A Court Of Flowers And Shadows {Azriel Shadowsinger}

Chapter Twenty-Five

Dark...

Why was everything so dark?

She moved her hand in front of her face but she couldn't even see that. The only reason she knew that she had was because of the blinding pain that shot up her arm. She couldn't see anything, but maybe that was a blessing in disguise. Maybe she didn't want to see where she was or what it was like there. Maybe she'd be better off not seeing.

But that smell... she couldn't ignore that smell. It left a foul taste in her mouth that she knew could only mean blood. She'd grown up around blood, of course she knew what the smell would taste like. Spring Court had been a bloodbath centuries ago. She tried not to think about it though. It always ended in her thinking about the fact that she used to have a little sister that no one talked about. A twin that had gotten caught up in the blood and the screaming and the pain and had been the horrible sacrifice that meant that the war in the court ended.

But for the amount of pain that she was in, she could only assume that it was her blood that covered the floor and possibly the walls. She could feel the dried blood on her body; it cracked with every tiny movement she made. If she could move enough without all the shooting pain, she would probably be scratching away at the dried blood on her body. She'd be in a manic frenzy to get as much blood off of her as possible.

But then again maybe she wouldn't... maybe she wouldn't have the time. Because next thing she knew, the only thing she could see was a glint of light through a crack in what she was assuming was the door and then she saw it shining off something metal.

She never saw who it was. She never saw the knife before it slashed against her skin. All she could see was darkness... all she could hear were her own screams... and his voice... Rhys' voice...

"I'm so sorry..." and then another slash.

~~~~~~

Amara had another nightmare. Well, it wasn't really a nightmare, it was more of a memory. A memory that she wanted to keep locked away and not have to think about ever again. Unfortunately, memories don't work like that though.

But that wasn't the main thing that was bugging her right now. The main thing was that she was expected to stay at the Townhouse instead of the House of Wind so that Feyre had a friendly face around during her week away each month. That meant that not only was she stuck in a house with just Rhys and Feyre, but it also meant she had to act like she was perfectly okay since everyone wanted to focus on making sure Feyre got better.

Because apparently, no matter where she was, Feyre was always going to be the most important person around.

Feyre's arrival had been... eventful. Shoes were thrown, Mor's laughter was heard, Rhys shut himself away for the night and grumbled about the whole thing. Cassian had ended up dragging Amara for a walk through Velaris to distract her from the fact that she hadn't been at the wedding in the first place. It just would have been too many people to make believe that she was fine.

Now, Amara was stuck dealing with Rhys annoying Feyre through making her learn to read.

"Why are you the one teaching me? Why can't it be Amara?" Feyre complained, sending Amara a hopeful look. Apparently Feyre had believe that Amara was perfectly fine... just like everyone outside of the Night Court had.

"Because Amara doesn't know how to read either," Rhys said with a shrug, catching the book Amara threw at him.

"I do know how to read, you twat," she cursed at him before she grabbed a different book. "I'm just not patient enough to teach someone right now."

Rhys sent her an apologetic smile once Feyre was back to mumbling over the pieces of paper Rhys had set down in front of her. Amara just shook her head and turned her attention back to her book, where she saw a note in her favourite handwriting.

Need me to kill Rhys?

No, it's fine, don't worry about it.

Okay, well, I was actually just wondering how you're doing. Because I know Cass has been trying to drag you out to town but I know that probably isn't what you want right now. So I was wondering if you wanted to go out tonight? Just us, I promise.

Amara chewed on her bottom lip and sighed. Before all of this, Az willingly wanting to hang out with her was the one thing that she had always wanted. But now she wasn't really sure. Her gaze flickered over at Rhys who nodded lightly at her. It would at least get her away from him and maybe the nightmares would stop if she didn't spend the night in the Townhouse. Maybe being away from Rhys as much as possible would help her sleep at night.

Maybe it would be a good idea. Maybe it would help her forget.

Okay, fine. But there better be something to drink. No red wine though.

I'll come get you before dinner.