Isabella

Mrs Cromwell was gracious enough to let her sit in the living room till someone came to get her. Or at least Isabella assumed someone was coming to get her considering she sent her son to her mate.

Mate.

What an odd thing to think about.

Exhilarating as well. Though was being heavily overshadowed by her irritation at Cassian not telling her. Part of her wanted to argue that he had tried to tell but quite frankly she needed something to be upset about right now and it seemed like a good enough option.

Shuffling slightly, Isabell readjusted the blanket wrapped around her shoulders as she nestled into the ratty old armchair she was sitting in. Mrs Cromwell had tried to light a fire but–

She could still hear his screams. Still hear his son's and grandson's cries of anguish as they watched him burn.

Isabella hadn't intended for any of that to happen. Not that she regrets what she did but– well she never thought she would look in the mirror and see a murderer. Or an accomplice to murder not that it makes any difference.

George was still sitting outside. He had followed her quietly back here, making sure she didn't do anything stupid. He had stayed far enough back that he was hardly noticeable, to the point that Isabella wondered why he had even joined her.

Until she crossed the bridge and found herself staring at the water for a second too long.

She wasn't going to jump. No, she had just gotten her life back or was about to. Not to mention she could never just leave Oliver like that but she was tired. The thought of peacefully slumbering as the world moved around you seemed nice.

So she kept walking and prayed she wouldn't collapse until she was somewhere safe.

Isabella continues to watch the shadows, admiring the way they block out the light of the moon and leave her to quiet solitude.

He found her early on.

She had felt him walking at her side as she crossed that bridge. A gentle nudge at her hand when she stared too long at that river. But he made no move to appear. Content to just wait by her side as she gathered the splintered parts of her soul.

George didn't notice of course, he was no match for a fae let alone one trained as a spy with an affinity for darkness. She was surprised Azriel let him walk with her though the shadowsinger thought George was a threat he would no doubt be dead already.

Voices distantly register through the fog clouding her mind. George is talking quietly with someone outside. A voice that stirs some kind of recognition deep in her mind. The shadows shift and swirl too, as if they recognise it as well.

Isabella finds herself walking to the door, blanket clutched around her so tight that her knuckles turn white. The voices are louder the closer she gets but she makes no move to open it. Not when she knows whose outside.

For a moment she just stares at the handle, wondering if she's ready to open it and step out of her bubble.

She can feel him beside her, leant against the door frame as he quietly watches her. He would wait in here with her. For as long as she needed but Isabella also knew that Azriel worries. That his shadows had told him of the injuries they are covering on her arms.

Once upon a time she would have swatted them away. Horrified at allowing someone, anyone, to see such damage done to her pristine image. Now she was content with their company.

Isabella wondered how many times these same shadows had covered Azriel's own wounds, keeping them hidden and protected as they did their best to heal what they could.

"He's my mate." She whispered, so quiet even a fae would struggle to hear her words. "Cassian."

"Yes." His voice is calm, measured and she can see him step closer now that he no longer hides himself in the shadows. "He will wait for you."

"You've been waiting with me." She murmurs, mind sluggish but coming to life. "Haven't you?"

His throat bobs, "I have."

"Why have you been waiting for me?"

"Because I care about you."

"You care about Cassian too."

"Of course."

They watch each other, two souls exhausted and weary.

"He's worried about you as well."

Azriel remains silent, watching her as she turns back to the door.

"He's waiting for us."

"Mor is there too." He murmurs, and she wonders if he says it to keep her informed or for another reason. "She is worried."

"For you?" She murmurs, looking at him with blind trust.

"No."

"But you care about her as well."

"Not like this." he states with a certain vulnerability in his eyes.

"Is Rhys there?" She doesn't know why she asks but Azriel's brows furrow, watching her closely.

"He is with Oliver." Something eases in her chest even if her mind starts whirring at the mention of her son. "They're in Velaris."

"Do you love Rhys the same way you love Cassian?"

Azriel continues to stare at her but she's so beyond caring as she drifts towards the window to watch her supposed mate stare down an old human male who glares back with equal fire.

"No. I don't."

She had almost forgotten that she'd asked a question.

"They stone people to death for loving someone of the same sex here."

"But we're not going to stay here... are we?" he counters, voice smooth as he takes a step closer. Isabella can feel a soft grin tug at her lips.

"No, I suppose we are not."

Azriel turns to the door, as if intent on opening it himself but then he pauses. How nice it is to live in this little bubble of there's. Where they could ask anything, say anything and it would all be fine.

"Does it bother you?" He asks, not looking at her. "That he loves me as well as you."

It does but not for the reasons he thinks. Isabella has learnt to recognise when her upbringing rears its ugly head but that is not something that Azriel needs to concern himself with. That is her own issue, her own flaw that she has worked on.

"Will you let me love as well as loving Cassian?" Tears burn at her eyes as the truth of what she's been feeling comes to the surface.

"You're only just free, you don't have to decide–"

"I can feel it, you know." She murmurs and he freezes. "I thought it was connected to Cassian but it hums to life when the shadows are near."

"I thought you would be panicking more."

"I'm in shock, I'll panic in the morning."

"Then I don't want to discuss something you'll end up regretting."

