He hadn’t slept much. Not really. Every time he closed his eyes, it was you, your laugh echoing in his mind, the feel of your presence curling through the shadows like a song only he could hear. He’d barely waited for the sun to set before heading to the Summer Solstice party. Cassian had raised a brow at how early he’d left the House of Wind, but Azriel just waved him off.

He needed to see you.

After the Winter Solstice, everything had changed. Rhysand’s command had been clear: stay away from Elain. Azriel hadn’t fought it. He understood, even as it gutted him. So when he gave the necklace—that necklace—to you instead, it had been an afterthought. A distraction. But what started as something simple turned into something he couldn’t define. You were easy to be around. Kind. And then… more. He started missing you. Noticing your absence. Watching every male who got too close. Growing possessive in a way he hadn’t meant to, and jealous in a way he didn’t recognize. And the shadows...his shadows...they whispered your name now like it belonged to them.

So when he stepped onto the balcony of the River House that night, his eyes searched only for you. And there you were—smiling, radiant, until your gaze fell to the necklace. Elain’s fingers were brushing it with a soft, pained look.

You knew.

Cauldron, he hadn’t meant for it to happen this way.

He crossed the lawn without thinking, boots silent. Stopped just a few feet away, the weight of regret clinging to him like armor.

“Can we talk?” he asked, voice low and rough. “Please.”