Battle Scars

A ripple in the water

Az stood staring at the scene below him. It had been a good vacation- until Koschei had interfered and put a damper on their happiness. Eve had been finally feeling better but this new development had her in all sorts. Amren was researching again but he knew she would be of little to no help. A shadow came near his ear, breaking his stupor.

Nosebleed, it hissed. Azriel' jaw clenched; her nosebleeds and back aches weren't getting any better. Worried, he made his way back to their room where she sat on the bed with a handkerchief in her hand. She waved him off when she saw his face; the concern probably written all over it. "Did you take the medicine Madja gave?" He had flown the old healer a few times to their house now. Ever since she had been taken away by Briallyn and since Nesta had decided to accept the mating bond with Cassian, the two of them had moved to their apartment in Velaris.

Eve nodded, "I did. A few hours ago." He sighed, making his way to her, "how is your back?" She only hummed in reply; not the best then. He took it upon himself to massage her back as he asked her, "do you want to go out tonight? There is this new club that has opened up," he had personally checked the place beforehand. Rita was too crowded, after what had happened, for his liking. He preferred to be near his mate almost all the time now. Eve shook her head, "maybe tomorrow? I spent the whole day with Nesta and Cass today- I am tired."

He nodded before a smile threatened him as he said, "did she throw anything at him today?" The last time he had gone there to collect his things, his shadows had informed him of Lady Death throwing a book at Cassian who had been making real life acting out of the scenes from the genre she liked to read. "No, unfortunately," she said making him snort.

Sitting beside her, he took her hand in his, marvelling at the simple and innocent act of intimacy which he could do without fear of rejection. "Sleep?" She nodded, "yes, please."

******************************

The mating ceremony was- well, Azriel did not have the words to describe just how ornate it really was. Rhysand had truly gone mad, he believed, mad with power and decoration. At least his brother was happy. And terrified.

After escorting Eve to Nesta's room, he had gone to Cassian's where he had found Rhys lounging on one of the couches, commenting as his brother was getting ready. He seemed to done on one suit, express his discontent, remove it and throw it away in the heap that was quickly getting bigger. "That looked perfectly nice," Rhys said, his face sullen as Cassian demoted yet another one of Rhysand-chosen suit.

Az arched his brow, choosing to ignore the mess that this room had become and went to sit in one of the only cleaned chair left. "Does this have anything to do with you getting cold feet?" he asked. Cassian stopped his search, coming out of his panic long enough to think. Slowly, he frowned, "I love her. I am not running away, anywhere." Az hummed, "that does not mean you aren't allowed to panic. You are about to tie yourself with another for life."

Rhys smiled, "since when did you become the emotional cell of this group?" Az bared his teeth.

"Quit it," Cassian snapped, his temper on a shorter leash. "It's just that- I want everything to be perfect for her and me. She deserves this happiness, you know? And I want to look perfect for her." Rhysand unlatched himself from the couch, "a stunning wish but a foolish one. You both do deserve happiness and love but nothing is ever perfect in life. And as for your appearance; you clean up nicely. And I don't doubt that Nesta will not help but be enchanted once she sees you today."

Cassian bit his lip, turning to Azriel. "He is right, surprisingly."

******************************

Az took in the sights in front of him. His brother and Feyre were supporting each other, laughing and talking as the night wore on. He felt.. content. Cassian and Nesta had already left for their week away and the only stragglers that were still present were family.

He was on his fifth strong drink since the day called for such celebration when Eve yawned beside him. His hand which had been making absentminded circles on her back came to a halt. She hadn't had much to drink claiming to be the DD for the night- whatever that meant he could not remember. He frowned as she got up, not wanting to let go quite yet. "Where are you going, love?" he asked, his voice lacking its usual steadiness. "Getting some water," she smiled. His brows scrunched up, "I can get it." She nodded in agreement, "I know but since I am already up, why don't I just go instead." With one last smile, she left.

He took another sip of his drink, too tired to do anything but wait. Cassian's panic and Rhysand' chaotic eagerness as the host of this party had taken a toll on him as he had managed them both today. Time ticked by and he wondered where Eve was. He blinked when the bond tugged lightly. Everyone else were nearly asleep. Frowning, he got up, rubbing at his chest. It had been quite a public affair and the socialization had drained him; Cassian had forbidden him to disappear into his shadows at the slightest inconvenience.

"Eve?" he hiccupped; Rhysand had bought the strongest whiskey tonight. "Eve?" he called out again, blinking himself to awareness as few of the shadows came running around him. The winds roared behind him. He was just about to go and find her, the fog around his mind clearing when she came back into view, half dazed.

"Everything alright?" he asked, walking toward her. She blinked, expressionless before a small smile made its way on her face, "yes. Of course." He studied her and found something strange but couldn't quite pit his finger on what. His shadows hissed. He shouldn't have drunk so much tonight.

******************************

Rage. That's it. That's all. Gods, she hated them all. She wanted to burn them till they were ashes and dust. Till they were removed from the history books- swished away into oblivion. They were to be her way towards retribution. This world had taken everything from her, snatcher her away from everything nice and good. So, now, she would do the same. They would all die. They deserved to die. All she had to do was collect the Harp from its secured location. Gods, how it beckoned her.

Unleash it.

It was a simple mission. Go in and come out unnoticed and quickly. Make no noise. But, a small part of her wanted to mess up and face some busybody of this court. Maybe even fight a bit- harm them a bit at least. Psychopath. That's what it made her, she supposed. But it wouldn't happen. She had made sure of it. The High Lord and the High Lady along with the sickeningly delicate heir were enjoying family time at the riverfront house. Good- they would not come in her way.

The Second in command was holed up in some cave- or with her lover Varian, she supposed. The newly mated ones- Nesta, the Valkyrie and Cassian, the general were in the mountains, enjoying themselves. It had only been a day since their ceremony. Gwyneth Berdara was in the library as usual while Emerie was back in the Illyrian village with Morrigan as her company. Elain hadn't even troubled her mind for a second.

The only person, she supposed, who could become a problem today was Azriel, the infamous spymaster and the Shadowsinger of the Night court. But, then again, they were lovers. Maybe she could distract him while she stole it. Though his shadows might become a problem, she was willing to take the chance.

It would be so, so easy for her to bring this court down. The whole of Prythian even. So easy.

Smiling wickedly, Eve, the Lady of Ice and Fire and Koschei' weapon pulled her mask on. 

Happy reading :) 

Not me taking 2 weeks to write this- creativity is hard sometimes

XOXO,

the author