Battle Scars

Dancing in the moonlight

Eve sighed as she did yet another stretch. Az and her had returned yesterday after one of the best vacations she had ever had only for Cassian to order her right back into training and for Az to go back to his spymaster duties. It had been a great week and Gods; he had told her he loved her! The two days after that had been her personal high.

"You are smiling again," Emerie commented. Eve cleared her throat, coming back from her daydream. "No one smile likes that while doing Cassian's training." Her eyes narrowed on her. "Something happened, didn't it?" Emerie looked like she had just found a gold mine.

"No! Nothing whatsoever," Eve proclaimed, hurrying to finish her set and leave just as Gwyn and Nesta came to join the group. "Liar," Emerie accused. "Gwyn! Back me up." Gwyn looked at her slyly from where she joined them. "A whole week. Nesta went with Cassian for a week and we all know how that turned out," Emerie continued. Beside Gwyn, Nesta turned a bit red. Eve chuckled a bit before saying, "I am not telling you."

"We will keep persisting you know," Gwyn said. Eve rolled her eyes, "Oh Hell. We just- he- and I-"

"I don't see you all working!" Cassian hollered, interrupting her babbling. Eve hastily went back to her set, glad for his interruption. "But we almost cracked her!" Emerie groaned earning chuckles from the other two.

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Mor returned the following day. And with Azriel still gone, Bri busy as ever and her still not talking to Nesta, Eve spent her entire afternoon with Mor and Feyre. Come evening, Cassian came to pick her up, frowning.

"What is it?" she asked him.

"Nesta," he replied, "she is healing but there are times when she goes back."

"Healing is not linear, Cassian," Eve told him. He nodded but his frown seemed to deepen. "Will you forgive her? There is something different between you two- and I do not know what happened but, whatever it was- is it forgivable?"

She didn't tell Cassian?

Eve sighed, "I cannot keep forgiving her if she keeps messing up. Its toxic. And I will not sacrifice my own peace of my mind anymore for her- or anyone for that matter. I refuse to." Cassian did not reply and the rest of the flight back was silent.

************************

Eve stood near the balcony. Az had just returned and Mor had decided it would be fun to go out for the evening. Az hadn't wanted to but no one could turn down Mor's insistence. So here she was, waiting for him to dress up.

It had been a while since she had gone to that side of the town. Since she had heard music and felt the dance. Yes, she had been making progress but that had been behind closed doors with Azriel being her sole witness.

"We can cancel anytime." His shadow curled near her arm.

Eve turned around taking him in. She let her eyes rove up and down. It was a shame he did not put efforts into his outfits more. He looked gorgeous. As if hearing her thoughts, his cheeks dusted with pink. She smiled, shaking her head, "It's been a long while. I want to try."

He did not debate, although she could see his shoulders were tensed with worry. Extending her hand, she assured him, "I will tell you if it gets too much. But I want to try- I want to dance, Azriel. I want to feel alive again."

He picked her up. Kissing her, he whispered, "then that is what we will do tonight, love."

The pub was full of lights and sounds. It was overwhelming but in just the right way. Eve, who had spent a few good nights in clubs dancing her heart out with her friends in Mumbai was feeling at place.

They had all gone to Bri's first where they had filled their stomachs and drank their viands. Rhys and Feyre had called an early night and gone home, leaving her behind with Mor, Cassian and Az. The former two were already on the dance floor, although Cass seemed more forced to be here. Eve was standing on her tip toes, swaying side to side.

The music was not too loud nor too soft. There were around twenty people already lost in the music. She could feel the notes wave around her- the excitement and joy of dancing weave around her and everywhere else. The floor seemed inviting and warm and welcome. It was, as if, it was welcoming her return with songs a plenty. The chandelier above made one of the most satisfying symmetric designs she had ever laid eyes on and the sweet aroma of chocolate filled the air. Truly, it was appealing as a club ever got.

A small touch on her back made her look beside her where Az now stood with a drink in hand. "Go," he urged her. "What about you?" He shook his head, "I am alright." Eve looked at the floor again where Mor was now waving at her to join. "Join me if you feel like it?" Az nodded in answer. A few of his shadows wrapped themselves around her waist. She exhaled. "I can do this," she whispered more to herself than to Az beside her. He stayed a silent support. "Do you want me in there with you?" he asked her. Eve shook her head. She wanted to go in alone first- feel and get reacquainted with the space. She had told him so already but it was sweet for him to ask again- so patient, so calm.

"Join me in a few minutes," she said. He nodded. Whatever she wished.

She was laughing. Someone was holding her hand as she spun around again and again and again till her feet ached and her head spun. Her eyes were twinkling. Az was holding her waist now- once she had stopped spinning, making sure she did not fall down.

It had been half an hour since she had stepped foot on the floor and since then, it had been one song after another, one spin after another, and one smile after another. Az had joined her a few minutes ago when the tempo of the music had become more upbeat. She had yelled in delight and had taken his arms with every intention of teaching him salsa until he had taken her hand and spun her in one fluid motion.

Cassian and Mor were somewhere- she did not know and frankly, at this very moment, did not care, too lost in her own happiness. It was liberating- to dance. Her mind, body and soul felt so much lighter and skippier and freer and happier. And with Az having joined her, it was perfect.

And so, forgetting all her problems, worries and broken pieces, Eve laughed and cried and jumped with her Shadowsinger, dancing under the moonlight.

A short chapter because I wanted to write some happiness before things went downhill

Happy reading :)

XOXO,

the author