A Love From A Different World

Chapter 78

"Get your ass up, Azie-" In came Cassian, his usually good-nature smile plastered on his face-until he saw locked eyes with Azriel, and the sleeping figure in his bed.

Azriel already knew just how badly his brother would give him a headache over this. "Keep your voice down, don't wake her up,"

Cas looked dumbfounded, his eyes going from Celeana to Azriel.

"Why are you here?"

The general finally found his voice. "Mother's tits Az,"

"You're being too loud," He pulled the covers over Celeana, shooting a look at his brother.

"What the hell, what the hell-"

"Unless you have something of importance to say, get out." He'd be damned if the first thing Celeana woke up to was his ass of a brother making a scene.

Cassian appeared lost for a moment. "I- just-" He rubbed his face with his hands. "You're needed. We're having a meeting."

The Shadowsinger silently got up and quickly got dressed, picking up his clothes from the floor.

"Holy hell, brother, what were you thinking?" At least he kept his voice down.

Azriel did not look at him as he laced up his pants, as he slid his shirt back on. He did not want to see the stupid look of incredulous freely displayed on his face.

Once again, Cas was left speechless when Azriel pressed a soft kiss on Celeana's forehead before shooing him out. He closed the door behind the two.

"Well, aren't you going to even try to explain it to me?"

"I believe that who I sleep with is none of your concern,"

"It is when you're sleeping with the enemy!"

"Lodging with one is alright, but you draw the line at sleeping with one?" The Spymaster did not particularly feel like justifying himself to Cassian, of all people. The very same male who would sleep with anything with a pulse.

"What about Rhys...?"

When he did not answer, Cassian continued. His brother didn't stop as they made their way to the dinning room. Their conversation mostly consisted of Az ignoring his brother and Cas becoming increasingly irritated.

They arrived to the meeting and his family looked at him agap. He supposed he did not look very put together, his hair a mess, wearing wrinkled clothes from last night.

"What happened to you?" Was Mor's initial reaction. That was until his scent hit her. Her eyes widened, as did Rhysand's, who was sitting at the head of the table. The master of masks allowed shock, horror, and betrayal to be displayed on his face.

"You slept with her?" His brother asked, ever so calmly.

Well, what had Azriel expected? Celeana and he had their scents mixed together as soon as they started touching each other. He would be a fool to think no one to pick up on Celeana's scent, currently surrounding him as if they were his own shadows. It wasn't like he was planning on keeping what had happened between them a secret. Especially not know that they were destined as mates. But Mother above, the look that his brother was giving him-He refused to feel sorry. And why should he? Why should he feel ashamed or guilty?

So, with as little ceremony as possible, Azriel said, "She's my mate,"

Cassian was rendered speechless again. Mor was looking wide-eyed between him and Rhysand.

"How interesting," Amren murmured.

Azriel wanted to know what she meant by that, but he was too distracted by Rhysand's reaction. Because, gods, Rhysand looked gutted. His High Lord tried to school his facial expression as best as he could, but Azriel could read him like a book. Rhysand swallowed, looked away, and then locked eyes with him. "Are you sure?" His question was laced with sadness

"It snapped into place last night." The pride in his voice did not go unnoticed.

"I supposed congratulations are in order then,"

"Thank you."

The brothers looked at each other. Each knew that neither of them meant the words they had just said. Azriel had sworn himself to Rhysand. Swore to follow him, swore to protect him. Rhysand in turn had promised him a family, a home. And for that Azriel would forever be grateful. But it seemed as if their brotherly love had been rattled by the apparent love triangle. Not that there would be much competition, not now that Celeana was his by all accounts. He would fight him, he realized. He would wage war on Rhysand should he choose to come between him and his mate. Azriel would throw everything away, the only home he has ever known for Celeana. And he knew that Rhysand understood that. He saw it in his brother's eyes, and he too understood that Rhysand had no plans of contesting the bond.

Mor cleared her throat and broke the tension. She got up and gave Azriel a peck on the cheek, "I'm very happy for you Az," But even that congratulation was overshadowed by the look of concern she gave her cousin.

Azriel wondered if it was cruel of him to completely disregard Rhysand's feelings for Celeana like that. He did not particularly care.

"Where's your mate, boy?" Amren's eyes were narrowed, suspicion in them clear.

He did not like the way the female's eyes looked whenever Celeana was mentioned. "Sleeping,"

Cassian snorted, patting Azriel on the back. "Kept her up all night, did you, Azie?"

His grin disappeared when Azriel shot him a dark look. He would not allow his brother to turn his night with his mate into something vulgar.

"Good," The High Lord's mask was back in place, no a shred of the emotions that had been on his face just a moment ago. "Because there's something I need to tell you about her,"