Nesta
Helion's Private Estate
The Day Court
"Oh, child. What trouble did you get yourself into this time?" Lamented Helion Spell-Cleaver.
Nesta's mouth pulled into a tight frown as she met Helion's disapproving gaze. The High Lord of Day was outfitted in his customary toga, the ivory fabric cutting an exquisite contrast against his shimmering skin. Helion tilted his head at Nesta, crossing muscular arms over his chest as he waited for her response. She had thought he was still at the High Lord's meeting in Adriata and assumed they would have total privacy in his home. Apparently, that was not the case. Nesta wanted a few hours to put her thoughts in order before explaining the complicated mess that was the past three years to Cassian.
Clearly, that wasn't meant to be.
For a fleeting moment, Nesta fantasized about dropping back into the pool and shifting away from the Day Court entirely, if only to spare herself the upcoming headache. Helion lifted a brow as if he somehow knew the truth of her thoughts. Sighing, Nesta shook off that particular daydream and pushed into a standing position. She wouldn't readily abandon Cassian after her promise. Besides, who knows exactly what details Helion would reveal the moment her back was turned.
If Cassian was surprised by Helion's involvement, he managed to keep it off his face. Still, it was clear that the Illyrian wasn't pleased to realize the High Lord of Day had been involved with her situation. Cassian's face hardened as he assessed the older male.
"You knew." Growled Cassian. "All this time, Feyre had been searching for Nesta, not knowing if she was lying dead in a ditch, and you knew where she was."
Helion merely tilted his head at Cassian, completely unfazed by the anger radiating off of the Illyrian.
"Yes, I did," Helion responded coolly. "Not only did I know about Nesta's whereabouts, I happily provided her with asylum these many years."
Cassian took half a step towards Helion, his calloused hands clenched into fists at his side.
"She lived here? All this time? And it never once occurred to you to send word to the Night Court? If only to let Feyre know that her sister was safe and cared for? How arrogant must you be? Do you honestly believe that you could repeatedly lie to Rhysand and suffer no retribution?"
Helion let out a low laugh as Nesta stood frozen stock-still between the males. She assumed Cassian wouldn't be pleased to learn of Helion's involvement but didn't expect outright hostility. She was wondering how to deescalate the situation when Helion spoke next.
"I have nothing to apologize for. What is my great crime? Ignoring a missive? They lost all of their rights to Nesta when they banished her from the Night Court. If Nesta Archeron is not beholden to Night, then I am not required to answer any of their inquiries." His amber eyes flashed to Nesta. "It was her choice to remove herself from her sister's lives. I merely followed her wishes. So, no. I have nothing to apologize for when it comes to my actions."
This is off to a terrible start, Nesta thought apprehensively. She needed to rein in the males before their squabble escalated into something more serious. Cassian was still agitated from the previous confrontation, and she didn't want him taking it out on the High Lord of Day. Helion's support throughout the years had been invaluable. Nesta didn't want to reward his assistance with a fight at his front door, especially considering it was Nesta who requested his confidentiality in the first place.
I need to shut this down. She sighed and rubbed her eyes as a headache blossomed behind her temples. She gave Cassian's bicep and reassuring squeeze and then headed towards the decorative trunk towards the end of the pool. She opened the lid and withdrew two towels, throwing one over her shoulder before holding out the second for Cassian.
"Can we just take a step back for a moment?" She asked him. "I know you want answers, but you need to understand that Helion has been nothing but supportive. I don't know where'd I be if it wasn't for him."
Cassian shot Helion one last glower before giving his attention back to Nesta. His face softened as he took in her countenance. He nodded as he accepted the towel, drying the ends of his hair. Apparently, he decided to simply ignore the High Lord.
Nesta tossed Helion a look, silently pleading with him to maintain the peace, if only for the sake of her sanity. She'd been imprisoned, essentially kidnapped by Cassian, and had to fight her way out of a secondary abduction attempt by much more hostile adversaries. The past twenty-four hours had been straining, and she needed time to recuperate. Helion nodded in agreement before running a scrutinizing eye over the pair.
"It's clear that much has happened since we last spoke. I have many questions for you, but as your host, I feel it's my duty to offer you both a chance to refresh before then." Helion announced.
Thank the mother. Nesta would kill for an actual bath right now.
"Will you show Cassian to the guest house? You can freshen up before joining me for lunch on the terrace. We'll talk at that time." Helion's gaze fell to Cassian's bare chest, and he added. "I'll have one of the servants bring up a change of clothing for you. "
Cassian remained rigid, clearly unhappy with the High Lord, but he held his tongue and instead nodded his head in a show of gratitude.
"I'll take him now, but afterwards, may I have a moment of your time?" Nesta asked Helion as she gently took Cassian's arm.
"Of course. I'll meet you at the main house in ten minutes." Helion told, his neutral expression doing little to mask the curiosity in his eyes.
Nesta suspected that he was unaware of the attack on Adriata since Helion was already in the Day Court before their arrival. She felt that it was her duty to warn him. His priority would always to his people. Helion would want to ensure everyone back at the palace was safe. Her problems would hold after everything else has been resolved.
Nesta gently tugged Cassian away, and he followed without hesitation, pressing himself close to her side. He was generating intoxicating body heat, and Nesta fought off the urge to lean into his warmth.
"So, you've been staying with Heloin?" He asked once they were out of earshot.
