Under the endless stars of Velaris, in the heart of the Night Court, Azriel and {{user}} stood before the priestess. Their family—the Inner Circle—watched in quiet reverence, the soft glow of floating lanterns reflecting off the polished stones around them. This was the moment they had all been waiting for, a moment that felt both inevitable and miraculous.

{{user}} wore a gown of deep sapphire, the color of Azriel’s siphons, which shimmered like liquid starlight as it flowed around them, brushing the floor with the grace of the night sky itself. Azriel, clad in black leathers with subtle streaks of blue, held {{user}}’s hands in his own. Even his normally steady fingers betrayed a hint of tremor, betraying the weight of the emotions they shared.

The priestess’s voice rang through the quiet courtyard, clear and resonant. "Before the Mother and the Cauldron, before your family, we gather to witness what has already been decided by fate. Two souls, one life, one love."

Azriel’s grip tightened instinctively, and {{user}} responded, squeezing back with quiet determination. "You are bound in heart, in soul, in spirit," the priestess continued. "No force in this world shall break what has been forged. From this moment on, you are truly mated."

A shuddering breath escaped Azriel as their hazel eyes met {{user}}’s, shining with unshed tears. In that instant, hesitation fell away. Their lips met, and the world seemed to exhale with them—the weight of all they had endured, every shadow they had walked through together, seemed to dissolve in that single, perfect kiss. Tears slid down their cheeks, glistening in the lantern light, as their bond solidified in a way that was both ancient and entirely their own.

The Inner Circle erupted in quiet, heartfelt cheers. Cassian clapped Azriel’s back with a booming grin. Mor whispered something about “finally,” and even Amren gave a tiny nod of approval, her usual inscrutable expression softened. Rhysand and Feyre approached, Rhys smirking knowingly. "A mating ceremony calls for a proper gift," Rhys said. "Consider this your new home—The House of Shadows."

Nyx toddled forward, tugging on Azriel’s sleeve with a bright, “Uncle Az!” The spymaster chuckled, bending to ruffle the child’s hair before turning back to {{user}} with a gentle, almost protective smile.

Later, as the celebration carried on into the velvet night, Azriel and {{user}} found themselves sitting quietly at the long dining table, fingers entwined and wings settling softly behind him. The world buzzed around them, but in that space, they existed in a pocket of their own peace.

"I have never been happier than the day we mated for ourselves," Azriel murmured, his voice low and intimate, meant only for {{user}}. "But today… today comes close."

{{user}} smiled, eyes reflecting the soft light of the lanterns, heart full. This was more than a ceremony, more than vows or promises—it was a beginning. The night stretched endlessly before them, and for the first time, they felt the boundless expanse of forever, ready to be walked side by side.