WARNING: This chapter does contain some lemons so if you're not comfortable with that, scroll down a ways and you should be safe.
Welcome back! This chapter is a bit long as I found it hard to find a good place to stop.
As always I do not own any characters from the original ACOTAR series but any other characters that are not from the book are my own, such as Lyra, Aqura, and Cian (who we meet in this chapter). Please enjoy!
Chapter 7
There was no one outside besides the night guards but I doubt even their vision could see me as I slowly made my way to the water, discarding my nightgown as I went. My toes touched the water and I could feel Tarquin being alerted to my being here. But he was most likely too busy with his mate to care.
The full moon illuminated more of my body than I really cared for it to but I had no qualms with my body, I have learned to love every scar and curve. I ran my fingertips over the top of the water, skimming and making random shapes as I made my way deeper.
I had waded out into the water a bit and was enjoying the silence when I heard Azriel's footsteps on the sand. I was wondering when he would join me. I kept my back to him, my hands palm down on the surface of the water as he made his way to me.
"Why did you take off your nightgown?" He asked.
"It would get in the way."
"Of what?" I looked over my shoulder at him and even though his tan body gleamed in the moonlight, I was certain he was still wearing his undershorts in the water.
"Of feeling." I whispered. "I don't want there to be any layers between us when I finally take you, Azriel." I felt his shock but more than that, I felt his lust. I turn to him and he remained respectful as he held my gaze instead of trailing downwards. I smile as I step closer and run my fingers over his shoulder and down his bicep. "Tarquin knows of everything that goes on in these waters, so be careful, Azriel, we wouldn't want him to be jealous. I heard rumors that you have the longest wingspan amongst your group." His blush was noticeable even in the darkness. "Why did you come out here tonight?"
"I can't seem to stop myself." He whispered.
"Then don't."
He gave me no warning as he gripped my face and kissed me, his mouth soft but he was pressing hard. My heart of fire melted, melted as he kissed me. I opened up for him and he kissed me in such a way that I knew exactly what he would do with that mouth further south. I pressed closer to him, my breasts pushing against his hard chest. I couldn't stop my hands from wandering, touching his back, his stomach, feeling up his sides and across the top bones of his wings. His body shuddered and he released such a beautiful sound into my mouth that my body heated and the water started to steam.
He parted to breathe but he kissed his way down my neck, sucking and pulling on my skin with his teeth making my toes curl. "Let me know if I get too hot." He nodded against my skin and then he was kissing me again, his hands finally meandering down my torso, brushing over my breasts but not stopping to admire them as his broad hands swept down my back in one movement, lifting me up by my ass up so I would wrap my legs around his waist.
"I am not fucking you in the ocean." Where Tarquin could witness everything I plan on doing to you. He took us to my room and laid me down on the bed, not caring that we were dripping wet. He hovered over me, his wings unfurled from his body as he kissed me deeply just once before he made his tour down my body. I growled and arched my body when he made a stop at my breast, his teeth pulling at my nipple. I scratched down his back in response and he seemed to purr. He showed the other breast the same treatment before moving even further south. He gave me one dark look, his face all lust and seriousness as he spread my legs even further to devour me.
I snarled so loud a vase shook as he licked the entire length of me before lovingly devoting his time to my sensitive bundle of nerves, his fingers circling my entrance while his other hand held my hips down. I forgot my name as he continued his ministrations, his fingers finally dipping into me, moving in and out slowly.
I whimpered, fucking whimpered as my release shattered me but he didn't stop, forcing me to a second release not long after the first. I released my grip on his hair, not realizing my hand had even ventured down to him.
He ran his mouth over my body as he crawled back on top of me but I rose on my knees, pressing hard against him, snarling as I ripped his undershorts off. I nipped at his neck, my hands memorizing every ripple and muscle on his stomach just before I firmly gripped him. He let out a snarl of his own at the touch and bit down a little too hard on my shoulder but I moaned and arched my back at the slight pain.
I kissed him and it was not gentle, teeth scraping, tongues battling, a frenzy of pent up emotions and lust. My free hand was around his back, my hand in his hair while my other hand stroked him up and down with precise strength.
His hands roamed down my arms and gently pushed so that I lay down on my back under him. He settled between my legs and I felt him brush against me and I hissed. I bared my teeth at him, more animal than Fae at the moment and his dark eyes answered my call as he slowly slid into me. I made a sound somewhere between a moan and a whimper and when he found his rhythm he kissed me, his tongue mimicking what his lower half was doing. We parted for air and I bit down on his shoulder, pulling his skin between my teeth and he hissed.
