"I still think I should stay down here tonight." He nodded. "Though I doubt you'll have any visitors after that."

She watched him closely, unable to forget the warmth of his hands and the gentle way they had moved against her skin. The right words failed her, so she sighed and ignored the ache in her to continue from where they had been interrupted. "I'll get you a blanket."

Slowly, she climbed up the stairs. With unrushed and trembling hands, she touched her mouth, thinking of how soft his lips had felt. She forced herself to shake away the thought, grabbing a thick blanket and her only pillow before descending the stairs. She found the Shadowsinger in the kitchen, greedily gulping a glass of water.

"Thank you." Her voice broke the silence, causing him to look at her. For a brief second, she was taken aback by the warmth with which his eyes watched her.

He quickly looked away. "For what?"

"Out there, earlier." She set down the pillow and blanket.

He shook his head. "That was entirely you."

"I mean how ready you were in case something went poorly. It helped give me the courage to address them, knowing that you were there beside me."

He nodded, refusing to look at her. "I did nothing."

They both knew that wasn't entirely true, despite the forced avoidance of his gaze. Nesta abhorred the painful grip of her gut but was too familiar with such disappointment to bring it to light. "Goodnight."

"I'm sorry." He said in a husky whisper.

Nesta turned. "For what?"

"For earlier," His shy gaze finally looked her way. "I shouldn't have-"

"Don't." She warned. "Don't apologize for that, even if you are sorry." He felt ashamed to realize he wasn't; not in the slightest.

"Why?"

"Because I'm not." Nesta spoke proudly, the full weight of the night falling from her thoughts, becoming insignificant in the comparison of his kiss. "I don't want to hear you're sorry for something I wanted, even though you regret it."

He approached slowly. "I don't regret it."

"But you're sorry?"

"Because I shouldn't have kissed you."

"Why not?"

Cassian was his first thought, though he knew his brother had lost any chance to be with Nesta the moment he gave up on her after the war. "It's too complicated."

Nesta could feel it, the hesitance in his words, the pull of his blood, the focus in his eyes. She wasn't the only one who wanted it. "It seems I was right. You are no minor obstacle." She stepped closer. "So, my desire is irrelevant."

He wanted to touch her, could feel the ache bellowing in his blood. "There are some things more important than desire." She could hear the fight in his voice fading.

"Duty? Dedication to someone else's vague and baseless claim? Or is it loyalty that stops you?"

He shook his head, his voice almost pleading with her. "I can't."

"Then don't." She replied defiantly as her fiery gaze sparked something within his own. "If it's possible to turn away, then you should, but don't look at me like that and don't make my chest ache when you say my name." The indignance in her voice was level, reasonable and it tore at him as he moved closer. She was tired of opening up and feeling so deeply to find only more disappointment, just as he had once felt before knowing her. She continued, anger threatening to spike her voice. "And don't-"

"Kiss you?" He interrupted, unable to stop himself from reaching out, his bandaged hand gently caressing her chin so she would meet his eyes.

She nodded, a softness cushioning her breathy exhale in a way that made him feel drunk; entirely intoxicated and hypnotized by the thrashing sound of her heart as it perfectly echoed the beating in his chest. "Don't kiss me…" she agreed, her sight magnetized to his lips for a moment before hungrily returning to his eyes. "If you find it that easy to stop yourself."

'Easy?' He wanted to laugh. Nothing could be further from the truth, not when he could taste her hesitant, honeyed breaths mingling with his own. He could feel her desire building, mirroring his in a staggering way that thrilled and excited him. He felt a validation looking into her eyes, finally seeing that there never was any flaw in his affection; it could be, it was returned.

Her exhales were tight, strained by a tether in the depths of her gut and it caused his to clench in delectable agony.

Without a thought, his restraint thoroughly crumbled at her soft utterance of his name, special and sacred, the way only she could make it sound. "Azriel," and not another word was spoken as he claimed her lips.

His initial contact was firm and strong, but a thoughtful caution charged his touch as if the need behind his action nearly took him by surprise. Nesta too was baffled by her behavior, unable to stop herself from moaning softly into his mouth as he pulled her to him.

She'd been kissed before, more times than she could count, but never like this. She could recall clumsy clashing of lips as desperate as her own had been, determined to distract their individual emptiness for a brief and shallow solace. It had never been more, as it was now.

