Elain

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a blue glow across the sweeping garden. The leaves that usually glistened green in the daylight pressed around Elain in a deep midnight purple. Lightning bugs danced around her and Azriel as they quietly strolled down the stone pathway that led deep into the garden. It was truly breathtaking in a way that you would never see in the daylight.

Her shoulder were wrapped loosely in a shawl to keep away the cold bite that had hung in the air since the sun had settled beyond the horizon. Elain couldn't help the glee that bubbled up in her stomach as she soaked in the mere presence of Azriel beside her. Their afternoon and picnic down by the Sidra had been lovely and exhilarating. Elain had never ventured to the market before and felt a thrill like no other as her and Azriel weaved through the stands and throngs of people, stealing little grasps of each other's hands when the crowd was especially packed around them.

They had sat down by the water, gorging themselves with sweets until they both felt sick and washed it all down with the most interesting tea Elain had ever come across. She hadn't been able to help the laugh that bubbled up her throat when Azriel got a little dusting of powdered sugar on his nose. A wild snort had escaped her mouth and only caused her to laugh even louder, a sense of triumph came over her when she looked up to see a wide smile dancing across Azriel's face. It had taken her breath away, catching lightly in her throat as she stared into his luminous eyes that danced with mirth.

He hadn't taken his eyes off of her when she reached up and wiped the smudge of sugar off his nose, her fingers dancing lightly over his features. But the moment had passed and the two of them had sat contently silent, watching all the people pass them by.

"Thank you for this, Azriel." Elain whispered, her eyes still on the river in front of her. "This city is truly -"

"Enchanting." Azriel interjected, causing her to turn her head and find his eyes locked on her. Her cheeks and neck flooded with heat and she knew she was as red as the strawberry tart they had consumed earlier.

Elain nodded with vigor, unable to form words when Azriel looked at her with such a softness in his eyes. A small shadow danced over his shoulder and curled into his ear before he cleared his throat and started to gather up all of their discarded wrappers and shove them into the empty pastry book.

He had suggested they get going but didn't make eye contact with her as they gathered up all their stuff and left the Sidra and made their way through the city. Elain had convinced herself to not take it personally, he was a solitary creature who was sharing bits of his life with her. A light blush had dusted his cheeks and Elain followed beside him obediently, giving him the space she knew he needed as they wove through the streets and back to the manor.

"You really haven't been down here at night before?" Azriel's sweet voice snapped her out of her own mind and pulled her back into the dark garden they now waltzed through.

A bright flush lit her cheeks, hidden in the soft moonlight that hung down on them.

"I never thought to," She marveled, turning towards him and taking in his dark silhouette, "I would have never guessed it would be this pleasant."

Elain looked at Azriel, knowing he would have a small smile on his face but she was met with only darkness. The moon lit him from behind, catching on the steep curve of the top of his wings and illuminating the tips of his hair in a purple hue.

"Switch with me."

"What?" He chuckled, halting where he stood.

"Switch with me, Azriel." Elain repeated, slipping around him so the moon was behind her and light shone on the back of his wings. He swiveled towards her, moonlight illuminating his beautiful face. "Much better."

He only raised an eyebrow on her, the smile he saved just for her still played on his face.

"I wanted to see you." Elain whispered, lifting a shaking hand up to cup his cheek. His skin was warm on her cold hand and he leaned into her slightly, his eyelids drooping shut for a brief second before she hastily pulled her hand back.

What had gotten into her? Why was she so constantly consumed with the need to reach out and touch him, to hold his hand, to brush against his side as they walked?

Elain cleared her throat and turned back down the path they were taking. She didn't want to push him, didn't want to lose his friendship because she couldn't help her own damn wandering hands and overwhelming feelings. He had already retreated from her once that day and she just needed to get control over her impulsive actions and rolling gut.

