My head told me no, it was far too early into our relationship to be spending the night with one another. But he was worried, I realised. And so was I. But then… "I don't have any of my things," I told him. A thud and I flinched as the bag containing my Valkyrie leathers landed on the table with my satchel, my boots and my sword. I blinked and grabbed my satchel. Clean lingerie sat inside alongside a book, my hairbrush and my sleep tonic.

"I guess the house wants you to stay too," He laughed softly, scooped up my belongings as if they didn't weigh anything and I followed him downstairs.

Azriel's room felt warm when we walked in and I knew I'd appreciate the warmth of the hearth, a luxury my room in the library didn't have. I stood awkwardly as he hung my leathers in his armoire alongside his own clothes, placed my boots beside his own and hung the sword strap on a hook next to his, as if there was already space for me. He paused and turned to look at me, standing there and looking sheepish.

"Make yourself at home," He murmured, pressing a kiss to my head. "I'll go and get us some water."

I placed down the satchel on the desk, awkwardly, "I don't have any nightclothes. Obviously the house has a sense of humour."

The fire crackled in response and Azriel walked over to his dresser. He pulled out a black t-shirt and some shorts, "They'll be a bit big I'm afraid," He said, handing them to me, "But they'll be okay."

"Thank you," I said and with a smile, he disappeared to get the drinks. I slipped off my shoes, tucking them next to the boots, and walked in the bathroom. The bathroom which was the size of my bedroom. A large sink with a mirror over it, a porcelain toilet and the biggest bathtub I'd ever seen, taking up one side of the room with candles at each end. Above the bathtub was a shelf containing different shampoos and bath products. I gave my face a wash, enjoying the scent of the soap and then changed into the clothes Azriel had lent me. I folded up my other belongings carefully and put them in my satchel as I walked out of the bathroom. He was so quiet that I didn't realise he was there until I turned around and saw him pouring the jug of water into two glasses at his desk.

"What's in that tea you gave me?" I asked him and he put down the jug, turning around. His eyes scanned my body from my feet up to my eyes. "I look ridiculous, I know," I laughed softly, fidgeting with the hem of the t-shirt.

"You really don't," He replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He walked over to me, not stopping until he was just in front of me, our bodies almost touching. "In fact, I'm quite enjoying the view." I blushed and he looped his fingers through mine. "And the tea is chamomile, vanilla and honey… I use it when I'm finding it hard to relax and switch-off. Would you like me to make you some?"

"I think I'll be okay," I told him and he kissed one of my hands.

"I'm just going to get ready for bed," He told me and then he slipped into the bathroom.

I sat down on the edge of the bed, wondering whether or not to just climb in. What even was the protocol? I realised maybe this was something I should have asked Nesta although… hers and Cassian's romantic relationship had started very differently I supposed. The mattress felt soft under me, like sitting on a cloud might feel. I ran my fingers through the soft, grey fur, enjoying the texture, and then over the satin sheets. Very luxurious. Going back to my room tomorrow was going to be very anticlimactic. I placed my hands inside my lap and just waited.

When the door opened again, Azriel raised an eyebrow as he looked at me, "What are you doing?"

"Waiting for you."

And indeed there he was, in a pair of grey pyjama bottoms. He held a t-shirt in front of his chest. "Would you feel more comfortable if I slept with a t-shirt on?" He asked.

Was this a trick question? I blinked but then realised he was trying to make me feel safe. Always asking for permission, never wanting to push me too hard. "Do you normally sleep with a top on?" I asked and he shook his head, "Then no t-shirt is fine." I watched as he walked to the dresser, folded the t-shirt and put it back inside. I might have been admiring his body as he did so. The perfectly carved muscles on the front and back, the tattoos that swept over his chest, shoulders and upper arms. I watched as he walked over to one side of the bed and turned down the sheets.

"Are you planning on sleeping at the end of the bed?" He laughed, moving back towards me. He scooped me up and I squealed as he threw me backwards to where he'd turned down the sheets. "That's better."

"I can't believe you just threw me," I stared at him open-mouthed as I pulled the covers over myself. He turned off the main light, leaving only the glow of the hearth, and he grinned wickedly as he walked over to the other side of the bed, sliding into the covers. I wiggled around, getting comfy and enjoying the silky feel of the satin against my bare legs.

"Are you okay?" He laughed, watching me.

"These sheets feel amazing," I told him.

"You mean you don't have satin sheets down in the library?" He teased.

"I'm never going to want to leave."

His eyes softened and he pulled me towards him, closing the gap between us. We lay on our sides, looking at each other and I let out a sigh of content as he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me tighter against his chest. I reached up to touch his shoulder and I traced his tattoo with my fingers.

"So where are we going when I get back?" He asked as he watched my finger tracing along his upper arm.

"Dinner in the city," I told him, "And maybe some music."

"That can be arranged," He murmured and I followed the pattern back over his shoulder and down onto his chest. He sucked in a deep breath. I felt the hard muscle beneath my fingers as I traced the black ink and then I paused when I reached his heart, placing my palm right there, feeling his heartbeat. I leaned forward, my hand still on his chest, and pressed my lips to his. The kiss started gentle, careful and I felt his heart rate increase under my hand.

