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prythianpages · 6 months

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ACOSM | The Night she gets her heartbroken

azriel x rhysand's sister (oc)

warnings: angst? mentions of violence

summary: Valeria is heartbroken and seeks the comfort of her brother. Meanwhile, Azriel decides to take matter into his hands.

A/N: this is an imagine among my collection of imagines that follow Rhysand's sister, Valeria. while I'm still working on them, you can find the masterlist for it here.

Days turned into weeks, and Azriel battled with his emotions in solitude. He tried to hide his jealousy, but the shadows around him could sense his turmoil. He grappled with the fear of that his chance had slipped through his fingers.

Azriel couldn't deny the weight in his chest as he heard the words slip from Valeria's lips the other day—the revelation that Damien had claimed her first kiss. The news hit him harder than he anticipated, stirring a mix of emotions that he struggled to process. He sought comfort that night in the company of a beautiful Illyrian girl, but with every caress and tender kiss, his thoughts drifted to Valeria. He couldn't help but wonder how she felt, what she tasted like.

This had become a pattern, a repetitive cycle of seeking companionship elsewhere while his heart yearned for the one who had unknowingly captured it. He was grateful that Rhysand and Cassian were distracted with interests of their own. It shielded him from having to fabricate excuses for choosing to spend his nights alone, masking the truth that he could no longer find that physical connection with anyone as he did before. Before his feelings for Valeria had gone beyond those of friendship.

Rhysand’s and Cassian’s distractions had also made it easier for him to keep his feelings for Valeria hidden. He buried them deep within, fearing that the friendships he had built with her and Rhysand might crumble under the weight of his emotions. But now, the realization of Valeria sharing such an intimate moment with another person ignited a jealousy he couldn't ignore.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, Valeria stormed into the house. That’s when she ran into Rhysand and Azriel.

Rhysand, lounging with his legs propped up on the coffee table, swiftly removed his feet, dog-earing his book, concern flickering in his eyes as they locked onto his sister. Azriel, engrossed in sharpening a blade from his seat in the armchair, also paused in his task. His shadows, always vigilant, sensed the distress surrounding Valeria, some rushing to her. They let out a small sigh in relief as they confirmed that she was physically unharmed, though emotionally shattered.

Tears welled up in Valeria's violet eyes, her bottom lip trembling in a pout. Rhysand was on his feet in an instant, already sensing her distress. Valeria wasted no time, seeking solace in the comforting embrace of her brother. "What's wrong?" he gently inquired, his protective instincts rising to the fore.

"You were right," Valeria sobbed, the pain of overhearing Damien's heartless words still fresh. The memory sliced through her heart, shattering it into irreparable fragments. "He used me. He never truly liked me, he just liked my title."

Rhysand’s expression turned dark with anger, and his protective instincts flared. “I’m going to kill that bastard.”

But beneath the boiling rage, Rhysand frowned. As much as he desired to unleash his wrath upon Damien for daring to hurt Valeria, he knew he couldn't succumb to that urge. Rhysand was the High Lord’s son and heir. Damien also held a delicate position as he was Lord Devlon’s son, the one who oversaw the Windhaven camp. Provoking such conflict could plunge them into a harrowing confrontation, one that might spiral into a gruesome clash.

Cassian, who had been tidying up in the kitchen, stepped into the living room with a warm smile playing on his lips. However, it swiftly vanished at the distressing scene before him. Rhysand, comforting Valeria as tears streamed down her face, and Azriel exuding an aura of controlled fury.

“Fuck,” he breathed. The realization of what had transpired hit him, and soon his expression mirrored his brother's. "It was that asshole, wasn’t it?”

Rhysand gently pulled away from Valeria to assess his sister, worry still etched into his features. "I didn’t care for him as much," Valeria confessed. “I think I liked the idea of him more than I liked him. The idea that someone could like me.”

The pain cut Valeria deep, a piercing wound laced with betrayal, anger, and humiliation. Damien's hurtful words had struck her not because she found herself falling for the cruel individual, but because they were a searing slap to her face, bringing to surface her deepest insecurities.

