Nyx | Carpe Noctem ✓

Chapter 34: The Court of Nightmares

∙ Madis POV ∙

"You know what in four days is?" Nyx asked softly, his knee nudging my shoulder. I sat on the ground between his legs, braiding Catrin's hair who was braiding Eve's hair. Most of the previous days I had spent in bed, my cycle entertaining me most of the time. It was nearly over now and I felt much better again.

I tipped my head to side and glanced over my shoulder, making sure I did not tug on Catrin's wonderful red strands. "No?"

"Solstice," Nyx chirped happily and I met his gaze, eyes all bright and glowing.

"Oh," I breathed and turned back to Catrin's hair, folding one strand over the other.

"I assume you did not celebrate it in the Mortal Lands? You know what it is?" It was Azriel who had asked this questions, sitting on the couch opposite from us, his mate leaning against his shoulder. She had been talking to Rhysand formerly but both of them stopped their conversation then.

I dipped my chin. "I know what it is. I also know that some people celebrated it. But in the poorhouse we never did." A knot formed in my throat when memories flooded my mind. I had often seen children from the nearby houses singing Solstice carols while playing with the new toys the got. I knew that I had always felt slightly envious of them, always hoping for what they had.

It was a soft brush against my skin —a shadow— that tipped my chin up and I once again lifted my gaze to Azriel. With his hands folded in his lap and leaning slightly forward he said, "I also never celebrated it when I was younger. And then I met Rhys and Cass and since then...Solstice here is something you can look forward to. Something you will enjoy and something you deserve, Madis."
Something about the shadowsinger's kindness drew tears to my eyes. I nodded my head, whispering a "thank you" that came out rather shaky.

I felt hands on my shoulders and a kiss was placed to the top of my head. "I, we actually, will make sure that this is the best day, the best Solstice, you could imagine." I could practically see Nyx's beautiful smile and I asked what they did on Solstice, how exactly their day looked like.

"First we celebrate mother's birthday. Then we eat, then presents and then just enjoy family time. And then on the next day we—
"Family tradition. Madis will find out soon enough. Don't spoil her!" Rhys said and sat forward. He moved to get up, but dropped onto the couch again, a loud groan leaving his mouth.

"That damn knee," he grumbled and moved his hand over his right knee. A shudder coursed through me and also Nyx's hands on my shoulders trembled.

Azriel was quick to stand, moving over to his brother. He reached an arm forward and helped Rhysand to his feet. Rhysand solely looked at Azriel, not one word getting spoken from anyone in the room. He did not look at Nyx, probably not wanting to see the pain and shock on his son's face. He did not look at me either, knowing that I saw right through the lie—it hadn't been his knee that had hurt.

I nudged Catrin to keep braiding Eve's hair so that the young girl's focus was drawn back here and she no longer had to worry about her father's well-being.

"Az and I will be in the kitchen for a minute, discussing...discussing...things," Rhysand said, welcoming Azriel's hand and standing rather weakly. The two males left the room.

"Family tradition?" I asked, hoping to lighten the mood.

"Yes, we will tell you when it is about time!" Catrin chirped and winked at me over her shoulder.

"First we have to attain to more...unpleasant things. Madis, you are keen on visiting the Court of Nightmares?"

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