Bloom and Destruction (ACOTAR - Elain + Azriel)

Chapter 18

Azriel

I stare into the distance, Tamlin struggling against my High Lord and High Lady's magical bonds. I turn toward him and squat in front of him. "This is your last chance. Or I will slay you right here, right now," I grab him by the hair.

His eyes meet mine. "Spy master," he whispers, "shadow singer. Along with you the Prince of Bastards. And fucking Rhysand and that whore Feyre."

I grab him by the throat. "Be careful how you speak about my family, Tamlin. High Lord or not, I've warned you once when you made a comment about my High Lady."

He rolls his eyes, spitting his blood into my face again. "Oops," he chuckles.

I reach for truth teller and bring it to his neck. "Az!" I hear Nesta's voice call. "AZRIEL!" She yells louder.

I shove Tamlin away and stand up. I turn to see Nesta running toward the manor. "Nesta?" I furrow my eyebrows.

She swallows hard. "Feyre and I can scent her by the lake, but we keep losing the scent. Feyre said to retrieve you, that you will be able to pick it up," she pants heavily.

I grab Nesta by the waist and shoot into the sky. She points to the direction of the lake and holds tightly as I dive down to the ground. Cassian stands with Feyre and Rhysand, sniffing at the air. "This is where we lost it," he tells me.

I sniff, my nose crinkling at the heaviness of her scent. "You lost this?" I start walking toward the water. The scent trails downward, I squat down and sniff some more.

    Without hesitation, I jump into the water. I open my eyes and tuck my wings. Water wraiths charge at me, their webbed fingers slashing through my clothes. I hiss at the contact that hit my wings. I continue downward, letting out a grunt as I push past the wall of seaweed. My eyes widen and I swim faster when I see Elain, bound and gagged at the bottom. I grab her by the waist and tug her upwards. The wraiths come at me like bullets, their nails digging and slashing every part of my body.

    I scream into the water as they begin tearing into my wings. I kick them away and breach the surface. Feyre stands before me with her hands over her mouth, sobbing into them. I toss Elain onto the grass before sighing and hoisting myself out. Something grabs my ankle and pulls me back down. I open my eyes to see three water wraiths opening their mouths to get ready to devour me. I grab the Illyrian blade at my side and sling it toward them. They hiss and back away. I quickly swim back to the surface and throw myself out quickly. I climb onto the grass and throw my body down.

    I close my eyes as water, or blood, drips off my body and onto the ground. I look over as Rhys unbinds Elain and her eyes flutter open. She coughs a few times before her eyes meet mine. She flinches away from Rhysand.

    "Azriel," she cries.

    I reach my hand out and place it on her leg. "I'm here, baby. I got you," I whisper before darkness engulfs me.

Rhysand

    I grab Tamlin by the collar and yank him up. "You're coming to the Night Court," I grin before winnowing us away. We land just out side of the Illyrian village and I throw him to the ground. He grunts, pathetically. "What the fuck Tamlin?" I growl.

    He kneels on the ground, looking up at me from his bruised and bloodied face. "Just do it, Rhys," he whispers. "Get it over with."

    Cassian lands next to me, Nesta in his arms. I smile widely and turn back to Tamlin. "Lady Death will do what she wishes with you," I grab his chin and force him to look up at me. "You did this to yourself. There will be no prayer to save your soul, there will be no mercy, and there will only be the worst fucking pain you can imagine," I growl before shoving him down and walking away.

    Cassian grabs my arm as Nesta approaches the High Lord of the Spring Court. "What about the Court?" He whispers.

    I shrug, "the mother will decide what happens once Tamlin is dead." I pull my arm away from him. "For now, I need to be with our brother." He nods once before turning to Nesta.

    I winnow in front of the River House and dart in the front door. I make my way to the living room where Madja stands over Azriel. Feyre sits in a chair, nursing our son across the room. I walk to her side and kneel. "Elain is in her room," she whispers. "She locked the door and will not answer."

    I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Do you want me to try to get her out?" I gaze into her eyes.

    She examines me for a long moment before shaking her head and looking down at Nyx. "No, I'd like to give her some space for a little while." I nod in response before standing up and placing a kiss to her forehead, then our son's.

    I stalk over to Madja and Azriel. He lays on his stomach, his wings sprawled for the healer, blankly staring at the back of the couch. I smile at Madja as a silent thank you. She nods, lowering her hands to her side. "I'll give you a moment," she says softly before excusing herself to the restroom.

    I rake my eyes over the damage done to Azriel's body. My eyes snag on the scars now showing on his wings. "Az," I kneel on the floor in front of the couch. He turns his head to look at me. I place my hand on his head, making him close his eyes. "You're okay, buddy," I lean my head against his. "You're okay." I feel tears slip out of my eyes. "I thought I lost you when you collapsed on the grass."

    "You can't get rid of me that easy, you bastard," his voice comes out hoarse.

    I chuckle, opening my eyes and pulling back to examine his face. He gives me a small smile, wincing as the cuts along his face crinkle with his skin. "Promise me that this time, while you're healing, you'll stay here. With me, with us." He nods. "Say it."

    "I promise," he sighs. His eyes dart around the room. "She hasn't come back down," he observes.

    "Feyre said she would like to give her some time alone," I offer a slight explanation. His eyes connect with Feyre's across the room. "I can open a mental bond between you two, if you'd like."

    He nods slightly. "Please," he groans as he tries to sit up. I help him move into a comfortable position and take a seat next to him. I delve into his mind and follow the bond all the way to Elain. I pry open a small hole and find my way out of his mind. "Go ahead," I whisper.

    He stares at the ground in front of him for a few moments. Feyre and I exchange a concerned look. "Can you help me up the stairs?" Azriel's voice breaks through our shared anxiety. 

    Madja enters the room. "Just a second," I whisper to him and stand to meet her half way.

    She smiles sadly at me. "He'll be all right," she reassures me. "He just needs plenty of rest and he needs to change the dressings on the cuts along his back, daily. They will scar, so will his wings, but he will heal."

    I nod, thanking her quietly and walking her out of the house. I make my way back to Azriel. I extend a hand to him. He places his hand in mine and I place my other arm under his elbow. He slowly pulls himself off of the couch. I wrap my arm around his waist and drape his arm around my shoulders. "Ready?" I ask before taking a step. He grunts a reply.

    After a few minutes, with multiple breaks, we made it up the steps. He breathes heavily, wincing every time he inhales. "I can make it from here," he looks down the hallway.

    I shake my head. "I will bring you into her room and sit you down." I command. He just nods again before we take a few slow steps. I knock on Elain's door quietly. "Elain?" I call. "Can you open the door so I can get Azriel in there?"

    I hear the lock click before the doorknob twists and the door opens. Elain stands there, eyes puffy, face red and swollen with tears still running down her cheeks rapidly. I glance behind her to the bed. She motions for me to bring him in. I sit him at the edge of the bed and sigh.

    "Let me know if you need anything, all right? I'll be back in a bit to check on you both," I glance between them.

    Azriel nods while watching Elain stare at him sadly. I slip past her and make my way out of the room. She closes the door behind me and I walk back down to my mate and child.