"Aww, come on, dove. Don't look so surprised," he had taunted. "Did you really think someone would like you for you? You would be nothing but just another pretty face, if it weren't for your father or brother."

“Everyone sees me as the High Lord’s daughter…Rhysand’s little sister…When will someone just see me as me?” Valeria’s voice trembled with a tinge of sadness. “When will someone like me for just me?”

“Fuck that asshole.” Cassian's anger surged at the raw hurt in Valeria's eyes, and he clenched his fists.

Rhysand tenderly wiped each tear from Valeria's cheeks, his frown deepening. "You are my sister, but you are so much more than that. You are Valeria. Beautiful and sweet, brave and kind. A strong and kindred spirit, who loves chasing the stars and shines as bright as the moon. You needn’t dim your light over the words of Illyrian scum."

Valeria sniffled, her tears gradually subsiding. "I love you, Rhys."

"I love you too, Val," Rhysand replied, a fond smile gracing his lips as he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"How about some lemon cakes?" Cassian chimed in, attempting to soothe her pain. He knew how much she loved sweets, especially those with a lemony flavor.

Valeria turned to him, a faint smile ghosting her lips. She nodded. "And ice cream?"

"Of course," Rhysand responded, leading Valeria to the couch and encouraging her to sit.

"I’ll get the whipped cream and sprinkles," Azriel offered, his desire to ease her suffering evident. Despite the ache in her heart, Valeria's spirits lifted at the thought that he remembered her preferences.

"Don’t you dare move from that couch, Val! We will bring everything to you," Rhysand exclaimed playfully as he followed Cassian down the hall and into the kitchen.

Azriel lingered by the hallway, his golden gaze meeting Valeria's. "I see you," he softly assured her, unable to let her go without expressing his true feelings.

To Azriel, she was not just the High Lord’s daughter or Rhysand’s sister. She was Valeria—the girl who now consumed his thoughts and dreams. The girl who continued to warm him with her light, even in the darkest corners of his soul.

The following day, Valeria decided to accompany Rhys, Cassian, and Az on some camp errands. As they strolled through the town square, they crossed paths with Damien, the son of Lord Devlon. However, Damien purposefully ignored Valeria as she walked by. She caught the sight of a nasty black eye and busted lip as he avoided her gaze.

Rhysand had harbored the desire to inflict pain upon him, but held himself back. Nevertheless, to his surprise, he found that someone had already taken matters into their own hands. Cassian couldn't help but chuckle at Damien’s sorry state. Azriel wore a smug smirk, relishing the fear that flashed in Damien’s eyes as they walked by.

Bonus scene:

Azriel couldn't stand idle knowing the pain Valeria endured. The fury within him ignited, fueled by his love and protectiveness for her. As the moon hung high in the night sky, he made his way to the place where Damien was known to frequent.

He found the despicable son of Lord Devlon already nestled in the company of another girl. Azriel's anger surged, his vision momentarily consumed by red. He moved with a growl, swift and silent, and yanked Damien away from the girl by the back of his leathers. The frightened girl fled, leaving the two men alone in the darkness.

Without hesitation, Azriel's fist connected with Damien's face, sending him crashing to the dirt, where he belonged. "Don't you dare look at her or breathe in her direction ever again," Azriel seethed, his voice laced with menace, as he dropped to his knees and landed another punch.

"I swear on my life!" Damien cried out, his face contorted in pain and fear.

Azriel rose to his feet and sneered at the pathetic display. "I've seen your life. Swear on something else.”

Tag list: @justrepostandlove @kemillyfreitas @thelov3lybookworm

#azriel x reader #azriel shadowsinger #azriel #rhysand's sister x azriel #acotar imagine #azriel x oc #rhysand's sister #acosm #azriel imagine

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astarlitsoul · 1 month

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Morning Star

Azriel x OC

@starfallweek prompt: Character A is a fallen star, Character B finds them.

A/n: This is my first time posting on tumblr (Ik I'm a decade late) and my first time trying to write fanfic. I wanted to give this prompt from Starfall Week a try. I hope to make at least a second part bc I'm a sucker for a happy ending. Feedback is appreciated, I hope you enjoy.

