When Elain and Azriel are sitting too close, she finally lets the thought of touching his wings, of knowing how they would feel beneath her fingers, win before she can second guess it. She lightly brushes the membrane.
Azriel jerks
But not away. Toward her
She gasps, withdrawing her hand and apologizing, but he only exhales and asks her to do it again. So she does. This time, she drags her fingers along the delicate skin, feeling its texture, soft and smooth like a rose petal, yet beneath it, she can still sense the strength they hold.
Azriel inhales sharply. Then she feels his hands slide to her waist, pulling her closer until she’s settled on his lap. She doesn’t stop. She lets her fingers trace the membrane again, slower this time. Azriel shudders. His head tilts back slightly, his jaw tight. He looks almost pained, but he doesn’t tell her to stop. She hesitates, glancing up at him.
He opens his eyes.
And her breath catches at the way his pupils have blown wide, at the deep green hues she can see so clearly now, at the trust in his gaze, at the vulnerability he so rarely shows, at the shift in his scent...
And then...He unfurls his wings fully. Baring them for her.
Her lips part slightly at the silent invitation, at the sheer size of them as they stretch overwhelming in the dim light. So she reaches out, pressing a kiss just beneath the scarred ridge ,a quiet thank you for his trust. Azriel groans, his grip tightening further on her waist. His breath is warm against her neck as he breathes her name...
