ACOTAR and ToG Crossover

7| The Castle

     The climb back to the royal grounds was both treacherous and exciting. The Queen asked many questions about the Night Court, and Prythian in general. While the shadow-singer only hummed in acknowledgement, the healer held a conversation with the three from the royal court. The shifter grew a liking towards Rosalynn, and even the cousin found her to be entertaining and sweet. The Queen had already pounced on the opportunity to be the healer's friend, as many people found her to be caring and loyal. While Azriel did not talk much, what he did say was what the court listened to intently. 

       "So you ended up finding your High Lord at the salon getting his eyebrows plucked?" the shifter asked. Rosalynn nodded her head, chuckling at the horrified expression plastered onto Aedion's face. The aid to the Queen rubbed his eyebrows, glad to feel the bushes that grew above his turquoise eyes. "I think Aedion would love to go get his eyebrows done," Lysandra stated sweetly, making sure to brush her hand up and down her mate's bicep. Aedion bit his lip harshly to keep himself from groaning, and glared at the shifter. However, with one feline smile, Lysandra had her mate in her arms to mold like clay. "Good boy," she cooed after the cousin nodded his head.

       Rosalynn couldn't help but feel like she just intruded onto something personal when watching the two bicker. With Nesta and Cassian, she always found it funny when the two fought, but it was more sexual with the shifter and her mate. She squirmed uncomfortably, and tucked herself into Azriel's chest loosely. However, Azriel tightened his grip onto his mate when the entire company stopped. He looked to his mate, who had a worried look on her face after watching Aedion draw his sword. "We've had a problem with Fae beasts lately, my Queen," the demi-Fae informed, causing the Queen to curse violently. "And it seems that two of them want to make an appearance." As if on queue, two large lions appeared from the brush. 

        The lions looked like the stereotypical beast, minus the fact that they were dripping green goo from their multiple mouths. They had two heads, and their eyes showcased how rabid they were. They stared down the Queen, before charging at her. Azriel went to go protect the Queen, but his mate stopped him. "No, let them battle. If they truly need our help, they will ask," she whispered, before pulling him away from the ambush and into the brush. The shadow-singer pulled out his sword and held it in front of his mate as a sign of protection. Through the trees, the healer saw the battle taking place. "If we were to help, the Queen would have gotten mad. I know that she wants these kills, you can see it in her eyes."  

          Azriel watched carefully as the Fae burned the lions alive. He was about to go congratulate Her Majesty when not one, but five  more lions burst from the brush. He had no time to stare or listen for Aelin's cry of help, because he swiftly flew over the Queen's head and blasted one lion to bits with his powers. He then unsheathed his sword and started to decapitate all of the lions one by one. He didn't pay attention to the Queen by his side, burning the corpses to bits. 

         When all of the beasts were gone, the Queen looked to him incredulously. "I remember your High Lord saying that you could fight, but that was amazing," Aelin commended, causing the shadow-singer to bow his head slightly. Almost instantly, his mate was by his side, looking him over. He only had a minor scratch on his arm, but Rosalynn took no time in waiting for the castle. She took Azriel's hand and led him to a small brook. The shadow-singer didn't know how she sensed the water, but it didn't matter as she gently cupped the clear water and put it onto his gash. 

          He let out a slight hiss at the burning, but Rosalynn didn't pay attention as she focused her attention to healing his arm. After a moment, he looked to his arm to see it completely healed, and he looked to see his mate sitting back on her knees. He was about to say something, when the Queen walked to them hurriedly, with her cousin on his shoulder. Rosalynn stood, looking more and more like the Healer of the Night Court. "He hurt his leg pretty bad, we should get going so he can see the healers," Aelin persuaded, causing Azriel to stand and take the commander's shoulder. 

          "I can heal him," Rosalynn stated, walking up to Aedion with a gentle smile. He looked slightly scared, but she led him quickly to the brook. "Place him in," she ordered, though her voice was soft. Aelin looked slightly skeptical, but it quickly stopped as Aedion hissed loudly and bit his lip. He cursed loudly, sounding a lot like his cousin. Rosalynn examined his gash, which was located in his thigh, and merely placed her hand there. She closed her eyes, and focused on her power. Immediately, the two sides of his gash mended, and with one final breath, she leaned on her knees and sighed. It had drained her slightly, and her vision was only a tad blurry. 

            "Wow," Aedion breathed, examining his leg. "You're a very talented healer." Rosalynn smiled exasperatedly, and let out a breath. 

              "Are you alright, love?" Azriel asked his mate as he helped her stand. The healer quickly nodded, but not brushing off her mate. She loved his warmth, and his solidarity by her side. 

            "I am fine," she assured quietly, making sure only Azriel could hear. He nodded his head, and they both looked back to the Demi-Fae in the water. "I'm sorry for putting you completely in the water. You may be a little cold." The Queen abruptly laughed, pulling Aedion out of the river. 

             "I promise, he won't be cold. I'll warm him up," Aelin promised. Aedion was about to warn the Queen of something, but it was interrupted by a shrill scream. Both the shadow-singer and healer jumped slightly, and Rosalynn almost screamed in terror as the Queen's right hand was cursing, because he was on fire. Aelin and Lysandra were laughing hysterically as the demi-Fae abruptly self-extinguished. 

               "Cruel," Aedion muttered, before looking at the shocked Azriel and the horrified Rosalynn. "You've scared the guests, Aelin. Way to go." The Queen merely shrugged, and continued to stride toward the direction of the castle. "I apologize for my Queen's childish actions. I promise that I am not harmed." 

               Azriel snapped out of his trance, and nodded his head. Rosalynn, however, was still both mystified and terrified at what had just happened. She felt her legs sway slightly, though her mind couldn't get the image out of her head. As a healer, seeing a patient on fire was never a good sign, and usually meant death. Seeing the aid perfectly fine, especially after watching the Queen burn those beasts, made her head spin. 

               With one quick swoop, Azriel swept Rosalynn into his arms, and started to follow Aedion to the castle. "Love, he's alright," he whispered into her ear as she latched onto his neck and snuggled her head into his shoulder. For now, this was the only space where the healer felt safe, considering her world was undoubtedly flipped on its head. 

              "Is she alright?" the shifter asked, seeing Rosalynn shaking slightly. "Aelin, you really scared her."

              "She's a healer, so she's not used to seeing someone on fire and not in pain. She will be fine in a couple hours," Azriel assured, reading into her mind. Rosalynn nodded her head slightly, showing that he spoke true. 

               "Well, we have arrived, so you two can get settled," the Queen spoke, and the backside of the palace was 30 feet away.