This is set a year after ACOSF when the red star (likely Aelin) was seen by Rhysand on Starfall.

Warnings: Angst, blood, wounds (not too graphic), I think that's it...

Rhys had truly outdone himself this year. In anticipation of Nesta and Cassian’s wedding, the High Lord had created his largest guest list yet for the upcoming Starfall. The House of Wind had been undergoing preparations for the week prior to the holiday in preparation for all the guests. The residence was being readied to host the courtiers and their plus ones, the ruling families of allied courts, and Keir and Lord Devlon plus their ilk. Even the owners of businesses the Inner Circle frequented had been extended an invitation.

Azriel had attended far more of the balls than he could remember. In his youth, Rhys, Cassian, and he would perch atop the roof of Rhys’ mother's house to watch the streaks of light until they dwindled away. In his adolescence, it was not uncommon for one of them, often Cassian, to bring their lover at the time and share kisses under the show. (Of course, the perpetrator would be teased to no end the following day.) More recently, as Rhys and Cass found their mates, Azriel found himself missing those days. He was happy for his brothers, and he loved his found sisters. But that didn’t change the feelings of unworthiness that were spurred when he was left without a date at event after event.

In the recent weeks leading up to Starfall, these thoughts were the subject of Azriel’s dreams. The dreams were not nightmares, per se, which Azriel was well acquainted with. They all began with a depiction of a different Starfall from his youth. However, the good memories were soured when Rhys and Cassian would fall silent beside him atop the roof. Azriel would call out for them, but their eyes would remain glued to the sky as if seeing something he couldn’t. They pointed and murmured things he couldn’t hear before they grabbed him in an attempt to winnow away.

Even now, as he flew home the morning before the holiday, he found himself thinking over the dreams. Lost in thought, he was surprised to find himself flying over the quaint cabin. He had subconsciously altered his flight path to pass the first home he’d known. Landing softly in front of Rhys’ mother’s house, he scanned his surroundings before entering. Assured that the sun was just beginning its ascent and that much of the world still slept, he entered the cabin.

Strolling through the small foyer and into the kitchen, he observed just how worn it was. As boys, they did a number on the cabin, leaving lasting scuffs on the floor and permanent dents in their favorite chairs. He loved the damages now, seeing them for what they were. Signs of life, proof that joy and love had filled the space. Proof that even he had known joy and love. After walking through the small rooms, he exited and flew up to the roof. He told himself he wouldn’t get too comfortable, that he’d rest for only a few moments before heading to the House of Wind. Facing the spot where the sun threatened to rise from the ocean, he took in the orange and pink hues of the pre-dawn sky. While Velaris was mostly obscured by the trees, he could glimpse the city in the distance.

His musings were interrupted by a rising feeling that moved from his stomach up behind his ribs. His shadows, which had settled into languid movements upon arrival at the cabin, began flaring out from him in a frenzy. He inhaled deeply at the foreign sensation, and it was then that he noticed the first star in the darkening sky. Azriel cocked his head at it. Prythian's brightest star — and the last to disappear each morning — should lay behind him in the sky. His confusion only grew as the star began flickering and growing.

No, not growing, approaching. The white-hot mass was careening towards him. He ducked, lying flush against the roof, his shadows making themselves scarce in the presence of the foreign glow. He closed his eyes against the brightness before he felt a wave of searing heat through his leathers as it passed overhead. Only when the light stopped attempting to shine through his shut lids, did Azriel open his eyes. Standing once more he looked himself over, then at his surroundings. Whatever it was had bowed the trees in its path, unobscuring the view to Velaris and leaving char marks and a glittering substance in its wake.

Let us see. Let us investigate. A few of his shadows hovered in front of his face, and he permitted them to follow the path. Reaching for Truth-Teller, Azriel wracked his mind for any information he’d know of objects falling into their atmosphere. He’d gone with Rhys to see multiple experts about the upcoming celestial event. The High Lord was still shaken by the red star he’d seen during last year's Starfall. Yet none of the court’s prophets nor astronomers had forecast this. They’d all claimed the view on Starfall was set to be uninterrupted, that only good things would come from the spectacle. It was another reason that Azriel’s dreams confused him. And a reason why he didn’t mention it to his brothers.

