A Court of Love and Devotion - Novellas

You're Always Welcome In My Home

Valeria was unbearable. Screaming and crying all the time. There was no way Nyx had ever been like this as a baby. Everyone always told him how adorable and sweet he'd been since birth.

How did his parents create such a monster in the form of a little girl?

Nyx had come back home with good grades that day. Top of his class. His parents had smiled at him and congratulated him...until Valeria realized the attention was no longer on her and she threw yet another tantrum.

His parents worked tirelessly to calm her down, to no avail. So Nyx sulked all evening, eating his dinner in angry silence while his parents marveled at their youngest child doing barely anything.

He'd gone to bed and waited patiently for everyone else to do the same. Then he opened his window and flew away.

***

The House of Wind was empty. Everyone had also gone to bed.

Nyx walked silently through the hallways leading to his cousin's bedroom. He made a quick stop to Elia's room.

Her and Valeria were the same age and yet totally different. Nyx sometimes found himself jealous of Aria. Why did he get the annoying little sister?

Elia was dozing peacefully in her bed. Nyx placed a featherlight kiss on her forehead and left the room to see Aria.

He knocked on her door lightly and heard not-so-subtle footsteps. Of course, she wasn't asleep either.

She opened the door and cocked a brow. "Nyx," she whisper-shouted. "What are you doing here?" The little boy bit the inside of his cheek. Aria's face softened. "Is it Valeria again?" she asked.

He nodded. "Can I stay with you tonight?"

Aria smiled and opened the door wider. "Let's play. I'm not tired yet and we don't have school tomorrow anyway."

"Great," Nyx smirked.

"Just be quiet, I don't want my parents or Elia to wake up, alright?"

***

[NESTA]

Being awoken by her sister yelling inside her head wasn't ideal. Especially when Nesta had her new-born baby sleeping beside her and waking up every three hours.

Next to her, Cassian sat up quickly. He turned to his mate, wide-eyed.

Nesta smirked and shook her head. "Relax," she told him. "I'll go check Aria's room. We can panic afterwards if I don't find him there. You go get Elia."

Nesta got out of bed and put her robe on before making her way to her first daughter's bedroom. She knocked on the door and, when no one answered, opened the door slowly only to find Aria and Nyx sprawled halfway across the bed. Toys were scattered everywhere on the floor turning her daughter's room into an obstacle course worthy of the Blood Rite Qualifier.

Nesta frowned as she walked to the bed, careful of the toys. Her tired state made it all the more difficult to see where she stepped.

He's here, Feyre. He's with his cousin. She told her sister and let her see through her own eyes. I'll do the scolding, don't worry.

He's in serious trouble when he gets home, Feyre answered.

Let him have breakfast here. I'll send him home for lunch.

Feyre agreed and Nesta finally managed to make it to the bed. She sat next to her daughter and stroked her cheek, pushing the hair away from her face. Her free hand went on Nyx's shoulder, stroking it gently as well.