For the past few weeks, you and Azriel had been meeting in secret, both seeking a mutual escape from the pressures of your lives. It wasn’t about emotions or entanglements—just a trusted friend who understood the need for release and offered a safe space for it. Neither of you questioned it; the arrangement simply worked.

After a grueling day of espionage for Rhysand, Azriel returned to Velaris with a simmering rage that clung to him like a second skin. His mission had taken a dangerous turn, forcing him to fight his way back home. The residual anger burned through him, his siphons flaring faintly as his emotions bubbled just below the surface, seeking an outlet.

You were unaware of the storm brewing on the other side of your door as you lounged on the chaise in your bedroom, lost in the comforting peace of a well-worn book. The quiet was a balm after a long day, a rare moment of tranquility you’d claimed for yourself. But then, a faint flicker at the edge of your vision caught your attention. Shadows began to seep through the cracks of your door, curling and twisting like living things, heralding Azriel’s presence.

You marked your place in the book and set it aside, your heartbeat quickening as the shadows thickened and the familiar tension filled the air. There was no mistaking what Azriel needed tonight, and you were more than willing to meet him in this unspoken, shared solace. The room seemed to hold its breath as the door creaked open, revealing him—tense, formidable, and cloaked in shadows that reflected the tempest within.