A Court of Shadows and Stars (Azriel Fanfiction)

Fifty Five- Chains and whips excite me

A/N: hey everyone sorry for the slow af updates :( had a really tough week today and decided to get back to writing because it's honestly super therapeutic.
Anyways hope y'all like this chapter :)

Fifty Five- Chains and whips excite me

"Damn I wish I had shapeshifting powers," I said with a sigh as I watched Aelin morph into her human body. From beside me Azriel gave a gruff nod of agreement. We weren't still on talking terms but it looked like we had moved pass throwing foul gestures behind each other's backs to animalistic grunts.

Well yes it was only I who threw foul gestures at him.

But still.

Aelin tilted her head to the side, "Your Fae features are slowly developing- right now it's not that noticeable," she didn't mention that this was as far as my physical changes would go to seeing that I inherited Vlag blood. Azriel turned his gaze to me and cocked his head to the side, assessing my new physical attributes in the process. I pretended like I didn't notice before pulling my cloak over my head and tying the laces of my boots, "The plan is simple," I said as I straightened, "It's the beginning of Calanmai and the Autumn Court would be busy with preparations for the celebrations,"

"We'd be able to sneak in easily, two mortal girls being traded for gold by a rogue Illyrian," Aelin finished for me. "If we played it right, we'd be able to gain access to Orcus's whereabouts,"

Azriel nodded, "From there we'll only have to keep tabs on him and notify the others if there's any evidence to a secret army," he ran a hand through his hair, a clear sign of unease, "I'll send reports to Rhysand regarding our progress along the way,"

Aelin looked excited, "Then we're all set. Now we just need to get to the Autumn Court,"

Azriel held out a hand, "It's not that complicated," he said and with a crooked grin thrown his way, the Queen of Terrasen took his hand in hers. The spymaster turned to me and I ignored his penetrating gaze and I slipped my hand into his, his rough callouses rubbing against my palm in the process. Long deft fingers curled around mine and I pushed down the shivers that ran up my arm at the slight contact. Azriel cleared his throat before turning his gaze away from mine and before it could get more awkward, he winnowed us to the Autumn Court.

We arrived at its borders near rows of caravans belonging to many lesser Fae who were arriving for the celebrations. By the looks of it most of them were performers and fortune tellers although a few men bearing slave chains stood beside dead eyed nixies and mortals. Rhysand had briefed us on the Autumn Court's unruly jurisdiction, that Beron still believed that human slaves weren't unorthodox and he closely followed Hybern's example.

A glance at Aelin confirmed that she was still recovering from the winnowing, "A member of my court possesses the same powers as you do," she said turning to Azriel.

"It's called winnowing," he offered helpfully before pulling out two long ropes of chain from the satchel at his waist. Forgoing his usual armor, the spymaster of the Night Court was now dressed in drab slave master attire. His pants although well tailored to fit his muscles were dirty and torn lightly from the sides. His faded white tunic bore a few ale stains and had a few loose threads here and there. His hair was disheveled and his wings were tucked tightly to his side as if he dreaded making contact with the rest of the slaves and their masters. "Put these on," he said tossing the chains at us and I noticed Aelin falter when she lifted up hers. Her hands seemed to shake as she slid the hand cuffs in and that's when I noticed the faded scars around her wrists.

Realization dawned on me and I couldn't help but stop her, "Don't," I said recognizing the agony in her eyes as she fought to tame it, "I have a better plan," I said before pointing towards a group of stuntmen at the corner, beside them stood a weak looking female and by the look of her attire and jewelry she was an assistant.

"Any stuntman would want an assistant and fortunately for us, you have a bonus, you're pleasing to the eye," I turned to Azriel, "we can keep close track of them can't we?" I asked and he nodded looking confused in the process. I turned back to Aelin, "Let Azriel sell you off to them, that way we can split and gather as much information as we can,"

I could see the relief in her eyes even as she tossed the chains back at Azriel and tried to hide her shaking hands as she wiped them on her pants, "That's actually a good idea," she turned to the spymaster, "it's time you practice your slave master skills," she said.

Without questioning my motives he held her by the shoulder making it look like it was by force. For her part, Aelin played the role of obstinate slave girl and from my hiding spot in the thicket I watched as Azriel led her off to the stuntmen and successfully managed to trade her off for a few coins.

He returned and stood silently as I slipped on my chains and clamped them over my wrists.

"That was very considerate of you," he finally said as I handed him the chain.

I shrugged, "She's been through a lot by the looks of it. She's doing us a favor and we shouldn't burden her with things that clearly haunt her to this very day,".

Azriel took the chain and gave it a light tug, "That was still very noble of you," he said shooting me a small smile in the process. I couldn't help but return it.

"So you remember when I told you about the kinky chain thing?" I asked cheekily as I pulled my cloak over my head to conceal my face.

From under my hood I noticed Azriel grimace, "The BDSM thing you were prattling about?"

I gave the chains a light tug, "Well it's time we see what a show you can put on with them," I said shooting him a wicked grin in the process.

He didn't say a word other than give me an irritated sigh before we made our way to the long line of caravans that awaited the celebrations in the Autumn Court.