Sky Jasper

With a polite conversation and a fair tip, she headed into the masonry next door. Now having all but one gift she concentrated on Azriel’s gift, anxiety welling in her chest with the pressure of a perfect gift. Stoic, brooding Azriel has been in full effect with majority of the people he talked too recently, save Gwyneth of course. Being so new to all the extravagant parties her high lord threw she always insured her gifts were up to par.

She left her fingers trace each carefully engraved sheath as she browsed the options. She paused on a sheath that had engraved snowflakes with pine trees in a landscape portrait. Her back stiffened as the bells on the door jingled, giving way to a loud male voice, however she relaxed as she recognized the obnoxious laughter from Cassian, her friend and mentor. She grabbed the sheath, planning to ask him about it but froze as she also heard a deep subtle chuckle. She would recognize that laugh anywhere seeing she listened to it most nights in the training ring during their one-on-one sessions.

She turned, hiding the sheath behind her back, plastering on a bright smile and letting her hair fall over her right shoulder.

“Boys!” She exclaimed. “What are you guys doing here?” She asked with a bit too much false surprise, which Azriel noticed, though Cassian did not.

“Shopping for Rhysand.” Cassian shrugged. “The real question should be what are you doing here gwinne?” The brute slung an arm around her shoulder, bringing her into a side hug.

“Oh just, ya know, buying new, um.” She searched frantically for a justifiable reason to be in the shop. “Um, belts! Yes. Belts. For, well, belt things.” She smiled again, nerves eating her from the inside out. Azriel had to force himself to hold his chuckle in at her blatant lie. He let his shadows, which so desperately wanted to be released, shoot towards her. While Az had been on mission his shadows would not stop talking about her. Isn’t the nymph so pretty. We miss her songs. Take us to her Shadowsinger. They begged him, irritating the mother out of him.

Gwyn smiled as they wrapped themselves around her ankles, weaving in and out of her hair, making a mess of the perfectly curled waves. Az had always loved the way her red hair shined in the sun. Though her skin was much paler and her freckles were harder to distinguish with the cold seasons.

“What belts are you getting?” Cassian, oblivious as ever, walked around the store, picking up objects for scrutiny.

Azriel slid next to Gwyn as she, mustering all the stealth he taught her, placed the sheath back on the table. He took in the way the silver necklace sat stark against her dark blue tunic.

“So, what are you truly doing here Berdara?” His shadows moved as he pushed her hair back to one side. A red flush crept up Gwyns cheeks as the skim of his fingertips set her skin aflame. She found it quite challenging to hide anything from the spymaster.

“Like I said, Shadowsinger, I was shopping until you lot interrupted me.” She found her confidence again after a slip into her unrequited crush. Gwyn had been crushing on the male for over a year, however, despite Emeries protests, she had not told him.

“Yes, but this store does not sell belts. They sell weaponry and weapon accessories.” His full lips tilted into a sly smirk, a knowing look catching his eyes.

“Fine, if you must know. I was shopping for you.” She rolled her eyes, internally berating herself for giving in so easily. She turned as to get a breath out from his capturing gaze. He followed behind her quickly, shadows wrapping themselves around her like they were hers.

“Oh, were you now?” His tone full of a cockiness that hardly took over. “What were you thinking of buying?” A teasing touch grazed up her arm. Azriel delighted in the shivers it scent down her spine. Though he had not told anyone, Azriel somehow found himself in pure adoration of Gwyneth.

At first, he chalked it up to curiosity and a need to fixate on someone. However, he quickly realized it was nothing like how he felt about Mor, or Elain. He felt an innate pull to Gwyn. Near pain when he is out of Velaris for extended periods of time, mind going crazy when he couldn’t be enveloped by her intoxicating scent. The way her eyes flowed like his favorite river and the way her hair wrapped the most beautiful face like a copper picture frame that Feyre had picked. He respected Gwyn more than he had ever respected another, and to him that is how he knew it was more than an infatuation.

He loved teasing her, watching a gorgeous blush take her face and being out her freckles. He yearned to count each one, memorize its place so each summer he could find constellations as they appeared. His favorite part of the day was training with her, sharing pieces of himself that often he had not shared with anyone else. He took pride in her comfort around him, he damn near cried when she told him she was getting an apartment above a bookstore in town.

He watched his Gwyn become the female she is today despite being thrown challenge after challenge in life. He would beg at her feet for even the consideration as a romantic partner to her. But for now, he would settle with knowing exactly what innocent touches set her skin alight. And this was one of them. He inhaled deep, letting his lungs fill with her scent.

