In The Mist of Shadows

Chpt. 9

When morning came, Adela was actually excited about her training with Azriel. The night before, her and Thea carried the six largest books on the topic of Illyrians they could find before bring them back to Adela's room and devouring them throughout the night, Thea stopped after book three and excused herself to go to bed, but Adela forced her body to stay awake to read. The Illyrians were by far the most interesting creatures she has heard of. Not just the training but their honor systems, how they live, even their cruel traditions fascinated her. Although she would like to personally say hello to anyone who decided to cut their daughters' wings.

A knock sounded on her door, pulling her away from her thoughts. She opened the door to reveal Azriel. Although he wasn't in his training leathers, he was only in leather pants and a sleeveless shirt. "Good morning Princess." Azriel forced himself to calm whatever pounded through him as he said it.

Adela also had to will herself to calm, from nerves from training with a male or just with training with this male she was unsure. "Good morning shadowsinger."

"Breakfast." He was quick to say as he turned, praying for himself to relax, it would be a long morning if he couldn't swallow his emotions or thoughts.

When they walked up the stairs and to the dining room it was not only Cassian and Nesta who were there, but Rhysand was also waiting. "Adela." He spoke, looking back and forth between her and Azriel, as if he was spotting something.

"Hi." In the past day she completely forgotten about him, about their story, where she was, who she was, everything. She allowed training and learning about anything and everything in books with Thea to distract her. But it was now all pushing back. This was real, she found a brother, a home she should have had, a life she could have had. The question panged around in her being: Who would she be if she found her way here, where she belonged a long time ago? Maybe before her father killed her mother and ruined her wings. Maybe before he turned her into The Winged Commander of Death. She allowed herself to wonder if things had been different would she still feel this way, out of place? Wrong? Not worthy of anything? As her last thought crossed her mind Azriel stiffened by the pillar, Adela was quick to shove her thoughts back down.

"You're busy this morning." Rhysand spoke.

"Kind of?" She looked to Nesta for comfort. She didn't know how to talk to a High Lord. Let alone her brother.

"How about lunch then? I wanted to talk over some things with you." He went to take a step forward but then paused.

He didn't mean anything wrong, he just wanted to make sure she was comfortable, felt safe. But the gesture of being careful and treading lightly around her made some irritation shine through. "Sure."

Rhysand smiled a small smile however before winnowing away. The three looked at her when she took a breath and finally sat down, waiting for any reaction. But she swallowed it down and sat in her seat before eating, the others following suit.

When they walked out Nesta pulled her aside and whispered an "are you sure you're okay?" In to which Adela nodded. So Cassian and Nesta paired up for the morning and went to the ring, but Azriel didn't lead her to the other side, he led her to the trees that surpassed the height of the House of Wind they called it. Between two of the thickest and tallest trees was a rope tied to each and hanging between them. However, there were no stairs, ladder, not even branches to get her up there. Like he was reading her mind Azriel spoke. "First task is to get up there. I built platforms on each side, but I must have forgotten steps." Cassian looked their way, confused as to why he was toying with her. Some part of him forgot that he fully trusted Azriel and felt protective over Adela.

Adela however shrugged his playful manor away and grabbed the long fabric of silk that was intricately placed by the tree. She wrapped it around the trunk, wrapping her hands in the ends and tugged on it. Pulling it, she walked up before throwing the fabric up and making a few more steps. She has done this thousands of times before, so it didn't take long before she stepped onto the platform.