A Court of Shadows and Stars; Azriel

XVIII

I was seated at the bar looking into my kitchen. Azriel had his back facing to me as he was cooking us breakfast. I took another sip from my tea and smiled.

It all felt so... normal.

A groan sounded and my head snapped to where Cassian and Mor stumbled into the stools next to me.

"They're alive," Azriel muttered.

Mor glared at his back before slamming her head onto the counter.

"Why is it so brighttt," Cassian whined.

I looked around the small room and raised a brow. All of the curtains were drawn and only one light near Azriel was on.

After making sure that the eggs were not burning, Azriel walked over and handed each of them a glass of water.

Before he could turn back around, both had chugged the entire thing down.

'Now I know how they got so drunk last night', I thought.

A moment later, Az walked back over with four plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.

I rolled my eyes at Mor and Cassian, who were practically salivating at the sight. Azriel placed a plate in front of each of us and leaned onto the counter.

Mor and Cassian dug in immediately. I hopped up and poured a cup of juice for Mor, a cup of milk for Cassian, and refilled my tea.

After placing the drinks in front of them, I moved next to Azriel and crossed my arms. We both watched in shock as they downed the drinks in one gulp. Cassian was now done with his plate so he tried to sneak some bacon off of Mor's. She smacked his hand away with her fork and snarled at him.

After a few minutes of shoveling food into their mouths like animals, they slowed down and looked up at Azriel and I.

"Thanks Mom," Cassian nodded to me. "Thanks dad," he added, sarcastically shooting finger guns at Azriel.

I shook my head and pinched the bridge of my nose for what seemed like the thousandth time since last night, and turned back to my own meal.

"Do you guys have any plans for today?" I asked my friends.

Mor made a thinking face and looked at Cassian.

"Not really. We might go out again tonight."

"Fine. Just don't come here again when your drunk off your asses," Az sighed.

Mor pointed her tongue out at Azriel. "Whatever, it's not like its your house," Cassian said, giving me his best puppy dog eyes.

"Nope," I added quickly.

Cassian sighed, "I should probably get ready..."

He glanced at me hopefully, "Yes. You can use my shower," I sighed.

He fist pumped me and ran upstairs.

"Well," Mor started. "I'm going to go by Amren's place and see how she's doing."

I nodded and we said our goodbyes. I started washing the dishes as she and Azriel talked by the door.

"When are you going to tell her?" she whispered.

Azriel grunted in response and she sent him a sad look before leaving.

'Tell me what?', I asked myself.

Azriel walked back over and helped me with cleaning the dishes. I glanced at him.

"What is it that you need to tell me?" I asked quietly.

I narrowed my eyes as he nervously looked at me and quickly back to the sink.

"This isn't exactly how I planned on telling you..." he mumbled.

I grabbed his wrist, turned him to face me, and shot him a serious look.

"What is it, Az?"

The shadowsinger brought his hand to his face and rubbed his temples. Taking a deep breath, he whispered something I couldn't hear.

"What?"

He avoided eye contact with me and said it again, just as quietly.

"Az, I can't hear you. Speak up."

"You're my mate," his voice broke.

Those three words rooted me in place and I felt like my heart stopped. My breath hitched and I felt my stomach twist as I stared into deep, hazel eyes. The room began to spin around me and I heard the plate I was holding shatter onto the floor.

I suddenly couldn't bring myself to look at Azriel's elegant features.

"How long have you known?" I breathed.

"When you were human, I always felt a connection to you. Like an invisible string was drawing me to you," he offered me a small smile and gently grabbed my clenched fists. "When you turned Fae, it was like everything clicked."

I scoffed in utter disbelief.

"You've known for weeks? And you're just now telling me?"

"I was waiting for the right time..." he mumbled.

I was frozen in pure shock.

Sure, I've always felt different and more comfortable around Azriel, but I thought it was because he was the only one that truly understood me.

I'm a spy- good observation skills are in the job description.

How was I so oblivious to something like this? And for so long?

"You're my mate," I whispered to myself.

Azriel nodded and gave a slight squeeze to my hands.

"Is it really that hard to believe," he laughed.

I sent him a glare which caused him to laugh even more and pull me into his arms.

I let out a breath of relief as strong arms wrapped around me and I felt him rest his chin on my shoulder.

"Just because you're my mate doesn't mean that I love you..." he whispered into my ear.

I took a step back and gaped at him in shock.

He chuckled again and pulled me into another embrace.

"I've always loved you. Even before I knew that you were my mate," he continued.

Love.

Azriel loved me?

"I love you too, Az" I said quietly.

I felt Azriel smile against my shoulder and tighten the hug.

"Finallyyy," a deep voice groaned.

Azriel and I jumped away from each at the sudden intrusion. There, in all his glory, sat Cassian sprawled on the couch. He continued watching us, popcorn in hand, and motioned for us to continue.

"Of course, it's Cass" I seethed.

"Where did he even get popcorn?" Az mumbled.

*A/N- Yay! Azriel told her!

Also, this is not the end! There is much more to come...

*cue the author's evil laughter*

Don't forget to comment ideas or things you would like to see in the future for Azriel, Lorelai, or the gang.

Thank you for reading! It's unbelievable that were already at 7K reads.

I love you all :)*