Disclaimer: All but Lyra belong to Sarah J Maas
Azriel was calling for her, pulling at the cord as she had but it was fiercely and she could feel his panic, his blind fear. She grew closer to him, trying desperately to get back. To wake up.
She drifted close at times, so close she could feel his scarred fingers around hers or could hear Mor's voice, though it sounded so far away. She didn't know how long she waded through the dark waters of her mind, trying and pushing to get closer to him, but she felt him the whole time, pulling for her. She tried to send something back, some indication she was there, holding on for him to sooth his panic, but it didn't seem to reach him. She wasn't sure if it was how weak she was or the fact that her magic was so depleted, but she kept pushing, unable to stand the anguish she felt from him.
The pushing exhausted her so much she drifted back, fading into unconsciousness again.
She wasn't sure how long it was before she was aware again, but those fingers were still firmly wrapped around hers. She fought desperately to twitch her fingers, to make her body move but it wouldn't listen.
"… will wake soon, brother." She heard, Cassian's familiar voice soothing her. "She's a fighter."
Azriel didn't answer, but she felt his thumb brush over her knuckles, felt the caress of his shadows along her arm. Move. Move, dammit.
But she drifted again, further down. She couldn't feel those fingers anymore, but she felt him down the bond, roaring for her.
I'm here. She pushed back, with everything she possibly could. And then she was gone again.
She became aware again slowly, sounds and feeling coming back to her gradually. Those fingers were gone, but she felt a pressure near her waist and a soft noise…
She pushed and pushed to wake, swimming through that dark water too him and-
Her fingers twitched, touching the soft sheets. Her eyes moved beneath their lids. And then with one final push, she was able to open them, a shuddering breath leaving her as she took in the sight of the tent top, sun leaking through the fabric. She sighed in relief, even as all the soreness and pain came to her, even as her head spun slightly before she noticed that soft sound again, a slight snort to it and-
Azriel was asleep, his head laid near her waist. And he was snoring.
She would have laughed if her whole body didn't ache so badly.
Lifting her hand nearest him, she reached out her shaky hand, running it over his hair. She just needed to touch him, to feel him.
As soon as her fingers touched him, he jerked up, eyes wide and alert. He stared at her, taking her in and she could see the disbelief on his face, could see him struggling with the reality she was finally awake.
"You snore." She teased, her voice coming out a hoarse rasp as she smiled at him.
He let out a sound between a laugh and a cry, moving to stroke her face, her hair. "Lyra…" He breathed and she felt his hands shaking.
"We both made it." She whispered, as Rhysand pushed into the tent, his violet eyes wide and a smile across his face as he took in the two of them. Azriel laughed again, a tear running down his face as he kissed her forehead.
"We both made it." He repeated, the words seeming to seal the reality of it for him as he stared at her.
"I heard you." She said, lifting her hand to brush away that tear, her muscles burning in protest. "I could feel you the entire time."
He turned his head, pressing a kiss to her palm. "The cord was so thin… I thought…" He let out a shaky breath, eyes closing against the memory as he took her hand again.
"It's okay." She assured him, squeezing his fingers.
"I've called for Madja." Rhysand said softly and Lyra tore her gaze away from Azriel just briefly to look to their High Lord. His violet eyes were flecked with those stars and a gentle, caring smile was on his face as he looked at her. "I'm very glad to see you awake, Lyra."
"He wouldn't shut up, so…" She shrugged and Rhysand gave a laugh. Everything else came back to her then, everything with Amren and watching that flame of hers flicker out and the smile slid from her own face. "Amren… she…"
"Was found in the Cauldron." Rhysand offered quickly. Lyra stared, not quite letting herself believe… "She said something pulled her back. Gave her a choice."
"She's okay?" Lyra asked, her voice wobbling as tears pricked at her eyes.
"She's okay." Azriel assured her, wiping the tear that slid down her cheek. "Everyone else is fine as well. Cassian was injured by the King, but Madja says he will make a full recovery."
