Chapter 14

Azriel dreamed he was flying over a lush forest, on his way, but not knowing where he was going. The trees were a blur beneath him as the summer sun glinted off the autumn frost. The fields were green and lush, and the ponds and lakes were frozen solid. He flew into a glorious sunset as dawn broke behind him.

He landed in a small clearing where stood a simple cabin with smoke coming out of the chimney. A tidy woodpile was off to the side and a fox sat on the front steps, watching him calmly. Out of the cabin burst a human child with wild brown hair and a blue sundress. Her bare feet patted on the leaf litter as she ran into Azriel's open arms. She giggled wildly as Azriel lifted and spun her around before setting her down. She smiled mischievously before darting past him and across the clearing.

Azriel turned and saw a cliff edge with a gorge and river far below. He called out for the girl to stop but no sound came out of his mouth. He panicked and tried to run after her but he couldn't lift his feet. He tried to fly to her but saw that his wing was broken, hanging limp at his back. He watched in horror as she fell off the cliff edge and out sight.

The child rose up again on a set of her own wings. She flew in loops and circles giggling as she went before zooming past Azriel towards the cabin. She landed softly on the grass and she gave the fox a pat on the head. Azriel felt supremely happy, like he had never been so content in his life. But then a male fae stepped out from behind the cabin and walked up to the child. Azriel tried to see his face but couldn't lift his eyes. He knew he needed to look, to see who the fae was, but his eyes wouldn't cooperate. He couldn't look.

The fae reached down and scooped up the child. She began screaming and kicking, but the fae carried her over to the woodpile where the axe lay gleaming in the sun. Azriel knew what was coming. It happened to female Illyrians as they were deemed unworthy of flying. He began walking to the woodpile but had to drag his leg. He looked down and saw that it was in a cast of mud and unbearably heavy. No, he screamed. It's illegal. Rhys banned clipping wings! You can't do this!

The fae began to hack away at the human girl's wings. But Azriel was confused as to how a human girl could have wings. She was sobbing on the chopping block and instead of stopping the male Azriel held her face in his hands. Why do you have wings?

She reached out to him with pleading eyes.

How it is you have wings? The mystery fae continue hacking and the girl just sat and stared at Azriel with sorrow and betrayal written on her face.

How could you let this happen? It was Rhys' voice, and he spun wildly to beg the High Lord to help.

Help her! Stop this! he cried.

You stop it. You're doing nothing. This is your fault. You should never have let this happen. It was too dangerous and you were selfish, Rhys' voice said to him.

The girl was screaming and Azriel grabbed the evil fae. He tried to fight him but his punches missed their mark or glanced off the fae harmlessly.

I didn't know! Please stop this! He's killing her. Stop this! Azriel pleaded and collapsed, weeping.

What do you care? You just found her, same as I did. You don't even know what she is, said the other fae. Azriel looked down and saw that it wasn't a little girl, but the fox on the chopping block. Its throat was cut and it was bleeding out. Azriel screamed in despair and scooped up the fox, hugging it close while he wept.

"Azriel! Azriel! Come on, open your eyes!"

It was Cassian's voice, firmly calling in his ear. Azriel's had been trying so hard to open his eyes to see the male's face that now, in the real world, his eyes snapped open and he instantly reached for Cassian's throat. Cassian's eyes bulged out in shock and he grabbed Azriel's forearm.

Rhys was there too and lunged between the two Illyrians to pull Azriel away. There was a mad scramble between the three males but Azriel was too weak to put up much of a fight, and Rhys and Cassian soon had his arms pinned down on the bed.

"Azriel! Look at me!" Rhys ordered. "Look at me, it's alright. It was a dream but you're here now. We're here." Azriel was breathing hard and sweating. His searched the room for any threat but saw only the concerned faces of his friends leaning over him. Cassian's nose was bleeding. His body relaxed into the mattress and he groaned and closed his eyes. Tentatively the males released his arms and sat back.

"I'm sorry," he panted. "I'm sorry. I thought...I was there and couldn't...but then the fox…"

Cassian looked to Rhys for clarification but Rhys just looked down at Azriel and nodded.

"Don't worry about it, Az. It was a dream," Rhys said in a soothing voice.

The three males just sat in silence for a time before Cassian moved to get up and deal with his bloody nose. There was a light rap on the door and Feyre popped her head in. Worry etched her face along with a great sadness. There were dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep, as the whole family had been caring for the two patients for days now.

