——
The next morning, Azriel got out of bed early and told her to get dressed and come downstairs, that he would be waiting for her. He wanted to show her the house today, possibly move in.
Briar had asked him if she needed to pack her things. Not that she had many belongings.
He told her that Mor and Feyre would be taking care of it.
Briar later stepped into the kitchen and found Elain and Feyre. Elain baking while Feyre spoke to her.
Briar smiled at them as she grabbed something to eat. "What are you baking?"
Elain turned around, "Just some normal cookies. I didn't know what to do today, so I started working on them."
"I'm just here to eat them." Feyre said, which made Briar snort. Feyre looked at her, "Azriel told us." she said.
Briar didn't know what to say, she didn't want to upset them.
"He never told me about the house he owns. I'm very disappointed in him." Feyre crossed her arms, "But, I am very happy for you." she smiled.
Briar laughed, "Of course he didn't tell you."
Elain looked a bit upset. Briar stepped next to her and watched her make the dough in to different shapes.
"I will be visiting very often." Briar smiled at Elain. "And maybe you can help me start my own garden at my... new house."
Elain's face lightened up, "I would love to."
Azriel stepped into the room, Cassian on his heels. He grinned at Briar.
"What's he doing her?" Briar pointed a finger at the other Illyrian male.
"Don't be so rude." he said.
"He wanted to say goodbye to you." Azriel said, "He thinks he's never going to see you again. Don't be surprised if he stands next to our bed tomorrow morning."
Briar laughed while Cassian glared at Azriel.
Feyre pulled her into a hug before she had to go.
"I'll be visiting you tomorrow. I really want to see this unknown house of yours." she glared at Azriel. "And, you will be expected to attend dinner a few times a week." she pulled away and shoved her to her mate and Cassian.
She followed Cassian and Azriel out of the kitchen, and let them lead her outside.
Azriel lifted Briar in his arms. He hadn't told her they were going to fly.
Cassian smiled, "I will be standing next to your bed tomorrow." he winked.
Briar laughed at him. She saw Azriel roll his eyes before he took off.
——
They flew over Velaris. It was a sunny day and many people were outside.
Azriel flew towards the edge of Velaris, away from the heart of the city.
Briar admired the view. She loved the city, even though she hadn't seen all of it.
A sad feeling washed over her as she realized she would never experience this herself. Flying.
The first time Azriel had taken her, she had those exact same thoughts.
She sometimes still missed her wings, but she got used to it.
She found Azriel looking at her, a soft smile on his face. "You can always ask me to take you flying."
"I know. Thank you."
She could see a house in the distance. It wasn't big, but it looked lovely from the outside.
It really was on the edge of the city.
Azriel landed in front of it.
Briar looked around. The house looked normal, but cozy. Around the house was a garden, flowers growing in it.
The front door was white. Azriel opened it and stepped inside. Briar followed him and looked around.
The house was much different than she had expected. She thought Azriel would have a different taste in the interior.
The inside of the house looked very warm. The different colors looked amazing together.
She took a few steps forward. To her left, was the living room. It had a couch and two big comfortable looking chairs in it. There were books all around the room, and a fireplace.
Briar looked to her right and found an opening to the kitchen, which had a dining table with four chairs.
Azriel was still looking her, a nervous smile on his face. "Do you like it?"
Briar nodded enthusiastically, "It's amazing." she said before walking up the stairs, curious to see what she would find there.
She found three doors. The first one was empty, like no one had ever been in there before.
The next one had a desk in it. Books and papers were laying all around the room. This must've been his study.
The third door, was on the opposite side of the other two.
Azriel walked up from behind her, "I never really used those two." he dipped his chin towards the two rooms. "I only use the study when the river house gets to loud."
"Well, you can work in peace from now on." she said with a smile. "We can always use the other one later."
The door opened softly and revealed a bigger room. Much bigger than the other two.
It had a huge bed on the right side, big enough to fit at least three Illyrians.
Briar grinned, "You shared the bed with Rhys and Cass?"
Azriel chuckled, "No, I just really like my space."
There were two other doors in the room, one leading to a walk-in closet. She found all of her clothes, Azriel's on the opposite side.. Briar turned around and gave him a questioned look.
"Mor helped me move them. We winnowed them." he said.
Briar moved to the next door, which revealed a bathroom, a huge bathtub in the corner.
She closed the door and turned to Azriel, "You really did a great job decorating this house."
Azriel stepped foward and put his hands on her hips, "You think so?"
Briar nodded, "I love what you did with the weapons." she dipped her chin towards the wall on the left side of the room, where daggers and swords were hanging.
Azriel chuckled, "I didn't have space in any of the other rooms I ever stayed in."
"You have two extra rooms in here." she laughed. "I think it looks cool, don't worry."
"I can always move them." he said softly.
Briar shook her head, "Keep them in here."
She looked around again. This was her new home, where she hopefully would spent the rest of her life in.
She found Azriel staring at her. Again.
"You stare a lot, you know?" she said with a grin.
"Just admiring the view." Briar felt her cheeks warm at his words.
"I love you." she said softly, "Very much."
He kissed her as happiness sparkled through the bond. It was just a short kiss, like the other ones they'd shared.
They still hadn't gone further since the last time, when Briar had panicked.
She wanted to, but her body didn't allow it.
She felt thankful for Azriel, that he didn't put any pressure on her. He just waited.
Azriel pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. One of his hands went under her shirt, rubbing soft circles over her scars.
It felt very comforting. He wasn't disgusted by them like she was.
The door to their room opened.
Azriel jerked around and pushed Briar behind him.
Mor and Rhys stepped into the room, looking around with grins on their faces. "Lovely house you have, Azzy." Mor said.
Azriel let out a sigh as his tense body relaxed. Briar stepped next to him, looking confused at the unexpected visitors.
"Don't come into my house unannounced ever again." he said, sending Rhys and Mor a cold glare.
The two of them kept their grins on their faces. "We didn't expect you to let us visit, so we came here ourselves." Rhys said.
Azriel rolled his eyes while Briar let out a snort, earning a glare from Azriel. She gave him an apologetic look.
Rhys walked over to Briar and put his arm around her shoulder, "I'm going to miss you in our house." he said.
She smiled at the High Lord. "I am going to miss you too, but I think I'm going to enjoy this quiet house a little bit more." she said, matching the grin on Rhys's face.
"Oh shut up." he said.
——
Azriel POV
Mor and Rhys had left soon after, Azriel himself dragging them out of the house.
He would be putting a better lock on the door, only giving the keys to Feyre and Elain.
Not that Rhys, Cass and Mor wouldn't attempt to snatch the keys from them.
Briar and Azriel had eaten dinner together. She helped him cook, even though she didn't really know what to do.
After dinner, they sat down on the couch, in front of the warm fire place. Briar was now curled into his side, her eyes already drooping.
She had been holding his hand against her chest ever since they sat down on the couch.
Azriel placed a kiss on her head when her eyes finally closed. He whispered to her, "I love you."
———
A/N
2 more chapters (: