The next day Davina was waiting in her kitchen for Azriel. Not to tell him of the bond, but because today was the day they'd be going back to her camp, Davina was going to rescue Wren. And kill her father, though she hadn't told Azriel that part yet.
When Davina first told Azriel and Cassian that it was time to rescue Wren they had been reluctant. But, with a little bit of persuasion they had come around.
However, Azriel was late. Davina spent the extra minutes pacing throughout the house and triple-checking her knives. They were for protection, she had told Azriel, they weren't. Davina could picture it now, the blade of her knife piercing through the cold, dead heart of her father. Perhaps she would shred him of his wings like he had done to her. She wondered if Azriel would frown upon her bloodlust.
"Sorry I'm late", Azriel said bursting through the front door.
"That's okay, should we get going now?" Davina said trying not to sound too eager.
"I'm sorry, Davina but we can't go", he said wincing.
"What? Why?!"
"Nesta went missing from Windhaven, we need to find her and her friends before it's too late", Azriel said, panic evident in his voice.
Although Davina was worried for her only friend, she couldn't help but think she could rescue Wren on her own. Besides, Nesta was incredibly powerful, even if she didn't know it yet.
"So you can't go", Davina treaded carefully.
"No", Azriel growled immediately, "I know what you are thinking and you are not going alone".
"Why not?" She said.
She knew it would anger him, but she had this gut feeling Wren was not okay, that she had to go today.
"It's dangerous".
"I can handle myself".
"I know you can, I didn't say you couldn't".
"Then I don't see why I can't".
Azriel sighed running a hand through his hair, obviously fed up with her stubbornness.
"I know you Davina, you'll do something stupid".
Davina scoffed, "I just want Wren back".
Azriel barked a laugh, "Davina don't lie".
There was a tense pause. Surely he did not know, Davina hadn't told anyone. Maybe it was obvious, Davina's father had stripped her of the only thing that made her Illyrian, he had put her through so much pain. Was it really that wrong to want him dead?
"I'll be fine".
"I'd much rather be there with you", he said tensely.
"I promise I won't do anything that I'd deem stupid", Davina said smiling innocently.
Azriel scoffed, "clever wording but it's not happening".
Davina suppressed a growl. Who was he to stop her? She had been planning this for months, Wren could not stay with her father.
"Davina", Azriel said sternly, "you do not know the pain you will cause yourself if you murder him".
Davina hissed, "you speak from experience".
Azriel tensed. Davina had figured it out long ago, someone had done that to Azriel's hands and she doubted he let them stay alive.
"Did it satisfy you to kill them?" Davina prodded.
Azriel shook his head, "Davina don't".
"It did, didn't it? Why can't I have that satisfaction?"
"You want to kill your father!?" Azriel snapped, "Fine. Do it. Stab a knife through his heart! Tear his wings off! You'll be just as bad as him!".
Davina wasn't sure what took over her but in one step she had lunged forward and slapped him, square across the jaw. Azriel stood there stunned for a moment, massaging his jaw. Fury burned in his eyes, Davina could see him struggling to squish it. What was she doing?! Every time she was around him her emotions were heightened, it was this stupid bond.
"Az I'm-"
"-you can go to your camp", he said, teeth clenched, "someone will pick you up in three days".
"Az, I didn't mean-"
But Davina couldn't finish her sentence, Azriel had grasped her hand and teleported them to the boarders of her camp.
Davina blinked, eyes adjusting to the snowy landscape. She could hear her camp from here, from a distance it sounded happy, she could hear people laughing, smell fresh meat, only Illyrians knew what really went on in those camps.
"I'll be busy", Azriel said avoiding Davina's gaze, "I'll send someone else to collect you".
Davina hadn't let go of Azriel's hand. She didn't want to, not as she faced her camp. Perhaps she was being stupid. She couldn't do this on her own, what if she fumbled.
"This is what you wanted", Azriel said finally looking at her, "isn't it?"
Davina swallowed, "yes, I want this".
Azriel frowned, perhaps hoping she would've said something different.
"I have to go. Cassian is on a warpath", he said.
"Azriel I didn't mean to slap you, I'm sorry", Davina blurted.
"I know. I did kind of deserve it", he shrugged.
"No you didn't. I was caught up in my rage and you didn't deserve it being taken out on you".
Gently, Azriel kissed the top of Davina's head, a goodbye she realised.
"Are you sure you don't want to back out?" He asked.
Davina nodded, "I have to at least save Wren".
"Please be safe", he said softly, "I couldn't- if you-"
He sighed, frustrated with himself.
