Wind Wielder

Chapter 43- Entering the Den

"I don't like this," Azriel murmured quietly.

They were waiting side by side in the clearing. The same one Eris had dropped her off to before the High Lord's meeting, the same one Zara had kicked his ass in one day prior. Azriel gripped her hand, tension creasing between his brows.

Zara smiled, and ran a hand over his jaw, affection bursting forth like little butterflies scattering from her stomach. "I'll be fine. I can handle myself."

Azriel grimaced, brief agony running over his features. "I know, I know, but...." His eyes fluttered shut, and he pressed a kiss against her hairline, her jaw. "I just don't like it."

Zara smiled softly and wrapped an arm around his neck, nuzzling him closer, soaking in his scent and warmth. "I know. And I get it. But I'll send a message through the winds once I get somewhere safe. I'll let you know alright? I'll be back before you know it."

Azriel bit his lip, an expression that did not go unnoticed by Zara. She grinned. "I'll tell you what," she murmured, running a hand down the defined divet between his abdomen muscles. "I'll come home to you soon, and then we can finish all the things we started in my room. Hmm?"

To her knee bending relief, Azriels eyes regained the spark they had been missing. He tilted his head to the side. "Oh?"

Zara grinned. "You know. When I touched your wings Azriel. You can't possibly think that those are those only parts of you I've imagined running my fingers over."

Azriels eyes turned heated. "Oh really?" Azriel murmured. "Well if it's all the same to you, I've been imagining the places I'd touch you far longer than you have. So that being said Sunshine; get in line," Azriel purred.

Wicked delight raced down her spine, static electricity zapping from her toes into the crackling snow below. Zara grinned. "I sure hope you keep those ideas in mind, Azriel," She mused, pushing off his chest to take a step back, "I'll be counting on it."

"And answers." Azriel said, the heat within his gaze diminishing. "I want... I know things have been hectic and they won't slow down anytime soon but..." Azriels eyes burned into her very soul. Questions and intent swirling within his hazel irises. "I need answers, Sunshine. Soon."

Azriel had alienated himself from his entire family for Zara, and it was blind trust and love that kept him loyal to her despite the half millennia he had spent with his brothers, with Rhys. Zara knew her confession had torn a rift between Azriel and Rhys that wouldn't likely heal anytime soon... and had certainly ripped apart any mending bonds between herself and her oldest friend. Azriel had been allowed a mere half hour with Zara after she stormed out of the Townhouse before Rhys called him into his office, likely to give him the verbal lashing of his life. And Azriel had endured it, had endured his rage and betrayal and scrutiny for her. Despite the fact Zara had only given him mere hours of warning.

Azriel deserved to know more. He deserved to know more about what secrets he was keeping at the cost of straining his relationship with his family. But if this was to work, if her plan was going to be successful...

"I know," Zara said, squeezing the Shadowsingers hand tighter. "And you have no idea how grateful I am Azriel, truly." She sent out a blast of assurance down the ether, and watched it as his shadows shivered with delight in response. "When I get back, I'll tell you everything. Everything. But first you need to know that Lucien sent me letters about the ca–"

A crack of light and sound. Azriels eyes snapped to her right. Then there was burning pain wrapping around her wrist and panicked shadows racing– erupting towards her–