Another week came and went. The days went by slowly, doing nothing more than reading, sleeping, or fucking. Azriel left each evening to fly, claiming he needed to stretch his wings. Aurora understood, he was always flying or moving about in Velaris. The clock struck noon; Aurora laid across the couch with a novel. The door creaked open and Azriel walked in, kicking off the snow.
"I think I'm ready to go home," he murmured, leaning over the back of the couch to press a cold kiss to her head. Aurora closed the book and looked up at him.
"What changed?" She asked. Azriel shrugged.
"I've flown over the camps every day now, and today I didn't have to crash land so I don't fly down and slaughter the camp lords. I've had to nearly injure myself each day to make sure I didn't lose control, and today the rage settled into that feeling I've always had. It's not overwhelming like it has been recently," he explained. Aurora's brows furrowed, her hair falling down her shoulders as she sat up.
"You've been flying over the camps every day?" She asked, earning a nod and a grin from Azriel. "That's dangerous, Az. What if you did lose control?" He shrugged again.
"That's why I crash land. Throw myself into the trees and focus on that rather than the rage."
Aurora shook her head, the palms of her hands rubbing her eyes. "Okay, well, if you think that we are fine to go home, I'll pack up my stuff," she murmured, climbing off the couch. Azriel snuck a hand around her waist, his lips on her forehead. Aurora sighed and smiled up at him. As his hand slipped away, she went to the bedroom and began shoving her clothes into the trunk. When she was finished, Azriel tucked her books on the top and closed it. Aurora tugged a coat on and took his hand.
Azriel dragged the trunk out to the front door, his hand waving and the fire falling into smoking embers. He opened the door and led her out into the snow. The sun was shining today, reflecting off the white snow. The blindness it gave her reminded Aurora of her childhood in the Winter Court. A shiver ran down her spine as shadows surrounded them, and then the warmth of the sun touched her skin. No burning snow on her ankles, no bitter wind. Aurora blinked her eyes open to see the High Lord and Lady's estate in front of them.
Stunning in the newly summer air, the grass was green and the bushes and flowers lining the cobblestone walk as vibrant as ever. Elain must have done the landscaping. Azriel tugged the trunk up so that he didn't drag it on the floor and they began walking. Aurora couldn't help but wonder what the reaction of everyone would be when they walk in. Would Rhysand be angry? Did Nesta miss her? Her hands trembled slightly as she gripped the sleeve of his shirt.
The entrance was silent as they entered, and Azriel fell into shadows as he brought her trunk to her room. Within a second, he was beside her again. Aurora took his arm, inhaling the scent of him. He was comfort in every way. Footsteps sounded on the wood floors and Aurora's heart jumped with each one. Rhys appeared in the threshold of the sitting room, a small child in his arms. The child was holding the collar of his silken shirt, its small wings already lifted and tall.
"Azriel, Aurora," Rhys acknowledged. Azriel stiffened, his eyes set on Nyx. A hint of a smile teased Rhysand's lips. "Do you want to hold him?"
Aurora let go of Azriel's arm as he began walking forward, arms outstretched to the small boy. Nyx turned his head, a tuft of black hair on the top. Aurora couldn't stop the smile that rose on her lips. The boy's sapphire eyes mirrored his father's, wide and shining as he saw his uncle. Nyx stretched out his arm and Azriel tucked his hands beneath the boy's arms and pulled him to his chest. Rhysand crossed his arms with a prideful grin.
"He's grown," Aurora murmured. She had only seen Nyx once, months ago now, and he seemed no bigger than a few months old. At least, that's how he had looked tucked in Feyre's arms. Now he was bigger; the size of a toddler.
"As any child does," Rhysand agreed, a knuckle running over his son's pointed ear as Azriel held him. Aurora's eyes fell to her mate. His golden eyes were shining with a soft love she had only seen a few times. He always held such a cold stare that seeing him in this moment was like seeing him for the first time. Azriel's cheeks hinted at a dimple as he smiled, eyes set on the small boy as Nyx reached up to touch the foreign stubble on Azriel's cheeks.
"He likes Uncle Az more than Uncle Cassian- Well, I like him with Az more than Cassian," Rhysand murmured, lifting a mischievous brow at Aurora. She laughed softly and stepped behind Azriel. The small boy looked over Azriel's shoulder at her. She felt as if her breath was stolen from her chest. His hands were so small and chubby as they grasped Azriel's shirt. It wasn't the child that had Aurora's pulse quickening, but the sight of him with Azriel.
The way Azriel's eyes lit up, the shadows sinking away, and the grin that was plastered on his face. This child Aurora had hardly seen was something so important to Azriel, and she saw it now. She saw it in his face as he tugged Nyx higher on his waist.
"Feyre's in the sitting room, I need to go speak with Cass. You two are welcome to join her," Rhysand spoke, stealing Aurora's attention. She nodded, her finger rested on Nyx's knuckles. Rhysand gave Azriel a glance before turning on his heel and heading towards the stairs. Aurora looked back at Nyx, who was staring at her over his shoulder as Az walked into the sitting room. Feyre was sat near a window, an easel with a canvas sat in front of her. Streaks of green and blue paint were gently placed along what looked to be a violet and orange sky.
