Shadows and Secrets

Chapter 9

I walk Lysabel through the streets of Velaris. She was still in her wedding dress, which had blood stains from the guards and had lost the veil on the way out of the garden, but she didn't seem to care. She was looking all around us taking in the sights of the city. All I felt was happiness and peace. My mate was free. She was happy, I was happy. We made our way through the city to the river house. Once we make it to the front door, I say "My friends live here. They'll keep you safe."
"I can't wait to meet them." She tells me. During one of our many talks in her room in the week leading up to her wedding I told her about the inner circle. I opened the door to the river house and lead her in. I knew Rhys and Cassian would be able to tell I had found my mate, but I knew they wouldn't say anything until we were alone.

I knew where they would be. I walk into the living room with Lysabel close behind me. Feyre sees me first. "Az! It's so good to see you!" She cries as the rest of my friends turn to look at me. Elain is also here, but I don't seem to care whether she's there or not anymore.
"I'm back. I told you I'd have her back by this evening Rhys, and it's only the afternoon, so I'm early." I say to him as he stands and makes his way towards us. "Everyone meet Lysabel." I stand aside so they could all see her.
"Hello Lysabel. I'm Rhyand, the High Lord of the Night Court. It's a pleasure to meet you." Rhys greets her with a smile. The rest of my friends introduce themselves to her and she receives a hug from Mor and Feyre.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. Azriel has told me all about you all." Lysabel smiles. They all look at me as if they'd just been told that I'd taken up dancing. I didn't usual tell others about my personal life. Rhys shook off the shock first.
"Lysabel can stay in the House of Wind with Cassian, Nesta and Azriel for the time being. Az, can you take her to the house and then come back and meet with me and Cassian here? Nesta, Feyre, can you go with them to help Lysabel settle in?" Rhys said. We all nodded. "I'll see you in twenty minutes Az then.

I carried Lysabel to the House of Wind while Feyre carried Nesta. We found a guest room on the same floor as mine and I left her in the capable hands of Feyre and Nesta and returned to the river house to talk with Rhys and Cassian. When I walked into Rhys' study, Cassian was already there. "Do you want the long story of what happened or the short story?" I ask them.
"Long!" They respond in union.

I  told them what had happened that week, leaving out the fact that she was my mate. I didn't know if I was ready to tell my beast friends that I had found my mate. "That's the story. It's been a busy week." I finish.
"At least she's safe now. But I know you missed out one little part of that story Az." Rhys says.
"Yes,  we both sensed it when you walked in to the room earlier Az." Cassian adds. "Spill the part you missed."
I knew there was no point lying, they both knew what it felt like to have a mate. Obviously they could tell about Lysabel. But they wanted me to say it out loud. "The first time I saw her, the mating bond snapped into place. Lysabel in my mate." I tell them.
"What are you going to do about it Az?" Rhys asks.
"I don't know yet. I was more concerned about getting her out than thinking about what I was going to do about the mating bond. I just need time to figure it out. Don't tell anyone. Not even Feyre and Nesta." I tell them.
"I don't tell people secrets that aren't mine. Just don't keep it from her. She won't be happy when she finds out otherwise." Rhys responds.
"Your secret's safe with me." Cassian responds.
"If you two don't mind, I'm going home, eating a warm meal, having a shower and going to bed." I tell them before I leave the office.

When I got back to the House of Wind, Feyre and Nesta were explaining the house to Lysabel. I smiled at them as I entered and went to my room. The mating bond was tugging at my chest. Even if I had began to trust my heart again, it didn't mean I had to agree with it. For the first time in the last month, I slept peacefully.