“Well, I can’t tell you, that would defeat the whole purpose of a surprise.” She giggled at the thought. She paused, staring at a gorgeously crafted dagger with a grand sheath.

“Mmm, well I guess I’ll find out soon enough.” He pressed closer into her space, a hand playing with the ends of her hair as he admired her, unconsciously letting his other hand trace. Up and down her arm.

“I guess you will.” She whispered, heat flushing her core. Gwyneth quickly took note of the things to buy before escaping the stuffy store.

~~~

Gwyn got to the town house early, setting up part of the gifts in their place, however she needed help to move one of the gifts into the recipient's room. Then she went back to her apartment to grab her things before meeting Nesta and Emerie at Nestas house of wind, getting ready for the party together.

Gwyn surely regretted her outfit choice as they stepped onto the cobble streets to walk to the townhouse. She had yet to be brave enough to wear something as showy as she currently wore. Her wardrobe mainly consisting of her priestess dresses, tunic tops, pants, and training leathers. However the pale blue silk clung to her waistline before flowing into a loose skirt with a slit that ended above her knee, the slit and droopy neckline showing more skin than she ever had before. However, she was surprised by the new necklace and matching earrings dropped off at her apartment. The stunning silver and pearl necklace came to a rest below her collarbone with a stunning teal gem that seemed to flow like water, the earrings matching perfectly. Nesta and Gwyn had panted each other’s nails, Nestas a stunning grey, hers a matching pale blue, her favorite winter color.

“Are you excited Gwyn?” Nesta asked as they all linked arms while walking.

“I truly am, I am excited to see everyone again and have Elain’s divine baking.” She smiled at the oldest Archeron sister before turning to her other friend, “what about you, are you and Mor finally going to act on your feelings?” She poked into her dear friends side.

“I don’t know, are you and that shadowsinger finally going to admit the mutual feelings?” Emerie poked back. All three of them laughing as they reached the townhouse.

Nesta raised her fist to knock, all three of them near shivering from the cold. Feyre opened the door, greeting them all with a warm smile.

“Hi! Come in come in!” She ushered us into the warm townhouse, all three of us pausing to remove our shoes. “Everyone’s in the sitting room, dinner should be ready soon.” She announced, a glow about her that Gwyn hadn’t seen since the chaos of NYX being born.

The girls followed the high lady into their sitting room smiling at each other, still linking their arms. Before parting to find seats. The room was filled with laughter and cheer as Gwyn took in the people she had come to enjoy. Cassian noticed her first, hugging his mate before placing a kiss on Gwyns cheek.

“You look stunning gwynnie! Come let’s get you a drink!” He cheered, well past intoxicated.

With a small chuckle she denied his request before greeting everyone else, pausing when she met the Shadowsingers eyes. A tingle made its way up her spine as he let his graze roam over her, pausing for a fraction of a second at the necklace before continuing his roam. She took in the dark, almost complementary, blue outfit he wore. She let her gaze stick around the shirt, taking in the way the fabric hugged his biceps and chest. She imagined running her nails along the hard planes of his chest, feeling his abs contract as she touched him.

A throat cleared, bringing them both back to reality. She looked up, realizing they were all staring at her.

“I’m sorry what did you say?” She asked, her voice a bit husky, before everyone laughed.

“We were just asking if you liked the tree. Feyre decided it would be nice to have for Nyx.” Rhysand's gaze dropped to the babe in his hands. Nyx had just started walking and talking, more often than not his words coming out as babbles.

“Oh yes! I love it. It is gorgeous Feyre.” She appreciated the perfectly decorated tree.

~~

Soon after, it was announced dinner was ready, all of them finding their seats at the table. Rhysand at the head with Feyre to his left, Cassian and Nesta on his other side, Mor and Emerie sitting on the other side of Elain, by Nyx, and Azriel on Nestas right. Leaving the last seat open to the right of Azriel. Gwyn took her seat with no fuss, just a blush warming her face.

“Are you alright Berdara? You seem quite flushed.” Azriel said to her, just low enough that she could hear it.

As she went to respond she felt a shadow curl around her calf, staying there while another flicked itself down the back of her neck. She cleared her throat before responding.

“Yes, I’m fine, it was just very cold outside. Brought a flush is all.” She smiled at him, her hand resting on her thigh.

They ate their salads with lively conversation, Gwyn took in the laughter and joy, something she had yet to have in her home. She hummed along to the low tune playing throughout the house.

“So,” Azriel leaned into her ear, whisper tickling her ear. “Are you going to tell me what you got yet?” He watched as a shadow weaved itself in and out of her fingers, the one on her calf inching just a hair higher.

