Battle Scars

Where do broken hearts go

He had just finished his report and was returning to Eve when Elain had found her on the staircase. "Good night?" she had asked. His shadows- who always seemed to do this- left in her presence, into neutrality. He had yet to figure out why. He nodded, "yes." Silence. He shifted on his feet, "and yours?" She gave him a strained smile, "it was nice." He nodded again, eager to return to Eve. He still couldn't believe she had told him she loved him. Ever since then, he had kept making up avenues in conversation where he could slip in 'love' and see her blush. Every night she said it to him again as if knowing that he needed to hear it as a proof that this was not all a fever dream.

"How are the reports that are coming?" Elain was asking. He wondered why she wanted to know. Nevertheless, he said, "it's a work in progress." He really wanted to go to Eve. But then there was this odd glint in Elain's eyes. The female seemed trapped in her own world- it seemed. Maybe it was due to Lucien's presence earlier.

"Elain, are you alright?" She fumbled with her gown, biting her lip in such force that he was almost sure it was to prevent saying something. He called a few of his shadows, ordering them to assess her then. Something about this- about her- seemed off. And he wanted to know why and what.

"It's just been a long night," she was saying. His shadows were whispering their findings in his ear. "-tired is all."

Trapped. Puppet. The seas. The Seer cannot see. He sees us all. Leave.

Elain's eyes widened. "El-" And she surged forward and her lips were on his.

It took him a moment to reacquaint himself and when he did- Elain was still kissing him, his shadows had disappeared and he was frozen to shock. He moved his hands to her elbow in protest, pushing her.

But the damage was done. He did not remember what all the shadows had told him just a moment ago. Trapped. Leave. The only words that were still in his mind now. and the interpretation completely different without all the parts.

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The morning had come in a daze. He had spent the night wondering where was Eve when he could not find her in the room or anywhere else. His shadows would not tell him either- loyal to their lady. Frustrated, he had gone down for breakfast just as the first rays of the sun hit the Sidra.

He sensed her before he saw her. And his High Lord. Both were sitting in the room- sipping chai that he had no doubt Eve had made having introduced half the family with the drink. He was still debating whether he should tell her about Elain. On one hand, he knew he should be honest but then again, the two had only now started talking amiably. He did not want to come between it. Besides, not knowing would not hurt Eve. And he would make sure Elain never jumped on him like that again. He inwardly shuddered- her kiss had felt so wrong, so not right.

"Good morning," he said. Eve sat still. So did Rhys. Frowning, he looked at Rhys but his brother did not give anything away. Angry. His shadows told him. About what? He wondered. Was it because he had spent yesterday night training with Gwyn- but that had been after he couldn't find Eve and needed to dispel of some energy.

Shaking the thoughts away, he was about to take the seat beside Eve but her cold gaze wintered and so instead, Azriel proceeded to take the seat across her, hurt and confused. "Where were you yesterday night? I came in late and- and the shadows wouldn't tell me." he asked her. Damn Rhys' presence. His heart was starting to panic. He needed to know. Why was she acting this cold? "Eve?" he tried again. Rhysand in his periphery opened his mouth to answer, but she beat him, "Away. I was away last night."

Az' jaw clenched before he took in a breath. Past few hours had been infuriating. "And where is away?" His tone was neutral, thankfully. "Somewhere I would not have to see you," she said in a and he flinched, rising from his chair. It was the first time he had shown such open display of vulnerability with someone in front of his family and this is what it got him? "What?" his voice sounded weak.