Isabella

"-wasn't a cruel or hagged witch, nor one of alluring beauty that only a siren possessed. There was nothing murderous or charming about this woman. Yet the raw power of her truth, of her actions and words offered her a certain beauty of her own." Cassian narrates to her son, "He found himself confused by the human woman he saw, knowing the depth of her power. The knight had thought he would see the power. Something he could fight and defeat."

Isabella tiptoed into the room. She held her breath, terrified of shattering this peaceful moment as Oliver's eyes began to droop.

"Even the witch's familiar seemed to be different. Mainly in the fact that there wasn't one. No black cat, or snowy owl. Though the knight had glared at a toad he passed on the road. Fearful that the rumours were true. That a witch's familiar was actually a demon able to transform and shapeshift."

"This doesn't seem very child friendly." She whispered when she realised her son was fast asleep. Cassian smiled up at her. He had known she was there the whole time but Isabella appreciated his patience. Unless he was waiting for her to yell at him that is. "Do I even want to know where the story is going?"

Cas turns back to her son, carefully tugging up Oliver's blanket to his chin before rising to his feet.

"It's a Fable about expectations and listening to gossip and rumours." He murmurs, stepping closer to her. "The gallant knight spent his whole life being told he would only be worth something if he could defeat monsters. The witch spent her whole life being described as the monster."

"Do they fall in love by any chance?" Isabella teases and Cassian's low chuckle warms something in her heart.

"No." He states and she's somewhat surprised. "The knight was always looking for a purpose so he ended up swearing loyalty to the witch, acting as her loyal protector and guardian. In return she grants him the ability to shapeshift - to be free in whatever skin he choses."

"He becomes her familiar." Isabella comments. "That's certainly better than the human ones."

"It was Rhys' gift for Oliver." Cassian offers the book to her. It's beautiful. Clearly a bespoke copy with an embossed front on rich leather. The book itself is filled with an elegant script, handwritten, not a print press. No this book had 'o' that looped over themselves and 'Y's with curling tails. Most of the pages were adorned with individual drawings. "I had thought he would want to give it to Tiny himself."

"I kept him busy." She murmured, flicking through the pages. "He's taken Feyre back to Velaris, she was falling asleep on her feet."

Cassian hummed but he never had a good poker face.

"You know."

"I wasn't eavesdropping." He rushes out and she narrows her eyes. "Well... I mean, I kind of was but we are fae-"

"And there was no way for you not to listen." She counters, enjoying how he squirms. It's an effort to hide her amusement.

"Azriel told me not, insisted I give you privacy. He did his best to keep us busy and made lots of noise. And... well, I should have put up a shield-"

"Cas-"

"But we're friends. And I'm a curious person, you know I am. I heard Tomas' name and then I got worried so I started listening in. You know I would never hurt. Never. I just wanted to make sure you were safe-

"Cassian-"

"And well I thought you might be embarrassed or ashamed to tell me if he hurt you. Which should never feel. Ever, no matter what it is. Never be embarrassed to tell me anything. But i thought it might be easier if you didn't have to say the words to my face and-"

"Cassian!"

"Are you really leaving him?" He begs, eyes pleading. "It's not a trick, or an undecided fact. You are leaving him... aren't you."

Silence. Isabella glances at her son, her whole world.

"Yes." She murmurs and for the first time it feels real. "I am."

"Can I hug you?" She thinks his eyes are lined with silver. Pride and excitement hastily shoved down as Cassian gnaws at his lip. She can see it all. He's never hid his emotions from her. So she dips her head, the barest of nods.

And oh did she need this hug. From the male who first taught her what a relationship should look like. He doesn't hold her delicately like Azriel or briefly like Rhys. No Cassian embraces her. Clinging to her. Isabella finds she doesn't mind the pressure, the physical weight of his affection as his wings curl around her.

Eventually she tucks her head into his chest, mimicking the way he had curled into the crook between her shoulder and neck. A soft coo breaks from her lips at the damp tears she can feel burn into her skin. Oh how she had worried her bat.

"Hey." She murmurs and he grumbles into her skin and then a soft vibration flutters against her chest. "Are you purring?"

He huffs, stiffening slightly and stopping the noise.

"You're no better than a house cat." she murmurs and he takes that as a sign to continue.

"I was so worried." he eventually murmurs, pulling back enough to stare into her eyes. "Knowing that you were here with him, everyday and I was so far away. If anything had happened-"

He cuts himself off. Closing his eyes as he leans forward to rest his forehead against hers.

"I would never forgive myself."

"That was not your burden to take on." She whispers, feeling her voice break for the male before her. "It was not your decision, and you helped more than you know."

"It is not a burden to worry about you." He states firmly, pulling back but keeping her cradled in his arms. "It's an honour and a mark of trust... one I would very much like to have, if you would allow me."

"I will not trade one man for-"

"That is not what I am asking."

"Then what are you asking." She feels her brows furrow even as Cassian stares down at her fondly.