She wasn't merely a want that diverted his blood, nor a need to devour. He tasted her mouth as if driven by an ache that only she could soothe. And for all their shared, unspoken pain, she yearned to mend it for him.

His lips were soft, inquisitive and patient, exploring the feel and taste of her. Her hands pressed to his chest, her nails clutching at the luxurious leather beneath them. Never had she experienced such indescribable comfort, nor a touch so tender.

Azriel basked in the feel of her strong form writhing pleasantly against him. Something nagged in his gut and he knew he never wanted to let go of her, of this moment. It scared him and he reluctantly pulled away from her lips. All he needed to confirm his own realization was see the shy, breathless affection looking back at him.

"Nesta," he began gently, feeling the ache within her chest in response to his address. She tensed as if waiting for the letdown and he regretted the way it shielded her expression, her fortified guard always patiently waiting at the ready. It sickened him; he never wanted to see the trust fall from her eyes when she looked at him. He couldn't disappoint her just as everyone else had and he would never fail her as his brother did. He reached out his other hand, caressing her cheek, while the tips of his fingers disappeared in the satin cascade of her golden tresses. "Trust when I say it isn't easy to stop. I don't want to, but I can't continue in a secret." His bandaged hand grabbed hers, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles.

She watched him closely, still wanting to feel his attentive lips charming her own, despite the rejection she tensely expected to come from them.

"Neither of us are so dishonest; I don't want to start now, not with this, with you."

"Is this about Cassian?"

He could see in her eyes that she didn't want to ask, didn't want to sour the emotion with that name. She had truly let go of his brother, though he wasn't sure the same could be said for the indelicate General.

"Not entirely," He sighed his concession. "But yes." Nesta's eyes sharpened and he knew the words she wanted to speak before they left her mouth. "He may not be owed an explanation," She nodded, still holding his hand fiercely in her own. "But we owe it to ourselves and each other," His other hand played with her hair gently. "To be honest, not discover one another in secret." He couldn't be with her that way, not when he knew he needed her entirety, not some fraction partaken like an indulgence. This was infinitely more than that.

She nodded. "I understand." A thought crossed her eyes. "Come." She kept her grip on his hand, grabbing the pillow and blanket with her free one. She led him up the stairs.

He looked at her bed and then at her. "Are you sure you understand?" There was a slight levity tangling itself in his tone.

Nesta bit her lip with a soft smirk. "The windows are broken in down there; one blanket won't suffice and this," She gestured with her hand. "Is the only pillow I own."

"And you were going to give it to me?"

"I was, but I'm hoping you wouldn't mind sharing it with me."

He watched her with warm eyes and she felt her insides melt. "Are you asking me to sleep with you?"

She tried to ignore the way the warmth started to move down her body at his words and gave him an abrupt nod. "There's enough room for both of us."

He could see no innocent deception or trickery looking back at him and though he knew it would be a true test of his willpower to not make a move, a large part of him was elated with her offer, with the idea of sleeping beside her. He nodded. "I'd like that."

A shy smile pulled at her lip and she finally let go of his hand, placing her pillow in its usual spot and unfolding the blanket to toss on her bed. Nesta encouraged him to lay down first and become situated with his large wings. He was quick to disrobe his midsection, gently placing his top layer of fighting leathers and sword on the end table beside her bed. Leisurely, she joined him, ignoring the reckless beat of her heart at the sight of his strong and muscular tan chest, knowing that she couldn't slow it down even though nothing would progress between them this night.

Azriel awoke gently, noting the way his head was in a constant motion of rise and fall. He opened his eyes to see that at some point in the night, he had moved even closer to Nesta. It seemed he had ignored her request to share the pillow with her and opted to use her as one instead. Her hand had wrapped itself in his short hair as he slept on her stomach. Her steady heartbeat sounded throughout her body and the tempo was the most serene percussion he'd ever heard.

He couldn't think of any incentive to move from that spot as he pulled her closer. The movement caused her to hum and stretch herself awake. "Good morning." Her voice had a charming huskiness to it that prodded a grin from him.

"It really is." He turned his head to look at her. "So much for sharing that pillow of yours."

She began playing with his hair. "That would be your fault, Shadowsinger."

"My apologies." He said without the slightest hint of contrition.

"Enough apologies from you, Azriel." She sighed contentedly as she shielded her eyes from the rising sun while it began to peak through the window. "Regardless of how hollow they appear to be." He laughed lightly against her stomach.

