A Court of Shadows and Pain

Twenty-four

She didn't know what to say as Rhys knelt in front of her. Azriel had silently left the room with Madja, getting himself patched up.

Valery let out a loud sigh, pressing the palms of her hands to her eyes. "Well, that was an interesting day." she said.

Rhys looked at her with disbelief.

Valery threw up her hands. "It's true." she claimed.

The High Lord sighed. "You could've died." he muttered.

Valery scoffed. "Yeah I know. Azriel could've died too, but I don't see you kneeling in front of him like he is a child."

"Azriel can take care of himself." he said, hurt in his eyes.

Valery shook her head. "And I can't?" she said louder than she meant to.

"No, I didn't say that. You are not yourself when you are in a situation with them." Rhys said.

Valery avoided his eyes. It was true. If this had been anyone else attacking her, they would've been dead in minutes.

Valery decided to just give in and not argue with her friend. "I'm sorry." she said. She was too tired to fight back. Even though she could handle the pain, for now, it still bothered her.

Rhys grabbed her hand, forcing her to look in his eyes. "Rest. I will check on you later."

He silently left the room, leaving Valery alone. She closed her eyes, hoping that sleep would come find her soon.

Azriel shifted uncomfortably against the touch of Madja's hands on his wings. The woman had scowled at him for always getting his wings hurt.

The amount of Fae bane had effected his healing, so he wouldn't be allowed to fly for at least two days.

Rhys appeared in the dining hall where Azriel had been forced to sit down.

Azriel looked the High Lord up and down, seeing as concern lined his face. "Is she okay?" Azriel asked.

Rhys looked at him and nodded. "How are you feeling?" his brother asked.

Azriel winced as Madja pulled out another arrow. "Great." he said.

Rhys gave him a pat on the back. "You saved her. Thank you for that."

Azriel shook his head. "She saved us. I couldn't winnow us." he was still confused as to why her shadows were still functioning with that amount of Faebane.

Rhys looked at him for a moment. "Did she tell you?" he asked.

Azriel nodded. "Most of it." he answered. It certainly wasn't everything that had happened Under the Mountain.

"Now you understand why she reacted that way." Rhys said, sitting down on the chair next to him.

Madja finished working on his wings, the uncomfortable feeling of her hands finally leaving. "All done. And don't you dare fly for at least two days." she said with a pointed finger.

"Of course. Thank you Madja." Azriel said with a kind smile. The woman soon left, leaving him alone with Rhys.

"We need a plan on how to catch them." Rhys stated. "But I want to plan it when Valery's recovered."

Azriel nodded in agreement. "They've probably left those woods. We were still close to getting them."

"We have to make sure that they don't kill anyone else." Rhys said before standing. "I have to go. Valery can stay here. You're welcome to stay as well."

Azriel nodded at the High Lord as thank you. He was soon left alone. He wasn't able to fly up to the House, so staying here would be it.

The only problem was, that there was currently someone in his room. The room that held some of his clothes he definitely needed.