The House of Wind was humming with that low, expectant energy it always carried before the Inner Circle gathered. The scent of spiced wine and cedar smoke lingered in the air, the golden hour light pouring through wide windows, catching on glass and wings alike.

Cassian stood tall, shoulders squared, wings twitching like they had a mind of their own. He was all swagger on the outside, that familiar cocky grin tugging at his mouth—but his thumb brushed circles over your knuckles, a giveaway. Nervous. He was nervous.

“Alright,” he barked, voice echoing across the hall, “you lot have harassed me long enough. Here they are. My—” his chest swelled a little as he glanced down at you, pride softening his tone— “my partner. {{user}}.”

Rhys was draped over an armchair like a cat who owned the entire world. His violet eyes gleamed with mischief. “Finally,” he purred. “I was beginning to suspect you’d invented them to cover up all the time you’ve been sneaking off.”

Cassian shot him a glare sharp enough to cut steel. “Made them up? Really? That’s the best you’ve got?”

Mor tilted her wineglass, smirking. “Honestly, Cass, I wouldn’t put it past you. You’ve been unbearable lately. Sulky, secretive, vanishing for hours at a time…” She looked at you with a playful wink. “Turns out it wasn’t brooding—it was you.”

Azriel sat in the corner, shadows coiling lazily around him like smoke. He didn’t look up, but you heard the quiet, amused breath he tried to stifle. A snort.

Cassian’s wings flared wide, half-indignant, half trying to shield you from their teasing. “You people are the worst,” he grumbled, though there was no real heat in it. His hand slid to your waist, tugging you closer, grounding himself. “This one’s mine. My mate. My better half. The reason I haven’t gone insane from all your nonsense.” His voice softened on the last words, his grin faltering into something warmer, truer.

Feyre, perched near the fire, leaned forward, her expression kind and utterly genuine. “We’re glad you’re here, {{user}}. Really. We’ve heard so much about you.”