“No, Shadowsinger. And stop asking, you will find out soon enough.” She sweated at his thigh, taking a small breath at the hardness of it. One of Azriel’s hands gripped hers, keeping it from moving off his leg. He loved it when she touched him, a rare thing at that.

“But how is that fair? You already got one of your gifts.” He smirked, gaze dropping to the new necklace sitting around her throat. A small stake of claim, a piece of jewelry that he picked out resting upon her skin.

“This is from you?” Her fingers absentmindedly tracing along his thigh, a pool of heat collecting in her core. “I love it Az.”

He nearly groaned at the use of his nickname, something Gwyn hardly used. He gave her a genuine smile before turning to Rhysand, redoing the main conversation, yet never letting go of her hand.

Without words he let his fingers trail up the bare expanse of her arm, savoring the soft silky skin. He let the shadow slip ever so slightly higher, teasing the top of her knee, waiting to gauge her reaction. He adores the flush that now crept onto her chest, bringing his gaze to the swell of her breasts. He savored the way her scent changed, careful to mask his own scent, so not to expose himself.

They finished dinner before moving back into the sitting room to open presents. It was a lively affair, watching Nyx waddle around, yelling with joy at his new gifts, watching the joy on Feyre and Rhysand's face as they watched their son. They laughed as Mor passed out lingerie to all the girls, pausing when she got to Gwyn.

They all watched as Gwyn opened the box to find a stunning nightgown, the same matching lingerie hidden in the box. Gwyn gave Mor a hug, a sense of belonging filling her soul at the feeling of being included. Mor didn’t look at her like some broken, fragile thing anymore, none of them did. They all saw Gwyn for the strong Valkyrie warrior she was.

She felt Azriel stiffen next to her as he peaked into the box on her lap. A small quiet groan escaping his throat at the sight of the scraps. Gwyn quickly filled that away for later. standing to pass out her gifts. Feyre got a set of handmade divine paints with a new set of paint brushes as well. Rhysand got a new map, along with books studying the potential of world walking. Nyx got a stuffed Pegasus. She gave Elain her box of sweets, and a new garden book, complete with pressed flowers. Mor got a new set of lip paints, ranging from baby pinks to blood reds. She skipped over Emerie and Nesta, promising their gifts in the library later. Cassian got a new set of leathers, as well as a pair of expertly crafted leather gloves to accommodate his siphons. Then she moved to Azriel, standing infront of him she pulled out the small ornate box.

She watched with keen eyes as he opened the gift, fingers running over the landscape sheath before removing the blade. A new throwing daggers, curved to fit the palm of his hand, music notes engraved, and a perfect carving on the blade for his shadows to flow through. She watched as they skirted over the blade, wrapping themselves around the metal.

She waited with tense shoulders for his reaction, yet when he looked up his eyes were full of an emotion she had yet to see. He gently placed the blade back in the box before grabbing her hand.

“Gwyn this is one of the most beautiful blades I have seen in my lifetime. Thank you.” His hands held hers tightly, a smile overtaking her face.

“There are more but I didn’t put them in that box, they wouldn’t fit.” She stammered, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

“This is perfect. I don’t need more.” He commented quickly. Both of them locked in each others' eyes as Nyx waddled over and hugged Gwyns legs.

“Singa! Singa!” He chanted as he jumped on her foot. She broke the stare with a giggle, reaching down to collect the babe.

“How about I take you upstairs and I’ll sing to you? How’s that?” She offered, knowing it was well past his bedtime. She waited for Feyres approval before taking him up to his room.

Soon after they finished gift’s Azriel left the sitting room, quietly approaching the babes' room without disturbing anyone. He watched Gwyn sing a quite slow lullaby to Nyx, who was already out cold. Carefully approaching the two he traced up her arm, alerting her of his presence.

“Can I give you your gifts now?” He whispered, setting his chin on her shoulder. She nodded with a low hum, walking with him to his room. She placed a hand on his chest before they entered, effectively pausing Azriel’s movements.

“Close your eyes, part of your gift is in here.” She waited for him to do so before she opened his door, guiding him by his hand into his room. She looked to make sure everything was right before she told him to open his eyes.

“Gwyn.” He breathed out as he took in the masterful piano that sat in the middle of his room.

“Well, I couldn’t really move it myself, so I had Feyre and Mor help, but we couldn’t really put it anywhere else.” She rambled, playing with the ends of her hair. “If you don’t like it, I’m sure rhysand can move it, or Cassian-” she was cut off by Azriels arms wrapping around her, pulling her into a hug. She felt something glow in her chest as she listened to his heartbeat.

“I love it, Gwyn. I was serious when I said I didn’t need more, but my god Gwyneth. This is amazing. Thank you.” She whispered into her head. Her hands met his waist, hardly wrapping around his broad body.

