A Court of Stars and Memories

65. Family Demands

Lysander sauntered down the stairs, unable to wipe the smile from his lips, though he'd thankfully managed to regain control of his instincts and his scent had mostly returned to normal.

Voices came from the entryway when he reached the main floor of the house. Lysander hurried towards them and found his parents just as Seren was starting towards the door.

"Mom, wait," he called, catching her attention. Azriel and Seren faced him, surprise crossing both of their features.

"I didn't know you were here," she said. "I thought you were still in the Dawn Court."

Lysander shook his head. "I got back yesterday. I was just busy at Windhaven until late in the evening, so I didn't get a chance to come see you both."

"It seems you came over to see someone else instead." Azriel smirked. "But we can't blame you for that." Lysander grinned as his father pulled him into a tight embrace. "She's your mate, isn't she?" He nodded and glanced at his mother, catching her eye.

Seren smiled warmly. "We both scented it on her," she explained, before her brows furrowed in confusion. "But it didn't seem like she knew herself. Did you decide to keep it between yourselves for now or was she waiting for you to tell us? Or..."

"She doesn't know," Lysander replied, drawing away from Azriel. "Or she hasn't fully acknowledged it, anyway. I know she feels the Bond. She always reacts when I touch it, and I've felt her tugging it on it too, but it's not complete. I think she suspects but isn't sure, and it might be something she doesn't want to talk about just yet."

"Perhaps she's waiting to talk about it with Eira first, or she wrote to Elodie or Colette and is waiting for a response."

"Maybe, but please don't ask her about it. I don't want her to feel pressured to accept it, especially if she doesn't already know."

"We won't," Azriel reassured him. He turned to Seren. "You should get going if you don't intend to be late."

Seren nodded and kissed him, then hugged Lysander swiftly. "I'm so happy for you, Lys," she whispered. Lysander squeezed her tightly before she released him and breezed out the door.

"Where is she going?" He asked, glancing at Azriel.

"With Feyre and Nesta to see Elain." Azriel was already heading back towards the stairs. He grinned, looking over his shoulder and meeting Lysander's eye. "You're going to have a new cousin come summer."

A grin stretched across his lips. "It's about time! I bet Nyx and Venelia will be glad for the Twins to have another family member close to their age." Azriel nodded his agreement and began mounting the stairs. "I'll see you later," Lysander called, then reached for the door.

Movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention, and Micah cleared his throat from the doorway of the sitting room. Lysander faced him, already shaking his head. "I don't have time for this right now. I need to leave for Windhaven."

"Make time," Micah growled. "You owe it to me, Brother." He all but spat the word. Lysander narrowed his eyes. "Mina and I know what Mitsi is to you. We guessed, though I just saw it confirmed by you personally."

"Mina isn't worried about any of this, but I don't share her views." Lysander crossed his arms, not flinching when Micah approached him. The male mirrored his stance, his blue eyes glinting as sharp as steel. "What are your intentions towards my sister?"

"Are you going to commit to her or string her along like you did to that friend of yours? Are you just going to use her to make you feel better about yourself? She's not a toy. She's my sister, and she's a naive female who doesn't always make the best decisions."