that conversation with rhysand rang in his ears every time he saw elain. he was to stay away. lucien could challenge him if he felt like his mating bond was being tossed aside, and in the case that azriel defeated him, WHICH WAS INEVITABLE, IN HIS HUMBLE OPINION, eris was free to break the already FRAGILE treaty between the night and fall courts. which would make rhysand and feyre both angry with him. so, instead of following what he and elain both clearly wanted, he worked. to distract himself. azriel couldn't think about her face, her lips, her neck, or her voice when he was working himself to the bone every day.
but, no matter how he tried, he still ran into @homebehind. he tried to ignore how her face fell after he denied her that kiss, how she can barely look at him to this day. WHY DID HE GIVE THAT NECKLACE TO GWYN? what would elain do when she found out? his head hurt. azriel moves to sit down, a bench outside near the gardens. he rests his head in his hands, staring down at the dirt floor as his fingers thread through ebony hair.
he doesn't know how long he's been sitting there when someone moves to stand in front of him. he doesn't need to look up to know it's elain. but he does anyway, hazel eyes meeting hers. “ hi. ” azriel says quietly, hands clasped together as he rests his elbows on his thighs. “ i didn't think . . . i'm sorry. about the other night . . . i shouldn't have . . . ” YOU'RE NOT TELLING ME THE FULL STORY. YOU'RE LEAVING THINGS OUT. and, for the first time in a long time, azriel is speechless. though, he's not surprised. she's smarter than most people give her credit for, and she always has been. he was the foolish one to think she'd just give up after all the glances they'd shared, all the passing touches. had rhysand not interrupted, this conversation wouldn't have happened. this awkwardness that's built up around them wouldn't be stifling their each and every look and word. but azriel was the stupid one who decided to make a move out in the open. he needed to deal with this now. he opens his mouth, wishing desperately to explain it all — but the image of rhysand, arms folded stays in his mind. “ i wish i could tell you more. ” he finally says, lips pulled taut into a straight line. “ but i need you to know . . . YOU'VE DONE NOTHING WRONG, ELAIN. ” azriel pauses, wondering if she truly believes that. “ you do know that, right? ”










