Azra’s lips parted, his hair shifting to a dusty rose beneath his hood as he felt his face heat. While the other knights were clearly human, Azra sucked in a short sharp breath as he saw not a human man before him at all… but a fae. 

His skin was a pale blue- his face stoic, sharp, and angular; his high cheekbones and strong jaw making him undeniably handsome. Growing from his skull were thick horns that curved back away from his face, almost blending in with his dark soft tresses. His hair was long and glossy black, falling in soft waves down his broad and muscular back, which was emphasized by his fitted breastplate and pauldrons. Long pointed ears parted his hair, glittering with gold rings and small clear jewels. Azra’s eyes scanned over the knight’s fine features, falling to the fae’s mouth, which was pressed into a hard line- two small fangs protruding up from his lower lip. 

Dark, burgundy eyes shifted to meet Azra’s timid gaze- the color of blood against a dusky sky. Azra held his breath, feeling the heat behind the fae's red eyes as they slid to look over him. Against his will, Azra felt the shiver in his scalp as his hair and face deepened in color, nerves twisting in his stomach as his heart raced with exhilaration. 

Even over the distance and cold harsh wind, Azra inhaled the fae’s scent. If Azra missed the sweet smell of summer, he found it here; the undertones of warm wind before a storm. It was a scent that reminded him of days spent in Solvale- overwhelming and impossibly familiar to his senses.

The fae’s gaze flashed back to Varyx as he bowed his head. “Your Royal Highness. How may I serve you?” he asked, his voice deep and rich as it reached Azra’s ears. Though Varyx was the one with royal blood, everything about this man exuded a regal authority, making it hard to believe he was something of a servant to the crown. 

Varyx squared up to him, unintimidated as he held out his hand to direct Azra, ignoring the other knights who remained kneeling on the cold ground. “We have a guest. I require your expertise,” Varyx said, his voice demanding and unapologetic as he addressed the knight. 

“Of course,” the fae said in response, his eyes landing on Azra once more with an air of curiosity, “It would be an honor.” 

“Good. Come this way,” Varyx stated harshly before finally looking around the training grounds as he addressed the other knights, commanding, “Continue.”

Azra felt the brush of Varyx’s arm as the alpha prince turned and began walking back up the path toward the castle gardens, the clamor of battle filling the air once more. Watching Varyx walk away gave Azra a momentary sigh of relief. The air seemed cleaner, his head less muddled as he watched the prince grow the distance between their footing.

As Azra turned to follow him, he paused for a moment, looking back over his shoulder to see the knight run his hand over the mane of his steed; patting the horse's side as he whistled to signal a young squire. The knight handed the leather reins to the young boy before he turned his back on the army that was rising once again to its feet, and stopped next to Azra.