Chapter Text
Cassian wasn’t present at the next two dinners.
I was just heading back to my room after the second dinner, alone this time, when I saw the door open. I ran for it, pushing the door open with such force that it bounced back.
Cassian stood there before the window, Willow nowhere in sight.
“Where is she?” I demanded.
“Lucia took her on a walk around the house. I told her I needed to speak with you alone.”
I was relieved she wasn’t hurt, at least.
“What do you want?”
“I wanted to apologise for my behaviour. Your ... situation jogged an old memory I hoped to bury,” Cassian said, looking away. “Still, I was disrespectful and said things that were uncalled for. I hope you can forgive me,” he added, kneeling on one knee, head bowed.
I was surprised by his action. “There’s ... There is no need for that. Stand, please.” He did. “I forgive you.”
Right on time, Lucia returned, holding Willow’s hands, walking her.
“Hi!” I cooed at her and crouched down so Lucia could walk her over to me. Willow couldn’t walk on her own yet, but with help, she could, a short distance. However, she was a champion crawler.
I gave her a hug, but she wanted out. I let her go just as Lucia told me what they did while I was away. I asked her a few questions, but she trailed off at one when I saw her looking behind me. I turned and saw her sitting in front of Cassian. He was crouched down, wings tucked behind him as much as he could to keep them away from her hands. Willow was reaching for him, and he held out a finger for her to grab. He looked so young, playing with her, not some old Fae warrior who’s seen and fought in wars and lived through terrible times.
He saw me looking at him, and clearing his throat, he headed for the door. When he passed me, he turned, said, “thank you,” and left. Lucia left shortly after, saying goodbye to Willow.
During those two dinners Cassian wasn’t there; on one of the occasions, it was just Rhysand and me. I didn’t know if the others had eaten beforehand or if he arranged this to just be us, but I enjoyed it very much.
Making small talk, him telling me lighthearted stories about the others and his past ... I started to like this side of him Rhys showed me.
We had dinners alone for the rest of the week and saw each other here and there. I didn’t get to see his friends too much but based on what he told me, this was his house, and they lived elsewhere in the city.
Another week passed, and we went out to the city almost every day for a few hours before meeting again for dinner. Sometimes with Willow, sometimes without. I loved to see him interact with her. I often caught him playing with her while I got dressed for dinner. He told me children were rare, and though I see children around Velaris, there aren’t too many – though still more than anywhere else I’d seen.
He walked me back to my room from another day out, but he stopped before I opened the bedroom door.
“Have you thought about my offer?” I knew what he was referring to. He brought it up once, and I told him I would think about it.
“I have,” it wasn’t a lie, but I was still unsure about my decision. Rhysand was silent, waiting for me to continue. “Yes.”
“Yes?” he asked back, surprised but happy.
“Yes,” I added a nod to emphasise my decision. “I agree to the ceremony.” I smiled.
He pulled me close by my waist and hugged me close to him. Caught in the moment, he leaned down and kissed my lips ever so gently, even in his delight. It took me off guard, and he saw that when he pulled away to look at me – but not for long because I kissed him back. He had just taken a step towards me, making me retreat; another would have had me against the wall had I not heard a cry from my room.
I broke the kiss, much to his momentary disappointment, and opened the door. Neither Lucia nor Evri was anywhere in sight, and Willow was bundled up but crying in the crib. I picked her up, shushing and looked at Rhysand. His brows were furrowed, looking around.
“Something’s wrong,” he said and walked out of the room. Following him, we hurried down the hallway all the way into the front foyer, where Azriel had just winnowed in.
“Eris just sent this,” he said, holding up a piece of paper. Rhysand reached for it and read it, the scowl on his face ever deepening. He ripped the paper into pieces and walked off. I moved to follow him, but Azriel put a hand out to stop me.
“I wouldn’t. Not now,” he said, his wings tucked, his shadows swirling.
“Why? What was in that letter?”
“Bad news.”
“Azriel, tell me. Please,” I pleaded, Willow fussing.
He looked after Rhysand, then back at me. “Eris wants you two back. He accused Rhysand of stealing you and his heir from him and threatened him with war if he didn’t return you.”
I looked down. So, now Azriel knows too. “Does he mean it?” I asked quietly.
“I think so, but it could be a ruse. We know you don’t mean much to him, but Willow ... his claims about her are true.”
“But females don’t inherit anything,” I argued.
“Regardless, she is his daughter.” The way he said it sent daggers into my heart. “I didn’t mean to offend,” he clarified.
“No, I know you’re right, but the truth of the words still hurts,” I said quietly.
“I wouldn’t worry if I were you. Eris can’t get to you as long as you’re here. And we’re all here to protect you.”
