Disclaimer: All but Lyra belong to Sarah J Maas
She had held him in that tent for a long time, just the two of them. So long she almost forgot the war, the fact they could die in a couple days, that there was anyone else in this camp. She had eventually sunk into his lap and he had cradled her to him, kissing her hairline and pulling her tightly against him. His shadows had surrounded them, but they weren't cold as they usually were, but soft and welcoming, like they too were holding her.
But then Rhysand had sent for them, calling them to the council with the High Lords to discuss Hybern's next move and it all came back. Azriel had reluctantly pulled away, his eyes still lined with tears from her words. She could see, could feel that struggle of his to believe her and she swore to herself then that if they survived, she would spend every day of her life here making sure he believed it.
The council decided to winnow and help all the humans that they could to Adriata when they realized that Hybern was heading there to destroy what he could to get back at the sisters. And Amren had come, out of breath and eyes alight as she told them she knew what they needed to stop the Cauldron.
All of them, Made in their own way, would need to touch it. Feyre by herself hadn't been strong enough, but together they could use the spell to stop it.
If they got there without dying first.
The rest of the night was spent winnowing the humans and Lyra cursed herself for not learning the way to do it. She had been so focused on controlling her own unique power with Amren that they hadn't tried things like winnowing or glamour. She felt useless as she spent the night doing menial tasks and her friends' energies drained.
She didn't see Azriel again until that night after they had gathered and sent away all the humans they could… willing and unwilling. Lyra hadn't been around any other human in this world save Jurian and it was so odd to see them look at her like one of the other Fae. To see her and think of her as Other. She knew she was now, she had accepted it but some vital part of her still was human, no matter what the Book had done to her and no matter how the other humans looked at her now. It was that part that fought now, to save them and make sure they had a place in this world.
Despite not using much of her powers, she still found herself exhausted that night as she trudged toward her tent. She wasn't sure where Azriel had gone off too or if he was still with his spies, but she found herself lingering by his tent, trying to sense where he was. She needed to see him before she went to bed, even if just for a minute.
She looked inward toward that glittering cord, reaching out toward his end and tried to feel. She didn't know if it would work, but Feyre had said she could sense things, even communicate with Rhys on the other end of theirs.
There was a breeze of dark shadow and then Azriel was there, stepping out of the dark, his hand rubbing at that spot below his ribs that seemed to be where the cord connected them. He studied her, eyebrows flicking up as he tilted his head curiously. "That felt… strange. Like you were pulling on my ribs."
She blushed, but smiled at the sight of him. "Sorry. I wasn't even sure it would work."
He stepped closer, eyes roaming over her face and his lips tilted upward just a bit. "I felt the pull but… you too. I could feel what you wanted." He said softly, as he reached up and brushed his fingers through her hair and then kissed her forehead. It was a simple gesture but the affection behind it, the fact that it was him made her heart thud painfully as warmth filled her chest. She wrapped her arms around his middle, pressing herself to his chest and sighed at the sound of his heart beating steadily. He hugged her back, face burying in her hair.
"Can I… can I stay in your tent tonight?" She asked softly and he stiffened in surprise. She jerked back, blushing as she took in his face. "N-not like that or anything. I'm not ready for- I just mean… I want you there. Like-like the night I broke the vase."
He eased and she saw his eyes fill with understanding as he nodded. She sighed, relief filling her as she pulled away briefly and said, "I'm gonna go change and I'll be back."
He nodded and she felt him watching her as she headed back toward her own tent before he ducked into his. She quickly changed into a simple sweater and leggings before heading back toward him. He had changed as well by the time she came back into an undershirt and long pants that almost looked like sweatpants.
His tent was similar to hers, only really differing by the personal items that were inside, like his armor, clothes and some weapons he had brought. The bed was larger, most likely to accommodate his large wings. Truth Teller lay on the small table by his bed, the metal glinting off the fae light.
He watched her take in the area, his hazel eyes focused on her before she looked over at him and offered a faint smile and seated herself on the bed. She saw him swallow thickly when she did and there was a brief flash of that same hungry, yearning look on his face that she had seen before the High Lords meeting that made her stomach clench. But he schooled his features just as quickly as he had then and the only thing that lingered was a blush across his tan cheeks before he began to pull a large chair over toward the bed.
"What are you…" she started before quickly realizing he meant to sleep in the thing. "Az, I didn't mean exactly like that night."
He paused, standing awkwardly before his eyes flickered between her and the bed. His throat bobbed again but he didn't move the chair anymore.
"Az… I don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow and I just want…" she paused, fear sliding down her spine before she looked back at him. His face had become grave and his shadows thickened as he picked up on where her thoughts were going. "I just want to be close."
She wanted to hold him again, to feel his warmth against her, his arms around her. She just wanted him.
He seemed to understand because he didn't protest, didn't try for that chair again. Instead he came around the bed, lifting the sheets and watched her as she slowly slid under them. He did the same, turning on his side toward her and she watched as his wing rose, wrapping around them. She stared up at it, took in the small scars and nicks in the membrane that shone through before she looked over at him.
