Chapter two

Azriel managed to stay away from Elain for the last four days, keeping busy doing work for Rhysand. He only saw her during mealtimes however his shadows constantly reminded him of her presence and the effect she had on him. The fourth day Azriel was away from the house most of the day and returned just before dusk. He winnowed at the front of the back garden's gates and casual wondered in, as he did so he spotted Elain in the distance sitting on a blanket with her face exposed to the dying sun. She looked so intent with the setting sun kissing her skin and she darkness starting the engulf her. He had never seen something so perfect in his life, he wish he could capture this scene of her in the core of his memory. How at peace must this little human be to enjoy such beauty. Her voice shook him away from his daydream, "hello" he heard her call, his eyes widen, had she noticed him admiring her? No, she hadn't turned her attention to him so there was no way she could know he was here. She lifted her hand to meet her gaze and Azriel noticed what she was talking to her, cradled in her palm was one of his shadows, Azriel silently swore and glared at his shadow. He saw her smile at his shadow "you're a curious little thing, aren't you?" she says to it as his shadow starts to move up the sleeve of her dress and makes its way to the side of her neck. Azriel feels his shadow on her as if it was his own hand, he can feel every groove of fabric on the palm of his hand. His shadow reaches her neck and gently strokes her, she giggles at its touch "that tickles" she innocently gets out through her giggle, Azriel feels the vibration of her giggle shoot through him, there connection feels electrifying, His shadow moved to her check and caresses her, she leans into the comfort of it, Azriel feeling the intimacy of what's happening breaks out of his trance and his shadow quickly engulfs around Elain's throat.

Elain gasps at the sudden change in the posture of the curious creature, it feels as if the shadow has become a hand and is gripping her throat. Apart from the shock of the sudden movement what shocks her more is how this made her feel, she doesn't feel afraid and instead slightly excited. She holds herself still in the phantom shadows grip. Her eyes widen as she suddenly sees Azriel storm towards her and the phantom hand quickly evaporates. She meets his eyes, and the look makes her feel strange inside, his gaze seems predatory to her like she's a helpless little fawn and he is a bulking hungry wolf ready to devour her. But she still doesn't feel afraid of this male, she feels her cheeks becoming warm as well as her whole body, she feels she could easily become lost in his gaze. She blinks a few times before he manages to reach her fully "is everything ok Azriel?" her voice sounds worried as she asks him, as he reaches her, she realises he looks angry, is he angry with her? Had she done something? "You shouldn't be out here, its not safe" he sounded odd, like he was in pain, she felt panic slightly come over herself but not for her, for him, was he injured? She quickly got to her feet " are you hurt? Has something happened?"

When his shadows grabbed her, and he felt her excitement through there bond Azriel felt himself jolt towards her but stopped himself. He dismissed his shadows within a heartbeat, ill deal with you later, he saying to them through his mind, he knew he needed to get her away from him, but his body started to act on its own. He felt himself start to prowl towards her and he sees she notices him and her scent of her arousal engulfs him as if it is beckoning him to take her right there on the blanket under the sun set, could anything he more perfect the to make her scream out her pleasure surrounded by such beauty, this devastating monster that he is trailing his scared hands all over her body, hands which have taken so many lives in such violent ways. He comes to his senses, he shall not touch her, she is precious and is not his to take, no matter what he thinks he wants or the torture his body is going through from his restraint, he has no right to even think these things never mind act them out, he has to scare her away, she needs to run from him and hide. As his words escape his lips "you shouldn't be out here, it's not safe" he's referring to himself, the fear in her eyes has convinced her, yes, it is working, run from me, I am not worth your urges. Her response hits him like a dagger in the gut, she's concerned…..for him, not herself, could she be this innocent that she can not she the monster in front of her? He must do everything in his wake to keep her so pure and sweet, no one will ever hurt her, he swears to himself, he will make this secret promise to himself for her. " I'm not hurt, but its not safe out here at night anymore for you, you should go inside, ill stay watch out here" he fights every urge in his body to stop himself from reaching out and grabbing her.

Elain feels his concern for her safety and knows as long as he is around, she will be safe, will anyone be able to keep her protected like he can? She doesn't honestly want to know the answer to her own question, she has Greysen, and this is so wrong, she should not be thinking of another man or male for her safety. She smiles at his sweetly "thank you for your concern Azriel" she moves closer to him and goes on her tip toes and gently places a soft kiss to his cheek "good night" she turns and begins to walk away, she has no idea why she just did that, why did she kiss him? It was just as a thank you right? Then why did she wished the kiss was placed on his lips? What is happening to her? Why is she acting like this around this male? She doesn't even know him; it's been a few says since she first met him but why does it feel like she's known him all her life? What is happening?

Before he can even comprehend what is happening his hand grabs hold of hers before she can leave, he sees her quickly turn back to meet him and her eyes dart to their connection, her face is flushed, it some how makes her look more beautiful. "Good night princess" his voice comes out like a lover's kiss, a side Azriel never lets anyone see, even when he's with someone intermit, he never shows this side of himself. He quickly let's go of her hand and looks away hiding his own flush. He hears her giggle which sounds like music to him, he turns his gaze back to her and sees her curtesy "good night my knight" she has a playful seductive smile of her lips and runs back into the house. Azreil's feels his body let go, every muscle relaxes from his tension. "This woman is going to be the death of me" he says running a hand through his hair. He sits down on the blanket and looks up at the now night sky and sighs as he lays back.

His view is quickly engulfed by his brother's face "I see your taking your duties seriously" Rhys says down to him, Ariel's eyes widen, was he that taken back by Elain that he had not sensed his brother? Fuck this isn't good. Azriel looks back at his brother letting his face mould back into the mask he usually wears " when do I not?" he casually replies. " I don't recall making friends was one of my duties for you but…. As that may be it is reassuring at least it's much more peaceful then whatever Cass is doing" Azriel rises a eyebrow "you don't have to share a room with him" Rhys smirks "the walls aren't thick so I still hear the complaining" Azreil's chuckles and sits up and smirks to himself "imagine if he is mated to her, cauldron boil who has to share a house with them, the poor bastard" Rhys lets out another chuckle " I don't suppose he get any sleep" Azriel get to his feet and nods and sighs "good night Rhys" and starts walking towards the house "she's a nice girl Az, maybe the gods will be kind for once" Azriel closes his eyes and bows his head as he walks "good night Az".