Isn't it just so pretty to think all along there was some invisible string tying you to me? She was the heart of the Inner Circle-sunlight wrapped in quiet strength, always steady, always kind. But not his. Never his. At least, that's what Azriel told himself the moment the bond snapped into place... and he said nothing. He watched from the shadows, loving her silently, convinced he was too broken to be chosen. She kept smiling, kept hoping, never knowing why the male who always showed up was the same one who always pulled away. A story of two hearts quietly breaking beside each other... until one day, they didn't. One single thread of gold tied me to you.

Azriel had spent centuries believing that he of all people didn't deserve a mate. And if anything, the last three years had just galvinised that particular belief. And then he meets her. The first time Oriana met Azriel, she thought that he reminded her of a skittish cat. Shy and a little bit broken. Good for him that she absolutely excelled in fixing the things around her.

Nobody knew that Azriel found his mate. Until she nearly died. This is the aftermath.

*Set many years after ACOSF* (Nyx x OC) Belladonna Haven doesn't belong anywhere. She didn't belong in her family house with her abusive father and she didn't belong anywhere after her and her mother escaped. They would all stare at her gloved hands and wonder what secrets Bella was hiding. Her mother always told her three things. 1. Keep running 2. Never take the gloves off 3. Only steal from the wealthy Of course Bella was curious. So one day, she broke the most important rule... and regretted it ever since. Years later, she's still on the run, still keeping her gloves on, and still stealing from the wealthy. Unfortunately for her, she stole from the wrong kind of wealthy. Unfortunately for them, she was completely open to the idea of breaking rule number two. - Also: In this story I'm assuming that Gwyn and Azriel are mates. It won't affect the story too much, just a heads up for those who don't approve. - Rankings: #1 in Rhysand (May 2021) #1 in acotar (May-June 2021) #1 in Nyx (May-June 2021) #1 in Azriel (May 2021) #1 in Feyre (June 2021)