She scooted closer, his warmth and familiar scent washing over her. "Thank you." She whispered and she realized it wasn't just for letting her in tonight but for everything. For all the things he had done for her these few months, the kindness and friendship and happiness he had brought her. "Thank you, Az. For all of it."
He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer and she turned toward him fully as his scarred hand cradled her cheek. "You are the best thing to happen to me, too, Lyra." He said and she saw his eyes simmer as he looked at her. "You will make it tomorrow, even if it all goes to hell. You will make it out."
Tears stung her eyes as he said it because she knew what their chances were. They all knew. But even so she found herself saying, "We both will."
She had to believe that. She made herself.
One of his fingers swept across her cheek when a tear fell, both rough and so gentle before he pulled her closer and his face was inches from hers. He paused, seeming to wait for her, like he wasn't sure even now that she would want this. So she closed the distance between them and pressed her lips against his.
The kiss was soft, but filled with so many emotions. Love and happiness and pain and fear. It held the promise of what they could be if they survived, but also the pain of knowing that they may never get this again and when she pulled back, he had to wipe more tears from her face. He looked at her, just stared and took her in before he pressed a kiss to her forehead and pulled her tightly against him. She tucked into him, their bodies a perfect fit and even with what they faced tomorrow, she found herself falling into a peaceful sleep.
47838/9294774882919945
They rose early with the camp and even though they both knew they needed to move, they both paused, just staring at the other and Lyra took the time to memorize every inch of his face. And to hold this moment, just the two of them for a little bit longer.
But eventually the sounds outside became louder and she knew they didn't have anymore time. So she pulled away, growing cold from both the morning air and missing him around her.
She kissed him once more before she left the tent, quick and hard because she knew if she lingered she wouldn't ever leave.
She slipped from the tent, seeing different soldiers from both their forces and others bustling around. And then as she turned toward hers, she came face to face with Cassian. He blinked, his face almost comically shocked at finding her walking from his brother's tent and she blushed, waiting for the inevitable lewd comment that would follow. But instead, to her surprise, his eyes filled with emotion and he pulled her to him in a bone crushing hug. Azriel had come out now too, raising his brow in surprise to see the two of them.
Cassian pulled back, a soft smile on his face as he kept his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "You were always part of this family," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "But I am glad that you are in this way too."
She swallowed thickly, blinking back the tears in her eyes as he looked past her to Azriel. He watched them and she saw what the words meant to Azriel too.
Cassian let go of her and that cocky grin spread across his face as he came closer to Azriel and then he laughed, slapping him on the arm. "I knew I was right, brother." He said, laughing again when Azriel let out that familiar irritated sigh. Cassian moved past them and he began to shout out orders to some Illyrians as he did, leaving them alone again. Lyra raised a brow toward Azriel, her lips twitching upward at that look of irritation but he only shook his head and sighed.
They separated then, him going to his spies to ready everyone and she went to find Mor and Feyre. Elain and Nesta were with them, lingering by their sister as they waited.
The camp had been moved closer to the human lands since they were both there to clear them the day before and to follow Hybern as they passed through the area. Quickly after meeting with Feyre and Mor, they had headed toward the tent where the High Lords were meeting to solidify their plans for when they met Hybern today. There was tension in the air, all of them seeming to know what they day could… most like would hold.
The orders to march after Hybern to where the rest of their army was made quickly and most left the tent to go and give the orders to their various commanders. Before their group left, Azriel had made a subtle comment on where he would fight and Lyra could tell he hoped it would be lost on Rhysand and the others. But the High Lord quickly shut it down along with Cassian since Madja had warned even with Lyra's healing he needed time to recover from the blood loss.
Azriel had argued but when she saw how serious he was, she had stepped in and begged him to listen. He had faltered at the look in her eyes, the tears lining them and finally relented.
After the meeting they had begun to march, the various armies a long line of soldiers. She stuck close to Mor and Feyre as they walked, her stomach growing queasy as they began to come across more and more burned land and buildings, very obviously destroyed by Hybern. Eventually they even came across Feyre's family's old manor, burned and looted far worse than any others around it and it was clear it was a very personal attack.
Around noon, the armies had paused and Feyre and her sisters took the time to change into their protective leathers. Feyre and Nesta went first and Elain had stared at them, wide eyed and blushing when she caught sight of their legs and backside on display. Luckily Viviane had offered a Winter Court design that would cover more of the sister and even though it was hot and miserable looking, Elain took it gratefully.
Cassian pulled a dagger from his various stores to hand to Elain after she changed, but she had gone white and shook her head. But Azriel came forward and pulled Truth Teller from his side and with great gentleness he pressed it into her palm. Elain turned whiter, but she didn't pull back this time. "This is Truth-Teller. I won't be using it today, so I want you too."
