Nyx | Carpe Noctem ✓

Chapter 46: That Damn Right Knee

∙ Madis POV ∙

In an instant we were on our feet and rushed out of the living room into the corridor. My heart hammered in my chest, blood pumping in my ears because I had no idea of what would expect us. It had sounded like he had fallen—fallen down the stairs.

Dread settled into my gut, fear colliding with panic when we reached the staircase.

My blood turned cold the moment my eyes landed on the High Lord. He sat at the bottom of the staircase, one hand braced on his right knee. He was breathing deeply, head slightly titled backwards, his eyes closed. He had a wound on his head, blood was dripping down onto his check and onto the step he sat on.

"Rhysand," Feyre cried and ran towards her mate. She fell to her knees next to him and clasped his hand in hers. "Rhysand, gods, what happened?" she breathed, her lips quivering.

Nyx sucked in a sharp breath, his body radiated icy cold and horror. He took slow and hesitant steps forward and towards his father. Eve seemed rooted to the ground, not being able to move and so I quickly grabbed her hand, pulling her closer to me.

"What is happening to father? Is he...is he alright?" she breathed, eyes brimming with tears. I swallowed thickly. I had no answer. And I could not say what I was thinking. There was only one thought in my mind: the High Lord of the Night Court was dying.

My mind had not fooled me in the past weeks, he had often seemed exhausted and tired and it was bullshit that he had blamed it on his knee. He was getting weaker, I just had no idea why and that something like that could happen to fae.

By the time I had left my thoughts, and turned my attention back to the scene in front of me Nyx was helping his father up. He had one arm wrapped under his shoulders and supported him to get to the living room. Our gazes only met briefly, but I knew tears burned behind Nyx's eyes. His jaw was clenched, teeth gritted and his body rigid.

Rhysand groaned, Nyx held onto him tightly while Feyre clasped her mate's hand.

"It is just the knee. It gave in on my way down. Don't worry, it's been bothering me for a while. I will have Madja look over it," Rhysand said upon sitting down on the couch. Nyx sat with him, Feyre took her seat on the table in front of them. I stayed next to the couch, Eve now cradled to my chest. Her legs were wobbly, I could feel her shaking, her breathing uneven and her skin icy cold.

"Father," Nyx breathed, his own hands trembling when he folded them in his lap. The High Lord quickly reached over and clasped his shoulder tightly. "Everything is fine. Nothing to worry about now, alright?"

Nyx only shook his head.

"Nyx! It is fine. Don't look at me, all pitiful. I am fine," Rhysand once more said, his hand still on Nyx's shoulder. Nyx hesitantly nodded his head before brushing his hand through his head and sliding it back. I bit down on my lip, the icy fingers of panic that had gripped me earlier not yet leaving me alone.

"Ah, I see you did some shopping. Show me the fabrics you got, Madis. I am very interested what you spent my money on," the High Lord then chuckled. It made us all laugh a little bit.

I nudged Eve so we could go over to the bags and she slowly moved away from me. I smiled at her in assuring way.

"Can I show you the fabric for my dress first?" she then asked, some colour returning to her face.

"Of course, my love," Feyre said and I passed Eve the bag which I believed her fabric was in.

We spent the rest of the evening going through all the pieces of fabric, Rhysand, Feyre and Nyx watching in amusement and with great admiration.