It felt like hours while Aurora stood beside Azriel. He held his place beside his High Lord and High Lady, just as Cassian did. Eventually, Mor wandered off to the drinks table and began speaking with a female. Elain had been standing beside Nesta and Mor, but slipped back into the crowd just as Mor left. Aurora, still leaned into the side of Azriel, looked up at her mate.
"Do you want a drink?" She asked softly. He hummed as he turned his head to her.
"I don't drink on the job, but you're welcome to go get some more wine," he responded. Aurora sent him a grin, then planted a kiss to his jaw, before making her way to the wine table. Feyre sent her a wink as she crossed in front of the throne, Aurora returned it with a smile. Cassian and Nesta slipped into the crowd, Nesta loudly exclaiming that she wanted to dance. Aurora hadn't listened to the music that played throughout the room until she heard Nesta.
It was a gentle tune, something she didn't expect in the Court of Nightmares. She wondered if Rhysand had ordered the type of music. Aurora filled her glass again, sipping it, and then refilling. Mor was leaned against the wall, an upward tilt to her lips as she spoke to a female. Aurora blushed, remembering what Nesta had told her about Mor. Knowing how much she hated the Hewn City, Aurora was shocked to see Mor willingly speaking to the members.
An icy chill went down Aurora's spine. One of warning, of an invisible threat. Her brows furrowed as she pulled the glass from her lips slightly. Her right hand fell to the dagger on her thigh, fingers curling around the hilt. With an intake of breath, Aurora turned.
Eris was approaching her. His eyes were set on her, the slightest of smirks resting on his lips. Even with the music and voices filling the room, she could hear his boots hitting the floor. The sound matched her pulse.
"Sister, what a surprise to see you in the Court of Nightmares again. I don't recall you enjoying your last visit," Eris spoke as he moved to the table beside her, filling a glass of wine. Aurora's eyes darted to Azriel, who's eyes were as dark as the shadows that surrounded his head and wings. He gave her a slight tilt of his chin, and she swallowed and turned to her brother.
"Bad memories can't keep me from joining events," Aurora murmured. Eris snorted. His hip leaned against the large table as his took a swig of the wine. He glanced over her attire, lip curling slightly.
"Dressed well for your job? The Illyrian bastard's whore, everything out to see," he mused. Aurora snarled as she gripped the hilt of her dagger tighter.
"Why are you here, Eris?" He shrugged in response. His eyes moved over to Azriel, Rhys, and Feyre.
"I'm close with Kier. I reside in the Court of Nightmares at t-."
"I know that. Why are you here beside me? Why bother me at all?" Aurora snapped. Eris turned back to her, his eyes peering at her over the rim of his glass.
"I am only getting myself some wine, Aurora. Just because you're stationed at this table does not mean I'm seeking you out to torture you," Eris responded. Aurora's glare just hardened.
"Go enjoy your night. After that battle, we have no means to speak again, so I'd prefer you forget I exist and leave me in peace," Aurora nearly begged. Seeing his face was a reminder of every situation she had been placed in in the past few months. Eris trailed his eyes over her again, and she knew where he was looking.
"Looks like Tamlin really left his mark. Good for him," he murmured before turning his back to her. Those words cut into her enough to send Aurora into a spiral. A scream of frustration slid through her gritted teeth as she shattered yet another wine glass and unsheathed her dagger. The collar of Eris's finely made clothes ruffled beneath her fist as Aurora grabbed him. Eris let out a yelp of surprise as she tore him backward. His legs hit the table, making him stumble back. He let out a loud groan as his back made contact with the large table.
Aurora could hardly notice how the crowd grew silent, how Feyre stood from her throne, how Azriel pulled out his sword. Aurora gripped the front of Eris's shirt, leaning over him and pressing the sharp edge of her dagger against his throat.
"You have been the symbol of my suffering, Eris. Everytime I've seen your face these past few months, Hell has followed. Say one more fucking thing about my trauma and what I have to show for it, and I will have you hung from the ceiling by your fucking spine," Aurora seethed. She didn't notice how her words echoed in the silent room. Eris didn't look afraid as he had the night she had beat him in the duel. No, he was smiling.
"I am the heir to the Autumn Court throne, Aurora. You harm me, the Court will find you," he grinned. Rage coursed through her veins, she knew something was about to be lit with flame, and she hoped it ended up to be Eris.
"Shut the fuck up, Eris. I beat you in that duel. You were weak." Her voice was low, something feral inside of her that craved his death.
"You have no ties to the Autumn Court, isn't that what you claimed when you had Beron bring you back to your saviors? You may have won, but now, you are nothing but a Night Court whore, sister."
"You're brave to speak that way with a dagger to your throat, brother," she snapped. Eris only grinned wider. Aurora pressed the blade harder, beads of crimson forming on the steel. "I will say it again, Eris. You ever fucking speak to me again, and I will ensure that there is nothing left for Beron to find of you. Enjoy your party, and stay the fuck away from me," Aurora continued.
