Azriel

He wasn't sure why he stayed, why he followed Isabella like a lost dog into the village, slinking from shadow to shadow even though he had told Isabella that he was heading back to the Night Court. Not that she believed him. Isabella stared at the shadows too often, peering around darkened corners and occasionally catching sight of him through the glamour.

She was so different from most humans. He didn't know the reason for that either. It wasn't some superficial thing. Not some ridiculous statement of 'I'm not like other humans' or 'I'm not like over females' as he had often heard. It was something intrinsic in her very being, in her responses, her reactions.

Isabella had endured more in life than many her age. Her story of poverty was one many shared here but there was something else. Azriel had his suspicions that it was to do with Oliver and her husband Tomas. He could see the way she dotes on him, out of love and guilt.

But there was a different kind of pain behind her eyes as well.

The boy wears a glamour of some kind

Not a glamour but a suppressant

A spell?

No, a poison.

She wouldn't harm her child. One of his shadows hissed to another.

They had been arguing the entire walk over to the village. Though it wasn't much of an argument considering they all agreed that there was something fae about Oliver. In truth it was the reason Azriel had come back to the human realm. A fascination, a desire to learn more about the small family.

He was under no illusions as to how a half fae, half human child was most likely to come about. The rage that kept threatening to drown him at the thought was surprising. Azriel knew that he and his brothers had a natural instinct to care for others, especially ones that reminded them of mothers and sisters who were beaten and broken by cruel males.

This was different. This felt personal. He saw the way Isabella had frozen when Annalise had handed her the pouch. A shadow had instinctively curled around her wrist, scanning both the contents and Isabella's reaction.

A shadow Azriel couldn't control. That would be the second reason he had come back to the human realm so soon. His shadows had been disappearing and apparently they were turning up in the human realm. They too were curious about the female though Azriel's heart clenched at the thought. At the question of why.

You know why we like her.

You're just scared to admit it.

Especially with all those questions you seem to have lately.

Yes yes. Why is her son fae, why does she have such an interesting mind, why is she with that man instead of me.

Enough. He snapped at their voice harshly as every instinct stood on end at Isabella's hasty retreat. Enchanted Ring on a golden chain.

So that's what's suppressing Oliver's scent and potential power. For a moment rage threatens to boil over, that she would hide her own child, potentially cause him harm but-

It's not oppressive enough to hurt him. Nor does it cause any long lasting effects.

It's like a glamour, to stop him from being recognised.

It does little to sooth Azriel's rage, the thought of yet another child suffering at their parent's hand grating on him. But he waits. Waits until they are back in the tree covered path with Oliver far ahead before dropping the glamour.

"What do you want to know?" Her exhausted voice is enough to have his rage stumbling, and stumbling again when her shoulders seem to curve inwards. "Nothing you don't want to tell me."

"I'm sure you've guessed by now." There's such grief in her voice that guilt tugs at Azriel's chest, and his shadows berate his stupidity for upsetting her. "Oliver wasn't... planned, but he was loved- and Tomas was kind enough to take him in anyway."

He held back his retort about how it shouldn't have been a concession to have a child, to bring one into a home. But Azriel held his tongue. It wasn't about the child; it was about the parents. The timeline was pretty clear, she had Oliver during her marriage with Tomas and no male would be pleased to have their wife or mate carrying another's child. Even if it was forced there would still be pain.

"Do your sisters know?"

"Nesta knows, I could never keep a secret from her. Elain and father think he is Tomas' and Feyre..." She paused. "I don't know if Feyre knows. She may suspect now but it was never clear."

"And..." Azriel hesitates, a familiar rage clouding his vision and it's only the sight of the joyful boy racing ahead that has him reigning it in. "are you comfortable talking about his father?"

She tenses and he immediately regrets asking. "I cared for him, let me make that clear, I was not forced."

"But Tomas-"

"I never loved him." She sighed, turning her pleading eyes on him. "It was a marriage of convenience and trade to a respectable family."

"Your sisters-"

"Were told a pretty lie that you will maintain." Her voice hardens. "Tomas and I have had our equal share of affairs, so long as we respect each other and raise Oliver and any- any other children as a caring family then what does it matter."

"Some would want loyalty." Azriel arches a brow, tucking away that little stutter even as he inhales enough to scent that she was not pregnant.He didn't know why the thought of her trying for another child upset him so much, he supposed it was because of the life the child would be brought into.

"We are loyal." Isabella states after some time. "In our own way. We have created a home, a business. We are loyal in the fact we care for each other. I keep the house running and cook. He brings in food, money and fixes the odd issue around the house. We are civil and... I enjoy his company." Her piercing stare is enough to have Azriel's breath catching in his throat. "Is that not more than what one could ask for in a marriage in this society? You asked me if my sisters and I live the same lifestyle. Are we not all subjected to the same fears upon entering a marriage we do not control? Do they not have the same chances as me at being fortunate or unfortunate in their partners?"

"But loyalty is at the heart of it all." Azriel keeps his voice level and calm even as he begins to question his own reasons for finding her affair so- so... he doesn't know what.

"I am loyal to those I love." Isabella nods, smiling towards her son. "My son, my sisters, my father and even Mrs Mandray. Is that enough?"

It was more than enough and he had no right to be judging her but he couldn't stop the curiosity. Once he knew one small detail about her he had to know more. Had to answer every question, learn every tell and secret.

Learn every lie.

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Isabella

It was only when she was back at home, late in the evening, that Isabella allowed herself to question why she lied so much to Azriel. Why she had professed her loyalty and claimed Tomas to be a dutiful husband. Logically she knew it was fear. Fear of being pitied, of being judged, of being told that she deserved this life. So she had lied, claiming that they had their equal share affairs when in reality Tomas had nearly killed her when he found out. She hadn't strayed since.

Not that Tomas showed the same consideration. She had claimed they were civil, that they took equal roles and respected each other and their home. They didn't. But the thought of Azriel knowing how she lives, of the state of her marriage churned something in her gut. Perhaps it was the desperate feeling to confess to him. That instinct begging her to cave in and ask him to help her.

Isabella never had got over childish dreams of knights in shining armour and honourable princes coming to save her. The fact Azriel had stressed loyalty so much only added to her admiration of him. It was clear that he would never stray from his partner, that he would dote on any children.

In truth she was envious of his partner. Of the life she had always wanted.

Oliver had eagerly accepted the ring. It was too big for him to wear and so was kept on a delicate chain that the letter described as containing a magic lock this time so no one but her could remove it. Her son had thrown the last glamour charm into a river by accident a few days ago.

Luckily Isabella still had the small bracelet she wore during her pregnancy to offer a scent glamour. Oliver's father had worried a fae would scent her if they should have crossed over the wall.

Tomas had been pleased with the meat joints, less so when she had tried to subtly press as to what had been traded in return for such a bounty. He had only made a comment about his mother and her connections that had Isabella stiffening.

Yes. She had every intention of asking the older woman about her connection to a farmer's wife with the knowledge of her son's fae parentage. 

A/N: I'm trying to portray Isabella and Tomas' relationship as accurately as I can. Many people grow to love their abuser, others never see it as abuse, some know what they are getting into and others never see it coming. 

However, I have never experienced this myself I just wish to represent it, so if anyone has any edits, corrections or things they would like represented please comments.

 This is also a safe place to have discussions and any negative comments will be removed.