A Court of Flame and Shadow (Azriel x eris)

Chapter 37: Azriel

Gwyn was the first to arrive that morning, before the sun rose above the horizon, as if she knew that Azriel would be awake. Azriel was on the balcony, watching the shining lake below, surronded by tall, pale trees.

"What are you doing?" Gwyn called softly as she walked closer. 

"Just before the sun rises, it reflects on the moon and turns everything orange. It only happens here." Azriel explained quietly, glancing at the preistess that now stood beside him.

"Because it reminds you of autumn..." She trailed of.

Azriel shifted uncomfortably, wrapping his arms around himself. Gwyn cocked her head.

"I'm not mad at you, Azriel. Why would I be? It isn't like we were ever anything."

Azriel turned to meet her eye. "Are you sure?"

Gwyn smiled. "It did seem like... like you could like me sometimes. But you weren't leading me on purposfuly. I know that now. I was angry for a while, I couldn't understand why you wouldn't ask me out, for a bit I thought you might think I was... damaged goods."

"Oh, Gwyn, I never-" Gwyn cut him of with a gentle hand.

"Then I remembered that you could never think anything that awful. And I see now... you love him. And for sure, I'm a little dissapointed that you didn't feel like you could tell me you like males, but I am not mad. I'm actually really happy for you!" She grinned, patting him on the shoulder. "Don't be so hard on yourself."

After a moment of silence, she pointed down. Across the lake, orange light glowed of the water and trees like flames. A bird cried out, a hawk soaring low over the lake. Long talons stuck out, scraping the water, sending beads of water in every direction. 

"It's so beautiful here." Azriel sighed. "I do hope I don't have to stay here any longer."

~

Eris's mother joined them for breakfast in the morning, siting rather timidly and watching Azriel carfully out of one eye where he sat beside Eris.

"Aren't you going to eat, dear?" Her motherly voice asked.

"Soon." Azriel replyed, not looking up.

Cassian jumped in to explain. "He'll eat once Thesan has finished feeding Eris."

Indeed, the High Lord himself was standing carefully performing some kind of operatation with Eris to feed him, complicated enough that he chose not to take notice of it. All Azriel knew was that it was feeding his mate, and that was all that really mattered.

"Did anyone else hear that screaming last night?" Feyre asked. "I thought I imagined it but Rhys says he heard it too."

Amren stiffened, looking at the empty chair next to her. Varian had been called away to deal with more flooding in summer, and so she had hardly spoken a word all day. It seemed now was no exeption.

"It was me, I had a nightmare." Azriel cut in unhesitantly. "Sorry if I woke you."

Amren beamed at him, giving him a look that promised she owed him.

~

"I really think you should eat now, Azriel."

Thesan had left half an hour ago, but, as if her were glued to it, Azriel had not risen from the bed. His family had trailed out the door a while ago, but the Lady had stayed, much to worried for Azriels liking. 

"Mmh." He agreed, absentmindedly pulling himself up. "Why do you care so much?" He carefully kept his tone curious; being rude to such a gentle female would be like kicking a puppy.

"Because my son loves you very much, and he would never forgive me if something happened to you while he was asleep. I am too look after you, as much as you him." She explained, passing him a plate of sauseges and mashed potato. 

Azriel sighed, flopping down on the couch opposite her. "I am very grateful, of course, but I do not know anything about you. It would seem that your dead husband was quite insistent on making sure no one did."

"You are absolutly right. He didn't want me to be anything but his wife. Thats why no one ever knew my name. I was just Lady of Autumn, or Berons wife." She paused sadly. "It does feel awful to only be known by your husband."

Azriel frowned. "What is your name?"

She smiled softly. "Cassandra."

sorry for the late upload, I was kidnapped by an alpha mafia alien that fell in love with me and we travelled across the universe for years fighting intergalactic crime and having crazy sex and i only just got back.

Xx