"Part of the time." She admitted equivocally. If Cassian weren't happy with Helion, then he definitely wouldn't be happy when he learned of her other accomplices. "He's warded this estate against scrying. The witches can't find me here, and I've come to think of it as my own personal haven."
Cassian studied her out of the corner of his eye but elected to remain silent. It's clear that he had questions but, thankfully, decided to delay the interrogation. The Illyrian could be infuriatingly single-minded when something intrigued him; she'd been on the receiving end of that more times than she could count. He'd been fascinated with Nesta since the moment they met, never shy about his desire to learn everything about her. Perhaps he read the weariness on her face and decided his curiosity could wait.
The unoccupied guest house was a quick walk away. Despite Helion's outgoing manner, very few faes were invited back to his private estate. The High Lord assured her this practice was established long before she entered his life. It worked out well since Nesta often appeared without prior warning. If the wrong person were to witness her arrival, they would lose the clandestinity they worked so hard to maintain. The estate housed a few trusted staff members, but they didn't service the guest house unless specifically requested. Cassian would have all the privacy he needed.
"You can stay here tonight," Nesta told him as she showed him the suite on the main level.
The suite was designed in a decidedly masculine style which, she privately mused, suited Cassian perfectly. The furniture was well crafted with simple lines, constructed out of hardwood and rich leathers. The brick walls were whitewashed, contrasted beautifully with exposed ceiling trusses. He walked into the middle of the room, giving it an appraising eye. His trousers, still damp from the dip in the pool, had moulded to him like a second skin. She did her best to keep her eye line at a respectable level.
"Each suite has its own bathroom, and the linen closet should have everything you need to wash up. Can you think of anything else that you need? Achava is the head of staff, and he can find just about anything you can think of. He'll probably be here with a change of clothes any minute now."
Nesta had no idea why she was rambling on like a nitwit. She wasn't usually so unsure of herself, but Cassian tended to throw her off her guard. He sat down on the large bed and levelled his gaze at her, choosing to ignore her blithering.
"There is a large part of me that doesn't want to let you walk out that door. Everything inside of me is screaming not to let you go."
Nesta swallowed, mouth suddenly dry. The way he was looking at her right now - like a man possessed - sent a jolt of electricity coursing through her. The soft morning light filtering into the windows accentuated his body's hard planes and dips. His hair was loose, curling around his face and shoulders. Gods, she wanted to tangle her fingers in that hair. Cassian was a tall male, and Nesta longed to use his hair to drag him down to her level. She wanted to make him beg.
"I told you I wouldn't run away this time." She reminded him softly, trying to shake away those thoughts.
"That's not what I mean," Cassian replied, voice rough.
Oh, mother save me, Nesta thought as her heart leapt into her throat. This is exactly where she thought they were heading last night before she made the absolutely useless decision to run. She was ridiculously thankful he was sitting down, a good five meters away from her. If he was closer... if he was right in front of her, where she could reach out and touch him…
"I need to speak to Helion. He's expecting me." Nesta explained quickly, her voice too loud. "I'll meet you in the garden in one hour."
Then Nesta slipped out the door before she did something she might regret.
Helion was waiting outside of the main manor. He stood near the side entrance and watched her make her way up the winding path, raising a single brow in insinuation.
"I wasn't sure how much time you needed with your Illyrian." He told her, lips curled in amusement. "But I'd assumed he'd take longer than that."
Nesta felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment. She had gotten close to Helion over the past few years and, at some point, had begun to view him as a father figure. Naturally, there was absolutely no way she was continuing this conversion with him.
"I disappear from Tarquin's dungeon, and that's the first question you think to ask?" She scoffed.
"It was hardly the dungeon, Sweetling." Helion reminded her affectionately. "At first, I assumed you made it without our assistance, but then you didn't show up here. When I couldn't find you at our mutual friend's home, I began to worry. I began to fret that the witches had managed to track you down."
"They did, actually," Nesta admitted with a shiver. "Cassian helped me escape the palace. We were together when the witches arrived at the Summer Court. That's why I brought him here. We escaped by the skin of our teeth."
Helion paused her with a hand to her shoulder, alarm clear on his face.
"They found you? Did they get their hands on you? Were you hurt in any way?"
"I'm fine. They didn't touch me, didn't even get close." It was a minor lie, but she didn't want Helion fussing over her. "There was fighting in the city. I assume they brought the Mortal Queen's troops with them. And Helion, there was a wyvern."
The High Lord of Day's eyes widened in horror.
"They mostly circled over the Bay, so I assumed it was lying in wait for me. But it flew around the palace a few times. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing that the High Lords had tried to engage it in battle."
Helion's gaze went cold.
"I'd better return to Adriata immediately. Tarquin is aware that I returned home last night, but I'd like to make sure no one was hurt in the fallout."
Nesta nodded, expecting this reaction. Helion was a good leader and cared greatly for his people. His priority was always the greater good, no matter the personal sacrifice. Nesta could trust that Helion would do the right thing; that was why she cared for him so much.
"I'll see if I can be of any assistance. The Summit broke for the morning to 'deal with security matters, I believe was the reasoning," Helion said with an innocent expression as if he wasn't the very source of Tarquin's security leak to begin with. "I'll try not to linger at the palace because I have many questions on what you got up to last night."
With no further ado, Helion winnowed away and left Nesta standing alone outside the manor.
