Bluebird — Part V — (Azriel x Reader)
Hi! Sorry it took me a while to get this out! Hope this looong chapter makes up for it a little. Enjoy!
Warnings: None for this part.
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Azriel was close.
His hands gripped the female’s full, sumptuous hips, fingers digging into the flesh. And in the throes of pleasure, he didn’t glance once at those hands he hated so much.
His head falling back, he released a deep, guttural groan; release stormed him. Coursed through his body.
As his panting breaths evened out, the female flipped onto her back, shooting a sultry smile up at him. “Feeling a little better?” She asked.
No. Not really. He nodded all the same, shrugging his shirt on. “Thank you.”
In reality, the pleasure hall probably wasn’t the best place to come to in such a foul mood; he didn’t make for very good company. But he’d needed something — anything — to occupy him for a little while.
Sex, as it turned out, did not make everything better.
As he finished dressing, he dipped into his pocket, producing a coin that he held out to the pretty, plump redhead on the bed.
She blinked up at him. “That’s way too much.”
Azriel shrugged. “Buy yourself something nice.”
In all honesty, it was rare that he left the pleasure hall in a good mood. He found, despite the nature of the place, that fucking someone and leaving straight after made him feel like a wretch — even if that was what he’d paid for.
He wasn’t sure why he continued to come here, really. He’d only started to do so upon Rhys’s encouragement, to sate the desires he felt around Elain.
And maybe it was working. He hadn’t felt them recently.
“Thank you.” The female looked genuinely touched by the gesture. “See you soon?”
Azriel dipped his chin. He didn’t know if he meant it when he responded, “Absolutely.”
He left the private room, weaving his way through the dark, narrow corridors of the pleasure hall. A chorus of breathy, sultry moans followed him wherever he walked, and he found himself desperate to get back out to the main bar area. To cleanse his thoughts for a little while.
He was restless. Had been restless for over a month.
He’d abided by Rhysand’s orders — of course he had. There was no justifiable reason he could muster to overrule what the High Lord had said and continue his surveillance of the human villages. Of one village in particular.
Everything had itched and pawed at him to go back, though. Every day, he thought of that piano music. The beautiful hands that played it. The fact that the sweet woman who had feared him so absolutely had also helped him. Showed him kindness.
It hadn’t been easy to stay away. But stay away, he did.
He ran a hand through his hair, heaving a quiet sigh as he made his way towards the bar. He needed a drink strong enough to chase away his thoughts, to remind him that everything that mattered was this side of the Wall—
But he stopped in the hallway. And almost scowled to himself at the sound of the piano music that snaked over to him.
It was a male who sat at the keys, entertaining those nursing a drink around him while scantily-clad females sauntered in between tables, touching shoulders, coaxing punters to join them somewhere private.
The music was…clanky. Strange and off-kilter. There was nothing beautiful about it, nothing soothing and ethereal. The male’s fingers practically pounded the piano keys; he seemed to be under the impression that the louder he played, the better it sounded.
Azriel didn’t care to stick around and hear any more. He knew the music that he craved, and where to find it.
But Rhysand had given an order.
So he turned on his feet and went home.
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Az traipsed into the sitting room, slumping down into his usual chair. Cassian already had a glass of amber liquid waiting for him.
“You smell like sex.” The General commented.
The Shadowsinger downed the drink in one go, staring into the embers of the fire. The entire flight home, he’d heard piano music in his head, felt it in his bones — could have sworn it floated to him on a wind, coaxing him in the direction of the Wall.
He was desperate for it. For the music, and for the person who played it so stunningly.
He was so, so sick and tired of being forbidden.
Sworn off Elain and sworn off going near the human lands and sworn off having a fucking life. He didn’t mean to be bitter. Rhysand was his brother as well as his High Lord, and Azriel loved him dearly.
But it was easy for him to bark orders from the cushy comfort of his settled life. He had a mate; someone to go home to. Someone he could hold in the cold, long nights. Someone he could sound off to. Someone he could give his best and worst to.
And judging by the direction things were going in with Cassian and Nesta, it wouldn’t be long before Cass had that, too. And gods, Az didn’t begrudge his brothers these things — not for a second.
But could he not have, at least, the soothing presence of music? Something to fill that lonely, aching chasm in his life? And perhaps a…a friend, too.
