The Love We Deserve - Azriel x OC

Well, I do like to make an entrance

Dawn broke and I was still here, sweat gleaming on my skin with red swollen knuckles. I wiped the back of my hand against my mouth as I panted, the statue waiting patiently before we began again. The statue was pretty good at keeping up, the two of us falling into some sort of rhythm, but I had caught it off guard a few times.

"fuck!" I cursed loudly as I caught an elbow to the face, stumbling backwards before I pounced with a snarl, using its thigh to propel myself up and swinging my own around it's head, propelling my body around with such force we rocked forward, it's head smashing into the floor as I crouched above the damage. Blood leaked down my face and I grimaced at the taste of it.

"shit you weren't joking"

My head snapped to where the two Illyrian men stood in their fighting leathers, straightening as I wiped at my nose.

"here" Azriel walked over, the shadows that had accompanied me all night now merging with the rest of the crowd that flittered around him. He placed a gentle hand on my face, and I would've smelt the metal if it wasn't for my probably broken nose. A broken nose that was beginning to feel a lot less broken. My hesitant eyes met his hazel, watching as he looked me over.

"thank you. I don't suppose they're made for us slow healing humans" I joked and his lips turned up, taking my hands in his too, even as I tried to pull away. "you don't have to-"

"it's not often I get to put it to good use." He assured and I noticed Cassian inspecting the damaged statue that was now rubble.

"how long have you been here? Also how did you get here?"

"I walked. the shadows-" my gaze flicked to Az "they helped me get across the mountain"

A shadow curled around Azriel's ear, and his face tightened.

"You came down here hours ago. In the pitch black" his tone was touching on angry and even Cassian looked over, straightening.

"I was fine" I defended "I wouldn't have come down if I wasn't sure the way was safe"

"you should've woken someone- what if you had fallen?"

"I didn't"

"but you could've"

"but I didn't" my eyebrows rose, waiting for him to continue this stupid argument but he sighed, hand coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose as Cassian chuckled to himself.

"it's too early for this" Azriel muttered, holding my face in his hands and I blinked up at him, blush crossing my face "next time, you tell me. I'll bring you no matter the time, okay?"

"fine" I yielded, and he nodded to himself, dragging his thumb through the streak of blood that ran down my chin.

"are you staying Greene? Finally gonna show us your moves, one on one" he shadowboxed the air and I grinned, very aware of the red coating my teeth and his wings shivered.

Az bumped his shoulder against mine carefully, smirking himself.

"don't scare him too much, sweet thing"

"come on then Cass, let's put your mind at ease" I clicked my neck before we moved into the ring.

"Mother save us. What's happened to you three?" Feyre asked as she walked into the living room where me, Az and Cas were sprawled across various sofas. tea towels filled with ice held across various body parts.

"Save us Feyre, Alex has pummelled us" Cas pouted, reaching for the High Lady who looked at me in surprise.

"Thought it was about time" I shrugged, sitting up whilst pressing the cool cloth to my ribs. Courtesy of Az.

She nodded with a warm smile, relief filling her eyes and I hated knowing that it was me that made her worry.

Metal coated the air and I straightened, eyes searching for the source.

"Seems like you've been making quite the impression" Rhys appeared behind me causing me to flinch so hard I thought I'd given myself whiplash.

"Fucking hell don't do that" I scolded, rubbing my neck whilst he grinned.

"The barkeep was just telling me about the human girl who stopped a barrel with a scarf" he stated nonchalantly, wrapping an arm around Feyre as he came up bedside her "said it was quite the scene"

"Well, I do like to make an entrance"

Az snorted and I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Something to say?" I challenged and he shook his head with a smirk, eyeing me.

"I think you've made your point plenty today"

"Amen to that" Cassian muttered his agreement, purple bruises that had already began to fade littering his skin.

I noticed Feyre and Rhys looking at each other, obviously having some sort of conversation and Feyre smiled broadly, mischief written in her eyes before she looked at me. I didn't like where this was going.

"looks like we're going shopping" she announced and my eyes narrowed.

"why?"

"because, you, little warrior" Rhys interrupted "are attending a ball"

Shit.