Azriel Worship

Azriel

Eris

Azris:

Hollowed Out @ ~

Missing You *

Revenge *

Rhysand:

Milking It *

Nyx:

For Cauldron's Sake, Talk To Each Other! ~

Secret? Not really ~

Cornered ~ @

Lucien:

Two-Player Game *

Tarquin:

Show Me *

Sex On The Beach *

Xaden:

Flooded *

Take Control *

I Love You ~ (M)

Garrick:

Feeling Worthless * @

Maybe The Books Are Right * (M)

Bodhi

Liam:

Neither The Time Nor Place * (M)

In The Air *

Ridoc:

Drunk Words Are Sober Thoughts * ~

My Patch! ~

Sawyer:

Busted *

Aaric:

Y/n's Secret *

Taste * ~ (M)

"Studying" * (M)

Brennan:

Bonded * ~ (M)

Bodoc:

Teach Me * ~

Other:

The Poly Cafe

A Court of Scales and Fire OCs

My dividers

Ridoc stares at the offending items, eyes narrowed threateningly, his entire body drawn tight as a bowstring. The rider's flight jacket lays there, strewn carelessly over the side of the bed, at risk of falling off. A new patch, the Iron Squad patch, still in it's plastic wrap sat on his desk next to rider-grade thread, and a needle. Unassuming to anyone else, but he knew the truth. How it was maliciously staring back at him, daring him to try, and waiting to laugh as he did.

"Sewing," he said to the empty room.

"My worst enemy"

------

The squad stands in the flight field next to their respective dragons, each of them have their new patch sewn proudly onto their flight jackets. Violet walks on last, looking upset, so naturally, Ridoc goes to cheer her up.

He slings an arm around her shoulders, "Iron squad, all together! You guys we're unstoppable!" Ridoc gasps loudly as an idea pops into his head. Unable to keep the inside thoughts inside, he says it immediately, "We should make a theme song!"

Professor Kaori jumps in before any of the others can, "Unfortunately Cadet Gamlyn, you'll all have to do that on your own time."

He uses that as a Segway to start the lesson, explaining the maneuver they'd be learning today. After the brief explanation, everyone mounts their dragons.

'We're gonna ace this'

'If you can hold on that is,' Aotrom counters teasingly.

'Is that a challenge?'

'More a requirement for you to stay alive'

'It's a challenge'

Aotrom lifts off with one great wing beat. Ridoc feels the air rush around him, how the force pushes him down into the scales. It's great feeling. He loves flying, loves being a rider, and most importantly, he loves his squad — the iron squad.

Ridoc glances down at his jacket to where the patch is. Pride fills him when he looks at it.

'Unstoppable'

The dragons all dip and dive in near perfect formation following Smachd's lead. It's been good so far, Tairn has gotten used to not leading, and ever since Riorson got that saddle for Violet, she hasn't fallen off once.

'Alright, we can do this'

Ridoc presses his body against Aotrom's neck, squeezing his thighs together as his dragon climbs higher preparing to be upside down.

Aotrom arcs his body, and Ridoc becomes weightless for a split-second. For that moment, he feels the most free he ever has before, then they complete the loop, executing it perfectly.

"Fuck yeah!" Ridoc turns to see if the others were okay, but is distracted when something flaps about in front of him. He quickly realises that the thing is his Iron Squad patch holding on by a single thread. It comes loose before he can grab it.

"My patch!" He doesn't think, thrusting his arm forward, but he's too late. Unfortunately, it throws off his balance completely, and he loses his seat, plummeting to the ground below.

Aotrom, ever faithful, nose-dives after his rider. Ridoc's training kicks in like second-nature, spreading his body out to increase surface area, slowing his descent. The brown swordtail swoops under his rider, and brings them back into formation safely.

The lesson ends without further incident, but his friends check on him nevertheless.

Sawyer reaches him first, "Hey, are you alright?"

"Yeah, what happened up there? You did the maneuver fine and then just… fell off. Did you not sleep enough?" Rhiannon adds.

"I'm fine. Wait, no I'm not; I lost my fucking patch!"

"Really?" she says unimpressed, "You risked your life over the stupid patch?"

Ridoc's about to retort, but Violet speaks up, "You can get another one from Professor Devera if you want. They always make spares"

"Thanks, Vi"

He stomps away, muttering to himself about having to sew again.

'Alright,' I concede, 'perhaps a bit dramatic. Or not dramatic enough.'

I pace around the room endlessly, my skin prickling with anxiety, heart racing. It's today. He's coming today. Nyx, the heir to the Night Court, is coming to visit me, today, because we are to be married this Friday. I still can't wrap my head around it. My parents had only told me a week ago that this was happening, even though the plan had apparently been in motion for months. Assholes.

'No, I refuse to marry a fae I'll have known for two days, and more importantly, I refuse to marry that fae'

Well the joke is on them, because I am going to escape. I'd planned it all perfectly, learning the guard schedules, and their individual mannerisms. Who was likely to be late, who wasn't very vigilant on duty, and how I can exploit it.

I will get out. I have to, if not… what would it be like if I didn't? Flashbacks from the few events I'd attended appeared in my head unbidden. I see him standing up on the dais with the rest of his family, sneering at the people below, laughing in the face of their fear, revelling in it. I'd thus far been fortunate enough to never personally interact with him, but I had been close enough once or twice to hear how crudely he spoke of females, eyeing them like a meal. I dreaded having that gaze on me.

Once, a servant had spilt on him. Nyx cursed him out, spewing vitriol until the poor fae looked on the edge of tears. He couldn't have been older than seventeen. Nyx thankfully hadn't physically harmed him, and there were no stories of him doing so, unlike the rest of his family. He was the best of the worst, and still I find him intolerable.

I paused my pacing, glancing at the clock. It was almost time to make my escape. I began gathering the bits of food I'd collected little by little at every meal. I tuck a steak knife I'd managed to snag into my boot, and sat against the door, listening for the heavy footsteps of the guards. As the sound of metal clanking fades, I grip the door handle, and adrenaline floods my veins making my heartbeat thunderously loud.

I open the door on silent hinges, peering hesitantly both ways before creeping into the dimly lit hallways. I count passages as I walk past in an attempt to calm my heart, as I find my way to the exit. Every now and then I have to hide while off-duty soldiers moved drunkenly through, all laughing obnoxiously loud.

I successfully sneaked into the servants quarters, the only fae there should be sleeping, recovering from the Night-shift. As long as I was quiet, everything should go smoothly. The door stood tall across from me; freedom was so close I could almost smell it. Not that I knew what freedom smelt like, but I imagined it to be very different from the stuffy air of the Court of Nightmares.

The hinges creaked, and the noise echoed throughout the room.

'Fuck!'

I booked it. I ran straight into the street, and kept going, ignoring the yells of the common folk as they all had to avoid me while I barrelled through. Adrenaline still had free run of my system, but it was now accompanied by excitement. I'd never been this far outside the palace walls in my life! I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. I couldn't though. Not yet. I may be out the palace, but I was still trapped. If I stayed within the Court of Nightmares, it would only be a matter of time before I was found. No, I needed to leave entirely, and preferably find refuge in another court. Dawn might be nice. It's also the closest.

'Later, first make it out of here'

The only way in or out of this hell other than winnowing was the official grand entrance on the other side of the mountain. They were huge, towering arches, far larger than any person wold ever need. Great ornate pillars of marble led up to them, and as one would imagine, they were of course, heavily guarded.

Now, I can winnow, but only to places I've been before or can see, and I'm not capable of going nearly far enough to get me outside the mountain from where I am now. 'So what's your plan?' I hear you ask. Well, the grand entrance isn't actually the only way out. There was an emergency exit made for if the doors were ever barricaded. It was magically disguised, and I only know about it because I found mention of it in an old super out of date book on the construction of the court.

So, basically, my entire future depends on that exit still being there, and my ability to find it. Not the best situation to be in, but my life had been going in a downward spiral of exponentially increasing steepness ever since I was old enough to be married off, so this was nothing.

I didn't want to waste my energy trying to winnow through the city, I'd need it far more once I got out, so I rented a one person carriage to get me there. According to the book, the exit should be about a kilometre to the right of the doors.

With every minute that passed, I got more and more paranoid that someone would recognise me. It wasn't likely, I knew, especially as I got further from the palace toward the poorer neighbourhoods. Even so, I did my best to look entirely unremarkable, and even avoided eye-contact.

It seemed to be working, until I saw this one young male, maybe in his early twenties. He looked so familiar, but I just couldn't place him, until he lifted his head, and stared straight at me. I remembered now. This was the servant who'd spilled on Nyx. He must've been fired after the incident if he ended up here.

He searched my face, then his eyes widened in recognition, and surprise. Panic flooded through me. I'd been caught. He was going to alert someone of my attempted escape, and I would never know an inch of freedom again. My stomach sank. I'd failed. This was it.

The ex-servant boy, Miles, I think his name is, or maybe Mathew, looks at me, turns toward the direction I'm going, those grand doors looming over us like it's taunting me with what they represent, and then looks back. He stays fixated on me for quite some time while I sit there, not daring to breathe. Eventually, his gaze softens, and he nods at me, like a salute, a good luck.

'Go forth,' he seemed to say, 'be free, and live for the both of us'

I nodded back, my eyes donning a glassy sheen. I vowed that if I was ever presented the opportunity to save someone from this place, it would be him.

