A Court of Souls and Shadows

46. Azriel

I touched down on the Winter Court palace steps, the ice crunching beneath my boots. As I straightened, I looked up at the palace guards standing at attention, watching me warily. They were all new faces I didn't recognise, and the deaths of those that came before them were still fresh in my mind.

"Azriel of the Night Court," I said, my voice even. "Here to see my mate, Raven."

One of the guards nodded. "Of course. Your visit will need to be approved by High Lord Kallias. You can wait in the lobby." I followed after him, stepping into the lobby and taking a seat in one of the many plush couches that filled out the space. I was exhausted, and I probably looked like shit, but I couldn't wait a moment more. I'd sent my scouts ahead to fill Rhysand in on all we had discovered within Hybern's ranks, and flown straight to Winter at the conclusion of our mission.

One of the Winter guards stayed behind, standing a few feet away, his eyes never leaving me. Most people in the Winter Court knew who I was now, after Raven's stint as High Lady and all the time I'd spent by her side - but it looked like they still didn't trust me. Just as I was mulling this over, the sound of heavy footfalls echoed across the lobby, and I snapped my head up, locking eyes with Kallias.

He wore dark grey pants, a silver tunic with elaborate white embroidery, and a fur-collared jacket. A crown of brilliant silver spires nestled in his silver-white hair, and he looked every bit like the King of Winter he was. Kallias marched in a straight line towards me, flanked by two guards, his face set as hard as stone. My mind drifted to the last time we'd met in this very lobby, and I swallowed nervously as he closed the gap between us. I stood as he approached.

"Shadowsinger," he said, his voice low and sharp. "Here to see my sister, I presume?"

"Yes, my Lord," I said, keeping my voice even. I didn't drop my eyes from his or bow. He considered me curiously, his eyes narrowing.

"I came to deliver a warning," he said, his mouth setting into a hard line. "Raven told me everything. I know that you are her mate, but that doesn't change anything for me. You hurt her, so, so badly, Azriel. You didn't see the state she was in when she first arrived here."

I swallowed thickly, nodding. "I know," I croaked, my voice hoarse. "It is the single greatest regret of my life."

Kallias considered me, his eyes sharp. "She loves you. And I can respect that. But if you ever hurt her again, if you ever so much as offend her, I will not hesitate to kill you."

I held his gaze and nodded. "I understand," I said.

"With such an impressive wingspan, you would make quite the captivating ice sculpture in the palace gardens," Kallias added, his lips quirking up at the corners in an almost smile. "She's in the training rings. Markus, please escort our guest."

"Of course, my Lord," the guard to my left nodded - Markus - before leading the way. I said my thanks to Kallias before following after the guard, his words swirling around in my head. I knew it wasn't an empty threat. Raven had made her mark in the Winter Court, and meant a great deal to everyone there. They would protect her with their lives, I knew that. And they didn't trust me yet, but they would.

As I made my way deeper into the place behind Markus, the sound of clanging metal started to drift up the cavernous hallways towards us. I felt my mouth tick up into a half smile at the sounds of Raven's string of curses that followed shortly after. "Thank you, Markus," I said, seeing the open archway of the training rings come into view. "I can take it from here." The guard nodded and took his leave as I closed the remaining distance to the training rings. I leant against the marble pillars that made up the open archway, crossing my arms over my chest as I watched Raven spar with a Winter Court soldier. Her back was to me as she blocked his strikes, weaving and dodging his advances. She ducked, taking a swipe at his stomach, but he was anticipating the move, lunging to the side, before striking her blade with enough force to send it clattering to the ground, just as she fell on her back, her arms splayed at her sides. The soldier laughed, offering her a hand up to stand. She flipped him off, pushing herself to stand on her own. "I let you win," she said with a scowl, bending to pick up her blade.