He dragged a hand through his hair, sighing deeply. The sound of a piano played distantly in his mind. Maybe if he just…allowed himself to hear it once more—
“What’s wrong with you?” Cassian studied him, a frown pulling at his features. “Is it—did you hear about Elain and Lucien?”
Az hated how quickly he looked up. “What of Elain and Lucien?”
“There’s been some progression in their relationship, apparently. I don’t know the details.”
Azriel stared forward, pursing his lips. Waited for that telltale sting of jealousy to wash over him.
And it did. But it felt…different. Misshapen. Not jealousy about Elain and Lucien per se, but simply at the prospect of having another happy couple to smile around. Whilst he was restricting himself so thoroughly. It seemed…it seemed unfair. He hated it.
He’d had enough.
Cassian seemed to be trying to puzzle out his expression. “What're you thinking?”
“Nothing.” Azriel sat up. “I just…forgot to do something.”
“What—”
But Az was already rising from the chair, wings flaring. The music in his head seemed to increase in volume, like it somehow sensed his change of heart.
He could look out for himself. He wouldn’t be doing any harm by travelling to a little human village. He didn’t need Rhysand to coddle him.
He didn’t say another word as he strode from the room.
He’d made his mind up.
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You’d grown used to an ever-present loneliness in your life. It had, in fact, become such a being of its own right — an entity — that in a strange sort of way, it had turned into company. Loneliness was a loyal companion.
But it was nights like these that it taunted you. Reminded you that you didn’t have a life — desperate as you were to just…experience things.
Your village’s Summer Festival was a huge event every year. But you were only permitted to experience it by listening to the distant sounds from your backyard.
The only positive was that it drove all your usual punters away; every single person in the village would be out in the fields, dancing and drinking the night away; enjoying themselves. Everyone except you.
You’d begged your father to let you join, of course. But his response was the same one he gave every year; it’s just not safe, Y/N. I can’t spend the night keeping an eye on you. I’m more comfortable knowing you’re at home.
You tried to remind yourself that he was simply being protective, that it came from a place of love. Your mother’s brutal death at the hands of the Fae had traumatised him so thoroughly that he wouldn’t risk such a thing happening to you. And particularly not with the slayings of village girls still on everyone’s mind.
But it had been over a month, now, since the last killing.
And the same amount of time, too, since Azriel had been in your home. Since you’d helped him.
You wondered if it was a coincidence that his absence had brought a sudden stop to the brutal murders.
Probably not. Which meant it was probably a good thing he hadn’t returned, despite a small, strange part of you hoping that he would.
You sighed quietly to yourself, feeling boxed-in in the confines of your small, concrete yard. Distant music floated to you on a summer breeze, accompanied by the smells of bonfires and roasting meat. At a higher vantage point, you’d probably be able to glimpse those very fires lighting up the fields. The fun that you couldn’t be a part of.
It was…disconcerting, to feel the village so empty. Even your most trusted regulars had ditched The Bluebird Inn for the Summer Festival. It would be wise to lock yourself inside, perhaps lose yourself in playing your own music. You turned—
Darkness and shadows appeared before you. The scream that left you could have filled the entire village.
Azriel stepped straight out of those very shadows — seemingly out of nowhere. You gawked at him, stumbling back a few steps.
He looked…ethereal. Perhaps just because this time, there was no blood or pain marring his features. But bathed in moonlight, you couldn’t deny how utterly stunning he was.
Nor could you deny the thrill that shot through you upon seeing him again.
His lips quirked up into a tentative smile. “Sorry — I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
You swallowed, looking around for some indication of where he’d even come from.
“…I saw you from above.” He studied you. “It seemed safer to winnow than fly down.”
“Winnow?” You were unfamiliar with that word.
“It’s like…stepping through shadow. Directly from one place to another.”
Right. Because of course he could do stuff like that. For the same reason he had wings.
He wasn’t human.
He was Fae. Perhaps even a human-slaying Fae.
You weren’t quite sure how to respond.
But in that moment, his gaze flicked around inquisitively. “Where is everyone?”
“It’s the village Summer Festival.” You couldn’t stop yourself from studying him. “Everyone will be down in the fields.”
“…And it’s not your kind of thing…or…?”
You hesitated; you didn’t really have any reason to answer him. And if he was, after all, responsible for the murders in the village, it didn’t seem wise to admit that you were here all alone, not a single other resident around to hear your screams.