"Feyre," Azriel acknowledged as he carried Nyx in. Feyre looked over her shoulder, a smile growing as she took them in.
"Aurora, Azriel! I'm glad to see you're back, and that Nyx has his favorite uncle around again," she grinned, a paint coated finger outstretched towards Nyx, who was crawling toward her. Azriel rested on the edge of a couch near them, eyes settled on the small boy as he reached for his mom. Aurora sat on a chair just a small distance away to observe.
"He's gotten big," Azriel murmured. Feyre nodded as she ruffled Nyx's hair.
"He has. Just past seven months now," she smiled. Aurora couldn't stop looking at the way Azriel stared at Nyx. The love and wonder in his eyes, it twisted her stomach. She heard of Feyre's struggle with the birth, and she knew she wouldn't be able to bare an Illyrian son. Neither would Nesta, she thought.
Azriel leaned down and grabbed the boy again. He sat the young Illyrian on his knee and bounced him as he looked at his High Lady. Feyre turned back to her painting. Aurora realized it was of the river behind the estate, hidden back behind the gardens.
"That's beautiful," Aurora spoke up, voice so quiet she wasn't sure Feyre heard her. The High Lady did, and looked over her shoulder with a smile.
"Thank you. I thought I'd do some painting before tonight," Feyre responded. Aurora rose a brow as she looked at Azriel.
"What's tonight?" He shrugged, thumbs caught in Nyx's small hands.
"We are going to the Court of Nightmares. Rhys needs to make an appearance, especially after all of that stuff with Tamlin and Eris. We need to remind them of our power." Azriel swallowed. He looked over at Aurora. Her eyes were wide, nails digging into the skin of her fingers. The last time she had visited the Court of Nightmares, she had been stolen away by Tamlin. She had betrayed Cassian, was gawked at and laughed at while being dragged from the throne room with arrows lodged in her.
"You don't need to come, but we do need Azriel there. He assists with the look of big tough warriors," Feyre continued. She sent Az a wide grin, which he returned. Aurora couldn't help but think how opposite he looked of a warrior in that moment. His leathers had been traded for a soft sweater and trousers, the cold glare was now a gentle look at a child. Even his sword strapped to his back didn't look threatening as he laughed at Nyx.
Nyx cooed and reached a wrinkly hand to Azriel's face. The Shadowsinger leaned down and let the child grab at his lips and nose. He pretended to bite Nyx's finger, who squealed and laughed. Aurora smiled at the sight. Azriel, a lethal warrior, most feared in Prythian, was laughing with a child. It was heartwarming and unexpected, she thought.
"Do you want to hold him?" Az asked, lifting Nyx up. Aurora's eyes widened.
"Um, I don't know, I'm not around children much," she murmured. Azriel stood and carried Nyx the few steps over to her. Aurora stiffened.
"He's not going to hurt you," Azriel mused, lowering Nyx to her lap. With a hold in her breath, Aurora lifted her hands and took Nyx. He babbled and kicked around slightly, making her flinch. It felt ridiculous being nervous around a child, but he felt so fragile. She'd hate to accidentally injure the heir of the Night Court in front of his mother.
Azriel chuckled and kneeled down. Nyx rested his small legs over her thigh and reached out for her hair. Aurora frowned slightly as he took a strand of her hair into a clammy fist and tugged. Azriel clicked his tongue and wedged his finger into the small fist.
"Hey, she's your auntie, you be kind," he scolded. Nyx seemed to roll his eyes at that. Aurora blushed at the sound of Azriel calling her Nyx's aunt. Her eyes shot to Feyre, who was turned in her chair and grinning over at her. Nyx started to fuss and kick, Aurora lifting him towards Azriel immediately.
"Take him, he doesn't like me," she begged. Azriel grinned at her as he placed a hand on Nyx's back.
"Well, you're holding him like he's a piece of rotten flesh. He's not that gross, just let him snuggle up to you," he laughed. Feyre laughed, too, and Aurora was nauseous as she pulled Nyx closer to her. He seemed to fall forward against her chest, his cheek pressing into her and small hand lifting to her hair again. Aurora's eyes flashed up to Azriel. He gave her a nod as he smiled. Aurora finally let out her breath and leaned backwards slightly. Nyx took it as a cue and began climbing up her torso, using her hair as leverage. When his stomach rested on her chest and his head on her shoulder, the small winged boy relaxed against her and laid his head on her shoulder, her hair still in his fist.
"See? He likes you," Azriel chuckled. He stood and then sat beside her, crossing his leg over the other. Aurora gave him a tight lipped smile as she patted the bum of the child on her. His feet clung to her waist as small puffs of air spread across her neck. Aurora's eyes widened slightly as she looked at Azriel and Feyre.
"Tell me he isn't asleep," she whined. Feyre laughed lightly before turning back to her painting. Azriel just gave her a toothy grin and leaned down to peck her cheek.
"Looks like you've got Nyx for the next hour or so. Wake him up and he's going to scream your ears off."
***
Hello all! Sorry about the lack of updating, I've been in a bit of a writing funk. I apologize if the past couple chapters don't meet the standards set by the rest of the book, but I feel as if each chapter has had so much action and issues, we needed something to show the relaxed time between conflicts/big details. Once again, thank you all for reading Whisper of Shadows. I adore each one of you <3