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

Chapter 19

◈⋙◇◈◇⋘◈

 Azriel's POV

◈⋙◇◈◇⋘◈

What a truly arrogant male.

Staying in the shadows near one of the many food stations, I stay alert watching every inch of outdoor party. At least 200 noble high fae are in attendance for Berons birthday celebration as he forces all his subjects to give him gifts that I doubt he will ever bother to look at again after tonight.

An excuse for him to get more from them...

My eyes scan through the crowd, past the dance floor as I spot Jora standing alone near the start of the tree line where I know Scarlett and Poppy are strategically glamored.

Tugging on my bond, I send a calming wave to my mate. She's so nervous for tonight... so nervous someone she cares for will get hurt...

The music abruptly ends as the crowd begins shifting to either side of the dance floor, making a direct path from the party entrance near the Forest House to the giant golden throne that rests beyond a few stone steps at the base of a massive tree that is said to be as old as the Prythian itself.

Quickly guests begin bowing as the High Lord of Autumn enters with his sons in order of age following behind him.

Taking the seat on his red cushioned throne, he snaps his fingers and a large golden crown that matches the flashy style of his seat appears on his head.

Each of the sons shift off to the side as they stand near their mother and also bow towards their High Lord.

"Rise." Beron speaks, looking unamused by the entire event. "Another year, another celebration!" He projects his voice over the crowd that stares blankly at him. Even the subjects that benefit from his laws don't enjoy his presence. "As always, let's kick off any good celebration with some fun!" He finally grows a cruel smile on his face as he stands up and walks towards the edge of the throne area right before the steps begin descending. "Inigo, please bring the selected criminal." He orders the normally fun male who appears completely stoic, moving forward to retrieve the requested prisoner. Just as Scarlett told me... the demented male's idea of entertainment usually involves a public execution.

Almost time. I resist flaring out any additional shadows to help, knowing this is something they need to handle as a family... A family coming together and showing their citizens just how strong and united they are under their new High Lord.

Inigo stands before Beron as he flares out his magic to winnow in a male prisoner. The male is bent forward on his knees with a bag over his head, but his clothing is shockingly well kept for someone who was supposedly just in a jail cell.

"His crimes?" Beron asks his son, clearly eager to light someone on fire.

"Treason." Inigo belts into the air, adding a bit more flare to his words. It'd give away his excitement for those who know him well. "Conspiracy to murder the High Lord."

Berons eyes narrow at the bagged prisoner. "You dare think a weak male like you could take on a High Lord?!" Fire flares in his fists and I see Eris, Apollo, and Barak begin slowly shifting their hands to be ready to move. "Remove his covering. I want to see his face as he dies."

"With pleasure, Father." Pulling that bag away, Beron's eyes go wide as he see's Lucien kneeling with a smug grin on his face.

Now.

Before he has time to say anything, Apollo has launched forward to fill his throat with fire. Eris quickly binds his personal guards while Barak orders the other soldiers to stand down. Inigo and Lucien launch forward using their flames to wrap each of Berons arms in ropes of fire, pulling him down to bring him to his knees where Jora now moves to stand.