#acowaf

My sweet sweet Elain Archeron

Summary// Eris had control of everything in his life. The war was over, he was planning to take the Autumn throne, and nothing was left to surprise him…until he met you. A mating bond with an Illyrian was like a spit in his face and neither of you could understand why fate had put you together. You both swore off relations to each other, refusing to even be in the same court, but you should have known that fate is not to be tested.

(It's here! Fair warning, this chapter includes talks of torture, pain, and some mentions of blood. Nothing too graphic but just warning you in case you are sensitive to it! I hope you guys enjoy! <3)

Warnings: Mentions of torture, Death, Mor Situation, Abusive father

Chapter One / Chapter Two / Chapter Three / Chapter Four /

It was two days of torture that awaited you as they dragged you through the doors. Your cries to Eris had seemed to fall on deaf ears as they gagged you, chained you, and beat you until you were silent and numb. They had inflicted the worst pain you had ever been through upon your body.

And when that had not worked and you did not reveal your court’s secrets…they turned to your wings.

The only saving grace was that they did not clip them. Whether this be from ignorance or lack of care you weren’t sure but you were grateful. However, they made sure to slash the sensitive skin with faebane tipped daggers, their smiles vile as you began to cough up blood from the blisters in your throat caused by your screams.

After all was said and done you were convinced this was the end for you. No one was coming to save you. It was something you had made peace with as you curled into yourself and pleaded that they let you go peacefully. 

But, as always, when did you ever get what you wanted?

They had come to your torture room early and dragged you down the hall of cells from where you had initially come from. You could hear the moaning of other prisoners but you were too weak to look up, your eyes barely open when keys jingled to your left and you were thrown into a cell.

You lay in that spot as they chortled and strolled away, your bloodied nails digging into the cold concrete underneath you as closed your eyes. All you wanted was to sleep.

There was a shuffling sound behind you and your mind registered the familiar scent of spice and embers before Eris came into your view. He was dirty and bruised, his jaw black and blue, but his eyes were what shocked you.

They were full of fear and concern…for you.

“Please be alive, please be alive,” He murmured while pressing two fingers to your neck. “Come on, Y/N, please.”

“I’m alive.” You croaked, watching as his shoulders slumped in relief. “Leave me be. I don’t have the energy to fight with you anymore.”

It was silent for a moment and you closed your eyes, your body shivering, before his large hands lifted you up and shimmied you into his lap. You frowned, glaring at him before a small semblance of warmth washed over your body as he rested his hands on your arms.

“I thought you’d be more comfortable here.” Eris whispered, his brows furrowed as he used the bits of magic he had left to keep you warm. “It’s the least I could do.”

“Thank you.” You said softly, resisting the urge to nuzzle into his thigh as you stared up at the ceiling. This sudden act of kindness took you off guard and you faltered for an excuse to explain it away, your shivers fading as he rested his head against the wall.

“What did they try to get out of you?” He asked quietly.

“Nesta’s location.” 

“Did you-”

“No.” You cut him off, frowning. “Now please leave me alone.”

Another beat of quiet fell over the two of you before you felt him take a deep breath and sit up straighter. You glared at him, annoyed, but he ignored it. 

“I’m sorry for what I said earlier.” He murmured, his eyes staring a hole into the wall behind you. It took you a second to register his words and what he meant and when you did not say anything, he continued.

“What I said earlier was out of anger and ignorance. It was a low blow that should not have been spoken. I want to apologize for that.”

“I didn’t even know you could apologize.” You replied with a slight smile on your bloody lip. Eris noticed and seemed to fight against returning it at your snark. 

“I rarely do, however, I realize the generalizations I make about your people and how they must make you feel…and I am sorry.” Eris was watching your face, looking for something. 

“You didn’t feel sorry when you made them about Cassian and Azriel.” You pointed out, the pain starting to become a dull sting as you focused on him. 

“I’m not as invested in them as I am you.” He smirked before realizing his words. You raised your eyebrows as he cleared his throat and changed the topic. “I saw your wings…what they did. Can you still fly?”

