Inei ducked low as Azriel swiped where her head had just been with his foot, and she twisted again to the side to dodge the dark blade hurtling for her side.
He wouldn’t actually hurt her, and Inei knew that, but she had also known that he wouldn’t hold back when she told him not to.
Azriel may love her, but he also wouldn’t coddle her unless she wanted it.
She moved out of the path of his wing, throwing a punch of her own at his side, and she managed to make contact with the mard muscle beneath his leathers.
Azriel sucked in an almost inaudible breath, and her shadows urged her to move once more when Azriel began his counter attack.
They had been sparring all morning long now, transitioning from the basics all the way up to working with blades.
It was a warmer day, the winter chill beginning to lose its hold to spring, and some of the snow had even begun to melt.
It was part of the reason Inei had agreed to train with Azriel before her upcoming meeting, the other reason being the sad eyes he had given her when she protested.
She fought a smile at the memory, and Azriel took advantage of her momentary distraction to throw a foot out, tangling with hers, and she tensed as she began to fall.
He caught her by the waist, preventing her from ever hitting the ground, and she closed her eyes for a second, catching her breath and fighting the overwhelming urge to kick him.
Cassian whistled from the sidelines.
“That’s four to three! Azzie is in the lead!”
Inei snorted at the ridiculous nickname, and Az dropped his head with a small groan.
They had only started to keep track of the wins an hour ago, and all it had done was make things more competitive, and given Cassian a reason to bother them.
Azriel helped her up to her feet and she flipped Cassian off.
“Don’t you have Illyrians to go take care of or something?” She muttered, but Cassian heard her.
“Nope. Just thought I’d sit around today and watch my new sister-in-law kick my brother’s ass. Though I suppose now it’s becoming the opposite.”
She growled rolling her neck. “No need to watch Cassian. I’m more than willing to kick yours too.”
He laughed loudly. “I’ve had enough of getting beat up by shadowsingers for one lifetime. Thanks for the offer though.”
She grinned, and she turned back around to see Azriel watching her curiously. She raised a brow and he tilted his head, one of his shadows flitting towards her.
She sensed apprehension from him, but it whispered, “Do you remember what you did at Windhaven that night?”
Inei shook her head, giving him a small smile. He always had the most random questions for her.
She remembered crying and blacking out. After that, only the brief impression of Azriel coming for her.
“No, I don’t. Not much at least. Why?”
One of his shadows moved to her and she reached out to it, letting it wrap around her hand in a familiar way.
“Everything was just.. Destroyed. It’s hard to explain, but the trees around where we found you almost looked charred. You really don’t remember anything?”
Inei looked away, off into the distance where the ocean sparkled in the sun. Everything was brighter today, almost in celebration of the new warmth.
“Nothing.” She said out loud, and Azriel hummed.
YOU ARE READING
shadows don't lie
FanfictionOnce there was a girl who lived in light. She was strong and smart, and commanded over the armies of the Day Court, until she was burned by one close to her. Then she became an echo, living off the light of her memories to stay alive in the dim cell...
