A Song of Faithless Shadows

85. Today

Gwyneth

"Briar doesn't want to leave," Azriel informs me as we tidy up the townhouse before leaving. We had made... quite a mess of it this past week. It was nearly impressive.

I roll my eyes, straightening a picture frame. "You can't know that. He's not even around," I reply.

"Exactly," Azriel says decidedly. "He's hiding for a reason."

"He's hiding because we were feral animals all week."

"Hypocritical of him seeing as—"

"Go find Briar, Azriel," I tell him, scanning my eyes over the bedroom. It was... as good as it was gonna get. The bed frame had certainly seen better days, and a couple of the throw pillows we had to outright throw away. We certainly could've been more... gentle with our surroundings. "It's time."

He sighs as Briar darts between his legs and onto the perfectly made bed, rolling to stretch out. "Yeah, I know," he says, leaning over to scoop Briar into his arms, passing him to me. "Ready?"

"No," I answer, letting him pull me into his arms. "But let's go anyway."

Solemnly, he agrees, his hold on me right as we land at the house of wind. Nesta and Emerie are in the kitchen when we arrive, pausing their breakfast to stare at us with wide open eyes. "What— you run out of underwear or something?" Nesta asks, and I feel Azriel tense behind me, his shadows stewing.

"You should go," I tell him, passing him the cat who goes unhappily, meowing to be put down. "Maybe see if Cassian is in the training room."

His jaw is stiff, but he nods, holding Briar carefully. "Try not to kill my mate, Azriel!" Nesta calls after him as he goes.

"No promises," Azriel replies icily, and Emerie laughs in a fit of hysterical giggles that Nesta and I inevitably join.

"So that went well," Emerie smirks in observation. "Surprised you're back so soon. You guys still reek of poorly restrained arousal. Seems like there's a little something still left in your system."

I feel my face heat, wrapping Azriel's shirt closet around me, already missing the warmth of him. "There are things we need to do," I tell them. "And while I was well tempted never to leave, I knew we couldn't ignore it all. Not yet anyway."

Nesta nods. "So, let's get back to it," she says. "After you tell us everything." So we sit down on the couch, and I do.

...

Azriel

Cassian had taken me on a flight to regain my composure, and it nearly helped. I needed to be away from her tempting scent, her beautiful voice. I need to do something mindless and repetitive.

But Cassian was right not to believe me the first time I said I was ready to go back. But he lets me back the second, and I immediately stiffen when I notice Rhys and Gwyneth talking.

"I'm just sorry," she says. "It isn't our house. I shouldn't have squatted there for a week and a half without asking. It's just... well, it's such a lovely house. It was so easy to feel at home—"

"Gwyn, it's alright," Rhys assured her as I land. "More than alright. Nobody was using the house. I'm glad somebody could love it again. You and Azriel should have it. I gave Nesta this house. Consider it a gift for being my brother's mate. It seems consistent."

Rhys eyes me as I walk up to Gwyneth, sliding my arms around her waist somewhat possessively. I'm not proud of the way I glare at him.

"Cauldron knows these brothers of mine aren't easy," Rhys mutters, having the nerve to wink at her before flying off. Gwyneth grabs my hand before I can go after the asshole, Cassian's laughter fading as he slips down the hall.