A Court of Shadows

Chapter 1 - Rita's

Another usual Friday night at Rita's. Everyone seems happy, chatting and drinking and some are even dancing but i suddenly felt a chill around me and i instinctively knew who joined the table at the corner, the table of the High Lord.
As usual, the center of attention is Mor, laughing and singing and i can't help but smile at her as we briefly lock eyes. Feyre is on her left, drinking timidly her wine, and smiling at Rhysand. Cassian seems to be in an argument with Amren, which is very courageous. I wouldn't dare contradict this woman even if my life was depending on it!
But it is Azriel that has my attention, tonight and every night to be honest. He is the quietest of the group, always silent, always observing. I don't dare look at him for more than a few seconds. His face seems.. unreal. How is it possible that a person is so beautiful?
Many of my friends class Azriel behind Cassian and Rhysand, and i can understand, they are very handsome, but Azriel has something deeper. And the craziest part is that i feel like this deeper part is calling me.
«  Let's go dance pleaseee» Thetis says, her hand in mine and already leading me to the dancefloor. We came here for a good time after all, i think as i start moving to the rythme, close to Thetis and we giggle as we notice some of the men stare.
At some point i must have hallucinated, because i could have sworn that Azriel looked at me. It is the wine, i have to stop drinking! But there it is again! He actually looked at me for a second!
" Thetis, i will go get some fresh air", i tell her and i object to her coming out with me. It will be a great opportunity for the cute guy that hasn't stop glaring to go talk to her anyways.
"Hmm maybe i will walk home alone tonight" i thought and laughed at myself as i sit to the edge of the window sil. The air is chilly but refreshing and i breathe it in as i tilt my head back and close my eyes for a few peaceful seconds. But someone passed in front of me and i opened my eyes only to realize that there was no one in front of me or in the street. "I must be a bit drunk" i thought and got up to walk back inside the bar.

"Your perfume smells different tonight." A grave voice said behind me.
"What do you me-" i started saying as i turned to face the stranger. But words became something i didn't know how to form and my brain was suddenly empty as i recognized the face that went with voice. I never heard him speak before so nothing could prepare me to see Azriel infront of me. In the flesh. Or i'm maybe dreaming. And i must have looked stupid because he chuckled.

Okay, i have only one chance at a first impression and i can't fuck it up. Breathe in - breathe out and let's flirt a bit! 

''Well it's new my friend's father brought it back from his travels'' i heard myself saying. What is this? This is not flirting, he is gonna think i'm stupid! 

'' I know a perfume that would smell great on you'' he said smiling. Does it mean he doesn't like my perfume? Cauldron damn me if he is trying to tell me that i smell horrible!

'' Oh? And what would this perfume be?'' I tried playing it cool. Cool is good.

''Mine.'' 

And this single word sounded the alarm on my brain. I didn't know if i was standing or sitting, if my mouth was open from the surprise, what i was doing with my stupid hands. Mine. Mine. My brain was trying to understand what it meant. Is he flirting? Am i still hallucinating? I must be dreaming. That's it, i'm dreaming and i will wake up soon in my room

'' You're quieter than me, and i thought that was impossible.'' he interrupted my thoughts. Speak you idiot or he will walk away! Just be cool and flirt like he was just a normal guy.

''Sorry, you surprised me that's all. I didn't expect to find you out here.'' I said and i straightened an invisible fold on my skirt.

''Don't you like surprises? '' he raised an eyebrow.

'' Depends on the surprise i guess.'' It sounded more indifferent than i intended, let's add a little smile.

He must have liked my smile because he stepped closer, his face almost touching mine and i stopped breathing for a moment. He leaned and whispered to my ear 

''Tell me if you like this.'' His breath on my skin felt like a wave of electricity traveling my whole body. I wasn't ready for this wave to feel like the whole ocean drowning me when i felt his lips on my neck. 

Before i could register that he had just kissed my neck he was already walking away.

''I'll walk you home later tonight.'' He said without even looking at me. Not a question, an order. 

I walked back into Rita's to find Thetis dancing with the cute guy and Mor. The sight didn't surprise me. Mor and Thetis had an affair a few months back and had stayed friends after. I could understand the men gaping at them. They were gorgeous. Thetis was like Mor's red-haired sister, they looked so similar sometimes. Even their dancing moves were in synch. I didn't want to interrupt them  so i just mouthed that i was going home to Thetis. 

''No stay dance with us! This guy is buying us drinks and it is impolite to refuse!'' she shouted over Mor's shoulder. Mor turned to me and she gestured for me to go dance with them. Okay maybe i can go home after a dance, and anyways how can you refuse the stunning Morrigan?

I wanted to tell Thetis about what happened outside, to ask for her advice but i decided that maybe by dancing i could save the humiliating impression my talking must have given Azriel.

 As i started to loose myself in the music, dancing in the middle of Thetis and Mor i felt a chill caressing my my neck and i dared a look at the shadowsinger. If he likes games, i can play along. Feeling more brazen because of the girls (and the alcohol) i started dancing more sensually.. 

My hands traced Mor's sides as i swayed and turned to Thetis and cupped her face in my hands, singing almost in her mouth. I swear i could feel his eyes on me but didn't dare to look. I broke free from Mor and Thetis, letting them on the dancefloor, walked to the bar and ordered a drink. I knocked it back and without looking at the corner table, i walked out the door.