Lyra couldn't quite believe it. She had been so sure of their demise, that she would lose someone to this brutal war but here was Azriel, telling her everyone she loved had made it. He seemed to understand, because he pressed a kiss to her forehead again and squeezed her hand.
Madja hobbled in then, smiling at her as she arrived. "It is very good to see you awake, Lady Lyra." The healer said, moving around her bed and looking down at her with kind eyes. Lyra offered her a watery smile in return, sniffing as she held tightly to Azriel's hand. Madja looked her over, running those glowing, wrinkled hands over her. She would pause in some areas, that warmth from the glow moving over her and some of the aches eased. After a while, that glow faded and Madja nodded, giving her and Azriel a bright smile. "You are doing much better, Lady. You need more rest, but your power is returning and your body is growing stronger."
"Thank you, Madja." She said and she felt the relief from Azriel, pulsing down the bond.
Madja nodded, waving her hand and several tonics appeared at the bedside table. She grabbed one, holding it out toward Lyra. "This will make you sleep again, but it will ease any pain." She said, holding it out to Lyra. Azriel helped her lean up and she swallowed it down, though she wrinkled her nose at the taste. Madja chuckled softly, patting her arm as she took the empty vial. She ran over what the others were for, when to take them and how much. Then she looked to Azriel, giving him a sharp look and lifted a finger to point at him. "And you, they tell me you don't eat or sleep. You need it as much as your mate does, Lord Azriel."
Lyra shot him a glare, but he didn't so much as look sorry as he lifted her fingers and kissed her knuckles. "I will, Madja." He said, earning a huff from the healer, but she accepted the answer.
"I will return later, Lady. Rest for now. You have both earned it." Madja said, patting Lyra's arm once more before she hobbled toward the door, where Rhysand opened the flap for her. Lyra heard the healer giving Rhysand sharp instructions to give them time to rest before allowing any of the others in and Lyra chuckled softly at her tone.
She could feel that tonic pulling her down again, her body becoming fuzzy. She tried to fight it as she looked over at him. "Is it done, then?" She asked, forcing her eyes to remain open.
"Yes." He said and she heard the relief in his words. "The King is dead and Amren destroyed his entire force. There is still peace to negotiate in this new world without the wall, but… it is done."
She smiled, nodding before she scooted over a bit and pulled at his hand. He seemed to understand because he stood and gently eased into the bed with her, careful not to move her to much before she moved closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her and between the tonic and the warmth of him, her eyes drooped. "Can we..." She whispered, the words slurring slightly. "Can we go home soon?"
"Yes." He whispered and she felt him smiling as he kissed the top of her head. "Yes, we can go home soon."
She smiled too, peace settling into her before her eyes slid closed and she fell into that blackness once more.
Despite Majda's warning to sleep, Azriel couldn't bring himself to, even after Lyra had gone back to sleep in his arms. He lay awake, listening to her breath, to her heart beating steadily, still frightened she wouldn't wake back up or that cord would begin to slip away again.
He had felt it become thin, withering away and he had never felt such terror. He had clung to it, willing it to stay between them, for her to stay alive. When he had gotten to her, saw her there in Feyre's arms… he would never forget that image of her, face pale, lips bloodless and her heart stuttering. It would haunt his dreams for the rest of his life.
Something blocked her from him on the other end of the cord for hours as he waited for her to wake. He had clawed at it, struggled against it and roared for her all the while. His only relief was that the bond still lay between them and when he looked at it, he could see it growing brighter.
The others had filed in and out, each seeming to take shifts to watch both him and Lyra. Mor had tried to get him to sleep, assuring him she would stay with her and come if anything changed but Azriel had refused. He couldn't leave her, he couldn't move from that chair.
And then mercifully, finally he felt her again as the sun began to rise the next morning. A whisper against his soul, barely there but it was enough for him to know she was there.