But something — perhaps his Fae allure — coaxed the truth from your lips. “My father prefers that I stay home. He feels reassured that I’m safer here.”
Azriel pursed his lips, his intense, honeyed eyes seeming to narrow on you. What he was seeing or thinking, you couldn’t possibly know. You felt self-conscious under his gaze. Pathetic. Human.
Vulnerable.
And yet, none of that explained why you hadn’t yet gone running back into your home and tried to barricade the door, fruitless as the effort might be. It didn’t explain why, on some deeper level you weren’t sure you had access to, you didn’t want to do that.
“That doesn’t seem very fair.” He eventually spoke, his tone just as indulgent as his eyes. “Everyone having fun while you’re not.”
You shrugged a shoulder. “My father’s protective.”
He nodded. “So you can’t join the festival.” A slight pause had his eyes flitting upwards. “Have you ever wanted to fly?”
The question seemed so preposterous that you couldn’t stop yourself from snorting. As though the ability to fly was a normal, everyday thing. Here, in front of you, was a lethal being of a species you neither understood nor respected. Here, in front of you, was a potential killer.
And yet, instead of killing you — like he absolutely could have done already — he was asking peculiar questions. The sheer bizarreness of the situation had you a little dizzy.
“I can’t say I’ve ever thought about it.” Your eyes darted to his wings; you’d never seen a person with wings before. “Why would I have done?”
“Some people would like nothing more than to be able to escape to the skies. For that luxury, I’m very lucky.” He held out a gloved hand. “How about it?”
You gawked at him. “You’re offering to take me flying?”
“I am.”
“…Why?”
“You shared your music with me. That’s your escape.” Azriel’s eyes softened imperceptibly. “Flying is mine. So let me return the favour.”
Bad idea. Very, very bad. Accepting his offer could be akin to strolling freely into a lion’s den and asking it to maul. You didn’t know where he’d take you, or what he’d do with you there. Perhaps he would soar as high as possible and then allow you to fall to your death—
Somehow — foolishly — your intrigue, your excitement, that lick of pure thrill, were all far bigger than your doubts.
Somehow, you knew that if you refused, and Azriel walked away, you would want him to come back.
Standing in front of him was awakening something in you. Something that might be dangerous and risky and unwise. Something that you never would have imagined yourself giving in to.
You were powerless against it. And when another bout of distant laughter reached your ears, you knew you’d made your decision.
The corners of Azriel’s lips flicked up, and he wiggled his fingers; like he’d sensed the exact second your doubts had faded into the background.
“…Alright.” You relented after a lengthy pause. “Show me how to fly.”
You slipped your hand into his gloved one. And you knew you didn’t imagine it as you both faltered at the odd sensation that seemed to encase the both of you. Azriel stilled for a moment, staring at you, your joined hands suspended in the air.
And then he was clearing his throat. Shaking himself out of his thoughts. “Can I—is it alright if I lift you into my arms?”
Another thrill soared through you, stretching from your head to your toes. So inexperienced you were with human contact — or rather, Fae contact. You’d never held somebody’s hand, never felt another’s body pressed against yours. And not for lack of yearning.
The fact that Azriel had bothered to ask your permission instead of just yanking you into his arms…it had your shoulders relaxing slightly. You nodded.
If he was a murderous being, he was a polite one, at the very least.
His lips wore a soft, reassuring smile as he tugged you closer. And when there was barely a hair’s-breadth between your bodies, he fastened an arm at your back, moving the other one down to your legs.
It was an effort not to yelp at the contact. Not to balk from it. If Azriel noticed the way your body slightly trembled, he had the decency to pretend he didn’t.
“It’s probably best if you loop your arms around my neck.” He cleared his throat again. “If you’re comfortable with that.”
You glanced down at the rigid way your arms hung down by your sides. Your cheeks reddened. “Right—yes—of course.”
You willed yourself not to shake like a damn fool as your arms snaked to join around his neck, and as the scent of cedar and frost shrouded you, and his warmth permeated you, his hair tickling your arm…you’d never felt so alive.
He seemed to read that thought, too. His mouth kicked up, and he leaned in closer. “Hold on tight.”
And then he took to the sky.
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Everything was gentle at first.
The speed at which he carried you upwards. The flap of his wings. The coasting through the air. Gentle and slow.
That didn’t make it any less terrifying. To begin with, anyway.