"Who says I'll regret this?" She demands, a flicker of fire coming back to her soul. The shadows around her arms seem to solidify, comforting her further. "Will you regret this?"

"I'll regret pushing you too far when you're vulnerable."

So chivalrous this male of hers.

"Then we can discuss this tomorrow."

"Not tomorrow."

"I'm not waiting weeks on end while you avoid the issue."

"You think of time in such a human way,"

"I am a human."

A muscle in his jaw ticks.

"Does that bother you?"

"Yes."

Isabella sighs, feeling that weight slowly sink back into her chest as she runs out of energy once more. Azriel is right, they should be having this conversation when she's not so– whatever she's feeling right now.

"Cassian is waiting for us." She states, striding past him and desperately ignoring the way he straightens up when she brushes past his wings. "Best not to keep him waiting."

She doesn't give Azriel a chance to speak before creaking open the door. Cassian's gaze is on her the second she steps out. Before she can so much as blink he's stood before her, gently cradling her face as he tilts her side to side, scanning for any sign of harm.

Isabella breathes in the coppery scent of blood clinging to his skin. Eyeing the pale pink colour of his hands from poorly washed blood.

"That better not be my husband's blood."

Not exactly what she planned on saying but Cassian's lips thin out as he moves his hands to the cradle the back of her head. His gaze is relentless as he scans her head to toe, touching anything that resembles a bruise to see if she reacts to any hidden injury.

When it's clear Cassian won't answer her question Morrigan steps forward, face carefully blank as she watches their interaction.

"Tomas and his father are alive. They will still be at the celebration– the centre of attention no less– so we didn't want to risk pulling them away from the limelight."

"I can kill them later." Cassian murmurs as he reaches her arms, gently holding them as the shadows dissipate to reveal the scratch marks gouged down the length of forearm. "They did this."

"I did this." She murmurs quietly and he nodded to himself, jaw clenched so tightly she's worried it will break. "Who did you hurt."

"Your mother in law." He flips her arms over, scanning the back of them as a soft light emits from his Siphons as Cassian heals the worst of the damage.

"Don't." She whispers, tugging her arms gently from him. He reluctantly lets her go, looking at her with blank eyes. "Leave them."

"No." His brows furrow slightly but there's no other indication of emotion on his face as he reaches again for her arms. She pulls back again in confusion but Cassian follows her, faster this time as he lifts her arm once more and continues to fix the damage.

Isabella feels her throat nervously bob as she watches him erase the pain. He's completely out of it. Is that what those books meant, the ones Rhys leant to her, that mentioned how fae can fixate on their mate's pain?

"Cassian." Azriel murmurs and the male turns to the shadowsinger, quickly scanning him from head to toe as well. "We should leave, get back to Velaris before anyone can track us here."

Isabella's not sure she wants to know who could be tracking them or the reason why. Not now at least.

"Can we go home?" She whispers, stepping into Cassian's arms. He barely holds her, arms curl around her but not holding onto her. "I don't want to be here anymore."

"Of course." He murmurs but it's not the voice she recognises, though it's still one she enjoys hearing since it's coming from him. "Morrigan can winnow you to Oliver."

Isabella pulls back, feeling herself frown. She glances between him and Morrigan. Even George looks mildly confused as he stares at the male he had known all of 10 minutes like he was talking gibberish.

"You wouldn't–"

"Azriel and I have some business to take care of here." He murmurs, voice full of false soothing and Isabella feels a shiver roll down her spine. She's never seen him like this. "We'll come home to you soon."

"Don't kill them." She pleads, voice surprisingly strong but still quiet. "Please don't kill them my love."

"I can't promise that." he pulls back from her, frowning as rage slowly builds in his eyes. "Why would I spare them?"

Isabella feels herself tense, fear and guilt building up as she stutters.

"There's been enough death for that family today." George intercedes, meeting Cassian's furious gaze. "I think it's time you take the lady back to her son."

She can see it, the internal debate in his mind as he thinks through George's words Or perhaps he's debating getting rid of him too. Isabella really fucking hates that look on his face.

"We need to leave," Mor's voice is ominous and when Isabella faces her she's looking off into the distance, seeing something none of them could see. "They're too close."

Isabella looks to Azriel for confirmation, waiting as he listens to the shadows curling around his ears. He nods, a single sharp movement that has her looking desperately at Cassian.

Please let it go. She wants to beg. Just let it go and come home with us.

But he's not responding so with a concerned glance to Azriel Isabella finds herself gripping his hands tightly. She only lets herself breathe once Azriel is by their side, a hand on Isabella's waist and Cassian's shoulder.

For a moment she had worried that Cassian wouldn't let him step closer, that he would fight against them as the shadows built around them. But he remained still. And somehow that was both heartbreaking and reassuring.

She'd never had a man– male, so desperate and willing to protect her that they would get like this. What she did have was a male willing to hurt her when he looked like this. Isabella prays to every deity she can think of that Cassian never becomes that male.

A/N: I don't think I know how to write plot. (also this is not edited)

What did everyone think about Azriel and Isabella's conversation???

Soft scenes coming up next with the three of them arriving in Velaris, not to mention a Rhys&Oliver moment.