The Whispers of Shadows - A&A One Shots

nyx's crush

"Damn it, Aurora! You're not supposed to cut me!"

Aurora laughed wildly as she stepped back, flipping the sword in her hand. Nyx snarled at her, his large muscles taut as he straightened his back. He had stopped calling her Aunt Aurora almost a decade back, when he began his teenage years. Now at twenty-six, he only called her Aurora. It upset her at first, especially seeing that he hadn't stripped that title from anyone else, but now she'd grown used to it. His hand covered the small slice along his ribs, only small bits of blood dripped.

"I didn't even cut you that deep, Nyx. You've stabbed me!" Aurora shot back, circling him like he was prey. His head whirled as he watched her stalk.

"That was an accident! Uncle Cass pushed me!" It was true. During a training session a year back, Nyx was overwhelmed and began attacking in a panic. Cassian had stepped up behind him and shoved him, sending Nyx's dagger through Aurora's stomach. Madja healed her nicely but a small silver-pink line stayed as evidence. She had gotten him back, though.

Aurora lunged, hitting the blunt side of her sword  against the back of his knees. Nyx tripped forward, panting and spinning around. She caught his blade with hers, sending him a bright smile as she pushed. He tripped backward, dropping his sword and hitting the ground with an oomph. Aurora rolled her eyes, feigning annoyance. They had been at this for hours, and Nyx had slept in after a night out with Cass and Az.

Speaking of her mate, Aurora's eyes snapped to tendrils of shadows that swept across her thighs. Hidden well, but she learned the signs of her mate sneaking up on her years ago. Aurora winked at Nyx, earning a confused glare. She tightened her muscles, letting out a quick breath before turning. Her fingers curled into loose dark waves and tugged, her sword to Azriel's throat as soon as he materialized.

"Hello beautiful," Azriel grinned. Aurora smiled back and rose onto her toes to press a kiss to his cheek. She let the sword drop to her side and let go of his hair, smiling when his hand slid across her bare waist and tugged her against him. He kissed her again, thumb drawing lazy circles on her skin. "I didn't expect a sword at my throat today."

"I'm still in training mode," Aurora shrugged, turning her gaze back to Nyx. He was using one hand to wipe the dirt from his pants and the other to grab the blade from the ground. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes turned down.

"Is she still kicking your ass?" Azriel asked. Nyx glanced up at the Shadowsinger and then to Aurora, his blush deepening.

"Only because you had me out until sunrise chugging ale and whiskey," Nyx spat. Azriel chuckled, kissing the top of Aurora's head and grabbing the sword from her hand.

"Go have a break, I want a turn." Aurora listened to her mate, practically skipping from the training ring and leaning against it. Azriel was taunting the boy, grinning wildly at him. Nyx was irritated, Aurora could see that. His ears and cheeks were red, chest heaving. She watched his knuckles go white as he gripped the sword tighter and swung. Azriel vanished into shadows, appearing behind him and placing the sword around his throat.

Nyx snarled, kicking his foot back against Azriel's knee. Aurora heard a pop and cringed, but Azriel released Nyx and the younger warrior spun, the sword going straight into Azriel's side.

"Cauldron!" Aurora cursed, jumping through the ropes that tied off the training ring. Nyx pulled the sword back, blood dripping down the blade. Azriel had hardly flinched but he placed his hand over the wound. Azriel threw the sword to the side, baring his teeth at the boy.

"You're fucking dead," he snapped. Nyx's eyes widened as he, too, dropped his sword. Aurora stilled, falling back a step when Azriel leapt towards Nyx. Nyx's back hit the ground and he let out a grunt, but Azriel didn't stop. His fist hit Nyx in the jaw, skin splitting. Aurora yelped as she ran forward and grabbed Azriel's arm.