A Court of Flame and Shadow (Azriel x eris)

Chapter 18: Feyre

"The rain is nice." Azriel said timidly. Things had been stiff between them since they got back from Autumn. But Feyre intended to make that up to him today.

"Supposedly, it will become quite torrential later, so I would like to be back at the townhouse before that happens." Azriel nodded.

"Are you feeling better?" 

"Yes, Cassian's idea did actually work." Azriel smiled slightly as they walked up to the café, rain trickling down the edge of the awning.

A little bell rang as they pushed open the door. Quiet music was playing in the background from a Symphonia, mixing with the ambient sound of chattering. A petite young woman walked up to them, bobbing to Feyre before addressing her.

"What can I get for you, High Lady?" Her voice was deep and husky, matching her dark red hair and tan skin well. 

"Just a latte, please Meredith." She spoke to her as a friend, not as someone who was under her. 

"What can I get for you, Shadowsinger?" She murmured, bowing her head nervously. 

"Iced tea, please." He looked slightly shocked that the young barista knew his name. 

She nodded, giggling slightly. "May I show you to your table?" She gazed up at him through thick lashes.

She lead them to a table by the window, looking out over the cobblestone street. Even with thick storm clouds above it, Velaris was the most beautiful place Feyre had every been graced with. Lush green trees lined every street, surrounded by colourful flowers and moss. How different would her life be if she had always lived there?

Azriel carefully sat down in the mahogany chair, adjusting his considerable wings. 

"Y'know, I think Meredith might be a attracted to you." Feyre said conspiratorially, leaning forward to pear over the little flower arrangement in the center of the table.

"I am not interested, Feyre." Azriel said sharply. 

"I know, but, doesn't it go to show?"

"Go to show what?" He scowled at here.

"You're important to people here, Az. They know who you are, and, lets be honest, they don't watch you just because you're important."

"What are you on about?"

"Look, Az, I know you have this idea that you aren't good enough for anyone, but it's not true. You change people, and Eris is a perfect example. He seems like this terrible person, but when he's talking about you, its like he's on LSD. He gets all soft." Feyre took his hand.

"He's dreaming about this future with you, and I want you to have that. Beron goes, as soon as possible. I don't care what we have to do to make it happen."

"Thank you, Feyre." His voice grated against the air as he drew back his hand. 

Meredith returned with their drinks, placing them daintily on the table, batting her eyelashes at Azriel. He mumbled a thanks, brushing her off.

"I am so sorry, Azriel. I hurt you. I have no excuse. That's what I've been trying to say. I feel awful. The things I said, the way I acted, it was horrid. And I hope that you can accept my apology." 

He lifted his iced tea to his mouth and took a long sip before looking back at her.

"I accept your apology." Azriel said dully, swirling his drink with the straw. 

Feyre slowly drank her latte, watching her friend over the brim of the mug. When she placed it back down, she reaching into the cross body bag she carried.

"I have something for you, and I hope it will make you feel better."

She stared at the creamy envelope in her hand, fiddling with the bent corner. 

"I don't want your money." Azriel sighed, rubbing his face and turning to the window. 

"You'll want this." She said quietly, placing the letter on the table between them. "I can see how much you love Eris. And I remember when I was in the Spring Court, away from Rhysand, it hurt. I can't imagine that for five hundred years.

"I thought that there must be someway for you to talk, until you see each other at the wedding. You can't communicate directly, but I had an idea." She took a short sip of her drink, meeting Azriels eye. "So I sent him a letter, explaining my idea. It's punishable by law to read a High Lord or Ladies mail, or the correspondents, so I knew it would be protected."

"I received this letter this morning." Feyre picked it up from the mahogany surface, holding it out to her friend. "I haven't read it."

He took it hesitantly from her hand, glancing for a moment at the back of the letter, smiling slightly as he recognized the penmanship of the address.

Feyre was silent as he opened the envelope and read the letter, his face lightening. By the end of the letter, his face was brighter than the sky on Starfall.

"Thank you, Feyre." He murmured, folding the letter and holding it tightly in his hand. 

"You can write back whenever." She smiled at him.

A thunderous sound echoed from outside the café, and they turned to see that the downpour had begun. 

"We should probably get out of here." She laughed.

"On three?" Azriel asked, downing the dregs of his drink. Feyre nodded.

They stood in the doorway, clutching the others hand.

"One." Azriel started. "Two." He glanced at down at Feyre. "Three."

They ran.