Azriel didn't like the Autumn Court all that much.

He wasn't a fan of big crowds - much less those constituted of drunken fae on their way to find another victim to harass - and they were everywhere.

However, if there was one thing that made his journeys here tolerable, it was the card games. Autumn fae were sluts for card games. Azriel loved card games, and though pretty much no one knew, wouldn't call this a secret. No one asked about his hobbies.

He was pretty good at it. He'd learned in Windhaven. Even the most ruthless males had to lower their fists and have some card time, although they still got excessively competitive. Az had gotten punched a few times. But now it was only coins at stake, not his next meal. Cauldron knows he has enough of both.

Azriel stared down at the cards on the table, his mouth agape. He blinked. And blinked again. Did he just... lose? The other males crowded around the table stared in baffled shock before they erupted into loud chatter, eyeing the inconspicuous looking fae sitting across from him.

Azriel stared up at you as you calmly shuffled all his coins into your purse, dodging the hands and other body parts of surrounding males. You got up, shot him a grin, and disappeared into the crowd.

The next day, he was back. There was no way he could be bested by the same person twice in a row. And... you kicked his ass and wiped the floor with it. Okay. Impressive. He started watching your other games. You were just so... good. He was in awe. It wasn't often that he got to meet someone that shared his passion for cards.

He was going to do it. Azriel was going to talk to you if it was the last thing he did. And he had to do it before you slipped out of the tavern and disappeared til the next night. He stepped in front of you as you made your way out.

"Cauldron bless it, I just cannot win against you, can I?" he rasped, his cheeks dusted with a soft pink blush.