Your face fell and you missed the look of guilt on his face as you shook your head, subconsciously moving closer to him. “Not in this condition. I’m lucky they didn’t cut them off.”

“I thought they cut them off women when they first bled?” Eris questioned, frowning. “Or is that a lie?”

“They do but I am not from that group of misogynistic, barbarian pigs.” You sneered. “I was raised in a different tribe.”

Eris waited for you to elaborate more and when you realized he wasn’t going to drop the subject you sighed. He had been nothing but cruel to you and your kind, why would you want to give him more information? And to top it off this is something deeply personal to you…wouldn’t that strengthen the bond? 

However, you also knew it was 50/50 right now if you would even make it through the week. With no signs of a rescue near and no medic, the two of you were running out of time in this life whether you wanted to admit or it not. Did you want to die with someone you hate or with someone that you might be able to tolerate if he could understand you better?

You licked your lips and took on a more comfortable position, watching as his eyes widened in surprise. He didn’t expect you to actually speak about your past.

“My mother wanted more out of her life than to be used for breeding and raising children as you so eloquently put it,” You began, humming as he shifted slightly in embarrassment. “She was a dreamer. She didn’t want her wings clipped and to be tied to the Earth. She was meant for the stars.”

“And there were others like her, women and men. So, with a few others who had the courage to fight for their dreams, they left in the middle of the night and never looked back.” You smiled as you closed your eyes, envisioning your mom. “She was so brave.”

“Was?” Eris murmured, his eyes turning soft as you gave a sad grimace.

“The new camp worked for years and years, growing to about fifty strong. The leaders, my father and mother, trained everyone equally. They taught us to read, write, and fight. It was a paradise that some Illyrians could only dream of. But nothing good ever lasts.” You whispered the last part, your nails digging into your arms as you painfully wrapped them around your chest.

“One night we were discovered. I don’t know how or who but they found us.” Your eyes were glassy as you stared at the ceiling. “They attacked the elders, striking them down with fury. It’s a great betrayal to leave your tribe unless it’s for

something like Cass and Az do. They recognized the elders as the ones who left and they were intent on executing every last traitor.”

You didn’t realize how tense you were until you felt a hand squeeze your arm, pulling your eyes back to Eris. He had a solemn look on his face, not expecting such a dark stain on your life, but you didn’t want his pity. 

You were strong, you didn’t need anyone. Right?

“There were so many of them…flying above and fighting below. I remember looking up and seeing their swords glowing in the moonlight, dripping with blood that landed on the crimson snow. I was only eight at the time and I fled to our tent, looking for a weapon when one of them saw me.”

“They followed me into my tent, threatening to do unspeakable things to me.” The tightness in your chest grew as you curled your bruised knuckles in anger. “They were going to take me back to the camp and sell me off, cut my wings, until my mother appeared behind them and sliced off their heads.”

“She was a fighter,” You laughed, wincing as the movement hurt your ribs. “She reached out for me, telling me we had to leave, but when I started running towards her another Illyrian warrior appeared behind her and stabbed her through the heart.”

“And they stole her wings.” Tears were falling down your face as you took a shaky breath, one of your hands raising to touch your broken wings. 

“Y/N,” Eris said, taking your hand in his and turning your face towards him. “No child should lose a mother but to see it…I cannot imagine the pain.”

His eyes were full of nothing but sympathy, his eyebrows furrowed in anger and sadness for you. It was a side of him you had never seen, never knew could exist, and you felt the bond inside you hum as you squeezed his hand in return.

“I just hate that they took her wings away. The thing she wanted most, the freedom it gave her, all gone in an instant.” You bit down on your lip, shaking your head. “They knew it too. It was why they did it.”

“Did your father survive?” He asked gently.

“My father came and killed them, scooping me up and taking off into the night sky. I was a mess, of course, begging to go back to my mother but he knew this was our only chance to escape. After hours of flying, he found an old cabin and after making sure it was safe, he made that our home. He raised me by himself and taught me everything I know.”

“Where is he now?” 

“He’s in Velaris, alive.” You assured, your lips lifting when you saw Eris’s face lighten with ease. “A few decades ago I was out hunting when Rhys, Cass, and Az found me. They were having a snowball fight.”

