Ruler of Shadows

Chapter 10 - Azriel

I walk towards the edge of the roof, looking down at Velaris. The city's sparkling lights illuminate the faces of the citizens enjoying their night. The stars shine in the night sky. There are streaks of purple and blue in the blackness of night. As I look for constellations, a shooting star streaks across the sky. I wish to see her. Just once, to say goodbye. I wish this with all of my cold, dead, heart, and know it will never come true.

I take to the skies, and fly to the House of Wind. We were supposed to have a "formal" dinner. In reality, Mor and Feyre would dress up, Amren would wear outrageously large jewelry, and Rhys would primp until he looked like a High Lord. Cassian would just brush his hair, which leaves me. I was wearing a dark tunic, with silver embroidery around the edges.

The designs reminded me of her. In The Tower, sometimes, they would let her embroider things on our clothes. Actually, everything reminded me of her. I think of her constantly every day. But today is her death anniversary. And our child's. The day where everything went to hell.

I was usually quiet, but today, I was just angry. I snapped at everything, and glared at everyone. When we sat down to eat, I had already yelled at Cassian, Mor, and I had snapped at Elain. I felt bad for snapping at Elain, but it really wasn't my problem. Feyre was looking at me strangely, and Rhys was just outright staring at me. I bared my teeth at the two of them. Rhys hissed back.

"Do not disrespect your High Lady. It's our first formal dinner as a proper family, and you will not ruin it."  I rolled my eyes. Can't he see that I don't give a shit?  I quickly finished my meal in sullen silence, while Nesta just glared at me. She was about to yell at me, but Feyre and Elain managed to stop her.

I got up abruptly, and went to sit on the couch. I stared into the fire, remembering when my hands were burned. They had hid her when the warriors came, so no one knew she existed. We both were burned, and had to watch the other one get tortured. That was always the worst. Watching her get hurt. I was a male, and Illyrian male, so I was incredibly overprotective. Add in the fact that she's my mate...

Everyone quietly joined me. They all averted their gazes, except for Amren. She pointedly studied me.

"What's wrong with you?" She asked flatly. I turned away, ignoring her.

"What?  Are you on your cycle?" She asked mockingly, her eyes flaring dangerously. I snarled. She snarled right back. We were about to attack each other when a loud boom! sounded.

A shadow came around my ear, and I tilted my head, allowing it to speak. She's here was all it said.

I walked over to the door, tapping my Siphons. They unfurled my armor, until I was fully covered. I brought a blade into my hands, and opened the door.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

522 words.