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NESTA THE HEALER

CHAPTER 1: ANOTHER NIGHT ANOTHER TAVERN

The world tilted on its axis as I stumbled to the bathroom in my favourite tavern, the Hopping Pot. I held a hand against the wall to steady myself as my vision spun. The line for the female toilets was far too long. I forced my way into the male toilets after pushing past several disgruntled males. I sighed in relief when I was finally able to pee.

I straightened my dress and headed back out into the bar. My friend Lana put an arm around my shoulders ‘That was actually quick’ I grinned ‘I couldn’t wait, so I used the male toilets’ She roared with laughter. We headed up to the bar to order more drinks.

The bartender smiled at us as he placed galaxy cocktails in front of us. Lana leaned in; her eyes shone ‘You know that bitch from last weekend?’ I nodded remembering Lana’s latest enemy. Lana confided ‘Don’t look now, but she has toilet paper on her shoe’ I looked, and we both roared with laughter. I grinned ‘Karma’ Lana giggled.

We joined a booth of males and were dealt into their card game. One of them stared at me ‘The Kingslayer!’ I stared him down. He grinned ‘What is our High Lady’s sister doing drunk and playing cards in a bar?’ I glared ‘I am my own person. I like playing drunken cards in bars’ He laughed and clinked glasses with me.

He asked tentatively ‘How did you kill Hybern?’ I said matter-of-factly ‘I hacked off his head’ He grinned ‘Good for you’ Lana agreed ‘He deserved it’ I nodded thinking of my father. Hybern had just killed him in front of me. I was very motivated to hack off his head.

The male said conversationally ‘Did anyone else get an eyeful last night? I was walking along, minding my own business. I happened to look up in the sky. You won’t believe what I saw….’ I asked, ‘A bird?’ He smiled ‘I saw our High Lord and Lady fucking in the sky’ I choked on my drink. Lana patted my back.

I asked incredulously ‘They were fucking above you?’ The male laughed ‘Yes, and I wasn’t the only one looking up’ I was stunned. I grinned and rubbed my hands together ‘I am going to tell Feyre that cum fell out of the sky and landed on people’ They all roared with laughter. I laughed so hard I cried.

Lana admitted ‘I would like to try that, sky fucking’ I grinned at her knowingly. She pleaded ‘Please introduce me to the Shadowsinger’ I sighed ‘You are warm and fun and energetic. He is cold and calculating and boring’ Lana huffed ‘I am sure I could bring him out of his shell’

One of the males said sounding concerned ‘It isn’t a good idea. Not only is he a spymaster, he’s also a torturer. He’s capable of anything’

Lana said imploringly ‘I am sure I can handle him. Please Nesta. I dream of him and his shadows’ I smirked at her ‘What do the shadows do in your dream?’ Lana’s eyes twinkled ‘They join in’ I grinned ‘If he happens to turn up where we both are, I will introduce you’ Lana squealed and hugged me. I said mock seriously ‘Don’t blame me if you end up tied to his bed’ Lana grinned imagining it.

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CHAPTER 2: REACHING OUT A HAND

I woke up to bright light in my eyes. I groaned. I had forgotten to close the curtains. I got to the bathroom, just in time to puke up my last few cocktails. I groaned and sat with my head in my hands. My head was pounding. I gulped down some water straight from the tap.

I heard a key turning in my front door lock. My neighbour Nancy’s voice rang out ‘It’s just me’ She shuffled in with a purple vial in her hand. I grinned gratefully and gulped it down. She stroked my hair ‘Alright Nesta?’ I shrugged ‘Bad night of badness’ She asked, ‘Males or alcohol?’ I said ‘Alcohol’ She sighed and sat on the bathroom floor next to me Her large brown eyes were full of concern ‘This keeps happening’ I rubbed my temples. She said ‘We need to deal with the root cause of your problem with alcohol’ I sighed ‘Trauma and my bottled-up power’ Nancy studied me. She said ‘I have an idea’ I rested my head on her shoulder. She went on ‘The priestesses in the library have mind healers and mentors for your magic. I think we should ask for help’

I said quietly ‘I am scared I could hurt someone’ Nancy held my hand and said pleadingly ‘You are more likely to hurt someone if you don’t know what you are doing’ I sighed. Nancy confided ‘I have an in with a priestess. How about I ask her about getting you some help?’ I nodded ‘Thankyou’ She put an arm around me ‘What are friends for?’

Nancy organised for me to meet with a priestess named Lola. Lola happened to be a healer. Nancy and I sat in the botanical gardens on a bench waiting for Lola. I was nervously picking at my nails. Nancy said reassuringly ‘Lola will be able to help. She’s a good female’ I nodded tearily. I hated admitting that I need help. I felt like a failure.