He didn't remember falling sleep, but the relief of feeling her seemed to have eased him enough into being able to finally rest. And then he had woken to her, that beautiful smile on her face and he had never felt such relief. She was still so pale, so drawn but it didn't matter. She was awake, she was smiling at him and she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
She sighed against him, snuggling closer and he smiled, pressing a kiss to her hair.
He still couldn't believe that she seemed to accept the bond. She had pushed him away so quickly when she found out, he was sure that she would never forgive him for not telling her. He still wasn't sure she understood, if she fully knew what it meant to be his mate. They hadn't talked about all of it, too busy with just holding onto each other while they could.
That broken part of him, the part that couldn't bring himself to believe she would want him, worried that she had only seemed accepting because she had worried she would die. He worried she got caught up in the whirl wind of battle and their looming death and had only clung to him for some kind of comfort. For both herself and him. He knew she did care for him in some way, that they were friends, but if she returned how much he loved her… he couldn't bring himself to hope for that.
She slept for hours, until she finally rose again and gave him a tired smile. He pulled away from her only when her stomach growled, going to grab her some broth. As she ate, the others came, one at a time and he was sure Rhysand had told them of Madja's warning. Mor had hugged her so tight he had shifted nervously, tears streaming down her face before she pulled back and had snarled, "Don't ever do that again," before hugging her again. Amren had sat next to her bed, eyes no longer that swirling smoke, before smiling and declaring, "I taught you very well, girl." Even Cassian had come, though Lyra had chided him to be careful. He had only waved her away, before bowing down to hug her and press a kiss to her hair.
Feyre and Rhysand had come last, though his brother had told him of her father's death at the hands of the King and Azriel understood. She looked tired and sad, even as she hugged Lyra tightly and Azriel felt badly for his High Lady.
"Madja said you're doing well." Feyre said, smiling at Lyra as she sat near the near the end of her bed. Rhysand hovered behind her, his hand on the back of her chair.
"I feel better." Lyra said, pushing her hair back and leaning back into the pillows. "Good enough to go to the talk."
A pointed look at Azriel, who returned it with a flat, dry look of his own. Rhysand snorted, clearly amused by the exchange. "You could barely stand earlier." He argued, earning a glare from her, like he had revealed a secret.
"I was still drugged." She muttered, cheeks reddening. "I need fresh air, sun on my skin."
"The meeting is at night." Azriel replied, earning another glare from her. Rhysand laughed and even Feyre's lips twitched.
"Welcome to being mated to an overprotective male." Feyre muttered, exchanging a look with Lyra.
Azriel stilled a bit at the words, the easy way she spoke of their mating bond. He knew all of them knew now, but with all the other things going on, it had never actually been brought up. He glanced at Lyra, her reaction to the words, almost half afraid she would deny it or distance herself from it. But instead she smiled, a blush spreading across her cheeks. Happiness glittered in her eyes as she looked over at him and then back to Feyre. It warmed his chest.
"We only have your best interests at heart, Feyre darling." Rhysand purred, smiling down at her.
"Are you going to discuss the Cauldron at the meeting?" Lyra asked and the easiness in the air evaporated.
"We've already taken care of it." Rhysand said, exchanging a look with Feyre. "We're making sure it disappears onto one of Miryum and Drankon's ships."
Lyra nodded, looking relieved. "Good, I don't want anyone like Beron or Keir near that thing."
"Our thought exactly." Feyre muttered, face grave. She paused for a moment, seeming to remember something before her brow furrowed as she looked at Lyra. "When we held the Cauldron… it took me to see Nesta and Cassian. Before though, I saw it trying to strangle you. But something… stopped it."
Lyra frowned, eyes going distant as she thought back. "I don't… I don't know. But she felt warm and she… she was the same one who came when I was out."
Rhysand raised a brow, tilting his head as he studied her. "She?"
