About Last Night
Y/n goes on her first date with her mate, Azriel. The night does not end as planned… (Fluff/teasing/shy Azriel and of course a Cassian ambush!)
Let me know if you like it and should I do a part 2???
You sighed at you reflection.
11 dresses later and you still weren’t sure what to wear.
Black was too safe and you wore it all the time. But so did Azriel…did that make it too boring to wear it on your first date? White didn’t fit the dinner aesthetic for the evening. You had already tried on every shade of pink you owned and weren’t convinced those dresses would be good enough either.
And the only blue dress you owned had a rip along the seam from getting snagged on a bookshelf and you hadn’t gotten around to sewing it yet. If you had more money and time you would have bought a new dress for the evening.
But unlike the inner circle Azriel was a part of, you lived a simple, normal life.
Your small cozy cottage in Velaris was perfect for you, it had all the comforts you could ever need. You ran a small but successful bookstore in the heart of the city. You had been asked for years why you never expanded into a larger shop but you enjoyed the small, intimate shop you owned. It wasn’t about a profit, it was about the love of books, sharing knowledge and ideas, and making connections in the city.
You glanced at the clock hanging on the wall in your tiny kitchen.
You only had 10 minutes to finish getting ready and meet the Night Court’s infamous Shadowsinger by the Sidra. Groaning loudly you turned around and began rustling through the gowns you half hazardously tossed on your bed. Picking up a forest green gown you held it up against your frame and looked in the mirror.
“It’ll have to do” you muttered.
After changing, running a brush through your hair, and finishing up the final touches on your makeup you made your way out the door.
As you quickly walked through the streets of Velaris you couldn’t help but think about what a crazy 24 hours it has been.
It was a normal evening in Velaris, you were unpacking boxes of books that had been donated to your shop from Gwyn. Duplicates of books from the Priestess library that they did not need and wanted to be made available for the customers of your shop.
You enjoyed Gwyn’s company. The bubbly redhead had only introduced herself to you a few weeks before, now that she began adventuring more and more into the city and she stumbled upon your hole in the wall bookstore.
You found Gwyn’s stories to be fascinating. You knew of the High Lord and Lady, even attended a city-wide celebration for Nyx’s first birthday. Listening to Gwyn talk about your High Lord and Lady and the rest of the inner circle felt like you were reading a captivating novel. As she visited more and more you began to pick up on the inner circles personalities. Like how Cassian was a goof who loved to prank and get laughs from anyone nearby. Amren was frightening but also seemed to have a strong moral compass when it came to people she cared for. The High Lady’s sisters seemed polar opposites from the other.
And then there was Azriel. Unreadable, mysterious, but as beautiful inside as he was on the outside.
Well you didn’t get all of that from Gwyn. Though you could tell she had some affection for the Ilyrian, the way he always came up in her stories. Truth be told you had seen him around the city over the centuries. Never close enough to speak or for him to know you existed but he was hard to miss. His beautiful black wings that you couldn’t help but wonder if they felt as soft as they looked. His tan skin and his tussled dark hair. You never would know how his wings or his hair felt of course, you would likely never speak him even though you lived in the same city. After sighting Azriel in the city you would think of him the rest of the day. But you were literally world’s apart.
That was until the bell above your door rang as a customer entered.
“I’ll be out in a second!” You called from the back of the shop. Gently placing the stack of books from the box on the counter for now..
Satisfied that the pile wouldn’t immediately fall over, you turned around and made your way to the front of the shop.
Standing in the entry way was a large Ilyrian male. But not just any male. Azriel. The spymaster himself.
He looked slightly out of place in your tiny store, his broad shoulders seemed even larger in here and his wings were tucked in tight trying to conserve the little space he had.
He was stunning. This close you could see how his eyes were truly hazel. Not brown or green but a beautiful mix of colors swirling together to make one unique shade just for him. Your eyes flickered to his lips, they were full and soft. You couldn’t help but imagine how they would feel all over you.
As your gaze shifted down his neck and to his strong muscular arms you noticed that tucked under one of his arms was a large box.
“Are you y/n?” He asked, his cheeks were tinted pink and his eyes were a bit wider than when you first looked at him a second ago. He looked surprised and in awe.
His voice quickly brought you back to reality and you realized he had caught you checking him out. How embarrassing.
Your face flushed and you looked down, running a hand through your hair, suddenly very conscious of how you looked right now, in a simple black dress probably covered dust from the old books you were unpacking. You cleared your throat and quickly brushed your hands down the front of your gown before clasping your hands together.
“Yes that is me, how can I help you sir?” You answered quickly, daring to meet his gaze.
His eyes softened and he stared at you. Not speaking for a whole minute but just staring. You stared back. You didn’t care that no one was speaking or if someone walked in they would think you were involved in a staring contest. You were mesmerized by him. And he seemed to be mesmerized by you.
Then all of a sudden a slow smile began to curve up those gorgeous lips.
