ACOWAR (Rhysand's POV)

Chapter 11

(Rhysand's POV)

Nesta and Elain had a suite of adjoining rooms, all with views overlooking the city and river and mountains beyond. Elain spent all of her time inside her room, staring out over the landscape. As Cassian drew back the wide double doors to their entry room, I sucked in a breath, preparing for the worst. Preparing for the onslaught of verbal obscenities Nesta was sure to throw our way. But she wasn't there. 

Since Cassian wasn't out on the balcony sunning his wings, she could only be one other place. "The library," I said.

As the three of us strode down the hallway, a strong, razor-sharp tension emitted from Cassian. It was silent aside from the rustle of his wings and the echo of our steps, resounding off the red stone walls, and the faint howl of wind rattling each window. With every step toward that library, his tension grew and grew. Feyre's eyes kept glancing at the warrior, likely having picked up on it as well. Now wasn't the time to discuss, especially within earshot of Nesta.

My hand gripped the bronze knob tightly, wondering if this was a mistake, if maybe I should turn around and go back to the town house. Please. Please don't let this be a nightmare for Feyre.

I exhaled, jerking the door open.

Nesta was curled in one of the reading chairs, a book on her knees, so drawn into the story that she hadn't heard us approaching. It was one of the rare moments Nesta didn't seem like a feral cat. If there was any hope this would go smoothly, it vanished once Feyre's slipper scuffed the floor.

Like a honed predator, Nesta's attention shot straight to us, her back going rigid, assessing. But her eyes belied none of it, simply looking us over coolly, remaining aloof. Like her sister who had been dragged back to the Spring Court and returned to us, unharmed, wasn't something worth letting that mask drop for.

Cassian stilled next to me, his breathing pattern becoming uneven. He, too, assessed the threat across the room - the unnatural fire within Nesta. Waiting for her to strike. I tensed as her mouth opened, fearing what her first words to Feyre would be.

"You're back." Nesta's eyes slid from Feyre to Cassian, going from neutral to absolutely lethal. "What do you want?"

Across our bond, I felt Feyre's hope deflate immediately. "At least immortality hasn't changed some things about you." She said.

Nesta's look was nothing short of icy. "Is there a purpose to this visit, or may I return to my book?"

My jaw locked in place and I swallowed against the obscenities I wanted to fling at her. I only brushed a hand against Feyre's in silent comfort. She wasn't alone with her sisters in that hovel any longer, didn't have to stand up against Nesta alone. 

"I wouldn't have pegged you for a romance reader." Cassian had sauntered over to Nesta, picking up the book and chuckling as he flipped through the pages. I was surprised Nesta didn't claw his eyes out. "You haven't missed much while you were off destroying our enemies, Feyre. It's mostly been this." 

Nesta whirled on Feyre. "You - accomplished it?" Her mask had slipped a bit, letting some of that vulnerability show. As if realizing it, her gaze hardened . I could almost see her laying each brick to build up her wall again.

"We'll see how it plays out. I made sure Ianthe suffered." 

Fear - actual fear crept into Nesta's eyes. But only briefly, she was too skilled at rearranging her features to neutrality. It was likely a survival response, something she had needed to use in their time across the wall. But it was completely unnecessary now, especially with Feyre.