The rest of the ride went smoothly. Now it was up to my sleuthing skills. Finding the hopefully-still-existent exit was the last hurdle I had to jump. I took a deep breath, concentrating on the different magic signatures I could sense. There was the general cloud of lesser fae magics, all of them almost perfectly indistinguishable from each other saturating the air around me, a few streaks of particularly unlucky high fae peeking through, but it was this earthy undercurrent that grabbed my attention. It felt like it was vibrating, no, that's not the right word. Pulsating. There was an earthy, pulsating energy coming from somewhere. I followed it, and kept following it, until I reached a dead-end. Tentatively, I reach out a hand. It passes right through the rock. An illusion.

I feel around so that I can gauge how big the hole is. I can see why no one's found it. The entrance is elliptical, only about half a metre in width, and maybe two thirds of one in length. It was also squashed into a dark corner, covered in eerily bioluminescent —potentially poisonous— moss.

Careful not to touch anything, I climb through. Once past the small entrance, I could tell it widened into a passageway that could easily accommodate three large fae walking side-by-side. I couldn't actually see anything other than more of the moss that grew on about every surface, but it provided enough reference for me to get a sense of the dimensions.

I trudge onwards, internally cringing as the sound of my footfalls are amplified significantly. The tunnel goes on and on, the moss slowly getting less. Ten minutes had passed since I'd first entered, or maybe thirty — maybe it was five, and the repetitiveness had made time stretch on — but the ground had transitioned into something softer. Dirt. I was standing on dirt. That had to be a sign I was close, right?

I pick up my pace, likely being less cautious than I should be, however, when I saw waning light up ahead, I started running. I couldn't care less about what I might find, as the walls became clearer, and the air, fresher than any I had breathed before.

There it was. The outside world. Trees, shrubbery, the sky, I could see it! They were actually, really there! No longer a thing that theoretically existed but a tangible thing. I was out! I was free! I was… falling.

Well, not falling. Tumbling. Down the side of a mountain. Fast.

In my excitement, I hadn't stopped at all when I reached the cave mouth, not realising that there was no flat ground, just a hill. I tried to slow myself down, grabbing at anything I could, but this wasn't very effective, and only served to slice up the skin of my palms.

The slope plateaued enough that I came to a stop. I lay there, staring up because fuck everything hurts. I lost my sack of food somewhere along the way. It had probably broken open and spilt everything all over the dirt, so there was no use in finding it. Despite all that, I felt this huge sense of accomplishment.

I did it.

Nyx's Pov

'Breathe Nyx. Breathe.'

I try to calm myself down, reasoning that it can't be that bad. The problem is, it can be that bad. It will probably be worse. I know next to nothing about this female, only having seen her existing in the background of the few parties my family attended. Each and every time she saw the vile acts of the attendees (his family included) she remained stone-faced. Y/n reminded me a lot of the Lady of Autumn. She had the same unseeing eyes, like she wasn't really there. I wonder if it's a defence mechanism against the cruelties of the Court of Nightmares, or if she truly doesn't see anything wrong with what's happening around her, no matter how sadistic.

I know that should the visit go poorly, I could back out. My parents had made that abundantly clear, but I didn't want to. This had been my idea, after all, to help bridge the gap between their court and the Court of Dreams. I'm certain this could work, that we can change it, we just have to play be their rules for a bit, only until I have my foot in the door, then I could initiate real change. It irks me slightly that my family hadn't done more, that they'd left it for so long, but I also understand that they have other business. It's not like they were doing nothing.

Another reassurance was that the arrangement didn't have to be forever. If this attempt didn't appear to be fruitful, divorce was very much an option. They certainly wouldn't be happy about it, but my parents will have my back, so they can't really do anything about it.

Regardless, I fear what this marriage may be like. Was Y/n be just as cold and calloused as I'd perceived her to be, or would she transform into something more colourful once free, like Aunt Mor had?

More than anything, I worry what she thinks of all this. If at any point I feel my heart's no longer in it, my family would get me out yesterday. Y/n didn't have that. Her parents would do nothing to help, they'd likely beat her for speaking up. How was she feeling right now? Was she terrified? Did she think that her life would get worse, that she was being forced into a life of abuse worse than what she knew now? It would make sense; Y/n had only ever seen the worst parts of him. The mask. The villain.

What was worse was that as per courtship customs, when I meet her today, there would be at least two Darkbringers present at all times, so I still wouldn't be able to show her the real me. I hope I can make a slightly better impression, that she'll be able to see through the act now that they'd be (relatively) alone.

I turned that idea over in my head for a while, and no matter how I looked at it, I didn't think there was a way she possibly could see through it. From what I know of her, she is the daughter of a family close to Keir, Y/n's father is his right hand man, on judging on that alone, she's likely never had a kind person in her life. She'd only know the dreaded walls of emotional, and likely physical, abuse.

"Are you ready?"

The voice of my mother snapped me out of my thoughts. I turn to her, suddenly alert. She looks at me with concern, and I know from her expression alone what she's about to say.

"Are you sure you want to do this? We can call it off"

"I'm sure," I reiterate. "This will work. I know it will". I do not.

Mom gives me that same tight-lipped smile she has been every time we talk about this. Neither of my parents were thrilled about my idea on how to change things in the Court of Nightmares. None of my family was, really, especially not Aunt Mor.

The enormous doors loom in front of us. They're marked with jewels and carvings on both sides, but the decor inside is garish rather than tasteful. A statement of power over the inhabitants rather than pride in their court.

My parents, Cassian, and I are all dressed to the nines for the occasion. Mor hates going here, and avoids it as much as she can, and we wanted someone who's not a Darkbringer in the room with Y/n, and me; between Cassian and Azriel, Uncle Cassian is the less unnerving to people, though no less intimidating.

We paused just outside the doors, my parents doing a quick once over each other to see if anything was out of place, then doing the same for me.

In the quiet, faint sounds of something ring out. I perk up first scanning for a potential source, Cassian and Dad do so as well. Mom looks between Uncle Cass and her mate, trying to read whether they think it's a threat or not. I do the same, they have a lot more experience than we do.

It gets louder, like it's coming toward us. Soon we see movement, but the… whatever it is, is too far to make out.

We all track it with our eyes, until there's one final 'oof' before it stops.

"Should we go see what that is?" I ask no one in particular, still locked on the last place sound had come from.

My question is answered for us by the something, sorry, someone, standing, and gingerly dusting themselves off. The person remains unaware that we can see them, glancing over themself, checking for any major injuries. I wince, thinking about how much that tumble must have hurt, especially considering the clothes they're wearing doesn't seem to be of the protective sort.

The figure turns, and I have to do a double take. If I'm not mistaken — and I very well could be — that is my bride-to-be.

She makes eye contact with me while searching for something, and freezes, her face contorting into one of pure horror.

'The first emotion I've ever seen her show, and it's undiluted fear.'

We stare at her; she stares back at us. None one knows how we're supposed to proceed.

Mom breaks the silence, "Rhys, cancel the meeting".

~Time skip~ ~3rd Pov~

The inner circle returns to the townhouse, taking Y/n with them so that Madja could address her wounds. Everyone is chatting amongst themselves, mostly unbothered by it all, everyone save for Nyx, who stares aimlessly out the window. Y/n had been so terrified at the prospect of marrying him, of meeting him, that she'd risked everything to run away.

He seemed to be the only one affected by this revelation. He supposed the rest of his family was used to being feared. So was he, but it wasn't real before, at least, it hadn't felt that way. He'd always had to become someone else, and that was who people were afraid of; the version of him he'd created for the sole purpose of inciting fear without tainting the parts he deemed the truth. This was different. Y/n was scared of him. The side of Nyx that wasn't a farce. She feared the what he would be as a husband, and ultimately, a father. He knew Y/n hadn't met the 'domestic' side of himself, but the way she saw it as one and the same didn't sit right with him.

Y/n steps warily out of the corridor, her eyes shifting from one side of the room to the other constantly, as if the moment she looks away, something will appear. There is still faint evidence of all the scrapes and cuts she'd gained from tumbling through the thick forest underbrush, but most of it had disappeared on account of fae healing.

Y/n's hair is still damp from the shower she took, her body clad in the casual guest wear available in the room Nuala and Cerridwen had made up for her. She seemed extremely uncomfortable in them, pulling at the sleeves and end of the shirt, like she was trying to make it cover as much of her as possible.Y/n does a good job of disguising just how scared she is, controlling the speed her chest rises and falls, back straight, and apart from her eyes, her expression is blank as ever.

"Y/n, dear," Feyre calls out.

She flinches, her gaze shooting toward the High Lady, but Y/n doesn't move, nor does she make any verbal response.

"Come. Sit. Eat something."

You wouldn't think from her stride that this female is afraid of anything. She strode toward the most powerful beings in Prythian, and sat down calmly, with the grace of the courtier she is. Despite this, it doesn't go unnoticed by Nyx that she daintily takes one pastry from the display, takes the smallest bite she could, and didn't eat again as the inner circle continued like she wasn't there. They'd tried at first to include her in the conversation, but it was clear she didn't want to be.

After the plates were cleared away, each person started filtering out until it was only Nyx and Y/n left behind. Nyx hadn't even realised they were doing it until it was too late. It was almost imperceptible, but Y/n's body tensed a bit more upon realising that they were alone.

Her thoughts raced. This was never meant to happen. In royal courting there was always two other people there to oversee the activity, and now, there was none. Nyx could do anything to her, and there would be no witnesses to dispute it. She thought being surrounded by his family and their out of character kindness had been bad, but this was far worse. Y/n forced herself not to shake. She would not cower. Not to him. Not even if it cost her life.

