Kallias's study was small, but quaint. Nova had never been in here before, and when he'd asked her to meet him here after her morning training session, she couldn't help but be a bit nervous. She stood at the window now, overlooking the stables, wondering if she might catch a glimpse of Hollis.
Turning in a circle, she glanced at the clock in the corner and wondered if she'd missed him. What would he want to talk about anyway? She shook her head to dispel the anxiety that wanted to creep its way through her and instead studied the map of Prythian on the wall. Staring at the land mass that was her Island, she scrunched her nose as it was labeled 'Hybern.' They needed to update their maps.
"I apologize," Kallias said with a smile as he entered the study and Nova turned to face him. He walked around his desk to the bookshelf behind, littered with more texts than she could count in a single sitting, and pulled one off the shelf. "I asked you before if you knew much about the history of the Winter Court." He said, thumbing through a rather large book before setting it on his desk between them.
Smiling, he glanced up as she stood at the desk, bracing her hands on the ledge as she looked down at the title.
"History of the Winter Court?"
"The first edition, yes," Kallias nodded and patted the top. "There are seven volumes in total. It would mean a great deal to us, Viviane and I, if you knew a little more about our Court."
Nodding, Nova didn't hesitate to pull it toward her and then paused, glancing up. Knowledge was, after all, the most powerful weapon. She understood that, but there was a question that gnawed at her.
"With Hollis and I together…yet are meant to rule separate Courts someday, where does that leave us?"
Kallias pursed his lips and nodded as he sat back in his chair, "Hm. It was a thought we and your parents had as well. I didn't know if they'd spoken to you about it, but it is our intention for Hollis that he may go wherever he wants to be. You will always be welcomed here if that's a decision you agree to."
Taking the book into her hands, she tried not to think about that. It was something she and Hollis would need to discuss privately, without outside influence. "I'll bring this back for the next time when I finish. Is that all?"
"It is."
She pivoted to leave and was nearly to the door when Kallias gently said, "Nova…" Turning, she tilted her head as he smiled softly, "Welcome to our family. I truly am honored."
A smile graced her lips, and she nodded before leaving. The warm feeling of acceptance radiated off her.
Baylor galloped past Ansel's marker as Hollis gripped his knees tighter, keeping himself in place as he twisted and turned on instruction. Nova glanced up from her book, having taken up residence in the stands, she periodically watched Hollis ride while reading about the history of the Winter Court. While some of it was written in a dry perspective, some was actually very interesting. She found herself drawing parallels between her court and theirs.
A panicked bray caught her attention, and Nova looked up with a severe scowl. She watched Ansel and her Uncles move into position to make sure they were ready to help if Hollis needed it. Jaw tight, she clutched the book in a tight grip, ready to calm his heart, but as quickly as he'd lost control, he had calmed and relaxed his ears.
Sighing, Nova released her vice-like grip on the book. Never before had she felt such a terrible need to protect. She wouldn't act on it unless she needed to, of course, but the urge consumed her.
Hollis dismounted when he could and guided him back to Ansel. "Are you sure he wants to be doing this?"
"Give him some time." Ansel nodded as he took the bridle, walking him back to the stables.
As Hollis removed some of his gear, his sweat becoming a bit of a nuisance, he looked up as Cassian asked, "Good job today." He smiled, "You've improved. A lot."
With a chuckle, Hollis nodded, "Thanks."
Smiling, Az patted his shoulder before leaving with Cassian. It gave Hollis complete freedom to, as soon as the door closed behind them, he sprinted at full speed to Nova. He barely stopped himself in time, sliding his feet to a stop.
Nova's eyes widened as she looked up to see him coming right for her, hand over her mouth, she laughed as he stumbled over the bench, sitting before her on his knees.
Laughing, Nova shook his head, "Are you a prince or a puppy?"
Hollis grinned as he kissed her lips and then looked down at her lap. He skimmed the title and chuckled breathlessly, "Let me guess. My father's idea?"
"Hm, I'll be an expert in every avalanche to date by the end of the night," she flipped to the last page to see the number at the bottom, "maybe two nights."
Hollis smiled, "Well, if you have any books on the Night Court history, I'd love to learn about it."
Unable to stop herself from snorting, she nodded, "I'll talk to Ana, but I actually don't know as much as I'd like. I didn't even know my father had a sister until I saw a painting of her."
"Well, then we can learn together."
Nova smiled and shut her book again, "Do you intend to follow in your father's footsteps? As leader of the Winter Court, I mean."
It was a heavy question with a complicated answer, so all he managed to say was, "I don't know…"
Nova was quiet for a moment before nodding, "Yeah, me either."
Searching her face, Hollis bit his lower lip before squeezing her knees, "Hey, let's worry about that later. We could…race around the arena?" He asked, smiling, her eyes brightened. "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you."
"Is that right?"
Hollis was already starting to climb down from the bench, but Nova hopped over with a clean movement and took off as fast as she could. The traction the dirt gave her compared to the ice was wonderful.
"You cheater!" Hollis hollered and took off after her, laughing as he held his sides. "Get back here or…"
Braking her heels, Nova stopped and turned with a slow smirk, "Or what?"
Hollis stopped, too, but he lost his balance and fell forward. Still, the predatory flash in her eyes and her feline smirk sent his heart galloping. "Or…else…"
Slowly tilting her head to the side, Nova grinned and sprinted right at him, and with his yelp caught in his throat, he scrambled to get to his feet. He only managed a step or two before Nova's arms snatched him around the waist and pulled him to the ground. They crashed in a heap, and Hollis, trying to slip from her grip, was in way over his head.
He still couldn't best Kyra in a spar…to go against Nova was to know he'd already lost. Sure enough, in a mere few seconds, she had him pinned against the ground, grinning down at him triumphantly.
"I win." Hollis breathed.
Twisting her brow, she stared at him with confusion, "I pinned you."
"I know."
Ana leaned her head against the blanket bunched on the back of the couch, eyes closed. She shivered before Azriel draped another blanket over her, adding to her layers. His thumb caressed her pale cheek. The usual pink had been replaced with an ashy gray.
"Her symptoms will reverse," Feyre murmured behind him.
"She's…just tired, is all," Az said, voice low in the back of his throat, but he knew even that was a lie. Ana didn't tire easily.
Feyre glanced over at Rhys, whose jaw was tight as he observed her. The door opened, and Madja entered, carrying with her a silver tray of assorted goods.
"She'll be right as rain in no time," she said reassuringly, "This isn't the first spell she's had, but now I know how to help her come out of it." Removing a tonic from the tray, she turned it over, mixing it carefully.
In another room, Eira's giggle could be heard as she gripped Cassian's neck, riding on his back like a winged bear.
"I spoke to Thesan, of the diseases that riddled their lands," Madja said gently, "Not all succumb-"
"But many do…" Azriel finished, unable to look away from her, and no one knew what to say. It was a rare thing for a fae to fall ill, but this, the rot that demolished their forests and poisoned their waters, could not be cured.
They either fought the disease or died trying.