Elain

Time had been moving too quickly since Feyre had come for Elain and Nesta. Bags were packed in haste, and they were moved from their home to Rhysand's during the dead of night. Elain hadn't been paying much attention to the "family" meeting Rhys had held upon her and Nesta's arrival. Everyone came and went; Elain barely remembering their names or faces. All she could focus on was Feyre, and her tight smile. If not her, then Nesta and the way she never dropped Elain's hand. How her sisters face remained cold and distant, threatening anyone who dare look their way. Though, Elain wasn't quite sure if the threat was necessary. Feyre had said they were safe, and Elain was sure she could believe her.

"No," Nesta's voice rang through Elain's head as it brought her back into the moment. Everyone had left, leaving just her, her two sisters, and Rhys. Her eyes shift towards her sister as if trying to understand what she was refusing. With Nesta it could be anything or nothing, she was stubborn like that. "Elain and I will share a room."

"We don't have a room with two beds," Rhys countered, a tone of disinterest in his voice.

"I don't care. We share a room." Nesta bit back, her spine straightening. Nesta had been here before, asserting her dominance over someone to get what she wants. It was rare for things to not go in her favor. Nesta was powerful, had been since her birth. Everyone seemed to know that, even the man sitting in front of her.

"It is done," Rhys said smoothly, "You will have to share a bed, however, until we can get things moved around."

They would move things around for them, create an environment to make them comfortable. Elain noted how permanent that made things seem. Though, she supposed she couldn't be shocked. Not with how things had turned out to be.

A dark-haired girl arrived at the door so quietly that Elain felt as if she was the only one to hear her. The girl didn't smile, nor did she choose to speak. Instead, she waited, hands clasped behind her back. "Cerridwen will take you up to your room now. Please try to rest," Feyre had said with a soft smile. This is the first time Elain had heard her speak since they were taken from their home that night. She had noted the scowl worsening on Nesta's face at the sound of their younger sister's voice. Perhaps that why she had stayed silent all this time.

Nesta moved first, clasping onto Elain's hand as she did so. Together they followed the girl up the stairs and down the hall to their room. Once inside, the closed door and Elain noted how Nesta made sure to lock it.

Elain heard the breath that Nesta was holding finally escape her as she stalked off the bathroom in silence. Her feet remained planted on the ground despite being fully aware of her need to move. It was as if the weight of everything had finally come to weigh her down, causing her body to be immovable. The silence began to settle deep into her bones, revibrating through her and reminding her of each one had happened that day. Things that echoed in her skull and threatened the fragility of her ever-breaking heart.

"Elain?" the voice bounces around the silence on the walls as her eyes search for her sister who was not standing in front of her. Nesta's hands found their way to her shoulders, shocking her system into recognition. Her face was stained with tears that just kept falling. She was unaware of when they started, but fully aware of the fact that they were not going to stop. Surely, she would cry for the rest of her life.

Azriel

He hadn't slept that night, though that wasn't abnormal. Most nights he could distract himself with work. Throwing him all into it would silence the nightmares reminding him of horrors he could only dream of forgetting. Last night that wasn't an option. Last night they moved his lately project to another location. Last night he was alone.

A hand scrubbed over his face as he walked down the stairs of the estate. He stops three steps to the bottom as he eyes catch on Mor, who offers a bright smile as greeting. "Mor," he offers, not a hint of a smile gracing his lips.

"Good morning to you too, Azriel," she replied, the smile dripping in her voice. "Rhys wants to see you."

Azriel doesn't say a single word in return but offers a taught smile instead as he continues his descent down the stairs. His hands find their way to his pockets as he makes his way down to Rhys office. He made sure to walk a little slower to curb the headache banging against his skull.

"Az," Rhys' voice reaches him before he steps through the doorway. He had noted the way Rhys had spoken, how he had his business voice in play. After last night's debacle, Azriel was hoping he wouldn't have to hear this voice until his headache had at least gone away. "I need a favor."

"A favor?"

"A favor."