A Court of Storm and Legacy

Accepting the inevitable

Nyx

Three pairs of eyes, wide with shock, were now staring at me. 

"You've gotta be shitting me," Idris sits up straight in his seat. Within a second, my friends are stone cold sober. 

I lean forward to refill my glass, but Elinor pushes it out of my reach with her foot. I shoot her a glare and stand up, grabbing the crystal decanter by the neck before she can stop me. I pointedly ignore their questioning stares as I fill my glass and knock it back swiftly. 

"Azriel got news of a possible attempt on the Night Court, so my father is sending myself and Tate to, deal with the situation," I grimace slightly, realizing how stupid it sounds.

"Who the hell is Tate?" Myer questions. I look up at him and catch multiple emotions flicker across his face. Fear, anger, hurt, and even a hint of annoyance. I don't need to use my daemati skills to know what he's thinking. One of the first things my father taught me, in terms of leadership skills, was how to read peoples expressions. 

"One of Nesta's top students," I reply off-handedly. 

"Valkyrie?" Elinor squeaks slightly. I nod in confirmation and her brows lift. Elinor has always been fascinated with Valkyrie. Back when we were kids, I had told her about them and how there was a spot for her at the temple if she ever wanted it, but she refused and chose to stay and train with the Illyrians, with us. 

Myer stands suddenly. "Nyx, we should be going with you. You don't know this Tate," I start to interrupt, but he waves a hand at me, cutting me off. "I'm not saying she's not capable of holding her own, but do you really want a stranger watching your back behind enemy lines?" He lifts his brows, putting emphasis on his words. "All I'm saying is that we've trained for exactly this situation, we know each others strengths and weaknesses, we should be your support team." 

"I can mention it to my father, but I can't imagine Hybern will want too many trained killers walking through their palace's front gates. Not to mention Tate and I's selection as emissaries is pretty deliberate." I look around at my friends and notice a similar look of confusion plastered on their faces. "My selection is rather self explanatory, but Tate is about to become a Valkyrie commander. They think we present a pretty strong picture of the future and current might of the Night Court." 

Idris chuckles, "Well if you want titled, you can bring Soldier Superstar over here." He jerks a thumb in Myer's direction. 

Without glancing at Idris, Myer picks up the closest drink in front of him, sniffs it quickly, and pours it into Idris' lap. 

Idris yelps and shoots to his feet. "What the hell!" 

"Relax, it's just water," Myer's face remains impassive. 

Elinor coughs under her breath, hiding her laughter. 

"Look I appreciate you wanting to come," I place a hand on Myer's shoulder, "But I might just have to be on my own for this one." I can tell Myer isn't pleased with my words. He can act tough and unfeeling towards others all he wants, but at the end of the day, he's a protective bastard of the people he cares about. 

I heave a sigh and throw myself back into my chair. "My parents are making me stay with Alek tonight and tomorrow–" Before I can continue, Idris shoves a shot into my hand, and I grin as the alcohol makes it way down my throat. 

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"We're going to need to get a bigger table," Cassian's laughter bounces off the walls. 

I watch my mother do a count of the place settings, frown slightly, and snap her fingers, extending the table and adding two more seats. She smiles brightly, "There, all fixed."