The Savior

One Year

Azriel P.O.V

Over the next several months, things slowed down, but also seemed to speed up.

Acalla, Mor, and Feyre were planning the perfect little family wedding. According to Acalla, he couldn't know any of the details because it wasn't ready. 

Cassian and Az were done with the house. It was perfect, he couldn't wait to show Acalla. 

Acalla grew with each day. She was absolutely beautiful with her plump stomach showing.

It had been decided that Acalla would continue training her magic but not her training with Cassian.

She didn't want to hurt the baby by getting punched in the stomach sparring. She had been avoiding Cassian about continuing training for some time. 

Azriel assumed by the way Cassian was marching toward him that neither Rhysand nor Acalla had given him that information.

"Azriel you son of a bitch," Cassian said. 

"Yes, you pain in my ass?" Azriel responded.  

"Why has Acalla been avoiding me?" Cassian asked him as he turned to continue walking with Azriel.

Of course, they would both leave it up to Azriel to inform him. Thank you both so much.

Azriel rolled his eyes with a sigh.  

"She probably doesn't want to tell you that she can't train with you, especially after your Winter Solstice gifts," Azriel said.

Cassian stopped walking so Azriel turned to look at him.

"Did she think I didn't know that while she is pregnant, she can't train?" Cassian asked.

"She probably won't train even after she has the baby," Azriel told him as they continued to walk. Cassian just nodded although Azriel could see Cassian's disapproval. 

"Where are you going?" Cassian suddenly asked.

"Rhys has a report for me," Azriel said.

"About what?" Cassian asked. Azriel struggled not to roll his eyes.

"The human queens," Azriel said, "apparently, they are on the move."

Cassian stopped walking fully this time. Finally, he yelled, "tell Acalla I kind of figured."

Azriel nodded. He didn't think Cassian knew about her not continuing even after the baby was born. Azriel would deal with that after the baby was born. 

Which would be any day now. Illyrian pregnancies moved much quicker than Fae. If Feyre hadn't had complications, if you could call your baby ripping your stomach open a complication, she would have been pregnant for about three more months. 

Acalla had only been pregnant for about seven. 

Azriel was trying to remain calm but every grunt of pain from Acalla was worrisome. 

He almost felt as if they were moving very fast. He hadn't stopped to think if he would be a good father. His father had been a wonderful example of what not to do, but he didn't want his child to grow up damaged. 

Like he was.

What if they weren't ready? He and Acalla had been mated for a year. Feyre and Rhysand had been mated for a couple before Nyx had been conceived.  

But he and his mate. Together. For a whole year. 

He didn't think it was possible to be this happy. He had something very special planned for them, but because of the baby, any lovemaking had to be postponed.