"They're only hollow when I'm apologizing for this." He brought himself closer to her, now wrapping his long arm around her midsection. "Yet, it seems I might have one more to recite today."

Her hand stopped its movements in his hair. "When?"

"I have to talk to Cas-"

"I know." She gently turned his head to look at her again. "But how much longer do I have of this?"

Azriel could feel an incredible lightness in his chest to hear the affection in her tone. She wanted him there and even duty wasn't enough to make him disappoint her. "I'd like to leave before sunset, but until then I'm yours."

Her hand touched his face gently. "And after?"

Exhaling, Azriel forced himself to sit up. She followed suit and he took her hand in his, quickly kissing it when tension started to touch her brow. "Before I have that conversation, I don't want to leave things unspoken with you." She nodded. "This is not some flirtation or shallow dalliance. I-" He affectionately rubbed his hands down the length of her arms, unsure of the adequate words to make her see how she'd been the main claim to his thoughts for weeks or how her smile made his heart race and her kindness warmed his chest. "I want this, I want you," He ceased his nervous movement and settled on holding her hands in his own. It was impossible to not feel anxious, even when the strong grip of her hands proved the reciprocation of his feelings. "To be my home."

For the first time in years, Nesta was speechless for fear that her words would be redundant. He knew exactly how she felt and even more, it was entirely mutual. "If that's what you want," She patted his hands and stood. "Then let's christen this place." He looked at her with a suggestive brow. She shook her head. "I know you have your code, which I respect. I meant something more innocent."

"Such as?"

"Let's go make breakfast." He smirked at her. "What? I'm hungry." Though she was famished for much more than food, she wouldn't say as much, not with him still in her bed, looking incredibly delicious and well-built with charmingly mussed hair.

"Breakfast it is." He stood and quickly dressed.

As they began to descend the stairs, Nesta could hear knocking against the front door. Kale's face peaked through one of the broken windows and he turned his head to murmur something. Velara immediately nudged him over and gawked at the sight of Nesta and Azriel walking down the stairs that led directly to her bedroom. Her sweet, freckled face disappeared and the knock at the door returned, even more insistent.

Nesta laughed and looked over her shoulder at Azriel. He put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her temple, pushing them both in the direction of her eager friend. "Double date it is then." He said playfully, causing her to laugh again.

She took in a deep breath before opening the door. Velara immediately launched into her arms. "Are you okay?" She pulled away and looked over Nesta.

"Easy." Kale warned Velara, watching her closely.

"I'm fine." She shrugged off his concern.

Nesta noted the interaction. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She insisted again. "Kale's just being cautious because-"

"She's had a bad morning, but when I told her what I overheard at the market an hour ago, she was determined to come check on you."

"And I made it here okay, did I not?" She challenged the male beside her.

"What did you overhear?" Azriel asked, bringing three pairs of eyes on him.

"About the damage to Haven and then a mob visiting you last night." Velara huffed, entirely upset at the thought. "I knew I should've come yesterday, even if we were closed."

Nesta shook her head. "I wouldn't have wanted you here for all of that. It would've made me too anxious."

Kale nodded. "It seems it was for the best. I heard a lot of talk about you and none of it too bad."

"Define 'too bad'."

"Many folks are still afraid, but I think your speech quelled most of their fears." He answered.

Nesta sighed. "Well, that's the best I could've hoped for. Even if it takes some time, I know I can earn their trust back."

"Well, you already have mine." Velara said proudly.

Nesta smiled, remembering how Velara had looked at her before leaving that day. "That means more than you know." She grabbed her friend's hand. "We were just about to make breakfast, do you both want to join us?"

Kale nodded. "First I'd like to take a look at these windows."

"I'll help you with that." Azriel offered. "You know they destroyed our sign too."

"A shame." Kale said. "I could make a new one in no time."

Azriel shook his head, sparing a quick look back at Nesta, who smirked at him before heading to the kitchen with Velara. "It's kind of our project."

"I get it." The woodworker nodded with a smirk.

Nesta pulled out some eggs and bacon, humming around the kitchen as Velara watched from her spot at the stool, where she sat only to appease Nesta's fierce insistence. "What happened?"

Nesta didn't try to feign ignorance as she shrugged. "I promise not what you think."

"So, you didn't sleep with Azriel?"

"Oh, no. I definitely did." Velara opened her mouth, but Nesta continued. "Literally. He offered to stay after seeing the mess last night and then insisted after the crowd came."