"You and everyone else, apparently." Nesta sighed to no one in particular.
And with that out of the way, Nesta sought out her private chambers to clean herself up.
Cassian
Helion's Private Estate
The Day Court
Cassian had spent the better part of the past hour fighting against his own instincts to return to Nesta's side. He knew, intellectually, that she would honour her promise to remain, but he was unable to relax until he saw her once again. He'd spent three years chasing after her, and it was a hard habit to break. Still, Cassian would give Nesta the space she asked for. He needed to earn her trust. In the meantime, he'd distracted himself with bathing, telling himself it was important to remain inviting to his mate. Cassian wouldn't act further on those particular urges, of course, but he would use every tool in his arsenal to convince Nesta to keep him close.
Helion's valet brought up several clothing options, including shirts specifically tailored for winged fae. Cassian selected a pair of close-fitting black trousers and a white button-up shirt. His boots remained waterlogged, but there was little he could do about it for the time being. He twisted his hair into a bun and tied it back with a piece of leather he found in the bathroom. That had been twenty minutes ago, and there was little else to keep him occupied while he waited for Nesta.
He headed outside, deciding to wait for her in the garden. Cassian could focus on discovering Nesta's past now that she was safely away from any direct threats. Her safety was his main priority, and he needed to know all facts about her situation. How did Helion become involved? Were the Mortal Queens looking for something other than revenge? Just what steps must he take to ensure Nesta's total protection? Everything else - everything personal - could wait until a later time.
At least, that is what Cassian told himself as he roamed the grounds, keeping half an eye on the manor. He wanted Nesta - he'd always want Nesta - but it was the wrong time to become distracted by the slight female. The temptation to finally claim her was overwhelming. It had taken all his years of military discipline to remain seated away when he scented her arousal. Cassian knew, without a shadow of a doubt, if he acted on those instincts, they wouldn't be leaving that room for hours. Not until they were both heavily sated, Helion be damned.
This is not the time to be thinking these thoughts, Cassian growled to himself as he tugged at the fabric of his groin. Gods, Nesta's mere presence had bewitched him. He acted no better than an untested whelp and needed to start thinking with his brain instead of his cock.
"Oh, there you are." Nesta's voice drifted down to him, pulling him from his reverie.
Cassian turned to face her, and all other thoughts flew out of his head. Like Cassian, Nesta had used the time to bathe and change into a fresh outfit. She was adorned in an ivory-coloured tea-length dress, reminiscent of Day Court fashion. The gown itself was relatively modest, the neckline dipping just low enough to reveal the uppermost swells of her breasts. He dragged his line of sight up to her face and found that she left her hair unbraided. The sides were gathered back in two gold combs, the lengths spilling over the shoulders in glossy waves. She looked like a creature of the Day Court. She looked like a Goddess.
"Nesta," he began, his voice much deeper than usual, "you look beautiful."
Her cheeks warmed slightly at the compliment and Cassian's mouth went dry. How did he ever think he'd possess the strength to keep his hands off her? She reached his side and looked almost.. shy? Nesta had acted uncustomarily bashful earlier in his room, and it appeared that her time away was not enough to rebuild her usual shields. Or maybe she chose not to. Either way, this change of demeanour was certainly intriguing.
"Will Helion be joining us in the garden?" He asked her, noting that her eyes were almost steel gray in the mid-morning sun.
"No, he went back to Adriata to check on his people. He'll be back as soon as possible, but we're alone at the moment."
Cassian savoured that particular piece of information. Alone in a garden with his beautiful mate? It was almost more than he hoped for. He chivalrously offered Nesta his elbow, biting back a grin when she immediately took it and pressed herself to his side. Gods, she was soft. And small. He suspected his hands could span the entity of her waist, and he knew how little effort it took to lift her. The things he could do to her... Clearing his throat, he quickly cut off that line of thought before it got him into trouble.
"I never had the chance to say it earlier, but thank you." He murmured.
Nesta's brows furrowed quizzically.
"What do you have to thank me for?" She asked him, stopping in the middle of the pathway.
"Thank you for choosing me. I know that you didn't have to. I need you to know how much this means to me, that you would grant me the opportunity to help you."
Her alluring face softened as she peered up through heavy lashes. She bit her lower lip, and her gaze dropped to the ground. Her throat bobbed, and he'd realize that this innocuous subject had somehow dismayed her.
"It's not that I didn't want your help," she spoke up after a moment, "it's just that… What if you're hurt helping me? I would never forgive myself."
Cassian felt his brows shoot up into his hairline. Nesta was worried that he'd be hurt? Was that a joke? It was such an unexpected concept that he had to swallow down a laugh, lest he invoke her wrath. He placed a finger under her chin and gently tilted her head up, finding her eyes brimmed with tears. Clearly, he'd hit upon the root of her apprehension. He frowned, recalling Nesta's behaviour after the war with Hybern. It was becoming apparent that her battle fatigue wasn't a distant memory after all. Obviously, she was still influenced by her fears. Cassian assumed that she ran to solely protect her sisters and never thought to include himself in that equation. He took her hand within his own, running a soothing thumb across her wrist.
"You're one of the smartest females that I know, so I'm not going to placate you with falsities. There is always a risk to what we do. I know that better than most. But Sweetheart, you have to understand that I've been in the military for over half a millennia. I'm the last male you need to worry over." He promised.
