A Court Of Fire And Darkness

2. ~ Silent Promises ~

Feyre Archeron

I leaned against the heavy wooden door of our bedroom, my eyes lingering on the night beyond the window. The city of Velaris was quiet now, a hush settling over the streets as the last guests from the ball made their way home. But the calm outside did nothing to soothe the storm of worry swirling in my mind.

Rhys shut the door behind him, the soft click echoing in the stillness. “You’re thinking about Nesta,” he said, his voice a gentle murmur as he crossed the room to stand beside me.

I nodded, unable to keep the concern from my face. “I’m always thinking about Nesta,” I admitted, my voice barely more than a whisper. “I don’t know how to help her. Every time I try, it feels like I’m pushing her further away.”

Rhys wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. The warmth of his body was a comfort, but it didn’t ease the tight knot in my chest. “Nesta has been through more than anyone should have to bear,” he said softly. “But she’s still here, still fighting, in her own way.”

“But is she?” I asked, turning to face him. “It’s like she’s slipping away, bit by bit. I’m afraid that one day, I won’t be able to reach her at all.”

Rhys’s eyes softened as he cupped my face in his hands, brushing his thumb over my cheek. “You’re not going to lose her,” he said, his voice firm with conviction. “Nesta is stronger than she knows. She’s hurting, but she’s still in there, Feyre. We just have to give her time.”

I sighed, leaning into his touch. “I wish I could do more than just wait.”

“We all do,” Rhys agreed. He hesitated, as if weighing his next words, then said, “When I was at the Illyrian camp a few days ago, I had a conversation with Azriel.”

My brows furrowed in curiosity. “About what?”

Rhys’s gaze grew distant for a moment, as if recalling the memory. “Azriel mentioned that he’s been spending time in the library at the House of Wind—the one where the priestesses live.”

“The one where I keep on wanting to get Nesta to go to,” I noted, my worry deepening.

“Yes,” Rhys confirmed. “While he was there, he met one of the priestesses. Her name is Gwyn.”

“Gwyn,” I repeated, the name unfamiliar on my tongue. “What did Azriel say about her?”

Rhys’s expression softened. “He said she has a spark, something bright and fierce. But it’s been dimmed by what she’s been through. She’s hiding it, like Nesta does. But he sees it, that same fire that’s buried deep inside your sister.”

My heart ached at the thought. “Do you think… do you think they could help each other? Nesta and Gwyn?”

Rhys’s thumb traced soothing circles on my skin. “It’s possible. Sometimes, the only ones who can truly understand our pain are those who have walked a similar path. Maybe seeing that she’s not alone will help Nesta find her way back.”

I nodded, my mind racing with the possibilities. “I hope so. I’ll talk to her tomorrow, see if she might be willing to spend some time in the library. Maybe it could be a start.”

“It’s worth a try,” Rhys agreed. He pulled me closer, his lips brushing my forehead in a tender kiss. “But for now, you need to rest.”

I let out a soft laugh, more to push away the lingering heaviness than out of any real amusement. “I suppose I do.”

Rhys led me further into our bedroom, the space a sanctuary from the world outside. The walls were a soft, dusky blue, the color of twilight, and the large bed was draped in plush blankets of midnight velvet and silver silk. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm, golden glow over the room, making the shadows dance along the walls. It was a place of peace, of love—a place that had become our home.

I reached up to unpin the delicate jewels that held my hair in place, letting the soft waves fall freely around my shoulders. My gown, a shimmering silver that clung to me like liquid moonlight, whispered as it slid from my shoulders. Rhys watched me with a gaze full of love, his own attire—a deep black tunic embroidered with stars—seeming to meld with the night beyond the windows.

He moved to help me, his fingers brushing against my skin as he undid the remaining clasps of my dress. His touch was light, reverent, as if I were something precious, something to be cherished. When the dress pooled at my feet, I stepped out of it, letting Rhys pull me close once more.

I tilted my head back to meet his gaze, and in his eyes, I saw the reflection of all the love he had for me. It was a love that had saved me, had healed me when I thought I could never be whole again.

“We’re going to be alright, Feyre,” he murmured, his voice like a promise. “All of us.”

I nodded, leaning into his embrace. “I know. I believe you.”

For a long moment, we stood there, wrapped in each other’s warmth, letting the worries of the day melt away. But then Rhys’s hand drifted lower, resting against my abdomen, and the soft smile on his lips grew even more tender.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.

My heart swelled with a joy so fierce it nearly brought tears to my eyes. “I’m… I’m good,” I said, my hand covering his. “Two weeks. It still feels unreal.”

Rhys’s smile widened, his eyes shimmering with wonder. “Two weeks,” he echoed, his voice full of awe. “Our child.”

A thrill of excitement fluttered through me at those words—our child. The life growing inside me, so small and delicate, yet already so fiercely loved.

“How do you think everyone will react?” I asked, a hint of nervousness creeping into my voice. “When we tell them?”

Rhys chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Cassian will probably shout loud enough for the entire Court to hear. Azriel will give us one of those rare, genuine smiles of his. Amren… well, she’ll probably just grumble about how much more work this will bring.”

“And Nesta?” I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Rhys’s gaze softened, his thumb brushing gently over my cheek. “Nesta will be happy for you, Feyre. In her own way, she’ll be happy. This could be something that brings her back to us. A new life, a new beginning.”

I nodded, letting myself believe it. “I hope so.”

We stood there for a moment longer, holding each other close, the world outside our little sanctuary fading into nothing. Whatever the future held, we would face it together—with our family, and with the new life that was soon to join us.

“We’ll tell them tomorrow,” Rhys said, his voice full of quiet excitement.

“Tomorrow,” I agreed, resting my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. The sound was a comfort, a promise of the future we would build together.

And for tonight, that was enough.

Song ~
• ocean eyes - Billie Eilish