The Whispers of Shadows - A&A One Shots

aurora's birthday - pt. 2

Her head was spinning. Nyx and Cassian had teamed up against Aurora, handing her glasses of whiskey and chanting as she took down each glass. Soon enough, she was stumbling and holding on to anyone close enough to stay stable.

"Another?" Nyx asked, raising the bottle in the air. Aurora blinked, trying to focus her eyes on the male. There were several of him now.

"No, that's enough for now," Rhys ordered, taking the bottle from his son. Aurora couldn't help the laugh, seeing the High Lord scold his seventy something year old son. Her eyes turned to Gwyn, who was leaning back in a chair, swirling whiskey in her glass as she glared at Azriel. Aurora's mate was silent and brooding in his seat, not having spoken since the two females had walked away from him.

"Gwyn," Aurora whispered, or she thought she did. The female was across two tables, and still her eyes shot to Aurora. She rose a brow, irritation still in her face. Aurora grinned, waving for her to come join her. With a sigh, Gwyn shoved off from her seat and circled the rambunctious group.

"Yes?" She asked, a hint of annoyance in her tone. Aurora slapped a hand down on her shoulder, legs shifting to keep her standing.

"Why are you glaring at Az so much?" She slurred, leaning too close in for comfort. Gwyn leaned away from Aurora.

"Are you drunk enough not to remember anything from earlier? The necklace?"

"Yes, but you gave me the necklace," Aurora hiccuped. "Why give me a second-hand gift if Azriel doing it to you was so wrong?"

"Oh, stop. This isn't about you, Aurora," Gwyn snapped. She made a move to talk away, making Aurora stumble over her feet. Feyre, who was standing closest, shot a hand out and caught Aurora by the waist. She gave the High Lady a lazy grin before turning back to Gwyn.

"Mm, but he's my mate. I think it has to do with me a little, don't you?" Her hand slipped from Gwyn's shoulder, body tense to stay up. Gwyn rose a brow, crossing her arms.

"The fact that your mate gave me a necklace that had been thrown back at him by a female he wanted to fuck does not have anything to do with you," Gwyn answered. Obviously, her irritation from the day had made her far more cold than Gwyn normally was. Aurora barked out a laugh, her fingers reaching up to her mouth to try and smother it.

"Why did you give it to me, then? To see if Az would remember it? I do think that you brought me into this by trying to hurt me, Gwyn," Aurora slurred, head rolling forward as she spoke. Gwyn grimaced, stepping back again.

"I gave it to you because I received that necklace from someone who I thought loved me. I've held onto it for years, and I chose today to give it to you because I wanted Azriel to realize just how wrong he has been."

"What does that even mean?" Aurora giggled. The alcohol surely was making her confrontational, but rude, as well? Gwyn sneered, looking the female over.

"Azriel chose you, Aurora. Don't you ever wonder if it was just because of the bond? Most mates don't love each other, they just fuck because the bond makes them attracted to their mate. It's been decades, but I was once his choice. He has a damn savior complex, and when he saves someone, apparently he wants them, too."

Aurora bit down on her lip, conscious enough to smother her second laugh. Her eyes shot to Azriel, who was watching the two females closely. He knew everything that was being said. Aurora was sure that Gwyn meant no harm by her words, she was only hurt. Still, it fueled that fire beneath Aurora's skin.

She leaned in, licking her lips before whispering," Mm, want to fight then? There's a training ring just over the hedges."

Gwyn's teal eyes flared, her jaw clenched enough that Aurora thought her teeth would shatter. She looked over Aurora with a glint in her eyes that made Aurora lick her teeth, fingers itching to hold a blade.