There is blood, Master. So much blood. His shadows whizzed back to him, wrapping around his middle and tugging him in the direction of the foreign object. Taking to the sky, he spotted a clearing a few hundred feet behind the cabin that hadn’t been there before. Upon passing the last of the trees, Azriel drew up short and hovered over the sight. There were so few things that turned his stomach after centuries of horrors. But the sight of a body laying in the crater, a tangle of limbs and wings and branches and moss had the foreign feeling returning to his chest. Landing softly, he rolled the hilt of his dagger in his palm, a nervous tic of his. He stood at the edge of the crater and found his throat tightening as he took a closer look.

The being was breathtaking, even as it lay limply in the ground. Pale blue feathers lay beneath the body, adorning wings that bent at a too-wrong angle. The being was dressed in nondescript robes of a darker blue hue, which now lay in tatters. Much of the flesh that wasn’t shredded, was obscured by long, curly locks of dark hair and a thick layer of glittering dust. His shadows were snaking their way towards the body, picking up some of the glistening flecks as they approached when they froze suddenly.

Alive. But the breaths are too shallow. There is a great wound.

A faint groan escaped the being and he found himself stepping down into the crater. Precaution thrown to the wind, he saw no need to intimidate the dying creature. It appeared female, as he took in the soft facial features and shapely figure as she lay against the dark soil.

“Hello?” he asked gently.

Another groan, then a cry as the being shifted. Tightening his grip on Truth-Teller, Azriel watched a shaky hand emerge from beneath a heap of feathers to reach for what he believed was a thigh. It was then he saw the wound. The Illyrian winds had been known to whisk away even the largest tents and banners, typically with sandbags and iron posts still attached. The stake of one of those posts was protruding through the leg, too close to the center for her femur to still be intact.

“Hey hey hey,” he sputtered as he reached for the delicate hand hoping to prevent her from causing herself further harm. While he was no healer, he knew that the bones and arteries in the thigh posed a life threat when damaged. The moment his scarred hand closed around her wrist her eyes flew open.

Time may as well have frozen. His eyes met her own, pools of a similar hazel but flecked with stardust. Within his chest, he felt a new ebb and flow. Not of his diaphragm as he remembered to breathe, but of his end of the mating bond that had awoken within him. He was shaken from the moment when another cry left her lips.

She began speaking frantically in a language he’d never heard as she attempted to move, her eyes jumping between his face, his shadows, his flared wings, and the weapon in his hand. Her feathered wings shifted again, as she attempted to free her other arm. Sheathing his dagger, he held up his hands, a sign that he meant no harm. Realizing the efforts to free herself were futile, the female stilled, throwing him a pleading look.

He brought his hands towards the wound slowly, one hand steadying the bloodied stake before the other felt beneath her leg. Wherever the stake had come from, this piece had broken off when it caught in her leg.

She must be moved. She will not last long. His shadows had been working their way around her form, through the hair, feathers, and tatters as they tried to gain a full picture for their master. A few of them brushed the hair off of her face, while others seemed to stroke her hand. Something in his chest squeezed at their report.

“Let me,” he gestured to himself, “help you.” He finished by making a scooping motion with his arms. Azriel had no idea if she understood his miming, or if the bond had come to life in her chest too, but she nodded once in agreement. He pushed an arm under her back gently, before leaning her torso up from the ground. Her face screwed in pain and he paused as she took a shaky breath. He ordered his shadows to steady the stake before pushing his arms under her legs as well.

Standing up, he took note of her limp wings. What he had believed were two large wings, were actually two sets of wings. Looking up at her face, he flared his shadows as he prepared to shadow-walk to Velaris. Once again, despite her ragged breathing and pained face, she nodded at him with resignment in her eyes. Azriel was unsure if she could feel it, but he tried to soothe her through the bond before he allowed his shadows to envelope them. He hoped that she was able to receive the calming waves he sent her, and none of the panic he felt as his mate’s blood soaked his leathers.