Eris laughed, actually laughed, and despite the pain you were in you couldn’t stop the butterflies that formed in your stomach at the sound. He looked younger when he laughed, less serious, and you didn’t dare think of how much more handsome it made him. At least not for longer than a minute.

“A snowball fight?”

“Mhm,” You nodded, rolling your eyes in amusement. “A solstice tradition. Rhys sensed me and tracked me down though I did give him a run for his money. When he learned my story and met my father he invited us back to Velaris. The rest is history.”

“That’s…not what I expected.”

“What did you expect?” You hummed, gazing up at him as he rested his head back against the wall.

“I’m not sure but it wasn’t that.” Eris chuckled. “Very few people surprise me, Y/N. It’s refreshing when someone does.”

“Careful, Eris,” You say playfully, noting how his nostrils flared when his name fell off your lips. “It sounds like we are getting along and I’m sure that would ruin your image.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” His tone was light but you noticed a shift in the atmosphere, as if you had offended him. Whatever friendliness that had blossomed between the two of you seemed to be quickly dying. 

“It’s no secret how you feel about me and my race. Even if I am different,” You sighed. “Even if we are mates. I mean, look how you reacted with Mor-”

“Do not speak on things you do not know.” He hissed. 

Before you could blink you found yourself almost falling from his lap as he pulled away from you, his eyes turning cold as you struggled to sit up. You scowled, your own anger returning as well as your shivers as his warmth faded.

“I know what Mor has said, what Keir did. If you have a side to this story I will gladly hear you out.”

“I do not have to explain myself to you, bond be damned,” Eris growled. 

“I knew your caring facade was an act.” You frowned, turning your eyes to his. “You know, Eris, just because the world might see you as a monster doesn’t mean you have to be one. As far as we know no one is coming for us. All we have down here is each other.”

You were using the last bits of your energy to yell at him but you didn’t care. You had just poured your heart out to him, given him your story despite your qualms and this was how he was acting? He needed a damn reality check.

“I was willing to hear you out, to see what other side of you there is because the man I just saw minutes ago wasn’t a man who could do that to Mor.” You pointed out, scooting away from him. “These might be our last days and I just wanted to feel safe with you, with anyone. And I wanted you to feel that too. But I guess I was wrong.”

He refused to look at you as you turned around and lay on the floor, closing your eyes. If he was going to refuse to open up, to try and be friendly, then you didn’t want whatever was left of your time to be in vain. Sleep was better than frustration.

“I regret my actions with Mor every day.” He murmured, tucking a strand of greasy hair behind his ear as you turned your head in surprise. “But I had no choice. It was a lose-lose scenario.”

“How?’

“I knew Mor didn’t want the engagement from the start. I wasn’t keen on it either. I may be cruel but I would never willingly take someone against their will, take their freedom. But my father all but demanded I followed through, wanting to strengthen alliances.”

“However, I had a plan. A plan to get us both out of this engagement. I couldn’t tell Mor yet, wanting to make sure it was foolproof, and a few nights before we were meant to meet again she pulled a stupid, reckless stunt that ruined everything.” Eris shook his head in annoyance as he replayed that moment over and over in his head. 

“She avoided me like the plague when in Hewn City. I can’t say I blame her but if she had just waited…” Eris took a deep breath and sighed. “I can’t blame her for what she did. I can be angry, but she didn’t know and perhaps I should’ve said something earlier. I don’t know, it’s one of my many regrets.”

“Many?” You raised a brow, smiling when he shot you a look.

“She went and ruined herself with Cassian, knowing how I…” He paused, briefly glancing at you before back down. “How I used to feel about his race. She was desperate to end it, I understand as I felt the same but what she did was stupid.”

“Why did you leave her out there? Why couldn’t you help her? Or heal her?”

“Do you think me so cruel that I would leave her out to die? That I wouldn’t try to save an innocent person put into a terrible position?” He asked you, eyes narrowing. But before you could answer, he shrugged his shoulders with an agitated huff. “I suppose you do since it’s the narrative I’ve allowed.”

