Love was all around, even for those couples that had seemed to fight it at every opportunity. Nesta and Cassian's bickering, Elain's avoidance of Lucien. But in the end the mate bond prevailed. Regardless of the ingrained fears or insecurities resisting the draw of the mate bond, the lure of it always proved too strong because regardless of protests, the bond was destiny and always meant to be. Two halves of a soul carved for one another, forever entwined with the humming golden threads pulsing between them.

With Feyre and Rhys mated, Cassian and Nesta mated, Elain and Lucien away and mated, Amren loved up with Varian and Mor away on business, Azriel always ended alone with Katie.

Azriel knew it was unlike him to feel so awkward and lost for words when around them, but whenever it's just the two of them he falls silent. But with each passing deserted meal, leaving only the two of them, he notices the longing glances at the mated couples, falling gazes and preferred silence, that reflects his own. It seemed loneliness gnawed at Katie too, the absence of the mate bond wholly felt. Katie, with all of her sisters mated, yet not her, and Azriel with all of his brothers mated, yet not him. How could it be fair to be the last two left behind?

Azriel longs for the day his bond would snap into place. Surely, he'd know. He'd feel it. So why hadn't it happened?

Azriel clears his throat, breaking the silence, turning to Katie across the table abandoned by the eager couples.

"The food is good," he offers.

His chest tightens as Katie raises her head from her plate of food and meets his gaze.