A Court of Lightning and Shadows

Thirty-four

Azriel was seated next to her on the couch. They had spent the evening with their family.

Briar found Rhys glancing at Azriel. Her mate shook his head. "I don't want to bring down your mood, but there's something I... we need to ask." he said.

Briar swallowed. She knew it had to be discussed sooner or later. She gave the High Lord a nod.

"Your father and brother." he started, "We want you to decide what to do with them."

"I-.." she had told herself she didn't care a few days ago, but maybe she did. "I need to think about it." she said while playing with her hands in her lap.

She wanted her father and brother to suffer like she had, but at the same time she didn't want anyone to feel like that.

"Take your time." Rhys said. He gave her an encouraging smile. Briar gave a tight mouthed smile back.

A shadow crept up her wrist, curling around her arm. She found Azriel's eyes on her, a comforting smile on his face.

Her mate. It was real, even though everything felt fake.

The room started feeling uncomfortable. Mor had started rambling to poor Elain while Feyre gave Rhys a death glare for asking the question.

Briar stood from her seat and made her way out of the room. She could feel Azriel follow her, but she didn't want to let him know that.

She made her way into her old room.

With the door locked, she undressed and put on something she felt more comfortable in.

The first thing she pulled out of the drawer, was a light blue sweater. She still had a pair of black comfortable pants on her chair, which she also put on.

Azriel was definitely waiting outside the door. She could sense him from far away.

After some hesitation she unlocked the door and opened it softly. Azriel was indeed leaning against the wall next to the door.

A soft smile spread across Azriel's face as he saw her. She tried to give a smile back, but it wasn't a very convincing one.

"Come here." he said as he wrapped his arms around her.

Briar immediately tightened her own arms around his body as she rested her head against his chest.

"You know I won't force you into anything." he told her. Briar nodded against his chest. "Just let me know if anything makes you uncomfortable or if you feel like something moves too fast." he placed a kiss on top of her head.

"Thank you." she whispered.

Azriel took a step back. A grin written on his face. "We should go to the roof."

Briar remembered what they'd planned earlier.

He had felt her emotions through the bond during dinner. The fear and the pain about the bad memories. She had also felt confused about their bond.

He knew she didn't mean to hurt him, that it was all very confusing and new to her. So he wouldn't push her. He would let her know he was here, that she could talk to him.

They were both seated on the edge of the roof. Briar leaned into his side. His arm was wrapped around her body, holding her as close as possible.

Briar's eyes focused on the twinkling stars in the sky. Her eyes glistered with something he couldn't place. Azriel found himself staring at her face.

She was beautiful. He had told himself she was beautiful since the day they'd met. Even with all the blood on her that day, he'd admired her.

Briar must've felt his stare as she turned her head from the sky to his face, "You know staring is sometimes seen as rude." she said, her smile turning into a grin.

"I'm not staring. I'm admiring." he told her. Her cheeks turned red as she looked away.