A Court of Lightning and Shadows

Thirty-three

Briar wasn't in the bed when Azriel woke up.

His heart raced as he jumped off the bed and checked the bathroom, thinking she had woken up from a nightmare.

Just as he opened the door to the bathroom, the door to his room opened. He turned around and found Briar walking in.

There was a soft smile on her face, "What are you doing?"

He remembered what she had said the night before; that he would get breakfast. She wanted to accept the mating bond.

"I thought you..." he said. He shook his head, "It doesn't matter."

Briar walked over to the bed and placed a plate on it. There were pancakes with blueberries on the plate. It looked and smelled delicious.

"Elain helped me." she said while pointing at the plate. "I hope that doesn't matter."

Azriel walked over to where she stood and sat down next to where she placed the plate.

He smiled at her, "As long as it tastes good." Briar chuckled.

He took a bite from the pancake. It did taste good.

He found Briar looking at him, her hands behind her back. She looked nervous. "You want some?"

Briar shook her head, "I already ate." she said.

Azriel finished the pancakes and placed the plate next to him.

Briar still stood in front of him, so he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap.

Azriel pulled her in for a kiss. The bond snapped into place like the final piece had settled.

Briar pulled away and rested her forehead against his.

"You know," he started, "Nesta gave a biscuit to Cassian.

"I can see her do that." she laughed. "What will the others think now that we are.. mated?" she asked softly.

"They will be very happy and probably want to throw a party." he said. Briar's smile faded. "But, we aren't going to do that."

She let out a nervous laugh. "We don't have to do anything, okay?" Azriel said, "It's okay like this."

Briar nodded. "Maybe in the future."

Azriel smiled and pulled her closer.

Azriel had left a few minutes earlier, saying he needed to go with Cassian to some of the Illyrian camps.

Briar got dressed in black pants and a sweater with a deep shade of blue color.

She always wondered who these clothes used to belong to. Briar guessed Feyre, since the High Lady would wear similar clothes to hers.

A soft knock sounded on the door. Feyre let herself in. "Hello." Feyre's eyes widened as she walked closer to Briar. "Did you accept the mating bond?" she almost squealed in excitement.

Briar nodded as a small blush crept over her cheeks.

Feyre took another step towards her, but looked hesitant.

"You can hug me." Briar said.

Feyre immediately lunged forward and threw her arms around Briar. She hugged Feyre back, something she hadn't done with anyone else before. Only with Azriel.

"I am really happy for you." she said softly.

"Thank you."

Feyre pulled away, "Do you want to go for a walk?" she said. "Elain is busy and Mor isn't here."