“I wanted to heal her, to help her. My men wanted to help her. But we couldn’t.” He said lowly. “Keri had beaten her to a bloody pulp, tortured her in truly terrible ways for doing what she did, but he also knew that if I touched her that the responsibility of her, the torture of her, would get blamed on me. He knew it and he counted on it.”

“I hate him.” You interrupted with gritted teeth. “I met him once and you would think with the way he looked at me that I was lower than dirt.”

“Keir and my father are similar in the way that they truly care for no one but themselves and they hold their power by betting on the empathy of others. Empathy and love is a weakness for them.” Eris acknowledged, looking you over. “Though I would say we both are lower than dirt right now.”

“You make jokes?” You smirked, propping your head up after a bit of struggling “I must have died back there then for I never thought you capable of such lowly things as humor.”

He ignored you though you didn’t miss how his cheeks became slightly tinted with pink.

“But I knew,” he began once more, looking at his chains. “I knew if I touched her, the torture my father would put her through would be much, much worse. It would make what Keir did look like a scraped knee.”

“I’ve heard stories of your father, how he murdered Lucien’s lover.” You whisper. “I also heard you took no part in it.”

“I didn’t. I was chained for that, and beaten for two weeks until my mother was able to spare me. My father was going to kill me for being insubordinate. Just one less heir vying for his death.”

You blanch and find yourself reaching out for him, not even realizing what you were doing until your fingers were brushing his hand. He looked up in surprise, frowning, and you immediately pulled away. 

“I made sure she would stay alive, and made sure no one would be able to find her besides Rhys and Azriel, but that was as much as I could do. I know how it made me seem and I do not care what others think. The more people who think of me as a monster, the better. It means they know I am not to be messed with.” He finished though you could tell there was something still bothering him, something deep that seemed like it hadn’t seen light in hundreds of years.

“But…” you added, knowing he wanted to add more. He looked at you, really looked at you, and whispered.

Eris watched you, studying to see if he could trust you. You knew the feeling.

“But sometimes I’m tired of pretending.”

You felt the bond shift again, glowing brighter, but this time you didn’t pay it as much attention. You didn’t know if he felt it as well and you briefly considered that perhaps you were imagining it all, that the pain had made you delirious. Or even that you might already be dead.

But when you sat up slowly and he began to lean towards you, you realized just how very real the moment was. Your heart was racing, your body sweating, and for the first time in your life, you felt alive.

Until you moved wrong and flexed your wings involuntarily, sending white-hot daggers of pain into your body. It had you crying out and before you could stop yourself, you began to throw up from the spasming nerves. You didn’t have time to feel humiliated as your nails dug into the floor, your throat burning along with your skin.

Eris moved beside you and moved your hair out of your face, brushing the back of your neck and then your cheeks with his bare knuckles. “You’re burning, Y/N.”

“N-no I’m not.” You shivered, wiping your mouth with the back of your hand. “I’m cold.”

“You’ve probably got infection setting in.” He murmured, pulling you back into his lap. You were too weak to fight him and also too numb to even care what that meant for you. If this was how you went…at least it was with a friend.

“A friend?” Eris chuckled, watching as you realized you must have spoken your thought aloud. “I don’t have friends.”

“You could,” You whispered hoarsely, closing your eyes to rest your head against his chest. “If you wanted to.”

“Acquaintances maybe…but not friends.” He mumbled and you let out a small snort.

“Acquaintances then, that’s what we’ll be.” You smiled, your mind already dosing as your body yearned for sleep. Eris kept touching your forehead and kept one of his fingers on your wrist, counting under his breath which was oddly soothing. 

Just as you were falling asleep a loud noise came from the end of the hall. People were shouting and the sound of swords clanging echoed as Eris stood while cradling you in his arms, shushing you as you whimpered in pain.

“I’m sorry, I know it hurts. Just stay awake a little while longer. I don’t know what’s happening.” He urged you, looking around for a weapon before two large men appeared before the two of you.

It took you a second to recognize your brothers but when you saw the glowing siphons you almost cried out in praise. 

“Cassian…” You called out, reaching out your hand. “Azriel.”

