Chapter Text
She found him with his back leaning against a tree. Everyone else was relaxing around the camp, enjoying a moment’s worth of rest after an agonizing win.This one battle had changed everything. The emotions running through the camp were like an iceberg: deeper than anything seen on the surface. She felt relief, horror, fullness, and emptiness.
Azriel’s eyes were closed and his head was leaning back against the tree, but she would be remiss to think he couldn’t feel her presence in front of him. His face was relaxed and closed.
“I figured you would want this back,” she said softly, unsure if she should disturb him. His eyes blinked open and he glance up at her. He looked into her outstretched hands with Truthteller balanced between them.
As if he could tell she was slightly skittish about bothering him, he nodded beside him and asked, “Would you like to sit down?”
Elain felt a smile twitch on her lip and she sank onto the ground, leaning against the same tree. She felt him next to her, shoulder to bicep and hip to hip. She avoided leaning back, careful not to touch the still-healing membrane of his wings.
Azriel reached over gently plucking the blade from her grasp while she said, “Looks like you were right about the blade. Striking true and all.”
He regarded her quietly and rasped a barely audible chuckle, “I think you deserve more credit than Truthteller, no matter how magical it may be.”
Elain smiled softly and gave him a curious look, “Why did you give it to me?”
It took so long for Azriel to answer, she thought he had fallen asleep. She jolted when she heard his deep voice spoke, “When I was most fearful, feeling this steel by my side gave me strength. It may be a little superstitious, but I wanted to give you some comfort and give you strength. It was the first thing that came to my mind.”
“It did. It made me feel stronger.”
“You are strong, Elain. Much stronger than you give yourself credit for.”
Elain felt her cheeks blush at the intensity his tone and she ducked her head, “Thank you, for knowing what it was I needed.”
“No, Elain. Thank you,” Azriel’s voice choked and she felt his beautiful fingers gripping hers. Startled, she looked up into his eyes. Then, she knew what he was really thanking her for. For saving Cassian, his brother, when he couldn’t reach him in time. For risking her life to take out their enemy.
She gripped his hands back, “You’ve all saved me, especially you. I-I’ve come to care what happens to you all. I’ll do whatever it takes. You all are my family now.”
He gave her the gentlest smile she’d ever witnessed from another person, “Welcome to the fold, El.”
Elain's face took on a bewildered look, "That's the first time anyone has given me a nickname."
His lips curled up on one side, “Well then, feel free to call me whatever you want.”
Azriel's eyes closed again. She knew she would have to think about what to call him.
Maybe Az, she thought to herself.
Only the sound of crackling bonfires and murmuring voices could be heard. But sitting there with Azriel, the pain did not leave but its sharp edges dulled.