A Court of Flame and Shadow (Azriel x eris)

Chapter 27: Azriel

Meredith dissolved into tears the moment they arrived back at their room. Elain cradled the sobbing girl, whispering into her ear. 

"Is he as bad as he seems?" She choked out, shooting an arm out to lean on the nearby couch.

"Eris is vile." Mor promptly answered. "I know it's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth." Sounds of agreement filled the room, from every mouth but Azriels. He had stiffened the moment Beron had suggested the marriage, and hadn't relaxed since, because while he wanted what would keep his mate safe, he wanted Eris more.

"Azriel?" Nesta called, interrupting his spiral into shadows.

"Mmh?" He glanced up to meet expectant faces. 

"Isn't Eris terrible?" Cassian asked him.

Azriel froze. As much as the lie hurt, he must tell it.

"He's the worst." The lie scrapped the back of his throat. Azriel turned away to the window that over looked the stunning valley plowing down below, tuning out of the conversation.

Red scattered with orange spread below as trees, and above in the form of vines. Far down in the valley, a waterfall fed into a winding river, that stretched beyond the horizon, glistening in the low sun slipping below the line of trees. 

Storm clouds slid from the west, possibly coming from the summer storms Varian had mentioned. It would be a dark night, devoid of any light from the stars, which would be a refreshing change from the court where stars were the main attraction. 

A knock sounded on the door, blurry in the back of Azriels mind. The thing that pulled him back to reality was Meredith screeching at the visitor.

"I wont marry you! I wont marry you, no!" Her voice was thick with tears as she screamed at the Heir of Flames, who just blinked at her. 

"I don't plan on marrying anyone anytime soon, so don't worry about it." He called after her as Elain dragged her into her bedroom, followed by Mor, Emerie, and Gwyn who spared no glances for Eris. 

"My apologies Eris, I will speak with her about such behavior." Rhys said quickly, tamping down whatever fire he feared may erupt.

Eris brushed it off. "Oh, I'm not bothered, who would want to marry me anyway?" He laughed, the self-deprecation seeming horribly familiar to him. "The intention of my visit was not to create discourse, though."

"What was the intention of your visit, then?" Cassian asked mockingly.

Eris raised his eyebrows and turned to the High Lord and Lady. "I have need of your spymaster." 

"May I ask why?" Rhysand scowled knowingly, looking back at Azriel.

The heir pressed his lips together. "I have business with him."

"What kind of business?" Cassian demanded. Nesta rested a hand on his arm.

"If you must know, I have a proposition related to our alliance that I would like to run through him before you." He said sharply, in a way that may have actually convinced Rhysand that it was, in fact, the case.

He relented. "Do not be long. Azriel needs rest for tomorrow." The implications of the sentence were crystal clear, Azriel thought as he followed his mate out the door.

With a quick look down the hallway, Eris turned back and placed a hand on Azriels arm, without a word. A moment later, they were winnowing away.

~

The room they landed in was enormous, seemingly larger that their entire suite. Gold fittings covered every wall, joined by delicate artwork. The ceiling was covered in a stunning painting, depicting angels and gods at work. One side of the room was a lounge, furnished with oversized gold couches and lavish rugs. Vines tumbled over the excessively large fireplace that was topped with a mirror the size of a house.

The other side of the room was decorated by a bed big enough for a hundred fae. The opulent bed was covered in lush blankets and pillows, giving it a softer-than-clouds look.

The western wall was completely open, the only form of wall being tall copper pillars draped in gauzy ivory curtains. A balcony came off it, hanging over the valley Azriel had been admiring just moments ago from many floors below.

Once Azriel had finished admiring the marvel that was Eris's bedroom, he turned back to his mate, who was leaning against the post of his four-poster bed, and laughed.

"How pretentious! Did you decorate this?" The red haired male shook his head.

"Came like it." He moved closer, snaking his arms around Azriels back and burying his face in the crook his his neck, taking a deep breath. Azriel copied the movement, relaxing into his mates body.