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─── Prythian ───

─── The Night Court ───

─── Velaris ───

On the Sidra bridge in Velaris there were many fae. They were walking and speaking to one another. Some different and some alike. But they were all doing the same thing... taking in the beautiful sight that was Velaris and enjoying the nightlife in such a Court, the Night Court. Many were having a wonderful time. Some faces were that of newcomers, and some were of the usual residence of Velaris. Being that Velaris was open to the other Courts of Prythian. After the war against Hybern that happened a few years ago. Yes, there were some who were going through rough times but there were others who were doing well.

But right now the High Lord of Night Court and his inner circle were some of the ones who were having a rough time right now. They were now making their way to the Sidra bridge. Taking the long walk together from Rita's to the town house. They were quiet as they walked, everyone stuck in their heads.

Everyone knew they had things to do being the Night Court's inner circle and all. But Morrigan, she had enough. She was tired of everyones overworking themselves and wanted them to have a family dinner or night together. So she pushed them all out to Rita's. At least for one night before they were overtaken by their work once again. But she didn't expect the night at Rita's to go like this. Morrigan wasn't very concerned for all her family members because she knew most were doing well. But she was mostly worried for Rhysand and Azriel. Now more than ever. And it was all because of a question and a statement from one of the Archeron sisters.

"Why don't we ever see you with anyone Azriel? Maybe you can take someone home or something. Or go out on a date or something. I don't know," Nesta had questioned. After seeing Azriel rejected a female who was flirting with him. She didn't mean it in an aggressive way; she was genuinely curious. Just as her sisters were. She was just the one to speak her mind first.

After the question and such a thing was said to Azriel the night seemed to take a turn. And everyone could tell and feel the tension in the air. They were all expecting Azriel to leave but he stayed. But they could notice a shift with him, in his mood. He seemed to be more sad and filled with grief. Just as everyone else was.

But the Archeron sister had no clue why. Being that no one had told them why or such a part of Azriel's story. But Cassian and Morrigan were the ones to shift the subject to something else rather quickly while at Rita's.

But the two who seemed the most affected were Rhysand and Azriel. Rhysand seemed to be pulling back from everyone. Not talking much now and seemed in a daze remembering something or more so someone. Just as Azriel was as he walked. Both now keeping their distance from each other. And everyone could see but didn't say a word.

But it seemed to become more noticeable for the sisters and for everyone. It seemed that the bridge between the two brothers had collapsed. Just like many times before. The whole inner circle have seen the breaking of this bridge between them and have watched it be repaired. They had all witnessed it from the start after Rhysand had returned from Under the Mountain. They would talk less, then start skipping family dinners, and stayed to themselves avoiding each other. And everyone knew why, minus the sisters.

Amren, Cassian, and Morrigan knew it was because of her... Azriel's mate, Annamarie. They had witnessed the stages and ups and downs of Azriel dealing with the loss of her. Not everything being that he would hide most of the time. But they had seen enough. After she had cut him off the first time from their bond he was mad and stayed to himself. At that point he could still feel her. But it was as if a wall was between them and it muffled everything. It frustrated him but he was fine. At least he knew she was alive.

Then it was the day he felt her emotions for the last time. The day he felt her soul for a moment on the other end of the golden tether between them, between their souls. Before there was nothing.

That day he suddenly fell to his knees. Everyone had seen it. Well Morrigan, Amren, and Cassian had seen him. Cassian though was the one to hold him. Allowing his brother to lean on him. Azriel didn't know what was happening at first. Until he realized it was Anna. He couldn't deny it.

Azriel was overwhelmed by her sending so much love to him through the bond out of nowhere. But then it scared him there was so much love... then moments after there was nothing. That night Azriel cried in the arms of his brother. He then became a shell of himself. But during that time he still had a little hope. He was that way for forty nine years.

Until Rhysand came back from Under the Mountain. When Azriel didn't see his mate, Anna, he sent his shadows to look for her immediately. When they didn't find her he begged Rhysand to tell him where she was. He told Azriel everything that happened forty nine years ago. Him still remembering it like it was yesterday.

Everyone watched that day as the two brothers cried. Rhysand begging Azriel to forgive him. Because everyone knew Rhysand blamed himself for her being banished. That day everyone watched sadly as Azriel disappeared into his shadows. That day was when Azriel started to drift slightly away from everyone at times. There would be times when he would spend time with everyone then times where he would disappear. It seemed to be happening more and more so now. Which worried everyone.

If Morrigan was being honest she was shocked to see him here with them tonight. But then she wasn't because Amren was the one to drag him with her to Rita's. To be with them. Though they didn't do much, the group sat together at a table for the first time in a long time. Which Morrigan took as a win in her book. Much like Cassian and Feyre. But it did make them sad to see Rhysand and Azriel drift far apart after what Nesta had said. But as they were making their way towards the Sidra bridge. They were all walking together. Even though they didn't talk much they still stayed together.

That is until there was a shift in the air. They could all feel it. Even the people around who were walking past stopped, just as they did. All in fear. Because they felt this shift before. It had happened a very long time ago when Hybern had attacked Velaris. But this shift was much more. It was more powerful.

