Bloom and Destruction (ACOTAR - Elain + Azriel)

Chapter 7

Elain

My lips move sleepily against Azriel's, our kisses wet and sloppy as our tongues collide. His arms tighten around me before he starts kissing down the side of my face and to my neck. He bites and sucks every inch of my skin before he makes his way back up to my mouth. I pull away slightly, yawning and resting my head back on my pillow. He chuckles and kisses my forehead.

    "Go back to sleep," he drags his fingers up and down my spine. I snuggle into him, smiling as his wings wrap around me.

    We did the dance of sleeping, waking up and dancing with our tongues in each other's mouth, then back to sleep, 3 times.

    When I awoke with the sun, Azriel was holding me tightly, his breathing shaky. I look up at him to see if he's awake. "What's wrong?" I reach up and wipe a tear off of his face.

    He looks down at me and laughs. "I... nothing is wrong," he answers. "I am just afraid that if I let you go, you will disappear into thin air. Or I'll wake up from this dream, or something so terrible will happen... I'm afraid, Elain," he confesses.

    I run my hand through his hair. "Thank you for confiding in me," I place a gentle kiss to his lips.

    His arms tighten around me and he kisses me harder. I wrap my arms around his neck as he moves so he's sitting up with me straddling his waist. I push my body closer to his. He moves a hand into my hair, the other pressing on my back to keep me close. The tenderness and passion in this kiss made my heart cry. It cries out for him, for the things he's been through, still going through, and yet, survived.

    This beautiful Illyrian warrior, crying while kissing me like he's going to say goodbye any moment, is tethered to me. Our hearts beating as one.

♡ ♡ ♡

     As I made my way down the steps after a long bath with my mate, I heard the chatter of the family. My newfound family. I smile as I round the corner into the dining room. Everyone was gathered around the table, even Amren.

"Good morning," I say as I take a seat next to Feyre.

She smiles at me, nudging my arm as I reach for the bacon. I look up to see everyone watching my every move. "What?" I shove a piece into my mouth as Azriel sits next to me.

He places a hand on my leg. "You're glowing," he whispers. "They're just jealous."

"We are not," Amren replies coolly. "We are curious to know how you," she points at Azriel, "are doing."

He gives my thigh a light squeeze as he takes a sip of water. "I'm fine," he clears his throat as he places the glass down.

"Fine?" Feyre looks at him skeptically.

"Yes," he leans back in his chair, his hand still not leaving my thigh.

Rhys places his hand on Feyre's. "Az," he starts but Amren pipes up.

"You, boy," she points her fork at him. "Have not cried in over five centuries. How. Are. You?"

I place my hand on top of Azriel's. "They are family," I whisper, gently squeezing his hand.

He sighs, looking around the room. "I am fucking phenomenal, all right? I am soaring above the clouds right now and I couldn't be any fucking happier. But I am deathly afraid of losing what I waited for so long for. So please, for the sake of everything good in Prythian, drop it."

Everyone quickly returns to their conversation and food, avoiding Azriel's gaze. I watch as he eats with one hand and leaves the other on me the whole time. I help Nuala clear the table of dishes, everyone remaining seated and talking. Every time I looked to the doorway, I saw Azriel engaged in conversation but sneaking glances at me every other heartbeat.

A chair scrapes against the floor and I glance back to see Azriel making his way to me. Cassian watches as his brother enters the kitchen, places a hand on the small of my back and kisses my temple. I smile as he pulls away.

"I have to go to the Day Court," he whispers to me.

"Oh," I sigh, nodding.

"I won't be back until late," he nudges my head with his nose. "But when I get back, I'll be expecting you, in my bed, ready to be held and kissed all night."

I lean into him, closing my eyes as he presses another kiss to my head. "I will be," I smile.

"Good girl," he purrs before gently biting my earlobe before placing a kiss on my lips and taking off.

Azriel

    I groan, landing in middle of the backyard. I waste no time walking into the house, kicking off my shoes and making my way up the steps. I furrow my eyebrows when I see my bed empty. I throw my jacket onto the chair in the corner before peering into the bathroom. I turn on my heels and quietly make my way to Elain's bedroom.

    I crack open the door and poke my head in. I chuckle quietly as I walk over to the bed. I strip off my clothes and slide into the bed with her. She whimpers softly, grabbing my shirt and nuzzling against me. I smile as I wrap my arms and wings around her.

I watched her sleep for a while, I played with her hair and laid gentle kisses on her head for house. At one point, she slung a leg over my waist.

    I grip her thigh, running my fingers up and down the soft skin. She lets out a sigh and opens her eyes. I move my hand up her leg, to her back and pull her closer. "You're back," she whispers sleepily, wrapping her arms around me.

    I nod, "and when I returned, someone was not in my bed." She hums, nuzzling her head in my neck to rest between my head and chest. I bring my hand up to run my fingers through her hair. It doesn't take long before her breath deepens and she drifts right back off to sleep.