Nyx stood awkwardly on the other side of the room, mindful that he keep a good amount of distance between them. He couldn't imagine what this looked like to her. Actually, no, he could imagine, and he hated it.

Nyx tried to assume a casual posture, but it was like his body had forgotten how to stand. No matter how he arranged himself, it felt unnatural.

Y/n does not speak, nor does she look at him. In fact, she makes no acknowledgement of his existence at all. The silence settles around them like a lazy python, slowly constricting more and more till they choked.

Nyx broke first.

"Erm, are you hungry? You didn't really eat much at lunch."

"No."

"Okay. Uhh, how are those scratches feeling? That was quite the fall you took," he tries again.

"Fine."

Nyx decides to extend one last olive branch. If she turned it down again, he'd leave well enough alone.

"Would you like different clothes?"

Y/n turns her head minutely, just enough to put him in her line of sight without straining, the barest of recognition.

"It's just that, you keep… pulling at, ahem, at the sleeves," his voice gets softer as he says it, trailing off until the last word was inaudible.

Her gaze bore into him, yet not a word was said.

'Message received. Shutting up'

Nyx averts his eyes, looking everywhere but her, seeing crevices of this house he'd never seen before.

Y/n does no such thing. She continues to pin him to the spot with the intensity of stare alone. Her lips twitch when he squirms under it, and she decides to take mercy on him.

"Who painted them?"

Nyx's head snaps around with speed that would've killed a human, "What?"

She jerks her head to the many artworks lining the walls. They captured varying scenes, some of nature, the city, a few depicting the family that lived there.

Nyx's posture visibly relaxed as a sort of adoration entered his voice, "My mom did"

'Mom'

The word sent a shiver through her spine. It was so difficult to see Feyre Cursebreaker as anything other than the all powerful High Lady of the Night Court, but she is someone's mom. She's Nyx's mom.

That revelation was weirdly grounding.

"She's always loved painting, ever since she was human. She couldn't afford much to foster that talent back then, but she found a way. Passion like that often does."

She hums, and they spend a few moments admiring the pictures.

"Do you like painting?"

Y/n continues to analyse the details as she answers, "No, I never cared for the mess"

Nyx thought that was going to be the end of the matter, but is pleasantly surprised when Y/n speaks up again.

"I used to draw though. I'd sketch the creatures I read about in books to better picture them"

He couldn't explain why, but he was thrilled with this little offering of information.

"Why 'used to'?"

She sighs deeply, "Because drawing is not a useful skill to have as a courtier, so I wasn't allowed to indulge in it"

"Oh," Nyx replied dumbly. He wanted to apologise. For what exactly, he wasn't sure. For the way her parents are? For the heavily misogynistic and controlling expectations of the Court of Nightmares? For not getting her out of there sooner?

"Would you like to?"

Y/n tilted her head questioningly.

"We could go down to the Rainbow and get you whatever supplies you want"

"…The Rainbow"

"Oh, it's an artist neighbourhood in Velaris. It sells every type of medium you could ever want, and if visual art isn't really your thing, there's stores for music, and writing too"

She pauses, considering the information, and implications carefully.

"Are we allowed to leave here?"

"Of course," Nyx replies without thinking, because to him, freedom had always been commonplace. He was allowed to go where he liked, whenever he liked, with whomever he wanted to. As long as he didn't cause trouble, obviously.

"We can just… leave? Without telling anyone, no escort has to be arranged, nothing?"

"Nothing," he confirms.

She takes another long pause, "Then… yes. I would like to see The Rainbow"

Nyx guides Y/n through Velaris, pointing out stores along the way. She listens to him chatter, taking in the sites, and smells. It was nothing like her home, and she couldn't be more thrilled about it.

The Rainbow was everything Nyx said it would be, and more. It was all so vibrant. Like a swirling vortex of colour. A fae with a violin played merrily on the side of the street, lost in the rhythm of her music. People existed comfortably in the public eye, lingering in places as if they were in their own homes. It was a kind of peace Y/n had never known.

Bit by bit, the carefully constructed persona Y/n had been determined to maintain frayed with every step, every story, every part of Nyx he freely shared.

She began smiling, joining in the laughter, and even occasionally reciprocating with a story of her own. Nyx was starting to see a future with her, here, in Velaris, where she too was able to be the authentic version of herself. He liked the idea of being her safe place.

Time passes them by rapidly without their notice. Nyx again offers food, and Y/n finally accepts. They decide on getting something from one of the street vendors rather than sitting down so they could continue exploring.

The last dregs of light fade as the sun slips beneath the horizon leaving Nyx, and Y/n sitting on a large rock on the bank of the Sidra, overlooking the city with his wings loosely shielding her from the cool winds.

Y/n breaks the companionable silence with whispered words of awe, "It's beautiful. All of it"

"It is," he agrees, smiling. "Dozens of Night Court High Lords have gone to great lengths to protect their court, and it was worth it."

Something about the formerly peaceful quiet sours.

"What's wrong?"

Y/n stares out for a long time, "Half of their court"

"Excuse me?"

She turns to him, her face back to it's stony mask, "They went to great lengths to protect half of their court"

Nyx isn't sure what to do with that.

"…The Court of Nightmares is protected"

That was apparently the wrong thing to say.

"The Court of Nightmares is a tool your father, and every High Lord before him to make it seem like a horrible place so no one would want to invade. It is the protection, and you certainly don't do anything to protect it from itself. It was designed to be so horrible, that everyone would think it's beyond saving but no one thought about the hell you damned thousands to, because fuck us right. 'We don't agree so we don't care what happens to them' right?" she says it with venom, glaring at the air in front of her.

"That's not true"

Y/n turns that fierce glare on him, "Really? So why don't you live there? Why does your family only visit once a year? Why do you speak of Morrigan's move to the Court of Dreams as you all 'saving her' if it's not a prison?"

Nyx didn't have an answer to any of those questions. Not ones that didn't force him to see that she was right.

Y/n stands, needing to pace so she didn't do something stupid, "Did you know that Amarantha took one look at it, and decided that's what she wanted her tyrannical reign to look like. Amarantha's palace Under the Mountain is modelled after my home. It was meant to be the worst place created, made to strip away hope, and the Court of Nightmares was her inspiration!"

"Your father spent almost 50 years, and it scarred him. He experienced what we lived through, what we're still living through, and he has done nothing! He left it, you all left it! Worse, you have the power to change it, and instead, you let Keir run amuck, enabling him! But it's fine for you guys. You get to live in this utopia, and the guilt never touches you, because 'out of sight, out of mind' is that it? , "

Y/n chest heaves, her voice growing louder to the point that she could probably be heard from the outskirts of Velaris.

"The Court of Nightmares isn't made of dreamers. It's got a lot of people who don't want it to change" It was a weak defence. It was barely a defence at all, and Nyx knew it, cringing inwardly as he hears himself sound out the words.

She scoffed, her eyes becoming cold, "Do you really think your aunt is the only 'dreamer'? You don't think that the reason so many fae there aren't is because they can't be? They never got the opportunity, I never got an opportunity"

Y/n pins him down with her icy glare, and he shrinks under it, drawing is wings in from where he was seated on the rock's ledge.

"You have nothing to say for yourself?"

"No. I don't."

The fight is gone from his voice. The defeat in it deflates some of her anger. Emphasis on some.

"Because you're right. My family has grossly neglected the Court of Nightmares because it was easier to make it someone else's problem than it was to fix it."

Nyx gets up, carefully walking toward her with his wings still trying to block the wind.

He reaches out his hand, palm up, "But that's why I proposed this marriage. So that I could change it, so that… we could change it"

Y/n looks to his hand, and back to him, considering.

The barest smile grace's his face, because he knows he's got her.

"Y/n L/n, will you help me right a wrong of centuries?"

She takes his hand,and guides him closer, pulling him in so that she could feel his warmth.

The bell rang out, signalling the end of the last class for today, and thank the cauldron for that. Most of the time Nyx found history interesting, it definitely helped that majority of his family had lived through and was actively present during these world changing historical events, so if he had questions, or simply wanted more detail, he could ask them. However, the topic for this term didn't interest him in the slightest. It was mainly about the evolution of tea, and how it had affected trading over the centuries. Not really his cup of tea — pun intended.

It was a good idea though — the school, not the choice of topic — it was something all the High Lords had collaborated on to increase unity amongst the Courts. A place where fae, high, and lesser, from everywhere could go, and learn to appreciate their differences, whilst getting an affordable education.

It was also, coincidentally, where he'd met his girlfriend of two months, Y/n. She was a peregryn from Dawn, and the first apprentice of Nuan. She was amazing, and smart, and funny, and— well, perfect. It was safe to say: Nyx was completely smitten.

Y/n met up with him and some other friends outside the school gates. She snuggled into his side while they waited for Torq, a lesser fae from day, to get there. Melae, and her girlfriend, Reena, pretended to gag at their display of affection as if they weren't three times worse. Nyx and Y/n didn't show much PDA, so it was a running joke amongst friends that whenever they did, to act as if what they were doing was risque.

They rolled their eyes, an Y/n raised a protective feathered wing around them, using the opportunity to place a light peck on his cheek. Nyx blushes, and is about to say something when the moment is cut short by a shout, "I'M HERE! I'm here!" Torq pants, trying to catch his breath with his hands on his knees. He looks up and, upon noticing Nyx's blush, he gets into character immediately, "Can't you guys wait until you're behind doors," he says, nose scrunched, "I mean really, think of the scandal you'll create"

Y/n pulls away, mock pouting, "Whatever. Are you guys ready?"