The door was kicked off its hinges and before you could react you were being transferred to Azriel’s arms, his face pale as he took in the sight of your wings. Casisan quickly did away with Eris’s chains before hoisting him up as well.

“Be careful with her,” You heard Eris whisper, his voice tight. “Her wings…”

“We know.” Azriel snapped, nodding at Cassian as he kicked down the stone wall and took off into the sky. “Come on, Y/N. Let’s get you home.”

Of course a Feysand book, with a Feysand bonus chapter would be Night Court themed. They live there. They run it. And that bonus chapter - while it does involve them talking about Elain - isn't actually about her.

(please skitter away if you hate this ship, thank you :D)

A flashback to Azriel’s POV when he rescued Gwyn from Sangravah

A flashback to Azriel’s POV when he found out that Gwyn had been thrown into the Blood Rite

More Valkyries training scenes with trainers Az and Cass!!!

Spy missions with our spy master Azriel feat. his spy apprentice Gwyn

Detailed depictions scattered throughout the 900-page novel (yes, it better be 900 pages long to compensate for the toll this wait is taking on our mental health or else i am suing) on the evolving relationship between Azriel and Gwyn (trainer/trainee > friends > more than friends > confidants > what are we? > lovers > and finally, mates)

Azriel’s shadows playing cupid for their extremely clueless master

Azriel lets Gwyn take her time in exploring her sexuality and is extremely respectful and sweet and patient throughout her trauma healing journey (trainer Az in the pit and in bed OK BYE)

Badass Carynthian and Valkyrie Gwyn saving Azriel during a mission or in a battlefield

Gwyn feels the first tug of the mating bond before Azriel does and she keeps it a secret because she knows of Az’s unresolved feelings for Mor/Elain (MISS SARAH PLS GIVE ME ANGST)

Gwyn showing Azriel that he is more than worthy of love by constantly peppering him with hugs and kisses and words of affirmation because let’s face it, Az’s main love languages are probably touch and words of affirmation

A deeply emotional scene of Azriel finding out that Gwyn (kind, brave, loving, loyal, and beautiful Gwyn!!!!) is who the cauldron has chosen for him after centuries worth of waiting and yearning (I need this alone to be at least 5 pages long)

Azriel x Reader

Summary: To you, love was a poison that slowly killed. It was something that could make the strongest of warriors and leaders weak and vulnerable. You had successfully evaded romance and relationships for a century until the day you realized it had been plaguing you from within.

Chapters: 1/?

Warnings: 18+, violence, and swearing

*masterlist*

A/N: Hello! This is my first ever ACOTAR fic and I hope I do Azriel and the other characters justice! This fic will follow the majority of the plotline from the 2nd and 3rd books but please note that I took some creative liberties in some parts and shifted from the plotline in the 5th book.

The towering mountains looked especially magnificent against the blue and pink-hued sky. Crisp morning air whipped around you as you whirled past the horizon, your white and gold-tipped wings beating hard and straightening into a glide. This was always the best part of your day, flying just before the sun rose.

You craved the sun’s soft warmth and glow against your skin. Keeping your eyes on the brightening horizon, you focused on the breeze that swept the scent of the wisteria, lilac, and honeysuckle that adorned the Palace. The beautiful home made from sunstone sprawled below you, its bridges, and towers glowing as it waits to be sun-kissed. You couldn’t believe you managed to protect the Palace for 49 years, a pang of guilt flowed through as your fae eyes focused on a rebuilding village miles away.

You were hoping to catch the sunrise today but then two sharp whistles came from somewhere within the castle. With a groan and a roll of your eye, you dove down with blinding speed. With a swoop, you land gracefully on Thesan’s office balcony. You slammed his door open and glared at the High Lord who perched on his desk.

“What if elain and azriels love was all they need?”

The last day for elriel month of 2023!!!