#starfallweek2024 #acotar #azriel x reader #azriel shadowsinger #acotar oc #starfallweek #starfall #its my first post be nice plsss

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thisblogisaboutabook · 2 months

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I have a couple Azriel x Reader/OC fics that I’ve been writing and I just adore the FMC in them. I don’t know when you’ll get any of these but I wanted to share excerpts from the WIP’s they’re from that you’ll get (eventually).

This is a long Az x Reader fic (with other beloved characters playing large roles) that I have about 40 pages written of right now.

“Well, this has been lovely. Take the night to sleep on your options. You can speak your truth tomorrow - or Rhysand can come break into your mind. Choose wisely”

Wondering if it was the slight comfort of knowing my mate would likely quell his methods of torture when it came to me, or if I truly had a death wish - I raised my cuffed hands, a middle finger proudly displayed on each.

His face didn’t shift, not in the slightest, as he turned toward the door. He took a step, tensing as a spoonful of mashed potatoes flung against the back of his head. His shadows agitated, swirling around, he turned and I expected pure icy-rage but he only gave me a cool grin,

“Oh, and ‘Ror, tomorrow we’ll need a brief on the Illyrian that you murdered in Windhaven. Devlon’s pretty pissed about that.”

Then he was gone-

and I was so fucked.

Another Azriel x Reader because he’s my favorite to write for 🥹

“Says the wannabe bouncer who just threw me over his shoulder and carried me out of an establishment against my will!!”

“You were ordered to leave after turning the dance floor into a damn hazard! It’s not like I was sweeping you away to take advantage of you.”

“I fail to see how that gives you the right to take me out?? If you want to work at Rita’s just fill out an application like a normal citizen. You don’t have to fucking audition.”

He scoffed. “I report directly to the High Lord, I have every right to carry you out of the establishment, this city, or the whole damn territory if I please.”

A smug grin crept its way onto his face as she finally shut up.

The smugness faded quickly as she waived a hand at him, “You’re dismissed, bird boy.”

#sarah j maas #acotar #a court of thorns and roses #azriel #a court of silver flames #a court of frost and starlight #a court of mist and fury #a court of wings and ruin #azriel shadowsinger #azriel x reader

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leoniestarlee · 3 months

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Illyrian Assassin (6)

Pairing: Azriel x OC

Word Count: 3k

Warning: past trauma, slow burn, t0rture

@waytoomanyteenagefeels new update part🤎

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Azriel, Cassian, Rhysand, and I had spent the last few weeks in the Illyrian mountains, hunting down rogue war bands that took command under Amarantha's rule. We'd hunted down most of them and each war band was given a choice to either rule under Rhysand or die.

If they chose to die, then it was me—the majority of the time—who took charge and snatched their lives out from under their feet, leaving trails of bodies behind. Cassian and I saw it as a way to throw shame and dishonor at the war band one last time—to die by a female Illyrian warrior. The first female Illyrian to have performed and completed the Blood Rite, thanks to Rhys for convincing Lord Devlon to let me—before I pissed him off past no return.

"You were given options, Lord. Such a shame you refused, and I had to kill those handsome Illyrians," I crooned as I stood before an Illyrian Lord who kneeled before me by Rhysand's power.

My purple Siphons gleamed on the back of my hands as I flipped a hooked dagger along my fingers. Five more Siphons sat along the rest of the ebony armor covering my body. A twisted part of my soul throbbed at the blood coating my hands from the camp I'd killed moments before. Too long. It had been too long since the last time I did this.

The Lord spat at my feet, the liquid slowly falling off my boot. Behind me, I could feel my three bastard brothers stiffen from the disrespect aimed at me.

"You thought we would give our loyalty to him?" A disgusted glare to Rhysand. "He's not our High Lord, and never will be," he hissed, followed by a deep chuckle as he looked back at me. Like a clock ticking, I could feel my rage pumping through my veins. "Who knew that the Lord of Night would fall to nothing but a whore."

My face remained blank and cold but before anyone could blink, I'd harshly gripped his chin and dragged my dagger across his face, making him scream in pain as blood poured out from his cheek and onto my hand.