After feeling the power Rhysand was quick to tell the sisters and Morrigan to get people to safety. They were quick to start guiding people off the bridge. Being it was where the energy had appeared and where it was growing. They were soon looking shocked when an orb of light fell fast from the sky. Everyone watches as the orb abruptly comes to a stop in the middle of the bridge of the Sidra. Hovering about four feet off of the stone bridge.

Seeing such a thing Cassian and Azriel were quick to pull out their own weapons. Making sure their siphons were working. While Rhysand and Amren were at the ready with their own magic.

All four were soon surrounding the orb. When suddenly a loud whipping noise came from the orb and little lightning bolts were released from the orb. It seemed like a never ending sound. Which caused the four to wince.

But they took a step back and covered their eyes from the bright light emanating from the orb. They were then watching the orb grow in size. They watched with wide eyes in shock as the orb became a portal. The four of them then jumped when a golden shimmering figure fell from the portal. They were already standing on guard ready to attack it if needed. Also watching as the portal shut and turned into an orb and flew back into the night sky.

Their eyes were snapping back on the golden figure again. Who was now getting up gracefully from the ground. They all noted that the figure was female, and that she seemed to be scared. Though they couldn't tell from her face, it being covered by a mask. All they could see was her glowing golden eyes. They didn't dwell on it though.

They could tell by her frantically looking around, and the quick rising and falling of her chest. She seemed to be panicking. And Anna was panicking. She was so scared. She didn't want to go through being in another world. Though her surroundings look a little familiar. She couldn't focus and her thoughts were chaotic. This reminded her too much of the time she landed in the Arena. She didn't want to go through that again.

So when Anna saw movement out of the corner of her eye... she was quick to raise a hand and let her magic free. Sending a golden stream of power at the figure. Letting her survival instincts take over. The instincts that she hasn't used fully in such a long time. And the first who took that step towards her was Rhysand, and he instantly regretted it. If he didn't have his quick reflex to use his magic to put up a shield. He probably would have gone flying and been burnt all over.

While holding up a shield around him he was then quick to try and enter her mind. But a yelp escaped him, when he was met with a bright blinding light protecting her mind. He was quick to lose that plan. He then turned to pushing against her powers with his own. Trying to corner her. But she wouldn't budge.

When the two let their magic fall they were both panting. Rhysand more than her. He could now tell how powerful she was. Hers seemed to rival his own. But there was something familiar to her, to her magic. But he couldn't for the life of him figure it out. Much like she was with him. Anna couldn't shake the feeling of him being familiar. It caused them to look into each other's eyes. His violet eyes clash with her now golden ones.

But their gaze quickly drifted when they saw something running at her. Rhysand recognized it as Cassian, he tried to yell for him to stop. But before he could stop Cassian. He was already swinging his sword at her. But the female seemed to be quick as well. And Anna was. In that moment she was letting herself slip more and more into her survival instincts. Her memories of the Arena haunting her.

Anna was quick to step back and dodge his swing. As she did in one swift motion she reached behind and pulled her short sword from her holster. Blocking his next slash to her head. Looking up, their eyes met. Her glowing eyes were on him. She was glaring at him from behind her mask.

Which Cassian saw, and in that moment he would never tell anyone he was scared of that glare. But he was quick to gasp and took a step back. When he watched her short sword started to glow a vibrant gold from the hilt to the sharp point.

With him distracted with her sword. She was quick to use all her strength, and delivered a harsh powerful kick to his chest. Sending him flying several feet away and to the ground with a grunt. Which wasn't good for him. It took all of him not to shout out from the pain in his wings that had hit the stone ground.

Amren was quick to run to Cassian to help him with the sisters. They wanted to help him with his wings. Rhysand was soon making his way to the female with Feyre not far behind him. Yes, there was something familiar about her. But that didn't mean he was going to let her hurt anyone.

As he walked closer to her. Anna was standing tall with her head held high. Ready for anything. She wasn't going to die. Not after everything she has gone through. She wasn't going to die without a fight. If she was going to go down she would go down kicking and screaming.

So with her glowing short sword in one glove covered hand, and her other hand raised at the two stalking closer to her. She was going to let her powers free again. Letting her powers flow from her chest to her hand causing it to start glowing again. But she was stopped by something wrapping around her wrist, and then she heard someone yelling.

"Stop!"

The bellowing voice belonging to Azriel. He was in a state of shock and awe ever since she fell from the portal. As he looked at the female in front of him. No, not just any female... his mate. His Annamarie. His Anna. His love. He knew it was her. It had to be her. He could feel it, the bond it was singing to him. Letting him know it was her. Even his shadows were whispering to him in joy.

He could feel her ever since she gracefully stood up strong. Feel all her emotions there and on. It was so intense that it took his breath away and made him stumble. She didn't have her side of the bond blocked. And it took him a moment to compose himself. It had been so many long years since he had truly felt her emotions through and from the bond. And what he felt from her caused a wave of sadness to wash over him. But he quickly kept it to himself.

