NESTA & CASSIAN

ACTIONS

The tension between Cassian and Nesta had been building for weeks. Ever since Ember had left for her own world, the events of that time had slowly but surely stoked a fire within Nesta.

And it finally boiled over during a family dinner. As they entered the House of Wind from the balcony entrance, Nesta's anger finally reached its breaking point.

She turned to Cassian, her eyes flashing with hurt and betrayal, "Do you even care about me at all, Cassian? Or am I just a convenient little mate when it suits you?"

Cassian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Nesta. I don't want to create conflict. Not with my brother, and not with the rulers of this Court we live in."

Nesta's voice trembled with emotion as she spoke. "I understand that, Cassian. But I need to know that you will stand up for me when it matters. I need to know that I'm not just an afterthought to you."

Cassian's brows furrowed in frustration. "I can't always put you first, Nesta. I have responsibilities to my family, to my people. You know that."

He was right. She understood that.

But Rhysand was a High Lord, and even Nesta could admit that what she admired most about him was that he put her sister first. Always.

Tears stung Nesta's eyes as she shook her head. "Then I am sorry. But I can't do this anymore, Cassian. I have to be with someone who will put me first. I- I think that's not too much to ask for."

With those words, Nesta turned on her heel and stormed out. She took the stairs of the House of Wind, and tumbled into the glittering city of Velaris, leaving Cassian standing alone in the darkness, his heart breaking at the loss of the female he loved.

Weeks passed, with Cassian trying to desperately reach out to Nesta. To apologize, to make things right. But Nesta remained resolute in her decision, unwilling to compromise on her need to be valued. Respected, even.

She had relocated to Windhaven, with Emerie at her side. Gwyn a frequent visitor. She was still heartbroken, but her friends managed to make her take care of herself.

Months passed that way.

And as she felt the kick of their unborn daughter in her womb, Nesta couldn't help but fear that Cassian would never put her first, never prioritize her and their child above all else.

And that is exactly what her father had done, he refused to put his daughters first. And it ruined them all.

So in that fear, she found the strength to walk away and stay away, determined to protect herself and her daughter from a relationship that could never truly fulfill them.

Cassian had been avoiding Emerie's shop for weeks, knowing that Nesta lived with the Illyrian now. But today, he couldn't resist the pull, the need to see her, even if it was just from afar.

As he walked past the store, his heart leaped to his throat when he caught the sight of her. Nesta, his mate, looked more beautiful than he remembered. But then he noticed something that made his blood run cold.

She was heavily pregnant, her hand resting protectively over her swollen belly.

Cassian's heartbeat soared in his ears.

How could-

His friends, their friends, haven't said anything.

Cassian's heart shattered into a million pieces. How could he have been so blind, so selfish, to let her go? To let her carry their child alone, without his love and support?

Tears pricked at his eyes as he turned and stumbled away from the shop, unable to bear the weight of his mistakes any longer. He collapsed in a nearby ally, his chest heaving with sobs as the reality of his actions hit him like a ton of bricks.

He had lost the one person who meant everything to him, all because he was- what? Too afraid to truly put his mate first? Too afraid that his brother wouldn't understand him if he did?

He could still see Nesta in his mind's eye; the soft smile on her face as she rubbed her hand over her belly. He wished he could turn back time and make things right.

But it was too late. And as the tears continued to fall, Cassian knew that he would have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his days. A bitter reminder of the love he had lost, all because he had been too much of a coward to fight for it.