Azriel | ACOTAR

You looked flawless tonight. A beautiful and slightly dramatic black dress. Feyre and Nesta had both insisted that Azriel was staring at you, but you knew better. Azriel had been distant...he was always with Elain, and very obviously in love with her.

Even now, he is dancing with her, and you can feel his feelings for her through your bond. Cassian and Nesta are sitting with you, and both of them are trying to make you feel better about it. There was nothing you could do about Elain and Azriel.

Azriel thought you looked pretty. You had stepped down, coming over to talk to Elain. She is far too innocent for me, Azriel thinks to himself, I'd ruin her... He knows he's supposed to stay away from you. To focus on Elain. To keep you safe from himself. To not dream of holding you through your nightmares, or of how you'd look walking down an aisle to him, or you cradling a baby- No.

After the dance ends, Azriel guides Elain back over to the table. Cassian glares at Azriel. Cassian has always been the overbearing protective older brother to you, and when Azriel ignored the mating bond he shared with you, Cassian had become frustrated and cold. Here we go.

"Did you enjoy dancing with Elain, Azriel?" Cassian asked quietly as his mate, Nesta, began chatting quietly with Elain. You sat by yourself off to the side of them, and it angered Cassian...you weren't enjoying yourself.

"I'm not hearing it, Cass." Azriel growls, going to find his labelled seat, and realising it was next to you. The girl to the right of a male was always his mate, but he was surprised Rhysand had put you next to him. Elain was down the other end of the table. A scheme between Cassian and Feyre, no doubt.