“Gwyn asked me to drop off this last box, she was unable to escape her duties with the other priestess’s and asked me this morning at training if I was available to help. And please, y/n, just call me Azriel”
You swallowed again your cheeks still flushed and heart racing so loud you were sure he could hear it.
“Of course! Thank you so much for coming all the way, please tell Gwyn thank you as well, and I will just take those from you I’m sure they’re heavy. Well not for you of course! You’re so strong — I mean you look so strong — well I don’t mean to suggest I am looking at you or your muscles— well I mean of course I’m looking at you, I have eyes duh!”
You quickly placed a hand over my mouth to physically force yourself to stop rambling. Your eyes were wide and were almost positive Azriel was holding back laughter.
Oh great you thought. Now he’s going to think I’m insane and go back to the inner circle where they’ll all get a good laugh.
Azriel bent over and gently placed the box down on the ground next to your step ladder that you had left out to finish restocking books before closing tonight.
He took a step closer and that was when the most intoxicating scent hit you. Your hand lowered from your mouth and were too distracted by the scent to notice Azriel moving another step closer.
Cedar….and mist? Your eyes flickered closed for a second while you inhaled the scent again. Yes, cedar and mist.
That smell was new, nothing you had smelled before, but yet it felt old and so familiar. Then you realized it smelled like home.
Your eyes shot open. He was already staring at you but you noticed how his nostrils flickered, he was smelling you too.
Now you thought your heart really might explode. You just stood there completely frozen in place. Staring at this gorgeous male, the High Lord’s most trusted spy, who was your mate.
He tilted his head, looking down at you. He didn’t look disgusted you realized. No, he looked intrigued and…amused?
So maybe he wasn’t just going to reject you right now and walk out of your store.
Azriel took another step closer, this step smaller than the last a bit cautious. His eyes flickered from your lips back to your eyes.
He swallowed. He was nervous, you realized. You could feel the wave of nerves that weren’t your own rush through you.
He smiled softly down at you. His smile could end wars and make the moon look boring.
“Would you want to get dinner with me tomorrow?”
You smiled as you walked down the cobblestone leading to you destination.
That was when you saw him. Gods he was perfect. Azriel stood, leaning against a tree, gazing out at the Sidra seeming completely at peace.
Until you got closer and noticed the way his shadows swirled around him. They seemed anxious and restless.
Just then a cool whisper traveled up your arm, gliding up your neck and landing on a cheek. As if saying hello it gently caressed your cheek, sending a shiver down your spine as its cool touch.
You cleared your throat, the shadowsinger spun around and his expression was of pure surprise as he saw you and then spotted his stray shadow.
“I am so sorry y/n, they’ve never done that to anyone” he quickly rushed to say, walking toward you.
The shadow reluctantly left your cheek but not before giving it one more cool swish, like a kiss, and slithering back to its master.
“It didn’t bother me” you replied, smiling softly at him to ease his worries. It was true, they didn’t scare you.
He breathed a sigh of relief and stood up a bit straighter, seemingly to collect himself.
Extending his arm to you, which you gladly accepted (honestly just grateful for the support and for an excuse to be closer to him) he led the two of you away from the Sidra and deeper into the city.
He took you to a beautiful restaurant that had a wonderful view of mountains, somehow they seemed so bright even this late in the evening. The stars shined off of them and the view plus the handsome male across from you that was in fact your mate was an added bonus. You were in heaven.
While you both were clearly nervous, it was so easy to talk to Azriel. You were elated that the spymaster even laughed at your witty jokes and quick sense of humor.
He seemed to relax as the evening progressed, even daring to take his napkin and wipe some sauce off your cheek. Your cheeks were probably burning red but you couldn’t help but grin at the affectionate side Azriel was displaying.
He asked about your bookstore, your hobbies, your dreams and desires. It felt weird to spend so long talking about yourself, you hardly ever did. But Azriel seemed so curious and genuinely interested in everything you shared.
You tried to get him to open up about his past but he seemed to only focus on the present. You didn’t push him though, you had heard stories of the young Ilyrian tormented by his peers. Left with scarred hands and shadows.
You hadn’t seen his hands yet, not up close. He worse black leather gloves covering them up. It made you frown, thinking he covered them to hide a part of himself from you. You wondered if he would let you remove the gloves one day, so you could kiss every scar on his hands to hopefully ease the pain that remained.
After your dinner the two of you walked through the Rainbow, chatting about Azriel’s brothers and the silly but utterly adorable traditions they had picked up over the centuries together.
You felt at peace with Azriel. Like everything suddenly made sense. You felt at home.
Your whole life you were alone, your father was gone before you were born and your mother died in childbirth. You were raised by an older fae couple who were artists in the city. They had passed centuries ago. While they raised you as best they could and you considered them your family, being with Azriel felt like you had found a part of yourself you were missing your entire life.
He was your equal. Your partner. You complimented one another. He was your mate.
