Nessian

The Wedding

I suppose the boisterous fae party was supposed to be a pleasant event... perhaps even enjoyable. After all, it was Azriel and Elain's wedding reception.

Nearly half of Velaris must have been in attendance, and a few high lords, all crammed into the House of Wind.

The crowded dining room was brimming with spreads of food and endless rows of green bottles filled with sparkling wine. Guests were chattering excitedly in anticipation of the newly weds arrival.

But I stood pressed against a far wall, untouched wine glass in hand.

The lace neckline of my elaborate gown was itchy, the echoing chamber was exceptionally loud, and a small smile was plastered on my face even though I wished nothing more than to shed my skin and slip away.

Feyre was watching me from her mate's side, and as if she had been standing right beside me, I heard her clearly say inside my head, play nice.

Play nice, Nesta.

So I nodded and exchanged pleasantries with complete strangers, feigning surprise and amusement when warranted. Their stories were dreadfully dull, and I struggled to keep my expression cordial as a clock ticked away from somewhere in the hall.

I heard ten successive clangs ring out above the chatter, denoting the time and making my antsy feeling only grow.

Where in the world were Azriel and my sister?

For yet another time this evening, I found myself scanning the room and partygoers. I craned my neck to peer over a tall male's shoulder in front me. Patience may be a virtue, but it was never my strong suit.

"Nesta, they'll be here soon. Try to at least look like you're not in pain."

Knowing immediately who had spoken, I rolled my eyes without turning my head. "That seems entirely impossible now that you're here."

"Ouch." Cassian said playfully, "And to think I've been told by so many how fun I am to have around at these sorts of things."

I quirked my brow and finally turned to him, "Fun?"

"My mistake," he let out a breathy chuckle, quiet in the buzz of the party. "I assumed you had the capacity to understand such emotion."

I crossed my arms, taking the bait although I knew better. "Parties have never been my thing."

"People have never been your thing," he amended.

The bastard was right, but I chewed on my cheek to keep from smiling. "Where's Lucien? I thought he had accepted his invitation." Cassian stepped closer to me, but I didn't let myself focus on the cut of his shoulders in his tailored tunic, or the corded muscle concealed beneath.

"I believe he had some last minute matter to attend to.... But we all knew this would have been hard for him to watch." he said, running a hand through his dark hair.

Watching his mate wed another male... hard indeed. Even if Elain had rejected the bond months ago, we still saw what it did to him to see her with Azriel.

I nodded absentedly and took a deliberate sip of wine before speaking. "I haven't seen Brynn. She's coming, isn't she?" My voice sounded oddly strained— like it was traveling from far away. Cassian blinked, clearing his throat.

"She should be," he merely said, though he didn't meet my eyes.

Relief rushed through me as our conversation was cut short. The massive glass doors to the chamber parted, and the room fell silent. A handsome couple adorned in white walked in. Elain's small arm was linked in Azriel's, and I could see the exultant smile from here on her delicate face. Azriel was beaming as well, shadows nowhere to be seen, and his midnight hair gleamed underneath the shine of faelights.