A Court of Flame and Shadow (Azriel x eris)

Chapter 9: Cassian

Cassian had arrived at the ring early that morning, planning on warming up before the priestesses arrived, but when he had reached the top of the stairs, he almost tripped over Azriel. 

He was leaning against the wall, bandage in his hand, as if he had been about to wrap it over the slash down his hand. On the other side of the ring, one of the targets was covered in daggers, and, sure enough, one lay on the ground, covered in blood. 

"Hey!" He shouted at his brother, giving him a kick.

Azriel woke with a start. "What?" 

"Hi Az, what the hell are you doing?"

"I must have fallen asleep..." He trailed off, rubbing at his eyes.

"Really? That's crazy." Cassian crouched down beside him to help wrap his hand. 

"You missed breakfast. Elain and Lucien said they had news but they didn't want to say it when everyone wasn't there." 

"Mmh."

"You right? You don't have to help today, you could go sleep in an actual bed."

Azriel shook his head, pushing of the ground.

"No, no, I'm fine." He said, stumbling over to the target he left the daggers in, but tripping over almost immediately. 

"Okay, no." Cassian heaved a sigh as he steadied Azriel. "I am not letting you stay up here. You can't be tripping around holding weapons, sets a bad example, and, its dangerous. Go downstairs, eat something, drink some water, then go to sleep."

"No." He moaned, similar to how a little kid does when they are told they have to bathe.

"No? Az, what is up with you? You are acting so weirdly, you're like a different person. What's going on?"

Azriel shook his head as he finally made his way down the staircase. He tripped down 3 steps, almost crashing into a shocked Nesta.

"What's up with him?" Nesta asked as she arrived at the top of the stairs.

"I dunno. Rhys said he was sick but he told me different yesterday."

"What'd he tell you?" Nesta asked and she sharpened a knife.

"Nothing. But it didn't just seem like he was sick."

"Yeah, Feyre said she heard shouting in the library yesterday, and El said he was crying when she went in to give him tea."

"Rhys let them tell you that?"

"Ha! No, but we talk. About everything."

"Everything?" Cassian asked with raised eyebrows.

"Everything." Nesta winked, pinching his ass as she made her way to the door to greet Gwyn and Emerie.

~

"Where's Az?" Cassian leapt out of his skin. Gwyn had snuck up on him when he was cleaning up after training, again.

"What?"  

"Az. He said yesterday he would be here."

"He talked to you yesterday?" Cassian took a breath, steadying himself.

"Yes, but he was being weird. Is something up?"

Cassian let out a long breath, muttering what sounded like "Its a whole big sick thing, I don't know Gwyn, I thought you were the one sucking his dick!" Before responding with "I think he is a little unwell."

Gwyn raised her eyebrows. "First of, Azriel and I are just friends. Second, no shit! I meant why is he sick?"

"Maybe he licked a cow or something, I don't know, that guy has always been a bit off!"

"Thought he was your brother."

"Yeah, but I don't think that has anything to do with cows."

Gwyn gave him a sharp look.

"You meant the other thing... Look, he's a wacky guy. You know he had a hard life, maybe he's finally working through his trauma! I don't know, man."

"Thanks for the help, Cass." Gwyn scowled at his, slapping his back as she walked down the stairs.

"Wow, are you good with people or what!" Nesta came up behind him.

"Shut up, Nes."