I was close, already so close but I knew I wouldn't be done with him for a long time. I moved my hips with him, flexing my inner muscles and it was his turn to hiss this time. He gripped my hips and moved them harder against him and he took one nip on a nipple and I was done, shouting his name. I kept my flames in check as I ran my fingers over his wings and his entire body shuddered against mine as he found his release.
He didn't remove himself from me as we laid there sloppily kissing, our bodies satiated. I stretched against him and he pulled back to watch my body, his hand sweeping across my body in one movement, a very male act. I felt him harden inside me in reaction and I held him closer to me in reaction, moving my hips, ready for round two.
We had several rounds that night. We moved to his bed at one point since mine was soaking wet from the ocean and fell asleep for a few hours but I happened to wake up to turn over and his naked, sleeping body was next to mine, his usually stern face relaxed and his mouth slightly open as his chest rose and fell with his breaths. The sheets barely concealed his glorious form. I moved and his arms immediately moved to keep me by him even in sleep, but I moved his hands away as I made my way down his body, my mouth tasting him. He woke up rather slow but I watched as his back arched and I swore it was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. His hands found my hair and twisted in it. And then his release came and I swallowed around him and a strangled noise came out of his beautiful, sinful mouth.
When I removed my mouth from him, he pounced, pulling me back to bed and showed me how grateful he was for the wakeup.
And then the sun was rising and I was sprawled out on his chest, drawing random spirals over his incredibly taunt chest. My flames purred at the rising sun and I leaned my face into the few rays that entered the room. I felt Azriel's fingers trace my jaw.
"You're the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." He whispered. I felt the blush burning high on my cheekbones and I opened my eyes to his face seeming reverent and peaceful as he gazed at me.
"I was just thinking the same thing about you." He gave me a small smile as he twirled a strand of my hair around his finger. "I didn't hurt you did I?" He shook his head.
"Did I?" I shook my head. I leaned down and pressed a kiss to the center of his chest. We could hear a couple servants clean out my room and we had to suppress our laughs as they were amazed by all the damage we did in our lust.
We waited until they were gone to get dressed for the day although Azriel did sent a shadow to flick my ass as I walked out of the room and he laughed as I squealed. I put on a grey tunic with matching pants and I was doing up my boots when Azriel walked in. He was dressed in all black as usual. He leaned against the doorway as I pulled up my hair, his eyes on my neck and the many marks he left on it.
"Later." I purred as I noticed his dilated pupils. He gave me a wicked grin and we walked hand in hand to breakfast which Tarquin was fast to notice but he made no comment on it all throughout breakfast.
The next few days were much the same, Azriel flying me through the skies, trying new foods by the docks, and making love as much as we could. We were giggling messes, always trying to steal kisses and brief touches. He made my heart swell with joy and that is something I hadn't felt in so long, if ever.
But of course, our paradise couldn't last long.
A week in to our vacation, a guard came in to the dining hall during breakfast, right as Tarquin's mate, Aqura, was telling a story about Tarquin and how they were interrupted during one of their first matings and instead of being a roaring mess like most males are, he turned bright red and begged their intruder, his cousin Varian, to leave, when a guard came in with an orange envelope on a silver platter.
I immediately stopped laughing.
Tarquin opened the letter and was silent as he read it. Azriel's hand was warm and strong in mine as I spoke. "What did my father say?"
"He knows you are here and he wants you to stop by Autumn and see him. Today."
I kept my face the picture of calm and serene but I was screaming on the inside. "I will need a new outfit." I announce. "One scandalous enough to embarrass my father." Aqura nodded. "He has counsel at noon today, let's interrupt it."
I left the breakfast table and I felt Azriel follow shortly after. We said nothing to each other for a long while until a guard brought by the dress Aqura lent me and I started to undress.
"I am coming with you." He stated. I just nodded. The gold of the dress reminded me of the night Rhysand bought me but shoved that to the back of my mind as Azriel buttoned me in. I slipped on the matching shoes and we walked out into the hallway.
"I will have guards send your stuff back to the Night Court." Tarquin offered.
"Thank you and thank you for your hospitality this week, it has been the best in my life." I gripped his hands and kissed the back of them in gratitude.
"Summer will always welcome you." I stroked his cheek and wondered for the last time what a life with him would have been like and I bade him goodbye as I took my hand back and placed it in Azriel's before winnowing to Autumn just outside the castle.
I took in a deep breath and felt the achingly familiar brisk air fill my lungs. My heart ached at the red, orange, and gold leaves forever in a state of falling, decay, and rebirth. The Forest House was made out of thousand year old trees, their roots still connecting the upper levels to the ground floor and the stained glass windows were nearly as ancient. I could hear the waterfall in the distance and I closed my eyes for a second as I took in all the sounds and smells and my body felt right at home. Home. I was home.