He felt utter fear. Confusion. Loneliness. Tiredness. The feeling of being lost. But also determination. The need to survive was there too. It was all overwhelming. Knowing she was feeling such things, all he wanted to do was comfort her. But he knew he had to approach her with caution.

So he was quick to send his shadows to stop her, Rhysand, and Feyre from attacking each other. Wrapping them around Rhysand and Feyre stopping them. Then only letting a few catch her wrist. Not wanting to scare her. Because he didn't know what she had been through in the past years. He was then moving slowly to her but taking long strides.

As he moved past him he sent Rhysand a look to stop along with Feyre. Which caused both to look at him with wonder. Wondering why he was stopping them. But trusting his brother Rhysand raised his hands and took slow steps back pulling Feyre closer to him and behind him slightly. But both stayed close to Azriel just in case he needed them.

Which Anna watched with confusion. Looking from the two in front of her. Her thoughts were chaotic and all over. Not knowing whether to fight or run. Her mind was being haunted by flashbacks of the Arena. It caused her to have trouble focusing. Leading her glowing eyes to flicker which caused her vision to become slightly blurry. Shaking her head she turned her attention to the one moving slowly to her. Even though she felt something in her chest as he slowly stepped towards her. She took a step back. But stopped when she felt something tug on her wrist again.

Bringing her hand up and looking at her wrist she squinted her eyes then blinked. After focusing her eyes, they were glowing again and she saw what it was. Realizing what it was caused her to gasp with wide eyes. Which Azriel heard and he smiled sadly. As he let a few tears fall hearing his shadow whisper she remembered them cheerfully.

"You know they missed you a lot... like I did love," Azriel lamented. As he slowly makes his way to her. But stopped when she took a step back shaking her head. It broke his heart to see her like this, and to feel her emotions. He just wanted to comfort her. Though he couldn't see her face he could see her trying to blink away the tears through her mask. But hearing him say such a thing caused the others to gasp. The sisters were confused while the others were shocked at the realization. They knew who it was instantly, knowing Azriel to call only one person that nickname and with such adoration.

While they gasped a loud sob was heard from Anna hearing such a nickname. It had been so long since she heard it. And there was only one person who used to say it. Then hearing that voice brought back memories that she had forgotten over the past many long dreadful lonely years.

As she remembered her sword had slipped to the ground. Causing it to lose the golden glow that was her magic. She was then covering her eyes and shook her head. This wasn't real. This had to be a dream. Azriel could feel her confusion and denial. Which led him to take a hold of the golden tether and pull lightly. To give her proof. Feeling the pull caused Anna to gasp as her hand flew to her chest.

She then for the first time felt it. The emotions, his emotions. Emotions that came with sharing a bond. She could feel him slowly push calmness, a sense of safety, and love to her. She could feel so much love. It had been so long that she couldn't remember how to use the bond. Which led another soft sob to escape her. But she did remember how to take a hold of that golden tether and tug on it. Having tried to tug on it many times at first when she first was banished to Zenithara. And many times throughout the years. But at the time she felt nothing.

Now though she could feel it. And she didn't waste time tugging hard on it. Causing Azriel to gasp and stumble forward at the sensation in his chest. As he slowly made his way to her. With his hands raised to show he wouldn't hurt her. But he stopped fully when he heard her soft voice.

"A - Azriel?" She wept out the question softly. As she looked at him, he nodded. Anna didn't know what to think. But Anna knew she wanted this to be real. It had to be real. She wanted so desperately to be in his arms. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and never let go. So shuffling on her feet. She was hesitant but she took a small step closer to him. But she kept on guard only letting her walls down slightly.

As she did, a few shadows broke from Azriel's grasp. And were quick to go to her. Wisping through her curly hair and around her hands caressing her. Trying to make her feel a sense of safety. Seeing and sensing she wasn't scared, more followed. Which they did calm Anna. But only a little.

She could only remember very little about Azriel's shadows. All she could remember was that they watched out for her, and made her feel safe. Which was what they were doing right now. Causing her to calm and let her walls down more. As they tried to coax her closer to their master. It seemed to be working because before Anna knew it... she was only three feet away from Azriel.

With her glimmering gold eyes Anna had her gaze on his hands that were still up in the air. And kept paying attention to the feelings that he had. Anna knew she could trust him. But after being away for so many long years though and having been through what she had, it was hard. But being able to feel his emotions helped her.

Then looking up into his eyes. She saw them, his hazel eyes. That held so many emotions right now. The same emotions that she could feel through their bond. She then saw he had more tears that were falling down his cheeks.

Anna wanted to wipe those tears away, and sooth him. And without thinking she stepped closer to him. Reaching up she went to wipe the tears away. But she stopped her gloved hand mid air. Anna didn't know if once she touched him she would wake up in Zenithara. She didn't want that. But she wanted to wipe away his tears. She wanted to touch him so bad. She wanted to make sure this was real. It caused her hand to shake. As she tried to control her breathing.

But Anna's heart had skipped a beat when she felt it. She felt a hand on the back of hers. Looking she could see his scarred hand on hers.