"Did he need to sleep in your bed?"

"No," Nesta shook her head. "But I wanted him to."

"Again, I ask, what happened?" Velara's impatience was completely transparent.

Nesta tried to shake off the shy expression she could feel plastered across her face. "We kissed and we talked and…" She cut herself off. "I can't get rid of this ridiculous smile."

"He's having just as hard a time of it as you are."

"What?" Nesta asked, turning to see her friend peaking her head out of the kitchen.

"He's smirking like a lovestruck fool." She looked back at Nesta with a smile.

"It takes one to know one, Velara." She accused.

She shrugged, not bothering to argue. "So, you kissed? Is that all?" Nesta nodded. "Why?"

The blonde sighed. "Because he's a slave to honor."

Velara snorted. "Is he wanting to protect your chastity?"

She shook her head. "Hardly and if he was, he'd be a few months late in that regard."

"Then why?"

"He wants to tell his brother about us first."

"Close family?"

She shook her head again. "No, well, yes, but that's not why. There used to be something there. Cassian and I had some unspoken attraction that amounted to less than nothing after the war. Azriel doesn't want us to begin anything in secret."

"But he wants something to begin?" Nesta nodded and blushed. "And you?"

She released a hefty exhale. "I never knew that I could feel so strongly about someone without anxiety that I would mean nothing to him. Azriel is…" she searched for the right word and quickly realized that one wouldn't be enough to describe just who he was, what he had come to mean to her. "Warmth and goodness. I've never met anyone more deserving and I can't quite believe that he wants me."

"I can!" Velara asserted. "You're beautiful, kind, driven and loving. You are deserving of happiness."

Nesta began frying eggs and cooking bacon, trying to shake away the bashfulness in her cheeks. A moment later, the two males came into the kitchen. Azriel quickly made his way around and grabbed four plates. "Sorry to disappoint Velara, but it looks like we'll be closed for a bit." Nesta sighed.

"Not too long, I'd think." Azriel offered. "Kale and I were thinking about boarding the windows up for now. If you want, we can work on a new sign today."

She shook her head with an exaggerated sadness. "Before I've even had a chance to mourn."

He smirked. "My mourning period ended the moment that nail snagged me last night."

"That's right." Nesta grabbed his hand, her fingers softly petting the bandage across his palm. "Remind me to look at that after breakfast."

"Whatever you say, Miss Archeron." He grinned and caught her hand before she could pull it away, placing a chaste kiss on her knuckles. She could feel her blush begin building again, her eyes staying on the pan in front of her, well-aware that she had a small audience to her shyness.

As soon as she finished cooking, Azriel made plates for everyone. Velara and Kale made their way to the dining room. Nesta turned and looked at Azriel, resting her palm to his cheek. Her thumb gently caressed his bottom lip before she leaned in and copied the motion with her own lips. She was rewarded with a bright grin.

"Are you sure you want to work on the sign today?" She pointedly looked at his bandage.

"Kale seemed all-too-ready to jump on the task, so I figured if I start today, he won't get a chance."

Nesta laughed. "Oh please, I can busy him with a bookshelf. He's been waiting for me to finally put him to work on one."

Azriel nodded. "Fine, but the sign is our thing."

She smiled. "Agreed. Come on, I'm starving." She nudged him towards the dining room.

"Me too." He pulled her into a deep kiss that made her knees quake. When he pulled away, her eyes were still closed, lips pursed.

"What was that for?" She asked with a pleasant sigh in her voice as she slowly opened her eyes.

"Because I wanted to." He answered gently.

She shook her head with a grin and pushed him in front of her, steering them both out of the kitchen. "You're distracting and I'm hungry."

"Apologies, Miss Archeron."

"Another lie." She said with a laugh.

After breakfast, Kale and Azriel temporarily boarded up the broken windows. Once the males had finished, Kale and Velara left; the latter finally satisfied to confirm that her friend was even better than when she'd left her.

Nesta checked Azriel's bandage, feeling the plush softness of his eyes on her. "Thank you."

She looked up at him, amusement in her eyes. "It's nothing."

"No, not the bandage, or not just the bandage, I should say." He exhaled. "For last night; I was afraid that I had ruined everything when I kissed you, but I couldn't stop myself and I didn't want to. I felt so lost in you and I thought that I had done it to myself and that you didn't, couldn't feel that way."

