Bloom and Destruction (ACOTAR - Elain + Azriel)

Chapter 5

Elain

I make my way to the kitchen to get Azriel a glass of water. I quickly fill the glass and run back to the living room. Lucien is gone, Azriel kneels on the floor with his head in his hands and everyone surrounding him. Rhysand holds Azriel as he sobs into his shoulder. Mor moves slightly to the side so I can sit directly in front of him.

    "I brought you some water," I place a hand on his knee.

    He looks up, between those masterpiece ridden fingers. I smile as I extend the glass to him. He moves away from Rhys and grabs it with a shaky hand, but sets it down next to him. He stares deeply into my eyes before grabbing my face and pressing his lips to mine. I place my hands on his shoulders, kissing him back. He pulls away, leaning his forehead against mine and smiles.

    I grin, whispering, "I see you for who you are and I hear them just as clearly."

    He presses another kiss against my lips, this time moving the kisses all around my face before pulling me into his chest. He chuckles, cradling my head against him. I hug him tightly, looking up at my sisters. Feyre smiles broadly, her head resting on Rhysand's shoulder and Nesta- Nesta is smiling, holding onto Cassian's hand tightly.

Rhys stands, grabbing Feyre by the hand and pulling her with him. He nods to Cassian, making him do the same with Nesta. Mor follows suit, walking to the dining room with everyone. Azriel let's out a sigh, lifting me slightly and laying back on the floor so I'm laying on him. I shift so that we are belly to belly, me looking down at him. I place a hand on his cheek and he grabs it and turns his head to kiss it several times before wrapping both arms around me again.

"You're my mate," he whispers into my ear. "My mate."

"And you are mine," I say softly.

He laughs, placing more kisses to my cheek and face. I turn my head so our noses are touching, lips brushing together. He wastes no time, one hand sliding up to tangle his fingers in my hair and pull me down to his lips. I expected the kiss to be rough, fast, and messy. But it wasn't. It was slow and tantalizing, it was beautiful.

Azriel pulls away, resting his head back onto the ground. I glance to the doorway only to find Lucien standing there. I slowly move off of Azriel and stand up. Azriel does the same, a snarl ripping through his throat as he places a hand on my waist.

"Do I get someone else?" Tears brim his eyes. "Or do I have to watch you love someone else?"

"You don't have to watch," Azriel snaps.

Lucien looks to me pleadingly. "She's looking for you," I tilt my head to the side. "She's running, hunting for you," I say.

His eye look at Azriel, then back to me, but that metal eye is trained on Az. "Where?" He whispers. "Tell me where. Don't let me live like this," he begs.

The shadows appear beyond Lucien. They seem to stare right at him. "The Day Court," Azriel mumbles. "She is in the Day Court."

Lucien looks to me and I nod. "She is frantically looking for you. She knows you," and as soon as the words left my lips, he was gone.

Azriel

I can't stand it, I can't just sit here at the dinner table next to my mate like everything is okay. My clothes are too tight, her scent too strong, this room too crowded. I let out a grunt as I push out my chair and stalk away from the table. I ignore everyone's beckoning as I head out of the house and to the backyard, to stare at Elaine's garden. How my beautiful mate makes such beautiful things. The door opens and closes behind me. I huff, adjusting my pants before Feyre appears beside me.

"You know," she wraps an arm around me. "We can go to Rita's if you want to be alone tonight. We can make sure no one comes back here," she offers.

I sigh, slinging an arm over her shoulder. "I don't know what she wants. And it's not you guys, it's her. It's her scent. It's so strong and so... so delicious, I don't know. I can't even describe it without sounding like a pig," I grumble.

Feyre chuckles, "well, you're not a pig, Azriel. And I'm gonna have everyone disperse in a few minutes. Talk to her," she pats my chest before ducking out of our side hug. "You'll never know what she wants if you don't ask her."

I nod to myself. "She's right," the shadows hiss. "Elain wants more than you might think."

I swat my hands, ushering them away. "You're supposed to be helpful, not suspenseful," they laugh in response.

I decided to stay outside until everyone left. Rhys came to say goodbye, gave me "pointers" and blew me a kiss. Cassian winked at me through the window. I rolled my eyes at both of them as I sat in the grass.

The door opens and closes gently and I could smell her from the second she thought about opening the door. "Hi," Elain smiles as she sits next to me. I nod, picking at the grass between my fingers. "They're right, you know," she nudges my arm. I look at her with a questioning glance. She giggles, bringing her hand up to her face to cover the blush staining her cheeks. "I want more than you might think," she repeats the shadows words.

I raise an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? And what's that?" I lay my hands flat on the ground.

She stands up, extending a hand to me. "Why don't you come find out, Shadow Singer?" The name slipping between her lips like sweet juice. I grab her hand, eagerly jumping up and following her into the house.