A Court of Shadows and Stars; Azriel

XXI

As my vision blurred back to normal, my jaw dropped in awe.

The Winter Court was made up of a series of elaborate buildings, all leading to one grand palace. Multiple steps, verandas, archways, and bridges linked the many towers and gilded domes together.

Frosted vines climbed up the pillars of neatly cut blocks of opaque stone, which strongly resembled that of ice.

Brilliant evergreens and snowy mountains peaked out from behind the extraordinary palace. The late evening caused the dying winter sun to accentuate the purity of the crystalline snow, as if it were a blank page for ones merriment.

Our group followed Rhysand and Feyre up the steps to where Kallias and Viviane were greeting the many guests flooding into their home.

We briefly greeted the High Lord and his wife before we were ushered into the crowd of the party.

I welcomed the warmth of the inside of the palace.

Two silvery stairs spiraled in each corner, no doubt leading deeper into the castle. A long cat-walk connected the two with winter jasmines hanging from the rails.

Everything was a glimmering silver, stark contrast to the Summer Court's gold decor.

Although they tried to hide it, it was blatantly obvious that the people whispering around us were talking about our group.

Unlike his best friend, who was bathing in the attention (*cough* Cassian *cough*), Azriel sinked into his shadows.

I internally gushed at his cute behavior and ruffled his ebony locks as he shyly sinked further into my side.

"Azriel," Cassian hissed, shooting yet another lady his signature wink. "Stop hiding behind Lorelai like she's your mother."

Azriel's ears turned pink and the Inner Circle erupted into laughter.

"Let's dance!" Mor cheered, quickly throwing back a glass of Fae wine and disappearing into the vast crowd.

Azriel and I both chuckled as Nesta smacked Cassian on the back of the head for checking an exotic dancer as she walked past.

Lucien and Elain fled to a corner farthest away from the crowd, Amren following them before turning to go up one of the spiraled staircases.

I pulled Azriel along after Feyre and Rhys, who joined Mor on the dance floor.

Azriel eyes widened and he shook his head, "Lore, you know that I can't dance..." The Illyrian whined.

I grabbed two glasses of wine off of a nearby platter, thanking the waiter and handing one to my mate.

"Neither do I," I shrugged, taking a sip of the sparkling liquid.

I probably shouldn't have, since it was my first time drinking the strong Fae drink, but I downed the rest of the sweet liquid.

Azriel sighed, taking only a couple of sips.

Suddenly the music started up, twirling around us like a thread and urging us to dance.

First the violins came in, then the piano, and then the slow and sure beating of a drum.

I couldn't count how many times we had stepped on each others feet, but we laughed each time.

Still, we continued to dance and spin. The lights twinkling with every step as Azriel delicately spun me around, my dress billowing out.

This was perfect.

Everything was perfect.

Our heels simultaneously glided along the ballroom floor and I grinned at the pressure of a warm hand on the small of my back.

Resting my head on his chest, our bodies swayed as the music slowed.

I looked up into the golden eyes which I had come to love.

"I love you," I told Azriel.

His eyes softened and he interlaced our fingers, sending a small squeeze to my hand, "I love you too, Lorelai. More than anything."

I leaned up and kissed him, sighing in content as the bustling party around us fell away.

"Want to go someplace more quiet?" I whispered in the shadow-singer's ear.

{3rd PoV}

Azriel gulped but nodded, his cheeks turning pink when he noticed Rhys and Cassian giving him a thumbs up from across the room. Never-the-less, the dark-haired male followed Lorelai.

At the bar, Mor and Feyre were gossiping over their friends' love-life.

"How do you think this is going to go down?" Feyre giggled the question to the blonde.

Mor put a finger to her chin and thought for a moment.

"Well, all of Azriel's hookups have been one-night stands with no feelings," Mor started. "Same with Lorelai."

"It's obvious that they are both... dominating to say the least. I mean it practically radiates off of the two of them." Feyre said.

Mor nodded vigorously, "The thing is, I can't see Az being anything other than gentle and sweet with Lorelai. He loves her too much and would be too worried about hurting her, but Lorelai on the other hand..." Mor trailed off.

Mor and Feyre smirked at each other and signaled the bartender for another round.

*A/N- Again, for now, I will not be writing smut. I am incredibly sorry, however, I may add it in the future.

So... What do you think happened next? Feel free to comment what you think ;)

I think Lorelai and Azriel had an innocent cuddling session...

But, I'll leave it up to your imagination *cue author's evil laughter* mHwAHaha~