Inferno: Azriels Unexpected Love - Azriel x Female OC - ACOTAR

Chapter 17

A/N: All your comments are soooo encouraging for me to power through and write... sooooo here is another chapter, and this is a big one so enjoy! THANK YOU! 

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Azriel's POV

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"Calm down." Rhys once again tells me for what must be the 100th time in the last two days. "I am confident she is fine."

Sitting at the large dinner table, I see a variety of looks from everyone. Lucien, Poppy, and Elain all look as worried as I do... Cassian, Nesta, and Amren seem to not have any worries... Feyre, Mor, and Rhys have a hint of concern, but continue to reassure me regardless.

"Allow me to go check?" I request once again. "No one will see me. I can just slip in and out of the shadows to ensure she's alright."

"Mother above." Amren mumbles. "Just let the boy go so we can be done hearing his complaining."

Releasing a sigh, Rhys looks at me with sympathetic eyes. "Tomorrow night you can go... but no sooner."

"Thank you!" I blurt out, far more passionately than I would normally speak as relief fills my chest in being able to check in on my love. I know she's safe and can take care of herself, but I can't help this fear that Beron will discover and execute her...

I won't lose her... I'll go in and challenge Beron myself if needed... She'll come back home to me... I'll make sure of it.

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Arriving at Autumns border as dark covers the forest, I let my shadows out to search for Scarlett. Only a few minutes pass before I receive word on her location. Not waiting a second I fall into the dark to reappear in what appears to be a tornado of fire. All around Scarletts fire swirls as she screams into the air.

Sending them forward, my shadows surround her as their cool temperature works to counteract the heat she's giving off.

Soon her amber eyes turn to look at me and my heart aches at seeing her this way.

Pulling her to me, I have my shadows quickly report if they sense any injuries, but she seems unharmed. What happened? "Azriel." She speaks my name in a voice that brings tears to my eyes. "Please..." She pushes herself against me. "Let's go home.''

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"Azriel." Rhys' voice fills my mind as I stand in the kitchen cooking breakfast. "Report to the Moon Palace with Scarlett immediately."

"Understood." I answer back before turning off the stove and walking up to where Scarlett is still sleeping soundly. Looking at her blissfully dreaming, I hesitate waking her up. Maybe I can just go alone... let her rest for another day...

It's been just a little over 24 hours since she got home and she's barely left the bed. Emotionally drained... overwhelmed from past memories... guilt... I shake my head thinking of how she kept mumbling it was her fault when she first got home.

I finally got her to tell me what really happened after she rested for a few hours, but she wouldn't stop blaming herself. Perhaps leaving the house will be a good distraction for her.

"Scar." I whisper, shifting forward to kiss her awake gently. "Rhys needs us, love."

"Mmm." She groans a little as she finally opens her eyes to look up at me. "Now?"