Tattered Wings

Episode 7

Fly?

Do I wanna fly?

"Azriel, I can't fly. My wings are too damaged." I said quietly, staring down at the ground. How I wish I could fly again.

"I can carry you. Let me fly you above the city. I can tell you miss it." Azriel said. It took me a moment to realize he was serious.

"Are... Are you serious? Azriel, I don't want to weight you down-"

"You could never weigh me down." He interrupted me. Rude. Don't ever interrupt me. But cute sentiment.

"Yes" I said after a moment, finding myself surprised with my own answer.

He picked me up in his arms as if I was as light as a feather. This'll be the only time I'm thankful for being starved. I wrapped my arms around his neck, all too aware of the proximity of us. With two mighty flaps of his wings we were airborne. I let out a small shriek, clinging to him tightly as he chuckled. Chuckled. My cheeks heated as he flew me over the city in the night. The wind felt so nice, I couldn't believe it. It felt like I really was flying. We must've flown for at least an hour, because the night sky twinkled brightly as he began our decent.

"Seriously?! You disappeared for hours and I find you flying?!" A voice next to us yelled. Even Azriel flinched, he flinched, as Feyre scolded the both of us. She must be really powerful if she scared Azriel.

"Sorry, my lady, I'm afraid I'm the one that's at fault here" Azriel said with a mischievous smirk. "Saw this fine lady all by herself, I couldn't resist."

God, his smile

I hadn't really realized it before, but this close to him, he was gorgeous. I felt my cheeks heat, I instinctively curled up into myself more, I could've sworn I saw Feyre smirk at me.

"Well, how about next time you let me know your taking her?! I spent so long panicking." She chuckled.

"Fly a little longer. I'll be at the house." She said and winked at me before pivoting and turning away. Wait...

Wait a damn minute... Why'd she wink at me?

After a few more minutes, Azriel broke the silence.

"Do you trust me?" He asked. I stilled im his arms.

"Y-yes" I said quietly before I could think too much. He started to adjust his grip on my shoulders, I was laying flat in the air as he held my up, and my right wing was already out. I wasn't actually flying, but God did it feel like it. I was laughing. Laughing for crying out loud. I haven't laughed in... In...

"I'm flying" I said cheerfully as he held me underneath my arms. He made a few turns, I savored the last of the wind before we began the final decent and he made smooth landing in the house.

"Thank you" I said breathlessly, my hair and absolute rats nest (let's be honest, when is it not) but I didn't care. I smiled like a child at a candy shop.

Azriel let a soft smile.

"Of course. Cmon, let's get you dinner." He said. Everyone was at dinner. I sat in-between Nesta and Azriel as they all ate and laughed together.

I felt like such an outsider. I didn't belong here.
I watched as they all laughed and ate together. I hadn't the slightest clue how to even start a conversation. They all knew each other, they were one big family; and I was the that one weird uncle that nobody knew anything about. I chewed my food quietly as I sat in silence.

"What is this?! Are you fucking serious?!" My father raged.

"Love, I'm sorry, I've been so sick I thought-"