With every glance down, the ground moving further and further away, you felt your stomach lurch. To be so high up was unnatural. To plummet back down would be lethal.
But Azriel was a soothing presence pressed against you. He allowed you to adjust in your own time; didn’t force you to look when you weren’t comfortable looking. Didn’t speed up, despite the leisurely pace probably being so at odds with his usual way of flying. He was patient, and calming, and solid beneath your arms.
He seemed to sense when your fears began to abate. When they began to morph into curiosity.
He leaned in, his lips suddenly at the shell of your ear. “I’ve got you.” He reassured quietly. “You can’t fall.”
His deep voice was a heated tickle against the skin of your neck. And you…you found yourself fighting the impulse to gasp at the sensation. You knew your cheeks were scorching.
Even more so when he spoke again. “Look.” He whispered.
You followed his line of sight, your eyes finding the sprawl of fields below. The pyres that had been lit for the festival looked like arms of glowing fire reaching up to the skies. You felt yourself slacken in Azriel’s arms as you drank in the sight.
“I’ve been flying for a very, very long time.” He told you softly. “But I never tire of the views.”
You angled your face back slightly to look at him. “How long?”
His lips twitched. “Are you asking me how old I am?”
“Is that rude?”
“No. I’ve been alive for over five centuries.” He studied you. “How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-one.”
For over five centuries. You couldn’t even wrap your head around that amount of time. What he must have seen in that time. The amount of women he must have been with—
Why your thoughts went there, you weren’t sure. You hoped he couldn’t read minds.
You allowed yourself to silently sit on the information for a short while; Azriel allowed you to, also. But as he flew, his dark, indiscernible gaze repeatedly made its way over to you.
Eventually he asked, “What are you thinking?” A strange quality lay in his tone, as if…as if he were self-conscious.
But it wasn’t exactly a secret that the Fae lived for such ludicrous amounts of time. Your initial shock over his age had already worn off.
And you answered honestly, “Doesn’t it get boring? Being alive for so long, I mean.”
Azriel paused. And then bellowed a great, unguarded laugh. “That’s what you’re thinking?”
“I think I’d get bored.”
Unless, of course, he was passing his time with things you couldn’t comprehend. Like taking the lives of innocent girls. Like splendour and indulgence and utter debauchery.
Your stomach somersaulted as Azriel suddenly swooped. You dug your fingers into the strange, intricate leathers he wore, watching the peak of a hill grow closer and closer.
“Where are we going?” You asked, your heart racing slightly.
“To sit.” He answered, nodding towards the hill. “And enjoy the view.”
He landed with barely a thud and set you down gently, ensuring that your legs were stable before he pulled away.
It was so wildly inappropriate that you missed the sensation of his body pressing against yours. You quickly turned away before you could linger on the thought.
And your breath hitched in your throat. The view was just as exquisite from the hill as it had been from the sky. Lights dotted around and music and laughter and scents floating up to you. The air was charged with excitement, enjoyment. And your father had asked you to miss out on it all.
So naturally, you sunk down onto the feathered grass, tucking your legs beneath you. After a beat, Azriel sat beside you.
The two of you surveyed the sights below in complete silence. But your thoughts were loud and weighing. Thoughts of how, exactly, you’d ended up in a situation like this — allowing a Fae male to whisk you away into the sky whilst your father was none the wiser. If you were even safe, up here, with him. And why, exactly, you’d been so incredibly disappointed when he hadn’t returned over the last month and a half.
You turned your head to look at him — and found him already gazing at you. His lips lifted into a soft smile.
“Why didn’t you come back?” You blurted. Your cheeks burned, and you cleared your throat. “To listen to my music, I mean.”
The smile slowly fell, a strange look crossing his face. “It’s a little complicated.”
“I’m sure my silly human brain can comprehend.”
His lips twitched again. He seemed to take a moment to think, his fingers absentmindedly pulling at the grass. “There is a…situation.”
“A situation?”
He dipped his chin. “It’s the reason I was flying around your village to begin with. We had a tip-off that a group of humans are rising up against the Fae.”
Your body tensed.
He’d be right about that, of course. That group of humans was led by your father.
“We’d like to avoid trouble if we can help it, so…” Azriel cleared his throat. “I was in the area looking for information. And that was when I heard your music.”
Looking for information. It made a sickly, oily feeling overcome you. If he found your father — if he saw that he was building his cause against them — you had no doubt that that threat would be eliminated on sight. Your only remaining parent — the only person you really had in the world — would be taken from you.
