A Court of Flame and Shadow (Azriel x eris)

Chapter 24: Azriel

Wind blew gently as the Inner Circle and associates winnowed onto the balcony Beron had asked them to arrive on. He had briefly lifted the wards, for just long enough for them to winnow in, at the agreed time. He, his sons, and wife already waited on the balcony. 

Eris.

The sweet breeze blew through Eris's light hair, the sun casting a glow over it, giving him an angelic appearance. Always the good dresser, the High Lords eldest wore a a long, forest green trench coat over a white shirt, and brown pants tucked into tall boots. He did not spare a glance for the Shadowsinger. 

Azriel didn't even try to catch his eye as he sunk into a bow, but as he rose, Rhysand caught his own. "Do not step out of line" the look seemed to say. Feyre also glanced at him, a more comforting look on her face. But his mates eyes were harsh, sad, and cruel.

As he straightened, Beron spoke.

"Welcome back to my court. Please, do make yourselves comfortable, and follow my servant to your rooms." And the vile male was gone, swept away in a gust of the wind that seemed relentless. Finally, Eris caught his gaze. 

The too-young servant girl stepped forward, gesturing for them to follow, which they did. As Azriel passed Eris, their hands brushed, and the red-haired male looked to him.

"Shadowsinger." Eris said curtly, loving undertone unidentifiable to anyone else. 

"Eris." He replied shortly. "I love you, I missed you, are you okay?" Were the words that couldn't come out of their mouths. A loving tug on the bond would have to do.

~

The brunette servant lead them to their rooms silently, despite Feyres attempts at conversation. Finally, Rhys said; "Why wont you talk?" His tone was gentle, but the undertone said that Beron would have hell to pay if he had physically stopped her.

"I have been commanded not to." She whispered, clearly afraid of getting caught. Rhys and Feyre shared a glance.

"Why?" Rhys asked.

"Beron thinks that children, specifically females, should be seen and not heard." Meredith answered for her. They all looked at her, confused.

"My mama was a servant here. I grew up here, in the village nearby, actually." She explained, looking at the little girl. "What is your name?"

"Mallie." She shook slightly, glancing around, as if Beron may be lurking nearby. 

"How old are you, Mallie?"

"I'm ten. I only got this job because my mama is a chef in the kitchens." She mumbled.

"How much are you paid?" Cassian asked her.

"I am not paid." Mallie looked confused, frowning up at the towering Cassian.

Meredith looked at her in shock, then Rhysand, who was gaping.

"These are you rooms. I will be waiting out here to take you to dinner, at five-thirty sharp." The tiny girl gestured to a set of oak doors, with solid gold handles. 

~

It wasn't until they were in the entrance room slash lounge room that they all reacted properly to the information they had just received. 

"She isn't even allowed to speak!" Mor cried, shaking slightly. "They are evil, the lot of them. Can you believe that?"

Rhys shook his head slowly. "Beron can't do this." He said quietly. "It's awful. How does he get away with this? Why has no one rebelled?"

"Don't think they haven't tried, because they did! I remember vividly, it was why my mother died." Meredith spoke up, pale faced and teary eyed. Elain wrapped an arm around her. 

"Did Beron kill her?" She asked timidly.

She nodded. "I forgave him a long time ago. The past is the past, and hating wont bring him back." She grimaced bashfully.

"I can't believe you came back here." Azriel murmured, filing this information away. "I know I couldn't."

Meredith smiled tightly. "I guess that's the difference between us. I just want to forget, and I don't think holding onto that anger will help." She said brightly.

The words hit Azriel harder than they should of. Forgiving and forgetting had never been a motto of his, but perhaps it was worth a try.