I ran my hand down Azriel's arm and he looked at me in concern but the look was gone as soon as I saw it. We made the final steps to the front door, Azriel just a step behind me. Half a thought and the front doors were swinging open and he followed me as I made my way to the counsel room. I saw one of my younger brothers on the way there and he gave me a wide eyed look before running off to tell Eris, no doubt.
I broke down my father's shields over the rooms as if it were nothing and then I was barreling into the room. I saw several familiar faces, some of whom were there to bid on me that fateful night and they shrank back at my accusatory glare. When I finally dragged my eyes to my father, he was red with fury.
"Out." He whispered and one by one his councilmen left. "That goes for the overgrown bat, as well." He hissed as he pushed himself off of his desk, taking the two steps to bring him in front of me but I did not cower as I rose my head to look up at him.
"He stays."
"I am your High Lord and I say he goes."
I bared my teeth at him. "You stopped being my High Lord the moment you put me up for auction." His fingers twitched but I knew he would not strike me with Azriel present.
"You think I am cruel for following tradition?" He hissed.
"Yes, for that and a thousand other reasons." I growled.
He did not break my glare as he spoke again. "Send Rhysand's bastard bat out of this room or I will do it for you." I saw movement and I didn't have to move to know it was Eris. He quietly stepped into the room.
"Perhaps this can be settled after lunch." He said, his voice soft, not wanting to upset father further.
My father turned on him with a snarl. "Go be a kissass somewhere else!"
Eris swallowed. "I am not leaving."
Father gave him a glare that I had never seen the intensity of before but Eris still stood his ground. Giving up, father turned that fearsome stare onto me.
"You are to come home. Rhysand has explained the situation and that little bastard wormed his way into the minds of my people as if I wouldn't notice so you are to come home and since your dues have been paid, I will not hold another Selection but you are to marry a respectable Autumn High Fae and stop wasting your genetics on this bastard of a male." He said gesturing to Azriel. How he knew about our relationship, I didn't know but I wouldn't let any surprise show on my face. I would not show weakness.
"You lost any right to tell me what to do the moment you told me you wanted to sell me like cattle. You have no right to tell me who and I can and cannot breed with." I stated, my voice low and dangerous.
"You are still my daughter." He hissed.
"As if that has ever mattered to you." His eyes simmered with rage at the insult. "Where was that sentiment when I was barely thirteen and you hit me for the first time because I was late for dinner because of dance practice, or the time you backhanded me not long after that because my flames burned brighter than Eris's? Where was that sentiment when I was greeting my brother after the war, the brother whose love you murdered, and you hit me for still loving him? Where was that sentiment when we were Under the Mountain and you stepped out of line because your ego was wounded and I suffered your consequences?" I was breathing heavy with fury and even my father could tell I was near the tipping point so I decided to break him before he could do the same to me. "As if you care so much for your children. Or your wife, who despises you for sending away her favorite son, the son she bore her true loveāthe High Lord of Day." He did not hold back his hand this time as he backhanded me across the face but my feet did not stumble. Azriel had Truth-teller in his hands and Eris's hands were engulfed in flames in response. I chuckled as I tasted the blood coating my teeth.
"And I thought the majority of your anger stemmed from the fact that you don't know for sure if you're going to have a male heir since my power is so strong, but it's actually because you're impotent and can't satisfy your wife any longer." Another slap but still I grinned. "I didn't know for sure about Lucien until I met Helion after the war but he smelled like Lucien so I asked mother to tell me the truth and she did. I never knew; Lucien had flames for his element so mother's genetics hold strong at least. That's why you couldn't kill Lucien, not only because it would look terribly awful if a High Lord murdered his son but because Lucien is the sole heir of the Day Court and if you were found out you would be killed. I imagine Helion would not take kindly to you killing his only child and heir." I wiped away a trickle of blood stemming from the skin that had cracked open on my cheek from his latest blow. "I wonder how long it will take mother to mourn you before crawling back to Helion. I wager, barely a week." His lips were raised and he was snarling but he didn't get to hit me a third time, instead his blow landed on Eris who stepped in front of me.
I was cradling Eris's bleeding face to my chest when I spoke again. "And yet you wonder why this place is no longer my home, not while you are its leader. So no, I will not be marrying an Autumn male of your choosing to have pure-blooded grandchildren for you to abuse. No, I will marry and fuck who I please."
"Your people will never accept that bat as your husband." He snarled, trying to get one last verbal jab in.
