A Court of Fanfictions: Azriel

Chapter 13

My eyes opened slowly the next morning, attempting to focus on the winged figure standing in front of the window by my bed. I grinned as the blur left my eyes.

"Good morning, Az Baby," I said, my voice hoarse still. He turned with a smirk on his face. "Good morning, Kortnee baby," he mocked. He mocked, but I liked it. Enjoyed it. Enjoyed hearing his nickname for me.

As I sat up in bed, he came and sat on the edge at my feet. "I have to go on a mission," he informed me, his voice like dark silk, "I'll be gone for a few days." My heart sunk at that. But I tried hard not to let my face fall.

"Okay," I said as neutrally as possible. He gave me a small smile. "I'll be home to you as soon as I can," he promised. I smiled. Home to me. "Until then, you're stuck training with Cassian," he added. I groaned, knowing it would make him laugh. And he did, the sound so deep it vibrated the most inner parts of my heart. I couldn't help but smile at the sound. He stood up and walked to me, pressing a hand to one side of my face. He pressed his lips to mine so gently it almost caused a tickle. I kissed him back, and then he pulled back, pulling my head forward to him. He pressed his lips to my forehead as my hand found his wrist.

"I'll miss you," I said, frowning slightly. I felt his lips creep into a smile. "I'll miss you, as well," he replied. He gave another kiss to my head, removed his hand, and then he left. I watched him walk out of the room and gently shut the door behind himself.

I can't wait for training today.

•••

"That was just sorry, Kort," Cassian grunted, hands on his hips. "I'm fucking sore," I hissed, standing up straight. I was sore. My legs were sore, my arms, my back, abdomen--everything fucking burned. "Why so sore?" Cassian grinned. My eyes narrowed at him.

"Alright. Start over. Another twenty," he pointed. I sighed heavily, tossing out the combos he called out to the air. "Much better," he commented half-way through.

"Alright. Get some water," he finally said after I threw all I could into the last combo. Thank the gods. I walked to the water canister, pouring from it, and drinking two glasses in no time. Then, I returned.

"We'll do some core training and cooldown and be done," he said. I nodded and laid against a mat. "You're not going to ask?" He questioned. My brows furrowed. "Ask what?" I returned.

"Let's do fifty crunches, leg raises, and twists," he said. I nodded, starting on crunches. "Where Az is," he grinned devilishly, crossing his arms. I cut my eyes to him. His grin didn't falter as I rolled my eyes. "If I asked you wouldn't tell," I answered. He walked to the other side of me.

"Sure I would," he shrugged. I didn't reply. "He flew you home from Rita's," he added, as if knowing I was ignoring him, and not allowing it. "How observant of you," I commented. He chuckled. "And I saw you two flying away yesterday," he said. I finished my crunches and fell flat, taking in breaths.

"Would you like us to celebrate your eye sight?" I replied, deterring from answering his unspoken questions. He smiled. "Got home pretty late, too," he said. I sighed as I dropped my legs down.

"And I've never seen him look at someone the way he did before dinner last night."

That statement made me look at him. Cassian was grinning with such devilish amusement I was surprised he wasn't laughing. I chose to look away and focus on the movement, lying flat with my hands under my butt as I lifted my legs up and down, using my core muscles to do so.

"He's been through a lot in his life," Cassian said, serious now, as he bent on his knees above my head and started shoving my legs down to strengthen my muscles.

"He doesn't need to be drug through much more shit," he added, looking down at me. My brows furrowed. "Is that why you and Rhys send him to dangerous missions? Because he doesn't need to be drug through much more shit?" I sassed. His brows furrowed at me.

"That is his job," he hissed, "The job he enjoys having. The job that no one will come between." "What is it you're trying to say, Cassian? Speak it," I bossed, sitting up to face him.

"I'm saying don't fucking hurt him," Cassian growled, putting his hands on his hips, sitting up straighter. "And who's saying I would?" I growled back, copying his movements. His jaw tightened. "You think so poorly of me to say that and yet know nothing of me," I said, "I volunteered myself to go to Briallyn's torturous chambers so that my human family would have gold for food because the war took away from my father's business," I stood to stalk towards him, and he stood as well. "I got fucking surgically implanted wings, I was drugged, tortured, stabbed, whipped, beaten, and fucked into oblivion and back. And if you think for one fucking second I would wish that upon anyone, wish putting anyone through any sort of hurt, especially Azriel, then you're as sorry as you are stupid."

My finger was in his face, and he was backed into a corner. It was taking all I had not to turn into a fit of rage. The power was thrumming under my fingers. My arms. My body. Aching for escape.

"Well, Cassian, it seems you've done a terrific job of pissing off my new friend," Rhys said. I hadn't even heard him appear. Cassian didn't look at him. I didn't either. My glare held strong against him, Cassian's glare faltering into a sorrowful, regretful stare that refused to let go of mine.

Rhys snapped his fingers, commanding Cassian's attention. Cassian looked away, and I moved out of his way to allow him to walk to Rhys. I could hear them murmuring, whispering, discussing. I closed my eyes and focused hard on stuffing the power back down. I was scared of it. Scared of why it might be, might do.

"Kortnee," Rhys practically sang. I turned to face him. "Would you like some company? Mor is begging to see you again," he said. I took in a breath as I tried to calm myself. I did a small chin dip, looked to Cassian, gave him a vulgar gesture, and left.