Wings of Shadow

Chapter 10

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MORRIGAN

She couldn't lie. For centuries now, she had been known as Truthteller, a female of remarkable gifts that allowed her to be transparent and honest. Now, a glaring truth shone above her, and she could not deny it.

If the mate bond between Azriel and Marzia had not snapped yet, it was sure to happen at any given time. Based on what her eyes had seen, they were already beginning to feel each other.

Deep down, it made her happy to see that Az had found someone that could love him in the way that he deserved.

He was her brother, but he loved her - and she didn't love him in the same way.

Having Marzia near him, someone who could be his possible mate, was something of great benefit for her. Feyre's words, however, about Azriel wanting her approval, still haunted her.

She didn't want to interfere, because if she did, and the bond never snapped, Azriel would be heartbroken from both sides.

She turned over on her big bed in her estate, staring at the ceiling. She had seen something, felt something, that she knew she could not understand yet.

It was very similar to how Rhys had looked at Feyre while she was still in the Spring Court - longing, and love.

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Upon returning to Velaris, Morrigan had made up her mind. She would, at Feyre's insistence and her own choice, be spending time getting to know Marzia.

The Riverfront house was bustling with activity when she arrived. The males were preparing to spend some time with the Illyrian clans in the mountains, while the females stayed behind to deal with the diplomatic aspects of keeping the peace. In the middle of the chaos, she saw Marzia, and took her chance.

"Care for a walk?" She asked.

Marzia's face fell a little, but she nodded. The confusion on her brow was evident, but she followed her along to one of the many balconies overlooking the Sidra. There, Morrigan steadied herself before the spoke.

"I know we haven't talked a lot, but-"

"Azriel talked a lot about you, back when I met him," Marzia said, interrupting her. "He said that he loved you, and Cassian punched him in the gut for it."

Mor let out a laugh, imagining the absurdity of the scene that the younger female described. "That does sound like them," she agreed.

"Do you love him back?" Marzia asked.

"I do, but in the same way that Cassian loves him - like a brother."

Something in Marzia's posture was stiff upon hearing those words, but she still nodded softly.

"Does he know that now?"

Morrigan shook her head. "No, I haven't told him."

Both females regarded each other for a few minutes, before Marzia sighed and sat down in one of the outdoor chairs of the balcony. The breeze was growing cooler as the days passed, now nearing the middle of the season. Mor took a seat across from her, willing to listen to whatever the small female had to say.

"When I met Azriel," Marzia said. "I knew that his heart belonged to someone else. I even knew that it was you, for who wouldn't love The Morrigan... However, I also wanted him - I was young and I was stupid and I was reckless, but Mother above, how I wanted him.

"It wasn't long before everyone realized that I was staring, and that my stares were all but innocent. I began to take any opportunities that I had to be near him, and he rejected them all... Then, there was the other thing."