A beautiful blonde priestess bounced over. She hugged Nancy and looked at me wide eyed. Nancy smiled at me ‘Nesta this is Lola, Lola Nesta’ Lola smiled ‘It’s lovely to meet you Nesta. Nancy has mentioned you’ Nancy said gently ‘Nesta could use some help’ Lola nodded and studied me. She asked, ‘Alcohol addiction?’ I sighed and nodded. Nancy spoke up ‘It’s the causes that need addressing first’ Lola looked at me kindly. She asked, ‘What is causing your need to be inebriated?’ I looked at my hands ‘Trauma from the cauldron and the war, also it dulls my powers which are ready to burst out of me’

Lola nodded ‘Alcohol is a common self-remedy for trauma. Many war veterans are in the same position as you. Your powers need to be trained and used. Left to fester they will burn you from the inside out’ My throat bobbed ‘I don’t know how to use them’ Lola nodded ‘I can offer you counselling sessions with a mind healer for your trauma and mentors for your powers’ My throat bobbed ‘Will you have to tell the High Lord?’ Lola frowned ‘He doesn’t get to interfere in the business of the Order’ I raised an eyebrow. Nancy explained ‘The priestesses are from the Order of the Mother’

Lola took us to a secret door at the bottom of the mountain underneath the House of Wind. She pressed a stone, and a door opened. We followed her up a winding corridor.

Lola took us over to a smiling chocolate skinned priestess. She asked ‘Bridget, could you please read Nesta? She needs mentors for her magic’ The priestess Bridget held my hands and stared at me. Her eyes widened. She said reverently ‘Nesta has the powers of the Cauldron, life and death. She has Starfire at her command; she can also be trained as a healer’ My heart leaped. A healer. I smiled at her. A spark of hope had ignited in my chest. The other priestesses came over to discuss who would mentor me. A few were assigned.

Lola asked gently, ‘Have you learnt other fae magic?’ I shook my head. They put me in a basic fae magic class too.

I made an appointment with a mind healer, and I was given permission to use the bottom entry of the library whenever I wanted.

Months passed. I was down to once-a-week sessions with my mind healer. I had quit the alcohol, and my magic was being trained by multiple mentors. I had decided I wanted to become a healer. Lola had written to Thesan about my enrolment in a healing program. I was stunned to be told that I had been accepted.

I packed up my apartment and put everything in my pocket dimension. I returned the keys to the apartment manager. I was planning on winnowing over to the Dawn Court with Lola, I just had one thing I needed to do first.

My stomach twisted with nerves as I approached the mansion on the Sidra. River House they had called it. It was large and intimidating.

I knocked on the front door. One of the shadow wraiths opened it looking surprised to see me. She ushered me in and took my coat. I heard voices coming from the sitting room. I took a breath and moved in that direction.

The voices hushed when I stood in the doorway. Feyre gasped and jumped up ‘Nesta, it’s been a while’ I nodded. Feyre said sounding surprised ‘You look well’ I smiled ‘Yes, I feel well too’ She studied me. Elain squeezed my hand. She said kindly ‘It’s good to see you Nessie’ I said ‘You too’

Rhys purred ‘We weren’t expecting you Nesta’ I nodded ‘I am not staying. I just came to say goodbye. I was accepted into a healing program. I am leaving today. My classes start tomorrow’ There was silence. Elain gushed ‘That is wonderful. You will be a brilliant healer’

Mor sneered, a glass of red wine in her hands. Cassian looked stunned.

Feyre frowned ‘I didn’t know you wanted to be a healer’ I admitted ‘I have always been interested. You remember I used to work in the Apothecary?’ Feyre looked down. Clearly she hadn’t told anyone I did that. I went on ‘And I helped the wounded in the war. I have been studying healing for months now. I am well suited to the profession’

Azriel asked ‘Which healing program have you been accepted into?’ I smiled ‘Healing and Potions under the mentor Danika at the College of Healing Arts in the Dawn Court’ Azriel smiled ‘That is prestigious. Congratulations Nesta’ I smiled at him.

