𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐌 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓.
chapter eleven; The Invitation
" I am not willing to risk her for that. "

  IN THE FOLLOWING weeks, Nixie never had a free moment. It didn't take long for anyone to notice this was likely due to the stark contrast between her behavior in and outside of training.

  As if she lost herself the moment she entered the townhome, and only found the pieces when she arrived at the House of Wind.

  "You're tired, take a break."

  Nixie wiped the sweat off of her brow, glaring at Cassian for a long moment.

  "I'm not done yet."

  "But you are tired."

  He couldn't find the murderous look all too threatening yet. Cassian figured once he was unnerved by her anger, their strength re-building would be complete.

  And now, staring at the woman who had gained back a fraction of the weight she used to hold, he was not scared.

  Her cheeks were still too hollow, deep purple half-moons stamped under her eyes, the normally richly tanned skin a pale comparison.

  "Cass, just another hour, come on," Nixie said, shaking the man from his thoughts, "Unless you're scared."

  "Not of you," Cassian laughed, lifting the wooden sword that matched Nixie's, "Stay on guard, Ninnie."

  Nixie glared, charging at the man quickly. It turned into a flurry as she switched between offense and defense, struggling to keep his weight from overpowering her. The woman tried her hardest to take agility over strength, to channel the style of fighting better suited for her frame, ignoring those Illyrian instincts.

  "Nixie."

  The woman let out a frustrated sound as Rhys's voice cut through the mock battle, though she never took her eyes off of a grinning Cassian.

  "Slightly busy, Brother," Nixie noted, repelling Cassian's weapon with her own, "Can it wait?"

  "I suppose so."

  "Don't worry," Cassian spoke up, "I'll make this quick."

  Cassian quickly overpowered the woman, pushing with more strength than before, and in a matter of moments, his wooden sword was prodding the tender skin of her stomach.

  "And, you're dead."

  Nixie glared, bringing her sword up and bringing it to Cassian's neck.

  "And, you lost your head," She mumbled, dropping the sword quickly, "Should've gone for a killing blow."

  Nixie couldn't fight a smile as Cassian feigned a dramatic death, though when she turned to face Rhysand, it dissipated slowly.

  He was well put together today, clearly taking on more important duties, the man strode swiftly towards her, a delicate envelope pressed between his index and middle fingers, outstretched in offering.

  "For me?" Nixie questioned as she plucked the paper, narrowing her eyes at the elegant calligraphy, "What is this?"

  "Judging by the seal, I'm guessing it is from Spring Court."

  Nixie tore the envelope quickly, scanning panicked eyes over the neatly scrawled words.

  "Word was sent, it arrived at the borders this morning—"

  "What is it?" Cassian urged.

  "An invitation."

  Cassian's brows furrowed as Nixie turned towards him, a wicked sort of smile on her lips.

  "To Feyre and Tamlin's wedding."

☽ ☾

  Tension lay over the dinner table that evening like a thick tablecloth. Not even Cassian could find the right words to spark a conversation after their training session finally concluded.

  Azriel peered at Nixie often, her brows seemed permanently knitted together, as she pushed food around on her plate like a pouting child, refusing to eat until she was granted permission.

  "It was clearly Feyre," Nixie's words broke the silence finally, "You must know that; Tamlin would never willingly invite me to Spring Court--"

  "I know as well as you do that Feyre was the one to extend that invitation to you," Rhys sighed, "Even still, I cannot support you going, Nixie."

  "And why not?"

  "Because last time you set foot in that court, you almost massacred it."

  Silence hung over them like a dark cloak, the reminder of where those tall tales of Nixie the Monster came from leaving goosebumps on her skin.

  "And what do you truly wish to gain from going?" Rhys continued.

  "Feyre is my friend, Rhysand."

  "I'm aware."

  "She saved us, she saved me," Nixie urged, "Yes, I want to wring Tamlin's neck, but, all I truly wish for is to see her again-- outside of that hell."

  Azriel shifted in discomfort, eyeing Rhys who seemed to mull over her words for a long moment.

  "And what will you do if it is not what it seems?"

  "What do you mean by that?"

  "Our Courts are not suddenly aligned, Nixie," Azriel spoke, "You would be going behind enemy lines, unaccompanied, and I have to assume unarmed."

  "As if Feyre would invite me to--"

  "How well do you know her, Nixie?" Azriel questioned with bated breath, "Are you truly ready to put this much faith in her?"

  Nixie straightened her posture, turning fully to Azriel.

  "Feyre, before even knowing me, refused to take my wings, even though it would have prevented her from spoiling her heart," Nixie stated, "I believe my faith in her is founded, Azriel, especially after the Second Star has appeared-- she is written into my destiny, just as Rhys is."

  And while Azriel believed her, he understood how fiercely loyal Nixie could be, how unwaveringly true to her heart she always had been, he couldn't look at her and support it.

  Because he wasn't sure what he would do if Nixie did not return to him again.

  "I believe Nixie is capable of handling herself."

  "Thank you, Mor."

  Rhys sighed, turning to face the blonde.

  "Mor, you have to understand--"

  "I understand you are all terrified that this will be just the same as when you and Nixie left," Mor nodded softly, "But the people of Spring Court are not comparable to Amarantha. They have no power over Nixie, they cannot steal any magic. And even so, if an olive branch has been extended, inviting a high-ranking member of another court to their own, it would be them, not us, that would become ostracized by the rest of Prythian."

  "I am not willing to risk her for that."

  Nixie's hand came to rest on Azriel's arm, and it seemed all of the anger that was boiling up beneath his skin ceased in an instant. His shadows shrunk only reaching out for her, only ever her.

  "I will come back," Nixie said softly, mustering up a soft smile meant only for him, "I promise."

  Azriel thought it over for a long moment. He scanned her face, her posture, and expression. He had not seen this side of Nixie in far too long. The one that eased his pain long before he knew they were mates, long before they became inseparable for a million reasons, this side of her seemed able to calm the raging storm he kept inside, the one that rarely came out to play.

  "Alright," He all but whispered, "Send word the moment you see any danger."

  "I will."

  The rest of dinner went smoother. Still quiet, still tense, but Cassian was able to tell a joke or two, and Rhys laughed and Mor teased Azriel for his worry over Nixie, and Nixie felt herself smiling without realizing it for the first time in all too long.

  And Nixie was so excited to see Feyre Cursebreaker again.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
Nixie and Feyre make
my heart happy