A Court of Souls and Shadows

45. Raven

I wasn't ashamed to admit that I was moping through the palace. Moping. Like a heartbroken teenager. Azriel had left earlier that morning, and there were a million things on the High Lady To-Do List, but all I felt like doing was laying down in my bed and crying myself to sleep. It was pathetic. It wasn't like he was leaving forever. I knew that, of course, but it didn't make my poor heart feel any better.

I dragged myself to my bedroom, clearing my schedule for the entire afternoon. I'd checked on Kal right after Azriel had left, but couldn't bring myself to pore over reports and other such paperwork that required my attention. I feigned sickness and disappeared from the cranky councillors and advisors. I shoved at the heavy doors with my shoulder, barging my way in, suddenly overcome with the tiredness that often came with sadness. I froze in the doorway at what lay on my bed.

Mor lounged on my bed in her signature red gown, a goofy smile spread across her face as she tickled Fang and fussed over him. "What the fuck?" I sputtered, unable to come up with anything more intelligent.

"A gift from Azriel," Mor announced, waving her hand down the length of her body in a flourish. When I just stared at her, my mouth hanging open and unable to form a response, Mor rolled her eyes and pushed herself up from the bed.

"We're having a sleepover," she said with a shrug, tucking Fang into the crook of her elbow.

"You're staying?" I sputtered in surprise. "Here?"

Mor rolled her eyes again, her smile widening. "Well I couldn't very well leave Fang without me for much longer," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "He's missed me terribly."

"Right," I said, coughing into my hand to conceal my laugh.

"What?" Mor asked, widening her eyes in mock innocence. I rolled my eyes at her. "I don't need a babysitter," I quipped, placing my hands on my hips. Mor sighed and reached out, grasping my wrist gently. "I know, Raven," she said. "But you do need a friend."

"For fuck's sake," I cursed, throwing my hands in the air as the first tear fell down my cheek. Mor laughed and pulled me into a tight hug, Fang crushed between us.

"It'll be fun, I promise," she said into my ear. "Absolutely no baby-sitting."

"Hmmm," I murmured under my breath, not quite believing her.

"I promise, okay!" Mor insisted, pulling back to place her hands on my shoulders. "Just a lot of sleepovers and talking about boys." I pulled a face and she laughed again, linking her arm through mine as she led us out of the room.

"Speaking of boys, I absolutely insist you tell me every last detail of just how you and Azriel discovered you are mates!" I groaned in response and she slapped my shoulder playfully. "Hey! I've still not decided if I've forgiven you for not telling me sooner." I rolled my eyes at her and laughed as she led me down the hall, towards the atrium for a full afternoon of drinking and gossiping.

* * * * * * *

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Mor occupied my time with endless conversation and a lot of wine. It helped to distract me, but my mind often wandered to Azriel. He had checked in every night through the bond, but I still missed him terribly. When two days turned into seven, I started to worry. Azriel still hadn't completed his mission, and we weren't any closer to knowing just what Hybern had planned. The war had fallen to a stand still, and everyone was on edge. I could feel the tension within the palace walls with each step I took. The meetings with the councillors and advisors were going from bad to worse. It felt like everything was slipping from my grip, and I didn't know how much longer I could hold on.