A Court of Shadows and Thunder // AzrielxOC SlowBurn Romance, ACOTAR FanFiction

Chapter 55 - A Glimmer of Hope

When Azriel returned to the Night Court, he was flanked by both Rhysand and Cassian immediately.

He had barely winnowed back to the House of Wind, flying down onto the platform below, when the two Illyrians jumped out from behind the pillars and walked right up to him. At first, Azriel thought this would be yet another interrogation about something he'd need to lie about, but when he saw the big grins plastered on their faces, he began to relax.

"We must talk," Rhysand started, an excited glimmer in his eyes.

"Immediately," Cassian finished, already grabbing the shadowsinger by the shoulder and guiding him into the House of Wind.

When they emerged up onto their private training ring, Azriel was surprised to find Yohann there, already sitting at their table surrounded by what looked like a very hearty breakfast spread. He was dressed simply today, with a loose green shirt that showed much of his chest, exposing scars and cuts that had long healed over. But Azriel's attention snapped up to the Syren's face, taking note of his nonchalant expression, the lazy gleam in his eyes.

"Morning," Yohann called out as they approached, buttering his bread with a little knowing smile.

Azriel looked at the three of them, and he suddenly felt very alarmed. All the calm dispersed immediately, because this might be something worse than them accusing him of something he did. This might be them getting him to speak about his feelings.

"So," Cassian drawled, his eyes darting between Rhysand and Yohann,  "You're probably wondering why we've called you up here."

Azriel nodded, unsure of what to say. He wanted to ask if they were going to interrogate him again, just to make sure, but Yohann's presence told him to hold his tongue. He watched Rhysand slowly sip his cup of tea, watched Cassian practically buzzing in his seat. The tension was thick in the air, the anticipation was going to make Azriel blow up, and he could already feel his shadows squirming with unease.

"Basically, I've spilt the beans," Yohann suddenly said, clapping his hands together as though he had just accomplished a great achievement, "I've told your brothers here that you are now a mated male."

Before Azriel could react to those words in any possible way, Cassian had let out a most intense howl of joy, Rhysand clapped his hand onto his shoulder, shaking him profusely as if all of his excitement was bursting out of him. And Yohann was laughing, the biggest grin on his face, clapping as though he was greatly entertained.

"By the damn Cauldron and all the Gods above," Cassian boomed, casting his gaze to the sky with his hands up like he was delivering a prayer, "It has finally happened, finally."

"We were beginning to think you'd never do it," Rhysand said, shaking his head at Azriel, "But seems like you've had the balls to get round to it after all."

"Actually, to my knowledge, it was Brianna's balls that got them here," Yohann said, and despite his vulgar choice of wording, his big grin was shining with glee.

Azriel could do nothing to stop his cheeks from flushing to a ferocious shade of red amid all of this attention. Especially given the round of laughter that erupted upon what Yohann had just said, the way they looked at him now with excitement and joy that couldn't be contained.

And Azriel wasn't sure what he could possibly say, what he could do to make it stop. Yes, he could deny that Brianna was the one to say they were mates, but that would be a lie. Yes, he could confirm that they were now mated, but that would also be another lie.