Azriel | Lux Ex Tenebris ✓

Chapter 73: Tapestry of Fate

~parts of the speech are very similar to the one in ACOWAR because I loved it and because I could never do it as well as SJM did~

✧Misma POV✧

The sun had barely started to rise, the land still veiled in darkness and a thin film of dampness coated the grass on the ground.

Having an arm folded around my shoulder, Azriel guided us to where our family was already waiting—Cassian, Nesta, Feyre now again joined by Rhysand, Gwyn who still limped a bit and held up Balthazar, Emerie and Mor, Elain and Lucien, Amren and now also Azriel and I.

His face veiled in a sinister and almost lethal mask Rhys said, "The bad news first: Montesere has, despite what we had thought and despite their actual neutrality, joined the continent and Koschei in the war. Spies have returned just now and reported that they are arriving with ships." Fear rumbled through all of us, my stomach coiling and twisting. Murmures from Cassian and Azriel followed before Rhys took a step forward and spoke up again. Azriel's body went rigid next to me, his posture straight and his arm squeezing me briefly.

"We don't have that much time left and never know what the future brings, so I decided this moment of peace...of the calm before the storm to thank you and for a little talk—a speech maybe. As," —the High Lord let his eyes trail over all of us— "I know my family prefers the real and honest talk instead of the inspiring or bleak one, here you have it."

A bird tweeted in the far distance, a cool breeze sending tingles over my bare shins. Reaching my hands to the sides I clasped both Gwyn and Azriel's hands in mine, squeezing tightly while keeping my eyes on the High Lord.

"Still only a few years ago it had just been Cass, Az, Mor, Amren and I. Now we have grown in size quite a lot and I couldn't be more thankful to have each one of you in my life." He swallowed audible, the cool breeze once again brushing my hair over my shoulder and tingling my lower legs. "I believe everything happens for a reason. Whether it is decide by the Mother, or the Cauldron, or some sort of tapestry of Fate, I don't know and once again I can only say that I don't really care. I am grateful for it, for all of it, no matter what it is." The High Lord paused, his hand moving to hold the High Lady's. Feyre smiled weakly, her gaze now also moving over all of us.

"Whatever it was or is...it brought you all into my life and if I didn't have you in my life I might have become as disgusting and awful as that prick we are going to face today." Part of me wondered if that could be true. I had seen what Rhysand had been capable of, what he had been like in the Hewn City. My parents had told me how his father had been. But Rhysand chose the right way and became...good.

"If I had not met an Illyrian warrior-in-training," he said to Cassian, "An Illyrian warrior who way too often thinks he is a brute, which couldn't be further from the truth, I would not have known the true depths of strength and resilience, of honor and loyalty." Cassian grinned brightly, eyes glistening in the rising sunlight. Our High Lord turned to my mate and said, "If I had not met a shadowsinger, I would not have known that it is the family you make, not the one you are born into, that matters. I would not have known what it is to truly hope, even when the world tells you to despair." Squeezing my hand, Azriel bowed his head at his brother in thanks.

Mor was already sniffing when Rhys spoke to her. "If I had not met my cousin, I would never have learned that light can be found in even the darkest of hells. That kindness can thrive even amongst cruelty." Sniffing again, Mor nodded and smiled. "And I couldn't be more happy that you have Emerie at your side. You truly are the bravest and strongest Illyrian female I have ever met and you remind me a lot of my own mother and my sister. Thank you for saving my brother's life the other day and for being part of this family." A single tear made its way down Emerie's cheek before a silent sob ripped itself free. Smiling, she also bowed her head in thanks. Rhys nodded his head at her.