"You dare speak to my High Lord like that," I seethed, white rage consuming my vision. "For that, I'll cut out your tongue."

Rhysand, Cassian, and Azriel stayed where they stood, not uttering a single word or making an attempt to stop me as they watched.

With Rhysand's power keeping the Lord's arms bound behind his back, I forced open his mouth and shoved my dagger in. Flesh and muscle connected with the blade as I cut his tongue out as I promised.

I looked at my brothers and Rhys's slightly flinched as the male's tongue dropped to the floor, blood splattering around it.

Part of me wanted to throw up in horror at what I'd just done, but a different part of me felt a spark ignite through my body.

Without a word, I held out my hand to Azriel and he didn't hesitate as he placed Truth-Teller in my hand.

"Go, Rhys," I said softly as I looked at him. At the shadows in his eyes. "You don't need to be here for this."

I knew the old Rhysand would've stayed for this. He would've watched it all, maybe even thrown in his own requests, but after all those horrors he faced and lived through Under the Mountain, I knew he was still struggling since returning home.

Rhys gave me a nod and strolled away with Cassian following behind him. I waited until I couldn't see either of the males before I faced Azriel and gave him a look that said 'Leave if you wish,' but he only shook his head and took a step closer to me.

The Lord looked at me with pure fear in his eyes as I faced him, faced the blood trickling out of his mouth and down his chin like a river of crimson. I crouched down in front of his face and Rhys's power didn't bind him anymore, but the fear was enough to paralyze him.

"I'm going to enjoy this just as much as you will," I whispered into his ear.

A few hours passed and I sat down on a log in front of the small fire, stretching out my limbs as stars lined the night sky above us. It was always cold up in these mountains, so I wasn't surprised when I saw Cassian hugging a blanket around himself.

Azriel and I hadn't said a word after I dismembered the Lord while he was still alive. I don't think Azriel had ever seen me like that before, even during the War when we rarely saw each other.

"Where's the Lord?" Cassian asked as he looked at my blood-covered hands and armor while I sat across from him.

I didn't take my eyes off the fire as I said, "Parts of him are still there. Other parts of him are spread all around for the beasts to find." I pressed the back of my Siphon and the armor started to disappear as I added, "A peace offering."

Cassian's eyes widened and then he looked to Azriel next to me who still looked a little peakish, and that made the High Lord's General pale.

"You dismembered him, didn't you?" Rhysand asked from beside Cassian, his eyes solely on me.

I shrugged my shoulders. "At least I didn't torture him like I'd tortured Lord Vevin all those years ago."

"That was diabolical," Cassian cringed with a shudder. "It still gives me nightmares."

"Which is exactly why I made her my personal assassin," Rhys counted, bringing a faint smile to my lips. "We should head home. That was the last of the rogue war bands."

My muscles groaned as I laid down on the couch in the townhouse twenty minutes after arriving back to Velaris and having a much-needed bath upstairs. The girls were out shopping with Mor and thankfully didn't see me arrive back covered in blood and gore. A small mercy from the Mother. But I still missed their absence.

Azriel walked into the sitting room, fresh clothes on his clean body as he sent me a small smile. "Are you okay?"

I gave him back a smile, tucking my legs up as he sat down at the end of the couch and the glow from the flames danced along his face. "Just tired, but excited to see my girls."

He chuckled placing my socked feet in his lap. "At least you got to see them every four days. I haven't seen them in weeks."

"Every time I saw them, they asked for you and Cassian," I honestly told him. "I think Willa even misses training."

"She won't be saying that tomorrow," Cassin added, walking into the sitting room with a bowl of food and Rhysand following behind him. "I've got weeks of training to catch her up on."

"Please go easy on her," I groaned as they sat on the couch opposite from us.

"I'll join the training tomorrow," Rhys cut in with a shrug.

"What?" the three of us exclaimed in unison. "You're to train with Willa?" I asked him.

"These two"—he waved a hand at Cassian and Azriel—"have had a five-year head start to being the favorite uncles. I need to spend more time with the girls to become the favorite favorite uncle."

