Mastermind | | Azriel

2

No one talked about what Azriel had done, but everyone was on edge. They all looked over their shoulders, kept an eye out for some monster lurking in the dark waiting to attack.

Two weeks had gone by, and nothing had happened. Not that anything could happen here. Velaris was safe, and Rhys kept finding reasons to keep Azriel in Velaris.

After two weeks without incident, it was finally time to leave Velaris. A visit outside of the Night Court entirely that Rhys has committed to before Azriel decided to put his life on the line. He couldn't back out now, and he couldn't go without Azriel and Cassian by his sides.

The trip was to the Day Court. The High Lord had reached out to discuss a possible trade agreement, suggested by a close advisor. Rhys knew he needed to step out into Prythian as a High Lord, to make himself seen as more than his father's heir now that he had taken the throne. He had to be their equal, or they would see his Court as weak.

So, he agreed to the visit to the Day Court to meet with the High Lord and his advisor. Mor and Amren stayed in the Night Court to make certain it was not vulnerable to attack with its High Lord away.

It was not the Day Court's High Lord that greeted Rhys, Cassian, and Azriel when they arrived. Instead, it was his advisor. The High Lord's advisor was a cousin, likely to inherit the throne himself if the High Lord failed to produce an heir.

"Welcome," the male greeted, his smile bright and his eyes brighter. Those bright eyes dragged over Azriel slowly, and then over Cassian. Slowly. So slowly. Rhys was barely spared a glance compared to the looks Cassian and Azriel got. Cassian grinned, something arrogant and full of pride. "High Lord, are all the males in your Court so lovely? If I'd known, I'd have requested we meet there."

"Rhys, I'm in full support of this alliance," Cassian announced, earning a chuckle from the male.

"Winning your favor is far too easy, Cassian," Rhys scoffed dryly, rolling his eyes. The male's eyes sparkled with interest.

"Oh, is that the game we're playing?" he taunted, or perhaps teased. "Trying to present like you're your father's son? You forget, Rhysand, I know how you fought in the War. I know it wasn't for honor or reputation or esteem. You fought for those humans because you thought they deserved to be fought for. But, if you'd prefer to be your father's son, we can play pretend."

Rhys did not show any reaction to being put on the spot like that. He didn't enjoy talking about the War, about the things he did and the things that were done to him. At the start, it was all about the humans. It was about fighting for a cause he believed in. Somewhere along the line, it became just about surviving. Somewhere along the line, he forgot he was fighting for anything but his own life, the lives of his legion.

"You've been horrifically rude," he said instead, "you still haven't introduced yourself. And your High Lord didn't bother to greet us himself."

"I didn't realize you were so needy," the male dismissed, "and as for introducing myself, you're right, I've been so rude! My name is Helion. And what's the handsome broody one's name?"

Azriel raised his eyebrows, shadows skittering around him. Most people would be afraid, even his own friends were a little afraid sometimes, but Helion only seemed more enticed.

"Broody," Cassian echoed with a laugh, "he's right, Azriel, you are broody." Azriel only rolled his eyes.

"Azriel," Helion repeated, as if just to test the way the name rolled off his tongue. "Do you ever speak, Azriel?"

"He's not very social," Rhys answered for him, "he excels in other areas though. Likely none you'd be interested in."

Helion's eyes racked over Azriel again as he replied, "I find it extremely unlikely that I wouldn't be interested."

"I don't think you'd be interested in being skinned alive," Azriel finally spoke, voice cold and soft.

"I'll try anything once," Helion joked, earning a bout of laughter from Cassian.

"Did you ask us here just so you could flirt with these two or did you truly want a trade agreement?" Rhys asked, eyebrow raised.

"I suppose I could flirt with you too if you're feeling left out but, honestly, my heart wouldn't be in it," Helion countered, unflinching under Rhys's cold stare. Finally, Rhys cracked a smile.

"You can save the flirting for those two," he told him, "but do try to keep it to a minimum. Cassian's ego doesn't need to be inflated any further."