Feyre frowned ‘Is it live in?’ I nodded ‘Yes, I will have a suite in Plumpton Hall which is on the campus. The other students will live there too’

Feyre left the room and returned a few minutes later. She held out a slip of paper to me. I stared at it in disbelief. She explained ‘We opened a bank account for you. That is your inheritance and your money from the war’

I was stunned. They had kept this from me. I frowned at Feyre. She sighed ‘I know, we kept it from you. You weren’t in a good place. Honestly, I was worried what you would do with it’ I put the paper in my pocket dimension and said stiffly ‘Thank you for handing that over. Getting into the program is the same as a full scholarship but I am sure things will come up that I will need money for’

Feyre asked, ‘Have you stopped drinking?’ I nodded ‘Yes. Once I had dealt with my trauma and worked out how to use my powers, the alcohol was no longer necessary’

Amren looked annoyed ‘Who has been training you’ I stared her down ‘I have many mentors as I have many different ways to use my powers. The priestess Lola has been my healing mentor’

Amren sat back and said accusingly ‘You got the Order of the Mother involved?’ I nodded ‘One of my neighbours convinced me to’

Elain frowned ‘The Order of the Mother?’ I smiled ‘In the House of Wind there is a library. If you need a mind healer or mentors for your powers, I suggest you go there’ Elain smiled ‘I think I will’ I squeezed her hand ‘You should. I am much happier now’

I said ‘Well I had better get going. Lola will be waiting for me’ Rhys said ‘Azriel could you go with Nesta and Lola? Just make sure it’s a safe space for Nesta’ Azriel nodded and joined Nesta.

Feyre and Elain walked us to the door. Rhysand was watching from further back. He looked tense.

Feyre pleaded ‘Please write and tell us how you are’ Elain suggested ‘I would like to visit’ I smiled ‘I am not sure when I will have time, but once I have gotten used to the routine, I will let you know when it’s a good time to visit’

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CHAPTER 3: ESCAPED

Rhys paced the sitting room with a whiskey in his hand. Nesta had escaped him. Amren watched him knowingly. They had planned to wait until Nesta was at her worst and intervene. Force Nesta to train as a soldier with Cassian. She had slipped out of their control. Rhys was fuming.

Feyre bounced in grinning ‘I am so glad Nesta is finally making something of herself’ Elain smiled beside her ‘Yes she used to love working at the Apothecary’ Feyre blushed and looked away again.

Cassian asked quietly ‘When did she work at an Apothecary?’ Elain said quickly ‘When we were in that cabin. She worked there for five years. She sometimes got me work scouring the woods for herbs she needed’ Cassian’s eyes flashed to Feyre in disbelief ‘You said she did nothing in that cabin’ Elain looked stunned ‘What? Nesta worked all day every day and then she came home and did cooking and cleaning’ They all stared at Feyre. Feyre sighed ‘I was out all day too. It seemed like she just sat around’ Elain stared at her ‘You know she didn’t Feyre. Why have you been telling lies?’

Rhysand roared ‘That’s enough’ in his High Lord voice. Elain looked furious. She said tearily ‘And me? Did I just sit around too?’ Feyre grit her teeth.

Elain said tearily ‘In case Feyre hasn’t bothered to mention it, I used to work at the Bakery. I also made soap that we sold at the market every Saturday’ She stomped off and headed out to the garden wiping tears from her cheeks.

Cassian clenched his fists angrily. He turned to Rhys ‘Why did we let Nesta leave?’ Rhys sighed ‘We couldn’t stop her. She got into a healing course. She will be back’

Mor drawled ‘I am surprised Nesta would choose healing. Its selfless’ Cassian glared at her ‘And what, Nesta is selfish?’ Mor shrugged ‘I always thought so’

Cassian said furiously ‘When was that Mor? When she went to the wall when Tamlin kidnapped Feyre? When she risked her life and hosted the Queens? When she stayed by Elain’s side when she was catatonic after being made fae? When she spoke about what happened to her at the Summit and convinced the High Lords to band together in the war?’

Mor looked uncomfortable. Cassian exploded ‘We have treated Nesta unfairly. We were told she did nothing in that cabin and we believed it even though her actions have shown us that doing nothing isn’t in her nature’

Feyre said tearily ‘I am sorry’ Cassian scowled at her ‘Feyre, why did you want us to hate her?’ Feyre sobbed ‘Because I hate her’ Cassian stared ‘She’s your sister’ Feyre pleaded ‘She wasn’t a good sister’

Rhys drawled ‘Come on Cass. You know how difficult Nesta can be. She did spend months drunk and sleeping around’ Cassian growled ‘She was traumatised! We should have got her a mind healer. We should have got her mentors for her powers! We let her down!’

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CHAPTER 4: COLLEGE OF HEALING ARTS

Nesta, Lola and Azriel were given a tour of the College of Healing Arts campus. Nesta grinned eagerly. Her suite was larger than she expected. She had her own bedroom, bathroom, loungeroom, workroom and office. She was given many white healers robes, and her first-year textbooks were waiting for her on her desk.

