wip thursday | wbitd ch. 41 by ehoney
Azriel’s eyes traced the glittering stars overhead.
“There is a word for it in the old language,” he uttered, drinking in their splendor. “The need to be beneath them. The Illyrians revere it still,” his voice lowered devoutly. “Eirenocții.”
A heartbeat passed, and waves lapped the distant shore.
“What does it mean?” Elain asked quietly.
“The luring of the night.”
She watched him beneath soft eyes. “That is very beautiful.”
Azriel nodded wordlessly.
Silenced prevailed as together they admired the place the stars met the sea.
“Does it ever fade for you?” she whispered after a while. “The beauty of these lands?”
Azriel didn’t hesitate before admitting his truth.
“Not ever.”
Another bout of quiet followed. Until her voice slipped delicately through it.
“I think sometimes that I could listen to you speak for hours, you know."
Azriel’s pulse slowed. He was careful not to look at her as she continued.
“You say such beautiful things. And you don’t seem to share them with anyone.”
He was grateful that the night was dark enough to hide the flush now crawling up his neck.
“No,” he admitted. “I don’t.”
“But you do with me,” he could feel her studying him carefully. “When we’re alone.”
When we’re alone.
The words sounded dangerous and holy. His eyes slipped to her. Clandestine and infinite.
“You are a paradox,” he remarked, too gentle.
Elain’s mouth twisted in the shy beginnings of a smile that refused to show itself. “That seems…” she chewed her cheek. “Problematic.”
“You have no idea,” Azriel uttered honestly.
He held her there, in his gaze. Far too unabashed, far too long.
And far, far too softly.