“Thank you, but I don’t want the Night and Autumn Courts to go into war over us,” I looked at her in my arms, finally settled, sucking on her thumb. “If to prevent it, we’d have to go back there, so be it,” I took a sharp breath.
“He will never allow it,” Azriel added. “He would rather go to war than lose either of you.” He looked at me, and I saw the truth behind those words in his eyes.
“Should I ...?” I motioned forward towards where Rhysand went.
“I would leave him for tonight and talk to him in the morning,” he replied. Azriel lingered around for a moment before winnowing out of the house.
I went back into my room and put Willow to sleep. I cleaned up and changed into a light blue coloured nightdress but only tossed and turned. After a few hours, I decided I would go and talk to Rhysand.
Putting shoes and a robe on, I checked on Willow and sneaked out of the room. I wasn’t completely sure where Rhysand’s room was, but feeling the tug of our bond, I followed it and found him in the dining hall, sitting at the head table, spinning a knife on the surface, wings fully out and his shadow cloud surrounding him.
He only noticed me entering the room when I was halfway across it.
“I won’t let him take you two,” he said. He set the knife down and stood to face me. His wings were in an almost closed circle around us.
“I don’t want you going to war.”
“It’s worth it. You both are worth it.”
“Willow’s his daughter.” The words, however painful they were for me to say, seemed to hurt him just as much.
“If we unite, if we marry, she could be mine,” he said.
“Won’t he still have a legitimate claim over her?”
“Not if I accept her as one of the Night Court. She’s the illegitimate child of the High Lord. They have no claim to the throne or to rule. He wants power. That is the only reason he holds Willow over you.” He caressed my cheek. “My heart would break if any harm came to either of you.”
I nuzzled into his hand. “You would do that? Accept another Court’s child – illegitimate or not – into your own?”
“Yes.” Not a moment’s hesitation.
I breathed a kiss on his lips. “Please don’t let it be a war,” I whispered. “If it comes to it, I'm willing to go back to prevent it. However much it may pain is both.”
He didn’t reply. Encompassing us with his wings, putting his hands around my face, he pulled me in for a kiss. I put my arms around his neck, accidentally brushing his wings, which resulted in him stifling a moan onto my lips.
“You and your sensitive wings,” I mused, and this time, I purposefully ran my fingers along the top of one of them. Rhysand groaned into my neck and pulled me closer, his hands now on my waist. He placed one kiss on my neck, another lower, and one at the beginning of my collarbone, but I pulled away before the fourth.
“I should go back.” I slowly slid my hands from around his neck across his chest before dropping them next to me. “Willow is alone.”
He removed his hands, made his wings disappear, and held my hand. “I’ll walk you back.” I didn’t argue with him, though his lust for me still lingered in his eyes – I could only hope I hid mine just as well, if not better.
When we reached my room, I pushed open the door I had left ajar and found her sound asleep where I had left her.
Rhys stepped behind me, the barely an inch of space left between us filled with electricity. “Seems like you worried for nothing.” His whispering breath ran shivers down my back.
I felt his fingers run down my spine, his touch awakening a long-dormant fire inside me. I was very close to grabbing the side of the crib to brace myself, but I didn’t want to rock it and wake Willow.
I felt Rhysand take a step away from me, and the suddenly grown distance left a chill to settle between us. I closed that distance and put a hand on his chest. We were only a foot away from the edge of the bed, no doubt a deliberate action. I knew what he wanted, and deep down, I wanted that too ... but I wasn’t sure if I was ready for it.
I looked up at him, and whether he read it from my eyes or mind, his eyes shone with understanding.
“Would you like me to leave?” he asked every so quietly, even being as close as we were.
I shook my head gently. “No, I– I don’t think I do.”
“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do,” he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, and I buried my face into his shoulder. His touch, his kindness, his warmth, his proximity even made me want him. But not yet. That little part of me that was still healing, still recoiling at the idea, convinced me enough.
“What if you didn’t sleep in your room but here ... in mine?”
He looked behind him at the bed, large enough to fit both of us, then back to me. “If that’s all right with you.”
I nodded, smiling slightly.
Getting into bed, he pulled me close. I followed the curve of the intricate tattoos on his chest, running a finger along them before placing my hand flat against it, feeling his heartbeat. A rhythm I could get used to falling asleep to.
When I woke up, the bed next to me was empty. I sat up, and before panic could settle in, I saw Rhys, wings out wide, rock and babble to Willow – who, by the sound of it, was enjoying whatever he babbled about. I got up and walked over to them, Rhysand turning to face me.
“Sorry. She woke me up, but I wanted to let you sleep.”
I smiled. “It’s fine. You’re… good with her.”
“What do you say we do the ceremony today? Just the three of us?” he offered.
“That would be lovely.”