A Court of Flame and Shadow (Azriel x eris)

Chapter 36: Azriel

An owl cooed late into the night from the tree by Azriels window, staying quiet for long anough that he could think it was the end of it. The only thing that stopped him from going over and throttling the bird was the simple fact that he was too tired.

He had socialised way more than he should have, and whilst he was grateful that his friends had forced him to eat dinner with them, the best part of the evening had been going back to Eris. 

By midnight, the pinkish moon of the Dawn Court was high in the sky, and Azriel was halfway through a sleepless night. He had sat, hand in Eris's, a finger resting over his pulse that thumped much to slowly for his liking. But at least it still pulsed. 

~

The stupid owl was still making sounds when the screaming begun. Azriel jolted upright, sure he had imagined it, but when the nightmarish wailing continued, his curiosity got the better of him. Placing a kiss on Eris's forehead and wrapping his hand around the emerald earing he had been holding since Thesan had taken it off, he walked slowly out the door.

The screaming dulled to low wailing and sobs as he walked down the halls to the room he suspected it was coming from. The door hung open slightly, possibly fallen open with the force of the crying. 

Gently pushing it furthur open, quietly as possible, Azriel stuck his head into the dark room. 

Amren kneeled in the middle of the bed, tears streaming down her face like a waterfall. Varian kneeled in front of her, clutching her face, repeating the same words; "I am here, I am with you." 

The moonlight cast a shadow across the pair, leaving them in the complete dark, bar for Amrens eyes that glowed with tears. A memory struck the back of Azriels mind. Amren had been crying when they had arrived to pick them up from Autumn. Had she had a nightmare that night and had woken up to an empty bed?

"Azriel." Amrens tearful voice broke through his thoughts. Her face wasn't angry, more embarassed. 

"I'm sorry, Amren." He whispered, going to slip back out the door. But she jumped up, stormed over, pulled him through the doorway and slammed it shut. 

"What, were you just lurking in the halls? What are you doing here?" She snapped, any sign of gentlness gone from her face.

"I heard you screaming, I wanted to make sure you were okay!" He whisper-shouted. 

"You were worried about me?" Her face was judgmental, but her tone grateful, in a way he had never heard.

"I was awake, I needed something to do!"

"So you came to check on me..." Her change of tone was enough to give any fae whiplash. Then, the most curious thing occurred. Amren, for the first time in the five hundred years he had known her, wrapped her arms around Azriel. Her embrace was tight, as if she had been looking for a reason to hug him her whole life, as if she may never let go.

"Thank you." Azriel murmured into her ear. She smiled against his chest, but her usual scowl had returned when she pulled away. 

"Never mention it, or I will skin you." Azriel shuddered at the fullness of the threat.

~

The owl had finally silenced by the time Azriel arrived back at his room almost an hour later. Amren had sent him off quickly, but Varian had followed him to thank him, for not throwing him under the bus, and for bothering enough to check on his mate.

Azriel had spent the rest of the hour he had been gone haunting the area their rooms were in, sorting through his thoughts. But one still talked around in his head when he reached his room again.

What if Eris didn't wake up?

~

Amren watched the door attentively, waiting patiently for her prince to return.

Her prince. It was such a lovely thought to have after fifteen thousand years of lonely life. Gods, he was her prince. She wouldn't want to wake screaming next to anyone else.

Amren placed a hand on the same spot of her face that Varian held with his calloused hands when she had her nightmare. A warm blush crept across her face. He really did love her.

~

The door opened slowly as her prince returned. He met her quicksilver eyes with a beam, pushing the door shut behind him.

"Do you want to tell me about your dream?" He offered gently as he slipped back into bed beside her.

"Same as always. It was so awful,  Varian, when you weren't there."

"I'm sorry, my dear." Varian whispered, tucking her under his arm. "Are you angry that Azriel came? "

She shook her head. "Azriel is a good friend. I hope he will be okay."

Varian glanced down at her. "What do you think will happen? Do you think Eris will wake?"

Amren smirked. "Oh, I know for certain he will."

"What?" Varian drew back.

"You didn't think I was just a normal fae now,  did you?"

"I thought you lost all your powers!"

"I did." Amren grinned widely. "Doesn't mean I didn't get new ones."