𝙳𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚎(𝙰𝙲𝙾𝚃𝙰𝚁)

𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖋𝖎𝖋𝖙𝖞-𝖔𝖓𝖊

cw: azriel kinda being an ass

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Nesta didn't speak to me during her second day of work. But luckily, I was called up to the House by Rhys for a meeting, so I didn't have to suffer in silence for long.

Saphira was in her lessons, so I made my way up to the main House and into Rhys's office. He was sitting behind his desk, Feyre on the chair beside his. Evelina was leaning against Azriel as they stood off to the side.

"What's going on?" I asked, brows furrowing as I crossed my arms.

Feyre smiled at me, her gaze drifting to Rhys who sighed and placed his arms on the desk.

"How was Nesta's first day working?" he asked me.

"It was fine," I shrugged. "Is that really what you called me up for? You could've just--"

"No, that's not all," Rhys assured with a low chuckle.

"We were wondering if you wanted to legally adopt Saphira," Feyre explained.

I perked up at that. Legally adopting her wouldn't change much, but maybe I'd feel more comfortable knowing I was her caretaker on paper, as well.

"Let me talk to her," I decided. "But if she wants that, yes. I'd like that."

"Good," Rhys smiled. "It should be easy since both of her parents are out of the picture. You just need to sign some papers."

"Thank you," I nodded. "Is everything else fine?"

"Yes," Rhys answered. "Oh, but Elain wants to go into Velaris to get a new dress. She needs an escort."

"I would, but--" Feyre began.

"No, not in your state," Rhys cut her off. I raised a brow at that.

"Her state?" I repeated. "What do you mean?"

"Never mind," Feyre said, shaking her head. "Az, would you take Elain?"

"No, I don't want him around her anymore," Evelina decided, crossing her arms.

"Why?" Az asked his wife, his eyebrows furrowed. She stood up straight, turning to face him.

"Because she likes you," she explained. "I can hear her thoughts when she's around you. She's in love with you."

"I don't have feelings for her," he promised, taking her hand in his.

"I know," she insisted. "It just makes me uncomfortable watching her pine over you."

"She's gone through a lot," he defended. "Do you not trust me?"

"Of course I trust you," she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Evelina, I would never, ever cheat on you," he snapped, irritated. "And you have no place to speak on trust, considering you cheated on your first husband."

Evelina flinched, stepping away from him, and staring at the floor. Rhys was out of his seat in the next second.

Rhys pinned him to the wall, his fist rearing back. Before any of us could stop him, it slammed into Azriel's face, wrenching a grunt from my brother's lips.

"Rhys!" Feyre exclaimed, trying to yank her husband off of Azriel.

In any other circumstance, I would've helped her. But he was well aware of how sensitive Eve could be about her past. Bringing it up was cruel. None of us even mentioned her first husband if we could help it.