Ok let’s just ignore that this isn’t finished even tho today is the last day for elriel month and I really had plans for an entirely different art as a whole🥲

OK SO WOW LOOK ITS OUT BABIESSSSS 😭

So yeah this piece isn’t finished and will most likely be done tomorrow, but you know how it’s kinda late and well I needed to post something for this month. It’s been amazing seeing and reading everything everyone had posted for this month and has honestly been a blast to join in for once! (Despite this not being finished which sucks)

Pairing: Azriel x fem!reader

Summary: You are Feyre's sister, the youngest Archeron sibling and when you return home from your run you see that your sister has returned home but not alone. In particular, you are drawn to the silent and mysterious shadow singer.

Warnings: fluff, a little smut, Azriel is just cute and sexy <3

A/N: I have never written anything like this before, so please be nice to me. :D English is not my mother tongue, so don't be angry if there are mistakes in the text. Criticism is welcome, so feel free to write. :)

Something is happening. The sounds of the forest have died away, the birds have stopped too suddenly and the air seems to have become thicker. I began to run faster as the setting sun's rays broke their way through the canopy of the forest trees and illuminated my sweaty skin.

Running usually calmed me down. After my sister Feyre decided to go back to Prythian, I had to do something to get out of the house. Away from my other two sisters, the aristocratic elite and our father. But most of all, away from loneliness.

Feyre was the only person in my life who really loved and cared for me. We had been inseparable since we were little girls, and our impoverishment only strengthened our bond. Many people in the village referred to us as twins because we did everything together - sometimes moving in sync as if we were performing a well-rehearsed choreography.

My legs, shaking with fatigue, began to slow as soon as I saw our house. It was almost completely dark, so light filtered through the windows of the house, shining on the freshly fallen snow. My breath billowed in the air like a thick mist and I got goosebumps from the biting cold that hit my almost completely naked torso, covered only by a tiny sports bra. I hated running in a jacket, so even in winter I wore only long trousers and this bra. Nesta was furious every time she saw me like this.

"A lady can't run in clothes like that, Y/N," she shouted after me the last time. Like I was a lady. This was the furthest thing from my mind, after having spent my teen years starving and as a servant in the houses of people I now meet at balls.

A shiver ran through me as I walked up the stairs to the front door. However, it wasn't the cold that made all my hairs stand on end, but some primal instinct to get out of there as soon as possible. I shook my head to shake this silly warning out of it and went in. I walked quietly down the corridor and when I glanced at the clock in the lounge, I cursed softly to myself. I was late for dinner again. Nesta will certainly have my head for this and tomorrow I'll be the new ornament in her room.

Sighing, I headed for the dining room, knowing that I wouldn't get away with the scolding anyway, so I'd better get it over with sooner. The sound of cutlery died away as my footsteps were heard, and I braced myself for the piercing stares. However, instead of four pairs of eyes, twelve were looking at me. Stunned, I stopped at the sight, but what really caught my attention was Feyre.

"Y/N," she rose from her chair. With bated breath, I watched as she nervously tucked her hair behind her ears, showing off her pointy ears. Fairy ears. Her hands were covered in tattoos, taller and radiating a pulsing power that made you want to bow to her. I, however, stood frozen and watched as my sister stepped to me and pulled my petrified body to her. It took me a few seconds to realize what was happening, but within moments I was hugging her back and now I was squeezing harder.

"Feyre," I whispered in a hoarse voice and tears ran from my eyes. "You're back."

"Yes, I'm here," she murmured. "Just in a different way."

I pushed myself away to see her face. Her grey-blue eyes sparkled with joy, but I also saw a hint of fear.

"Are you all right?" I asked, and then started to turn her back and forth. "Are you hurt? What happened to you to turn you into a fairy?"

Feyre chuckled, then stopped me.

"I'm fine Y/N," she replied, taking my hand and leading me to the table. That's when I saw the three men.

The one Feyre now sat next to had purple eyes and black hair. His watchful gaze swept over me, and all I could think was that I had probably never seen a more beautiful man. The corner of his mouth twitched, and even though my gaze glided on to the next fairy sitting across the table, I could see Feyre giving him a warning glance, but I didn't have time to think about it much.

The long-haired man grinned and even waved, before Nesta started to snort like an angry cat. I turned to my sister with raised eyebrows and smiled faintly. It seemed I had found a partner, because so far I was the only one who could get that reaction out of my sister. My eyes flicked back to the man and I was shocked to discover the wings behind him.

