Nyx's first birthday was being celebrated across Velaris, though they kept the celebration within their family. Rhysand and Feyre sent gifts to the entire court. Elain couldn't be happier for Feyre and her mate. Nyx was the light of their lives. He had been born when all of them had lost something and desperately needed hope, and he was just that—their hope. She never thought she could love someone unconditionally, but Nyx was her favorite person in the world. Elain looked over the cake she had decorated one last time, before heading to her room to prepare for the night. Cassian was supposed to pick up Elain in an hour. She had to hurry or they would be late.
An hour later, Elain heard a loud tub before her doorbell rang. Opening the door, she blurted, "The cake is on the kitchen counter. I just have to get my shoes." But when the door fully opened her heart stopped. "Azriel.".
"Hello, Elain. Cassian asked me to bring you to the manor. I hope you don't mind. He got back late from Illyria."
She didn't mind, not one bit. She just wished she looked better and that she hadn't done that stupid thing a week ago. Elain quickly recovered from her prolonged silence. "No, of course, I don't mind. I just -- wasn't expecting you. Come in, please." She moved aside for him to enter. "I'll just grab my shoes." She turned to walk up the stairs and avoid any further conversation
"Elain." His voice stopped her midway. "Yes," she replied quickly and hating herself for it. But he had this affect on her, he did not speak much but when he did, she could not help but be drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
"I hope you don't regret what happened last week outside Rita's. I have been meaning to apologize to you. But it seems you have been avoiding me."
Elain could not believe her luck. He was apologizing to her for what she had done. Oh, this was so embarrassing. Gathering courage, Elain turned to face him. "I should be the one apologizing." She said, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I was slightly tipsy and you were such a gentleman, as always. I just — I don't know what came over me." Her hands trembled, voice shaking. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to make things awkward between us. You had already said it was a mistake, yet I did it again. But I couldn't help my" Closing her eyes she exhaled loudly, she need to tell him everything.
"Elain, I", she could hear his footsteps getting closer, he now stood mere inches from her. She jolted slightly as he cupped her face. Her eyes shot open, finding his eyes on her lips. "I didn't mean to apologize about letting you kiss me. I quite enjoyed that." he laughed " I was referring to letting you kiss me while you were still drunk." He confessed, eyes darting back to hers. "Our first kiss, it should have been under better circumstances." Elain felt a hot sensation between her legs, her heart beating faster with each stroke of his thumb against her cheek, she had forgotten to breathe.
"Oh" was all she could manage. His eyebrows lifted at her response. "It was only a peck, we could redeem it," she suggested, her mind still whirling.
Azriel little out a soft laugh before pulling her to his solid chest. She had dreamed of this many times over the years. "El," he whispered, hovering over her mouth, his mist and cedar smell intoxicating her further. Elain closed her eyes shut, she was going to die just from the anticipation of his lips on hers. A few quiet seconds passed, but his lips were still inches away. She opened her eyes to meet his. A look of annoyance in them. Her heart dropped, but before she could let her mind run wild, he said, "Someone is coming." and slowly took a step back from her.
Elain smiled at him, "I will be right back." and run up the stairs. When Elain came back down, ready to go, she found Azriel conversing with Cerridwen.
"Hello Lady Elain, the high lady sent me to check on you. She said Commander Cassian could not be trusted to get you there on time." Cerridwen quickly explained why she was there.