Elain swallowed, staring at the dagger fearfully. The others watched carefully, looking shocked by his display. "It has never failed me once." Azriel continued softly. "Some say it is magic and will always strike true. It will serve you well."
"I-I don't know how too-"
"I will make sure you don't have to." Feyre said quickly, her eyes fierce. Azriel retreated and Lyra saw how shocked his brothers looked at him relenting his blade. Lyra looked at him quizzically and she felt almost… jealous.
Feyre had put her arm around her sisters shoulder, showing her how to put the blade away and strap it to herself. Azriel watched it, his shadows curling around him before he looked to Lyra.
"I was with her at the townhouse the day the Ravens and Scorpion came. If it was not for her, I would have lost you to him. I only knew to go because of her warning." Azriel said, his jaw ticking as he remembered Hyberns assassin. Lyra blinked, looking back to where Elain was staying with Feyre.
"I didn't… I never knew that." She said softly.
"It's part of why I went to rescue her from Hybern. Part of it was she… she never feared me. But the other was that I got these weeks with you because of her." He said and Lyra felt the breath leave her at the emotion swimming in his eyes. "The least of what I could do is help her or offer her protection. The time I've had with you is worth much more."
Lyra felt tears prick her eyes at the words, the way he was looking at her. She didn't know what to say or put into words how much that meant to her so instead she looked for that cord again and sent what she was feeling, all her swirling emotions toward him. She saw he could feel it, saw him take it in and after he leaned down, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
When he drew back, Lyra sniffed, looking away to try to gather herself. She caught sight of Mor, her brown eyes wide as she looked between them and a dazzlingly happy smile on her face. Lyra blushed, but couldn't stop herself from smiling back.
The others from their Court had gathered, almost seeming drawn to each other by some invisible pull. She could see the feeling change, both the tension and emotions that hung between all of them.
Their family. The Court of Dreamers.
"Do you want the inspiring talk or the bleak one." Rhysand asked, looking at each of them.
"We want the real one." Amren insisted, those swirling eyes watching him steadily.
Rhysand nodded, that handsome face growing serious as his wings tucked in. " I believe everything happens for a reason. Whether it is decided by the Mother, or the Cauldron or some tapestry of Fate, I don't know. I don't really care. But I am grateful for it, whatever it is. Grateful that it brought you all into my life. If it hadn't… I might have become as awful as that prick were going to face today. If I had not met an Illyrian warrior in training, I would not have known the true depths of strength, of resilience, or honor and loyalty." Rhysand said, looking toward Cassian, who's eyes shined brightly as he dipped his head to his brother. Rhys then looked to Azriel. "If I had not met a Shadowsinger, I would not have known that it is the family you make, not the family you are born into, that matters. I would not have known what it is to truly hope, even when the world tells you to dispair."
Azriel swallowed thickly, dipping his head to Rhysand. He looked to Mor than, tears running down her beautiful face. "If I had not met my cousin, I would never have learned that light can be found even in the darkest of hells. That kindness can thrive even amongst cruelty."
Then Rhysand looked at Lyra, those star flecked eyes kind and she felt tears filling her own eyes as he smiled at her. "If I had not met the girl from another world, I would not have known that family can be found in all places. And that it takes a powerful kind of strength to take one's pain and turn it into love."
Lyra nodded to him, hoping he understood how much the words meant to her, how much she cared for him too. He smiled, nodding back to her before looking to Amren. To Lyra's surprise the tiny woman waited patiently, eyes shining.
"If I had not met a tiny monster who hoards jewels more fiercely than a firedrake…" They all laughed and Amren's teeth flashed as she smiled. "My own power would have consumed me long ago."
The looked then to Feyre and she saw the love that passed between them, so deep and beautiful. "And if I had not met my mate…"
They looked to each other and Lyra could see the words being exchanged between them. Tears fell from Feyre's eyes and Rhysand wiped them away before he whispered, "I believe that everything happened, exactly the way it had to… so I could find you." He looked to her one last time before kissing away a couple tears and then turned to her sisters.
"We have not known each other for long. But I believe that you were brought here, into our family for a reason, too. And maybe today, we'll find out why."
He extended his hand to Cassian then and then they all linked their hands. Azriel took hers, his scarred fingers intertwining with hers and he squeezed them softly when she met his eyes.
"We will walk onto the field and only accept Death when it comes to haul us away to the Otherworld. We will fight for life, for survival, for our futures. But if it is decided by the tapestry of Fate or the Cauldron or the Mother that we do not walk off that field today…" he took a deep breath, lifting his chin. "The great joy and honor of my life has been to know you. To call you my family. And I am grateful, more than I can possibly say, that I was given this time with you all."
"We are grateful, Rhysand." Amren whispered, her voice softer then Lyra had ever heard it. "More than you will know."
Rhysand grinned at her and the rest of them again as they all agreed. Then he nodded, before looking to his mate and saying, "Let's go make Hybern very ungrateful to have known us, too."