You swallowed a lump down. “Did you garner any information?”
“I did.” Azriel nodded. “I learned that there’s a group of men that seem to be travelling from village to village and spreading their word. I was given orders to wait and see what move they made next. That’s why I didn’t return.”
No way would you tell him that your father was behind that very group. You weren’t going to give him up, let Azriel know exactly where he could find him. That’d be as good as killing him yourself.
But there was another reason, buried further down, for biting your tongue. One that surely complicated things. One that shouldn’t have bothered you at all.
You didn’t want Azriel to know that you were associated with that group. You didn’t…didn’t want him to think poorly of you.
That was very troublesome, indeed. You shouldn’t have cared what he thought.
You tried to shove your problematic feelings down, focusing on the view once more. It was best to steer the subject far away from your father.
You sat back, leaning on your hands. And your voice was a mix of curiosity and mild accusation as you said, “There haven’t been any more murders in the village since you’ve been absent.”
Azriel’s eyes were a brand on your skin. “And I take it you’ve come to the conclusion that I must have been responsible for the ones that occurred?”
You lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. “I don’t know what to think.”
The following silence was so heavy and prolonged that you began to wonder if you’d offended him. Another thing that shouldn’t have bothered you — but did.
You glanced at him out of the corner of your eye just as he turned, angling his body towards you. He crossed his legs, and he looked…open.
“My name is Azriel.” He said.
“I already know that—”
“I belong to one of the seven courts of Prythian — the Night Court. I’m a member of its High Lord’s Inner Circle, and I work as his spymaster. I’m also a very, very rare species of Fae called a Shadowsinger. I possess the ability to wield and control these shadows to my will, though they are their own entities. It also lends me the ability to hear and feel things that others can’t.”
So that’s what those shadows were about, then — the dark, wispy shapes that coiled around his person like smoke. You hadn’t seen much of them tonight; whether Azriel had made that so, or the shadows themselves had been hiding, you weren’t sure.
But now, they seemed to dance out towards you with fluid grace, tentatively brushing your arms with a cool, almost chilled touch.
You couldn’t stop your curiosity piquing. Your fingers penetrated the dark, cold mist, and Azriel watched you closely, tentatively.
“I’ve been alive a very long time.” He said quietly. “The role I have to play is sometimes not easy. It’s forced me to do certain things that sometimes still chase me from sleep. I’m not without conscience. I don’t revel in such things.” He paused. “But I sleep at night knowing, at least, that I do not and would not do such things without reason. I wouldn’t kill for sport. I don’t harbour any particularly negative feelings towards your kind. I certainly don’t wish them harm.”
Your eyes lifted from the shadow tickling your arm, finding that honey-hued gaze. There was such sincerity on his face…such honesty. And also an undercurrent, perhaps, of…of pleading. As if he was trying to communicate words he didn’t have the nerve to say aloud; please don’t fear me. Please don’t think of me as a monster.
“I have no ill intention, Y/N.” The way he spoke your name sent shivers down your spine. “I was simply following orders, and—”
The scream was loud enough to reach you at the top of the hill. It cut Azriel’s sentence off immediately. Your body fell still.
In an instant, he was on his feet, gazing below at a view your human vision was too unsophisticated to see. And then another scream broke through the night; horrifying, blood-curdling.
“I should take you home.” Azriel’s voice was tight, commanding. “Now.”
You didn’t argue as you jumped to your feet. There was barely a chance to glance down as he swept you up into his arms again — not gentle like before, but hurried, worried — and took off.
You were far too high up to see anything as Azriel flew, but his gaze was firmly on the sight below; the field that sat closest to your village. He banked so suddenly that your stomach lurched, and then he was landing on the roof of a building, pressing you tightly to him.
The commotion reached you clearer there. The sound of chaos and fear. Screams and charged conversation.
“What’s going on?” You whispered, not even aware of the way your hands were clinging to the front of Azriel’s jacket.
“From what I can discern,” his eyes were alert, fierce, “the body of a girl has been discovered.”
Cold seeped into your bones.
Another body. Another girl.
Azriel listened closer. His voice was quiet as he spoke to you, “They’re saying she was still warm when they found her. That she was only at the festival around twenty minutes ago.” He paused. “Her name was Polly.”
