A Court of Love and Devotion - Novellas

Peace and Rest Or The Sweet Touch of Death

Elia had never been like her sisters, down to the day she was born. Unlike her sisters, who came into this world fairly well, Elia almost killed her mother.

She'd grown up with this guilt. With this feeling of shame that she almost rid the world of the incredible female she was fortunate enough to call her mother.

That picture of resilience and love that Elia had looked up to her entire life.

"Are you ready for today?" Her mother asked, worried. Ever the mother-hen.

"Yes," Elia answered without hesitation. She wanted to do this. Needed to.

Her mother's eyes softened, like they always did when she looked at her daughters. The sneer, the gazes of challenge had always been reserved for other people. Including her father, but he often deserved it.

Despite what other people said, Elia had looked up even to that part of her mother. That fierceness she wished she had.

Strong hands landed on her shoulder. "We need to get going," her father told her.

Elia kissed her mother's cheek before walking to the balcony and taking flight. She looked back at her mother whose eyes were fixed on her daughter, filled with emotions Elia couldn't place.

I'll make you proud, Mom. I owe you that. Elia thought as she followed her father in the sky.

***

[Cassian - 20 years prior]

Nesta had started to bleed ten days before giving birth to their second child. Madja had inspected her thoroughly and warned the couple about the complications that could ensue. There was a high risk of Nesta dying during labor. Or the babe. And Cassian hadn't been able to do anything since then.

Madja had asked the parents to make a choice. Should something happen, who would they save? Nesta hadn't hesitated one moment before she ordered the healer to save her daughter. Cassian, on the other hand, had been devastated. He'd tried to get his mate to take some time to think about it, but she hadn't conceded.

And when the birth came, Madja had worked hard, along with Nesta, to save the frail baby girl. But the bed was soon filled with blood and Cassian had roared in panic until he had to be kicked out of the room while Madja tried to save his mate. His wife and the love of his life.

Cassian stayed by the door, refusing to look at anyone. Not at his brothers who tried to support him, or at his newborn daughter in Mor's arms. His friend had tried to get him to hold her but he'd ignored her. He ignored everyone. All he could do was breathe and breathe and breathe.

His eyes saw nothing. His ears heard nothing. He felt nothing, was nothing. Until Madja opened the door again, hands bloody.

"She's alive and stable," the healer informed everyone. "But she needs rest."

Cassian didn't wait for her to finish speaking as he barged into the room and hurried to the bed. Nesta was pale and looked exhausted, but the bleeding had stopped and her chest rose up and down with each breath. She looked up at him and gave him a weak smile.

Cassian crumbled, then. He let himself fall on the bed beside her and held her tightly as he sobbed in her neck. His hands touched every part of her he could reach — making sure she was here. That she was alive.

"I'm alright," she rasped. "Where is she?"

Nesta tried to raise the upper half of her body in search of her baby. Mor came, tears rolling down her face, along with Feyre.