Wind Wielder

Chapter 32 - Starfall pt. 1

Arriving at the House of Wind the following day was like falling ass first into a hurricane. Or perhaps, a Christmas typhoon. Complete with an insufferable whirlwind of decorating, cheerful Christmas music, and elves.

Zara had no idea why the Night Court had an obsession with elves, and Saint Nicholas. Perhaps it was the excess of snow in the North? Either way, the transition from sand and pools and palm trees in Day, to snow and elves lining every mantle, and Christmas lights draping every house in Velaris, was incredibly jarring.

Rhys and Feyre disappeared shortly after dropping Zara off at the House of Wind, hardly stopping long enough to drop off their own bags at the Townhouse before throwing themselves head first into meetings with those in the city, preparing for Starfall tomorrow night. The same could be said for all the other members of the Night Court inner circle, who were also elbow deep in assisting with the festivities, and catching up on their own work they had missed while gone.

Zara watched them bustle about, feeling the severe absence of her own work to attend to. She felt the cold emptiness of her hands, the restlessness of her directionless feet. She longed for the ability to work. To have her hands busy with something, like how she used to.

They had left Day in the early morning, so when Rhys came to pick her up after suppertime for a meeting at the Townhouse, hair ruffled and sleeve cuffs stained slightly by ink near his wrists, Zara was certain he had not stopped to eat or rest once in the time she had last seen him.

That was why she tossed a cupcake at his head, leftover from the ones she had left out for Azriel–that had gone untouched.

Rhys smirked as he caught it, and took a great bite right in front of her, like he knew she wanted. His brow raised as he tasted it. "Carrot cake cupcakes? Really?"

Zara grimaced. "I asked the House for something new. This is what it gave me."

Rhys chuckled, despite the crinkling of repugnance at the corner of his eyes. He took one more bite, then made a noise of disgust, and the remaining cupcake was misted into thin air. "Mother knows carrot cake was a mistake."

Zara raised a brow, sighing long sufferingly, "What a drama queen, Rhys. You're worse than Helion."

That sobered Rhys instantly, as Zara had intended. She knew they needed to have this talk before seeing the others.

"Yes, " Rhys remarked cooly, "Who you did not end up staying with."

She huffed a laugh. "You sound disappointed."

Rhys smirked, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "On the contrary, I'm blissfully ecstatic you decided to stay. But I also worry that if I showed you that right away, you'd run."

Zara tensed. "You understand I don't know when I'm leaving, right?"

Rhys's brow furrowed, his steps faltering. "You say that as if it's inevitable."

Zara said nothing.

Rhys took a step closer. "Understand that my offer stands the same, Zara. You are welcome to live here, stay here, work here, however long you want. Forever, if you'd like."

Zara swallowed hard, before teasing. "Are you sure you can keep up with the heart attacks I'll give you?"

Rhys gave her a feline smirk, before acknowledging the elephant in the room. "Understand Zara, that I don't hold any resentment towards you for your actions in Day, and neither will anyone else. We all respect power, and while sure it was uncomfortable in the moment... I suppose we needed a good kick in the ass."