Set in the city of Velaris, before ACOTAR had started…

You were all crammed into the booth, cards strewn across the aged wooden table and coloured drinks all on the table in pretty glasses. Mor had disappeared with some pretty Fae female about ten minutes ago, her eyes sparkling with desire and excitement. It was nice seeing her so happy, the last visit with Keir hadn’t gone so well.

Azriel and you had teamed up for a card match against Rhys and Cassian who kept trying to sneak peeks at your cards.

The music was loud and the atmosphere was freeing and refreshing, even if it was warm and a little stuffy inside. Coloured light flashed in the corner of the dance floor and the rest of Rita’s was lit by warm candles and high hanging lights.

You’d just excused yourself, giving Azriel a kiss on the cheek, as you squeezed past him in the circular booth to go to the bathrooms quickly.

Cassian’s gaze lingered on you, as it usually did, as you left, his eyes narrowing slightly at Azriels’ cheek where your lips had just been. Only for a moment, but they’d been there.

Rhys raised a perfectly carved dark brow.

“You’re so in love with her.” He said, giving Cassian a fond look as he took a sip of dark crimson Fae wine.

Azriel studied Cassian as he muttered something about Rhys being too single to talk about him.

Azriel, the everbrooding shadowsinger’s lips curved into a ghost of a smile. “Maybe you’re not in love with her, but you have barely stopped looking at her tonight.”

You were just walking back through the crowded bar, and a gust of wind from an open window cooled your heated skin momentarily. You heard a laugh and a ‘shush’ that sounded like Mor.

“We still winning?” You asked smugly as you say down again.

Cassian glared at his cards. “Meh meh. You have good cards.”

“Fine.” You declared. “I’ll join your team.”