"Then they will not be my people." I whisper as I walk with Eris out of the room. "I will be here for two more days if you have anything more intelligent to say to me, father." We were all silent as we walk deeper into the Forest House for the Healer's Chambers.
The Healer on duty, Cian, looked surprised to see me walk in but he cleared off his table nonetheless. He was a young healer, compared to the others, but he was a rare male healer who showed much talent, so much so that my father ordered that he remain at the permanent residence of the High Lord.
Eris insisted that I go first. Cian didn't ask what or who had injured us; it was no secret that the Autumn Lord had quite a temper.
"Are the others with mother?" I asked my brother, wincing when Cian's magic touched my open wounds.
"Yes."
"It won't deter him but it makes me feel better knowing that they are with her."
I finally made myself look at Azriel and his eyes were dark and unreadable but his emotions were thrumming with fury. I gave him a small smile to show him I was okay. His eyes raked over my body, to the healing cuts, and then to the male healing me. Cian, is dreadfully attractive, so I could see why he might be jealous, but I felt nothing romantic towards Cian even though I have always been fond of him and his shyness.
I took Azriel's hand when Cian announced that my face was healed and then began to work on Eris. His fingers minutely trembled as he touched my brother's face.
"Why did you get him worked up, sister?" Eris asked, his bronze eyes ablaze.
"I am not his any longer and I will not be bred like some prize mare."
"You embarrassed him by intruding on his meeting, he will retaliate."
"He can try." I hissed with so much emotion behind it that Cian jerked back but Eris's hand kept him steady. Eris gave me a furious glare but I hissed at him and threw my hand down to the ground, my flames kissing the stone floor. "I do not need to explain myself to you."
He waved his hand between me and Azriel. "So this is what you are fighting for?"
"For my freedom and ability to choose whom I may love, yes. I do not expect you to understand. Any female you choose will be acceptable as long as she is High Fae but I have to have a stallion ready to breed."
"The more worked up you are, the more he wins, Lyra." He reminded me.
I sighed and my flames turned to embers in my veins. I took Azriel's hand. "Come, I will change and show you around." I left my brother in the capable hands of the healer, and I marked that Eris was still holding onto Cian's forearm.
I took Azriel into the heart of the fortress, noting the face of every servant I passed who saw us and would report back to my father.
Once inside my bedroom, I walked into my closet and began to change into a grey and silver tunic with matching pants. I had just done up my boots and was braiding my hair when I walked out and Azriel spoke.
"I almost killed him." He murmured.
"Eris would be jealous if you took that from him." Shadows were raging around his face and body and I stepped into his personal space to hold him. "I am not hurt, I am not upset, father will not see me until the very last moment before I am to leave, I am sure of it." I got on the tips of my toes and kissed him. "You showed me your home, allow me to show you mine." He gave me the barest of nods, his eyes still dark with anger but he allowed me to lead him back outside. To get to the ground, I had to lead him over the thick roots that lifted the upper levels off of the ground. Azriel was graceful by nature so he had no trouble keeping up on the uneven terrain but even he wobbled a few times as I led him through the trees, laughing as he chased me. The roots were so worn with age that all I had to do was slide down them to get to the ground, my feet automatically falling into the right position to ensure a smooth landing. Azriel, who saw and memorized everything I did, landed almost perfectly having stumbled just a tad after his feet found solid ground.
I wanted to tease him. Here he was, in Autumn, with me, and I wanted to show him everything. So I ran. I traipsed through the forest my body flying through the trees like a doe, my feet barely making a sound on the fallen leaves. We ran for miles and my laugh echoed throughout the ancient woods. We eventually reached my favorite waterfall, whose water fell from a cliff that jutted out several yards from the rest of the mountain. By the time the water hit the lake, it was foamed and white and when the light hit the falling water just right, a rainbow would erupt forth.
We stopped to admire the view and Azriel's calloused hand found mine. We didn't stay for long though, because I had temples to show him, stone structures full of history and magic. And then I took him to the Rock of Lords, a large flat rock where every High Lord has been initiated through a performance made of fire.
"Every High Lord, once they have obtained the power, must perform the Rite. My father has done it, his father, and his father all the way back to the Creation of Prythian and the settlement of this court. I'm sure Eris is perfecting it as we speak."
"Do you know it?"
"Yes, all the children of the Autumn High Lord must know it but the weaker ones who know that they will never be High Lord as long as their siblings are alive allow themselves to forget it, but every year, a teacher goes over it again with me to make sure I do not forget. Eris does the same." I step forward, my foot touching the rock. "They wear the most fantastic clothing, all bright reds and golds and gold paint arched across your skin in rays of suns and fires and afterwards you are officially crowned and the new High Lord sends a wave of blue fire over his entire realm to signify a new era of prosperity and health." Azriel gives me a look of sentimentality and hope.
