Chapter Text
The first time Azriel saw her she was standing behind Lord Helion, her back straight, her face betraying nothing, dressed in fighting leathers he typically wore himself. If it wasn’t for his own training, he wouldn't noticed her, his eyes passing over the space she was occupying behind the High Lord. But he had, and when he looked at her, he surprised himself with his own thought: ‘beautiful’. Her eyes flicked to his, a predatory twinkle in her blue eyes, she was definitely not from the Day Court, her hair black and skin pale. Her mouth quirked up in the corners as she watched the Lords around the table, aware of Azirel's eyes on her. Every part of her eminated a quiet power, similar to the one he had no doubt he possessed. She reminded him of Amren, terrifying if you got too close.
Rhysand and Helion had decided to hold court with Beron, all three of them bringing their closest members of the court. Helion must've never brought the high fae female before, if he had and it had gone unnoticed to him... Dark thoughts troubled him. Helion beckoned her with a quick hand as she silently approached his ear, her eyes flicking towards Azriel again whilst they spoke. Azriel was steeped in his own shadows, listening and observing so he could report back to Rhysand. The female put him on edge, and although Helion was the Night Court’s closest ally, he still kept his eye on them. And now, this female who he had never seen before was at the king’s ear.
Chair’s scraped signaling the end of the meeting, and Azriel cursed himself for getting distracted by the fae at Helion’s side rather than listening to the meeting. He glanced again at her, who had now moved closer to Helion, her body tensed, leaving Azriel wondering at her power, her position at the Day Court. Azriel looked away at Rhysand and Helion with their heads together now that Beron had left, then back to the female. Jolting in surprise to find her no longer there. This fae was certainly very good at her job he thought. Rhysand and Helion had concluded to the group left that they would reconvene at an informal dinner later, one meant for friends.
Azriel weighed the beenfits of trying to find where the fae woman had disappeared to, before deciding the better of it. Retiring to his room, he decided that he needed to fuck someone, that was why he was so distracted by her at that meeting. One beautiful female was an absurd thought as to why he got distracted, but it was better than admitting the loneliness that constantly gnawed at him. But it was more than just her beauty he mused, her own elusive presence, a skill that not many managed to possess around him. She wasn’t a shadowsinger like him, but the ease at which she could remain unseen had him worried and impressed. He had no doubt her stalking skills would be immense, a valuable asset Helion seemed to own.
The time passed quickly with Azriel in his own thoughts, eventually leaving to join the group. He found them sat at the table, Azriel deciding to forget the haunted female from before as his family sat and talked animatedly. Most of his family was here, Rhys, Feyre, Cassian and Mor had all joined the Day king at his table in the Day Court. With Helion was some of his own family, century-old friends he trusted, with an empty chair next to his side. Azriel’s quick mind had noted the empty chair as soon as he entered, he had also noted the pretty fae female sat opposite him, giving him a shy smile that left Azriel leaving no doubt she knew exactly what she was doing. She would be the one he’d use take to bed tonight he decided, get that ridiculous fae woman off his mind.
The doors opened again, and Azriel stiffened at the sight of her walking in. But now, she was a different woman. An easy confident stride, none of the killer instincts he had seen before, as the king smiled widely at her presence. Instead of fighting leathers, she wore a flowing white dress, her hair plaited down her back with flowers, a lion in a kitten’s body he thought to himself. He heard Helion introduce her to Rhys and Feyre who were sat opposite the predator. With an easy smile she inclined her head at them whilst being seated, leasurely helping herself to the food presented on the table, an easy laugh escaping her lips. Her name, Eva, ringing in his head.
A million questions entered his head, who was she to the king to be given such a high seat next to him, he would never marry Azriel knew that much, but maybe she was his mate? He convinced himself that he was obsessed with the answer because of his own position at court. He was the Night Court’s spymaster, in charge of knowing everything and everyone. And a female such as her he would need to know. Her obvious influence over the king, the ease at which she swapped roles, and the animal instincts he saw in the court before. Laughter sounded from the four of them, Az gripped his napkin, briefly aware of the fae he had decided to bed earlier asking him benign questions. Cassian slapped him jovially on his shoulder, trying to get his intention towards the conversation they were having.