Nesta finished wrapping a clean bandage on his hand. "I've been trying to swallow these feelings for the past couple of weeks." She shook her head. "I remember feeling so restless when you left for Velaris that first time and I tried to convince myself that it was because you were familiar, a connection to my old life, but then I realized that I never thought of that life around you. Surely, you had been there for it, but that wasn't what this was or who we were here. You…" She sighed, trying to power through her coy expression. "You made me finally start wanting things for myself, namely, you, but I never thought it'd be possible."

"You made me finally start admitting that I wanted something for myself."

She sighed. "This is going to be messy, isn't it?"

He nodded. "Undoubtedly. Even so, I'm happy." He kissed her hand. "It feels right, completely natural to be like this with you." She nodded. "I don't want to give this up, even if it means having to deal with a mess or some opposition."

"I'm no stranger to either."

"Nor am I." He smirked.

"Off to battle we go then."

They spent the day in, neither one sure it would be the best thing for Nesta to be strolling through the market so soon after the crowd's visit to her home. It was hours of baking, speaking and sneaking kisses, both gentle and passionate before he knew that he couldn't delay his trip any longer.

A pain took firm hold in her eyes. "I wish you didn't have to do this." The remark was spoken in vain and they both knew it, but she continued. "He's your brother. I don't want to be the cause of a rift in your relationship."

He shook his head. "If ever our bond were to be pressed, I'd only want it to be now, for you," He grabbed her hands in his. "For this. I couldn't settle for less."

She brought their joint hands to her face. Deftly, she kissed the scars across the back of his hand as his eyes remained glued to the gentle expression she wore.

"Do only my scars warrant the taste of your lips?"

She looked up, humor staring back at him. "Is there somewhere else with more dire need of tending to?"

A shy smirk tugged at his mouth. "Give me courage?" He proposed.

"I'll give you a reminder." She countered as she leaned close.

"Even better." He grinned before pulling her close and kissing her fervently as his hand adoringly held her cheek. Once he pulled away, his hand still stayed. "Please, do me a favor." She nodded. "I know you can take care of yourself, but I would feel better if you continued to stay in, just for the rest of the day."

"When do you hope to be back?"

"As soon as possible. Though I don't expect I'll be able to return as quickly as I want."

She nodded. "I'll be here."

"All the more reason to rush." He smirked and kissed her on the forehead, winnowing a moment later.

Azriel landed in Velaris as the sun began to set. Looking out to the Sidra, he took in a deep breath and fortified his resolve, thinking of the fond face waiting for him. Despite his impatience to return, he couldn't deny the anxiety filling his gut as he climbed the long, winding stairs to the House of Wind.

The first face he encountered was Mor's. He was surprised to find that he felt absolutely nothing looking at the face that had once held him captive. A few centuries of infatuation were insignificant with the reminder of waking up wrapped in Nesta's touch. He gave her a quick smile and wasted little time catching up. "Where is Cassian?"

"Looking for you, last I checked." She offered. "You must've left at the crack of dawn."

"Last night." He amended.

"Where have you been?" She teased with a lifted brow.

"In good company." He said with an abrupt nod to excuse himself, leaving the perplexed female speechless with curiosity.

Azriel decided to check his room but found Cassian in the kitchen along the way. "Az, where have you been?" He patted him on the shoulder. "Rhys was wanting our input on creating a war camp campaign for him now that the contract has been finalized."

"That leaves us with quite a few new changes to implement, doesn't it?"

He nodded. "I hope you've had your fill of Velaris for the moment."

"For much longer than that." He nodded, causing Cassian to stare at him in surprise. After a moment of strained silence, Azriel cleared his throat. "Cassian, I need to speak with you. Do you mind if we go somewhere to talk in private?"

He nodded and followed him out to the balcony. The burning sun had finally buried itself behind the horizon as Azriel turned, not looking at the view before him, but his brother beside him. It wasn't the level, familiarly soft voice that had caused the general to tense, but Azriel's uncommonly transparent and conflicted expression. "What is it, brother?" He tested their connection gently to gauge the severity in his response.

"Don't call me that now." He said without the slightest hint of malice. The air shifted between them and Cassian recognized the taste of magic. He waited for shadows to swarm and was surprised when they never came. It brought him the smallest relief, for now he knew that his brother was not cross, but worried.

