A Court of Shadows and Thunder // AzrielxOC SlowBurn Romance, ACOTAR FanFiction

Chapter VIII - Celebration

While Feyre's eyes widened at Azriel's sudden outburst, Rhysand looked completely unfazed.

"Is something wrong, Az?" He simply asked.

"You don't think that you should have asked me first before offering me up to the Syrens?"

Rhys took a step toward him, stiffening at this cold choice of words. "Would you like me to tell them you've had a change of heart?"

Azriel frowned at him, his fingers clenching into fists.

And Feyre realised this wasn't about a spymaster's anger toward his High Lord, but rather, a friend looking for answers in another. How Rhys had maybe "offered" Azriel up like that, they could see it as a diplomatic choice, as an ally helping out their own. But amongst the three of them, it was about Rhys choosing to make Azriel a pawn within a game that the High Lord was no doubt playing. For Feyre knew that, despite all, there will always be doubts. But also, it was about something else, something that Azriel had blurted to them a while ago, that had made him winnow away in embarrassment or in guilt. This was about something that Rhys wasn't shy at all to talk about now, when it had been such a fragile subject before.

"Are you angry about being a guide to an emissary? Or that you became a guide to Brianna." Rhys said, certainly not afraid to speak his mind, "You came to us and told us Brianna was your mate. Although, I have to admit, we have our doubts about that, now is the time for you to see for yourself whether your feelings are true."

Feyre didn't say anything; she knew that now, this wasn't her place. Even if she was Azriel's High Lady, this was between him and Rhys. Between friends who have known each other for over five centuries. And for that alone, she knew deep in her heart that Rhys had his intentions. Though she couldn't figure out whether they were good.

"You didn't even leave me the choice. You didn't ask if I even wanted to be her guide." Azriel's words were cold as ice.

"Would you have told us then, that you want nothing to do with her?"

Azriel shook his head, "This isn't about that."

"Then talk to us-"

"You should have left me a choice." Azriel said again.

Rhys brows furrowed. But something inside him ticked.

"I know that I haven't really been the best of friends lately," He started, "But Cassian tried talking to you about this, and you refused to say anything. Az, it's...hard, if we don't know what you feel and, and I feel," Rhys took a step toward the shadowsinger, "I believe you need to do this."

Azriel remained silent, thinking over the words. So Rhys continued, and waved a hand like he casted the thought away from him.

"If not for that then do it for the alliance," he said to Azriel, who know looked at him from under furrowed brows, "The Syrens have opened up to us, to people they barely even know. They need a good show of faith, and I - Feyre and I," he rephrased, as Feyre sent him a soft stroke down the bond in confirmation, "We believe that we can grow to trust in them too."

Rhys tilted his head slightly at the shadowsinger.

"Unless," Rhys said, tentatively, "Unless you believe that we shouldn't."

Still, Azriel didn't say anything. For he too knew that, despite wanting to tell Rhys and Feyre the truth about Brianna, he had watched and seen how much the two have grown to like the Syrens. How openly they spoke with them, laughed with them. How similar the two rulers were, how much Rhys and Dorian shared the same thoughts, ideals and principals about their world, despite any lingering doubts that still existed. Something within Azriel knew, for with all that they have been through, all they have suffered these past weeks, months, that if he told them the truth now, then it would crush them.