As Azriel turned his head, trying to ignore his head sounding her name out infinitely, she flicked her eyes over at the shadowsinger, none of the warmth that was just held in them being directed towards him. She knew who he was, Azriel, Spymaster, for the Night Court, the so called Angel of Death, and a powerful Illyrian. She watched with bored interest at the high fae trying to court his attention, a high born lady of the court with no real power or influence, no doubt she would bed him and try to talk down to Iva for a week. Instead she focused her attentions on the high lady of the night court, Feyre, who Eva could not help liking, a small pushed down part of her hoping for friendship with the woman who had come to rule the Night Court. With Helion’s warm smile on her, the only person she truly loved and felt safe with, she allowed herself the night's respite from the mask she usually wore. Allowed herself to be the Eva she usually kept hidden. Allowed herself to laugh and just for the night forget her work and the promises she had made to the world.
At the end of the meal, she sat with Feyre on the balcony, the group dispersing into small groups, no doubt to rut and drink some more. The two of them sat drinking the fruity wine the Day Court was fond of, Feyre describing the art district of Velaris. Eva listened with rapt attention, herself starved of much human interaction, or beauty of the world. Talking to Feyre made her realise how lonely she truly was. She had Helion, her friend and only real family member, but that was it. No friends, no family like the one she had seen between the members of the Night court.
“Tell me about your family Feyre.” A warm look passed the High Lady’s face, and Eva did everything not to wobble at the idea of the love they possessed for each other. Feyre caught the look pass Eva's face, so she added “I don’t have anyone apart from Helion.” At this Feyre’s face softened, a flash of pity in her eyes that caused Eva to inwardly groan at the secret she had shared. Instead Feyre described her own life, and the happiness she had found at creating her own family. At the end she took Eva’s hand and with a soft look gave it a squeeze,
“I would like to be your friend, Eva, if you wish that too.” A small smile graced Eva’s features as she agreed. The two ladies continued talking, of how both should visit to see the impressive art they had collected.
As the night continued on, Cassian came to join them, with Feyre quietly leaving when Rhysand appeared, Eva quietly bowing her head at them leaving. Once it was just her and Cassian she passed on a wolfish smile as she took in the bulk of muscles lining him. Cassian noticing, sat a bit higher, a similar smile playing on his lips now. “So..." he drawled, "would you like to see my room?” his fingers lazily tracing line on her arms. Eva smiled further at the males confidence, and even let out a soft laugh. His eyes met hers, not realising her laugh had been at the absurdity of his question. Eva’s eyes glittered at the attractive male, after some consideration she replied,
“Whilst I would no doubt love to see your room, and the activites that could happen there, I have a rule of not getting into bed with men who have already given their heart to another.”
At that, Cassian's eyes widened fractionally, quickly playing off the feeling of being punched in the gut. Confusion flashed across his face, he stammered, “How do you know that.” An owlish smile looked at his disgruntled face, realising that he had agreed with her assessment.
“As someone who reads every blink, you wear your love all over your face, even if they're not here. And yes, I can tell it might not be returned, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to be the one to help you get over her. Come back to me when you’re no longer heartbroken, and maybe then we can see your room.”
At that Cassian let out a strangled laugh, running his hands through his hair. He stood up, “Well I guess this is goodnight.”
Eva bowed her head to him, a smile on her face as the Illyrian male strode away, his troubling thoughts playing on his face. That man wears everything on his face she thought to herself, dropping her head against the back of the seat, still smiling to herself.
“You can come out now, shadowsinger.” Eva mused to the empty balcony. A few seconds later, as if Azriel was deciding whether or not to acknowledge her, he materialised from the corner. Eva, not moving her eyes from the sparkling lights above simply patted the seat that had just been taken by Cassian. The man moved with silent footsteps to the seat.
“So, what is it you want to know.” She moved her head to now stare at the handsome male, a knowing smile lighting up her features. Azriel settled back into the chair, trouble sketching his features. “How-“ he paused, deciding how best to ask her the million questions in his mind. As if sensing this, Eva pushed herself up in the chair, now leaning towards him.
“I’ll tell you what, you can ask me three questions, and I will answer them truthfully.”