There's a chorus of acquiescence from the group. They create a link, holding hands so that Nyx could winnow them to the Night court for lunch. The world warps around them as they're transported through space. The rainbow is laid out before them, colourful buildings and elaborate gardens line the streets. Fae animatedly chat amongst themselves creating a joyous hum in the background of their own hangout.

Torq inhales deeply, a wide grin splitting his face, "I'm pretty sure there's a bakery somewhere nearby that just took out a fresh batch of pastry," he looks to the rest of the group, "We should go there"

Reena can't hold in her laughter, an the rest of us share expressions of amusement. It's well known that Torq essentially became a bloodhound when looking for baked goods. He appears bashful for a second until Nyx slings an arm around him, "I know which one you're smelling, come on"

He leads us to a small corner shop bakery titled Kaela's Cakes And Cookies. Torq had been right, the smell of fresh out of the oven goods permeated the air outside the shop, and was almost overwhelming once inside. It was bigger than it'd looked from the pavement, with many cushioned booths, and a large display case containing an exorbitant amount of options including gluten free, lactose free, and vegan alternatives.

"Wow," Melae comments, "they have everything"

"Indeed we do!" A jubilant pixie-winged fae answered from behind the counter, smiling brightly. She seemed to be about their age, but looks can be deceiving, especially when trying to determine a fae's age.

"Can I help you with anything, or do you guys just need a moment to look around?"

"We need a moment," Nyx answered.

The pixie-like fae nodded, and trotted off to assist someone else. The group scanned the options, dramatically agonised over the choices to be made, and, eventually, ordered, sitting down with their confections in a booth.

Elsewhere, Cassian strode through the Rainbow with no particular destination in mind. He was just walking for the sake of walking, taking in the ambiance as if he hadn't a thousand time. The truth was, despite getting to live in such a beautiful place, he didn't spend nearly enough time appreciating it.

Cassian had just been about to turn a corner when he spotted Nyx in the window of a bakery. He'd planned on going in to see what he was doing, ask him about his day, maybe get something for Nesta while he was at it until he saw that Nyx wasn't alone. Cassian smiled to himself, loving that Nyx had found his own Azriel, and Rhys. He recognised Melae — a high fae from summer — and Reena — a winter court fae from one of the outer villages — with him. There were two more people. One was a male, tall, dark skinned, and thin hanging limbs that made him seem taller than he likely was. Cassain guessed that this was Torq. He'd never met him before, but he matched Nyx's description of him well enough. The other one was a female peregryn, meaning she was almost certainly from Dawn. There was something uncannily familiar about her, but he was sure he'd never met this fae, he was even more sure that Nyx had never mentioned her. Suspicious.

He watched in a decidedly non-creepy way as they talked, and laughed amongst themselves. Cassian payed special attention to the unnamed female. It wasn't that he didn't trust her, or Nyx for that matter it's just that, well, put nicely, this was a family of busy-bodies. The close eye he kept on the peregryn meant he saw the exact moment she brushed her wing — very purposefully — against his shoulder, and then stepped closer to Nyx to the point that there was basically no space between them. Very suspicious.

Cassian tried his best to get closer without being noticed, something that is particularly difficult when you're a six, eight giant with a large frame and towering wings. It didn't help that stealth wasn't his strong suit. The illyrian hadn't gotten five feet before needing to abort mission as Nyx and his group were walking out the shop. Seeing no other options, he launched himself into the air, booking it to the River house.

He had tea to spill.

Cassian almost falls flat on his face when he enters the house, barely managing to catch himself on the back of the sofa. Nesta who had been calmly reading, glanced up from her book unamused with one raised eyebrow. Feyre and Rhysand wandered in a moment later, curious at the noise.

"What's going on?"

"Gather everyone," Cassian declares, "This is important"

Not five minutes later, they find and gather Mor, Azriel, and Amren in the living room.

"What is it boy?" Amren demands, already over his dramatics, "Spit it out"

"Okay, okay," Cassian looks into all their faces, seeming to prepare himself to share big news, "I think Nyx has a crush on someone. Or at the very least, she has a crush on Nyx"

Silence.

Amren is the first to speak up, "That's it?"

She rolls her eyes, promptly getting to go do whatever she deems more important. Cassian watches her go.

"Now that Amren's gone, and we can stop pretending to be mature about this, what do you guys think?"

I'll admit I'm intrigued," Rhys answers. Nyx has never shown any genuine interest in someone apart from a few stray comments that may or may not hint at the fact that he finds them attractive.

"Azriel?"

The shadow singer shrugs, "I don't know anything about a crush"

"Really?" Feyre asks, sounding truly surprised to find out that Azriel hadn't been spying on her son. Which was honestly valid.

He shrugged, "I don't spy on my nephew"

"Translation, he found your shadows tailing him and explicitly asked you to stop?" Nesta guesses.

Azriel's answer is a begrudging 'yes' which begs the question: Who is this female that likes Nyx, and are her feelings returned?

Cassian questions the room, "So, what do we do? How are we playing this?"

"We could just… ask him," Feyre suggests, like it's common sense.

"That takes all the fun out of it," comes Mor's whined response.

Feyre looks to her mate for assistance, but is left empty-handed, "He's not wrong, Feyre darling. We're immortal, we have to find some way to entertain ourselves"

She scoffs, shaking her head, but the glint in her grey-blue eyes says she's just as invested as everyone else is.

"Then it's decided. We shall annoy Nyx into telling us. All in favour?"

Everyone raised their hand.

"Here here!" He lightly slammed his fist down into his other hand in mockery of a gavel before far too excitedly rushing off.

Nyx couldn't shake the sensation of being watched, and he hated it. He kept scanning for dark corners and staring at them to see if he could spot his uncle's shadows, but he'd so far been unsuccessful. His family was being really weird this week. When he'd gotten back from hanging out with his friends, they'd asked way more questions than usual. Cassian especially had practically grilled him on who all was there, and very specifically if he'd met anyone new. It was uncomfortable to say the least. Clearly they'd somehow been clued in that their was someone in his life. He wasn't ashamed, and he wasn't hiding it, he just… hadn't got around to telling them because his family could be a bit much. Eventually they dropped it, and he thought that would be the end of the whole debacle. Why he would ever think such a thing eluded him.

They weren't as obvious as they'd been about it that night, but they weren't subtle either. Mor dropped 'hints' their entire shopping trip that she would be more than willing to help him with gift shopping should he ever need it. Nesta had really instilled how much he could learn about relationships (and so much more he didn't want to hear about from his aunt) by reading her kind of novels, recommending a few 'more tame ones'. His parents had told him about some of the stories of how they got together. Even Azriel was making suggestive comments about 'staying in shape for his partner' and 'knowing how to protect them'. The only person in his family (that lived in the Night Court) Being normal, was Amren, and she's not much of a conversationalist.

Nyx told Y/n about all this yesterday, to which she'd pointed out that Cassian had been there the day they all went to the bakery, and probably saw her.

"He was?"

"Yeah. I saw him fly off in a hurry"

"That explains everything"

"Should we tell them, or let them keep wondering?"

Nyx grimaced at the thought, "Can we tell them? I know my family can be a lot, evidently, but I don't know how much more of this I can handle"

Y/n laughed, covering her face with a freckled wing.

Once she finished, she said, "Yes, we can tell them"

Nyx takes one of her hands in his, kissing the top gently, then kissing her, "Thank you"

"Of course. Let's have a bit of fun with it, though"

He tilts his head.

"Nothing extreme, just, don't tell them you're bringing me. Whenever the next family dinner is, don't say anything, just show up with me on your arm"

It's Nyx' turn to laugh, his eyes lit with amusement, "Alright," he agrees, "that's what we'll do"

It was the next family dinner. The house had everything prepared, a whole feast cooked, and artfully lain out on the table, all set complete with salad forks and dessert spoons. Most were sitting in the living room, contently chatting while Nesta and Cassian hovered by the table. Correction, Cassian was hovering by the table, Nesta was making sure he didn't eat all the roast potatoes before dinner even started.

Usually they would have been seated by now, but they were waiting for Nyx who was inexplicably late. Not so late to be concerned, or even annoyed, but he was almost always early for everything, so his tardiness was noticed.

The door opened, letting in a cool breeze, "Hello everybody, sorry I'm late"

Feyre was just about to say that it was no problem when Nyx continued, "I had to wait for this one to get ready"

A distinctly female voice answered the light-hearted jab, "Beauty takes time, Nyx"

Every head snapped to the sound lightning fast. None of them could see Nyx and his guest yet, but the anticipation was palpable.

They entered into the line of sight, and Y/n was momentarily overwhelmed by the intensity of their attention.

In their defence, Y/n was a sight to behold, adorned in the light flow-y fabrics typically associated with Dawn, and baring white angelic wings speckled with light brown freckles akin to paint splatters. There was a culmination of darker brown feathers near the tops of her wings, and the feathers — freshly groomed and fluffed — were dusted in a fine gold powder. Her eyes were a faded blue that complimented the rest of her appearance well, and her face, like her wings, donned freckles.

"Hi," she waved nervously.

Nyx tugged her closed into his side, "Geez, guys, be less welcoming," he starts, sarcastically, "Anyway, those are my parents, my uncles, Azriel, and Cassian, and my aunts, Mor, Nesta, and Amren," he gestures to each person as he introduces them.

"Everyone, this is my girlfriend, Y/n"

She waved again, unsure of what else to do.

"Mom, I hope it's not a problem that I brought a guest?"

