Poisoned Mistake
Cazriel X Reader (Cassian X Azriel X Reader)
A mission gone wrong has your bond growing thin and your mates growing increasingly distraught. What happens when they're left to think the worst?
MASTERLIST
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The forest was dark, unnaturally so, even by Night Court standards. The bark of the tree that you leaned on bit at your skin, but compared to the pain in your shoulder, you didn't care. You should've been back at the House of Wind hours ago. Azriel and Cassian were probably worried, pacing the floors, waiting. You wanted to reach out, caress that golden bond that tied you all together, but the ashroot in your system didn't let you. You blew out a breath, trying to calm your nerves. You'd gotten the intel that you needed. And you were back in your own court. That's what mattered most.
However, you still needed help. So you did the only thing you could think of. You set a trap, left your cloak in the middle of the forest floor, and waited.
With exhaustion weighing you down, and the tree covering most of the moonlight, you had no idea how long you waited. Minutes, hours, you didn't know. All you knew what that your family was probably worried.
When the crack of a falled branch sounded through the air, you suspected it was more of a warning to you, rather a misstep on the creatures part. The Suriel was quiet when the trap snapped around them. So much so that you suspected that the centuries old creature was well aware of your plan even before you were.
It took more effort than you'd like to admit, to stand up from the tree you'd been resting on.
"Let me out, fae." The Suriel ordered. Its voice was a whisper in the wind.
"I need you to do something for me first."
"You want me to contact your High Lord." The Suriel answered.
"Yes."
"Let me free then."
You hesitated for a moment before pulling a blade out and cutting the vines you'd used in your trap. The Suriel dropped to the forest floor in a heap of cloth and bones. "The cloak is yours, just please, summon my High Lord."
"Your mates are terrified that you're dead."
"Just Rhysand."
"As you wish."
The Suriel stared at you for a moment longer before grabbing the cloak and vanishing deeper into the forest. You nearly collapsed in grief, fearing your imminent death if you were to be left alone with the creatures hiding in the forest with you. But before you can crumble in on yourself, there's soft hands at your back and a gentle voice you've come to realize as safety. Rhysand, your brother in all senses aside from blood.
"By the cauldron, I don't know how you got a Suriel to summon me, but I'm glad you did."
"Are they okay?" You ask. You both know to whom you're referring to.
"They will be once they see you." Rhys grabs your hand and, without warning, winnows you back to the River House.
The process of winnowing is always odd, but when you're in pain, exhausted and poisoned it's down right terrible. He's brought you to your spare room at the river house, and you all but collapse into bed.
"Rest, I'll bring the healer."
"Do they know I'm here?"
Rhys nodded. "They're coming."
Rhys came back with Madja quickly. Or so it felt. Your eyes had slipped closed, and you were only conscious someone was there when you felt a gentle warmth at your shoulder. Blinking your eyes opened, you found Madja smiling warmly down at you.
"You lot can't seem to stay out of trouble." She chided.
You were stopped from answering by the commotion downstairs. No doubt your two mates fighting their way through the house to get to you. You're proven right when your bedroom door flys open the next moment, and two winged males stride in. Their faces noticeably pale.
"Mother's tits," Cassian hisses as he comes around to the other side of your bed. "We thought-"
You smile sadly as you reach out for him. "I know."
"No more solo missions." Azriel said, although you felt it was more of an order.
"Az-"
"No more solo missions." Azriel bit out at Rhys.
You didn't know if Rhys was going to agree or not, but you were saved the trouble of a possible fight when Madja spoke up.
"If you lot are going to argue, do it elsewhere." Her order shut both your mates up, and the room was once again quiet.
Madja worked quickly and quietly, and soon enough, you found your eyes slipping shut, not from pain, but from pure exhaustion.
"Rest now," you heard Madja whisper. If she went on to say anything else, you weren't conscious of it.
The sun was shining through the window in broken rays when you woke. Azriel was sitting across from you in the only chair you had. A plush velvet seat that you knew had to be uncomfortable for his wings. His shadows swirled around him, slow, like syrup. Cassian was slumped on the floor, his back against the wall, and head down like a child told off. When your gaze landed back on Azriel, you found him already watching you.
"Hi," you croaked.
Azriel stood quickly but quietly, reaching to hand you a glass of water from your bedside. He waited until you were done to speak.
"How do you feel?" He asked as he grabbed the glass back and carefully placed it back on the bedside.
"Okay, better."
"Good." Azriel's voice was cool, crisp—distant. You knew exactly why.
"I'm sorry I scared you." Azriel didn't bother to answer. He sent a warm pulse of love down your bond. A silent recognition.
With a loud shift and a deep groan, Cassian stood from his place on the floor and came to your side. "Hey, sweetheart." He cooed. He was always more open with his affection.
"What time is it?" You asked.
"Nearly noon. You were out for a while." Cassian answers.
"Did either of you sleep?"
Cassian and Azriel share a look.
"No," you answer for them.
With both arms, you moved to sit up in bed. Both males reached out quickly, either trying to help you up or push you back down, you weren't sure. You swatted their hands out of the way regardless, unwilling to feed into their need to mother hen you. "I'm alright." You said softly, and you were pleased that you meant it. Madja had fully healed the pain in your shoulder.
"Madja said you had to take it easy until all the poison makes its way out of your system."
"I will, but that doesn't mean I can't sit up." You chid them.
"Rhys said you got the intel?" Cassian said.
You nodded. "I did."
"And what about the thing that did that?" Azriel asked, pointing to your bandaged shoulder.
"A soldier from Autumn." You answered.
"Is the soldier dead?" Azriel asked. You could hear the threat of violence behind his words.
"Dead." You answer.
Azriel gave a curt nod of his own. "Good."
"I better debrief Rhys," you said as you moved to get up. You stopped as you noticed the look that your mates shared. "Would you like to stay in bed with me, before I do that?" You ask.
"Yes!" Cassian hissed as he quickly climbed into bed with you. Azriel moved around to your other side, flipping your sheets up and sliding in beside you. It was a tight fit for the winged males, but it wasn't the first time the three of you had shuffled into your bed together.
"You're okay," Azriel said softly, his lips ghosting over your temple. You knew he wasn't speaking to yourself.
"I'm okay." You told him.
"You had us terrified last night when the bond went dark." Cassian said as he slipped his arms around you. On your other side, Azriel pressed gentle kisses to your jaw and cheek and neck. Anywhere his lips could reach.
"I know. I'm sorry." Looking into his hazel eyes, you could see the dark circles beneath them. You tangled your hand with his, squeezing tight. "But I'm here, and I'm okay."
"I understand now isn't the time," Azriel began. "But later, we're having a conversation about solo missions."
"A conversation," you answer. "Not a lecture."
Azriel smiled softly. "A conversation."
"I love you." Cassian said.
You smiled and pulled tight on the bond. The very one that was cloaked by poison the night before. "I love you. Both of you."