A Court of Rage and Fire

Chapter 3

Nesta returned to an empty House of Wind.

She wasn't ready to say goodbye to the House, not yet. Nor could she face the bed where Cassian had slept last night. So she headed up to the terrace, where all her favorite moments with her friends during Valkyrie training had been.

The sun was setting over the snow-capped mountains and the sea, and the lights of Velaris were beginning to twinkle on, one by one. It was a beautiful sight that she would not let herself miss. From tonight on, she would not look back, only forward.

A faint dark speck grew against the reds and purples of the sunset. Nesta soon recognized the shape of an Illyrian male carrying an Illyrian female.

Gwyn arrived first, rising from the Library stairs. "Nesta! I got your message. What's so urgent? The Valkyrie test couldn't wait until training starts again next week?"

Nesta smiled and shook her head. "This is going to be way more fun."

The beat of leathery wings signified Emerie's arrival in Azriel's arms. "What's going to be fun?" she said as Azriel gently deposited her on the terrace.

"It's just for us girls. Big secret," Nesta said conspiratorially. "Azriel, that means go!" Remembering Azriel's support of her in the vote, there was nothing sharp in her words, only a gentle teasing.

"I'll be back in the morning to take Emerie home, but then I'll return for you, Nesta. You're invited to the River House," said Azriel. His words were careful. If she had not known his feelings on the vote and had not been listening for it, she might have missed the pang of sorrow in his voice.

Nesta had expected as much. Anxiety constricted her chest and throat, hoping they had not recognized the gifts and the dead patch on the lawn as signs she knew of the Inner Circle's plans...or that she had plans of her own. "See you tomorrow," she said, picturing the words in Eris's beautiful, precise handwriting.

Azriel turned and opened his wings to leave, but glanced back at Nesta with genuine care in his eyes. "Cassian wanted me to let you know he'd be back in three days, and that he'll always come back, no matter what happens. And thanks for the chocolates you had delivered, by the way. That'll be my dinner." He winked before he looked back toward the city below and took off.

Nesta breathed a small sigh of relief, even as the message from Cassian filled her with a rage that she immediately pushed into a tiny, closed-off part of her heart. Azriel's words felt sincere. If Azriel did not know of her eavesdropping and plan-foiling, none of the Inner Circle did. Which meant that she could enjoy tonight.

Nesta put on her most devious smile for Gwyn and Emerie, and she meant it.

"I hope you two are ready for a bachelorette party."

"WHAT?" both Gwyn and Emerie screeched before devolving into a barrage of questions.

"Since when? Do you think you're mates? When's the wedding?" asked Emerie, grabbing Nesta's arm and steering her into the House of Wind.

"How did he ask? Why didn't you tell me? I would have planned something spectacular! Give me at least a week, and we'll try this again." Gwyn was pulling on the hood of her blue priestess robes so dramatically that Nesta almost laughed.

"No!" Nesta cried. "Plan something spectacular when Emerie wins over Morrigan." Emerie's olive skin turned beet red. "This is low-key, it's just us—this is what I want. Let's get in the bath. I'll explain everything."

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Twenty minutes later, the House had provided three huge side-by-side bathtubs filled with nothing but bubbles, and an assortment of teas, fruits, and cheeses.