"Not at all!" Feyre answers, perhaps a bit too quickly, barely letting her son finish the sentence.

She ushered Y/n to sit beside her at the table. Nyx quickly claimed the spot next to her on the other side before another person could, as they'd all begun migrating to the dining room, and he knew his family well enough to know that they'd all flock to her. He'd given her the debrief of what to expect while she was getting ready.

As expected, they showered her with questions about herself, what she liked, her hobbies, her career aspirations and so on. When she'd told them that she was Nuan's apprentice, Cassain yelled out, "I knew I recognised you from somewhere!" which was rather odd when out of context to say the least, but what part of his family wasn't?

The evening had gone great, they ate, talked, played games, absolutely wiping the floor with Cassian and Azriel in charades (which they were very petty about) and when the evening slowed down, they decided to take a walk along the Sidra to end it off.

Nyx, and Y/n strolled in silence for most of it, moving at a leisurely pace, tucked in close to each other the entire time.

"So. What's the verdict on my family?"

Y/n pauses to think, "I could see myself becoming a part of it very easily"

He grinned stupidly at that, pulling her in closer, if that was even possible.

"Question is," she turned to give him a mischievous smile, "when are you meeting my family"

"Between your extremely over-protective ex-military father, and your three somehow even more protective current military brothers, I'm thinking at the wedding," he said jokingly… mostly.

"The wedding?"

Nyx realises what he insinuated, and blushes furiously, "I mean— maybe, if that is something that happens. With us. Eventually. Someday."

Y/n catches his lips in a soft, lingering kiss before he can embarrass himself further, which he greatly appreciates.

"I would love that. With us. Eventually. Someday"

He has to bite the insides of his cheeks hard to keep from smiling like a complete idiot twice in one night. Y/n moves so they're standing in front of each other, rather than side by side, leaning in like she was about to kiss him…

…Then powerfully pumps her wings making a waterfall of gold glitter dust cascade directly onto him.

"No! This is never getting out of my hair!" he yells up at her.

She darts away, her evil laughter echoing behind her.

Nyx summons his wings to give chase, allowing himself to smile like the hopelessly in love idiot he is.

"Fuck!"

Bodhi was breathing hard, his fingers digging deep into the skin of his shins which he held tight to his body. Y/n's thrusts were ruthless, barely giving him half a second to breathe. Bodhi was sure he hadn't taken a full breath since they'd started. Today was the last day of Y/n's rut and thank the gods! Bodhi could not take another fucking after this. He was well, and truly spent.

By some miracle, Y/n wasn't showing any signs of fatigue, only exertion. Beads of sweat dotted every inch of him. It might've been the lustful haze, but Bodhi thought he could see steam rising off Y/n from how hot he was. Something about seeing his alpha like this made Bodhi's omega very eager. It's a good thing too, he wouldn't survive any of Y/n's ruts when Bodhi wasn't in heat otherwise.

Y/n had the best stamina of anyone Bodhi had ever known, even surpassing Xaden. Y/n was the only person he knew of that could take care of an omega for their whole heat cycle without the help of specialised drugs, or toys, and still have enough energy to do aftercare.

Most pairings needed some kind of assistance to get through a cycle when their partner wasn't on theirs. The typical solution being suppressants/steroids/other medications, some preferred to use special toys, sometimes a beta would be invited, or, in extremely rare cases, another alpha/omega joined.

"Good boy, you're doing so well for me," Y/n was barely panting! If his omega wasn't so hooked on the praise, and the way he'd said it, Bodhi would've definitely (not) found it in himself to be annoyed by that.

"Last knot, I promise"

Bodhi whined, tears having long since fallen, the overstimulation resting dangerously close to the edge of unbearable.

Y/n mouthed at his neck, more praise, and assurances mumbled against his skin. He was so close to cumming. So close. Y/n licked and nibbled where a mark would go if they were mated, and he nearly screamed. Bodhi aggressively shoved Y/n's head away so he wouldn't immediately explode.

A husky chuckle escaped Y/n in response, but he obeyed, laying off of Bodhi and purely focusing on getting himself off so his poor boyfriend could finally rest.

Admittedly, Bodhi would've loved if Y/n marked him, mated him; their cycles would naturally sync up, he would always smell like Y/n, they would have to be put in the same squad, and his omega would finally shut up about getting mated.

For all his complaining, Bodhi knew that it was a good sign; it'd never wanted any of his past partners to mate him this desperately, or at all, really.

Y/n's thrusts grew frantic, his hands leaving Bodhi's thighs in favour of the sheets so that he wouldn't leave any painful bruises.

"Fuck, Bo, I'm so close. Almost there. Last one, yeah? Almost over"

Bodhi let himself go, knowing Y/n would follow his lead. Bodhi arched his back to an angle that was frankly concerning, his mouth laying wide open in a silent scream.

Seconds after gravity overtakes him once again, Y/n hugs himself close to Bodhi, letting out a long moan as he spills inside of him. His knot expands, trapping all the sperm inside, and fixing them together for, if past experiences had taught him anything, about forty minutes to an hour.

Y/n gently helped adjust Bodhi's legs so that he was more comfortable, guiding them to wrap around his waist.

Y/n began lightly peppering kisses all over Bodhi's face in between little murmurs, "You did so well, I'm so proud of you. Such a pretty omega. Took everything easily, you make it look effortless"

After ten minutes, when their breathing returned to normal, Y/n gingerly shifts them to the edge of the bed so he could pick Bodhi up without causing pain.

He carries them on unfairly sturdy legs to the bathroom, draping a hand towel over the sink so the cold porcelain wouldn't come into contact with Bodhi's bare skin when he perches him on it. Y/n wets a cloth, and begins the process of wiping him down, ridding him of sweat and cum to make the waiting more bearable.

Not that he minded it, the waiting. He was blissfully cock drunk, with a very happy omega purring softly somewhere in the back of his head.

Once cleaned, at least as much as they could be with nothing but a cloth and limited reach, Y/n took them back to the bed. He pulled off the protective cover, and climbed into bed so they could cuddle for the rest of the night. Breath lightly fanning over where his mark would go someday.

Even in his haze, Bodhi's mind still brought up all the reason's to say, 'fuck it,' and ask Y/n to mate him. There were just two, tiny problems with that. The first being that cadets couldn't mate until they'd graduated. Bummer.

That wasn't a huge concern though; they were no longer in Basgiath, and had already made amendments to the codex to better suit the situation in Aretia. The second, and more important one, Bodhi had yet to tell Xaden he'd started dating an alpha.

Xaden was... protective to say he least. Some would say he was a bit over protective. Most would argue that the 'some' were insane, and Xaden was even more so with how obsessive he was when it came to Bodhi's safety. None would be incorrect.

It did not help that Y/n had cultivated a reputation for sleeping around before committing to Bodhi. He hadn't been a Ridoc, or Garrick level bed hopper, but he'd been up there.

As a result, Bodhi had gone to great lengths to prevent anyone from finding out. Any time they spent a night together, he would scrub his skin raw to make sure there was no lingering scent. His Omega screamed every time he did it.

They also completely avoided each other in public settings. There was never so much as a hint of recognition to be found if their eyes happened to gaze upon the other, nor did anything spark if their names were heard. It was painful, so very painful.

"Bodhi," Y/n mumbled sleepily, "you're thinking too much; I can smell your anxiety. Whatever it is can wait till morning. Sleep"

Y/n intentionally put out a calming scent, helping Bodhi do just that. He was very tired, and Y/n was so nice and warm. It wasn't difficult.

-1 Week Later-

There was a voice.

"Hey~"

It was soft. Distant.

"Bodhi. Bodhi?"

It sounded fuzzy, but soothing.

"Bodhi, you okay?"

The voice cleared into something he could make out, unfortunately, this also sharpened his other senses, and he felt horrible.

His head hurt, and his stomach churned. He felt like he was gonna throw up.

"Bodhi?" That voice, it's Y/n's voice, tinged with worry now. Bodhi groaned, unable to give an articulate response.

Gentle hands caressed his face. Bodhi opened his eyes, wincing when the intensity of light assaulted his retinas.

'Wait a minute, why is it so bright out already?'

"What time is it?" he managed to mumble out without gagging.

"Don't worry about that right now, tell me what's wrong"

Bodhi's brow furrowed, and he was about to argue when another wave of nausea hit him, so he relented.

"I feel like I'm gonna be sick". Bodhi's face screws up as the covers slide over his nipples, the usual cool, silky smoothness irritating his skin, "And my chest is tender"

Y/n nods, rushing off somewhere to... do something. Bodhi didn't know exactly, he just wanted him back.

Y/n returned holding a bucket, a glass of water, and some medication. He placed the bucket to the side of the bed, and dropped the tablets into the water. He helped Bodhi sit up and drink.

He wanted to suggest that Bodhi should see Brennan, but he knew the omega would decline. So instead, he tucked Bodhi in, soothed him to sleep, and then went to speak to Brennan himself.

Of course, he didn't say it was Bodhi that was feeling these symptoms, just someone.

"Well," Brennan starts, looking up in thought, "it could be some mild food poisoning, a stomach bug, perhaps. You said this person is an omega, right?"

Y/n nods.

"It could be some residual heat sickness, or they might be pregnant. I'd suggest they come to me for a proper check up, but does that help?"

"Yes, thank you," he replies, nodding again, "And I'll try to convince them, but they're stubborn you know? Besides, no one wants to argue with a sick omega"

He didn't know why, but something about that last suggestion stuck with him. Y/n didn't want to be that guy that always jumped to pregnancy as the go to theory for morning sickness, but Bodhi had also said his chest was tender...

