A Court of Love and Devotion - Novellas

My Shadow

Azriel's shadows lost interest in him anytime his mate was around. Luckily, years ago, he'd acquired a new shadow in the form of his son.

Yes, Callum loved being with his father whom he followed around constantly and tried to emulate all the time.

When Azriel was frowning, Callum was frowning too. When he massaged his temple, his son did the same. So on days when Azriel felt tired and overwhelmed, Callum always managed to put a smile on his face.

At six years old, Callum had learned to play chess against his father by himself. That had obviously been added to his little book of accomplishments. As well as the flying competition he'd won in Velaris at 10. Catrin had sulked all day because she'd lost, though she arrived in second place right after her brother.

Azriel blinked and his children had grown and he feared they soon wouldn't want anything to do with him anymore.

Especially now that they hung out with their friends in the afternoon all the time. Sometimes they, Catrin in particular, came home as the night fell in the winter. Obviously, Azriel stood by the window and watched until his children — his babies, they would forever be that, no matter how grown they were — came home.

But not today. No, today Callum had spent the whole day practicing with his father. Flying, fighting, spying. All of it.

Both of them only realized how much time had gone when Gwyn called them inside for dinner.

Stella waved her tail happily at her mistress' feet as the two males entered. Gwyn put her arms around her son and kissed the top of his hair. Hair he kept the same length as his father's.

"How's my champion?" She asked.

Callum beamed at his mother, already reaching her height. "Good," he replied. "Do you need help with dinner?"

"It's ready. Go help your sister set the table, alright?"

Callum promptly obeyed. Azriel embraced his mate and kissed her deeply.

"He's learning fast," he informed her.

Gwyn smirked. "You love it and hate it at the same time, don't you?" Azriel couldn't deny that. "Don't worry, there's still a lot to do before the student surprasses the master," she squeezed him around the waist.

Azriel chuckled and put his forehead to hers. "Let's go eat."

The family had dinner, along with Stella who knew to sit next to Azriel while he innocently let bits of meat fall right into the dog's mouth. Gwyn had scolded him many times about over-feeding Stella. Azriel had always listened, nodded then proceeded to share his food with his furry daughter anyway.

"Can you do the dishes, Cat?" Gwyn asked as they neared the end of their meal. "Your brother did them yesterday."

Catrin whined. "Oh, no. Please. I hate doing the dishes. And I helped set the table today"

Her mother sighed.

"Listen to your mother, Catrin. You can't always do what you like," her father said pointedly.

Catrin whined some more but her parents ignored her.

"You're twelve years old, Cat," Callum sneered as he piled up his dishes. "Stop acting like a baby and get to work."

Catrin frowned at her brother until a mischievous smirk appeared. "You're twelve years old, Cal," she echoed her brother. "Stop copying Dad and get an actual personality."

Callum gaped as Azriel choked on his drink.

"Alright, you two. Cut it out!" Gwyn ordered. "Catrin you do the dishes and Callum, you dry them and put them away. Sounds fair?"

The two pre-teens grumbled but got to work while the parents cleared the table and cleaned up the dining area. When all was clear, Gwyn brought out a mystery board game for them to play until curfew. The twins had to wake up early tomorrow to train and then to go to school.

Obviously, Gwyn figured out the culprit in record time, as always. Then the twins were told to take their asses to bed.

Catrin kissed her parent's cheeks and said goodnight before Gwyn left to walk Stella. Azriel found himself alone in the room, putting away the board game when he heard the sound of his son's footsteps.

"Dad?" Callum called. Azriel whirled to him. "Can we go over shadow-winnowing again tomorrow?"

Azriel nodded. "Of course."

"Thanks," Callum smiled. "Goodnight, Dad." The boy left the room.

Azriel smiled to himself as he watched his son climb the stairs. "Goodnight, my shadow."