Nesta frowned slightly and tugged her wrists free. Instead of pulling away like he assumed she would, Nesta stepped closer and ran her hands up his arms and over his shoulders before lacing them behind his back. Cassian remained motionless, fearing any little movement would frighten her away. She leaned against him, resting her head on his chest.
"I always worry about you," Nesta admitted softly.
Cassian closed her eyes at her confession, savouring her declaration. He lowered his head and neatly tucked her under his chin. She smelled faintly of jasmine, and he resisted the urge to bury his nose in her hair.
Throwing caution into the wind, Cassian pulled Nesta into a tighter embrace and, against all odds, she let him. They stayed like that for a few minutes, simply basking in each other's presence. Nesta pulled back after a moment, her cheeks pink with a hint of embarrassment. He was well aware that his mate was uncomfortable displaying her vulnerability. He felt privileged that she would open up to him.
Feeling a bit more daring, Cassian pulled Nesta into his side, and they continued to stroll through the garden. The only sound was the humming of insects and the distant wobble of a songbird. This is the first time I've felt at peace in years, he realized with a light chuckle. Nesta glanced up at him at the sounds, the tips of her lips curling upwards.
"Since we have some downtime, would you like to see my favourite part of the garden?"
"You have a favourite place in the garden?" He asked, mildly surprised by the abrupt change of topic.
He never suspected that Nesta shared her younger sister's love of nature. Cassian wasn't overly engrossed by the prospect of gardening and paid little attention to flowers. His knowledge was more along the lines of determining what types of native plants were safe for consumption. Still, he was eager to learn any minor detail about his mate. If Nesta loved a particular variety of roses, he would ensure that she always had a bouquet.
Nesta was quiet as she guided him past the pool and into the hedge maze. They didn't move too far into the labyrinth, stopping just inside the towering shrubbery that marked the start of the maze. It was the equivalent of an antechamber with three separate passageways leading into the maze's heart—one to the right, one to the left, and one slightly off-centred. A decorative park bench was placed across from each entryway. Nesta took a seat on the leftmost bench, her hands folded on her lap as she gazed up at him. He gave her a soft smile as he lowered down next to her.
"This is the spot you were telling me about?"
Nesta made a noise of affirmation as she nodded towards a small grouping of blue flowers.
"Do you see those flowers? They're called cornflower, and they're Elain's favourite. Whenever I'm feeling homesick, I come out here to see the flowers. They remind me of my sister. They remind me of my purpose here and, perhaps it's silly, but I feel a little closer to them afterwards."
His heart dipped at her revelation. Cassian never really considered how the estrangement would affect Nesta on her end. Or, at most, he assumed she had suffered a lot less. It was a foolish assumption. Nesta would always put herself last, regardless of personal sacrifice. His throat bobbed as he pondered the slight female before him. She had never ceased to amaze him.
"You're not alone anymore." Cassian reminded her.
Blue-grey eyes flicked up to meet his.
"I know." She whispered. "And despite how we arrived at this point, I'm glad you're here, too. I don't want anything bad to happen to you, but I'm glad you're here with me."
Fuck it. Fuck the mortal queens, the witches, the High Lords of Prythina. Fuck all of them. The only thing that mattered was the female beside him. She was safe. They were together. The outside world could wait another day. Nesta drew his closest hand into her lap, her fingers lightly tracing the tattoo which swirled down his arm. He was quiet, content to watch the small female at his side.
Since he was a child, Cassian understood that he was lowborn and therefore unworthy of the time or attention of his betters. And being an Illyrian bastard meant that everyone was above him. Then the cauldron, with its caustic sense of humour, had bonded him to a Highborn lady. Deep down, he harboured the fear that Nesta would reject him based on his birth status. Maybe he was good enough for a quick fuck, but not much else. Yet, as he watched her trace featherlight designs on his arm, he felt himself begin to hope.
"Can I touch you?" He asked in a rough voice.
Nesta bit her plush lower lip, and he cursed himself for being too presumptuous, but then she astonished him by nodding her head in permission. Cassian's hands fell to her waist, and he tugged her closer, pulling her across his lap. Nesta tentatively threaded her arms around his shoulders, resting her hands just above his wings. He gently cupped her face with one hand and pushed the hair off of her neck with the other.
He lightly traced a line from her neck to her shoulder, drawing gooseflesh in his wake. Nesta shivered. She was responsive to his touch, this little mate of his. He wanted to see what other types of reactions he could draw from her.
"I've waited so long for this," he confessed, "but Sweetheart, I will stop myself the minute you're unsure or uncomfortable. Just say the word."
Nesta didn't respond, choosing instead to tangle her hands in his hair as she pulled his mouth down to meet hers. It was all the encouragement he needed as he leaned into the kiss. Her soft lips were everything he had imagined, and they quickly opened up under his probing tongue. He felt her shudder as he slipped his tongue into her mouth, teasing her. Playing with her.
She moaned softly, and he fisted the back of her dress to drag her closer until there was no longer any space between them. He relished the sensation of her breasts pressed against his chest. Cauldron boil him, he'd loved those breasts since the first time he saw her. Had spent an embarrassing amount of nights fantasizing about all the different ways to bring her pleasure if given the opportunity. Those former plans went out the window now that Neata was in his arms. He was moving purely on instinct.
