Azriel's Heir

3: Ash

Ash couldn't sleep the whole night, he couldn't get the image of Kova out of his mind. She had stood up to him infront of his family had teased him and he had enjoyed their game. He kept reliving her small look back at him before she left, white hair darting around her head, ice blue eyes twinkling with amusement. She looked at him like he was some sort of game, Ash realised he like the way she saw him. It was better than the awestruck or shy looks he got, or the subtle wink and the flash of skin. It wasn't that he hadn't met other girls, he'd met plenary but none of them had treats him the way Kova had. She frayed him like an equal, a person. Not some God or prize to try to win.

The sun rose from behind the mountain, Ash crawled out of bed dressing in black trousers and shirt heading towards the roof. As he approached he heard the sound of metal in metal. Surprised he hurried to the door, finding the roof already occupied. Cassian dropped from the sky rolling into a strike his blade clashing against Kova who had spun to meet his. Her hair was braided down her back a stark contrast to her dark Illyrian leathers. She held two curved blades, Ash had to admit he was impressed. Fighting with two curves blades was rare, very few chose to, it was difficult and dangerous as well as requiring a high level of agility.

To Ash's surprise she was laughing, as was Cassian. "Concentrate Kova! Your left elbow is two high" Azriel called from where he stood watching the two. But even he was smiling at the happiness that Cassian and Kova were getting out of a simple sparring match.

After a few more minutes Cassian again dropped from the sky from where he had retreated slightly, his wings flared behind him. Instead of rolling he landed with a strike, his strength finally overpowering Kova who was thrown backwards by Cassian attack her sword flying out of her hand. The other pined uselessly to the ground.

Cassain's bark of laughter made Kova scowl then playful roller her eyes smiling again. "You haven't moved since you got here" a voice pulled Ash's head away from Cassain and Kova. His father was watching him carefully, "I didn't want to distract them", he lied quickly. Rhys raised his eyebrows. "Ash get over here and spar" Cassian yelled at them across the roof, his arm slung casually over Kova's shoulders'.

She was watching him again, ice blue eyes sweeping him up and down. "See something in me yet, little Lynx?" He teased her, Kova's face remained impassive as she gave him a bored stare.

Ash took his place infront of Cassian the Illyrian chuckling quietly as he attacked Ash's left side. Ash was well aware of his father standing beside Kova, talking quietly to the girl while they both watched him. "Pay attention Ash" Azriel chided as Ash narrowly dodged Cassian sword millimetres before it cut his face. Ash wasn't surprised that he ended up in his back with Cassian's foot on his throat he sword out of reach.

"Breakfasts before you mongrels kill each other" Feyre called, Cassian and Rhys both bolted for the kitchen while Azriel followed throwing a nod at Kova. The white haired girl walked up to him placing her hand in his arm. Her fingers were cold on his skin, causing a shiver to run up his arm and down his spine.

"Come" her command was simple, guiding him down the stairs. Although he found himself following he could stop the words that escaped his mouth, "Who granted you power to order a High Lords son, little Lynx". She threw him a glare, "Who granted you permission to call me Lynx"
"Touché"

They entered the dinning room, Ash taking his seat opposite Mor, the blonde giving him a smirk but her eyes flashed between Azriel and Kova. The Illyrian had his hand draped round Kova's shoulders a smile on his lips as he listened to her talk very quickly, moving her hands through the air to add emphasis to her story.

They had finished breakfast when Rhys turned to Kova who had been in conversation with Mor. "How is the Winter Court and Kallias?" He asked casually. Kova raised her head pausing, "Yes, Azriel told me where you spend a lot of your time".
"The winter court recently was flourishing" her voice was careful, controlled.
"Was?" Feyre breathed,
"Something dark is spreading across the courts, it stared in Spring, Kallias sent me to aid Tamlin but soon the Winter Court was attacked"

"By what?" Cassian said slowly, again her glance at Azriel had Ash gripping the table. A strange heat entering his mind. "A shadow" Azriel whispered, "Many fall ill, it starts with the screaming, people overtaken with fear they claw at themselves. Then comes the tiredness, heavy enough people can't rise from their beds. An finally the illness. Fevers with nightmares and hallucinations".

The table had gone very quite. "I watched a man claw one of his eyes out" Kova said in that same cold voice that betrayed no emotion of how she felt. "Why didn't you tell us of this Azriel?" Rhys asked,
"I couldn't" the shadow-singer replied, "You would have discovered Kova's involvement and I couldn't break my promise to her" Shadows circled around Azriel covering his face. "She wanted me away from the courts, but that's impossible now" Kova said gently her hands interlocking with Azriel's. "Perhaps she always knew..."

Azriel stood up leaving the room before anyone could at anything else. Kova's face was a mask of calm as she turned to Rhys. "We believe that this is Xavier's work. He's searching for a way to get to Ash" she nodded at Ash.

Rhys stood up placing a hand on Kova's shoulders as she to stood to face the High Lord. "Stay with my son" his eyes flicked to Ash's, "But go to Azriel now. I will not pretend to completely understand him but you know something I don't".

Her white hair flashed in the sun as she made for the door, blue eyes catching its rays. "Thankyou High Lord"
"Your family now. Call me Rhys"
With that Kova slipped out the door.

———————————————-
A/N sorry for the gap between updates. I know this isn't an exciting chapter but this is vital background stuff that needs to occur for the story to make sense later on.

Thankyou so much for reading this. As always I love to read any comments you leave.

Tess