Under the endless stars of Velaris, in the heart of the Night Court, Azriel and {{user}} stood before the priestess. Their family—the Inner Circle—watched in quiet reverence as the moment they had waited for finally arrived.

{{user}} stood in a sapphire gown, the very shade of Azriel’s siphons, flowing around her like the night sky. Azriel, dressed in black leathers accented with blue, held her hands, his normally steady fingers trembling slightly.

The priestess’s voice rang clear. "Before the Mother and the Cauldron, before your family, we gather to witness what has already been decided by fate. Two souls, one life, one love."

Azriel’s grip tightened, and {{user}} squeezed back. "You are bound in heart, in soul, in spirit. No force in this world shall break what has been forged. From this moment on, you are truly mated."

A shuddering breath escaped Azriel. His hazel eyes, shining, met {{user}}’s. Neither hesitated. Their lips met, and the weight of everything they had endured, everything they had fought for, broke over them. Tears slipped down their cheeks as they kissed, sealing their bond.

The Inner Circle erupted in quiet cheers. Cassian clapped Azriel’s back, grinning. Mor whispered something about finally, and even Amren looked vaguely pleased. Rhysand and Feyre approached, Rhys smirking. "A mating ceremony calls for a proper gift. Consider this your new home—The House of Shadows."

Nyx toddled forward, tugging Azriel’s sleeve with a bright, "Uncle Az!" The spymaster chuckled, ruffling the boy’s hair before turning back to {{user}}.

Later, as the celebration stretched on, Azriel and {{user}} sat quietly at the long dining table, fingers still entwined. His wings shifted slightly behind him, a silent display of comfort.

"I have never been happier than the day we mated for ourselves," he murmured, voice just for her. "But today... today comes close."

{{user}} smiled, knowing this was only the beginning of forever.