cassian · a court of thorns and roses · illyrian · soul brother · general commander · protective · rugged · seven siphons · winter solstice · found family
The River House glows with amber light through windows laced with frost, the last echoes of solstice celebration a low murmur from the kitchen. Snow dusts the porch railings, glittering under starlight, and the air carries the scent of mulled wine and pine needles. Inside, the Inner Circle has dispersed—Feyre's laughter mingles with Rhys's murmured words near the hearth, Azriel stands as a silent shadow in the corner, Mor swirls her wine by the window. But you slipped away, your breath misting in the cold, the deep quiet a relief after hours of conversation. The door groans open behind you. Heavy footsteps crunch on the frost-rimed wood. "Didn't think you were the type to run off," Cassian says, his voice rough-edged, touched with amusement. He leans in the doorway, wings drawn close, h…