Bloom and Destruction (ACOTAR - Elain + Azriel)

Chapter 34

Elain

I shift uncomfortably in my seat. Azriel sits across from me, staring at me hungrily as he eats his food. Feyre is tied up in a conversation with Alis and Rhysand and Cassian focus on the two male younglings dancing around the room. I will a shield into place to mask mine and my mate's scents from our guests.

A cocky grin spreads across his face as he reaches for his wine. I do the same, our eyes connected as we both take a long swig of the delicious red alcohol. I watch him set his glass on the table and reach below the surface, obviously adjusting himself underneath.

     "Elain?"

     I whip my head towards Feyre and smile. "I'm sorry, what?"

     She slides her gaze from mine, to Azriel's and back again. "Alis was just telling me about some of the amazing things you are doing here, aside from your remarkable gardening," she nudges her elbow against me. "I'm so proud of you."

    I lean over and wrap my arm around my sister. "That means the world, Feyre," I grin. "I strive to be half the High Lady you are."

I smile at Alis as she leans closer to Feyre and I. "I am so happy you are here," she places her hand on mine.

I see Azriel grinning from the corner of my eye. "Me too," I whisper.

♡ ♡ ♡

I rub my full belly as I sit back on the sofa. Feyre sits on the floor with Rhysand, Nyx, and Alis' nephews. The two boys play peacefully with my nephew. Azriel rises from his chair across the room and walks over to me. I smile as he takes the empty seat beside me. His wing wraps around my shoulder and tugs me closer to him. He places a hand on my thigh as I lean my head on his shoulder.
 
     Cassian walks into the room with another bottle of wine and 4 stemmed glasses in his hand. "Rhys wasn't the only one who brought a bottle from his collection," he grins devilishly. Every looses a laugh as he hands out the glasses.

     Alis shakes her head. "None for me, I've got to get these boys home at some point," she says politely.

    Cassian nods. "Good thing someone here is responsible." He places the extra glass on the coffee table we'd pushed to the side for the children. He makes another round to fill our glasses. I pout at the half full glass in my hand. "Okay, High Lady," he taunts, "I will fill your glass to the brim." And he did. He fills it so much, I have to lean forward to sip it so it doesn't spill when I bring it to my mouth.

    Azriel laughs beside me, resting a palm on my back. The touch sends flames through my veins. I tense beneath his hand. "Relax," he whispers in my ear. "I'll give you the attention you so crave later."

I give him a single nod as I bring the glass to my lips and take a few gulps. I hold out my now empty glass and shake it at Cassian. He bellows a hearty laugh. "My, my, my, Elain," he brings the bottle to me. "You are thirsty today, someone isn't doing his job." I watch as he winks at Azriel. Azriel snarls lowly.

"Hey!" Feyre snaps from the floor. "There are children here. Watch it," she points a finger and wiggles it at the Illyrians.

Cassian laughs again, leaving the bottle next to my feet. Azriel growls quietly as he reaches for it and fills my glass. My eyes linger on Cassian for a moment before I drag my gaze to my Mate's. He stares at me with dark eyes before setting his glass on the table next to him and standing up.

     "I need to use the bathroom," he grumbles before taking his leave.

     Rhys looks at me with a smirk. "I think the Shadow Singer needs someone to calm him down," he says nonchalantly. "Cassian really knows how to piss a male off when it comes to their mate."

    I look to Feyre and she nods at me. I push myself off of the couch, stumbling slightly. Cassian lunges for me in attempt to catch me if I fall. I giggle, "I'm fine." They all roll their eyes at me and I scoff at them before exiting the room.

    I follow Azriel's scent down the hall and up the stairs. I push open our bedroom door slowly and walk in. I knock on the connected bathroom's door. I wait a moment before calling his name. He swings open the door, breathing heavily. I furrow my eyebrows as I look up at him.

     "You need to go back downstairs," he rasps, "now."

     I look at him confusedly. "What? Why?"

     He huffs a low laugh. "Because if you are near me for another moment, I might just drag you down there and fuck you in front of everyone." I reach up to cup his cheek but he pushes my hand away gently. "Elain, go," his heart beats faster. I take a step back. "I don't know why, but I can't control myself right now."

     I nod, "come down when you're ready." I walk out of the room and close the door behind me. I descend the staircase just as Alis and her boys approach the front door. "You're leaving already?" I ask with a bright smile.

She looks up to me, a child's hand in each of her. "Yes, they're starting to get tired, I should get them to bed. Thank you so much for your hospitality, Lady Elain."

I walk over to them and pull her into a hug. "Anytime, Alis. Please feel free to stop over whenever you'd like," I pull away and wave to the younglings. "It was very nice meeting you both."

They smile up at me shyly. "Thank you again, Lady," Alis calls behind her shoulder as she exits the house.

I make my way back to the drawing room to see Feyre laying on the couch with her head in Rhysand's lap, Nyx asleep on her chest. Cassian sits in the chair in the corner of the room, sipping a rocks glass with a knuckles worth of amber liquid. "Hi," Feyre smiles tiredly.

"Hi," I breathe out. I shake my head quickly. "I'm sorry, this is just... it's so lovely. I love seeing you guys here," I sigh happily. "Will you be staying the night?"

Feyre looks up to Rhys and he shrugs. "Why not? Maybe you can take Nyx and I around the gardens tomorrow," she looks down to her soon and runs her fingers through his hair.

I grin, "perfect." I look up to Cassian who swirls his drink. "And you, Lord of Bloodshed?" I tease.

He looks up. "Am I allowed?" His eyes seem to look beyond me.

I turn to see Azriel standing a foot behind me. "Are you done being a prick?" He snaps.

"Yes?" Cassian's reply comes out as a question.

Azriel rolls his eyes before laughing. "You're always welcome, brother. I can smell you from here, you're too drunk to even be winnowed home."Feyre and I laugh at Azriel's remark, Rhysand rolls his eyes with a smile.

Everything is perfect right now.