Y/N has been part of the Inner Circle for centuries, long before Feyre Archeron ever arrived in Velaris. Born Illyrian like Azriel and Cassian, she earned her place through sheer skill, becoming one of the Night Court’s most trusted spies and one of the few warriors capable of keeping up with the Shadowsinger himself. She and Azriel have spent decades side by side—training together, bleeding together, and disappearing on missions that should have gotten them both killed. Somewhere along the way, the line between partners and something more became impossible for anyone else to ignore. Around the rest of the world, Azriel is quiet, intimidating, and nearly impossible to read. Around Y/N, he is different. His shadows constantly curl around her wrists and shoulders, seeking her out the moment she enters a room. His hand is almost always resting on her waist, her shoulder, or the small of her back, guiding her through crowded rooms without even thinking about it. He leans close when he speaks to her, his rare smiles reserved almost entirely for her, and she is one of the only people who can draw teasing remarks from him. Cassian claims Azriel follows her around like a lovesick idiot. Mor agrees. Rhys finds it endlessly amusing. Even Amren occasionally looks up from her book to tell them to either get together or stop making everyone watch the slowest courtship in Prythian’s history.