I thought I would try my hand at this after reading ACOWAR. As Sarah was inspired by Beauty and the Beast, this story will be inspired by Cinderella. It's fun to write a fairytale and stray from "reality" a bit. ;0) SPOILERS for ACOWAR.

Introduction

Silence. That was what he needed.

Even now, in times of peace, Azriel's head was always full. Swimming with secrets and whispers, bits of conversations he was never meant to overhear. But there was one voice that sounded louder than all the others. Mor's voice. Revealing a deep truth, one she had kept hidden for centuries. He listened, stone faced and numb, as she recounted to him their shared history from her perspective. Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke, spilling down her cheeks causing him to look away. He hated it. Seeing her so distraught. Hated thinking that he had something to do with it. She lamented not telling him sooner. Admitted that she had told Feyre everything and that the reaction of their High Lady had given her hope. Hope that he too would understand.

Of course he would understand. For decades he had loved her. Her light and her laughter had pulled him from the abyss time and again. She had seen him, sensed his every turn and tumble. And cared for him, even when he had not the strength to care for himself. She was the first female to see past his scars. The first he had truly cared for. Prayed for and anguished over.

Some part of him had known. There was always a barrier between them, paper thin and invisible yet still tangible. If only just…

When she had finished, he wasn't sure what to say. Or what to do. He felt himself nod. Felt himself reach for her hand and squeeze it.

He had said something to her, but he couldn't remember what. So many words were flitting around in his head. So many questions. And fears. She had embraced him then, held him close for what was likely the last time.

Bleary eyed and woozy, head and heart heavy, he had dismissed himself from the room. From the townhouse. From the city. To seek out silence.

There was a clearing, deep in the forest's of Prythian, riding the borders between the courts of Spring and Autumn. He had become intimately familiar with the Southern lands during the lead up to the war. Rather than send any of his men, he chose to navigate the treacherous assignments himself and risk capture. In that time, he had stumbled upon the clearing, nestled above the foothills of the mountain chain that made up the majority of the border between the bickering courts. Surrounded by rock and thick foliage, Azriel was certain no one else had penetrated it. It was the one place in the world where he could be totally alone.

He chose to fly instead of winnow, relishing the torrent of wind that enveloped his senses and chased away his thoughts. Once he landed, he abandoned whatever leash he had managed to keep on himself. Swirls of shadows, black as night leaked from him like a rush of waves on an unsuspecting shore. He thought he heard himself cry out.

Foolish. That's what he had been. The truth had been there, but he had been too foolish to really see it. Too content to live in the possibility. He let himself believe that in the end, she would come to him. Love him as he loved her. He wasn't angry with her, but with himself. His denial, his naivete had been the cause of so much pain and longing. His willingness to hope, even in the wake of her gentle dismissals. Each one of them, spanning decades, accosted him now; sending pangs of self-loathing through him. If he had only the courage to address it long ago...perhaps they would both be happy now. Like Rhys and Feyre.

Loneliness shot through his chest, the pain of it cleaving through him like an ash arrow. He loved his High Lord and Lady. But their happiness was so great, so complete..sometimes he couldn't stand it. For years he had Cassian at his side, the two of them alone together. With Rhys. But now...Rhys was married and mated. And Cassian...Well, Azriel couldn't understand what it was he had with the spiteful, bristling Nesta Archeron. But it wasn't unrequited. Someday, they would both realize the extent of their feelings and act upon them. And Azriel...he would be…

Azriel dropped to his knees, heaving in air as shame and lamentations overwhelmed his system. He had to get it out now. If Mor had seen him this way, if she knew what he was succumbing to...she would never forgive herself. He would never forgive himself.

This is my burden. He told himself, the sting in his heart lessening with each breath he drew. My burden to bear.

He inhaled again, air filling his lungs until there was no vacant space. He held it in, feeling for his heartbeat. Feeling the ache. He understood, better than most, that to endure pain one had to really feel it. Live in it. Acknowledge it. To hide from it or deny it...well, in the end that was impossible.

There was no life without pain. He had accepted that long ago. From birth he had been dealt a rotten hand, but he had friends now. And family. No matter what existed between them, Azriel knew...Mor would always be apart of that family. A constant light, burning like a star in his dark sky.

For the first time since landing, Azriel took in his surroundings. The sky was tinged with dark gray clouds. A spring storm was on it's way. The trees, conifers of deep green shades, stood so tall they blocked the mountains and valleys from view. The clearing was dotted with wildflowers of blue, purple and yellow. He hadn't appreciated flowers before. Not since Elain...Even now, even as despair burrowed into his head, he was happy for her. Happy that she had found her strength and accepted her newfound abilities. He had once been like her, sorrowful and hateful of the circumstances that had been forced upon him. He understood her pain. He hoped...that he had helped her see beyond it. He had been sad to see her go, would miss her presence in Velaris. But she had a life to live. With Lucien...A princely bastard in his own right. Like Feyre, Azriel had his doubts about the fox fae, but Lucien had been respectful even under the influence of overwhelming instinct. It was likely that, with enough time, Elain would accept the bond.

