Chapter Text
Azriel POV
10 months after the ending of ACOSF
I sprawled out across the roof of the House of Wind. The warm afternoon sun warmed my skin and wings. I flared them to feel the warmth spreading. My shadows tucked behind them.
In a few moments, my brothers, Feyre and I were winnowing to the Dawn Court. Unlike most of the time, I was actually around when he requested I accompany him. I returned to regroup with everything I'd gathered regarding the human queens. Which was... nothing.
I sighed and dangled my leg over the edge of the roof idly. Politics was Rhys' thing. I knew why my brother wanted me there but... the last time I'd seen the High Lord of Dawn, Thesan aside from the battlefield...
I had to shake my head to chase the thought away. My dark hair danced in my line of vision.
I had tackled Eris and shamed Rhys. As much as I didn't want to regret it, we were allies now.
Thesan's head physician had crafted an antidote to a common virus, and all the courts were receiving a dose. There would be no Eris, or any autumn court snakes today.
I found myself scowling at my knee.
Overgrown bat.
Beron's words rang in my head as I heard voices approaching the landing I was overlooking.
"Nyx has everything he needs. We should only be gone a few hours." Feyre called to Elain, who was unofficially Nyx's nanny.
Elain.
I blinked at Feyre, Cassian and Rhysand as they stepped outside and eyes turned to me.
"Interrupting your brooding?" Cassian snickered, earning a glare from Feyre.
I didn't reply as I flapped my wings once and landed beside them.
"Az knows better than to entertain your circus routine." Rhys mused, no wings to be seen today.
Cassian started, but Feyre cut him off. "Why do I feel like I should list off rules on how to behave yourselves today?"
Cassian clamped his mouth shut while Rhys chuckled.
My expression lightened. There was nothing quite like getting Cass to shut up.
"I promise I'll be on my best behavior." I said dryly, though a small smile tugged at my lips.
Feyre nodded. "You're not the one I'm worried about Az." She muttered, eyeing Rhys and Cassian.
"We do need to make sure Thesan understands our appreciation for extending this kindness. Many families will find relief with this antidote." Rhys considered, looking at each of us in turn.
"Right. Let's get on with it then." Cassian blurted, sounding bored.
Rhys denied him a reaction as he grabbed Cass's arm and I held to Feyre and we vanished into the silky darkness.
When the world shifted back into place, we stood at the entryway to Thesan's magnificent palace.
"It's more beautiful than the last time." Cassian murmured, though I was too busy taking in the scenery to respond.
Of all the places I've been to, the Dawn court is among the most beautiful. I felt out of place here. I felt... stark.
The familar feeling bubbled within me. I slid my scarred hands into my pockets.
A servant welcomed us and lead us to a grand room, where Thesan and the captain of the Peregryn army were lounging. While they both were wearing royal clothing, their body language was informal. I narrowed my eyes, shadows leaking from me to scout for any threats. I always appeared, and acted, more weary than the others. Someone had to. I marked every exit and possible escape. Every item that could be a weapon.
At our arrival, they perked up and Thesan stood, walking to the four of us.
"Welcome to my home again, Rhysand. Feyre." He boomed, clasping Rhys hand and then Feyre's.
Cassian and I exchanged amused glances. We were no names.
My brother wouldn't let that slide. "You remember Cassian, the captain of my armies and Azriel, my shadowsinger?"
Thesan balked slightly. "My apologizes. It's been a while." He inclined his head to us. Standing this close to us, Thesan was my height. I had not realized how tall the High Lord was. A mental note.
"Don't worry about it. How are things in the Dawn court?" Cassian drawled, the portrait of a bored general. I bit my cheek to stifle my grin.
Thesan had an easy smile. "We are experiencing great health and happiness. Our streets are full of little ones and our armies are stronger than ever. We would like to extend our fortune to any who would receive it."
He glanced behind me at the doorway, where a servant scrambled in with a brown satchel.
Feyre received it with a grateful dip of her head.
I cocked my head slightly. My shadows swirled around the servant's feet.
They whispered to me that all was well with the satchel.
"We've separated doses for each court. The antidote should be replicable if need be." Thesan said with a wave his hand, and the servant dismissed herself.
Rhys opened his mouth to speak as the floor squeaked and thunderous footsteps sounded in the hall.
I whipped around in time for a young woman to barrel into the servant. My shadows scattered before they swarmed again.
A peregryn female. Her feathered wings flared at the impact. By her leathers, she was a warrior.
I felt my family tense up next to me. Feyre was the first to settle.
"Captain, we've-" the female blurted, stumbling into the room.
A beat of silence passed as she slowly panned to digest who all was in the room.
The captain shot to his feet. "Y/N, what in the gods name are you doing?" He barked, closing the distance.
Thesan himself seemed ruffled.
The female's urgency slipped into sheepishness. "Sir, my patrol has taken two human soldiers into custody on our grounds. A herd of them were in our Northern Territory." Her trembling gaze turned to us. To me.
"Near night and day court territory."
The captain reared. "Impossible. How could humans have made it that far into prythain?" He paused, regaining his composure.
Rhys, Feyre, Cassian balked too.
I clenched my jaw and schooled my features.
"Humans couldn't have made it this deep-" Feyre was saying as I gathered my shadows to winnow.
How could humans have slipped past so many courts? Past me?
Idiot. How could I be so stupid? I had kept a tight watch on the human lands-
Rhys saw what I was doing and put a hand on my shoulder
"Azriel. Stay." My brother ordered, his voice sharp. I glared at him, but he and I both knew I would hear him out.
He hadn't used that voice with me since I nearly kissed Elain.
The memory made me stiffen.
"High Lord." Y/N stuttered, bowing low to both Thesan and Rhys.
The female looked up at Cassian and I. Her frantic eyes locked with mine for a heartbeat.
Or maybe it was longer-
The captain brushed a kiss to Thesan before storming out.
Y/N made to dismiss herself before Rhys stepped in her way.
"Y/N, was it?" Rhys said, using his silver tongue. His smooth way with words, words he's crafted to bring people to their knees.
The female has no choice but to blush at them. "Y-Yes my lord." She answered, taking a step back.
"I'm concerned these humans were found so close to my territory." He rumbled, throwing a glance at Thesan who bristled behind her.
"I want my shadowsinger involved in the interrogation process."
Everyone else in the room sucked in a breath.
I just blinked at him, my eyes wide.
Y/N straightened. "The humans were found on Dawn court land-"
"I'll allow it."
We whirled to Thesan. The high lord ran a hand through his brown hair.
"I want the night court to have a hand in what we learn. After all, they were close to the night court border yes? They could be their destination. I want Azriel, their shadowsinger, to work with you." Though his words were final, his tone was considerate.
Rhys smiled his approval at Thesan.
Cassian slapped a hard hand against my back.
"If anyone can get those humans to talk it's Az."
My brother beamed.
I turned around to face him as Feyre nodded as well. "Very well. Azriel, you stay here in the Dawn court and aid in whatever you can. We'll be eagerly awaiting what you find out."
I crossed my arms. "If two high lords want my services, I'm honored." Is all I drawled. The room blinked at me.
"Allow me to send word to my spies and I'll return shortly. I-" I looked back at my family. "I need to ensure our safety first."
Rhys smiled at me. A nostalgic smile. A smile that I've seen for centuries.
"Of course. A room will be prepared for you, Azriel. We eagerly await your return." Thesan said softly, though urgency rang in his body language.
My shadows slithered down my wings. He made sure to use my name now.
I looked back at the female before I was swept into shadows. I saw her eyes again.
And I knew I wouldn't forget them.