I looked out at the ocean, my mate at my side. It gently lapped against the sand, like a soft kiss. Azriel wrapped me in his arms and I smiled as I looked out at the horizon. The sunset had turned the sky a beautiful shade of orange.
"I love you," He murmured and I sighed, happily, turning in his arms.
"I love you too," I kissed him gently and he rested his forehead on mine.
I heard a giggle then. A small, quiet one and I looked over to see a young Illyrian girl with wings running across the sand, her hair dark, her eyes the same shade as mine. A splattering of freckles covered her nose and her smile was very much her father's.
"And where do you think you're going?" Azriel laughed, scooping the child up and sitting her on his shoulders.
"I want to go in the sea!"
The dream ended. I opened my eyes, feeling groggy. My stomach throbbed faintly as I took in my surroundings. I was at the House of Wind. I was home. Azriel snored softly beside me, sat up on the bed, one hand resting against my arm, a bandage around his arm where an arrow had been removed. My own wrist was bruised on one side, but from the yellow colour I gathered it was close to healing itself. I peeled back the covers and looked at the bandages tightly wrapped around my stomach. From the dressing I guessed it had been pretty bad. I shuffled slightly, trying to find a comfortable position and Azriel's hand twitched on my arm as he opened his eyes. His shadows seemed to brush over me, searching, checking I was okay, as I looked over at him.
"Gwyn," He said, his voice cracking as he gently curled up against my side, not wanting to hurt me. Tears rolled down his cheeks and I felt tears escape my own eyes as I leaned into his touch, his warmth.
"Am I really awake?" I asked, my voice hoarse.
"I fucking hope so," He said, relief crossing his face. He kissed my head, then forehead, then cheeks and I shuddered as the tears continued to fall. "I'm so glad you're alive."
"I'm pretty glad you are too," I told him, "This bed wouldn't be as comfy without you."
He laughed softly, nuzzling his nose against mine. He kissed me gently, as if worried I would break or disappear into nothingness, and a few more tears rolled down his cheeks. His face turned serious again, hurt, "Why did you go?"
"He wanted to kill you," I told him, "And I couldn't… I'd have rather spent the rest of my life with them then let him torture and kill you."
"And you jumped in front of a dagger for me," He tensed, "Promise me you'll never do that again."
"I can't make any promises," I told him. "You're my mate and I'd do anything for you." I looked down and the bandage wrapped around my stomach. "How bad is it?"
"You lost a lot of blood," Azriel's eyes were dark.
"But where… where did it hit?" My breath caught in my throat. "It wasn't… it wasn't my womb was it?"
Azriel's brow furrowed, "No, it was your stomach."
"Thank the Mother," I released the breath and he raised an eyebrow.
"Your stomach was cut open and you're thanking the Mother."
"I… may have thought I was pregnant… for a week… when I was in captivity…" I shifted awkwardly, breaking his gaze.
"W…What?" He turned my face gently to look back at him.
"I wasn't ," I reassured him, "It was just my cycle fucking up but… I was terrified to be going through it alone and not be able to tell you and when I found out I wasn't… is it stupid that I was disappointed?"
He gave a small smile and gently kissed my forehead, "That's not stupid, though I'm glad you aren't pregnant… because one day when you are, I don't want to miss anything."
He brushed his hand against my bare skin, just below the bandage and left his arm draped over it. "Can I get you anything?"
I shifted awkwardly, "Can you please help me get to the bathroom? As weird as that is."
He laughed softly and kissed my nose, "In sickness and in health, my love."
It was three days before I was well enough to be out of bed. Madja, the best healer in Velaris, visited twice a day, cleaning my wounds and changing my bandages, as well as leaving me special tea and remedies to help keep away infections. They tasted disgusting but I drank them all the same and Azriel drank his prescribed ones too. His bandage was off two days later, barely a mark left on his arm and he had spent my three bedridden days escorting me to the bathroom, feeding me and fussing over me.
I was grateful to be out of bed and after a careful bath, I dressed in one of Azriel's t-shirts and leggings, enjoying the comfiness of them. I ventured into the living room and was surprised to see Emerie and Nesta there, a huge chocolate cake in front of them and a stack of books.
"What are you doing here?" I asked with a laugh. Azriel passed me carefully, pressing a kiss to my head and making himself scarce, disappearing upstairs.
"Did you hit your head?" Nesta snorted, "We're here to see you obviously and… we missed your birthday when you were stuck in hell."
I walked over to them slowly, careful not to push myself. My mouth watered at the sight of the cake on the table in front of them. I carefully sat on the sofa, in the middle, where they'd made space for me, and I pressed a cushion against my stomach, finding that the pressure helped to ease the dull ache that was left.
"How are you feeling?" Emerie asked.
"I've felt better," I admitted, "But also worse." I looked between them both, "When did the other priestesses pass their training?"
"Last week," Nesta replied, "And when Cassian mentioned we were coming to help find you… they insisted on coming."
"I can't believe they left the library," My eyes watered and Emerie smiled.
"Deidre said something about admiring your strength and that if you'd done it, it couldn't be so bad." Emerie replied.
"I'll have to go and say thank you," I replied. I looked over at the chocolate cake, "Now is this just for show or can I eat it?" My friends let me blow out the candles.
We dug into the cake together, only using forks, and as I did so, I told them about what had happened in the Autumn Court and then my month in Hybern. I spoke of training Aerilyn and her passing the training and then I paused.
"What happened to her?" I asked.
"She returned to Hybern to take care of some things," Emerie said. "But I think Rhysand mentioned she was going to return to the Dusk Court."
"And rebuild?"
"Something weird happened in that ceremony," Nesta said, "Some of the buildings were uncovered as if they'd been standing the whole time. Feyre said they're going to have to meet and redraw the Court boundaries when she comes back to claim her court. I think she's also a bit grateful to have another High Lady."
Footsteps sounded and I sat up straighter at the sight of Eris on the stairwell. Only those invited could enter the house… only those invited could enter Velaris. Rhysand had obviously given him permission. And in my grandfather's arms…
The hound had grown since I'd last seen her but she still yapped as she ran over to me, jumping onto my lap and licking my face. I laughed softly as Nesta wrinkled her nose and Emerie stroked her.
"I've missed you too," I laughed at the puppy.
"We'll just be upstairs," Nesta said, excusing herself and Emerie. They disappeared together and Artemis took a seat beside me as Eris sat in an armchair.
"You look well," He told me and I nodded.
"I'm getting there."
"My guard told me what you did in the Middle," Eris said and he ran a hand through his hair. "You saved my life."
"Maybe I'm not ready to be heir just yet," I said and he laughed. "And also, you're family. You'd do the same for me."
"Rhysand won't let me end the bastard yet," An eye roll. "I wanted to take him back to Autumn and tear him apart limb by limb…"
"I'm sure that can be arranged but you'll have to fight Azriel for the honour."
He was quiet for a moment, "When will you visit?"
"Perhaps I can visit once a month," I suggested.
He gave a nod of the head, "I'll look forward to it." He got to his feet, "I still need your help winning over the lesser fae, after all."
I must have fallen asleep on the sofa that evening, reading and gossiping with Nesta and Emerie, because I stirred slightly to strong, muscled arms carrying me to bed. I slept soundly, curled up tightly against my mate and neither of us let go.