"You're just going to spoil them rotten, aren't you?" I raised a brow at him. His returning grin was my answer. "Keep in mind that my apartment is small. You either buy them a few gifts or keep half of it up at the House."

"Or," Cassian drawled, throwing an arm over the back of the couch, "you and the girls can move into the House."

"That's a great idea," Rhys added before I could even open my mouth. "The apartment you're in now is quite small for the three of you. What happens when Willa wants her own room, but your place only has two rooms that are occupied?"

I'd never had to think about that because Willa and Daisy are inseparable, but he's got a point. Willa will be twelve soon, and no doubt be asking for her own room without our younger sisters' toys taking up the space. But then again, the apartment is our home. We had decorated it to our liking and made so many happy memories there.

"The apartment is our home though," I mumbled, playing with the hem of my black sweater. "When we first moved in, the three of us picked out all the furniture together, and that's one of their earliest, happiest memories from living here."

The three of them stayed quiet for a long moment before Azriel said, "Why don't you keep the apartment with all the furniture and whenever you need a break or the girls want to go back, your home is still there, waiting."

I smiled at the compromise and looked over at Rhys. "We'll move if the girls are okay with it." He smiled as Cassian cheered. "But I want the girl's rooms on either side of mine. They tend to wake up in the middle of the night and crawl into my bed while I'm sleeping." Or sometimes when I couldn't sleep, I'd sneak into their room and crash on the floor. But I won't tell these three about that.

"That can easily be arranged," Rhys hummed. "After Willa finishes training tomorrow, I'll take both the girls to pick out new toys and art supplies for their rooms."

"You sneaky High Lord," I laughed. "Don't turn my girls into spoiled children."

"I'll allow you to kick my ass if I do," he snickered. "Go shopping tomorrow for whatever you want while I'm with the girls. Add some new furniture to the House—Do whatever you want, just add everything to the townhouse bill."

Azriel rubbed my feet as he chuckled at me. "By the look on her face, you're going to be in debt, brother."

Before any of them could say anything, the front door opened, and Daisy ran in with her hands full of different bags. Willa followed close behind her with just as many bags. Both their faces looked like a glowing lamp as they charged straight for me.

My eyes widened as I put my hands up. "Slow down or you'll run straight into—"

Daisy collided with me first, her little body landing on my chest as her giggles erupted throughout the room. Bags hit against my face as I wrapped an arm around her and squeezed my eyes closed. Another body collided with my legs, making me groan as Cassian and Rhys howled in laughter.

"Me," I finished what I was going to say.

"You two are going to get me in trouble," Mor laughed, from somewhere in front of me.

I kept my arm around Daisy as I pushed the bags away, half of them falling to the floor. Her eyes were full of mischief as I looked down at her. "I was excited." Daisy giggled, pushing off my body and sitting on the floor.

Azriel took the bags from Willa's hands, putting them on the floor as she rolled onto her back before standing up. "Mor bought me so many dresses!"

I smiled at her and waited until she sat on the floor with her back to me before I sent a warning glare to Mor who sheepishly smiled, sitting down beside a laughing Cassian.

"Well, it seems I have competition when it comes to spoiling them," Rhys said, watching as the girls excitedly giggled, pulling out what they had bought from the various bags.

"Maybe hold off for a bit before you take them shopping," I mumbled to him, pulling my feet out of Azriel's lap and sitting up. "Girls, I've got some news." The both of them quieted down, looking up at me. "We're moving up to the House of Wind if you want to," I informed them.

"Yay!" They both cheered.

I smiled, grabbing a blanket from the end of the couch and wrapping it around them. "You'll get your own rooms on either side of mine," I informed them as I sat back.

Willa shook her head. "No. Daisy has to share a room with me."

I raised a brow and opened my mouth but got cut off. "I want my own room," Daisy whined. "You always steal my plush toys!" Great. Here comes another fight.

I looked up to Cassian who was observing them both, Mor was cringing, Rhys was weirdly quiet, and Azriel was sending me a worried glance.

"I didn't steal anything!" Willa argued, her voice rising. "You're the one always messing up my things!"

"You ruined my paintings by drawing on the back of it!"