Good Great Mother, it's not a fairy, it's a bat.

The previous man was already grinning too, but I forgot all about everyone else at the sight of the third fairy. I was wrong before, because the first man wasn't the most beautiful, he was. The third man was not handsome, but downright beautiful. His beautifully cut, golden brown eyes were measuring as a lock of raven black hair fell into his forehead. His black battle dress couldn't hide his muscular, tall body and his huge wings made him even more intimidating.

"Y/N," Nesta's sharp voice pulled me back to reality. "Sit down."

I automatically walked to the other side of the table and sat down on the head of the table. Right between the purple-eyed one and the long-haired one.

"Y/n, this is Rhysand the Lord of the Night Court," she pointed to the man sitting next to her, who greeted me with a nod of his head. "And this is Cassian," the long-haired one held out his hand, whereupon I hesitantly took it and squeezed. This brought a smile to his face. Up close, his face was rougher, with scars in a few places and a thicker nose in one, probably from a fracture, but he was still manly handsome.

"Welcome," he greeted me in a kind voice, and I smiled.

"And this is Azriel," Feyre finally finished, pointing to the man sitting next to the frightened Elain.

Azriel. What a beautiful name.

"Welcome to our home," I told them. Nesta, however, did not calm down.

"Our sister and her friends, they have come to visit us because they need our help," she shared with me, her eyes almost sparkling. Feyre gulped nervously and glanced towards me, causing me to smile reassuringly.

"What do you need?" I asked. Rhysand stopped eating and turned to me, his violet eyes gleaming like tiny stars.

"We'd like to send a letter to the mortal queens, because we'd like to meet them," he took his glass in an elegant gesture and took a sip of wine, but didn't take his eyes off me. "We need a place to meet them and your home would be the best place to do that."

"And what's the obstacle to that?"

This was probably where my eldest sister's thread broke, because she jumped up. At this movement Azriel tensed and reached to his side, probably for his knife. Nesta walked over to Elain and put her hand on his shoulder. I followed his example, only I stepped behind Feyre.

"Dangerous," she hissed, like a snake. There was a fury in her grey-blue eyes, now directed straight at me. "We can't allow it, especially with Elain's wedding coming up.

"Yes, we can," I replied, and I was getting angry too. "Our sister has done a lot for us. Now it's time to return the favour."

Nesta pondered my words for a while. A tense atmosphere swept the dining room, and finally Nesta nodded.

"All right," she said. "But if we have any trouble with this, you'll pay for it." She pulled Elaine up from her chair and they stormed out, probably to their room.

"Seriously, only Nesta could be such an idiot as to threaten four elves," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

Feyre's soft hand touched my arm.

"Y/N," she squeezed me gently. "What's that on your back?"

I knew what she was talking about. The scars had healed, but the marks on my skin from that afternoon were there forever. I remembered the mocking smiles, the shouting and the crack of the whip. The pain that burned down my back every time they struck.

"I was whipped in the square two months ago," I said softly.

Tears welled in Feyre's eyes, then she stood behind me to get a better look. My eyes met Azriel's. There was something in his eyes that I couldn't decipher. He looked away first, opened his wings slightly, then closed them again.

"Can you guys really fly?" the question burst out of me, and then I felt a blush flood my cheeks as Azriel returned his gaze to me. He looked a little surprised, but he answered.

"Yes."

I gasped and my stomach lurched at the sound of his voice. It was deep - and like the most velvety silk. I closed my eyes in embarrassment, thinking how much I wanted to hear him as he lay on top of me and pressed me into the mattress. As he kisses every inch of my body. And while he's inside me and our sweaty bodies press together. As if they weren't my own thoughts, but I was so embarrassed that I stepped away from Feyre and after wishing them a good night, I hurried to my room.

I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, a pair of golden brown eyes looked back at me. Distraught, I kicked off the covers and decided to go down to the kitchen and steal some sweets. Chocolate cake has always helped me think.

The wooden floor creaked under my feet as I stepped into the kitchen and took a slice of cake. When I turned around I gave a soft cry. Azriel was sitting at the table with a surprised look on his face, as if he hadn't expected me to suddenly appear in the kitchen.

