In the Shadows

Chapter 11: Jealousy and Distance

Azriel felt the weight of Morrigan's words pressing on him like a shroud as he prowled through the familiar halls of the House of Wind, shadows swirling restlessly around him. Her confrontation had left him with a storm of emotions—guilt, confusion, and a lingering ache that he couldn't shake. She had warned him to be careful, to remember his place and responsibilities, but what Morrigan had really done was remind him of his doubts.

He thought of Skye, of the way her presence seemed to seep into the cracks of his armor, bypassing his defenses with effortless ease. The pull he felt toward her was undeniable, and yet, he could feel himself withdrawing, instinctively drawing back in a futile attempt to regain control. She had become too important, too quickly, and it terrified him.

So, he distanced himself. He withdrew into the shadows, resumed his duties, and tried to quell the feelings that threatened to consume him. Yet, every time he caught sight of her—whether in passing or across a crowded room—the ache intensified, a reminder of everything he wanted but couldn't have.

Skye noticed. He could see the hurt in her eyes when their paths crossed, the way she held herself just a little more rigidly, the way her smile never quite reached her eyes when she looked at him. It gnawed at him, each interaction chipping away at his resolve, until he could barely stand it anymore.

One evening, he found her on the training grounds, her movements sharp and precise as she vented her frustration on a practice dummy. He watched her for a moment, the shadows curling tightly around him, before he stepped forward, drawn to her despite himself.

"Did I do something wrong?" Skye asked, her voice slicing through the tension as she turned to face him, a hint of defiance in her gaze. Her eyes were ablaze, challenging him to deny what she already knew.

Azriel hesitated, his hands clenching into fists as he struggled for words. "No," he replied, his voice flat. "I just have a lot of responsibilities. Things that... things that I need to focus on."

She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at him. "I'm not blind, Azriel. I see the way you avoid me, the way you shut down whenever I get too close. If you don't want me around, just say it."

"It's not that simple," he snapped, his temper flaring. Her accusations stung, and the words slipped from his lips before he could stop them. "I don't have the luxury of... attachments. I can't afford to let my guard down."

"Attachments?" she echoed, her tone incredulous. "Is that what you think this is? An inconvenience? You think I'm here to make your life harder?"

He raked a hand through his hair, frustration simmering beneath the surface. "You don't understand. You're not the one who has to protect everyone, to make sure nothing falls apart. My choices affect more than just me—they affect everyone around me."

Skye's jaw clenched, her eyes flashing with anger. "So that's it, then? You'll just keep everyone at arm's length, refuse to let anyone in because you're afraid of losing control?"

Azriel's gaze darkened, his shadows flickering wildly as he took a step closer, the space between them shrinking. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I?" She squared her shoulders, lifting her chin defiantly. "I know what it's like to have people depend on you, to feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. But that doesn't mean you get to use it as an excuse to push people away."

His temper flared, the words slipping from his lips before he could stop them. "And you think you're any different? You're just as closed off, just as guarded. You act like you want to be seen, but the moment someone tries, you run."