He smirked, "I was busy, Azriel was stressing about seeing you again, so I decided to push forward your reunion".

Davina glared at him. Rhysand was the one person she knew who'd have that kind of audacity. Cassian glanced over Davina's shoulder where Azriel lingered by the door.

"Why does he look so anxious?" Cassian asked.

Davina shrugged, "it's none of my business, go talk to him".

Cassian listened to her and went over to Azriel. Rhysand merely raised a brow at her, because he knew that despite her tough guard over her heart, it was very much her business.

"Say nothing", Davina said pointing an accusing finger at him, "you've done enough".

Rhys's eyes flickered with humour but he only turned and walked to where Mor was talking to Feyre.

Davina sighed, smoothing out the folds in her dress. Her hands felt sweaty, her shoulders tense. She didn't realise seeing Azriel again would be so stressful. Her stomach was churning as she thought over every possibility of what he wanted to say. She could no longer hide in her apartment or at the Illyrian camps, she'd have to face him, and maybe rejection soon enough.

"How have the camps been?" Azriel asked.

Davina jumped at his voice but turned around to face him. In all the time she'd been hiding she had almost forgot how beautiful he was, his shadows caressing his ears, arms and wings, his dark hair had been elegantly combed. She hadn't allowed herself to look at him too long in her room, but now she soaked in his presence.

"Good", she said more tightly than she'd hoped.

"The males haven't been giving you a headache?" He asked it with humour but Davina could see his underlying emotions.

She shook her head, "they haven't bothered with me, not while Cassian is around".

"Good", he said and Davina could see his shoulders relax.

Davina was suddenly hit with the fact that, she missed him. But not in the way she thought she would, no, she missed all the moments before, when he was training her and they were laughing together. She missed the Azriel that was there when she was at her lowest. Not this awkward version of himself.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look?" He said and Davina forgot she'd been staring.

"You have", she said smiling softly, "but I don't mind hearing it again".

Azriel smiled and if she blinked she would've missed it.

"You look quite handsome in your leathers", she said, wanting to keep the conversation going.

He smirked, "I have been told that before".

Davina laughed, "I remember you saying you'd remember it forever".

"I haven't forgotten yet", he said smiling at her in return.

Davina itched to reach out for him, but they both stood awkwardly, hands by their sides. She didn't like this new, weird dance they were doing. She was avoiding telling him her feelings, and he was avoiding his.

Before Davina could think about a good way to leave the conversation, the front door bursted open and Devlon appeared, two Illyrian soldiers beside him.