Hey everyone. First of all I just want to say how sorry I am for not posting for so long. Feel free to mentally slap me. I haven't felt inspired to write recently, and I feel like everything I do write sounds bad. I also forgot half of the plot so I am going to have to go back and reread some stuff, But I am hopefully going to get back on track and post more. Anyway, thank you all so much for reading! I hope you like this chapter.
O also some throne of glass spoilers!
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Gwyn was getting really fucking tired of this Koschei guy.
"I have to go back to tell Rhysand and Feyre." Azriel had been sitting behind a desk pensive while Gwyn had gone through the book Elain had given them again.
It seemed Orcus was a lot like Koschei. A powerful old male obsessed with wives. Gwyn read about Orcas marrying a female named Maeve. She escaped him, but he never stopped searching for her.
Gwyn sighed dramatically loud. None of this was helpful with the Koschei dilemma.
She turned to Azriel, finally registering what he had said.
She was met with a piercing hazel gaze, but tired. The purple under his eyes suggested that he hadn't gotten a good night's sleep in a while.
"Gwyn?"
She tucked a loose strand behind her ear and made her way around the desk. "Yeah?"
"I have to go back."
She nodded and he added, "alone."
Gwyn frowned.
"It will be quick though. I don't even have to go all the way back, just close enough for Rhys to cast out his mind to me."
Gwyn nodded. "tell him about Beron, and try to see if Elain is with them."
Gwyn had been wanting to talk with Elain ever since Azriel had shown her the book she had given him.It had no relevance to their current situation... well Tamlin seemed to think she was supposed to defeat Orcus–
"Gwyn?"
"Yeah." she stifled a yawn and sat in front of Az on the desk. She didn't think about the papers she was currently crushing.
"We need to talk to Tamlin–
Her glare stopped him, but only momentarily.
"You need protection," he continued.
Azriel had been trying to convince Gwyn to become Tamlin's heir– heir to spring, all night. She talked about Tamlin claiming her as heir to spring as a joke. Azriel deemed it a fantastic idea.
"I have never lived in spring. I know nothing of its people, its history–
"But if you are under his protection as an heir, that means beron couldn't harm you without declaring war on spring court."
"Luna was killed by the highlord and night didn't go to war with spring," Gwyn argued.
"Luna was not the heir." quiet fury lined his eyes.
"And the protection of the shadow master of night isn't enough?"
She knew Azriel had his limits, but most people were scared of him, right?
Gods, it was way too late to still be thinking.
"You are not mine."
Gwyn smirked, "damn right," she paused. "Sorry, what were we talking about?" her eyes started to droop close. The heaviness of sleep weighing her down, trying to pull her into oblivion.
"I don't have a claim to you."
Gwyn noted through her sleep glossed over eyes, Azriel's hands clenched at his sides.
"Even if I did," a pause, a deep breath. "It still wouldn't be the kind of protection Tamlin could provide."
Gwyn watched his eyes sink to the floor as he dragged a hand through his hair.
Gwyn ruffled Azriel's hair back in place, drawing a light breeze into the library. His shadows swirled around his temples, toying with her magic.
His eyes shot back to hers, and even half asleep, Gwyn could feel the intensity of his gaze. It cut right into her.
Her heart.
Her soul.
"You need to sleep," Gwyn stood and tried to pull Azriel up with her.
"No, I need to get to Rhysand–
"When was the last time you got a good night's rest?" Gwyn brushed her hands gently over his tired under eyes.
"Didn't you say we don't have time to waste?" he sighed and Gwyn thought it sounded so heavy. She wondered what weight he bore.
"Tomorrow," she promised. "after we sleep. I'll talk with Tamlin, and you will talk with Rhysand."
He was already shaking his head in protest, and Gwyn was starting to wonder if he was more stubborn than her.
"and I'm going to be so cold without you." Gwyn wrapped her arms around herself. ever the actress.
Her and Az had been sharing a room– bed the last couple of nights.
He was always so warm.
"Gwyneth." he eyes shot to hers, disbelief and amusement shining through the film of sleep. "Are you trying to guilt me into healthy sleeping habits?"
Gwyn just laughed softly before Azriel stood pulling her to him and winnowing them to the bedroom.
—
Gwyn had woken up alone. Just like most mornings.
Though she had fallen asleep in the Shadowsingers' hold, she woke up to an empty bed.
He had gone to speak with Rhysand. That meant Gwyn had to go speak with Tamlin.
Great.
Gwyn ate breakfast alone in the library. She figured she wouldn't run into Tamlin if she was in here.
Even though this was the exact opposite of what she was supposed to be doing. Gwyn was trying very hard to mentally prepare herself.
She wouldn't be stupid. She was attacked the other day. She needed protection, and Tamlin, it seemed, had plenty.
Gwyn went downstairs for their daily lesson. She found Tamlin waiting in the foyer. Alone as usual.
She often wondered if he had always been so quiet and aloof.
When was the last time he had smiled?
never mind, that wasn't her problem.
Her problem was well... that is too much to get into right now.
"Ready?" Tamlin's voice echoed through her ears. She nodded and they walked into a secure place in the forest.
Tamlin said he would have extra sentinels out in case of another attack, but Gwyn figured Tamliln being a high lord would have enough power to incapacitate an enemy.
They went through their usual mishaps but Gwyn had definitely improved. Azriel's "help" had made it easier to separate her nymph magic from her fae.
Just yesterday she had changed the color of her hair. Azriel didn't seem to favor the black cropped style.