I can understand that, it's two in the morning, I thought to myself as I glanced at the clock.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as I took a seat opposite him. His eyes followed my every move.

"I'm just going to go over the letter one more time to make sure everything is in there," he cleared his throat.

I took a bite of cake just as Azriel dropped the paper on the table and rubbed his eyes.

He's tired.

With a sudden idea, I jumped up and took another fork from the drawer and handed it to him. He stared at me, startled, and finally took it from me carefully. Our fingers touched, and it was as if a spark had passed between us. I had noticed the scars on his hands at dinner, but up close they looked even more brutal.

I pushed the bowl towards him to take a bite.

"Chocolate cake always makes you feel better."

He carefully stuck a piece on his fork and popped it in his mouth.

"Thank you," he said softly, his golden brown eyes shining like stars. We ate in peaceful silence for a few minutes, then he broke the silence. "Whoever did that to your back is a monster. You have nothing to be ashamed of but him."

The fork fell from my hand in dismay, dropping loudly on the table. My throat tightened, but I tried to swallow the lump that had formed in it.

"I know," I whispered, and then before I could stop myself, I started to tell the story. "It wasn't me who was going to be flogged, it was Nesta. I merely took over for her because I knew she would never be able to live with her back looking like that." I pointed to my back, feeling my face burn.

Azriel put his hand on the table and leaned closer to me. His scent crept into my nostrils, making me dizzy and alive at the same time. My heart began to beat faster and I was sure he knew what he had triggered in me. I closed my eyes in shame and tried to control my emotions.

"You're very brave," he said. "And self-sacrificing. It seems to run in your family."

"What do you mean?" I asked, puzzled, but he just shook his head.

"Nothing."

When our eyes met, my heart skipped a beat, the way he looked at me. His eyes were now like curdled caramel and something sparkled in them. I felt an irresistible urge to lean closer to him and wrap my arms around his muscular shoulders and kiss him, pushing my way into his hair. To sit on his lap and feel his body swelling with strength beneath me.

His shadows were swaying, just like Azriel's breath, and before I could catch my breath, I was up on the chair, reaching over and grabbing his top to pull him to me.

I kissed him.

As soon as I felt his soft lips on mine, I felt an even more intense heat that was now almost unbearable. Azriel froze for a moment, but then groaned and deepened the kiss. His mouth pressed fiercely to mine, then he put one hand on the back of my head and, still kissing me, rose to pull me over to him and sit me on his lap. I felt my heart skip a beat as his tongue slid into my mouth and gently intertwined with mine. Azriel grabbed my thigh and pushed me hard against his lap as I moaned into his mouth and grabbed his hair firmly.

"Your sister would kill me if she knew what we are doing" he panted as he pulled away for a second to let us both catch our breath. His eyes were misty with lust and I was pretty sure I looked the same way.

"Probably, but who cares?" I asked, but I was halfway through mumbling the words into his mouth, because in the meantime our mouths were twisting together again. Azriel's deep, hoarse chuckle rippled through my body and I smiled. He took my face in his hands and kissed me more slowly now, more gently. It was sweet, a kiss I'll never forget until the day I die.

I bit gently into his bottom lip before he groaned and slipped his hand under my top, onto my naked back. I tensed as he stroked my scars, but he just murmured reassuringly.

"You're beautiful," he whispered and kissed my neck, right where my pulse was pounding. "Never be ashamed of them. Think of them as a painting that shows what you've survived."

I nodded, teary-eyed, and stroked his soft curls. His pouty lips curled into a warm smile and he was about to say something, when a voice came from somewhere deep inside the house.

"Azriel, time to patrol."

Azriel didn't take his eyes off me for a moment, he just pressed a kiss to my lips without a sound.

"We'll finish this one day, Y/N," he said, then pulled me off his lap. With trembling legs, I watched as he strode towards the door, but before he turned around. His eyes, glowing with desire, promised much, which made my stomach turn and I could have sworn something seemed to caress my cheek. "Maybe not when I return, but sometime in the future and I'll show you how beautiful every inch of you is."