starfall. [ Rhysand ]

XXVI

Announcement!
Hi guys, from now on, the main character's name will be Asteria (thanks so much to Bibibi7v7 for the name idea). I appreciate all of your feedback and will be going back to my previous chapters in the next few days to swap the name from Alexis to Asteria.

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Weeks had passed since Asteria had that terrible dream. Though she couldn't shake the feeling it might come true, there was one positive outcome: it unlocked a new power within her. She could now shield, which would be very useful in battle if only she could maintain it for longer periods.

Each morning, she trained rigorously with Cassian, building her stamina and cardio. Azriel helped her focus and channel her power, while Rhysand taught her how to release it in a controlled way, preventing mishaps like the one where she accidentally hit Cassian's back a week earlier.

Asteria was also getting to know the members of the Court of Dreams better (as they liked to call themselves to distinguish from the Court of Nightmares ruled by Keir, Rhysand's uncle and Mor's father). She learned that Cassian and Rhysand hated their guts when they first met and that Mor's dad was despised by all of them. Her friend didn’t like talking about him but mentioned he had done something unforgivable.

Asteria never asked about Feyre. She knew the newly turned Fae had been summoned by Rhys once again, but it still felt weird that she was so close yet she didn’t know the Star was alive and under Rhysand's protection.
At least her baking course every Monday provided a distraction. Jeremiah, the faerie in charge of the course, always praised her improvement. Cassian, who often enjoyed her desserts, provided additional encouragement.

"This is better than the last one" he always muttered with food still in his mouth.

Helping Jeremiah clean up once the baking course reached its end, gave Asteria the chance to make a friend outside the group. She learned that the pastry chef liked fishing with his father and that his sister worked as a seamstress, having refused to join the family business since baking wasn't her element.

Every Monday night, after she came back from the course, Asteria found Rhysand waiting for her on the terrace. They played a game where they asked each other three thoughts, something she eagerly looked forward to every time.

"Three thoughts: go," Rhysand said one Monday as she arrived. He was reading by candlelight but put his book aside as soon as she appeared. Asteria settled on a deckchair next to him.

"I'm weirdly hungry for something sweet even though I ate too much at the bakery," she giggled. Rhysand grinned, knowing how Asteria could not resist from trying every thing she baked. But she could not be blamed, she did it under Jeremiah's suggestion.

"I still think I’ll never master shielding," she sighed, recalling her struggles from that morning.

"You will," Rhysand interrupted with determination in his eyes, making her smile.

"And I keep wondering why you wait for me every Monday night."

Rhysand seemed taken aback, he never thought she was going to say it out loud nonetheless in fron of him. After a moment, he replied sincerely.

"I want to make sure you get home safe and sound."

Asteria blushed, touched by his concern. She realized he cared for her, like a real friend would.

"Now it’s my turn, Asteria darling," he said playfully. The Star blushed trying to hide how much she liked how he called her that.

"Right, right. So, Lord Rhysand, would you bless me with three of your thoughts?"