Nyx | Carpe Noctem ✓

Epilogue

∙ Madis POV ∙

Can we not leave?
I furrowed my brows. Nope.

It's boring.

Good Gods, try to concentrate, this is important. I flashed Nyx a reprimanding look. He just shrugged in return, his face laced in pure innocence.

Is it that important?

If you paid any attention than you would know it is. A low chuckle reached me through the bond and when suddenly everyone turned to us, I knew they had an inkling we weren't paying attention. But it wasn't my fault. Not at all!

"So, Madis, Nyx what are your plans now actually?" Mor asked, flashing us both a big smile. She braced her hands on the table, her eyes aglow with anticipation.

"Ahm...erm, yeah, I–" I stammered. I was so focused on shutting Nyx up, I completely forgot what we had been talking about beforehand. Great!

"Madis, actually has many ideas. Come on, Starlight, bring them forward." If I could I would have sent daggers through the bond, instead I just gave my mate a deadpan with the promise I pay him back for that later. He obviously knew that I had no idea but I just guessed Mor was referring to the strengthening of relationships outside of Pryhtian — at least that was partly what I wanted to talk about. There were also many other things and I decided to address them all now.

Wiping my hands down my thighs and taking in a deep breath, I stood up. Rhysand gave me an expectant look and smiled.

"Well, I do. First I want to help more females in the Illyrian mountains. We need more people who sew and more healers. We can ask around in Velaris or in the war camps and teach the people there how to sew in order for them to help the others and also earn a little bit of money with it." I smiled, some confidence filling me and inhaled deeply once again.

"And secondly—" I cleared my throat, glancing over my shoulder at Nyx. He was already looking at me, pride etched into his features when his lips formed a smile.

"Secondly, we want to help females in the Hewn City. We want to help them get out of this dark place and we want to create a safe haven somewhere in the Court of Dreams fro them. Somewhere were they can live in happiness and can escape their past. It does not necessarily have to be Velaris but somewhere close to us. And lastly—"

Now Nyx rose as well, wrapping his arm around my midriff and placing a kiss to my shoulder.  "We want to travel. To Monteser and Vallahan and Rask and have talks with the rulers there. About unions and international trade and we also want tot strengthen the trade with the Mortal Lands in that way." Rhysand was nearly bursting with pride and I watched a small tear slip out of his eye.

For the past two weeks Nyx and I had basically stayed in our chambers. We had gone through documents, looked at maps and numbers and figures. We made calculations and sent out letters and invitations. We had worked non-stop, fully blooming in our positions as the new High Lord and Lady.

"That sounds phenomenal," Feyre breathed and clapped her hands once. "We obviously support you in everything you have said. I can open up my art studio for people who want to learn how to sew, for example."

I thanked Feyre and smiled — it was a brilliant idea.

"Oh and we nearly forgot. So lastly, lastly, we want to announce Noora as our second in command and once Eve is old enough she will be our third in command. Arkon and Loran will become our advisors and generals of the Night Court armies and Loi the new camp lord of Windhaven."

Pride and also a touch of admiration laced Rhysand's features, blinking several times and then moving his hands into his pockets. He slowly dipped his chin and exhaled a low breath. He set out and a moment later his arms wrapped around his son's shoulders and he pulled Nyx to his chest, embracing him tightly.

"I am so proud of you, Nyx. I can't believe you ever had doubts about fulfilling this position that was given to you. You are doing an incredible job." Rhysand was a picture of pride as he held his son.

"Thank you," Nyx whispered in a little teary voice. "I wouldn't be able to do a single thing of those without my High Lady."

He softly brushed against my mental shields, warmth filling me through the bond, when Nyx, my mate, my High Lord, glanced over his shoulder and smiled. And it was once again this smile I had fallen in love with all those months ago.

Just a year ago I would have never thought that that is how my life would once be. Everything had changed, nothing was the same anymore. I was no longer ill, I was no longer mortal, I no longer lived in the Mortal Lands. I was married. I had a mate. I had met the love of my life. I was happy and I had a family. And I still had my old family. I was free and I could do the things I liked and at the same time help people with the things I enjoyed doing.

I often still had to remind myself that this was truly my life, the life I had not chosen but that was somehow given to me. It was still overwhelming and some mornings I woke up and wondered if this all was truly happening or if I was just dreaming. Or maybe even if I had died and this was somehow the afterlife. But it wasn't. It was my life. A second chance I had been given. And I would not waste this second chance. I would change the world with it. I would help those who needed it most. Because I had gotten help when I needed it most and I would give that back to the people.

I would do anything in my power to make this world a better place and I knew that my mate, my High Lord, my Nyx would support me in everything I had planned.