"The only reason you are not on the ground with a blade through your stomach is because Rhysand will kill me instantly. You may be protected right now, but the second you leave this Court, I will have your head on a stake," Eris sneered. Aurora rolled her eyes and straightened slightly. The dagger slid across his skin, and satisfaction rolled through her when Eris winced.
"You will never be powerful enough to kill me. Accept your defeat and this will be done," Aurora muttered. She wasn't going to let him out from beneath her blade until he said anything to prove he'd leave her alone.
"Why do you have an ego as if you're anything more than a fuck toy for the Illyrian bastard behind you? You may be his mate, but once the excitement is over, he's going to run back to his other whores. You're nothing, Aurora. The same as you've always been, and it is proof on your skin, you're just something to be used by males. Stop pretending that you're tough because you can wield a weapon," Eris spat.
That was enough, she didn't want to hear another word out of his mouth. The pain that his words caused fed her, and Aurora was bloodthirsty. The shout that left her was one of frustration, pain, agony, and hopelessness. She'd come so far, and her own brother was enough to throw her mind back into the pit she'd just climbed from. Every sound was drowned out by the rush of her pulse in her ears, his words repeating in her mind. Aurora could've sworn her name broke through that numbed sound, but she wanted this kill. The warm toned light that highlighted his face was enough to tell her that flame had erupted. Her arm tensed, ready to push the dagger further.
"I said enough!" A voice bellowed as a hand wrapped around her arm and rugged her away from Eris. Aurora growled in frustration, trying to pull herself free as Eris scrambled back up. His pristine clothing was now burnt and blood dripping from his throat.
It was Rhysand that held her arm. It was also Rhysand that tore the blade from her hand. Embarrassment filled her as she noticed the hundreds of wide eyes that stared at her. She had just blown up in front of the entire Court of Nightmares, in front of her family, in front of the High Lord, who now held her down.
"Azriel," Rhysand growled. Aurora grunted as he turned both of them towards her mate. Azriel sheathed his sword and stepped down from the dais. His eyes were on Aurora, as stoic of an expression, she could see the dread and worry in his eyes.
"Yes, my High Lord?" Azriel responded.
"Take her back to the estate," the High Lord ordered. Azriel walked forward and took Aurora's arm from Rhysand's grip. The dagger was placed onto the palm of his free hand.
"I know that he encouraged this, and for that I'm sorry. The way he spoke, Feyre and I nearly killed him as well. Do not feel ashamed, I would've reacted the same way. I just need to show this part of the Court that I have control over you after that outburst."
Rhysand's voice caressed her mind. Aurora felt herself relax slightly as Azriel tugged her toward him.
"Eris," Rhysand spoke out in the room. Eris stiffened as he met the vengeful gaze of Rhysand. "Come with me," he ordered. Eris bowed his head and slowly began to walk. Rhysand sent Aurora a raised brow as he slipped past them and towards the room they had all been in hours earlier. Feyre rose and followed. Azriel's thumb ran over Aurora's forearm in warning. She closed her eyes and let the darkness swallow her.
The warmth of her room touched her skin, and Aurora opened her eyes. Azriel had moved in front of her, leaning down and taking her face into his hands.
"He was wrong for that, Aurora. He antagonized you, he wanted that reaction," Azriel murmured. Aurora sighed and looked to the floor.
"I wish I acted faster, before Rhys could've stopped me," she responded lowly. Azriel smiled softly, brushing the curls back from her shoulder.
"You know, you're becoming more and more violent the longer you're with me," he chuckled. Aurora smiled up at him.
"I'm learning from the best." Azriel hummed and leaned down to press a kiss to her lips. Aurora reciprocated happily.
"You look stunning tonight, Aurora. Every part of you," he whispered against her lips. Aurora smiled into the kiss. It was strange how quickly he could change her mood. She had gone from murderous rage to happily in love within seconds. Although, she still wished she had pressed that dagger a little harder. Aurora was desperate to find out what happened after Rhysand and Feyre took Eris into that room.
The thought melted away from her mind as Azriel's lips moved to her jaw, and then to the scar on her shoulder. Tonight, he had looked like the warrior she had been so afraid of once upon a time, and now she was alone with him in her bedroom. Not only was she trusting a male with her love and body, but she had also shown power over two others tonight. It was something that the frail female in that cellar would've never imagined for herself. It was a something that the girl watching the soldiers from atop the hill wished for.
Aurora sighed happily as Azriel tugged her against him. A night of overcoming fears and showing power was quickly becoming a night of reminiscing. As Azriel's fingers clung to her skin and his lips roamed her body, Aurora couldn't think of a better moment. Tonight, she was everything that she had hoped for herself and more.