Battle Scars

To fly away

Eve was enjoying the peace in the dining room when Azriel entered. "I take it went well?" he asked her. She hummed in response. "He found a way." Azriel smiled, "good. He was getting too grumpy." Eve chuckled.

Sighing, she looked at the moon. "Have you ever tried flying to the moon?" Az shook his head, his eyes dancing. "Well you should. Such pretty wings but for what?" Trying not to blush at the statement, he replied dryly, shuffling said pretty wings, "Amidst the war, trying not to die and acting as the Spymaster, I suppose it slipped my mind." Eve clucked, "such a shame."

"We could go try it tonight." He whispered, making her shudder. "No business today?" He shook his head. "Okay then, lets fly away tonight." Eve said, her eyes shining with quite admiration and excitement. Azriel gulped; when she said it like that- so slowly and full of warmth- gosh, it did things to him. How tragic and romantic it must be to fly away with someone you loved, away from everything- shirking away like some adolescent. He offered her his hand, which she eyed before getting up herself. Rolling his eyes even as a small smile played on his lips, he took her in his arms once again.

Flying had been a dream for him in those cells as a kid. When he was free, and he flew for the first time- he had believed there would never be a greater feeling. He had been proven wrong. Flying with his mate in his arms, to the moon on this starry night- nothing could compare to it. Ever.

************

The next day, Eve got up grumpy. "Can we skip today?" she whined- finding her own voice irritating. Azriel chuckled, watching her trudge and slump on the sofa. "I am afraid not. You need training." She scowled at him. How did he always sound good? "How are you not tired, you devil." He only gave her an amused look and a raised brow.

"Coffee?" he asked. She yawned, as if on cue, but denied it nevertheless. "Today is the day I prove I can survive without it after a sleepless night." Az dipped his head, "as you wish. But please don't faint on me while training."

He received a pillow to his face- since he was standing far away of course.

******

Eve and Cassian waited in the training area patiently. So this was his grand revelation- Nesta would not train in the village but she never said anything about private sessions. Az was supposed to train her but since Cass was already here.... He would instead now go spying. "Should I be here?" Eve asked, "I mean she did say she doesn't like me and you yourself said she won't train among someone else' presence." "Azriel told me you would try getting out of training today, but nice excuse." Cassian replied, smirking. Eve scowled, "worth a try."

"You really think this will work?" Eve asked after a beat. Cassian hesitated, "it has to." He wouldn't settle for anything else. "You could've at least left one seat for me to sit on," Eve grumbled, trying to remove the dark mood that was now setting on his face. Cassian rolled his eyes, "that would defeat the point. I don't want her to sit anywhere today. She either trains or stands." Eve sighed and they fell into comfortable silence once again, waiting for Nesta to make her appearance.

"How are things with Azriel?" Cassian asked, trying to reel his panic in. "Its... good." Eve replied, a blush already forming on her cheeks. Cassian chuckled, "just good?" She smacked his arm but it did little damage. "Good. Nice. Amazing. Insert whatever adjective suits you best." Suddenly, he became serious- more serious than his custom. "He really likes you, you know?" Eve gulped, nodding, her heart beating a bit faster. "Don't go breaking his heart," he added. Eve did a whiplash at how fast she looked at him, her face already looking scary. "You think I would do him any harm?" she snarled. Cassian backed up his hands, "no, no. But I have to say that- he is my brother." Eve bared her teeth- though she understood he spoke out of concern and that mock seriousness humans took at times towards their in-laws- her anger sky rocketed. How lovely. Just after Az said Cassian accepted her as his close friend, here he was, threatening her. So much for belonging.

Cassian tried doing damage control as he saw her face. "I said the same thing to him yesterday- to not harm you." He had. He was not lying. Azriel had been amused though, instead of being serious or scared but Cass knew Azriel wouldn't harm Eve in any way, ever. "I care for both of you! I want you both to be happy and all skippy and shit. I-" But he was cut off by Eve's hiss. "Shut up." He looked at her worried. "Nesta's here." And all his thoughts went out the window.

***********

Eve wished with every fibre in her being that she was anywhere but here. The tension between Nesta and Cassian made her want to scream like a teenager with her first crush and run away. It was awkward and uncomfortable to say the least.

Enduring the glances thrown between them, Eve finished her set of exercises and no more than ran out of the ring as soon as her hour was up. Nesta was still ignoring her- courtesy of last night- while she ogled Cassian' bare abdomen. Cassian was not less either- looking at her with darkened eyes. Gods, what had she ever done to be the third wheel between these two?

Scowling, Eve impatiently waited for Rhysand near the balcony. She had told Cassian to tell him to come there instead of the ring, knowing well enough Nesta did not need to see him so soon. Rhys appeared after a minute or so, smirking. "Never, ever will I ever train with Nesta and Cassian again." Eve said to him, no sooner he landed beside her. He gave her a concerned yet amused look, "what happened?" Eve shuddered, "what didn't?" "Did Nesta-" But he was cut off as Eve hit him lightly, scolding him. "Stop thinking the worst." His face only hardened. "The tension between those two-" she made a face. "Next time you want to creep someone out, or torture them with awkwardness, send them here." At this, Rhysand finally chuckled.

"I can say the same about you and Azriel." Eve scowled, "we are not that bad." He only gave her a look that meant he did not believe a word she said as he offered her his hand.

*******

The lesson with Rhys was as harrowing as ever. It was a wonder he was not dead yet due to his way of teaching- or taunting and goading someone. By the time they were done, Eve had pictured Rhys death in at least ten different, very visual ways. He had only laughed when she had accidentally sent him some of it via his daemati abilities. He reminded her of her brother sometimes- it was a painful stab to her heart each and every time.

Of course, no one knew much about her life from before- she had not wished to tell them and she would keep it that way. Yet, from time to time she found herself on the verge of opening up about everything but somehow managed to keep her mouth shut. It was getting harder day by day though. Harder to not hate this life, herself or the Inner Circle- no matter how much she loved them. It was exhausting- to love and hate the same thing' sometimes in equal proportions. They had not earned her hatred in any way but gods, she could not help the burning jealousy and anger that clouded her mind and heart time to time. They had their family, their friends.... everything. She didn't. She was alone and she did not deserve their blatant loyalty.

But of course, she kept her thoughts to herself. A tapping on her shoulder made her come back to the surroundings around her. Rhys was looking at her- a bit concerned. She shook her head. Everything was fine. "Is everything fine?" he asked her. She nodded and gave him a small smile before heading towards the house. "Just sleepy." He followed her, his hands in his pocket. "The day has just started." "So?" He shook his head, amused. "Hours in and you are already done? Pathetic." Eve glared at him. "I will never know why the people of Velaris like you so much." This earned a laugh from him and he winked at her, "my personality is irresistible." Eve scoffed. Sure.

"How is Feyre?" Eve asked. Rhysand stopped and raised his brow. "Fine as ever, why do you ask?" "She seemed.... A bit pale yesterday." She was surprised Rhys had not noticed it. Rhys gave her a smile which looked forced, "just something she had for breakfast. Don't worry." Eve looked at him with scrutiny before nodding- they would tell her if they wanted to. 

Happy reading :)

XOXO,

the amazing author with seldom updates