Azriel's Heir

5: Ash

Even after 3 weeks in the Spring Court Ash still felt uncomfortable. The halls although beautifully decorated and pleasant, felt like they were closing in on him. These were the halls his mother had walked all those years ago, trapped and lonely. Ash kept having to remind himself he wasn't alone. He had Kova. Since the meadow they had talked a lot getting to know each other but every time he tried to broach the topic of her parents she would pull away, diverting the conversation,  with the tease that he was missing the warmth in his bed of another.

He knew both of them knew that Ash was no womaniser in that sense. He allowed her to tease him playfully, allowing the topic to shift away from both their parents. He supposed that she had her reasons it couldn't be easy to see her father like that but he too had had to watch his parents capture.

Despite their playfulness and few arguments her presence was always there, she would watch him, assessing how in danger he could be. They were both on edge, with Tamlin gone so much due to the shadow illness sweeping his court they often had the manor to themselves. Ash had been waiting for something this past weeks, any news, even an attack on them, but none came.

The feeling of loneliness wasn't the only thing Ash was struggling with. Since the day they had arrived at the Spring Court he hadn't been able to summon his wings. He had been so used to them appearing when he willed it that he felt off balance. As if a piece of him had been left behind in Valaris, he had told no one of his issue not even Kova, but he suspected she noticed.

Sometime he found himself approaching her as she stood on the balcony every night, the moonlight glinting off her hair, eyes shinning. He wanted to talk to her about his wings, about Azriel, about Valaris, about her. But he never found his voice, when they did talk she revealed so little about her past only her present thoughts, and even those were guarded.

It had almost become a habit for the two of them every night to stand on the balcony in silence, staring out at the fields, this was the time when they were serious, the moonlight illuminating the gardens as he tried to piece together her past.

Ash's favourite part of the day was when the sun was just rising above the horizon, Kova would spar an invisible opponent. Ash often stood watching her or he would practice himself with a bow or his sword that still hung at his hip a friendly weight at his side. She would often call correction from her side when she paused to watch him.

"Ash?" A voice threw Ash's mind to the present. Kova's face was creased with worry. "What's wrong?" He asked panicked he had missed something. "You haven't moved in hours" Kova said slowly her sky blue eyes sweeping him.
"I'm fine"
"Very well"
She turned to leave but he grabbed her arm, "Kova. When need to talk" he said. She had still not turned to face him still facing the garden her free hand rested on the balcony's wall, as if she knew this was the conversation she had been avoiding for so long was finally here.

"What about? You talk to me all the time" She finally said facing him the sun had fully set, darkness sweeping across the sky. "Not about you. We always talk about me. We do you constantly keep your distance?"

She watched him quietly assessing his question, the moon was rising behind him its light reflecting in her eyes. "You are the heir to the Night Court line. I must make sure you survive, but I must also be aware I cannot interfere with your decisions, no matter how close I want to get I must always remain at a distance. It is expected"
Surprised flickered through him at her answer, "Your father was close to mine", he pointed out.

"They were raised together, your father risked much to bring not only Azriel but also Cassian into his inner circle, not to mention all three were male and I don't think any of them were inclined that way". Ash nodded he had heard enough from his time at the Illyrian camps to know what was thought of his fathers two best friends.