"How do you know what they look like?"
"My father performed it for us when we were young."
"Can you perform it for me?"
I gave him a sly look and he gave me a small bow, waving his arm before him, encouraging me to dance for him.
I wrung my hands. "I-I don't know if I should. This is a sacred sight and I am not High Lady."
He gave me a small smile. "I understand."
I turn to look at the rock, memories of my father performing the dance for us replaying in my mind, his fire bright and hot as he spun and stomped. I remember thinking the earth rotated at his command and when he stomped the ground, fire sparking in every direction, that he was the most powerful thing I had ever experienced at my young age. I was mesmerized by the dance and by my father, at the harshness and the beauty contained in him.
"We are the reason the humans fear to dance with the Faeries. When we kept humans here, we would bid them to dance and dance until their feet tore to ribbons and they fell to the ground only to die. I was terribly young then, barely a young girl. The war was a year away but I danced with these humans for days until the music would stop and their bodies were coating the ground, my feet stained with their blood. I didn't need alcohol to take me to another plane of existence, I had dancing and I was quite good at it, even at that age and I had the humans, who were dying from blood loss, urge me to keep dancing even as they urged me to let them stop or to let them keep going, then to stop, then to continue. The music is enchanting, and the Faeries dancing to it even more so. But only the High Lord can allow them to stop and he never did. They were the entertainment, after all.
"I remember weaving flowers and leaves into my hair, getting ready all morning with mother just to dance the day, sometimes even the week away. I was young but I should have known that what my father was allowing was wrong, but the humans were so warm and so fragile and I was curious and strong, growing into my powers more and more as my bleeding came. I want time to be like that again. Not about the humans dying at my feet part, but the dancing and the happiness and the innocence. I want that again. I know Autumn is about decay and change and Spring, our counterpart, is about rebirth and innocence, but I swear that there is nothing more innocent than dancing for days on end with just the music pounding in your veins keeping you rooted to the ground."
"It will be like that again, one day."
"I hope my brother will be a good leader. I think he will."
He said nothing and I knew what thoughts he held about my brother but he took my hand anyway and pulled me into an embrace. The sun was setting now and he pulled back a little to look at me, at the sun's red glow framing my hair, making it look like it was living flames.
"Cauldron, you're beautiful."
I blushed and his fingers traced lightly on my cheekbones as I tangled my fingers into the hair at the base of his neck and pulled him down to kiss me.
Kissing Azriel in Autumn was like the water from the waterfall finding their place amongst the lake beneath, settling and swaying in perfect harmony. We were two ancient oak trees whose roots had intertwined and leaves brushed against each other in gentle remembrance.
Is this what love felt like?
I pulled away from him with a light gasp, my lips still swollen from his kiss. I touched his face, wanting direct contact with him before I searched his emotions. And right there. Right there. A kernel of light so bright it blinded me.
"I think I love you, Azriel." I watched his face for any minute negative change but his face remained the same as I felt that kernel grow and grow until I thought it would combust. I think he was at a loss for words because he just kissed me again and I took that for answer enough as I threw myself into the kiss, my arms around his neck and a soft moan in the back of my throat.
He hugged me to his body, his large hands splayed out on my back. He kissed his way down my neck, nipping occasionally and I groaned as I pulled on his hair. "So I guess this settles which room you'll be staying in tonight?" I asked. He growled against my neck and I squealed as I laughed. He picked me up and spun me around and I threw my head back as I laughed with utter and complete joy. When he set me back down, he kissed me one more time before speaking.
"I love you. I think I've loved you ever since I saw you on the battlefield that day."
"And I saved your ass?" I asked with a giggle. He smiled and playfully swatted me. I leaned against him, his arm holding me to his waist but I leaned back so I could look at him, my hand on his neck, rubbing at the soft skin there. "I can't believe I'm going to be fucking my new boyfriend under the same roof as my father and brothers." He raised an eyebrow. "I'm not waiting until we get back to the Night Court to fuck you again." He smirked as he growled.
We slowly made our way back to the Forest House. We got food at some of the small villages we passed through sampling roasted pork, pecan tarts, and apple pastries. We didn't speak about how we would not be welcome at family dinner together.
Thank you for reading!
As always your lovely comments are always welcome!
I have loved reading the comments, it makes me so incredibly happy that you are enjoying my story and my writing style.
This is me sounding off until next week! See all you beautiful souls then!
