The sky had turned into a shade of light pink and orange by the time Azriel and Vivienne had left the cafe. Not wanting to go back to reality just yet, Vivienne led them to the beach beyond the stone wall.

But not before they had made a stop at her favourite spot in the city.

"You're telling me you've never tried ice-cream from this shop?" Vivienne sounded completely shocked. 

Azriel just raised his shoulders and without another word, Vivienne grabbed his hand and pulled him into the store.

It felt like entering another dimension, no matter how many times she'd been there. The brightly painted walls, the mountains of sweets, and most importantly the countless flavours of ice cream. It even smelled like a dream in here, Vivienne smiled happily, feeling at home.

She hadn't known this kind of spoils ever before. Not when she'd gotten an extra piece of dinner for her birthday in the Camp. But now... She had to have a taste of pure joy before she left for the cruel conditions of Winter Court, where she was sure she wouldn't see sweets for a long while.

Seeing Azriel looking at all the different flavours like a lost puppy, she took it upon herself to make a recommendation, "I'm getting the cherry and rose one, but I'm not so sure you'd like it." She pursed her lips together and scanned the flavours.

Azriel waited patiently beside her, his gaze focused on her face. The corners of his mouth raised when Vivienne clasped her hands together, looking excited although she was only picking ice cream.

Vivienne crooked her head and found Azriel already looking at her. "Do you trust me?" She was sure she'd found the perfect flavour for Azriel.

"Yes," Azriel's gaze burned into hers, and the heavy emotion packed into one short word made her think that he didn't only think of her ice cream choice when he'd said it.

Vivienne kissed Azriel on the cheek and walked over to the counter, her body swaying happily. Such careless yet gentle gestures were becoming more and more comfortable, and she smiled when she saw a light blush on Azriel's cheeks.

---

Realising the ice-cream shop was almost opposite the jewelry shop, Azriel told Vivienne he'd be right back and stepped out to check whether the bracelet was already done.

The clerk greeted him kindly despite Azriel's intimidating presence. Perhaps the clerk had realised that buying such a gift must have meant Azriel did not seem as he appeared.

However, today was not Azriel's lucky day and the bracelet still needed to be finished. Apparently, the crystals he'd chosen were rarer than he'd thought.

Not letting this spoil his plans he left the jewellery store just as Vivienne exited from across the street, two big ice cream cones in her hands.

She turned her head, smiling and a second later she gasped so loud the whole street turned and eyed her curiously. 

"Az, hurry," Vivienne said panicky and licked the ice cream, "It's melting, and running everywhere."

Azriel crossed the rest of the street in two long, elegant steps and said, "I hope it's good, or you might just have ruined ice cream for me."

Vivienne just looked up at him with raised eyebrows and said, "Taste it first, and then we'll see if you have something to say."

She handed him the cream-coloured one, keeping the pink scoop to herself. Her lips were already a dark pink and Azriel could smell the cherry flavour of her ice cream. Suddenly, he felt the urge to see if her lips tasted like cherry, too.

But it would have to wait because Vivienne was looking at him expectantly and he had to admit that his own ice cream smelled just as delicious.

As soon as the taste spread in his mouth, Azriel couldn't help closing his eyes, enjoying the taste, and licked his lips before tasting it again.

"I knew you'd love it!" announced Vivienne and linked her arm through his.

"Wow, what is this?" Azriel's voice was laced with wonder and amazement that something could taste like it was made just for him.

"It's vanilla with bourbon and cinnamon," Vivienne exclaimed, proud of her choice, "It's just like you," she went on, a smile tugging on her lips, "Classic, but with some spice." 

The look Azriel gave her almost made her drop her ice cream. "Are you saying that I'm vanilla?"

Vivienne swallowed hard, not being able to say a word and Azriel winked at her, smirking proudly.

---

Vivienne's cheeks were still blushed by the time they reached the beach. She hoped the light breeze could cool her down and possibly wipe that sexy smirk off Azriel's face.

The setting sun made the water sparkle in intense, burning colours which were also reflected on Azriel's face. Vivienne couldn't help but stare, completely mesmerised by his beauty. Her gaze traced the arch of his nose, the specks of gold in his eyes, the sharp edge of his cheekbones and the curve of his lips, glossy because of the ice cream.

Azriel was too focused on his melting ice cream to notice Vivienne's eyes tracing over him, trying hard to remember every little detail about him. Even his wings looked stunning in this light with the orange seeping through the sheer membrane, creating a halo around him.

Vivienne stepped closer as if being pulled and Azriel finally looked at her.

What he found before him, took his breath away. Vivienne looked like an angel, just the pure happiness in her eyes would make him go to the ends of the earth to keep it there.

Suddenly, the intensity faded a bit and Vivienne finally spoke about what'd been clawing at her mind the whole day. "I'm scared."

Azriel seemed caught off guard, but his features turned into the epitome of comfort in a brief moment, "Of what?"

"The last time I was among Illyrians, it didn't go that well, remember?" Vivienne tried to say it lightly, but the feelings of betrayal still lingered.

Azriel, knowing how hurt she'd been, moved closer and brushed her hair behind her ear, waiting for her to continue.

"I just feel like they'll never respect me and I've accepted it, I've even come to love the fae part of me," Vivienne said and a small flame played in her hand. 

Sometimes Azriel'd forget how powerful Vivienne really was because she didn't want to use her powers often, and that was okay.

Azriel's voice sounded heavy and sad for her when he said, "I, too, am one of them. And I respect you beyond measure." He gave Vivienne a comforting kiss on her temple, "You just have to trust that not all feel the same, besides you won't be training with your old Camp."

Vivienne's eyes swelled with tears at his care, but surprise coloured her features when she asked, "I won't?"

Azriel smiled gently, "Of course not, Cassian made sure of it."

Vivienne's heart was heavy with love and she only leaned into him, her arms curving behind Azriel's muscular back.

Slowly, Vivienne met Azriel's eyes with a silent request as her hands travelled up his back, stopping just below his wings.

She felt Azriel's quick intake of breath before his lips met hers, and Azriel smiled against them. Vivienne could taste the light burn of bourbon, and by the sudden pink of Azriel's lips, she assumed he could taste the sweetness of the cherry.

Vivienne let her hands travel up, shaking slightly before she reached Azriel's wings. She tilted her head, her eyes tracing the movements of her hand. The moment her fingers grazed the soft surface of his wings, Azriel stiffened and Vivienne's gaze flew to his face.

But when she saw the way his lips parted and felt his grip tighten on her hips, she continued her exploration, gently brushing her fingers over his wings.

Only when Azriel spoke, his voice like gravel, did she lay her hand back on his shoulder, "Viv, I think we should get back."

Just the intensity of his gaze made Vivienne feel like she was on fire, and this time it felt heavenly. 

"Oh? We should?" she teased him and his eyes grew stormier.

"Thank you for the unforgettable date, love," Azriel brushed his lips against hers.

"Love?" Vivienne couldn't help the amused smile on her lips.

"I wanted to try it out, and I have to say I like it better than babe," Azriel shrugged.

Even though she didn't tell him, Vivienne liked it better, too. She could have overthought it, but she knew that one couldn't force love and when they were both ready, then she would say what she could already feel - I love you.

Wordlessly, Vivienne laced her hand with Azriel's and only winked before shooting off the ground and hurrying back to his room.