No. It's impossible, they'd been careful... mostly. Y/n was usually on the fertility pills, but there'd been a shortage, so he couldn't get a refill. But Bodhi's hadn't run out yet, right?

Y/n had been sure of that two hours ago, now? Not so much.

'Oh gods, what if Bodhi's pregnant? We're in the middle of a war, we can't raise a child! And we're barely adults ourselves!'

'Stop,' He tells himself, 'You cannot spiral right now. You don't know if Bodhi is pregnant, and if he is, he needs your support, not your panic.'

Y/n takes a deep breath to collect his thoughts, making an itemised list of what he needs to do in order of urgency in his head.

First, he talks to Bodhi's squad, tells them Bodhi won't be there, and to please take notes for him. Bodhi would stress far too much otherwise. Then, Y/n goes down to the apothecary to get a few pregnancy tests, and some more meds to manage the symptoms. Now, back to Bodhi.

Y/n takes a moment before opening the door.

‘Breathe. Be natural. Don’t freak him out.’

He knocks on the door, waits a few seconds, then opens.

“Hey, Bo, I’m back,” Y/n calls out. He’s answered by a low groan coming from the en-suite bathroom. Walking over, he sees vomit in the bucket beside the bed. There’s nothing glaringly abnormal about it, not that he could tell with his limited medical knowledge, so hopefully no internal damage, or signs of dangerous sicknesses.

Bodhi kneels hunched over the toilette, gagging.

“Oh, baby,” Y/n whispers kneeling beside him. He rubs Bodhi’s back soothingly, and presses a kiss to his head. Bodhi grunts, lightly pushing him away without turning to face him.

“I’m fine. You should go; don’t want you to see me like this”

“There’s not a chance I’m leaving you in this state. Besides, how am I supposed to prove I’m good enough to be your alpha if I don’t take care of you, hmm? Your omega would never forgive me. I would never forgive me”

This earned him a small laugh. He’d count it as a win.

“Fuck, I’m gonna be so behind,”

Y/n rolled his eyes. This was the man he was in love with, and he wouldn’t have him any other way, “Bodhi, now is not the time to worry about that. I’ve got people taking notes for you, so can we focus on your health?”

Bodhi pauses, pivoting his head to look at Y/n as if his neck is rusted, “...You did?”

“Of course I did. I would like to think that after almost a year of dating, I do know you, and I knew you’d worry about that so, yes; I asked your squad to take notes for you”

Bodhi’s eyes glistened, as he stared at Y/n with such adoration, “I love you”

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

They always acted, and spoke to each other like they loved each other, but they’d never said it. Which was ridiculous, Y/n knew, but they just... hadn’t. Until now.

“I love you too”

He was grinning stupidly. Gods he wanted to kiss Bodhi so badly, but he also knew Bodhi would refuse, seeing as he’d just vomited.

‘Focus!’ He scolded himself. He wanted to dwell on their revelation, but he had to first make sure this wasn’t pregnancy.

The spell was ultimately broken by another spiel of sickness. Y/n grimaced. He did not envy Bodhi right now.

“I also spoke to Brennan, asked him about what the symptoms could mean. I didn’t tell him it was you obviously,” Y/n rushes to add, seeing the panic on Bodhi’s face. If Brennan had known, he would have most definitely told Xaden, and as guilty as Bodhi felt about it, he didn’t want Xaden to take care of him. Preferably, he didn’t want anyone to take care of him, to see him like this, but if he had to choose, he’d want it to be Y/n.

“He said it could be few things, like food poisoning, a stomach bug, ...pregnancy,” the last suggestion was whispered, but Bodhi’d still heard it. He turned to Y/n with a dead-pan look.

“Pregnancy, really?”

Y/n shrugged, trying to seem non-chalant, “I haven’t been able to get any contraceptives because of the shortage”

“I know,” Bodhi says, a bit exasperated, “you told me, but I’ve still been taking mine. Speaking of, I need to take it today, can you get it for me?”

Y/n gets up wordlessly. Bodhi hears the familiar crinkling packaging, and then—

“Hey, Bo?” Y/n stands in the doorway, holding the pills with a slight furrow in his brow, “Are these the ones you’ve been taking?”

“Yeah, why?”

A long, horribly dreadful eternity of silence passes.

“Bodhi... these are expired”

His voice trembled, “What?”

“They expired a month ago”

They stared at each other, the room unfairly quiet whilst Bodhi watched his life collapse before his eyes.

As if a flip switched, Y/n sprung into action, falling to his knees in front of Bodhi to comfort him, “Hey, hey, let’s not panic yet. We don’t know if you’re really pregnant, it could still be something else. I bought some tests just in case. Take those, and until we’ve got results, there’s no reason to think you’re pregnant”

Bodhi shakily nodded, “Yeah. Yeah, you’re right”

Time passed in a bit of a blur. Y/n made sure Bodhi drank water, and got him something to eat. He gave him stuff to deal with the symptoms, and Bodhi had tried one of the pregnancy tests. They were going to use all of them, but they agreed that while it would take longer, it would be better to use them at different times, in case there was some sort of condition that messed with the results. And so they had waited, cuddling the whole day. Every time Bodhi went to go pee, he used another one. He never checked the ones before, not ready to see the answer until they had all the results.

By the end of the day, they’d used all five, and it was time to check. As per Bodhi’s request, he went alone into the bathroom, leaving Y/n to wait on the bed, and pretend he wasn’t drowning in nerves. Bodhi walked back into the bedroom. He was shaking.

“And?”

“They’re all positive. I’m pregnant”

Y/n didn’t know what to say, or do, or feel, or even think, but none of that was important. He only needed to know how Bodhi wanted him to react, but he couldn’t tell. Bodhi was trembling, on the brink of tears, so Y/n went for calm reassurance.

“Okay. You’re pregnant. Now we know for sure, that’s a good thing,” he wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince more, “That means we can plan”

“We’re in the middle of a war, Y/n, we can’t raise a child,” Bodhi was starting to hyperventilate. Y/n needed to calm him down, now.

“We don’t have to, there are other options,” he starts, hugging Bodhi tightly to his chest. Did the thought of not getting to raise the child him, and Bodhi had potentially created bother him? Yes, definitely, but it wasn’t his choice.

“We could get an abortion. There are a few clinics here in Tyrrendor that I’m sure could perform the procedure safely. If not that, maybe if you carry it to term, we could find a good orphanage. Or there’ll probably be a couple who’d love to take them in. There are ways around this, Bodhi. I’m here for you, no matter what”

Bodhi nodded against Y/n’s chest, breathing a bit more deeply than he was before. They would get through this, together.

-A Few Days Later-

They’d talked extensively about what they were going to do. Bodhi decided he didn’t want an abortion. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that his own parents had considered aborting him, but it just didn’t sit well with Bodhi. It made his stomach turn, and his omega scream louder than it ever had before.

With the medication, his symptoms were a lot more manageable. He was back in classes, and had been telling everyone who asked that it had just been a 24-hour bug. Nothing serious.

If only they knew.

Nobody knew yet. Not Xaden, not Brennan, not their squads, nobody. This is mostly because while Bodhi knew he didn’t want an abortion, he didn’t yet know what he did want. Whether they were going to find an orphanage, foster parents, or keep the baby, they still had to figure out. He wanted to have a plan before he went to Xaden with this. It might help him be less murderous when they told him. On the other hand, having help/advice might be nice, so they’d agreed that if they would tell them at the end of this week, whether they had a plan, or not.

Y/n had been so patient, and caring during this. He had taken everything in stride, and made the best of it, ensuring Bodhi knew he was loved and supported the entire time. Gods he loved that man. He really couldn’t wait to bare his mark.

Maybe he could. He was already carrying their future child, why couldn’t he have his mark too? Codex be damned. There was probably a rule against conceiving, likely why contraceptives were so easily accessible at Basgiath. Also, you know, a bunch of young, horny adults facing death every day, sleeping in the same building, it would be concerning if it wasn’t accessible. And a major oversight.

The door to his room opened, and in walked Y/n holding some of the only food Bodhi could stomach right now. The clamouring smells in the great hall during meals had proven to be too much, so he’d taken to eating in his dorm recently, and Y/n, of course, was more than happy to help accommodate him.

“Hello, my love,” Y/n greeted, leaning in to kiss Bodhi sweetly, “How was your day?”

“Alright. Nothing particularly eventful. And before you ask, yes, I’m taking my medication, no, my sickness hasn’t gotten worse, and no, I don’t have anymore symptoms as of late”

Y/n blushed, smiling. He had asked Bodhi those three questions at least twice a day after finding out he was pregnant. It was sweet, and though Bodhi acted annoyed, he loved it.

“I still don’t know what we’re going to do after the baby’s born,” Bodhi complains, flopping back against the bed. The impossibility of raising a child in these conditions were not lost on him, but how was he supposed to decide when he didn’t know how he’d feel about it until after he was holding them in his hands. He’d heard the stories of the instant connection an omega or beta would feel to their pup after giving birth, he’d also heard that it wasn’t always true. How could he commit to something now when the outcome was so unpredictable?

“That’s okay,” Y/n said, always supportive, the rock he could lean against, “We have months to decide,”

“But we’re telling Xaden tomorrow”

Y/n was silent, contemplating for a moment, “I know we agreed to tell him, but if you’re not ready yet, we can hold off”

“No,” Bodhi sighed, “We can’t”

The longer they waited, the more hurt — and therefore angry — Xaden would be when they did. Bodhi was already one hundred percent certain that when he told him, Xaden would immediately slam Y/n against the wall for getting Bodhi pregnant, which was why he was going to tell Xaden alone. Y/n was not at all a fan of this idea, but (reluctantly) accepted Bodhi’s wishes.

