A Court of Song and Shadow

Chapter 31

"Not long enough." The Suriel narrows its milky white eyes at me.

"Is that any way to speak to a friend?" I ask.

"Release me."

"I have some questions first and then I will gladly release you." I lean against a tree and smile at it struggling to get free of my trap. "Is there a way to get out of this deal between the Spring Court and Night Court?"

"If the Spring Court breaks their side of the deal--then you will be free of your engagement with the eldest Spring Court son."

"Do they plan on betraying us?"

"You speak as if I can see the future, Illyrian, ask me questions you know I have the answer to." It stops struggling against my trap and looks at me.

"Is there a spell to protect someone from a High Lord's power?" I ask it, and it seems to perk it's head up at my question.

"Are you asking for your--"

"Shush." I cut him off quickly looking around for certain shadows that may be listening, "How did you know?"

"I can scent it on you." It smiles and exposes its horrifically large teeth and black gums.

"Answer the question." Is all I say.

"There is a spell in a lost book called The Book of Breathings that has spells and wards that not even High Lords can break." The Suriel speaks quickly as if it is rushing me, "No I do not know where it is at."

"Do you like the humans?" I ask and it stays silent for a moment before answering my question.

"I find them interesting creatures--sometimes intelligent." It responds.

"Do you think we will win this war?"

"Now you are just asking for an opinion." It points out.

"Is it not a question still?" I rebuttal.

"I have been alive to see a great many wars won and lost--and this one will be a long and brutal one. I do believe most of the humans will be freed by the end of it."

"Have you ever fought in a war?"

"The wars of Fae's and humans and nymphs are below my kind. We do not get involved." I forgot for a moment there were a whole species of Suriel. I have only ever spoken to this one--or so I thought. I did not know how the Suriel's worked--maybe their thoughts were all connected.

"Is my engagement to Tallisan really a turning point for this war?" I await it's response, even though I already know the answer.

"Yes." The Suriel tilts his head as he looks at me--observes me. "Tallisan has yet to meet his mate. The son's of the Spring Court are not the most intelligent breed so it will not take much persuading for him to believe a certain someone is his mate. You know how the bond feels--it could easily be replicated in a more simple way."

I cut the rope as soon as it answers--not taking in the last part of his words--it lands on its feet and stands up. My eyes widen as I realize what it is trying to tell me and that it is helping me. I take a deep breath as it towers over me at its full height.

"Do not stray far from the shadows." It warns, and then it is gone. I let out the breath I was holding. I close my eyes in relief and turn around to walk back to the manor when I walk straight in to a hard chest, I jump in fear as I take in the male standing in front of me.

"I hope you know that one day I will probably die from a heart attack just from you sneaking up on me." I say to Azriel. Of course he would have followed me out here--I should have known he would not let me leave the manor unattended.

"You just caught a Suriel." He says to me as he looks to where the Suriel just took off running.

"Yes," I push past him to keep walking, "How much did you hear?"

"All of it." He says and I hide the panic that rises up through my chest. The Suriel never said outright that I knew who my mate was but Azriel was far from stupid.

Azriel grabs my arm lightly to stop me from walking away from him and I look to him, "Why are you not fighting this?" He asks.

"What?"

"You fight every other order your father has given that goes against your wishes. Why are you going along with this?"

"Because it will help us win the war." I point out, and Azriel just shakes his head as his shadows move closer to me--as if studying me.

"I have known you long enough that I can tell when you are lying."

"I am not lying." I lie.

"You are." He crosses his arms and when I try to step around him he just steps in front of me again--not allowing me to pass him.

"Azriel, I have to get back--"

"Why?" He asks slowly.

"Are you interrogating me?" I ask with a laugh, "Oh, you definitely are.'

"Tell me why you are not fighting him."

"Because if I do not obey him, he will hurt you--" I breathe, "And Cass, and probably Rhysand too." I add so I do not sound anymore suspicious than I already do.

"You stopped him from clipping my wings." Az says and I cannot see his face in the darkness to be able to read what he is feeling--not that I would be able to anyway.

"You would have done the same for me."

"You are in this position because of me." Azriel says into the darkness and I freeze as I take in his words. He blames himself for my engagement to Tallisan.

"No, Az, it is not your fault--"

"I--"

"Velaris." My fathers voice rings from behind us and Azriel takes a step in front of us.

"I was just taking a walk. Azriel was making sure nothing was wrong." I quickly say.

"Just like I asked him to." My father says and I watch as my father waves his hand in a motion to make Azriel walk to his side. Everything in me burns in anger at the sight of Azriel and my father so close together after my father's threats earlier. "We do not have to pay another visit to Priest Calan, do we?"

"I do not think that will be necessary, High Lord." I say slowly, but he just begins walking away as I silently follow him--changing back into that gods damned dress they put me in earlier. We walk back into the manor in silence and I see that most of the court's people are leaving for the night. People move out of our way--in fear I soon put together--as we enter back into the manor's ballroom. I take a deep breath as I go to stand in front of the High Lord of the Spring Court once again. I make eye contact with him and find him smiling at me--he looks to his wife and motions for her to speak.

"Before we fully agree on our side of the deal--we must see if you are worthy of being the Lady of the Spring Court. We ask that you stay here for a few weeks as we get to know you more." She says to me. I curtsy as I have been practicing for the last few weeks, and give her a friendly smile.

"I would be honored to stay here as your guest for the upcoming weeks." I lie straight through my pretty smile. I would much rather be training with the Valkyrie for the upcoming war, but if this is my part to play for now--I will play it.

And I will do a gods damned good job at it.