A Court of Fanfictions: Azriel

Chapter 18

I woke up more than ready for Cassian's training the next day. I dressed in my leathers, braided my hair back, and walked silently to the ring that morning.

"Wow, early today are we?" Cassian smiled. I took a deep breath and clenched my jaw. "Not in a good mood either?" He asked, and he tossed me a wooden sword. I snatched it from the air. "Throw out some combos," he bossed. So I did. But it didn't feel good. I wanted to fight.

"Can we spar?" I asked. His brow rose. "What's going on?" He asked genuinely. I sighed. "As if you care," I hissed. His brows rose. "As a matter of fact I do," he answered, his hands going to his hips.

I clenched my jaw.

"Alright, let's do it," he says, picking up cotton stuffed cloths to slide over his hands.

I started hard, hitting hard, and he hit me over the head with a pad. I clenched my jaw and returned to my position. "Doing something like that would've gotten you killed against Tybalt," Cassian said. My jaw clenched again.

Jab, jab, kick. Jab, jab, punch. Jab— Cassian hit me over the head again. I growled and returned, not waiting for his response.

Jab, jab, punch. Punch. Jab. Kick. Jab jab. Kick, jab, jab, punch.

I stepped back.

Jab, kick. Jab, jab, punch. Jab, jab, jab, jab, punch. Jab, kick.

Cassian hit me over the head, and this time I fell to the dirt.

And I didn't get up. Instead, I rolled onto my back and looked up at the sky. I realized I had tears streaming down my face. How long had they been there? I heaved a breath but just stared at the sky.

I felt Cassian sit beside me, but I didn't look at him. I couldn't look at him.

"Come here, sis," he grunted and kicked my hip.

I sniffled and reached my hand out to him. He grabbed it, yanking me towards him. I chuckled as he pulled me into a hug. "Let it out," he said, holding onto me. I sniffled and cried, surprised at Cassian's attentiveness.

"What happened?" He asked. I sniffled. "He's stupid," I muttered. He chuckled. "No arguments here," he relied. "Good because I don't think I could handle another," I sniffled and leaned away from him, wiping my face and nose.

"Tell me," he requested. I sniffed again. "He...doesn't want me to do anything. I think after the fight with Tybalt I scared him."

"Ahhh," Cassian replied, repositioning his feet. "He is...very protective," Cassian bounced his head around. "I'm aware," I replied. He snickered. "He just looks out for people he cares about, fiercely," Cassian added. I shrugged. "And who's looking out for him?" I replied.

"Me and Rhys," he answered. "It's not the same and you know it," I replied. He smirked, knowing I was right. "And why do you keep calling me sis?" I asked.

"Because you're like the annoying little sister I never wanted," Cassian answered, shoving my shoulder back. I laughed. "You're one lucky fuck to have me," I joked, and he laughed.

Then shadows appeared. My heart dropped at the though it may be Azriel. But then, I saw Rhysand. "This is an interesting battle stance. Sitting," Rhys purred. Cassian chuckled. "I just finished beating his ass," I quipped. "Haaaa!" Cassian bellowed as he stood, reaching an arm to me. I took it, and instead of standing to him, I drug him down to me.

Then, we tousled, rolled, and wrestled around the dirt. "Alright, you two," Rhys drawled. "That was not fair," Cassian said from above me. "That's what sisters do," I grinned. "Oh, grand, you've told her she's our sister," Rhys huffed. "Well, she might as well be," Cassian grunted as I flipped him over.

"She's just like us," he added, flipping us again. "Fucker!" I exclaimed and flipped again, and then I jumped back from him.

"Cassian, as much as I am enjoying watching her toss you around like a piece of meat," Rhys took a breath, "I would like for us to begin our training." I laughed and jumped out of Cassian's grip, giving him a vulgar gesture. He chuckled as I walked over to Rhys quickly, jumping away each time he tried to grab me.

"Cassian, please act as an adult," Rhys drawled as I stepped behind him, using him as a shield. "No," Cassian answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I wouldn't reach for her again because you wouldn't want to get caught in the middle," Rhys warned. Cassian stood back and waved while I laughed.

And Rhys winnowed us away.

He took us to a clearing amongst a forest. It was calm and serene. As the shadows left us, I unclasped my hand from his.

"I have a question," I blurted, turning to look at him. He raises an inquisitive brow at me. "Is there a particular meaning behind seeing...mists around someone?" I asked. His brows furrowed. "Mists?" He repeated. I nodded.

"I'll need more context," he answered with a grin. I leveled a look at him and crossed my arms. "If you just happened to...look at someone and see a, uh, purpley mist with sparkles above their head," I explained.

Rhys's brows furrowed.

"Whose head did you see it above?" He asked. I shrugged.

He grinned.

"Does his name happen to be Azriel?" He asked.

"Perhaps," I answered.

This time his grin was feline.

"I must say," he sighed, "I am not sure what it means." "You're over 800 years old and you have no idea what it means?" I sassed. Rhys chuckled. "You are, indeed, like an annoying sister." "How would you know?" I asked. A soft smile came across his face. "I had a sister," he answered, and it forced me to frown.

"Oh...I'm sorry," I apologized. He nodded. "It's another day's time for that," he replied. Then, he clapped his hands together.

"Let's have a little fun," he grinned.