Lola looked around the suite happily, ‘This is a good set up’ Nesta grinned ‘I like it. I think it will work’ Azriel was looking out the window silently. He had clearly been checking the security during their tour.

Lola hugged Nesta ‘Please write to me when you settle in. I want to hear all about it. Make sure you speak up if you need anything. The dorm mother Phillis is here to help you with whatever you need. If you don’t understand something, you can always ask your professors to explain it again. They all have office hours. Don’t be afraid to use them’ Nesta smiled ‘I will. Thank you so much for everything’ Lola hugged her tightly. She said tearily ‘Nesta you have so much potential. You can do anything you set your mind to. Don’t let others dictate what your life will be. You decide for you. You can be anywhere you want. Be anything you want’

Azriel turned and smiled at Nesta. He said ‘I am sure you will be brilliant Nesta. I agree with Lola, you can be anything. Don’t let anything hold you back’

Nesta frowned ‘You mean Rhys and Feyre?’ Azriel nodded ‘Do what’s best for you Nesta, even if it's in another Court’ Nesta smiled at him tearily. She gave him a hug and stepped back.

They were swept away in Azriel’s shadows. Nesta got to work putting her things away. She put some books on the bookshelf. Her red cozy blanket on her bed. She hung up all her clothes in a wardrobe.

A knock sounded at the door. Nesta opened it and smiled. The dorm mother Phillis bounced in ‘Good good, putting your things away I see’ She handed Nesta her timetable ‘You should read the first chapters of the books on your desk to prepare for your classes’ Nesta nodded looking eagerly at the books on her desk.

Phillis asked, ‘Are you ready to go down to the dining hall for dinner?’ Nesta smiled and grabbed a purple cardigan.

Phillis prattled on about laundry and biscuits. Nesta nodded as she passed other students who were settling in for the term ahead.

They entered a large dining hall. Nesta lined up behind Phillis and served herself some curry, rice and salad. Phillis said ‘Breakfast is available from 6 until 8am, lunch from 11-2pm and dinner from 6-8pm. If you want something outside of those times, you will have to make it yourself’

Phillis walked over to some students who looked a little lost. She said proudly ‘Nesta, these are the other first year students. I will leave you to get acquainted’ Nesta thanked her and joined her peers.

They stared at her. One redhaired girl said sounding stunned ‘You are the Kingslayer!’ Nesta sighed ‘Yes, but I prefer Nesta’ The girl smiled ‘I am Natalie’ Nesta smiled at her. She said ‘This is exciting’ Natalie grinned and said enthusiastically ‘Yes, I have always wanted to be a healer. My mother and my grandmother were healers’

A guy asked, ‘Do you actually live in the Night Court?’ Nesta nodded ‘Well I did. I guess I live here for now’ He smiled ‘I am Jensen’ Nesta asked ‘What Court are you from?’ It turned out that the students were from all over Prythian. Nesta was the only one from the Night Court.

They chatted about their upcoming classes. Nesta was keen to return to her room to read the first few chapters of all her textbooks. She confessed this to Natalie. Natalie smiled ‘Good idea’ She stood up and they left together. Natalies room was down the end of the hall from Nesta’s.

Nesta made herself a cup of tea and started reading her textbooks. She was fascinated. Much of what she read, she had known but it hadn’t been explained so clearly to her.

At midnight, she decided that she had better get to sleep. It felt odd to be in a new place, but it also felt like this was where she was meant to be.

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CHAPTER 5: HEALING AND POTIONS

Nesta eagerly got ready for her day the next morning. Natalie bounced in excitedly and they headed to breakfast together. The other first years quickly joined them.

The first class was with the infamous Danika. They discussed the differences in healing bones, skin, veins, and muscles. Danika told them what to expect. Nesta wasn’t surprised to hear that they would be shadowing healers doing practical study for two afternoons a week.

The second class was potions. Nesta loved potions. She grinned excitedly as she put up her hand and asked question after question. The professor Lial took a liking to Nesta straight away. He gave her some more related books to read, and she often discussed them with him over lunch.

Nesta and Natalie signed up for ballroom dancing classes every Saturday morning. Nesta adored them. She was learning all the different Courts traditional dances.

Nesta wrote letters to the healer Lola, her neighbour Nancy and her friend Gwyn from the library. She didn’t have much to say to Feyre and Elain. She felt like they had let her down.

Natalie was appalled when Nesta finally confessed how she had been treated in the Night Court. Natalie had told her that she grew up in the Autumn Court and even Autumn treated people with more respect.