Nesta shifted around on his lap until she was straddling him, her legs hugging him close. Cassian pulled his mouth away from hers to pay homage to the delicate column of her neck. Nesta's head dropped back under his attention, freely offering herself to his ministrations. Her eyes closed, and her lips parted as she became lost in sensation. Cassian nipped her at her throat, gently bruising the delicate skin, and Nesta whimpered in response.
"Does this feel good, Sweetheart?" He whispered into her ear. "Do you want more?"
She lazily nodded her head in approval, a low whine rising from the back of her throat as she undulated on his lap. Cassian nipped her neck in admonition.
"You're going to have to do better than that, love. I can't hear you." He taunted.
"Don't stop. Please don't stop." She pleaded breathlessly. "I want you, Cass."
In all the ways he'd picture Nesta calling him that, he'd never imagined it would happen in a moment of passion. Something in him snapped at the throaty utterance of his nickname. Cassian flipped them over until Nesta was pinned underneath him, one palm under her head to protect her from the unyielding concrete bench. Nesta arched into him, clutching his back so tightly she was likely drawing blood. He didn't care; he would wear her marks with pride.
Cassian was in the midst of slipping a hand between her thighs when the sound of a snapping branch caught his attention. He was up and off of her in less than a second; his wings unfurled protectively in front of Nesta, his teeth bared aggressively. He was half a second from striking out at the intruder when he realized it was Helion. The High Lord of Day stood twenty feet away, standing in the outermost entrance to the hedge maze and looking as equally startled. His golden eyes widened as he took a reflexive step away from the pair. Helion lifted his hands in the air to show he offered no threat.
"It's just me," Helion told him carefully.
Cassian could hear the ruffling of fabric from behind as Nesta straightened her gown. He stretched out his wings even further to ensure her privacy and issued a low snarl to the fae who dared to stare in the direction of his female. A muscle in the High Lord's jaw twitched at the blatant sign of aggression, but Helion let it go without comment.
"I've returned from Adriata and arranged to have a luncheon served on the patio. But I see that I've come at a bad time." His eyes flicked over Cassian's shoulder to where Nesta peeked over a wing. "I'll give you a moment to compose yourself, but I expect to see you both in the next ten minutes."
The High Lord promptly turned on his heel and left, giving them privacy to collect themselves. Satisfied that they were truly alone, Cassian turned around to face Nesta. She was still dishevelled, her lips swollen and red from his kisses, he noted with a swell of male pride. Nesta's brows were near her hairline as she studied the archway where Helion had departed. A bubble of laughter escaped his mate, and she threw a hand over her mouth.
"Oh, my Gods. Did that really just happen? I guess that's what it feels like to be caught by a parent." She laughed.
The last bit of tension left his body as he surveyed his mate. It struck him that he'd never seen her so carefree. Nesta's cheeks were red with mirth, and her eyes sparkled with laughter. He grinned as he approached her, running a hand over her hair to smooth down her tousled locks. "You really do care for Helion, don't you?"
Nesta's smile faded a little. Her eyes became unfocused as she looked off in the distance.
"I didn't lie when I said Helion has been supportive. He's been, well.." she paused for a moment as she considered her words. "He's been like a father figure to me. Helion taught me to develop my magic while asking for nothing in return. It was… unquestioning support, and I've never experienced that before."
His throat bobbed as he contemplated her words. Cassian thought back to Velaris, all those months where he failed to reach her. How was Helion able to reach her when Cassian could not? He didn't know, but Cassian was glad for it nonetheless. For helping Nesta, he owed the High Lord of Day a debt that could never be repaid.
"Are you ready to see him again?" He asked while gallantly offering his arm.
"No, not at all." She sighed, closing her eyes. "This is going to be needlessly uncomfortable, But we might as well get this over with."
As promised, lunch had been laid out on the patio overlooking the pool. It's a feast, really, Cassian thought warily as he inspected the offerings before him. There were multiple platters of cured meats, a plate of sliced duck, bowls of sugared fruits and various jars of jams and spreads. Baskets were laden with different types of loaves of bread and rolls, and he could make out at least six different types of cheeses. There was easily enough food to feed a squad of Illyrians, but Cassian wasn't about to complain. He'd spend enough time in the field to know when to turn a blind eye to unexpected windfalls.
Nesta took a seat at Helion's right-hand side, so Cassian chose the space directly across from her. She busied herself by filling her plate, sneaking a glance at him when she thought he wasn't looking. Cassian followed her lead and filled his plate with heaping portions of proteins. Helion kept a close watch monitoring their actions, his golden eyes darting back and forth between the pair. Nesta tore into a roll apart, slathered it with warm butter before finally turning her attention to Helion. Cassian gave her credit; she was able to meet his gaze head-on with only the faintest blush staining her cheeks.
"How are the people of Adriata?" She asked, a furrow between her brows betraying her underlying apprehension. "Were there many casualties from the attack?"
"Everyone in the palace is safe, Sweetling." He told her, and Nesta visibly relaxed. "There was no direct attack on the palace. There was fighting on both sides of the Bay, but it was resolved quickly when the remaining High Lords had gone out to assist Tarquin's troops. It's my understanding that it could have been a total slaughter if it wasn't for their assistance."
"So Feyre is safe?"
"Both of your sisters were unharmed," Helion confirmed, and Nesta jerked back in surprise.
