In The Mist of Shadows

Chpt. 25

Upon arriving back to the High Lord's home, Rhysand had to wave off Tarquin who was already at the door, asking him to wait for a report before leading a blood-soaked Adela to her room. He waited patiently for her to get washed up before she headed to bed. When she walked out he tucked her in and sat with her, even sang to her as their mother once did to him when he was little before she finally fell asleep.

When he walked to the main room Azriel and Amren were already there waiting. It took one glance to Azriel for the male to start breaking down and falling to his knees. Rhysand was quick to catch him and hold him up as he sobbed freely and loudly in Rhysand's chest. He felt defeat like nothing he has ever felt before. And fear. Fear that he was truly going to lose her.

Rhysand couldn't help but feel that way as well, letting a few tears slip himself. Even Amren rubbed Azriel's shoulders as sorrow filled her heart. "She's stronger than any female I've seen." Amren offered.

It didn't help much but Azriel nodded as he composed himself, he'll cry later when he's alone. "D-Do you think she knows?"

"I think she knows she's deeply connected to him, but her fear of her emotions and power tonight prove that she doesn't know."

Azriel let out a sigh to the ceiling that was ornately decorated with stained glass of blues and purples. "I just want all of this to end."

"Soon... For now, I think it would be best to not find out if Roen is truly dead."

Azriel and Amren both whipped their heads to Rhysand. "Absolutely not, not unless she asks not to." Azriel snapped.

"Did you see her tonight? Imagine how she will be when she finds he is truly dead?"

"Do you have no hope? Maybe he's not." Rhysand was about to reply but Azriel interrupted. "If you can't have hope in that then have faith in your sister that she is strong enough not to completely break! She doesn't understand how she is connected with him, maybe if we tell her she will know to be mindful of her emotions, her power."

"And what if she's not?! She will turn this Court and the next completely upside down!"

Azriel stepped back, completely hurt and stunned by his words. "You don't know that."

"EXACTLY! WE KNOW NOTHING OF THIS!" His voice boomed loud enough others passing by, even a few hallways down could hear... And Adela.

She winnowed from her bed to in front of Azriel, teeth bared to Rhysand. "Enough. I don't know what it is that you're fighting over but I think we have all had enough for the day. We can talk about it tomorrow." Rhysand forced his rising anger and words down and scoffed before he turned his heel and stormed to his own room, the door slammed to the point of groaning a threat of breaking. Adela sighed. "I'll be there in a moment." She spoke lovingly to Azriel. He nodded and walked towards her room. When he disappeared behind the wall she looked to Amren. "Is it true? Could this break me?"

"Only you can decide that."

"I-I don't know if I can handle anymore-" She began to cry, in which the female pulled out a cloth and handed it to her. "I don't want him to be... Gone."

"If he is just remember that now he can be with you always, no matter where you are. They are never really gone."

But there was something worse than him truly being dead. If he wasn't and decided to go back to Ells... She could never see him again, and knowing he chose her father's kingdom over her? Could she come back from that? "Can I ask something of you?"

Amren squinted her eyes but nodded.

~

She didn't know why she dressed in her leathers and sword strapped to her back. Maybe because she felt more comfortable in these than dresses, maybe because she had an inkling deep down that war was about to come. But none of them said anything when she came out. Although Rhysand tried to apologize, but she merely held up her hand and walked towards the room Tarquin instructed them to meet.