If Cassian hadn't been entirely shocked by the concern on Azriel's face, he would've argued with him. Yet he knew to garner such reaction, he was clearly distressed. "What is it?" He asked again, briefly abandoning endearments.

"Something has happened." Azriel shook his head, his countenance more uncertain than Cassian had ever seen. "No, that's not right." Az thought for a moment, trying to remember not the words he planned, but the way he felt, the honesty and honor he owed her. He looked at his friend again and exhaled. "I did not mean for this to happen and though I didn't expect it, I don't regret it, not in the slightest, which might make this more difficult for you. I found something," He inhaled, feeling the desperation poise his tongue just to speak her name. "With Nesta."

Cassian looked back at him, entirely stunned. A full minute passed before he spoke. "I don't understand."

"I'm not surprised." He began, sharper than he'd meant. "These past few weeks have been a great transition for us both." Cassian's eyes narrowed in a way that would've threatened anyone besides Azriel. "With her establishing Haven, we began to spend a lot of time together."

"You haven't visited in over a week." Cassian's tight voice tore out like a childish accusation.

"No, I haven't flown back in over a week." Understanding filled Cassian's gaze. "It wasn't some intentional secret. At first it was simple convenience because I genuinely enjoyed helping and watching her create something she was proud of." He tried to bite away a smile, remembering the way he began to anticipate his visits, thinking about what kind of humor or temper he'd find her in. "Then I realized that I wanted to see her, I needed to be around her." How deeply he began to ache for her conversation and limitless wit; stunned by her beauty as she blossomed with pride, joy and purpose. He shook his head, realizing his thoughts had fled the currently baffled expression of Cassian. "It's like I've been asleep for so long, but being with her, feeling this way," Cassian's brows knitted together. "It's awakened me. Cassian, I've never felt so alive, I just…"

Azriel cut himself off as soon as he realized it seemed like he was bragging, throwing it in Cassian's face. The truth was that he was happy for the first time in the greater of half of a millennia and it was because of Nesta, something he hadn't been able to share with anyone. He should've been used to it by now, silencing his emotions for the good of the group so as not to inconvenience anyone with his bleeding heart; yet here it was, blunt and no doubt entirely problematic for the general and though Azriel sympathized, he couldn't be bothered to feel a shred of guilt. He never needed to be quiet and convenient for her; somehow it had brought him the freedom to discover himself.

"Why are you saying this?" Cassian was unable to accept the words as they fell upon his ears.

"Because she feels the same way." He said without an ounce of apology.

"And what way is that, exactly?" He asked tensely, standing taller on instinct.

Azriel looked him over. "I won't admit to you, what I have yet to say to her."

"So, you're unsure?" He led his tone presumptuously.

"No, I'm not and she has no doubt of the conviction of my affections, nor my commitment to her."

"Listen to yourself, Az." An anxiety punctured his gut as he noticed the unmoving determination in the Shadowsinger's eyes. "Commitment? To Nesta? Is that wise? How can you be convinced of her affections, of a heart so frigid?"

Azriel could feel anger begin to turn his blood. "I could never doubt the strength or sincerity of a heart so accepting and true. If anything, I suspect it is her affections that have been previously misplaced."

Cassian scoffed harshly. "I stopped waiting for this day a few hundred years ago. I never expected you to be able to hold a grudge for so long."

Azriel was, for the first time, disgusted by his brother. "I would never use a person for payback." Just the suggestion disturbed bile in the pit of his gut. "We've seen enough cruelty to value life, to respect one another, to hold ourselves to higher standards. Even if that is your method of manipulation, it certainly could never be mine." Cassian could see the tension in his brother's scarred hands. Exhaling slowly, in hopes of dislodging the fury coating his throat, Azriel's voice was even and immovable. "I have done nothing wrong and still I wanted to pay you a respect that I have never been afforded in return. I want to be, I will be with Nesta and nothing could make me decide to walk away from her. I thought I should let you know just where things stand."

Azriel excused himself and went in search of the High Lord.

Rhys seemed distracted, offering Azriel a more fleshed out explanation of Cassian's earlier warning of their new duties. He seemed entirely uninterested in knowing the Shadowsinger's whereabouts for the day. Knowing that Cassian would no doubt bring the High Lord up to speed, he offered no explanation, merely counting down the time until he could be standing before Nesta yet again. Luckily for him, it seemed his presence would only be necessary at dawn to begin their flight into the Illyrian Mountains. After hearing so, he quickly took his leave.