Before she could open her mouth to ask the question that lingered on her tongue, Elain was thrown out of the dark and into a bright, warm light. The Sidra sat in front of her, colors of brilliant red and gold danced on the horizon as the sun started to rise. She was, once again, on her favorite balcony watching the sunrise and the day start new. Her arms lay in front of her, forearms rested on the balcony rail and a steaming cup of tea warming her cold hands. The smell of orange wafted up towards her as the sun's rays settled warmly on her face. Her eyes shifted to the left and a pair of scarred hands settled next to her, holding their own cup of steaming tea identical to hers.

Elain was thrown out of the vision as quickly as she was thrown into it and she sucked in a gulp of air.

"Are you alright?" Azriel asked, his voice laced with concern as his hand lightly pressed into her elbow. Elain looked over at him and she was suddenly glad her face was cast in shadows, he couldn't see the extreme blush that spread from the top of her head to the tip of her toes.

"I'm fine." She breathed. He had been there, had shared that sacred space and sacred time with her. It was sealed by fate or destiny or whatever power made her a seer, she would invite him to come watch the sunrise and sip some tea with her and he would. Elain waited for the panic to bubble up in her gut but it didn't. It wasn't such an outlandish idea that she would enjoy having the Shadowsinger share that space and time with her. Her early mornings were her sanctuary, her comfort, it only made sense to invite the one person that also felt like a sanctuary, who also brought her comfort. And he had been sharing his safe spaces with her.

"It was a nice vision." She added as he stood rigidly still beside her. "Just me going about my daily routine. They don't always serve as warnings, some just give me a little hint of what my future holds."

Her future, Elain liked the idea of a future that included Azriel and she almost gasped at the realization. She hadn't imagined any sort of future since she had been thrown into the Cauldron. The idea of immortality scared her so profoundly that she had vowed to not think about the future until she had to.

But a future with him, it did not scare her. No, not in the slightest. Not when it was her choice, he wasn't her mate or someone she was betrothed to because she had to be betrothed to someone. If they were to be together it would be completely her choice. And his. The thoughts flooded her with an overwhelming sense of confidence.

They resumed their walk and Elain watched as Azriel ran a hand lightly over the flowers and leaves that they passed. There was something so delicate about how his fingers flitted across the top of the sweet smelling plants.

"Today was truly lovely, you are a joy to be around." Elain smiled, catching his gaze as it shot over to her and his eyes rounded. A small laugh bubbled out of her mouth at his response, "Is that so hard to believe, Azriel?"

Azriel shook his head in response, letting a small smile tug at the side of his mouth. "You are a joy to be around, Elain."

Elain pivoted her body towards him and pulled his hands into hers. She held them against her chest and she swore he would be able to feel her heart thundering under his hands. Kiss me. She wanted to say. Dance with me in the moonlight in this garden with the stars watching us. Stay with me, for now, forever, I don't care just stay.

The words stuck in her throat as she looked up at him. Moonlight danced over his face as his dark shadows twisted quickly around his neck and down his arms towards her cold hands. Azriel's breath seemed to get caught in his throat and an emotion she couldn't place flicked through his eyes, he quickly pulled his hands from hers and stepped back. Dread filled her gut and her empty hands dropped to her side.

Elain turned back towards the flowers at her side and started walking again, hoping he would continue on with her. What was wrong with her? It was the second time within the hour that she had pushed herself on him. Why was she acting like a love sick fool? Was she a love sick fool?

Azriel's almost silent footfalls sounded behind her as she continued down the stone pathway that wound through the garden. He had told her he comes here to think and be alone not to be touched by her. Elain pasted a smile on her face and turned towards him, hoping he wouldn't see the hurt of his rejection reflected in her eyes.

Elain looked over at him, so beautiful, with his wings tucked tightly behind him and a grim line set into his mouth. Ask him to join you for the sunrise. You saw the vision, he has to say yes. But she couldn't, couldn't get herself to say the words, to face the rejection that might come.

She pushed the thoughts aside and instead lowered her eyes, grumbling out a "Goodnight, Azriel." And darting back towards the house, leaving him alone in the gardens.