"Girls," I said sternly, the both of them clamming their mouths closed to look up at me. "I don't feel like dealing with your fight at the moment." I looked at Willa with a small smile. "If she's always messing up your things, then perhaps you should get your own room."

Willa shot to her feet with that fire like my own sparking in her eyes. "I don't want my own room! I want a room with her! I want to be with her!"

I truly never thought I would hear an eleven-year-old arguing to share a room with their younger sibling. Never.

"You always get everything you want!" Daisy shrieked. Cassian's brows shot to the top of his head as I rubbed my temples.

"Me?" Willa hissed at her. "You don't have to get up every morning to train! I do, while you stay home with Rory and read! Whenever you're upset, you get a new toy! You get everything you want!"

"Willa, you get spoiled just ask much as her," Mor cut in, her aunty voice powering toward the sisters.

Willa sent her a glare that made me stand up. "Don't you dare glare at her, Willa. If you're mad, you take it out on me."

Willa whirled on me, anger coating her features. It was enough anger to make Daisy quiet and sit back down as I held our middle sisters' gaze. "This is all your fault," she snapped at me, slightly shocking me. "You took us away from our mother, only to bring us here and train me every morning. I don't want to train every morning just because you and Cassian did! I'm not you!" Guilt flashed across Cassian's face, like my own and I stared at her, not knowing what to say.

"Willa," I breathed, taking a step toward her. Toward my little sister that holds in more than I knew. "I'm sorry. I—I just thought if you trained like I did, then you'll be able to defend yourself if I'm not there to protect you."

"You trained—You trained just like them and now you don't have wings!"

Hurt knocked the air out of my lungs as my lips parted and Mor rose to her feet with a scowl on her face. Willa's eyes widened, tears filling them as she looked up at me with guilt. But I couldn't push away the hurt, even if she's just a child. I told her what happened, and now it's thrown back in my face.

"I'm sorry," Willa said, her lips wobbling.

"Go to your room," I breathed, holding back my tears so she didn't feel more guilty. "Please go to your room and think about what you said. Once you've had a few minutes to think over your actions, I'll come up and we'll have a talk and figure out a way to release the anger you're holding in."

She silently nodded, tears streaming down her face before she turned around and ran toward the hallway. I waited till I heard the door upstairs slam shut before I sunk back down on the couch.

"Come on, Daisy," Cassian said, rising from the couch. "Let's get some food for you and your sisters."

I sent him a thankful glance as he gave me a small smile, picking up Daisy and heading out of the room with Mor behind him. The tears blurred my vision as I looked up at the ceiling, furiously blinking them away.

"I'm sorry that happened," Azriel softly said, holding my hand gently.

"That was...something," Rhys mumbled.

"It's my fault," I sighed, still staring at the ceiling. "She was six when she was brought here. Six and old enough to remember what happened that day." I squeezed my eyes shut as my mind started to second-guess every choice I'd made in order to protect them. "I thought I was doing the right thing by taking them away from there."

"You did," Azriel said, pulling me closer to him as I looked away from the ceiling and glanced at him and a worried Rhys. "You know better than anyone of what happens at those camps. She's safe and protected here, she just doesn't understand that."

"It's hard losing your parents at a young age," Rhys quietly cut in, truly knowing what it's like to be young and not having either parent. "The grief, the anger, the sadness...It consumes you for a few years after such a loss. It invades every thought of every day until you finally accept their absence."

"I—I don't know how to help her," I admitted, my voice breaking. "My father was always unknown to me and my mother—She hated me. Unlike Willa and Daisy, her death had little effect on me."

"I know," he gravely nodded in understanding. "The girls don't know me as well as the rest of you, but I'll try to talk to Willa in a few days. Help her get through this."

"Thank you," I said to him. "In the meantime, Willa will only do training three times a week at a reasonable hour. The days she doesn't have training, I'll spend a few hours with just her so she's getting the same amount of attention as Daisy."

"I'll watch Daisy for you while you spend time with Willa," Azriel offered.

I looked up at him with a sad smile. "Thank you."

"We're family," is all he said back to me, and a small tug in my chest pulled as I looked into his hazel eyes with a real smile this time.

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