Chapter 3: As You Were
-Rhysand's POV
It had been three unbelievably long weeks since Violet had first made her appearance in Feyre's paint shop. She was everywhere, yet nowhere at the same time. Everyone thought they saw her in different places, but no one knew for sure. Last week, Cassian thought he saw her dancing at Rita's with Nesta. Azriel claimed he heard her whispering to him every night while he slept. Then just two evenings before, his mate swore that Violet was standing near the window of the nursey when she went to grab Nyx for his bath, but of course when Rhysand went to check, the room had been empty. It was like trying to catch a ghost. Quite literally he supposed. Maybe they were just paranoid. Or going insane. Or both.
He felt his mate wrap her arms around his shoulders from behind the sofa he was sitting in that resided in their family room. She brought her face down to his and asked, "You're thinking so loudly that I could hear you from all the way upstairs."
A shudder ran through him as her lips brushed against his ear lightly. "I'm sorry my love. Did I interrupt your painting?"
"No." She sighed as she dropped in his lap. "I was pretty much done anyway." Feyre ran her hand through his hair scratching at his scalp. "What do you think she's doing right now?"
"Violet? Probably sitting outside. She always loved to look at the stars." He answered thoughtfully.
"We'll find her Rhys."
"I know we will. I just wish I knew where she was. I can't help thinking what she must be feeling right now."
"Tell me something else about her." Feyre snuggled into his chest. "Something you've never told me before."
The high lord smiled to himself. "She used to have the biggest crush on Az."
"What? Really?"
"Yeah, she followed him around everywhere when we were kids. Azriel always pretended like it bothered him, but I think he secretly enjoyed the attention. Violet was actually the one that helped teach him how to fly. She was a lot more patient than Cass and I were at the time."
"That's sweet."
"Yeah, she was. She had a hell of a temper though if you did manage to piss her off which of course Cassian and I did frequently."
"Why does that not surprise me?" Feyre professed with a laugh. "What else?"
"Hmm… Let's see… She loved to play games."
"What kind of games?"
"She loved to fly around and play tag, but I think she enjoyed hide-in-seek the most. In fact, I remember one time when all four of us were playing down by the Sidra. Violet thought she would be clever, and hide behind a chimney up on this really old building. When Azriel found her, she tried to run, but part of the roof gave way, and she fell all the way down to the ground floor and shattered her leg. My mother yelled at us for weeks for that one."
"Is the building still there?"
"Yeah, I couldn't bring myself to tear it down after my father died. I renovated it a bit, but kept it vacant. I like knowing it's there. It's like a piece of her is still here watching over all of us." Rhys's face fell.
"What's the matter?"
"We have to go." He said abruptly picking Feyre up and setting her on her feet. I know where Violet is. Come on!"
The house was pitch black with the exception of what looked like a candle burning in the upstairs window. Feyre and Rhys entered through the front door, and made their way to the wooden stairs. They slowly climbed all the way to the top until they reached a large charcoal door. Rhysand went to grab the doorknob, and his hands started shaking.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I just need a minute." The high lord closed his eyes and took one breath. Then two. Then three. And he opened the door.
"Took you long enough. You're getting a tad rusty in your old age big brother."
Violet was lounging in an old, tattered armchair with a book in her hand. Rhys just stared at her for a few moments, as if she would disappear into thin air if he blinked a second too long.
"Is this real?" He asked unsteadily.
"Yes, it's real."
He took a few unsteady steps towards her until he met the chair she was sitting in, and fell to his knees. Then the most powerful high lord in all of Prythian placed his head in his sister's lap and wept.
Feyre wasn't sure how much time had passed as she watched the two siblings cry together. She was starting to feel slightly out of place, but she couldn't bring herself to leave. Her mate might need her. Violet had bent over to place her head on top of Rhysand's. Feyre could hear her shushing him quietly. Like a mother trying to calm their babe.
"Shhh… It's ok Rhys. Everything's going to be alright." Violet's soft voiced sounded throughout the room. After a few more minutes, Rhysand finally raised his head, his sister bringing her thumbs to his face to wipe the tears from his cheeks.
"I can't believe you're actually here."
Violet just smiled back at her brother. "Hello Feyre. It's nice to see you again."
"It's nice to see you as well. Do you want me to leave you two alone for a minute?"
"No, that's alright. After everything you've done for Rhys, you have every right to be here. You're family darling."
"Thank you, Violet."
"Speaking of family… where is everyone else? I figured they'd be with you."
With a clear of his throat Rhys stood up and answered, "Well, Cassian is living up at the House of Wind with his mate and Feyre's older sister Nesta, Azriel is staying up in the cabin for a few days, and Morrigan is in the Winter Court visiting Viviane. I can get them all here though whenever you're ready."
Violet sorted through all the information she had been told before replying. "I'd like to see Cassian and Az. We can wait on Mor. I wouldn't want to interrupt her visit."
"Vi, I know she'd want to see you." He knelt back down to grab her hands. "Whatever she's doing can wait."
"Well, you can tell her if you want, and leave the decision up to her then."
"Ok, I'll send her a letter in the morning. Would you like to come to our house? We live down by the river with Feyre's other sister Elain and our son Nyx."
"That's right. I had heard you had a baby. Congratulations brother."
"Would you like to meet him?"
"Of course."