In The Mist of Shadows

Chpt. 9

When Adela woke she was actually excited about her training with Azriel. She spent hours reading the six books her and Thea could bring to her room. 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. "Good morning shadowsinger."

"Breakfast." He was quick to say as he turned, praying for himself to relax.

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 Thea to distract her. But it was now all pushing back.

"You're busy this morning."

"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."

"Sure."

Rhysand smiled before winnowing away. The three looked at her, waiting for any reaction but she swallowed it down and sat in her seat before eating.

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 went to the ring but Azriel led her to the trees that surpassed the height of the manor. Between two of them was a rope tying them together. 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 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.

Azriel was already there, either winnowing or using his wings she didn't know. But he had a smirk on his face before he stepped onto the rope. It bowed and wobbled under his weight. But he kept himself steady. "Well that's not fair. You have wings that balance you off." Adela spoke, just now realizing how far up they were.

"Fine. If you want to whine about fairness-" He walked back onto the platform and grabbed some rope that was already tied to a branch as if he knew she would make this point. He wrapped it around him twice, wincing a bit as he tied it tight.

"Do they hurt?" Adela asked, willing herself to stop focusing on the drop below, but on him.

"No, they're just... Sensitive when things touch them." Azriel finished the knot and held out his hands as if to say 'there. Happy?'

Adela nodded to tell him she was satisfied before joining him on the rope. It wasn't easy to keep herself up but she has done this before with Roen. "What if I fall?"