She mused to him, her hair moving at the slight breeze that played around them. Azriel studied her for a minute, unabashed at himself taking in every feature, the smart wolfish eyes, the knowing smirk, the body always posied for action, toned with constant use, and the confidence ease at which she held herself. This female was all lust, and action, and power, and that only slightly terrified Azriel. The other part of him was desperate to lead to her to the bedroom and get her to reveal her secrets that way. As if sensing what he was thinking her smile grew wider and she settled back into her chair, looking over her own Court. “I wonder what you think of the Day Court, the star's must be incredible at the Night Court, but you have to agree that during the day, there's no where more beautiful.” She ruminated, as if waiting for his questions.
“What’s your relation to Helion?” He asked thoughtfully, his spymaster nature taking over, needing to know information. Eva clucked her tongue as if uninterested by his question.
“What a boring question to ask, you could’ve asked any of your friends who’d have been happy to tell you.” She breathed with a laugh in her voice. He looked at her, no warmth in his face, only assessing the predator who had been let loose near his family. She tutted again, as if realising that that answer wouldn’t satisfy him.
“The whole truth… It’s complicated.” She answered thoughtfully, Azriel surprised at her candidness. “Helion is my friend, my family. My master, and my saviour. We’ve been lovers in the past, and enemies. But now I serve him in the court, as you’ve no doubt guessed, as his spymaster.” She looked thoughtfully at him, as if reliving the moments that had come with the admission of her relationship. They sat in silence for a moment, before Azriel asked,
“What were you before you were his spymaster.”
“A slave.” A hard, impenetrable look sketched her face as she looked towards the night sky, showing that that was all she would say on the matter. Azriel fought the urge to clear his throat, instead asking,
“You're not from the Day Court” His voice coming out quieter than he wanted, a thoughtful look on his face as he looked at her. A strangled laugh came from her face now,
"That's not a question." Azriel narrowed his eyes,
"Where are you from then" The night went quiet as if she was deliberating how to answer his question, finally a hard voice, no emotion or warmth answered,
"That's between Helion and I." A shiver almost went through him, "You can ask me something else." A smile now graced her features, alarming Azriel at how fast she could switch, left him wondering which version of herself she really was.
"Who are you." He whispered, another laugh sounded from her, this time more natural.
"Who the hell knows. Who are you?" She quirked her eyebrows as if challenging him. Azriel pondered her question, realising how hard it was to answer. As some time passed, he looked over at her. Shock passed over him, as he stared at the empty seat next to him. He hadn’t even heard her move. He walked slowly to his room, he head tried to process her revelations, the spy in him singing at the information he had managed to gain from just asking her, but a small part of he refused to listen to felt the aching pain he no doubt knew she held. Stood by his door he saw the fae girl from earlier, her gentle smile playing on her features. Azriel smiled, an unrecognisable look passing over him. Taking her by the hand and leading her inside, he tried to forget the devastating beautyof Eva’s face.
They left quickly the next day, Azriel having no time to search for the Day Court spymaster. When he returned to the manor he groaned, his head feeling as if he had a monster hangover. He had fucked the fae girl hard and long, his desire murderous, desperate for release and sent her back to her room, no doubt unsatisfied with not being allowed to stay the night. Feyre looked up, a gentle smile on her face.
“Rhys was looking for you.” Azriel left with a quick step to find his brother in his office. Without looking up,
“So what did you think of yesterday.” Rhys asked him.
“That spymaster of Helion's has needs to be watched.” Rhys now lifted his head blinking at Az.
“That wasn’t what I meant but go on.” Azriel cursed internally, even now she was gone he was still thinking of her.
“She’s smart... very smart, even I didn’t notice her at the meeting with Beron until she wanted me to.” Rhy leant back in his chair, contemplating something.
“Feyre likes her, she even invited her to join us here for a few days to show her around.” Azriel tensed at this, he thought he wouldn’t have to see her again, at least not so soon. Rhy quirked his eyebrows,
“You think this is a bad idea?”
“No, and I don’t believe we have any reason to distrust Helion, she’s just… too dangerous in the wrong hands, it would be a good idea to keep an eye on her.”
“Well you know what they say…” Mused rhys with a soft smile, after some quiet, he added, “We need to see Helion soon about what to do with Beron, that and the Mortal Queens. You can keep an eye on her there, if the opportunity presents itself, try and get some information on her.” Azriel stopped himself from cringing, remembering how she had readily given up information on herself yesterday. But that felt oddly private. He stopped that train of thought, as a spymaster he should know better. Know that she could have been giving him that information to get him to lower his guard. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that she had been genuine in relaying that information to him, meant only for his ears.