Nesta hated this city. From the lively, bustling streets to the strange creatures that walked them, she could not understand the world of fae. Imbeciles, the lot of them. Pretending to know the secrets of the world just because they had lived far longer than any human ever had. Nesta knew better. To have lived, was to be human. To have suffered, as only humans could. And then to have prevailed in the face of adversity; a concept certain fae, it seemed, knew little to nothing about.

Along with the death of her father, her abhorrent actions on the battlefield had provided her with stark clarity. For a minute, she had felt love and compassion towards Cassian, throwing her body over his to defend him from impending death. Now, as she sat in her bedroom, away from the bloodshed and chaos, her rational mind whispered gently to her that this Velaris, where her sisters and their new found family felt at peace, was no friend of hers.

The snap of her father's neck had jolted her into another world. Nesta's foundation had turned and now the bonds that held her close to her family once before, had been severed. Her sisters, who once were precious to her, had disappeared from her heart and mind. The more she tried to explain to the heathens of this court that she she did not want to be here, and the more they refused to hear her and subsequently the more her body began releasing them of importance.

A rap at the door drew Nesta's attention away from within herself and she rose to attend to her unexpected visitor. Cassian stood on the other side of her oak door, a teasing smile on his face. Nesta sighed inwardly as she planted herself in her doorway, keeping her distance from him.

"What is it, Cassian?" Nesta asked, devoid of emotion. Cassian had allocated two tasks to himself after returning from the war. For more diplomatic fuelled reasons, he had been tasked with facilitating interactions between Nesta and the inner circle, as Cassian was the only person Nesta could vaguely tolerate. For less diplomatic reasons and more personal passions, it seemed he was attempting to turn Nesta into a more jovial, pleasant and caring being. Neither of the tasks was faring well with Cassian experiencing rejection and failure to his dismay.

"You look a sight for sore eyes." Cassian commented playfully, beginning to move forward as if he would enter the apartment. Nesta's lifted her arm and firmly pressed her palm against the door frame, barring his entry.

"You are not permitted to enter my home." she said sternly, narrowing her eyes slightly at him. Cassian stopped, his chest grazing her forearm. Nesta could sense annoyance and exasperation from him. This was the umpteenth time she had refused him entry. The least the members of this court could do was allow her privacy. Cassian bowed his head slightly and put his arms out in surrender as he took a step back,

"Okay, still not welcome I see." he said, pressing his lips together. Nesta stood tall once more and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Nothing has changed since you last visited and nor will anything change whenever you visit next. You and your friends are not welcome in my home." she spoke with vigour.

"They're not just my friends, Nesta." Cassian said in a slightly quieter voice than before. "They're your friends too, if you'd let them be."

"Cassian spare me today." Nesta sighed, shaking her head slightly. "What is it that you want?" she attempted to bring the conversation back to his present reason for visiting. Cassian's chest rose as he took in a deep breath to calm himself. Nesta was unsure whether he was experiencing anger, sadness or a combination of the two.

"I'm here to collect you. Rhys and Feyre have summoned you to their house... for a meeting." he relayed. Nesta's frustration began to grow in the pit of her stomach, a dull flame taking hold of Cassian's carefully recited words. She knew she would not be allowed to refuse. Not if it was her entitled younger sister pulling the strings of this operation. Even more so if Feyre's toxic half-breed companion was by her side, abusing his powers to no avail.

"And which house would this be?" Nesta asked, arching an eyebrow as she reached for her jacket, already giving in to the command. How Rhysand and Feyre had the audacity to build themselves five dwellings, nay mansions, while the rest of their city, as uncouth and barbaric as she found them to be, were still in the process of rebuilding after the siege on Velaris, she would never know.

"The manor." Cassian replied, "where I'd like to remind you, you do have a room for yourself." he again attempted to remind Nesta that Feyre had allocated her a luxurious space within the newly built manor, in hopes of Nesta embracing fae life and joining her new family. Cassian's masked disapproval of her current apartment - a small studio room wedged between two private brothels, did not escape her attention. She had chosen this location strategically, hoping it would deter the members of court from visiting her.

"Save it Cassian." Nesta stopped him before he continued. "I will never live in that house." She reached out her arms and allowed Cassian to lift her into his own. He did not take flight immediately, instead staring down at Nesta as she stared ahead, pointedly ignoring his gaze.

Cassian so desperately wanted her to let down her shields and open herself to love, but it was becoming more and more difficult to see a glimpse of the Nesta he had seen on the battlefield. He was afraid that she no longer existed, but he couldn't allow himself to think like that. He needed to have faith that she would come back to him, for he had a lifetime of happiness to give her. It was for this reason that Cassian had been in agreeance with Rhysand over the past few days.

Nesta required an intervention.