A Court of Watchful Shadows

Restaurant

The house of Wind was becoming tiresome and I was almost through every book in the library. I had been into Velaris a few times to gather some supplies, Mor had mercilessly questioned why I needed a notebook and so much stationary so I told her I was picking up journaling and not to pry into my business.

I never took the notebook out of my room in fear one of Rhysand's inner circle cronies read through it. They would never allow me to accompany them on the Hybern mission if they found out my plans to use the cauldron to resurrect my mother before they nullify it's power. They wouldn't understand.

I was sure that Azriel was hiding the wine from me too, I'd half a mind to go look in his room but I don't doubt he'd see it as an invitation....Illyrians.

Regardless I would stock up on wine, I once even forced Mor into a tavern with me for a few pints, I can't say she enjoyed it as much as I did.

We'd also been to Rita's quite a few times with everyone. Rita's was a way I could get my message across to Azriel that I was serious about not wanting this bond, I'd kiss fae that looked nothing like him, watching him fail to control the way his shadows would contort as he watched me do it.

It was only to convey the message that I DEFINITELY didn't want him though.

~~

Feyre
Despite the chill night, every shop was open as we walked through the city. The six of them were unhurried as we strolled across one of the wide marble bridges spanning the Sidra, often moving foreword or dropping back to chat with one another.

I fell into step beside Rhys as we watched Ziláa and Azriel bicker for the hundredth time. For apparently 'not accepting the mating bond' they don't seem to leave eachother alone Rhys' voice came from inside my mind.

He lowers his shields so I'm able to invade his mind to reply Did she give a reason why she doesn't want to mate with him, I mean they're cauldron picked for each other right?

No, she refuses to speak about her past at all, not many fae turn down mating bonds and she doesn't seem to have another lover...Azriel is attempting to be optimistic about it but I can tell he's letting it eat away at him. Rhys's message came out in a sigh, I could tell he was tired of it too.

It is up to her, shouldn't he stop perusing her?

It's not as easy as that when it comes to a mate.

I didn't push further on the matter as the lifeblood of Velaris thrummed through me, and in rare moments of quiet, I could have sworn I heard the clash of the sea, clawing at the distant cliffs.

Eventually, we entered a small restaurant beside the river, built into the lower level of a two-story building, the whole space bedecked in greens and golds and barely big enough to fit all of us. And three sets of Illyrian wings. But the owner knew them, and kissed each of them save for Ziláa on the cheek, even Rhysand. Well, except for Amren too, whom the owner bowed to before she hustled back into her kitchen and bade us to sit at a large table that was half in, half out of the open storefront.

The food platters began pouring out, along with the wine and the conversation, and we dined under the stars beside the river. The owner chatted with Rhys and expressed her gratitude at regaining access to nice spices again.

The owner strode into her kitchen and then emerged with a metal goblet full of dark liquid and placed it before Amren. When she saw the goblet laid before her, she flicked her brows up. "You didn't have to do that." The owner shrugged her slim shoulders. "It's fresh and hot, and we needed the beast for tomorrow's roast, anyway" I had a horrible feeling I knew what was inside.

I almost asked Mor to roll me out of the restaurant by the time we were done and Rhys had paid the tab, despite the owner's protests. Mor rubbed her stomach in lazy circles as we paused beside the river. "I want to go dancing. I won't be able to fall asleep when I'm this full. Rita's is right up the street."

Ziláa, who had been a little less cold than she had been when I first met her, agreed to the idea. I looked at Azriel who then perked up at the idea of going to Rita's.

"You just want to go for the drinking, not the dancing" Cassian joked. "But I'm up for that." And that was the first time I'd heard Ziláa laugh, a sultry laugh that matched her energy.

Ziláa started making her way up the street with Cassian. Mor and Azriel followed swiftly, Ziláa already turning around to bicker with Azriel for accidentally stepping on the back of her foot.

If even Ziláa was going with them, then any excuse I might make not to—
I turned my pleading eyes to Amren, but she'd vanished.
"She's getting more blood in the back to take home with her," Rhys said in my ear, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. His chuckle was warm against neck.

"Why blood?"

"It doesn't seem polite to ask."

I frowned up at him. "Are you going dancing?"

"I'd rather walk home," Rhys said at last "it's been a long day, and I don't think I can face watching Azriel pine after Ziláa anymore."

I nod in understanding, and fall into step beside him as we walk along the river toward the bridge.

(Author's note: hopefully will be the last feyre pov guys, just trying to write feyre in now whilst keeping Ziláa a main factor of the story, I'll be making more Azriel pov's soon too 🫶)