Azriel and you had stopped walking and you were enjoying some of the art displayed against a brick wall when the sound of wings flapping and howling had you both stop and look up into the sky.
Suddenly a large Ilyrian landed right in front of you and Azriel, scaring some artists who were admiring a new exhibit.
“Sorry!” Cassian called over to them, a handsome grin on his face. The artists simply smiled politely and nodded, clearly used to the general’s antics.
Azriel narrowed his eyes, tightening his grip on your arm slightly.
“Brother, what are you doing here?” He asked tightly, his gaze flickering to you and then quickly back to his brother.
But Cassian ignored Azriel completely. And instead he grinned at you.
“Pleasure to meet you, you must be y/n! I’m Cassian, wow Azriel has not stopped talking about you since he met you yesterday. You are just as pretty as he said you were. Well he said the most beautiful female I have ever laid eyes on, but close enough right?” He grinned like a cat, absolutely not missing the groan from Azriel or the way he rubbed his face and sheepishly looked down at you.
Before you could say a word, Azriel let go of your arm, giving you an apologetic look and in 2 steps had the generals arm in his grasp.
“Cassian. What do you want?” He gritted through his teeth, stress and nerves clearly coming through the bond to you.
“Relax brother, I am here to invite you and your lovely new mate to Rita’s, everyone is there and I have been sent here to personally invite the two of you to join. The message comes from Feyre herself!” He replied, rolling his eyes in your direction and mouthing “dramatic” which you couldn’t help but giggle at.
“No no no—“ Azriel began to say, shaking his head
But you couldn’t help but interrupt, your curiosity getting the better of you.
“I like Rita’s” you softly said, shrugging your shoulders.
While you would prefer to be alone with Azriel for the remainder of the evening, preferably alone in your cabin ripping off his clothes … you were also very curious about the inner circle. These were Azriel’s closest friends, his family. And they are inviting you, your high lady, was inviting you to meet them.
Azriel turned to face you, a conflicted expression in his face. You attempted to send something through the bond. Though you weren’t exactly sure if you did it right. You thought soothing, comforting, and positive thoughts and tried to picture it being thrown into Azriel’s chest.
It appeared to work when the nervous lines on his forehead smoothed and he looked at you now with a soft smile in your direction.
“Fine” he nodded, “but no karaoke!”
Cassian clapped his hands loudly and laughed so hard if you hadn’t witnessed it yourself you would have thought there was a small earthquake.
“Oh my silly sulking brother” he laughed, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and grinning at you again “we already cued up a duet for you and your cute new mate.”
Groaning again, Azriel covered his face with his hand, barely masking his own smile.
“See you both there!” Cassian bellowed before taking off into the sky.
Azriel shook his head and walked over to you, taking your hands in his gloved covered ones and softly rubbed the top of your hands.
“It’s not too late to bail” he sheepishly. Looking down at your joined hands.
You smiled, taking one of your hands and placing it under the spymasters chin, forcing him to look at you.
“And miss an opportunity to see you sing? Absolutely not. I couldn’t ask for a better first date than to see the infamous, mysterious, and dangerous Shadowsinger belt out some tunes in a tiny bar” you grinned at him.
He returned your grin pulling you close into his chest, his arms wrapped around you.
Resting his chin on top of your head you stayed there for a moment. Listening to his heart beat. It was beating fast like yours.
“I am blessed to have met you, my mate. My only regret is that I did not meet you sooner. But I look forward to courting you until you decide to choose me. Not because the Cauldron fated us to be together, but because you want to be with me. And I will be waiting for you, to be here for you for eternity. To care for you, protect you, and always be with you.” he murmured softly.
Tears began to fill your eyes. And you tightened your grip around his waist as best you could given how close you two already were squished together.
“I look forward to it, my mate” you whispered back, lifting your head toward him.
Leaning his head down slowly, his eyes searching if it was okay, your lips met. And Gods it felt like fireworks exploding.
Your lips fit perfectly with his. It was slow and sensual, your body was absolutely glowing with happiness and of course arousal. The bond felt like it was bursting inside of you and you were certain Azriel felt it too.
You couldn’t help but gently bite his lower lip when he began to pull away, causing a groan to escape from the spymaster. He returned your nibble with his tongue flickering over your lips until you opened your mouth to let him inside.
After your tongues battled for dominance and Azriel absolutely won, you pulled away from each other. Both of you panting softly, your eyes wide.
“If we don’t go now he’s going to come back” Azriel said roughly, almost angry that he had to stop kissing you.
You nodded in agreement and stepped away from him slightly. Trying to get some air back into your lungs to calm down your hormones.
Grabbing your hand, Azriel squeezed it gently and smiled at you.
“If we hurry up and go now, we can sing quickly and then I’ll still be able to walk you back to your place and kiss you some more” he smirked at you, pulling you toward the street that would bring you to Rita’s. You giggled and basically had to jog to keep up with his quick pace.
This was indeed a great first date.