Birds sang in the distance, cheery songs that tugged at his heartstrings. He lowered himself down into the grass and rested his forearms on his bent knees. A soft breeze snaked across the small plain, ruffling his hair now tinged with sweat. Azriel focused on his breathing. On the smell of the earth and sky, land untouched by the war. Patches of blue shone through, lighting small areas of grass and rock. Soon enough, his heart would steady and he could go home. Blood flow slowed. Clarity returned to his head. But a whisper of sound pulled him from meditation. He sprung to his feet, calling his shadows to him.

Someone, or perhaps something, was watching him.

Azriel had lived long enough, spied for long enough, to know what it felt like. To be watched. The unease that settled in his stomach was familiar. He had sensed it in many a target, like a predator stalking its prey there was a scent. But in all his time, he had never experienced it firsthand. Swiftly and silently, he became nothing but shadow. Melding into the lanky shade of trees that lined the clearing. His eyes slipped shut and he listened. His ears, as awake and aware as his skilled eyes, picked up on no sound. No gasp of surprise or curse of frustration at his sudden disappearance. He waited, wondering if maybe he had imagined it.

After several minutes, a figure stepped out from behind a tree. It was a human. Female.

She was a small thing, young like the Archeron sisters. She took careful, quiet steps. Her feet bare against the field floor, but she watched for any loose leaf or stick that could make unwelcome noise underfoot. She was dressed simply, in a cotton tunic that was likely meant to be worn with leggings. But her legs, pale and splashed with dirt, were bare as well. A stretch of fabric was tied across her middle and in one hand she clutched an empty basket. She was staring at the place he had only just occupied. Azriel cursed himself for dropping his guard.

She turned towards him then, looking straight at him without seeing. Her hair was a deep brown, almost black, slightly curled but very matted. It fell down her back. Her eyes, wide and curious, were dark. Pools at the bottom of a well.

She took a step towards him and a scent triggered his memories. She was human yes, but there was something about her. It was faint, but there was magic in her. He realized he had sensed it before...On the once missing queen, Vassa. His own curiosity peaked, he was about to step from the shadows when he realized she wasn't alone.

Another creature stepped from the forest. It was too large to be a dog, but too slender to be fae. A wolf. Its fur was pale like moonlight. It's amber eyes were pinned to the girl, stalking towards her from behind. Azriel readied himself to move in between them, shadows gathering. But the girl turned as if also sensing the approaching danger and a smile lit up her face.

The creature whined, it's tail bobbing back and forth as it pounced on her. The girl loosed a near silent breath of laughter, running her hands over the beast's head as it licked her face furiously. She toppled backwards, unable to keep steady on her knees under the weight of the wild animal. The wolf only whined, unrelenting. The creature rolled over onto it's back, a sign of trust and submission. The girl crawled back up to her knees and leaned down to rub it's belly.

She didn't speak, didn't utter a word, but Azriel was certain that they were communicating. Somehow…

The girl's face scrunched up and she sighed. The wolf only huffed in response, rolling over again. She pressed her forehead to the wolf's and Azriel felt as though he should turn away; as if he were spying on something too intimate for his voyeur's eyes. After a minute the wolf knocked her head aside and began licking her face again before plopping into a sitting position next to her. They sat together for several minutes, the girl idly petting the creature. Azriel watched from shadows. He had little experience with humans and the animals of their world, but he knew enough to realize that this was an odd coupling. A predator and it's prey, enjoying each other's company.

Without much warning, a steady stream of rain began to fall from the sky. Unperturbed, the girl simply rose from the ground, brushing dirt from her clothes. The wolf mewled again, pawing at the girl's legs as she bent down to pick up her basket. Sadness crept into her eyes as she tilted her head towards the foothills. As if understanding, the wolf bowed its head. With a small smile, she dropped down again and wrapped her arms around the creature.

She stood, tucking stray hairs between her ear, surveying the clearing once more. The wolf nipped at her knee, with a small growl. The girl frowned, but only shook her head and pushed the beast aside. The wolf huffed again, but stood down as she turned to leave.

Azirel didn't know why; didn't stop to question it when he stumbled out of the shadows, letting them fall away like smoke and said, "Wait."

Both girl and beast jumped, heads twirling to face him. The wolf's lips peeled back revealing a mean set of teeth. It moved in front of the girl and loosed a low growl, hackles raised. The girl's eyes were wide and she stood stock still, sizing him up. He could sense her elevated heartbeat, taste the apprehension that radiated off of her.

Azriel lifted his hand and opened his mouth, but her gaze had fallen on his wings and she gasped. She turned and fled, racing across the clearing and disappearing into the trees.

Thank you reading! I'm very excited for this fic. If you're new to my stories...there are plenty more! I would love feedback if you have any. Til next time 3