"Elian was in the Summer Court? You told me she was missing the summit, that she was staying in Velaris." A thought must have occurred to her because her eyes narrowed, and she continued in a clipped tone. "I thought they were both refraining from attending the Summit. And speaking of Feyre, there was a key piece of information you neglected to tell me about my sister."
Cassian held his breath as he glanced at Helion. Nesta's sudden change of demeanour would have frozen the balls off a lesser male, but the High Lord of Day looked unaffected.
"Elain travelled to Adriata shortly after your capture. I assume your sisters were in the midst of plotting a way to free you before your little disappearing act. Regardless, I didn't know Feyre was attending the Summit until after arriving. I assumed her condition would have kept her in Velaris. And before you give me hell for concealing her pregnancy, you might want to remember that it was your idea to go on an information diet about your family. You said it would be easier to remain focused if you weren't appraised on their life. And speaking of which," Helion continued as he turned to evaluate Cassian, "just how much does our Illyrian friend know?"
Cassian straightened. It was time to discover just what Nesta had been up to these past years. Finally. Nesta frowned slightly as her gaze flickered back to him.
"Cassian knows the witches are after me, but not much else. We didn't have a lot of time to discuss things before the attack began. He knows you're involved, obviously, but that's about it."
Helion arched an onyx brow as he took a bite of bread and cheese. He chewed silently as he deliberated something, his astute eyes locked on Cassian.
"He only knows about my involvement?" Helion asked lightly, and Nesta looked almost... Guilty?
"This might be a good time to bring me up to speed because I'm sitting right here." Cassian reminded them dryly.
Nesta and Helion exchanged a long look, an entire conversation playing out in their eyes. Cassian shifted on his chair, and he stabbed at a piece of meat. If they thought Cassian would be content with a highly censored account, then they were due for a surprise. He couldn't fathom why they still needed to keep things hidden, but he would ferret it out of them eventually. He wasn't about to let his personal feelings for Nesta stand in the way of her protection.
"I think I should start by explaining my abilities." Nesta began.
"Your ' not winnowing ' water abilities? Is there more to it?"
Nesta tilted her head as she considered his question.
"Maybe it's best if I show you." She told him as she stood up and began making her way towards the pool.
Cassian sent a confused glance to Helion, who simply made an 'after you' gesture with his folk. The Illyrian rose and headed over to join her. Nesta sat down at the edge of the pool, carefully tucking her knees underneath. She pushed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear while Cassian squatted down beside her. He eyed the thin linen material of her dress. It didn't seem appropriate for swimming.
"You going for a dip again, Sweetheart?"
She didn't respond, but her eyes, a steely blue in the afternoon light, shifted over towards him. The corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
"Name a place." She instructed. "Somewhere that we've both been together. Somewhere with water."
He frowned as he thought of, then promptly disregarded, several options. She was quiet as she watched him, a small smile ghosting her face. He was vaguely aware of Helion approaching from behind. Finally, he latched onto one location in particular.
"The Rainbow of Velaris." He blurted out.
Cassian immediately winced when his brain caught up to his mouth. He'd name Velairs, the one place that Nesta was avoiding. He'd open his mouth to apologize - he didn't want her assuming this was a trick - but Nesta merely nodded her head and leaned over the pool.
She didn't slip into the pool as he assumed. Nesta merely dropped both palms onto the water's surface and closed her eyes. The water rippled out at the light disturbance, but everything else remained unchanged. After a moment, she opened her eyes and looked over to him, her palms still skimming the surface of the pool. He blinked in confusion, not really sure what Nesta was getting up to. She simply tilted her head towards the pool.
"Look." Said Nesta.
Cassian bent over the pool, expecting to find his reflection staring back at him. He gasped slightly as he registered the vision before him. It was as if he was looking through a window into Velaris. Even though Cassian was looking down into the pool, the reflection on the water seemed to be looking up through the Sidra. He could make out the colourfully painted buildings that lined the streets of the artist quarters. Overhead - or was in beneath the pool - a bird flew across the sky.
"She can make portals," Helion explained as he knelt beside Cassian, "and right now, you're looking into Velaris. If you were to jump into the water, you'd surface in the Sidra, and she would stay right here. Nesta can open a doorway between two separate bodies of water."
He gaped as he took in the view. In all his centuries alive, he'd never heard of such a thing. How was such a thing even possible?
"What happens if I were to stick my head in the pool?" He asked.
"Your head will pop up in the Night Court, while your body will remain in Day."
Cassian cocked his head as a thought occurred to him.
"Would I become decapitated if you ended the portal when my head was in Velaris?"
Nesta jerked her hands out of the water and looked horrified.
"What? Gods, no!" She told him, alarmed. "That's disgusting."
"It's a fair question." Helion chucked. "And no, you won't become bisected. You'll be pushed backwards or forward into one of the bodies of water. Nesta, my sweet, why don't you show Cassian a little more of your abilities?"
Nesta's nose was crinkled as if she was not quite over the picture Cassian had painted in her mind. She shook her head slightly before refocusing her attention on the pool, placing her hands back onto the water. She cocked her head as if in thought, then spread out her fingers. Cassian leaned forward, eager to see what else Nesta's magic could accomplish.
The reflection wavered for a few moments as if Nesta was trying to bring a picture into focus. The image suddenly sharpened, and Cassian could make out distant snow-capped mountains lined with towering evergreen trees. There were no apparent fae-made buildings to clue him into their location. He regarded the mountain range for a few moments. It was familiar, but he had trouble placing it due to the unusual angle. He blinked once as a memory flashed through his mind.