Another village girl. You knew her briefly. She could only be a year or so younger than you were. And only twenty minutes ago, she’d been alive, enjoying herself—
You thought you might pass out. If it weren’t for Azriel’s strong arms keeping you upright, you were sure you would have done.
Twenty minutes ago. Azriel had been with you at that time.
He truly wasn’t responsible.
You stared at him, feeling sick and cold all over. And as he glanced back at you, surveying your appearance, he seemed to understand what you needed without either of you speaking.
“I’ll drop you back in your yard.” He slipped a hand through yours.
“Wait. I—” You swallowed. “Will it be safe for you? All these people around...”
For a moment, he was silent. He didn’t need whispering shadows to understand that you felt concerned for him.
A hint of a smile appeared on his mouth, and he dipped his chin. “I’ll be just fine. I know how to stay hidden. It’s you I’m worried about.”
It’s you I’m worried about.
The words clanged around your head loudly as he swept you up. Within mere seconds, you were back inside your small, concrete yard, the awful sounds of panic growing closer.
“Go inside.” Azriel said. “Lock the doors.”
You studied him. “You’re sure you’ll be alright?” You weren’t sure whether it was insulting for you to even ask him that.
But he had been shot by an ash arrow in this very village. Your worry wasn’t entirely unjustified.
“I promise.” He squeezed your hand once before pulling away. “I’ll come back as soon as it’s calmed down.”
“…will you really?”
“I give you my word.”
In silence, the two of you stared at each other. Neither of you spoke.
But then the voices grew louder, and Azriel was straightening out. You were utterly still as he brushed the backs of his knuckles against your cheek.
Before you could react, he disappeared before your eyes.
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“Polly was killed tonight. The girl from the bakery.”
You were just slipping into the room, carrying your father’s nightly drink to him, when he spoke. At least two hours had passed since Azriel had dropped you home, and you couldn’t stop your gaze straying to the window. Wondering where he was. If he’d truly return.
“I know.” You placed the glass down — and realised your mistake the second your father’s head snapped up. You cleared your throat. “I mean—I didn’t know it was Polly. But I figured something had happened from all the noise outside.”
That seemed to satisfy him enough. You released a deep, quiet breath as he took a long draw from his glass. He nursed the drink in silence for a while.
“You see, now, why I don’t want you going out there.” he eventually said.
You bowed your head. “Yes, Papa.”
“The scumbag Fae are still picking our girls off one by one. I won’t have you meeting the same fate.”
Something inside of you twisted. There was nothing appropriate you could possibly say. You couldn’t exactly reveal that you’d met a Fae male who appeared to be different to the rest — or that you’d spent your evening with him.
So you shifted your thoughts elsewhere. To something that had been bugging you since Azriel had mentioned gathering information on your father’s group of rebels. I was given orders to wait and see what move they made next.
“...Papa?” You hovered awkwardly at the unoccupied armchair that sat opposite his.
“What is it, Y/N?”
You chewed your lip. “The cause that you’re building against the Fae. I was just…wondering how it’s going. What move you plan to make next.”
His light blue eyes flicked up from his glass. And for a split second, you wondered whether you’d made a mistake in asking. You’d merely been a silent supporter before, never taking too much interest, asking too many questions.
But then those eyes seemed to soften. “You don’t need to be frightened, Y/N.” He said. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. The cause is coming along nicely. Right now, we’re trying to gather enough supporters so that we can present ourselves — and our concerns — to the queens of our realm. We have a far greater chance of success with their support. That’s why I travel to the other villages. To gain more supporters.”
The human queens. This was big — really big.
It should have been a good thing. But it just made you feel…worried. Did Azriel know how big this truly was? Perhaps he did, and he’d simply not told you—
“You should get to bed.” Your father sliced through your thoughts. “Let me worry about these things, Y/N. Just do as I tell you, and all will be fine.”
You always had. Always would. Your father was the leader of your life; you merely followed.
“Yes, Papa.” You swallowed. “Goodnight.”
His response followed you all the way up the stairs. And as you got to your room, you found yourself wondering why you’d even enquired about his next move. It wasn’t exactly your business; he would do as he saw fit.
Surely…surely you hadn’t been asking in Azriel’s interests. Surely you wouldn’t feed such information to him.
The mere thought made you feel an oily sense of betrayal. You shut yourself in your bedroom, shaking the thoughts from your head.
But you couldn’t stop yourself glancing at the window again.
