A Court of Light and Darkness

Eight: Azriel

They were sprawled out on a blanket, looking up at the sky above. The stars were sparking alive as the sun disappeared over the expanding waters. He had taken her to the roof after winnowing them to the kitchen in the House to grab some food and a blanket.

He liked to think of the roof as theirs. The place where they first truly connected and the first time he's opened up so much about himself in a long while. She laid on her back next to him, smiling at the night as it lit up with balls of fire.

She had only been here for a little less then two weeks, but Azriel couldn't help but be amazed by her. She was incredible. He could still see the spark in her eyes. The life in her face as she laughed and waved at the children in the streets. After everything she'd been through, she still was able to smile.

"Tell me about your music." He said, taking Freesia's hand in his and tracing shapes on her palm as they gazed upon the night sky.

She took a deep breath, then another, and finally- 

"When I was six, my mother came into my room after breakfast one morning with a female. She was kind and gentle, but stern in her teachings. She was the best musician in Autumn Court. She started with teaching me piano forte, just the basics. Then the violin. And as I began to master those instruments, she taught vocal lessons. Giving me pieces of different languages and the common tongue." Freesia smiled up at the stars as she talked. "I was always busy in the day. Training in the mornings with the general and then practicing my music in the afternoons. I would always forget to eat so my mother would have my personal maid make me sit down and eat at least twice a day. I wonder whats come of Mary." Freesia frowned and looked down at her hands. "She was one of my favorite people in the Manor. She always wanted to hear my music. She'd come to my rooms to hear me play or sing as she folded clothes or sewed. I loved her. Anyway, I became quite good at music, but never got to fully master it." She looked at Azriel for a heartbeat before averting her eyes back to the stars. "It's funny, I wonder sometimes what my mother would think of me now. What she would say if she saw who I've become. She spent my whole life preparing me to be an outstanding person. A female as capable as a male, even more so. Someone who can defend herself, be educated, and well-rounded all in one. She would be disappointed in how easily I was locked away. Too absorbed in my grief from her death to even fight back when he dragged me to those dungeons. I suppose- I suppose I deserved what I got, for letting her down. For not fighting back." A single tear fell from her eye but Freesia caught it and wiped it away before it dripped off her face.

"Look at me." Azriel whispered, reaching over and grasping Freesia's chin gently to have her look at his face. "Not one. Not you. Not anyone. Deserves what you went through. What happened to you was an evil that only the heartless would do. Your mother would be proud of the female you have become. You are strong and independent and beautiful. She would be so proud of you"

Freesia gazed into Azriel's eyes, lined with silver. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, dripping onto her shirt. Azriel reached up and wiped her tears as they came. 

"How do I get over it?" Freesia whispered. "How do I move on with my life when he took so much from me. When he gets to live when my mother's dead. It's not fair." Her voice cracked on the last word, making Azriel's heart strain.

"I- I can't answer that for you, Freesia." Azriel was still rubbing his thumb under Freesia's eye, wiping the flowing tears from her face. "I don't know how to forget, how to move on. I've spent my entire existence hating myself. Making myself relive my past over and over again." Azriel admitted, looking behind Freesia's shoulder to avoid her gaze.

Freesia grasped Azriel's chin, making him meet her stunning green eyes. "Maybe we can figure it out together?" She asked, her face so close to his their breath mingled in the chilled night air.

"I would love that." Was all Azriel said before leaning in and kissing Freesia's cheek. 

They stayed their long after, telling stories and talking about random things. Freesia rested her head on Azriel's chest, listening to the beat of his heart and the air passing through his lungs as he breathed. She traced circles on his stomach with her index finger, leaving a ring of tingles and making Azriel's heart flutter.

Freesia fell asleep as they laid there, taking in the stars and sounds of each others breathing. He knew he should take her back to her room, to her bed so she's comfortable. But he wanted to relish in this night for a little longer. So Azriel laid on the roof, his mate sound asleep on his chest, for another hour. Before lifting her gently, cradling her to his chest, and carrying her to her bed.

As Azriel laid Freesia's head onto the pillow and draped the covers over her limp body, he scanned over her. She was still too thin. Her cheek bones still too sharp and her stomach didn't have enough fat on it. Her thighs weren't even close to touching, and her hair was a stringy, unhealthy texture.

He should have Cassian train her, like he did Feyre. But Cass was about to go to the Illyrian Camp with Nesta for a few months, since Nesta still refused to clean up her life and take care of herself. She had barley agreed to come to the House to meet Freesia the day after they had gotten her out. Until she had heard her story, and said she was only coming because she felt bad for the girl. Azriel doubted Nesta even talked to Freesia, but it was at least a step in the right direction for her.

So that meant Azriel would have to train Freesia. Gain her strength back and add some muscle. Get her healthy once more. He could do that. 

He was about to walk away from the bed when a small hand lazily grasped his wrist. He stopped, turning to look at the sleeping female. 

"Stay." Was all she said as she looked up into his eyes, a plea in hers. He did as she said, laying under the covers behind her, her back against his chest and his arms wrapped around his waist.

He fell asleep there, his mate in his arms, wondering how in the hell he had fallen for the female before him so fast.