"Interesting," I murmured and I kissed him again, this time more passionately. Burning. My blood was burning, crackling. My head was spinning. His heart continued to thud under my hand and I smiled against his lips, satisfied, before moving my hands up to his shoulders. He pulled me in closer, chest-to-chest and a hand caressed the bare part of my hip where it had become exposed. Dangerous, dangerous, dangerous, I told myself. But not enough. Azriel pulled me so that I was on top of him as we kissed, both hands gently stroking the bare skin at each side of my hip and waistline. And then there was a little tongue. Just a small amount, enough to heat my blood further, enough for him to check that it was okay. My hands moved to hair, gentle strokes, gentle circles on his neck and he seemed to tremble below me. His fingers brushed against my spine and I felt my toes curl as I moaned.

I tensed and Azriel broke the kiss. I rolled off of him, breathless and embarrassed and tried to slide further away but he caught my hands.

"It's okay," He said, just as breathless. I glanced down and he tucked a hand under my chin, making me look back up at him. "It's okay," He repeated.

"Sorry… I didn't mean to… ugh." I couldn't find the words. My head was still a spinning, muddled mess.

His hand moved from my chin and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, letting his fingers gently brush against my face. "I feel it too," He murmured, his eyes soft. He took my hand and held it against his chest, his heart beating faster than it had been before. "The sparks, the yearning, all of it. I feel it too." He cupped my cheek in his hand, "Sometimes when I'm with you I'm not sure I can even breathe… other times breathing is just so easy." I gave him a small smile and he let out a sigh, "And that smile… it fills me with so much warmth that I sometimes think I might explode." He rested his forehead against mine. "So please don't be embarrassed… we go at your pace," His eyes were sincere, "Whatever is best for you, my love."

I hadn't even realised that a few tears had escaped until Azriel started to wipe them gently away and then he pulled me in tighter and I rested my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat until it lulled me to sleep.

—-

I woke up the next morning to the sound of some birds outside the ajar window and the daylight starting to flood the room. I was still nestled against Azriel but his wings were tucked around us both. I yawned and stretched and glanced up to see he was watching me, his eyes a lighter shade of hazel in the growing light.

"Is this where I accuse you of watching me sleep and being armed?" I asked and he smirked as he pulled truth-teller out from under his pillow. "You sleep with your dagger under your pillow?"

He signalled to my bedside table, "If you sleep with yours there, anyone who sneaks into your room would stab you before you could even open your eyes."

I raised my eyebrows, "Erm… I suppose you're right."

"Always," He grinned and kissed my nose, "Although I'm sure I'm going to be corrected more these days."

"Mmmm," I sighed and sank into the pillow, "I need this bed."

He rolled onto his side, watching me, "It's yours."

I laughed, "I don't think this will fit in my room, not even if I chopped it in half."

"All of this," Azriel waved his hand around, "It's yours. If you ever want to relax in here or read or sleep, this room is always open to you. Even if I'm not here."

"What if I ate chocolate on the bed and spilled crumbs?"

"Still yours."

"What if I'm reading a really terrible book?"

He laughed, "Still yours."

"What if I'm dancing around in my underwear?"

His eyebrows raised, "Definitely still yours."

My eyes widened, "And the bath?"

"Fill it with sweets if you must."

We were quiet as we ate the breakfast Azriel brought to the room, the goodbye edging closer. We took turns to wash and dress and when I came out of the bathroom in my Valkyrie leathers, I took one look at him in his Illyrian leathers and my body tensed. What if something happened to him when he was away? What if he was injured or captured or…

"I'll be okay," Azriel said, his voice interrupting my dark thoughts and I wondered how he'd know where my head was going. A shadow brushed against my cheek. He finished on his belt and walked over to me as I reached for my thigh strap, but he got there first. He kneeled as he carefully fastened my dagger to my thigh, the gesture intimate enough to make my heart thud faster. He stood, his eyes on mine, "Besides we've got a date when I get home." He placed a kiss to my forehead and held me against him for a few moments. "I have every reason to hurry back."

"Good," my voice was barely above a whisper as he released me and I moved to see the mirror so that I could braid my hair. But to my surprise, he moved behind me and started braiding it himself. I savoured the touch as he gently pulled, twisting and turning the hair around each other into one tight, long plait. When he'd finished, I admired his work in the mirror. "Where did you learn to braid?"

"Rhys's sister," he shrugged. "We used to braid Cassian's hair when he was sleeping." His mouth turned up at the corners at the memory and I laughed as I reached for my satchel. Inside was the white ribbon I'd cut with my sword for the first time. I tied it to his wrist and tucked it safely under his gauntlet.

"You're the new ribbon, Az," He murmured and I glanced up at him. "Nesta said that to me in training once after a little teasing between us."

"Shame I find you too pretty to slice in two then I suppose."

His laugh was dark and he pulled me in for a kiss. A goodbye kiss I realised. A kiss filled with promise that we'd be together again. His shadows brushed against me too as I completely leaned into his touch. And then there was a knock at the door. Azriel opened it to see Cassian and Nesta stood there, both also in their leathers.

"Mor is here to take us to Windhaven," Nesta told me and I let Azriel give my hand one last squeeze before he headed off on his mission.