"I think. She sounded like a woman. She kept calling me 'sweet child', like the Book. Lady of Life, too." Lyra paused, trying to remember through the haze. "She tried to send me back to my world. Said it was a gift for healing the Cauldron."
Azriel froze, his shadows curling tightly around his knuckles.
"But I told her no and then…" She paused, looking over to Azriel. "Then I could feel you again down the bond and I was back."
"Can you show me?" Rhysand asked, watching her carefully. Azriel could see his mind whirling with the information.
"I can but I never saw her face." Lyra shrugged, and despite the words, Azriel saw Rhysand look through the memory anyway. He was frowning by the end of it and he could see him and Feyre communicating with each other. "Do you know what it is?" Lyra asked, eyes flicking between the mates.
"I'm not sure." Rhysand muttered, rubbing his jaw. "Whatever it was, it at least felt friendly."
"She was kind." Lyra said, almost insistent.
Rhysand and Feyre left soon after, having a lot still to do for the meeting. After a lot of back and forth, Azriel finally agreed when she insisted she would sit for the meeting. She had been adamant and when she had said she wanted to be there to participate in their new world… he couldn't deny her that. He too was curious how the meeting would go, all the different High Lords and the small group of humans with such different stories. But with Feyre leading it, he had no doubt it would be fruitful. There would be a long road to peace, probably years and years before it happened, but this would be a start.
Azriel kept a firm arm around her waist as they went to meet with the others to winnow to what was left of Feyre's family estate. She was steady on her feet but he could feel her still struggling, though she hid it under a mask of indifference, to stubborn to complain. Mor hovered near her other side, watching her almost as diligently as Azriel was as she took the both of them to the estate.
Lucien, Feyre, Rhysand and the sisters were the first there as he settled Lyra into a chair that Mor brought with a wave of her hand. Lyra held her head high as she walked in but he saw the sweat beading at her temple and heard her sigh of relief when she made it into the chair. But even so, she sat and watched with alertness, clearly happy to be both out of her bed and here to listen.
Beron arrived first, Eris at his side and he wholly ignored his red headed son, who ignored him just as much. Eris, who was so bruised and injured it took everything for Azriel not to smile, followed after his father. Mor couldn't seem to contain herself, because she let out a happy grunt at seeing the cut along his face. Eris ignored it, only nodding toward Rhysand.
But then he looked at Lyra, those dark eyes sparking with curiosity as he took her in. Azriel stiffened, fighting the urge to growl at the bastard but Lyra sneered at him, eyes flashing dangerously with the power that had returned to her as she steadily healed and he turned away. Azriel couldn't stop his grin of satisfaction then.
Tamlin came soon after, bandaged as well and Azriel wondered if it was from those creatures that had shredded his wings or from the battle. He couldn't say he wasn't grateful for Tamlin's help while escaping with Elain, but the help was only the beginning of making up for what he owed Feyre for all he had done to her. And for aligning himself for Hybern, no matter what his reasoning had been. Even then… Azriel wasn't sure he could ever forgive the male for the part he had played in the murder of Rhysand's mother and sister.
Lucien watched his former High Lord, face tight as Tamlin took him in. He uttered his name, clearly trying to extend a line between them, but when Tamlin took in the Illyrian leathers anger rippling over his face. He shook his head, dismissing Lucien without a word. And even though he looked devastated by the dismissal, Lucien did not bother to try again.
Miryam and Drakon came with several of their own people, including Nephelle. Feyre recognized her from her small wings and he saw his High Lady's eyes alight as she realized who she was, quickly looking to him for confirmation. He nodded and Feyre smiled brightly at the Seripham scribe, who smiled right back.
Miryam came to greet Lyra and him, the former half human wrapping him in a tight hug. Lyra smiled as Miryam shook her hand, clearly glad to meet the female that Mor had told her so much about.
