We woke reasonably early the following day. The sun was still coming up when we both woke up simultaneously, our bare skin against each other. That had been enough for Azriel to make love to me all over again. And then we'd bathed and I'd let him wash my hair before I did the same for him.
"So where are we going?" I asked him as he reappeared in the living room, having delivered our bags to a mystery place.
"I thought we could get away for a few days, just the two of us," He replied. He ran a hand through my hair and then tilted my chin upwards, kissing my lips, "No distractions and no one to disturb us." I reached for my dagger and fastened it around my thigh. "We're going on a romantic getaway and you're packing weapons?"
"Are you telling me truth-teller is staying at home?" I raised an eyebrow.
"He's coming with us as a precaution."
"So I'm bringing a precaution with me too," I told him. "Maybe I'll need to defend you."
He laughed softly and as I lowered my dress, he teleported us. I steadied myself and blinked.
"The element of surprise doesn't help I take it?" Amusement danced on his lips.
I narrowed my eyes, "Not at all." I looked around, taking in our surroundings. In front of stood a small manor house decorated with a beautiful garden. The front window was a rose stained glass window and if I squinted, looking across the land, I could see a small village. "Where are we?" I asked. I could see someone working in the garden, a hint of Illyrian wings. The air was warm, blue skies were overhead. I could hear birdsong, the same calls as Velaris, yet the land around us was flat. I looked over at my mate.
"Rosehall," Azriel said. He took a deep breath, awkwardly running a hand through his hair. "My mother's home."
"The person you bought this house for…"
"After how she was treated and how I was treated… I promised that one day, when I could afford to, I would buy her somewhere safe to live," Azriel said. "Rhys tried to give me the money for it, but I earned it all, for her." I reached out for one of his hands and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I wasn't sure how to tell you."
"I understand," I nodded.
"And I would really like to introduce you to her… if that's okay."
I smiled up at him, "I'd like to meet her too."
Azriel took a deep breath and it was obvious he was nervous, so I held his hand and let him lead me through the gate. It squeaked open, yet wasn't rusty- a warning sign of visitors and intruders, I realised.
The winged female stood up from where she was gardening and wiped her muddy hands on her apron. Her eyes widened as she spotted her son and her warm smile almost reminded me of my own mother.
"It's not even the Summer Solstice," She laughed softly and stepped forward, arms open. I released Azriel's hand and he hugged her gently as I stood, fiddling with the chiffon of my blue summer gown. "What a lovely surprise!" She beamed.
"Hello, Mother," Azriel said in response, a small smile on his lips as she released him.
She then turned to face me, "Now where are my manners?" Her nose twitched as the scent drifted towards her and her eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Mother, this is Gwyn," Azriel said, his eyes lighting up, "My mate."
His mother looked between the two of us and then she grinned, her eyes watery, "What wonderful news!" She squeezed Azriel's arms and then turned back to me, "It's so lovely to meet you Gwyn."
"It's lovely to meet you too, Ms…" I replied, awkwardly.
"Just Eleora," She replied and then she pulled me in for a hug. After a moment she pulled away, tutting herself. "I forgot for a moment that I'm in my gardening clothes, I do apologise." She shook her head. "Please, come in whilst I get cleaned up and then I'll make us all some lunch."
We followed Eleora through the beautifully-kept garden and she led us through the door. The house was beautiful. It wasn't expensive-looking like the River House or the House of Wind, but instead it felt homely. The chairs were worn and well-loved, as were the freshly-polished tables. Azriel led me into the kitchen with its simple painted cupboards and wooden counter tops. He filled a kettle and put it on the stove.
"The house was in disrepair in places when I bought it," Azriel said. "My mother and I put in a lot of work to repair it and make it homely. It's been well-loved over the last few centuries but-"
"It's lovely," I told him and I meant it. I reached for some teacups in the glass cabinet next to me and put them on the kitchen counter.
"I try to visit on the Summer and Winter Solstice every year, as we get some time off … sometimes I visit a few more times if I can," Azriel said.
"Who knows?"
"Rhys, Cass, Mor… I tried to convince her to live in Velaris but my mother has always preferred the quiet, country life, away from prying eyes." The kettle whistled and Azriel filled up a teapot with the water and some tea.
He placed them on a tray with the teacups just as his mother came back into the room.
"I was going to do that," Eleora said, playfully swatting his hands. "Do you like lemon cake?" She asked me.
"Gwyn will eat any cake," Azriel said, his eyes crinkling with amusement.
"Wonderful," She opened a cupboard and took out some cake, adding it to the tray.
"I'll carry it to the veranda," My mate said, taking it before she could refuse.
Eleora clicked her tongue as she looked at me, "He likes to fuss."
The veranda was at the back of the house. A small , sheltered area of decking with some cushioned chairs, a swing chair and a table in the centre. It overlooked a small pond and what looked like a vegetable patch. Two Illyrian females were sitting, harvesting some fruit and vegetables.