“There’s, um one more gift. In the bench.” She muttered into his shirt. But as he went to pull away, she gripped him tighter, enjoying being engulfed in his scent. She felt that glow in her chest grow as he hummed, the rumble of his chest vibrating the both of them. She held on for another minute before releasing him and walking to the bench of the piano.

She bent over, feeling his eyes dip to her ass, opening the compartment she drew out the last box. She walked over to him, placing it into his hands with a careful smile. He quickly set the box aside before lifting her to sit on the top of the piano. Staring at her teal eyes he reached for the box, letting his shadows open it he found the leather harness with a pair of matching gloves.

“It’s for when you are out, that way you can hold more daggers and other things, and the gloves have the thing for your siphons, but they let you feel things better than your current pair. The shop owner said it was a special leather-” she was cut off by his lips meeting hers. A sigh escaping her as his hands grabbed her hips. She opened her lips, allowing him to slide his tongue into her mouth, hips opening to accommodate for him to stand between her legs.

She lost herself in the feeling of him, her hands roaming his back, tracing the outside of his wings, a shudder took over him as he pushed his hips into her. That glow in both of them hummed louder as it clicked into place for him.

He had never met another soul who understood him so wholeheartedly, who never judges him and always knows exactly what he needs. A person who completes him in every way.

“Fuck Gwyneth.” He panted into her hungry mouth, pulling away to stare at her. “You are so perfect, you know that?” His hands roamed her waist, thumb sitting under her breast.

“Was that my gift?” She asked him, a wide-eyed look on her face. He chuckled as he pulled away, walking over to his nightstand to grab the box.

He placed it in her delicate hands, watching as she pulled the ribbon that held the box closed. He watched as a matching set of bracelets and rings appeared. Both holding the same stone as the one sitting around her neck, imbued with the power gifted to him. She grabbed one of the bracelets, appraising it as she slipped it onto her wrist. Azriel grabbed the ring, holding in his fingers.

“Gwyneth, I have been losing my mind while on assignment this last year. Going crazy not being near you, hearing your laughter every night, feeling your warmth as we sit together. I never want to feel like this again, I never want you to feel like I’m too far to reach. These are connected to me, I found an old river nymph who was able to take some of the same power from my siphons and the power of the river and imbue it into these stones. This way you are always connected to me and the water.”  He slipped the ring onto her middle finger. “If ever you feel like you are lost, like you can’t find your way home, all you have to do is hold one of these stones, I will find you.” He kissed her cheek, erasing the tear rolling down it.

She set the gems aside carefully, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. A thought snapping into place for her. He is my mate. She allowed the thought to flow into him through the kiss. A groan escaping his mouth when he felt the thread pull tight between them. He pulled back a hair.

“There’s two more gifts, but I can only give you one.” He hesitantly pulled away, walking to the large en-suite bathroom. He grabbed the squeaking created from the tub, an orange kitten meowing in his arms. He placed the small precious thing into her arms.

A smile overtaking her face, excitement welling in her chest. She placed one more chaste kiss on Azriels lips before bounding out the room, ignoring her disheveled hair, smudged lips, and slightly askew dress she hurried down the steps. Bringing the kitten straight to Nesta and Emerie she held the babe for them to see.

“Look!! I got a kitten! I’ve only read about these!” She rushed out in excitement, holding the cat as it meowed at her. “They only exist in the southern mortal lands! I can not believe this!” She exclaimed with joy.

All the girls fawned over the small thing until the early hours. Gwyn falling asleep on the floor next to it, the others retreating to their respective rooms. Azriel carefully lifted Gwyn, his shadows holding the kitten, as he carried her up to his rooms.

He placed her into his sheets as he put the kitten back into the home he built in the bathroom. When he returned Gwyn had woken up, standing to watch him.

He gave her a smile as he moved to his wardrobe, pulling out two large shirts and a pair of sleep pants for himself. Handing one to Gwyn he turned around, attempting to give her privacy as he removed his shirt.

Before he could put his other shirt on her fingers raked down the spine of his back, her breath blowing against his wings. He tried, and failed, to keep himself from hardening. He turned to see Gwyn dropping her dress, exposing her only in panties. A low rumble left his throat as he took in the peaks of her breasts.

“Say the words and I’ll leave right now Gwyn.” He whispered, his last attempt to be a gentleman.

“I love you Azriel, I have for over a year.” She whispered back, closing the space between them.

They spent the rest of the night learning every part of each other. And breaking the frame of his bed.

—