Have you ever asked someone what love is? - Azriel x OC

Epilogue

Humming filled the kitchen as I wrapped up the biscuits the kids had decorated yesterday, putting them away in the bag by the door.

Snow had settled across Velaris through the week leaving frostbitten fingers and red cheeks in it's wake.

Lucky for me, I had a gorgeous Illyrian male to warm my bed.

Said Illyrian male had left me in bed with a kiss this morning, promising to see me later before going off to fight his brothers in the art of snow. Like children.

I crept up the stairs, peeking my head into Cas's room to find it empty. It wasn't an unusual sight, and I knew just where to find him.

Lyra's room was often where I found the two of them on these cold mornings. Like her father, Lyra ran hot and Cas tended to sneak in and lie with her if he woke up alone. It was the cutest thing.

Cas led on his side, Lyra facing him with her head tucked into his chest, thumb in her mouth as she slept soundly, long white hair fanning around her, half of it in Cas's snoring face much to my amusement. Her wings spread wide behind her, both of them were half covered in blankets and Cas clutched a wooden dagger to his chest.

I would be having words with Cassian. Again.

Shadows slithered away from them and wound around me as I pried the dagger from him, setting it on the shelf before perching myself on the side of the bed.

"Morning sleepyheads" I cooed quietly, smoothing back Cas's hair before his eyes blinked open blearily. "Time to wake up"

Lyra mumbled around her thumb, hazel eyes meeting mine and I smiled.

"good morning, you guys ready to wake up?"

Lyra reached for me, and I scooped her up carefully, wings dropping behind her tiredly. She mumbled again and I leant my ear closer.

"I can't understand you love"

"she asked where Dad is" Cas mumbled, eyes shut again.

"we're going to go and see him if you guys get up and ready. Maybe Aunty Feyre will even let you have hot cocoa" I gasped dramatically, but Lyra just leant her head against me. "okay, still too early" I relented with a smile, tucking my head against her.

I got them up and changed, both of them much bright-eyed now that they'd had some breakfast, and a few cookies. It was solstice, I couldn't exactly say no.

"hey, shoes off" I chided as the kids went to run into the manor house, both of them kicking them away before running towards the living room where I heard voices greet them.

"Happy solstice" Mor grinned, wrapping Cas in her arms whilst he grumbled, much more interested in whatever Amren was reading. "you know you used to love me when you were little"

He stuck his tongue out at her, and I just shook my head, bringing her into a hug myself.

"Happy solstice Mor."

"Mummy look!" Lyra stood next to Feyre's chair, where the High Lady rested with her own babe in her arms. Little baby Nyx babbled up at her as Lyra watched him.

"Are you going to say Happy Solstice to Aunty Feyre and Cousin Nyx?" I prompted softly, Lyra doing so, and I winked at her as she came back to my side.

"how are the boys getting on?"

"they're on their way back now" Feyre said, her eyes glazing over before she grinned. "Good news for me"

"Careful, last time Rhys won you ended up with little Nyx"

"yes we did" she grinned down at her son, who blew raspberries much to my amusement.

"where's daddy?" Lyra searched and I smoothed my hand through her hair soothingly.

"he's on his way love."

Cas and Amren had moved into a chess battle, and I watched his blue eyes narrow in concentration, lips pursing as he thought over his next move.

He was so big now. His own person and everything.

I had reluctantly agreed to let him begin training with Az and Cassian. Much to their excitement.

They had sworn up and down that it was safe, and that Cas would benefit from it. but he was just a kid and there was no need for that so young. But I wasn't one to talk, having done similar myself when I wasn't much older than he was now.

"Daddy!" Lyra bounded over to Azriel as the boys walked through the door, little wings fluttering as she jumped into his arms. Shadows flicked off her and crossed the room to Cas, the boy moving them away from the chess board with a practiced ease.

"hey princess, happy solstice" he pressed a kiss to the top of her head, "happy solstice little warrior"

The boy nodded, focus solely on the board in front of him and we shared an amused look.

Pride radiated from Rhys as he kissed Feyre, tickling his son's stomach so he laughed.

"Happy solstice" Cassian kissed my cheek as he moved past me towards the kitchen.

"Okay, who wants cocoa?" I asked, multiple voices answering, and I headed to the kitchen after Cassian. "you fancy cocoa love?"

"you must be in a good mood if you're calling me love" he noted with a smile and I bumped his hip with my own.

"I'm always in a good mood"

"Liar" Cas appeared, and I gaped at my kid.

"you're supposed to be on my side"

"Cas's stick together" he shrugged with a smirk whilst Cassian whooped, wrapping an arm around the young boy.

"what have you done to my son?"

"you mean my prodigy?"

"watch yourself general" I warned teasingly "you'll find I can still fight pretty well"

"Mum" Cas rolled his eyes, pink flushing his cheeks.

"Hey, you think I'm embarrassing? I have so many stories of you when you were little"

He covered his face with a groan as Cassian and I laughed.

I let out a sigh of relief as Azriel's arms wrapped around me later that night, both of us staring up at the night sky.

The kids were asleep, we were both full of cocoa and food. What more could you ask for?

"Do you want to do something incredible irresponsible?" he kissed my ear and I hummed with interest. "want to go flying?" my mate whispered and my lips pulled into a smile.

"you leave your shadows with the kids, and you've got a deal"

"Come on then Starlight" he twirled me, so we were facing each other, hazel eyes dancing with mirth, an easy smile on his face. "let's dance with the stars tonight"