"Lea and Rian," Azriel's mother said to me as they waved at us all in greeting. "They live here with me too." As they turned, I saw the scars on their wings and anger boiled inside of me. They too had been treated cruelly, it seemed.
Azriel had moved to sit on a cushioned bench and he took my hand, gently pulling me to sit down beside him. He draped an arm and wing behind my shoulders and his mother watched the gesture with a smile.
"So how did you two meet?" She asked as she poured each of us a cup of tea.
Azriel tensed and I looked over him before I replied, "I was a priestess at the temple in Sangravah the night that Hybern came looking for the cauldron."
His mother blinked as one of Azriel's shadows brushed against my cheek, "Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't think…"
"You weren't to know," I told her, "Azriel found me but… we didn't know we were mates then."
And so I filled her in on the training, how we'd really gotten to know each other. As I spoke, Azriel chipped in with information every now and then, filling his mother in right up until our mating ceremony.
"I'm sorry you weren't there," Azriel said.
"Nonsense, you know I couldn't have coped in the city," She waved it off. "So you're really a Valkyrie then?"
"She's in a book," Azriel's mouth twitched up in the corners as I blushed.
"You'll have to get me a copy," Eleora said to her son and he nodded. "How long are you staying? I can prepare a bedchamber for you both…"
"We have a cabin a few miles away," Azriel replied, "But thank you."
I caught a glimmer of disappointment in her eyes. Disappointed that she rarely got to see her son.
"Perhaps we could come by again the next time we have some time off?" I suggested and Azriel looked at me in surprise.
"I'll have a proper dinner prepared," My mate's mother smiled. "It's the least I can do for my son and his mate."
After lunch, Azriel flew us to where we would be staying and without a map, I'd definitely lost all bearings. I presumed we were still in the Night Court, but where I didn't know. In the distance now I could make out some mountains but it was hard to tell whether it was the Illyrian mountain range I'd been becoming more accustomed to.
The small cabin was tucked away from everyone, with only nature as our neighbours. A small river ran by its side and forest spread out on the other side. All you could hear were the birds and the running water of the river.
"Who's is this?" I asked as we landed.
"Ours," a lopsided smile.
"I thought I told you not to buy anywhere because I wanted to go halves." I poked him in the chest.
He laughed softly, putting me down, "It's not a permanent residence." He unlocked the door and let me step inside, "It's an old Hunter's lodge. Hasn't been used for over a century, so I bought it as a little getaway for us… until we find something more permanent."
It was small and open plan. A claw-footed bathtub at the end of a double bed, our packed bags beside it. A small fireplace. A living area with a sofa and huge bookshelves. A small kitchenette. A door that I presumed led to a toilet. The windows, however, were big and overlooked the forest and the river. Like the outdoors was inside.
Azriel's arms wrapped around my waist from where he stood behind me, "Besides it wouldn't fit those tiny Illyrians we spoke about last night." He nipped my ear with his teeth and I shivered. "Now that we're alone," he said, his voice like a soft purr, "Perhaps we can pick up where we left off this morning." He carried me over to the bed.
When the stars came out and after we'd eventually taken a break to eat dinner, I let Azriel lead me outside. We laid side by side on the grass, looking up at the night sky, our fingers looped through each other's.
"I think my mother and Cat would've liked you," I said, breaking the silence.
"Really?" He smiled at me and looked up at the sky again. "Well if it helps, my mother loves you."
I raised an eyebrow, "You're just saying that."
"I'm not," He leaned on an elbow, meeting my eyes, "You're strong and beautiful and you make me ridiculously happy. All qualities I have no doubt she admires."
My heart fluttered at the thought, "I'm glad, I want her to like me."
He pressed his lips to my forehead and seemed to breathe me in, "I wish I'd had the opportunity to meet your mother and Cat too."
"Now you've just got Eris."
Azriel wrinkled his nose and I laughed at the facial expression.
"You know, it's only a matter of time before we're invited to the Autumn Court," I sat up and looked at the river before me, the full moon shining down on it.
"I've been there hundreds of times," He grinned.
"Many I'm sure they're not even aware of," I said and amusement shone in his eyes. "You've not been there with an invite as the High Lord's granddaughter's mate." I reminded him.
He frowned, "I'm not sure how I feel about seeing you in his colours."
"Just another piece of armour," I shrugged, "Besides, you were quite happy for me to wear my diadem to bed last night."
His eyes darkened and he smiled at the memory, "I could get used to you in a crown."
I got to my feet, "It's a shame I didn't bring it with me then, isn't it?"
Azriel moved to his kneel in front of me so quickly and quietly that I could have blinked and missed it. "I don't think I've complained about that today, have I, mate?"
"You know, for someone that's known as the quiet, brooding one, you do love to talk," I raised an eyebrow as a hand slid up my thigh to where the dagger was. Then higher. I sucked in a breath.
"Perhaps it's time I showed you what else my tongue can do."
It was just as well no one was around for miles because there, under the stars, he did exactly that.