A Court of Watchful Shadows

Apologies

My final day of freedom. Ugh.

I heard voices speaking in the dining area, I knew I'd have to apologise about dinner last night, Azriel left no room for argument. Prick.

A shower beforehand wouldn't hurt though. I strode into the bathroom, sleep still clinging to me like a creeping vine.

~~
After my ~longer than needed~ shower where I'd had a think over everything, I decided that if I was to train with Azriel, Rhysand had to hold up his end of the deal. I could leave the house.

I headed into the dining area, the rage I'd left the room in yesterday evening now pushed down deep inside me. And forced the most pleasant look I could muster on my face as I strode over to the two fae sat on stools at the bar conversing.

"Are you in pain?" Cassian questioned. What?

"No." I stated rather confused.

"Oh, you had a look ok your face like you were in pain." Cassian stated

Amren let out a chuckle "I think that was Ziláa's attempt at having any other facial expression than her consistent frown." I flushed slightly red but quickly regained composure as I had a task.

"I came to apologise for last night." I stated.

"Oh?" Amren raised her eyebrows.

I took a deep breath, hoping the words don't become stuck on the end of my tongue. "I'm sorry."

Amren gave a slight nod of approval though she didn't seem like the type of fae to give anyone the time of day.

Another moment passed until Cassian finally spoke "You know you have a way of saying sorry that sounds like 'I hope you die'" he folded his arms and leaned back in his chair.

"I wasn't hoping for your death, you falling off that chair would suffice." He broke out into hearty laughter. He had a sense of humour at least, better than the other winged freak.

~~

I made my way out to the balcony after eating a proper breakfast, it did make me feel better though I'd never admit that to Azriel.

"Eat something." He'd said.

Does he really think that caring about my well-being makes the fact I'm literally a prisoner okay? It doesn't. Even if the view from the balcony was nice.

The balcony reminds me of the spot on top of the cliff that Orelia and I used to go to. Our spot. I hadn't seen her since under the mountain and that was brief.

I wonder if she knows about my mother's death. About how much I missed the Dawn court and her. The sights, the smells, the views and our adventures...I should've gone back after under the mountain, should've just faced it instead of cowering away in fear of a reminder of my mother.

A tear slid down my cheek, the wind drying it up and pulling me out of my thoughts. I needed to accept the fact I wasn't going to see Dawn court again, not leave this city or risk being exposed to Ziven. If my mother were alive she'd know what to do about him, she always did...

As I continue to watch the view I see an overgrown bat come flying towards me.

Please no
Please no
Please no

I feel a sense of relief wash over me when I spot it's Rhysand and not the other one.

"Don't look too relieved Ziláa, Azriel's coming up soon too." He said the words as he landed. I roll my eyes and put my hands on my hips.

"You said I was free to leave the house if I went to dinner, why haven't the wards against winnowing been abolished." I snap.

He raised an eyebrow "considering you still haven't apologised to me for last night and you left halfway though do you really think that's how you should be speaking to a high lord?"

I groan "yeah yeah I'm sorry for last night high lord" the last two words dripping with sarcasm. "So this means I'm still a prisoner then?" I glare.

"Thanks for the half assed apology but no you're not a prisoner, you're free to go into Velaris but the wards won't be dropped, so your options are with Cassian or your ma- Azriel" he almost said the term mate again. That annoyed me further. "Your choice."

"What do you mean go with one of them?"

I feel a gust of wind fly up, no not wind, back wind from Azriel who had just landed on the balcony halfway through my tussle with his high lord.

Rhysand carried on without acknowledging Azriel, and I definitely wasn't going to acknowledge him. "I mean one of them will fly you down."

"What! Go down with one of those winged fre-" I'm cut off as Azriel strides up and puts his hand over my mouth and cuts in "What Ziláa means is she'd be delighted to have me fly her down and give her a tour of the city," I thrash around, the profanities I'm shouting muffled by the large hand over my mouth.  Rhysand watches, grinning in amusement. Azriel continues "and she's so thankful that her high lord is even giving her the opportunity to go into Velaris considering how rude she has been." He said that last part just to enrage me, and it worked.

Rhysand makes to go inside the house, as he walks away I bite Azriel's hand so that he takes it off my mouth. He pulls away smirking at me, this only angered me further and I was about to blow my lid at him.

Before I can even begin my argument he scoops me up in his arms "come on sunshine, don't you want a tour of the city?" I scream out some further swears that are silenced by the wind whipping around as he shoots us into the sky, causing me to scream and cling onto him. He chest vibrates as he lets out a loud laugh. Earning him a scowl from me in response.