A Court of Souls and Shadows

47. Raven

I stared at the armour laid out on the table before me and bit down on my lip, emotion swelling in my chest. Azriel stood beside me, a hand on my shoulder as I ran my fingers over the metal of the armour with gentle reverence. Orlando shifted on his feet nervously before me. "What do you think?" He asked, his voice wavering. I looked up at him, holding his gaze. "You've outdone yourself, Orlando," I replied, swallowing down the emotion clogging my throat. "It will be my honour to wear this on the battlefield." Orlando's eyes grew misty as he nodded solemnly, clasping his hands behind his back. I looked back down at the new set of armour he had created for me. It was a perfect blend of the Night and Winter Courts. The chest plate was a midnight black, with silver detailing around the edges. A crescent moon and snowflake were etched into the centre of the breastplate. Raven's wings adorned the shoulder pieces, in overlapping shades of silver and black. The arm and leg pieces were created in much the same fashion - perfectly blended pieces of silver and black. And the helmet... the helmet was a foreboding piece all on its own. It was all black, with raven's wings extending from the sides in Illyrian style. Small slivers of silver streaked through the black raven's wings. I picked up the helmet, inspecting the details of the craftsmanship. Both sides of my heart so clearly represented in one set of armour. For those I loved most would never make me choose - but embrace both sides of me.

"It's perfect," Azriel murmured beside me, lowering his hand from my shoulder to rest at the small of my back. "You're not worried about it drawing too much attention?" I asked, looking up at him sceptically. "Some people were born to stand out," he said softly, his lips tipping up at the corners in a small smile. I swallowed thickly. Orlando took his leave, hurrying to the front steps of the palace to join the group that was gathered to bid us farewell as I changed into the armour. I slipped the pieces over my simple black leggings and undershirt, joining them together with a quiet click. I turned to Azriel, taking a deep breath as his eyes trailed over the armour. He smiled and held out his hand, which I took. "You ready?" He asked, his face softening. I nodded and followed after him, back through the halls of the palace.

When we reached the front steps of the palace, I was stunned by the size of the group that had gathered to say goodbye. Tears welled in my eyes as my gaze spanned across the group. Trajen and several other soldiers I'd trained with and fought beside, Orlando, all of the palace staff, and Kallias and Vivianne stood before me. Kallias smiled as he stepped forward from the group, taking my hands in his. He leant forward and placed a kiss on my cheek. "I like the new outfit," he whispered, pulling back with a wink. A surprised laugh slipped out of me as I held onto his hands tightly, not wanting to let go. "Be safe," he said, "I'll see you in a few days." I nodded and dropped his hands, turning to Vivianne to throw my arms around her neck. She hugged me back tightly, and kissed the top of my head. The hugs continued, every person gathered was sad but happy for me. I wondered briefly if I would ever see any of them again. If I would survive the war to make it back to them.

I stepped back from the group when the hugs and goodbyes came to an end. "I can't thank you all enough for what you've done for me," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "When I first came back here, I never could have anticipated the family I would find, with all of you. I don't know how I can ever thank you for the love and kindness you have shown me."

A girl stepped forward, and I recognised her as the daughter of one of the kitchen staff. She couldn't have been more than five years old. "You don't have to thank us, Princess," she said, gripping onto her mother's skirts. "You fought for us and you saved us. When I grow up, I want to fight like you." Tears filled my eyes as I knelt before her, placing my hands on her shoulders. "You can do anything, be anything you desire." She nodded, sticking her thumb in her mouth. I smiled at her and stood, taking my place beside Azriel. I looked back at Kallias once more and he smiled, nodding towards me as if to say it's all right. I returned his smile and took Azriel's hand in mine. He drew me to his chest, wrapping his arms around me, and the world folded in on itself as shadows swirled around us, and we winnowed to the Night Court.