"That's the Illyrian Steppes!" Cassian realized.
She pulled her hands back out and grinned. The reflection ripped a few times, and Illyria disappeared, the water returning to pale blue colour.
"Name a place." She challenged, bubbling with excitement. "Give me the general vicinity, and I bet you that I can find it."
He leaned back on his heels. In any other circumstance, he would be happy to play her games, but right now, he was trying to wrap his head around her capabilities.
"Can you find any place? Even if it's somewhere that you've never been to before?" He asked sharply.
Her grin faded slightly, and she cast a glance to Helion before standing up, drying her palms on her skirts. Cassian rose as well, intently focused on the female before him.
"I can. At least I think I can. I've been to most of the major cities in Prythian by now." Nesta admitted as she headed back towards the patio. "I don't really know how to explain it. At first, I would just think of a place and be transported. I didn't know how to control it. But after a few months of training with Helion, I started to 'see' towns and villages that were unfamiliar to me. I would pinpoint a count in my mind, and then, I don't know, almost form a connection to the water there. I would then stretch with my magic and follow the rivers and creeks to other cities. Water connects almost everything. If there is water, then I can go there."
Cassian retook his seat across from her, amazed. The possibilities were infinite.
"And you went to Helion the moment you left Velaris?" He asked.
Nesta and Helion shared another look, and now Cassian was certain they were hiding something.
"I didn't come here immediately. I, uh, ran into a bit of trouble beforehand." Nesta explained as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "My powers started manifesting before my banishment from Velaris - that's how I left the Night Court in the first place - and I went into Prythain to see what I could do. That's when I ran into the witches."
Cassian straightened immediately at the mention of the witches.
"That's right; you mentioned that they have your blood. How the hell did they manage that?"
"The Mortal Queens were tracking me ever since the war with Hybern. I'm sure your High Lord had figured that out before he banished me." Nesta sneered.
Cassian frowned. He could sense their old argument rearing its ugly head.
"Rhysand was aware of that threat." He confirmed, heat lining his own voice. "And we were completely prepared to protect you from them in the Illyrian Mountains. "
Nesta's eyes flashed silver in anger, and he felt his own hackles begin to rise. Helion took one look at the deteriorating situation and interrupted before they began arguing in earnest.
"Now, now, you two. That's practically ancient history at this point. Bringing this up now will do little to further Nesta's story." Helio turned to Cassian. "You've pursued her for years. You're here now; you might as well let her carry on."
He begrudgingly acknowledged Helion's point and forced himself to drop the issue. A muscle in Nesta's jaw twitched as she levelled another glare at Cassian. Just like old times.
"As I was saying, I had a run-in shortly after leaving Velaris. I wasn't aware the Queens were after me, so I wasn't expecting to run into them. Or, more accurately, I wasn't prepared to run into their lackeys." Nesta paused as she sipped at her water.
"And in this case, the lackeys are actually witches." Cassian supplemented.
"There was just one witch that time—a witch and troops from the Mortal Queen's army. I later learned her name is Estefania, and she's the head of the coven. They found me… it was north of the wall." She frowned as she ripped the uneaten half of the roll into smaller bits. "Anyway, that's not important. I managed to escape, but not before I was hit by a couple of arrows. Helion thinks Estefania recovered the arrow from the attack site because ever since then, they've been scrying for me. Apparently, my blood is the key to that. That's why I never stay in one spot for too long. I'm vulnerable when outside of Helion's warding."
Cassian leaned back in his chair. The fact that she escaped train soldiers on her own while wounded was almost unbelievable. It was further proof of how resilient Nesta was. He couldn't help but feel pride.
"The first year you were away, we kept hearing rumours of you popping up all over Prythina. I found you in the Spring Court, so it wasn't just ideal gossip. What was that about?" Cassian asked the question that had troubled him for years.
Forgetting her early annoyance, Nesta grinned at the question as she turned her attention towards Helion. The High Lord of Day let out a sigh before sipping from his goblet of wine.
"That's my fault, I'm afraid. Nesta needed to learn how to slip into secured areas if she ever transported into a less-than-friendly territory. And who has better security defences than the High Lords of Prythian?"
Cassian's mouth dropped open, and Helion's casual tone.
"Mother's tits, you sent Nesta into the High Lord's private homes as a form of practice? By the Gods, you really are arrogant. Did you assume her position in the Day Court would save her if she were caught?"
Helion laughed - laughed - at that.
"Nesta doesn't belong to the Day Court." The High Lord chuckled, and Nesta sent Helion a look that could kill. "Why are you upset? She was never in any true danger. All of the High Lords know of Nesta's relationship with Feyre. She's too valuable to imprison when she could be ransomed to the Night Court. In fact, Feyre's never-ending missives would only remind the High Lords that Nesta was a prize and not to be trifled with."
Cassian felt his stomach drop. Helion had played fast and loose with Nesta's life. His anger began to rise steadily. Any former gratitude he felt for the High Lord was quickly drying up. Nesta frowned as her eyes darted between the two males.
"Yesterday was the first time I was ever caught, Cassian. It's really nothing to worry over."
He pinched the bridge of his nose as he unsuccessfully pushed down his displeasure. He was finally, finally, learning about Nesta's past. He needed her to keep talking, not waste her breath by defending her mentor's inane actions. He took a deep breath and tried to school his face into a neutral expression. He would deal with Helion later.
