A Rejected Wolf and a Court of Ash (Eden and Azriel) novel Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Elvira

We walk in silence.

My arm is linked with Axel’s, his presence steady beside me as we follow the path toward the dining hall.

Every step makes my heart beat harder.

1.shouldn’t be here. I am not welcome here. Why am I here?

My head keeps on racing with every step that I take. I hate this. I hate this so much! Fear is clutching my throat while the scent of the corridor assaults my senses. Herbs and sunlight. Dream Court magic disguised as rich scents. My skin itches just walking through it while tears form in

my eyes.

I blink and I blink while wondering if Axel feels it too. If I had my vision back, I would check if he is making a face, but I’m still as blind as a mole. So instead I grip his arm tighter until we finally arrive inside a room where there’s loud laughter.

One of the voices belongs to Eden.

The other is Azriel.

But there are others too, all fae and laughing.

My legs lock.

I can’t do this.

I feel like a stain on the wall, but when I try to pull away, Axel’s hands land on my shoulders. “Take it easy,” he says. “You can do this.”

Can I?

I don’t really get a chance to ponder on that question since Axel grabs my hands and leads me further into the room. I can’t see anything, but I can feel every presence inside the room and right now, there’s magic pushing against my entire being. Someone really powerful is sitting inside this room and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out it is Azriel. He is the king of the Dream Court and even though I’ve met him in the past, things are different now.

I betrayed Eden, and Eden is his mate.

The guy probably wants me dead.

I gulp at that thought, nervous since no one is speaking. Not even Axel. He is silent like the night until finally, Azriel’s melodic voice breaks the quiet.

“Sit.”

One word and then Axel leads me to a chair. It feels far away from Azriel, but not too far away so that I can’t feel his eyes on my skin. Fae king be staring at me. For real. Not flinching is damn near impossible right about now. I can feel Eden’s gaze on me too, but Azriel is the real silent

killer.

And he must know the effect he has on me because when he speaks, he sounds amused.

“Welcome to the Dream Court, Elvira./hear you’ve…recovered.”

The silent hilarity in his tone makes my throat feel like it’s been lined with smoke.

“Somewhat,” I manage.

I can feel him studying me. I might not have vision, but I can feel his curiosity.

“And your vision?”

Axel tenses beside me. “Still healing.”

Azriel chuckles. “Then you will need a blessing.“.

My breath catches. I don’t like the way he says it. Like it’s a debt. Like it’s a deal.

Eden sighs at her mate. “She has been through enough, Azriel.”

“I’m not punishing her,” he replies. “I’m giving her a choice.”

I blink. “A choice?”

“There are ancient blessings in this court,” he says. “Fae magic that can repair what’s broken. But nothing comes without cost.”

Axel’s voice is low. “What cost?”

Azriel’s gaze sharpens. “The bond.”

My blood turns cold. “What bond?”

“Your mate bond,” Azriel says it like it is obvious. “Axel would have to release his side of it for the magic to take. That is the trade.”

The silence is instant.

Axel stiffens while I hold my breath.

Release the bond?

My throat closes. I barely whisper, “Is that even possible?”

“Rare,” Azriel says. “But yes. A willing unbinding. It would free his tie to you long enough for the blessing to reach the parts the bond is protecting. The healing would be complete. Your sight restored.”

Complete?

I wouldn’t just squint through light and shadow anymore. I would see again.

Not only would I be able to hunt again, but I would be able to see Axel’s face. The lines of his mouth. The good in his eyes. I want that. More than I should.

But Axel-

I turn toward him. “Don’t. I’m fine like this. You don’t have to-”

“Elvira.” His voice is rough. Gentle. Terrible.

“I want you to see.”

“No.” I choke. “Not if it means losing you. Not if you’re-”

“I will still be here.”

“But you won’t be tied to me by the bond!” Which means he won’t like me anymore because surely he only likes me because of the mate

bond!

“I will still be yours,” he adds, quieter. “Even if there is no bond to remind me.”

I can’t breathe.

How could I when I’m convinced the only reason Axel is with me is because of the mate bond? Without it, he would…leave me. And I don’t want that! He is the only thing that makes me feel whole and just the thought of losing him is making my wolf cry.

Because newsflash: she doesn’t want this either. She doesn’t want to lose him.

I grab his wrist under the table, holding on too tight. “Please don’t. Please just… let it heal on its own.”

He leans close, forehead nearly brushing mine. “It won’t heal on its own, Elvira. If I don’t do this, you will never see the world again. You will

never be able to hunt or see me.”

“That’s not worth it!”

But he has already made his choice. “I will do it.”

There are gasps, and then Eden speaks. “No… Azriel. This is cruel!”

But Azriel doesn’t agree. “It is a gift. A choice. It must be hers.”

All eyes turn to me. At least that’s how it feels.

I open my

mouth-

But before I can speak, Axel rises.

“I will do it,” he says. “I will give up my side of the mate bond so that her eyes can be healed.”

I whip toward him. “Axel, no-”

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