I woke up the next morning feeling rested. I'd slept the whole night through, even having had an early night. In fact, I'd fallen asleep reading a book I'd borrowed from the House of Wind library. Having the time and energy to read was a luxury I'd missed in the time I'd spent at Windhaven and I made a note to myself to buy some books. Azriel and I had sat and watched the sunset in silence, nestled together. The silence was comfortable. It always was with him. It didn't feel awkward or strange, but peaceful, safe. Then when it had got dark and the stars were overhead, we'd made our way back to the House of Wind, heading our separate ways along the hallway, but not before he'd given me a gentle kiss on the cheek goodnight this time. It was short, sweet and intimate. Perfect.
The smell of breakfast wafted along the hallway again and I paused in my doorway at the sound of voices.
"Where did you head off to so abruptly last night?" Cassian asked.
"Just went for a fly," I could picture Azriel shrugging his reply.
"With Mayar," Cassian's voice was teasing.
"Stop," Azriel hissed, "She could be awake any moment."
"You like her." He paused. "I know, I know," laughter from Cassian and then he stopped. "Do you think she's-"
The floorboard I stood on creaked at the conversation stopped. You shouldn't snoop, Moonbeam, my father would say, it's poor manners. I figured they knew of my presence now anyway, so, carrying the book I'd borrowed, I walked down the hallway and into the dining room, where both males were sat. Cassian looked just as hungover as the previous day and Azriel the opposite- perky and sat upright, a book in his hand, stubble on his chin but not a single dark ring under his eyes. In fact, I couldn't see any shadows at all.
"Good morning," I said, adding extra cheeriness and volume, making Cassian hold his head and groan. Azriel laughed, the melodious sound filling the dining room as I sat in the seat across from the shadowsinger, just like the previous day. He put his book down and poured me a coffee, looking at the book I placed on the table. "Oh sorry, I borrowed a book last night. I hope that was okay."
"Go ahead," Cassian's head was resting on the table, "Only one idiot reads in this place anyway and he can't get through that many books."
"Try me," Azriel's mouth twitched as he baited Cassian, but the General was suffering too much to retaliate.
"I'm going back to bed," He groaned, staggering out of the room.
"Is he ever not hungover?" I asked, dishing up some food onto my plate.
"A few times a week, sure," Azriel shrugged, his eyes meeting mine. "What would you like to do today?"
My last day and night in Velaris, I realized. Azriel didn't know when he was returning to Windhaven, I recalled. The thought made me ache inside. Doomed. Doomed by the fluffy-haired warrior sat opposite me looking all kinds of gorgeous with his morning stubble and coffee and book.
"Could we go to the beach?" I asked. We'd been close to it, walked along the Sidra, but never had reached the coast itself.
His mouth twitched upwards at the corners, "Isn't it still a little cold?"
"Please," I made my eyes look bigger and pouted my lips, making him shake his head.
"Fine, but no swimming."
After breakfast and getting dressed, we flew down to The Rainbow and walked along the Sidra towards the ocean. It felt warmer today and it was quieter- people probably still in bed from last night's festivities, I decided. I was wearing a new jumper I'd bought the previous day, the same shade of blue as the dress I'd worn. My hair was down, moving slightly in the breeze and I breathed in the scent of the sea salt as we walked in comfortable silence. Soon the streets ended and we reached a dock, where merchant's ships and privately owned boats were tied up. I could spell the spices being imported and the freshly caught fish as a fisherman secured his boat.
"Ever been on a boat?" I asked as we walked along the wooden planks.
Azriel wrinkled his nose and I laughed as he said, "Not for me. Or my stomach."
I looked out at the ocean as we turned the corner onto a path away from the harbour. "How did you end up at Windhaven?"
Azriel looked distant as he glanced out to the sea. But then… he told me. He told me about his upbringing, about his family. About being kept shut away in a cell- the thought turning my stomach. He told me about Windhaven and being taken in by Rhysand's mother. He told me about the Blood Rite, fighting alongside Rhys and Cassian and then becoming a member of the Inner Circle. And a Spymaster.
His shadows were drifting around him and I reached for one of his hands, running my fingers along it. "Spymaster, huh? Should I be worried?"
A soft chuckle as he turned his face to mine. He took my hand in his, holding it against his chest. The shadows dispersed. "Not at all," He replied. "I would never invade your privacy."
I nodded. His words rang true. A breeze whipped my hair across my face and I retrieved my hand, trying to tame it. "And this is why I wear my hair up."
"I like it down," His voice was soft, gentle, yet my knees felt weak. He tucked some loose strands behind my ear and I felt the colour rushing to my cheeks. Effortlessly, Azriel's hand fell back to his side and he laced his fingers through mine, before continuing to lead me on our walk.
I glanced down at our hands as we walked parallel with the shore, feeling sparks coursing through me. Was this… normal? I'd never held hands with someone who hadn't been family, never had had relationships. This was all new. And I didn't have my mother to talk to about it. I swallowed and concentrated on not letting any tears escape. Now wasn't the time for that, I decided. I didn't want to ruin my last day in Velaris.
"Tell me about your family," He said to me softly as we continued along the path. And so I did.
We were soon quite far from the city, probably on the outskirts and I diverted us, pulling him towards the shore. "Race you," I said, breaking contact and taking off in a warrior run. I jumped between the rocks, careful to keep my footing, and then when I reached the sand I sprinted to the shoreline. But just as I got there, Azriel appeared in front of me, arms folded, wings spread. "That's cheating!"
"You didn't say we couldn't fly," He replied, "So I sought the easier route." He watched as I crouched down, taking off my boots and my socks. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going in," I murmured and his eyes widened, "Not swimming," I added as I rolled up my trousers, "Just a… paddle." My feet sunk into the sand as I walked along it and then I reached the water. I dipped a toe first confirming my thoughts- it was cold. Needless to say, I went in anyway. I'd never been to the beach before and I sure as hell wasn't missing out now. Azriel was watching me with amusement. "I'm sorry, are five century-old warriors scared of the water?"
He took his boots and socks off then, coming in after me, accepting the challenge, "It's cold." He pointed out and I laughed softly.
"That it is." I moved my leg in a splash, splattering cold water on his clothes and he raised his eyebrows in challenge, moving towards me. I laughed and ran away, through the shallow waters, but he once again appeared in front of me, this time winnowing. "I'm sure that's cheating."
His lips turned upwards in a smile and he took both of my hands, gently tugging me closer. My breath caught in my throat as his eyes locked on mine, our bodies touching, and then he bent down and kissed me. It was soft, gentle, careful, but enough to leave my lips tingling and my body on fire as he took a step away, his hazel eyes widening.
"Was… was it that bad?" I whispered, my heart sinking in my chest.
"No… not at all." He looked breathless. Startled. Was he okay?
"Az, what's-"
He cut me off with another kiss. This one was more passionate, one hand cupping my cheek and the other wrapped around my waist as he sent further sparks through my body. My blood hummed in my veins, like magic was flowing through my blood and this time, when he released my lips, he didn't step away. He rested his forehead on mine, both of us breathless this time. I wondered if my legs were going to give in under me and if that was the reason why Azriel held my waist so tightly. If he knew. But then he smiled. The widest, most wonderful smile I'd ever seen from him. It was the most beautiful thing in the world.