"Okay, moving on, let's circle back to the Mortal Queens for a minute. I understand that they blame you for robbing them of immortality but sending an entire coven of witches seems to be overkill. This must be about more than revenge."
Nesta took a shuddering breath as she poured herself a cup of nettle tea. Helion dropped his chin into his palm as he silently watched them. Cassian had clearly touched down on an important topic. Nesta stirred a dollop of honey into her cup before meeting his eyes.
"They definitely want more than just revenge." She took a deep breath before continuing. "They know about my abilities to shift through the water. The arrows had been coated in faebane; it stopped me from accessing my magic. I was essentially trapped, and Estefania was able to read my mind. Not only that, but she could control my mind. I was little better than a mindless slave. I heard them talking when I was their prisoner. She knew how to twist my powers to benefit the Mortal Queens. They planned to use me to transport their armies. She wanted to force me to open up passageways to targets in Prythina. Every settlement is built upon a water source, so every settlement is vulnerable."
Cassian leaned back with growing horror, finally understanding why Nesta was so important to the Mortal Queens. If they could catch Nesta, they could turn her into a weapon. The Queens hated the fae. They wouldn't hesitate to attack Prythian once they had the tactical advantage. If Nesta fell into their clutches, the Queens could mount a direct attack anywhere with zero warning.
It was impossible to protect all of the hundreds, thousands of settlements spread out over Prythina. How could they plan their defence when every village, town and city could be attacked with no prior warning? Everyone needed water to survive. There was no place to hide. The implications were horrifying.
"This is why you never stopped running. You'll never be safe, not long as the witches are pursuing you." Cassian realized.
Nesta's throat bobbed as she held his gaze.
"I never intended to stay away indefinitely. I just wanted… I wanted to make it on my own. Without the help of a babysitter or handouts. I wanted to get clean and establish myself without anyone's help." She looked down, ashamed. "I needed to prove to myself that I wasn't like my father. I didn't want to be the person who gave up when things got hard. But then I was caught less than a week after leaving Velaris. I may have escaped the first time, but I know how important I am to the Mortal Queens. I'm important to them, and the Queens would do anything to find me. So, because of me, my sisters are at risk. They wouldn't hesitate to use them against me. But they're not stupid. The Mortal Queens won't risk an attack on Velaris without me. So I stay away. My sisters are safe as long as I stay away."
Cassian was quiet as he studied the female before him. After three long years, the final pieces of the puzzle were coming together. Cassian always believed Nesta had a reason to stay away; he'd just didn't realized how bad things really were. He couldn't, in good faith, ignore the threat posed to Prythian. Everything was so much worse.
"I think we need to consider bringing this before the other High Lords," Cassian told her. A wave of anger crossed her face, and Cassian held up a hand to stop her from interrupting. "You need to look at the bigger picture. They need to know the full extent of the threat that awaits them…"
Nesta cut him off before Cassian could finish his speech.
"You promised Cassian. You promised me that we would do this without involving my sisters." She hissed. "It's been less than a day, and you already want to run back to your High Lord."
"I'm not telling you to go back to Velaris…"
Nesta scoffed at him, her face growing colder by the second.
"I don't know why I ever expected any different from you. You'll always defer to your High Lord. Well, I've managed just fine without them these past three years. I don't see why anything needs to change."
"Nesta, you're not thinking clearly right now. I made that promise before knowing all the facts. There is so much more at risk than just your family's safety. If you fall prisoner to the Mortal Queens, every family is at risk. We must go to the High Lords with this knowledge so they can prepare..."
Nesta rose abruptly, her face a cold mask as she stared daggers at him.
"I will not go before your High Lords. I am my own person and not allow myself to become their weapon."
She swept away from the table without another word, heading towards the main manor without a backwards glance. Cassian remained seated as he watched her leave. What just happened? Why did she react so poorly to his suggestion? She wouldn't even allow him to finish speaking. Helion sighed as he dribbled honey onto a slice of bread.
"You must not take that personally. Nesta has taken it upon herself to make her sister's safety her top priority. Unfortunately, she still suffers nightmares from the war with Hybern, and it twists her perspective of things." Helion explained as he took a bite of bread. "Let me talk to her. I've allowed her to continue like this for far too long. She must no longer ignore unpleasant realities just because it suits her. I won't lie; the fact that the witches found her so quickly is worrisome. Things are escalating, and we must adjust to the circumstances or risk losing her to the Mortal Queens. "
Cassian swallowed. His eyes on Nesta's retreating figure.
"I've always known she was troubled by the war," Cassian admitted. "How far do you think she will go to protect her sisters? What is Nesta's limit?"
Helion gave Cassian a sad smile.
"My dear boy, there is no limit. Long ago, Nesta had made me promise to kill her rather than let her fall back into the Mortal Queen's clutches."
Cassian froze at Helion's confession, ice piercing his veins. For Nesta to even consider such a thing... The thought was terrifying. Helion patted him lightly on the hand.
"Fear not, Nesta does not court death. She will never stop fighting the Mortal Queens. I won't let her fall into their clutches. Let her cool down and I will speak to her. All is not lost. Between the two of us, we will make her see reason."
Helion departed without further comment, leaving Cassian alone with his thoughts. And for the first time in a long time, Cassian was afraid.