A Court of Flame and Shadow (Azriel x eris)

Chapter 10: Elain

Azriel was acting weird. Really, really weird. He hadn't spoken to Elain since he got back from that meeting. Since then, a lot had changed for her, and she had wanted to speak to her best friend about it, but Rhys had said that Azriel wasn't to speak to anyone yesterday, and since then she hadn't had a chance to talk to him. So now, sitting around the dining table, she was completely unprepared for whatever was about to happen.

Beside her, Lucien kept one arm around her, and she rested her head on his shoulder. On her other side sat Feyre, who raised a glass and a knife. 

Three sharp taps rang through the room, and the table turned to Feyre, who gestured to the pair of them. 

Lucien beamed down at her, urging her to talk. 

"Luce and I have been together for quite a while now, and he means a lot to me. I really love him." She glanced around the table, meeting Azriels eye, who gave her an encouraging smile. "We have decided to get married!" Elain announced. Cheering filled the room, but the only person she wanted to see celebrate was Azriel. And as his smile slid of his face, she felt like she had killed a cat.

"I guess we shall have to visit the Autumn Court sooner than I suspected!" Rhysand raised a glass, mirrored by everyone else at the table except Mor, who raised a bottle, and Azriel, who raised nothing at all.

"Congratulations." He muttered, stalking out of the room. 

Elain's lips thinned, and Rhysand scowled.

"I'll go talk to him." They both said.

"No, Rhys, let me go. Please. I've been been meaning to talk to him anyway."

Rhys gestured for her to go.

~

"Az, hi! What are you doing up here?"

Azriel stood on the highest balcony of the House of Wind. 

"Sorry, Elain. I am happy for you, I am, but its hard."

Elain frowned as she walked up beside him.

"Why is it hard, Az? You can tell me anything." She placed a hand on his arm, half expecting him to push it off.

But he didn't.

"Lucien is- he's great. That's not- I don't-" He closed his eyes tightly. "But when I see you together, I- urgh, Its like I'm jealous, but not- its hard to describe." He scrubbed at his face. "Its meant to be me, not you, but not, because it is meant to be you, but its also meant to be me, and you, and Lucien, but not me- urgh."

Elain gave him a puzzled look.

"Are you in love with me?" She inquired.

"No!"

"Lucien?"

"I- no, its hard to explain. But Elain- let me try."

She nodded. "Go on."

"Its not that I am jealous of you, or him, or what you have, but- Elain, I'm going to watch you marry this guy, and he looks, he looks like this person, and this person- I need this person. Its not what he represents, but when you marry him, I am going to see me, and someone else, but its not us, ever."

"Okay, wait. You are in love with someone who looks like Lucien."

"Yes! Yes, that's it!" 

"Is it Gwyn?"

"Oh, My god. Why does everyone think that?"

"Lucien's mother?"

"What? No!"

She chuckled. "Helion? Because I really think he would be up for that."

"You're close, but also not, urgh. Doesn't matter El, forget it." He gave an exasperated sigh.

"Okay!" His jaw dropped. Elain smirked at him.

"While I am up here, I was wondering, at my wedding, would you be my Man of Honor? Luce and I are doing a gender swap thing, so I am going to have a Man of Honor, and He is going to have a Best Woman, who I think is going to be Vassa."

Azriel grinned. "I would be honored, Elain."

She giggled. "That's the idea!"

She turned.

"Wait, Elain."

"Mmh."

"This conversation never happened. If anyone asks, I had to vomit."

The nodded, winking and miming zipping her mouth shut, before skipping off. 

I can see in demographics that a few of you are american. im australian so i apologise for different spelling, hope it doesnt put you of the story

Xx