The Whispers of Shadows - A&A One Shots

stolen by the autumn court - azriel's pov

With his body over his mate's, Azriel never thought he'd find a better place. Finally, he had her. Aurora was kissing him slowly, no care for the interruption by Cassian just moments before. The touch of her fingertips along his tattoos had him shuddering and Azriel found himself unable to control himself any longer. Keeping his lips on hers, he turned them so that he laid on his back, wings pinned beneath him, and Aurora straddled his hips. He reveled in the way her hands cupped his face, the way the bottom of her spine felt against his fingers.

There was something primal awaking within him, a new need to claim what is his. The feeling rose in his chest and Azriel opened his mouth to speak. "I-."

Aurora didn't let him say the words. Her lips captured his again. He grabbed her hips to prepare himself to grind against her, but the door opened again. Azriel cursed the Mother in his head, wrapping his arms around Aurora as she dropped onto his body to hide herself as Cassian rushed into the room. Azriel snapped his head in his direction, already preparing to fight for his chance at time alone with Aurora. He paused when he noticed Cassian hurrying to dress himself in his leathers.

"Elain is gone," he panted. It may have been the panic in his voice, or the rush of memory of the war that caused Azriel to push Aurora's nude body from him and jump into action. He pulled his pants on and rushed from the door, followed by Cassian.

"I'll meet you all down there," Azriel called over his shoulder as he raced to his own room and pulled on his own leathers and weapons faster than ever before. Panic threatened to take over his mind but he willed himself to calm as he hurried to meet Cassian and Rhysand.

"Any update?" He asked, skidding to a stop in the sitting room. Cassian brushed his fallen hairs back as he shook his head.

"I don't understand how she would have left without us knowing," Rhys spat. Nesta stood beside Cassian, glaring at the High Lord. Azriel hardly noticed that Aurora had joined them as well.

"Please, someone loan me a weapon," his mate panted as she circled in. Everyone turned to her. Azriel could feel Rhysand's frustration against his own skin as he pondered what to do. Finally, the High Lord sighed and spoke.

"Damn it, Cassian, go get her some straps, a sword, and a dagger. Azriel, get your fucking spies and find her," Rhys shouted, his voice echoing in the large room. Azriel felt his fingers tremble as he gave a nod and was consumed by his shadows.

Darkness overtook him and as he traveled wherever his spies wished him to go, he heard their whispers.

Autumn Court.
Beron.
Elain.
Traitor.
Invading.
Aurora.
The city is exposed.

Azriel gritted his teeth, anger ripping through his body as he felt himself materialize in the trees outside of the Autumn Court estate. His knees bent outward, wings tucked in, body still coated in shadows. Azriel spread his gloved palm against the branch and watched through hidden eyes as his shadows slipped down and across the cool grass to the estate. Eyes closed now, he listened.

"Wonderful job, dear. Come now, let's go collect my prize." Beron's voice echoed in Azriel's ears. Rage simmered as he heard Elain whimper. The shadows returned one by one and slithered up his spine.

Leaving.
The city.
They're coming.

"Fuck!" Azriel shouted, startling a fox that had been sleeping at the base of the tree. Unable to rationalize his own thoughts, Azriel shot into the sky. He had made it just beyond the trees before he winnowed back to the estate. He had hardly became himself, stumbling into his body, before speaking.