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You supposed he wasn’t coming back — not tonight, and perhaps not ever.
The thought had pathetically kept you awake. You sat at your dressing table, listening to the fear and chaos in the village eventually die down. Silence swept through once more, and you were restless, disappointed.
You’d enjoyed yourself tonight. The company, the conversation, getting to know Azriel a little. And you knew, now, that he wasn’t behind those murders. You knew.
Perhaps…perhaps he wasn’t so bad. Most Fae were, but perhaps he was just…different.
Which was why you wanted to see him again.
You sighed softly, standing from your dressing stool and tucking it in. There was no use staying awake, waiting to see if he would come back. You turned to your bed—
Cold, night-chilled shadows suddenly filled the room. And just like he had in the yard, Azriel appeared out of nowhere.
You reeled back, stunned, knocking into your dressing table. “Gods.”
Azriel’s lips quirked up. “I really must stop frightening you with my winnowing.”
“How—how did you know this was my room?”
“I saw you…through the window.”
You brushed past him, marching over to the window and yanking the curtains shut. You lowered your voice as you turned to him, “You flew so low with all those people down there?”
He stared at you — assessed you. And a strange look passed his face. “I was too high up for them to see me. Fae sight, though, is…better.”
Right. Of course. He could probably make out every miniscule detail through your window while he’d been a mere speck among the stars. Your shoulders relaxed slightly, your worry lessening a little. Shifting into…excitement.
Azriel took a step towards you. “I’m sorry for just…appearing, like this. I needed to check if you were alright.”
Your heart did a silly little flip in your chest. “I’m alright.” You paused. “...Are you?”
He smiled, inclining his head. “I’m very well.”
“Well…good.”
He chuckled quietly. “Good.”
You stared back at him, your lips begging to twitch up. And after a moment, you couldn’t resist your smile.
Azriel seemed to watch it grow on your lips. The way he studied you so intensely made you feel naked.
He edged even closer. “I enjoyed spending time with you tonight.”
Heat spread across your cheeks. You dipped your chin, attempting to hide your blush. “I enjoyed myself, too.”
“Well…good.”
You scowled at his light teasing. “Good.”
He was grinning widely, now, a glimmer in his eyes. He stopped just in front of you, close enough to touch. “When can I see you again?”
Never, you should have told him. You are Fae and I am human; we have no business getting involved with one another. You should leave, and never come back.
But you didn’t want to say those things. And perhaps it made you a fool, but you weren’t thinking about preconceived notions, or bloody history, or your father’s cause.
You were thinking about the giddy excitement you’d felt tonight. And how badly you wished to feel it again.
“Despite what happened to Polly, the festival seems to be continuing tomorrow night. They’re just increasing the security.” You played with your hands, the fire in your cheeks almost unbearable. “You could…you could come here and keep me company in the bar. I’ll be on my own…”
Azriel’s answering smile was so brilliant, you thought it might have knocked you breathless.
“Tomorrow night, then.” He hummed. “I’ll be here.”
“Well…good.”
He snorted. “Good.”
There was a beat. You waited for him to disappear again, nothing but the chilled air and his pleasant scent left behind.
But then he leaned down, gently taking your hand in his. You watched, preternaturally still, as he lifted it to his lips and pressed a feather-light kiss to the backs of your fingers.
“Goodnight then, lady.” His breath warmed your skin. Your bones.
And then he was gone.
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azriel tags: @hanasakr @positivewitch @ruler-of-hades @brekkershadowsinger @nightscourtt @imperfect0angel @luna-1-3-5 @hyacinthoideshispanica @lucyysthings @lahoete @littlemoonash @blacksstarrynight @azriels-mate123 @ghostly-poetic @frieddesigninspiringquotesslime @a-frog-with-a-laptop @illyriansimp @morrie-rose @passingthroughfireandshadow @illyrian-dreamer @azrielsbabyg @96jnie @mich0731 @mulansaucey @truthtellerfanclub @acourtofbooksandmagic @insightsonmylife @basicbittywitty @curbside-cyanide @acourtofchaosandmess @123345566 @starrynights-frostbites @eos-princess @thesillyyogourt @ona-raising-07-l @acediahamartia @dontfollowmepleaseitsannoying @polli05927 @asdfjklbooks @azriel-luvr @amysangel @humanpersonlasttimeichecked @wildflowernightmere
