Manipulated Court

Hope

Nyx sat in the Court of Nightmares, effortlessly playing the role of the spoiled son, basking in the attention of the High Lord and Lady surrounding him. Laughter and whispers filled the air, but a heavy door crashing open shattered the moment. His gaze snapped to the entrance just in time to see Andreas barreling toward him, panic etched across his face.

Nyx barely had a moment to process the situation before he felt the intensity of Andreas's thoughts slam into his mind like a tidal wave. The letter. April. Her urge to end her pain. With a rush of adrenaline, he didn't hesitate. He plunged into Andreas's mind, absorbing the horrific reality of her intentions.

"April!" he shouted as his heart raced. He couldn't waste a moment.

Ignoring his mother's shout at him, in an instant, he winnowed across Prythian, the world folding around him, until he landed in her bedroom.

It was empty.

"Focus, Nyx," he chided himself, desperately inhaling the air, searching for her scent. Panic bubbled in his chest as he followed the trail, his heart hammering like a war drum.

He flew as fast as he could, the wind whipping against his skin, each beat of his wings driven by fear. He reached the precipice, his heart dropping as the scent grew faint. It ended there, on the edge of the world.

With a deep breath, he dove over the edge, the drop stretching endlessly beneath him. The water roared below, its surface shimmering in the moonlight. He plunged through the air, desperation guiding him as he broke the surface, sending a spray of water flying.

There she was.

April lay motionless at the bottom, her fragile form suspended in the water, her arms cradled as if she were merely sleeping. A guttural scream tore from his throat as he dove down, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her close to his chest.

"April!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the depths, but the water swallowed his words. Panic coursed through him as he winnowed them from the depths, using all his strength to propel them toward Velaris.

As they emerged from the water, Nyx gasped for air, cradling her in his arms. He rushed into her room, the coolness of the water still clinging to them, and laid her on the bed. "Please, wake up!" He shook her gently, his hands cupping her face, searching for any sign of life.

"April!" He screamed again, desperation creeping into his voice. He could feel the shadows of his own fears gathering around him—what if it was too late? What if she had gone too far?

In that moment, his daemati powers surged, a frantic call reaching out through their bond, cascading into the minds of her parents and Madja – the healer -, summoning them to her side.

Nyx could hardly breathe, feeling the weight of despair pressing down on him. He begged the universe for a sign, for her to respond, for the bond between them to pull her back from the edge.

As the door burst open, his parents rushed in, their eyes wide with shock and fear. Nyx, usually composed and regal, was the most distressed Rhysand had ever seen.

"April!" Nas cried, dropping to her side, a hand pressed against her cheek, as if willing warmth back into her skin.

Nyx stepped back, his heart hammering, watching helplessly as Madja knelt beside them, her magic weaving around April, searching for signs of life. Nyx's thoughts whirled—he could do nothing but wait and hope.

Feyre's hands held Nyx's teary and wet face, trying to assure him it would be alright.

For the first time in his life, Nyx released a scream so pained and with so much uncontained power, that the windows shattered and his knees bucked to the floor, next to Aprils hair.

It was his fault. His fault that his mate preferred to die than to be with him.

Why are you such a monster

And he never agreed more with his darling April.