The other High Lords and their advisors or generals filed in as well. The last to come were the humans, Jurian, Greyson and some of his men and the human queen, Vassa. They had waited for the young queen to return to her human form for the meeting and she was clearly as excited for it as the others. Azriel heard her chatting eagerly with Feyre in the other room, speaking in a mad rush about fixing her curse and then about her respect for Feyre's father.
Jurian and Greyson found their spot and he saw Elain staring and staring after the young human. Azriel fought the urge to snarl at the boy as he pointedly ignored her, even dared to throw a glare in her direction. Stupid little prick. Lyra glared from her seat too, clearly remembering how he had treated the middle sister at their castle.
Once everyone was settled in, Feyre came in, chin held high and with Nesta at her side. She took them all in, the humans and Fae, all waiting on her before she took a deep breathe and said, "My name is Feyre Archeron. I was once human and now I am Fae. I call both worlds my home. And I would like to discuss renegotiating the Treaty."
She told her story then, all of it in front of all those people, laying herself bare. Lyra, who he knew had heard most of their High Lady's story, but not all, listening with wide eyes and even tears at times.
Several other stories followed, both for and against the blending of Fae and humans. And as they went into the night, debates raged. About rebuilding the wall, about dividing territories, about how the relations between the two groups would happen. Lyra listened to it all and he could tell she was trying to learn as much about this new world and the threats ahead as she could.
Eventually they came to enough of an agreement that Feyre felt good dismissing them. Some agreements had been made and promises about when to meet next and items that needed discussed. Lyra was clearly exhausted by the end and though she hated it, she asked him to carry her back to camp.
"Do you think it will all work?" She asked after they winnowed back and he headed toward her tent.
"Yes." He said simply and he saw her smile slightly. "With Feyre leading it… yes, I think it will work. It may take a long while. Fae do not welcome change easily."
"I'm beginning to see that." She muttered, her head resting against his chest. "It's not surprising with how long you live."
"We." He reminded, squeezing her gently and she smiled at him.
"We." She repeated. "It's gonna take a while to get used to the idea of living that long."
"You do have the time now." He teased and she laughed lightly. He ducked into her tent, gently setting her down near the bed.
Hundreds and hundreds of years with her. That thought made his chest warm.
She paused before sitting, looking up at him with a gentle smile on her lips. He watched her, taking in that beautiful smile and his shadows sighed, collecting near her and sweeping along her arms. She never balked from them, no matter now many gathered around her.
She leaned forward, tentative and almost shy before her lips found his. He paused, his heart stuttering at the soft kiss before he leaned into her, returning it. Her hand wrapped around his neck, fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck as she pulled him closer, deepening the kiss.
This one was still shy, as it had been in the bed before the battle, but it was more sure. And it was happier, not filled with the pain and fear of their demise. It held promise of a future and more to come.
And when Lyra pulled back this time, she didn't have tears on her face, but a bright smile that made his chest ache with the beauty of it.
"I think you're right. That it will work." She whispered, a bit breathless as she remained close to him. "I think it's all going to work out."
He heard the double meaning in those words, the wish that she held. He felt it too as she sent those emotions down the bond, the affection and care and the warmth. He couldn't stop himself from kissing her again at those emotions, a light, loving kiss that had her pressing against him.
"I do too." He murmured, pushing down those dark worries that crept along his mind. Because here, now….
This felt like hope.
The first thing Lyra heard as they winnowed back to Velaris was laughter. Bright, loud and filled with happiness.
She took in the sight of the familiar foyer, the slatted wood and worn furniture and couldn't quite believe that they were back, all of them. They were injured, in pain, scarred in ways that were more than physical… but they were alive and they were back.
Azriel's warm hand was firm on her waist, holding her up in case she grew to tired. Her strength had returned to her slowly over these last few days along with her pulsing power. She still tired easily, but standing here now, taking in their home, she felt stronger than she had in days.
"I supposed I shall have to eat real food now." Amren muttered, breaking the silence that rang around them.