"Will you let me care for you. If not as a lover then as a friend. Let me be in yours and Ollies lives." She swallows nervously, taking in the hope and fear warring on her face. "And I don't mean as I am now. I mean... will you let me cook you meals. Let me spend the evenings talking with you. I want... I want to take Oliver to Velaris, teach him about his heritage."

She can feel tears drip down her face.

"I don't want you to be alone anymore." He murmurs, staring down at her with a burning gaze. "I want Oliver to have someone to rely on in his future. A home he can come to when his human life ends. Because I'll look after him for you."

He nods his head, shaking slightly and she can see the grief already building in his eyes.

"I know you've been thinking about it. That's why you were asking me about Prythian, about Autumn and Day. When.... When y-you go. I'll look after him for you. If you'll let me."

Because Oliver would outlive her by centuries. So would Cassian. But looking at him now, none of that matters. He had seen through her questions, her worries and found an answer for her.

"I think I would like that." She gasps about. They're both shaking, she realises. Both of them breaking at the thought of their future- if they would ever have one. If time would rob them of it.

Slowly, giving her time to object, Cassian presses a soft kiss to her forehead. Holding himself there and she relishes in the warmth that blooms from his touch. They hold each other and there's no concept of time or space. She doesn't need to know how long they spent in each other's arms, only that she wants this. This life. No matter what her fears are, whatever challenges she faces, Isabella wants this.

"Did you want to ask me something else?" She whispered, keeping the hope from her voice.

"I didn't want to pressure you." He murmured and she nodded mutely.

"Would... would you-" She clears her throat. "When humans court we start by taking chaperoned walks- promenades - and I thought you... you might like to show me Velaris... One day."

Isabella hesitates, not wanting to rush into things. "That's all I can offer you, Cassian."

"I know." He whispers as his tears dry and hope blooms in his eyes. "I'll treasure it all the same."

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Azriel

He kept his focus on the dishes in the sink, scrubbing furiously as he blocked out all the sound from upstairs. Azriel thought he would have been easier to pretend that everything was alright considering his role as a spy. It wasn't.

It was near impossible to pretend that he was okay with this. That he didn't find himself more at ease in Isabella's company that he has been with his family in centuries. That an evening without Mor or that stupid triangle between her and Cassian was a blessed relief. That the shadow – Wisp as it has decided to be called ever since Isabella claimed it – wasn't whispering to the other shadow about Cassian finally growing a pair and asking Isabella out on a date.

Sorry. He meant Isabella wearing the pants in their relationship and asking Cassian out on a date. A chaperoned walk as per human customs. Like Cassian would even know what that is. Or that he wouldn't be allowed to touch her as per human costumes, no hand holding or hugs he's grown so fond of.

Nor would he understand that the expected and traditional human courting gift at this stage would be a pair of long sleeved gloves. Since a human woman courting someone or being seen outside without gloves would have been scandalous. But to show which suitor she favours she would wear the gloves he gifted.

Except Azriel understands all of this so now he has to explain it to his bro- to Cassian.

Or you could just buy her a pair of gloves yourself.

But that would mean growing a pair and asking her out.

That's not going to happen anytime soon.

Azriel fought the urge to snarl at his shadows.

If you would just accept what we've been trying to tell-

There's nothing to accept. He states, keeping his voice firm. You are wrong, that is impossible.

Impossible! Impossible! It squarks, clearly outraged. Are you being serious? You wish to tell me that Tamlin and Lucien suddenly no longer share a mate bond with a third party as well? That High Lord Thesan wasn't offered a second chance mate. Or that a thousand other couples, triads and mate bonds of all shapes and sizes don't exist!

Would you just fuck off! He roars at them and they fall silent.

He naively thinks he's free of his shadow's influence. It was stupid of him to have stayed behind for Cassian. He should have taken Feyre home and left Rhys here as Cas' winnow partner.

Why won't you admit it? They eventually whisper. Voices sad and soothing, trying to coax Azriel out of his shell.

He sighs, because Cassian deserves this. They both deserve a real chance at happiness

They're quiet for a moment before, And you don't?

I have broken and destroyed enough things in my life... I do not need to take away their happiness as well.

It's only once Cassian lopes downstairs, a dazed smile on his face, that Azriel finally acknowledges the truth he had been avoiding. Because it's heartbreaking listening to his friend talking about his plans, his fears and the sheer excitement at Isabella finally giving him a chance.

Guilt threatens to swallow Azriel whole at the jealous feeling brewing in his chest. He wants that. He wants that chance at happiness. That love just blooming. More importantly, Azriel wants them.

Explain it to me, dear shadow singer. Drawls one of the older, wiser shadows. How is it that you and Cassian can share lovers but cannot share a mate.

Because I love them both. He confesses and the words almost burn the tip of his tongue as the shadows envelop him and Cassian. And that is why I cannot be a part of this. I will not hurt them.

A/N: I feel like Azriel's POV entered this chapter with a "dun dun duuuuuhhhhhh"

Also, thoughts on Cazriel as a brotp or an actual romance. Because you cannot convince me that the two of them didn't fuck at least once in their 500 years of existence.