"Azriel, are you alright?" she asked tentatively. Azriel nodded but didn't say anything. She hesitated and looked to Cassian and Rhys. Azriel looked at all three of them, panic growing in his chest.

"No. Please, no," he pleaded with her. Feyre shook her head and a single tear fell, but a smile also came to her face.

"The fever broke," was all she said.

Azriel walked slowly down the sidewalk with Cassian at his side. His limp was minor though the muscles in his leg needed to strengthen. The healer had recommended walking through town, gradually increasing the distance.

"But no long distances right out the gate. And certainly no cross-country!" Madja had sternly ordered him. Azriel nodded obediently but was anxious to get out of the house. He had been cooped up for so long, the idea of walking anywhere was joyous release.

Now he and his brother strolled companionably down the streets, between the market stalls. Several citizens nodded and smiled hello, a few came up and shook his hand to welcome him back. A child even ran up and surprised him with a hug to his leg. Azriel froze in place not knowing how to receive such affection. He looked to Cassian who was trying to hide his laughter behind a coughing fit. The father chided the young faery and gently pulled him away.

"I'm so sorry milord. I hope he didn't hurt you," his father apologised.

"Oh, I'm not a lord. It's fine, I was just surprised is all," Azriel stammered. He smiled down at the child, "Thank you for the...I appreciate…Um, it's nice to be back." The young faery grinned like speaking to Azriel was the best thing that had ever happened to him and held his father's hand as they walked off. Azriel didn't even look at Cassian.

"Don't," he said.

"It's was beautiful."

"Stop."

"The affection and caring in your body language…" Cassian said wistfully.

"Enough."

"You're a natural father figure. Females will be flocking to your door."

Azriel sighed, "Cassian…"

"That was the most painfully awkward encounter I have ever seen."

"Yes, we both know this. Can we just move on?"

"Whatever you say, milord," Cassian gave him a mocking bow.

Azriel looked around before asking Cassian, "Where did that come from? Do people in Velaris call you a lord?"

"Apparently they do quite a bit. Certainly not after they get to know us, but some of the strangers feel uncomfortable addressing members of the Inner Circle without the prefix."

"Well it makes me feel uncomfortable. Like I'm an imposter." Azriel looked around, adjusting his shoulders like he was wearing a costume that didn't fit properly.

"They are genuinely happy that their spymaster is back. Though I can't figure why...people actually starting having secrets of their own for a change." Cassian ducked a light punch to the shoulder from Azriel. "I'm serious though. Some even hung mourning banners, even though Rhys refused to declare you lost. He ordered them taken down, but I think it just made them more sad to see how upset Rhys was."

The thought gave Azriel pause. He never imagined anyone missing him when he was gone, let alone a whole city of fae. He spent much of his life being a grunt, just a slave to the whims of a father, a captain, a general, or a lord. It was different with Rhys as High Lord though; he was employed and paid a fine salary for his services. But Rhys made it clear that it was his choice to put his shadowsinging abilities to use.

He sighed and looked around at the faeries moving back and forth, going about their business. His spying and strength had helped the Inner Circle keep the Court of Dreams safe from the politics and nightmares of the real world. Few ever left Velaris, nor did they want to. They had everything they needed here. They were safe, protected.

Like the Cabin.

Azriel stopped and looked out over the Sidra from the railing of the Rainbow. It was the same concept, just that Velaris was bigger, with more than one person. Rhys had trapped them here to keep them safe. Could someone have done that to Kyla? She was a prisoner for sure, but with her needs catered to. She never ran out of food, the books found their way there. Perhaps it wasn't a curse that trapped her, but a spell that protected her. Or was supposed too.

Azriel felt an urge to start interrogating every High Fae male with red hair he came across. He began eyeing them suspiciously as they walked by, clenching his fists. How did he get in? How did he find her?

"What are you doing?" Cassian broke through his thoughts.

Azriel snapped his head around and realised where he was. "Nothing. I was just lost in thought, trying to figure something out. Sorry, let's find the shop and head back."

"You sure? We can always come back another time," Cassian offered.

"No, I'm fine. I'm looking for something specific." Azriel continued shaking hands and smiling at the faeries passing by, but his mind was already planning where he would start looking, and how to keep his promise.