“It’ll be okay. He can’t stay mad at you for long; you’re pregnant, it’s, like, an unspoken rule. No yelling at a pregnant person, regardless of gender, status, or species. Even dragons have to obey.”

Bodhi laughed at that. Y/n always knew how to make him feel better.

“And who can stay mad at this face. You can’t. It’s impossible.”

Bodhi smiled stupidly, “You’re such a dork”

“Your dork”

“Yes. Mine”

-The Next Day-

Bodhi paced up and down his dorm room. Xaden was on his way now after being sent a message from Bodhi via Sgaeyl. His hands were shaking, and sweat accumulated uncomfortably in the small of his back.

Every sound made him jump, every sensation, unwelcome.

Xaden knocked, waited for Bodhi's shaky reply, then entered calmly. He took in his dishevelled appearance, but let nothing show on his own face. Xaden stood across from his cousin, unblinking.

Bodhi couldn't breathe, couldn't think. He felt like the walls were closing in on him.

Xaden's dark eyes never faltered once, "Well?"

Bodhi gulped, "Umm, so, I have something to tell you"

"I gathered that," Xaden said, one eyebrow raised.

Usually Xaden's aloofness in stressful situations served as an anchor, but right now, it grated on Bodhi's nerves.

He took a deep breath, "Maybe it would be better if we sat down"

Xaden rolled his eyes. It was probably the most expressive thing he'd done thus far.

"Just spit it out, Bodhi"

He worried his lip, gaze shifting uneasily, as if he thought someone might be listening in. His cousin sighed like all of this was merely an inconvenience, "I don't have time for this. Talk to me when you're actually ready to talk"

Bodhi's omega writhed. How dare he? It was glaringly clear that Bodhi was in distress, and yet Xaden dismissed it so easily. A level of aggression he wasn't familiar with bled out into his snarl, "Yes, you do. Sit down."

Xaden freezes, shocked, never having thought Bodhi would speak to him like that.

"Alright," he relents. Xaden, finally seeming to grasp the gravity of this situation, sits on the edge of the bed, guiding Bodhi to do the same.

"What's going on?"

Bodhi stares at the floor, his bravado earlier melting now that he actually had to say the words. "I— I'm in a relationship," he scrunched his eyes as if it would hide him.

Xaden stays silent for a moment, "Okay. Given the amount of build-up to this, I assume there's more"

Bodhi felt sick to his stomach. This was his nightmare. He nodded.

"He's an alpha…"

Xaden tensed beside him, guessing where this was going.

"And during his rut, he accidentally got me pregnant."

Bodhi winced at the sharp, hostile scent rolling off Xaden. He was furious.

"Who?"

"It's not his fault"

"Who?"

"I'm not telling you who, Xaden. You're just going to attack him and I—," he pauses, his voice faltering, "I love him"

"You love him?"

Bodhi rolls his eyes, "I am willingly carrying this man's child, Xaden. Yes, I love him"

Xaden stands out of restless frustration. "No, you don't. How long have you even known him? A month?"

Bodhi had to actively prevent himself from lunging at him. He doesn't know anything, and yet here he is, telling Bodhi how to feel.

"We've been together for a year," he counters, staring him down. Bodhi didn't realise how protective he'd become hearing Xaden insult his alpha, but he was going to use it. "If you're not going to be supportive, then get out"

Xaden clenches his jaw. The two sides of him are at war, one wants to start making a plan immediately, the other wants to tear whoever got his cousin pregnant apart. Reluctantly, Xaden bites his tongue, and sits back down. He would never forgive himself if he wasn't there for Bodhi.

"Fine. Do you have a plan?" The question is terse, the room still thick with tension, but it's a start.

"We talked about it. Went through our potential options." Bodhi turns his head to look at Xaden whom refuses to meet his gaze, "I've decided that I'm going to carry it to term. After that? I don't know yet. We'll probably look for a foster home later on in the pregnancy."

"…Carrying the pregnancy to term is risky"

"We're dragon riders. Our life is risk personified."

His cousin finally lifts his head, "This is a different kind of risk, and you know it. It's not something you can train for, the complications aren't things you can prevent"

"I know. I just… I can't get rid of it"

"Bodhi," Xaden sighs, but it sounds more parental than anything, "If you can't say goodbye now, what makes you think you'll be able to do so when they're born?"

"I don't know if I will"

"What are you going to do in that situation? Raise them yourself? Here? In the middle of a war?"

"My parents did it"

"It wasn't easy"

"Nothing worth it ever is. And I wouldn't be alone. I'd have my friends, and you—" Bodhi hesitates, "I will have you, right?"

Xaden soften in a way few get to see, "Of course"

He nods, relief flooding him. He pauses, then mumbles, "I'll also have my alpha"

"Speaking of, when do I get to meet your mystery mate?"

Bodhi fixes him with a deadpan expression, "When I feel like you won't attack him on sight"

"So it's gonna be a while," Xaden mutters.

He glares at Xaden, "You can't blame him. It's as much my fault as it is his. Actually, it's more my fault than his. I was the one who didn't check the expiration date on the contraceptives, I was the careless one"

"What? He can't take a pill?"

"He couldn't get access at the time, which he told me about, and made it very clear that I could say no to spending his rut with him"

"He could've checked the expiration date"

Bodhi smacked his arm, "Stop making excuses to hate him! You're being childish"

Xaden contemplates this for a moment, "I'll think about it"

Bodhi huffs, shaking his head.

"Anyway, is there anything you need?" Xaden asks while making his way to the door.

"Not right now, he's got me sorted," Bodhi gestures to the care package Y/n had constructed containing any and all medication that might be needed, his favourite snacks, and a crotchet green dragon plushie (He'd tried to make it himself, but after many failed attempts, paid a nice granny to make it)

Xaden scrutinises it for a moment. Bodhi holds his breath because while he certainly doesn't need Xaden to approve of his mate, he would really like him to.

"… I guess it's somewhat adequate," He murmurs, looking like it pained him to admit so.

Once Xaden left, Bodhi flopped back against his bed. A quick glance at the clock tells him that Y/n would be here to check on him soon. He smiled to himself. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

Rhysand's Pov

I can't take it anymore. Those two are driving me insane. How can they be so blind! Nyx has been achingly obvious with his affections, and Y/n sees none of it! My son isn't exactly innocent in this either, completely oblivious to every neon flashing sign she puts up!

Both of them have confessed to me their feelings for each other. Me! Instead of each other! If I didn't know any better, I'd think they were playing a prank on me. This is unfortunately not the case.

12 years of this pain. Watching them pine for each other, yet somehow dancing just outside the line of saying it. No more. I've had enough.

"I'm sure you're all wondering why I've gathered you here today," I say, arms open. "We are here to stage a long-overdue intervention between our dearest, and most blind, Nyx and Y/n. You see, they are in love, and—"

"No, really? Who could've guessed?" Nesta interrupts in what I have to assume is the most sarcastic tone she can muster.

"Focus, Nesta, this is more important than our feud"

The family gasps collectively. I roll my eyes, but forge onward with my point.

"For too long, we have been forced to bare witness, and suffer in quiet agony, as Nyx and Y/n dangle themselves over the edge, balancing on the precipice of a relationship, but never actually getting there. So, we are going to do something about it"

They all look between each other, and it seems the decision is unanimous.

Mor is the one to speak up, "What's your plan?"

-The Next Day-

I frown at the papers in front of me. Excuses, all of them. Every single Camp lord had created similar lies on why the females weren't allowed to train. It was infuriating. Opposite me sat Nyx, looking over letters that were likely more of the same.

We'd been sitting in silence for well over an hour, reading the responses in the fruitless hope there was an actual problem that wasn't fabricated for the sake of male illyrian egos that we could fix. I sigh deeply, leaning back and rubbing my temples. He gives me a small sympathetic smile, which I return. After a moment, I lean forward again, "Nyx?"

"Mmh?"

"Could you please get the stack of anonymous letters we got from the camps? It should be in the second drawer of the filing cabinet in the storage room"

"Sure," he gets up, stretches, and begins making his way down the hall.

'Target one is on his way,' I say telepathically to the rest of the inner circle, save for Amren, who'd wanted no part in this, 'mission 'Set Sail' is officially in progress'

Nesta's Pov

'Target one is on his way, mission 'Set Sail' is officially in progress'

I manage to stifle my eye roll — just barely — at his dramatics, only because he wasn't wrong; this is more important than our feud.

Y/n, and I were alone in the living room. For the past month, everyone had been increasingly more adamant about doing things for me as my stomach grew bigger, Cassian especially. Y/n had insisted on not leaving me alone so that she could get anything I needed, which was entirely unnecessary, but sweet. She sat curled up in the corner of a couch reading a Sellyn Drake novel I'd recommended. I couldn't wait to hear her insights on it, but right now, it was time to create a novel of her own.

"Y/n?"

She looks up from her book, "Yes?"

"I think I accidentally left my book in the storage closet, could you get it for me, please?"

"Of course," she gets up from the couch far more gracefully than I could have in this state, taking a quick look at the page number before closing it.

"I hate pregnancy brain," I grumble under my breath. It wouldn't be believable if I had no complaints after all.

Y/n brushes it off easily, "It's no problem, really. Is there anything else you want?"