"A monumental sacrifice." Cassian muttered and Amren just threw him a vulgar gesture. Cassian grinned right back, his bandaged wings shifting on his back.
Then Amren looked to Nesta, her pale face drawn and haunted as she lingered by the stairs. Lyra hadn't seen the eldest Archeron in days, only at the talk at the estate. She had never come to visit, even though Elain had. Lyra couldn't fault her between the death of her father and watching Cassian nearly die. But as she looked at her now, Lyra worried about that look in her eyes.
"I'm surprised you didn't take the king's head back to have stuffed and hung on your wall." Amren said to Nesta, who's blue grey eyes flicked to her sharply.
"Some would consider that joke in bad taste, Amren." Mor muttered, clicking her tongue at the little woman.
"I saved your asses." Amren sniffed, hair swinging. "I'm entitled to say what I want."
And then Amren was gone, the door snapping shut behind her as she strode out into the streets of Velaris.
"The new Amren is even crankier than the old one." Elain said, her voice a soft murmur.
Feyre let out a burst of laughter, the others following and it had Elain grinning.
Mor's arm slid through Lyra's suddenly, the other carefully going through Cassian's as she smiled at them and began to pull toward the sitting room. "Come on. We need a drink."
"We're opening the fancy bottles." Cassian said, looking toward Rhys over his shoulder and Lyra laughed. Azriel followed, hovering behind her but he was grinning as well.
"Save a bit for me, at least." Rhysand crooned, bowing toward them before he headed off into the kitchen to grab some food.
With a wave of her hand, Mor had several bottles of amber liquid appearing on a table and Cassian grinned, grabbing some of it and sniffing. "This is the real good stuff."
"I think we deserve it." Mor said with a shrug before she headed over toward the sparkling glasses. But Cassian had already tore the lid from one and took a large swig and his smile brightened when he finished. Azriel, who was helping her into her seat, gave his long-suffering sigh, rubbing at his temple as Feyre and Elain came into the room.
"You couldn't have waited two seconds for the glasses?" Azriel grumbled and Lyra chuckled as Cassian just shrugged.
"That bottle is for you, then." Mor said, her nose wrinkling before she snatched the other bottle from Cassian's hand and he only saluted her. Feyre laughed at the exchange, rolling her eyes at their antics as Mor handed her a drink. Cassian still poured himself one, then Azriel and another. He exchanged a look with Azriel before he looked down the hall where Rhysand had gone off too and with a nod, Azriel followed after him toward where the High Lord was lingering.
Lyra took her own, letting out a grunt at the burning that went down her throat. Mor raised a brow at her and Feyre looked amused. "That is… the good stuff." She muttered, eyes stinging a bit before she coughed.
"Oh, Lyra." Mor tutted, a teasing look on her face as she seated herself. "You can't handle your alcohol?"
"Give me some beer." Lyra muttered, taking another hesitant sip of the liquid. "I'll Edward Fourtyhands that shit and I'll show you who can handle their alcohol."
Elain raised a brow and Lyra was surprised to see her take a sip herself. "Your world always sounds so strange." Elain muttered and Feyre and Mor laughed.
Azriel and Cassian had returned with Rhysand between them and when she looked up, she saw Azriel watching her, a soft smile on his lips. She met his gaze, her chest warming as she took him in, the image of him standing once again in Velaris, whole and alive. Him there, their friends around them laughing, was the most beautiful image she had ever seen.
He returned her smile, his shadow so light they were barely there.
God, she loved him.
There was still so much to work out between them. They both had their own hesitations, their own fears…. but these last few days, they gave her hope for their future. The fact that they even had a future was amazing in and of itself.
She raised her glass to him, grinning back at him as he smiled and she felt him brush against the bond, loving and gentle. It glittered between them, alive and bright. It was so beautiful, that bridge between them.
It had her thinking of that dream from all those months ago, his figure cloaked in shadow before her. It had been right.
Home was at the other end.