"These people are terrible. Come home in one piece, please", he said sadly.
Davina smiled, hugging him tightly, "you trained me, there is no way I can be anything but safe".
Davina swore she saw something twinkle in Azriel's eyes before he blinked and it vanished.
Azriel kissed her head again, "we have a lot to talk about when you get back".
Davina hummed in agreement. She wondered how he would take the news about the bond, would he be happy? Or would it just be another burden to bare?
"I'll see you in three days", Davina said smiling softly.
Azriel smirked, "once we've spoken I'll have to find you a suitable punishment for slapping me".
Davina blushed, she could not allow herself to be aroused now. Azriel chuckled deeply.
"Good luck, Davina", he said, letting go of her hand and preparing to vanish.
"See you soon, Az".
—————
Davina had decided to wait until nightfall. That way she could sneak in under the cover of darkness, hiding in the shadows. So she had waited along the border, perched uncomfortably in a tree. She had hoped to catch a glimpse of Wren, maybe she would be in the town square or by the river, but alas Davina couldn't spot her. Therefore, Davina spent most of her time sharpening her knives and mentally planning out the route she would take. Finally, after a lot of patience it was dark enough that Davina would not be spotted. She sheathed her knife and slipped her hood over her head. Carefully, she climbed down the tree, making sure she didn't make any loud noises.
The soft snow beneath her feet cushioned the sound of her jogging. Davina kept to the shadows of the trees as she made her way closer to the camp. Norwich was the name of her camp. It didn't have the population of Windhaven but it has one of the most brutal reputations. Norwich was one of the most backwards camps, no kind of new age technology was welcome and if you even suggested a new idea it would be regarded with suspicion. Davina wondered how she would transform camps like this. Camps so backwards they were practically a different planet.
Davina reached a little shop that was boarded up and had a big "closed" sign written on the door. She crouched down low, sticking close to the walls as she snuck around the back. Davina pictured Azriel being beside her, probably telling her she was terrible at playing spymaster, that made Davina smile. She was still torn up over the fact that she slapped him. She was being stupid and her emotions got the best of her. She'd have to give Azriel all the free pastrys from the shop that she could.
Davina reached the next building as she got closer and closer to her old home. This one was a tavern, she could hear the boisterous Illyrian males inside, likely drinking and telling stories of their latest kill. She crouched down lower than before, making sure they could not spot her through the windows. Davina shivered from the cold, she couldn't wait to be back at her apartment, near the fire and snuggled up in a blanket. Davina padded through the snow further, it wasn't long until she'd reach the house she hated, the one she dreaded to return to.
Couldren did she wish Azriel was here. Even Cassian. Davina was turning in on herself, she was feeling how she felt before. She was weak and fragile, built for nothing but breeding and securing alliances. She need someone to tell her it was okay, that she had back-up if she needed it. But nobody was here to help her. She was alone.
Davina sucked in a breath. She was an Illyrian warrior, a Valkyrie, she didn't need reassurance, she could do this on her own.
Davina pushed on further, she could see the warmly lit windows of her old house, could practically smell its musty scent. The snow crunched quitely beneath her shoes, Davina checked her knives again, they would be her companions tonight. She moved with the shadows, using them to her advantage as Illyrians wondered the streets, she remained down wind from them, none would be sniffing her out tonight.
Finally as she reached the house Davina took a deep breath. That was the worst of it done. Quietly she moved around to her sister's window and the room they once shared. The lights were on. Davina poked her head up to peer into the window.
There she was. Wren, sitting on their bed weaving yellow flowers into a crown of some sorts. She was safe, no scars or cuts were visible, but Wren was frowning, in concentration or sadness, Davina couldn't tell. Davina couldn't help but smile and feel a weight lift off her shoulders. Wren was here and would soon be coming home with her.
Davina lightly tapped on the glass of the window, just enough for Wren to hear. Wren looked up curiously towards the sound. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of Davina at her window. Davina motioned for Wren to be quiet, Wren nodded her understanding before sliding off the bed and opening the window a crack.
"Wren", Davina breathed a sigh of relief, "I'm so glad you're okay".
"Davina what are you doing here?" Wren whispered.
"I've come to get you out, I have an apartment and a job. We can leave this dreadful camp".
"Davina", Wren gulped, a seriousness taking over her features that Davina associated with their mother, "you shouldn't of come".
At those words Davina was grabbed by rough hands, dragged back into the darkness. Davina kicked and twisted, the hands were a males and they were clamped tightly over her mouth. She saw her life flash before her eyes.