I shake my head, and watch her leave as subtly as I can.

'Y/n is heading to the storage room'

Rhysand sends a general feeling of slight disdain that I hadn't carried on his ridiculous motif, but I didn't care. Just because we're working together right now doesn't mean I'm going to humour him.

3rd Person Pov

Y/n enters the storage room absent mindedly, so she doesn't notice Nyx crouched by the filing cabinet. He lifts his head from the very loosely organised drawer (Cassian's work, surely) and sees her. He didn't even know she would be here today, they hadn't arranged anything, had they? Panicked, Nyx rifles through his memories, trying to remember any plans they'd made for today, and came up blank.

Nervously, he waves, "Hi"

Y/n's head shoots up from where they were previously scanning the shelves, "Oh, hey— hi, I didn't even see you there". A light flush appears on her face as she self-consciously tucks a piece of hair behind her pointed ear.

"That's alright," he chuckled nervously. It suddenly felt like everything he did was wrong. This surely wasn't how normal people stood, talked, or breathed, but nothing else felt natural, so it seemed he was stuck in this limbo of embarrassment, "Erm, What are you doing here?"

"Mrs Archeron asked me to get a book she accidentally left here"

It was still weird to him, hearing people say 'Mrs Archeron', or even weirder, 'Lady Death' when to him, she was just, Aunt Nesta.

He realised now, that he'd been completely silent, and cursed himself. Y/n took the lack of response as confusion, adding, "Oh, you meant like, in your house. Mrs Archeron had some book recommendations for me, and then, it kind of turned into a mini reading session, so, yeah"

"Oh"

Nyx really wasn't proud of the small kernel of jealously that settled in his chest, but he couldn't help it.

"What about you?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you in the storage closet?"

Right. Of course. Context, Nyx.

"Uh, file. For, illyrian camp… stuff," he finished lamely. Cauldron, was there a possibly more awkward way to say that sentence? He highly doubted it.

"Cool"

They both looked anywhere but each other. Nyx, mercifully, finally found what he was searching for. He stood, pointedly avoiding eye-contact — which was more difficult thanks to the cramped space — and tried to turn the handle. It turned only slightly till coming to a firm stop. They were locked inside. Outside, Azriel stood with the key, smirking mischievously.

'Targets are in position. Initiate phase two'

Inside, Nyx began jiggling the handle with increasing urgency. He got a sneaking suspicion that none of this was coincidence. His theory solidified when he tried mentally reaching out to anyone in the building, and every single person's metal walls held firm, and unyielding. When he'd vented to his dad about wanting a good opportunity to tell Y/n about his feelings, this is not what he meant.

Y/n was having a similar train of thought behind him, watching Nyx struggle to open the door. Y/n had slowly gotten closer to all the members of Nyx's family once he'd finally introduced them to her, and she'd grown especially close to Rhysand having taken a great interest in the Night Court's economy. After much coaxing from Rhysand, Y/n had eventually admitted that yes, she did indeed have have feelings for Nyx, but she'd made him promise not to tell him. Y/n supposed that this, technically didn't count as telling him. That didn't mean she was on board with this though.

Nyx turned around, and smiled sheepishly at Y/n, "Uh, looks like we're stuck in here?" he said it more like a question than a fact.

"You can't reach your family?"

He shook his head. She'd expected that answer. Y/n wondered momentarily if Nyx had been in on this. Perhaps he shared her feelings, but looking at how uncomfortable he was, a sentiment mirrored in herself, she ruled that out as a possibility.

Something hummed behind them. Their eyes shifted from the direction the sound was coming from, to each other, and back to the sound. Cautiously, they both crept toward it.

"Hypothetically," Y/n began, "what are the chances that noise is some kind of magical weapon everyone forgot about?"

Nyx kept his weary gaze forward, body tense, "You know, I really wish I could say it's at least below 50%, but I honestly can't"

"Huh. Reassuring."

Now that they were closer, they could see a faint glow emanating from the same place. Nyx gingerly opens the drawer, and light instantly projects onto them. They both scream, dropping to the floor beside each other, then — after an embarrassingly long moment — they realise that nothing bad happened, and get up awkwardly, faces flushed.

They move out of the way of the light, Nyx on the left, Y/n on the right, and see images projected onto the opposite wall. The pictures were of them, Nyx, and Y/n, together at various times. Moments caught when they were laughing, play fighting, and some of them staring at each other with something that's not entirely friendship. They continue to watch as the images transition into videos.

The first clip is of them in Rita's:

Nyx collapsed onto the chair beside Y/n, a slight sheen of sweat coating his skin from all the dancing. Y/n had sat at the bar and watched him make a fool of himself. She wasn't much of a dancer herself, but she was better than whatever atrocity Nyx had just preformed. She slides a drink over to him, "Here. It looks like you could use it"

"Thanks," he takes the glass, his fingers grazing hers.

Nyx jerks his head at the crowd, "You having fun people watching?"

Y/n hums, surveying the fae gathered.

Nyx leans toward her, a mischievous smile painting his expression, "Anyone catch your eye?" he asks, wiggling his eyebrows.

A sly smirk makes its way onto Y/n's face, "Maybe. You think I have a chance with that guy? Grey shirt, black jeans, to your right," she asks, trying not to make it obvious that she's looking. Nyx does not share her attempt at subtly. His head whips round to see the male she's talking about.

It's then that bold red detailing appears on the 'screen' as it zooms in on Nyx's face, and circles his jaw. An arrow attached to the circle points to text that says, "Jaw tightens"

Lo and behold, it does.

It zooms back out to show them both.

"Sure. You should go for it"

Y/n bites her lip, thinking for a minute, She then gets up from the chair, walking out of frame. Nyx stares at her as she flirts with the fae.

Streams of animated daggers shoot out of Nyx's eyes. Y/n glances at Nyx now, trying to smother her laughter. Nyx is very pointedly not looking at her. The next video starts playing before she can make a comment, stealing her attention away. This one is of them in some dessert parlour.

The laughs of the inner circle can be heard in the background. A waitress sashays up to the table, scanning the fae present with her slit pupils. Her smile remains friendly and polite until they land on Nyx. It gains, a sharp seductive element, even her body language adjusts to be more alluring.

The waitress takes everyone's order, but every time there's a pause, she steals a glance at Nyx. He, of course smiles charmingly at her. Y/n frowns slightly, but otherwise shows no signs of displeasure. The other fae leaves, and conversation returns in full swing. Y/n, and Nyx participate as usual, speaking of how their studies and training is progressing and such.

Everything is well until the fae returns. Y/n notices how the female's tale curls lightly around Nyx's leg, and doesn't leave for the entire interaction. When finally handing Nyx his dessert, she rests her hand on his shoulder, and leans down more than necessary, exposing more cleavage.

Once again, red detailing shows up, this time annotating Y/n's tight smile, and tense posture. Those same animated daggers shoot from her eyes to the waitress, following her as she walks out of sight. It's Nyx's turn to hide laughter, though he's not quite as successful as Y/n had been. Deep red colours her cheeks as she wrings her hands.

The lights begin to dim until they could barely see their own hands. It makes sense once it transitions to the next clip, this one in a much darker setting. Unlike the other times, Nyx and Y/n seem to be completely alone, standing on one of the balconies of the River House.

Y/n leans against the railing, staring up at the stars. Her ankle length dress sways in the breeze as her bare arms get covered in goosebumps. She startles slightly when a coat is draped over her, but calms seeing whom it belongs to.

"Sorry, you looked cold"

"I was, thank you"

Nyx moves to stand by her side, gazing into the night sky. They don't say anything, enjoying each other's company in silence, though every once in a while, one shifts just a little bit closer, until they are shoulder to shoulder.

"You look good," Y/n states.

"What?" Nyx turns, caught off guard by the sudden commentary.

"The suit. It looks good on you"

Nyx remembers her saying that. It had made the discomfort of wearing the damn thing worth it.

"Well, I thought I'd make an attempt to look at least half as good as you. I don't think I got there but…" he trails off hearing Y/n laugh.

She pivots to face him, "Smooth"

"Thank you"

"Where'd you learn it? A Sellyn Drake novel?"

"I do sometimes come up with good responses"

"Mmh, yes, very occasionally"

They smile, faces so close they could feel the other's breath. Nyx takes the leap, ever so gently placing a hand on Y/n's waist. Her breath catches, but her eyes don't move from his for even a second. Her own hands come up, hovering over his midsection.

A crash is heard inside, and they break apart.

The light of the projection slowly fades as the the overhead ones brighten again. Nyx, and Y/n don't say anything, nor do they move for quite some time, each stuck in their own little bubble of thought.

"Wasn't that…"

"Almost ten years ago," Y/n finishes, "at Starfall"

They lapse back into rumination, analysing just about every interaction they'd had since then. How many signs had they missed? How much time had they wasted because of it?

It's Nyx who decides to bite the bullet, "Y/n," he takes a deep breath, "I've loved you for a very long time now. I can see from the video that at least at some point, you felt the same, but if you no longer harbour those feelings—"

Y/n crosses the room and places a chaste kiss on his lips, effectively shutting him up. He stares at her, not breathing.

"If it wasn't obvious, I still feel the same"

Nyx positively beams at her, leaning in to kiss Y/n again. She melts into it, kissing him like how she'd wanted to on that balcony ten years ago.

They are eventually pulled apart again by the sound of the door opening. Azriel is there, swinging the keys around his finger with the rest of the inner circle gathered behind him.

Rhysand is the one to say something, "Finally. It took you guys long enough"