Trial of the Valkyrie

The One You Can't Repair

Chapter Two - The One You Can't Repair

Song: Stubborn Love - The Lumineers

The soul, fortunately, has an interpreter - often an unconscious but still a faithful interpreter - in the eye.

― Charlotte Brontë in Jane Eyre

A    Z    R    I    E    L

From where Azriel stood above her, he could see that Gwyn's jaw threatened to drop, but she managed to keep it in check. Hell, he wasn't even the one being told he was about to be thrust into an arranged marriage and he found himself struggling against the urge to gawk. This proposition was wild and uncomfortable and unfortunately, completely necessary if they wanted to protect Gwyn. Azriel hung his head.

Rhysand added, "The moment the trial is over, we will annul the marriage. Balthazar has agreed to these terms, provided you do."

Azriel swallowed and glanced between his brother and the priestess. The latter was now gripping Nesta's hand in her lap. Rhysand's eyes flicked to the shadowsinger briefly, and for a fraction of a second, Azriel saw something that looked like a discovery flash on his brother's face. What Rhysand saw exactly wasn't immediately clear, but as Azriel angled himself inward towards Gwyn, he realized that his shadows had started to wreath both his shoulders and slither down his arms now, slowly inching towards Gwyn.

Stop that, he commanded them.

But they did no such thing. Gwyn didn't seem to notice so Azriel didn't trouble himself with restraining them further. That wasn't important right now.

Right now, what was important was helping Gwyn. Being there for her. Providing her with that same steadfast assurance she'd come to provide him with. Part of him was grateful for it. With everyone else, Azriel could count upon his shadows to impart guidance, but with Gwyn they were decidedly mute aside from their pleased chittering or purrs of praise.

What is she feeling? Azriel asked the shadows, though he knew it was useless.

The only response he received was an unintelligible humming. Something that reminded him of a gentle shove. An urging. His shadows willing him to act.

Not wanting to interrupt or speak on her behalf, Azriel accepted his shadows' silent encouragement and gently flared out his right wing, covering the back of Gwyn's chair. He doubted she would notice the small display of support, but providing any form of comfort no matter how small felt much better than the alternative of just watching aimlessly as she spiraled.

Although, maybe she did notice, because a moment after he took action, Gwyn finally spoke. "Won't the magistrates find it suspicious that I happened to marry just before I went to trial?"

Rhysand gave an emphatic nod. "Yes, but other than to call you a liar, there's not much they can do to dispute that."

"But?" Gwyn supplied with a weak attempt at a smile.

Azriel's lips twitched towards a frown. Always, always, always trying to be the strongest person in the room. He wished she would take a break from that task. That she would forego her subtle displays of bravery and allow others to take care of her. Still, Azriel admired her candor with the High Lord of the Night Court. She had no illusions as to her situation and she certainly understood how Rhys operated. No rank, no performances, brutal honesty only.

Rhysand didn't answer Gwyn, only looked to Feyre.

Feyre's expression was open and her voice even as she explained. "Like Rhysand said, they can call you a liar, and juries have rioted for less. You need to make that difficult for them. Be seen with Balthazar in Windhaven. Introduce yourself as his wife. We'll host a ceremony here at the river house so when the magistrates call into question the authenticity of your marriage you can say it was celebrated. You'll both need to establish an image as a couple." Feyre's blue eyes grew stern, but her tone was warm. "That said, you aren't expected to touch or interact in any physical capacity. Just appear as though you like one another. That is all that will be asked of either of you and Balthazar is aware of that." She lifted a finger, "But we won't move forward with that plan without your consent."