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CHAPTER 6: FAMILY DAY

On family day, Nesta wasn’t expecting anyone to come for her. She was brought to tears when Lola arrived excitedly and hugged her tightly. Nesta and Lola chatted for hours.

When Lola left, Natalie knocked on her suite door. Nesta said brightly ‘Come in’ and Natalie bounced in ‘Nesta, I want you to meet my father’ Nesta smiled and looked up from her book. Her jaw dropped. She looked at Natalie wide eyed ‘Your father?’

Eris Vanserra smirked at her ‘Nesta Archeron. I was not expecting you to be my daughter’s best friend’ Natalies face fell. Nesta smiled ‘I didn’t know you were a father’ Eris said ‘Ahhh yes, it’s not common knowledge. My family aren’t aware’ Nesta nodded ‘Don’t worry. I would never say anything’ Eris smiled and sat on her couch.

Natalie looked from Nesta to her father, ‘So you know each other?’ Eris explained ‘Nesta gave a brilliant speech at a High Lords summit. She even got Beron to listen’ Nesta blushed.

Eris’ eyes twinkled, ‘So a healer?’ Nesta smiled ‘Yes, I am loving being here’ Natalie agreed ‘I am too’ Eris said to Natalie ‘Your mother was a wonderful healer. I am sure you will be too’ Natalie beamed at him.

She boasted ‘Nesta is the top of our class in potions. She has even adapted a few. The other day Thesan sent her a note about one she had made better’ Eris smiled ‘What was it for?’ Nesta said ‘Nerve pain. I just changed a few ingredients to make it much more potent. Apparently, my changes are being added to the textbooks’ Eris smiled ‘That is amazing Nesta’

He looked at Nesta contemplatively ‘I am surprised the Night Court let you go’ Nesta confessed ‘I trained with a healing mentor in secret. I didn’t tell them I was leaving until I was about to leave. I didn’t give them a choice’ He smiled ‘Smart’ Nesta nodded. She confessed ‘I like the Dawn Court much better anyway. Maybe I will stay’ Eris smiled ‘They will hate that’ Nesta shrugged ‘I will do what is best for me, I am sick of being used’ Eris said sincerely ‘I am glad to hear that’

Eris asked carefully ‘What do you know about the human Queen Briallyn?’ Nesta’s back stiffened. She said warily, ‘I know a bit. My father was a merchant. He once tried to trade in Bharut. Briallyn confiscated his entire shipment and killed three of his men. When the Night Court needed the Book of Breathings; I hosted the human Queens in meetings between them and the Night Court. Briallyn came twice. She hated me because I pointed out how much she was failing her people. She was there when Hybern forced me into the cauldron. Apparently, she went in after me and the cauldron made her fae and immortal, but she looks like a crone’ Natalie gaped at her. Eris nodded not looking surprised.

He sighed ‘Beron has been taking meetings with her. Some of my soldiers have come back from the Continent changed. I don’t know what to do about her’

Nesta suggested ‘Azriel has been watching her. Maybe ask him’ Eris smiled and said, ‘I will’ Nesta smirked ‘Try not to rile him up’ Eris smiled ‘He’s so easy riled’

Natalie said excitedly ‘The Shadowsinger?’ Nesta nodded. Natalie said wide eyed ‘Shadowsingers are made not born. It's interesting that it's not genetic’ Eris’ jaw dropped ‘That is interesting’

Nesta said quietly ‘I heard he spent years locked in a basement. I don’t think the ability to speak to shadows is worth going through that’ Natalie’s jaw dropped ‘That poor guy. That’s horrible’

Nesta asked Eris ‘What did you mean that your soldiers came back changed?’ Eris frowned ‘They look blankly, like their minds have gone elsewhere. They don’t joke or talk amongst themselves anymore. They are just different. They follow direct tasks but don’t think outside of those tasks’

Nesta’s brow crinkled ‘Their minds have been messed with or are being messed with’

Natalie asked ‘Daemati?’ Nesta frowned ‘Or a spell or spelled object’ She gasped and pulled a book off her shelf, flipping through it. She stopped and scanned a page. ‘Have you heard of the Dread Trove?’ Eris went white. Nesta explained ‘One of the objects is a crown that can be used to control people’ Eris scanned the text. He looked worried ‘It is like they are being compelled’

He asked, ‘How can we defend against it?’ Nesta frowned ‘The only one immune would be Azriel because he carries a made weapon’ Eris looked stunned.

Nesta smiled at Eris ‘Do you happen to be carrying a weapon?’ He smiled and pulled out a dagger. Nesta took it and concentrated her power. Her flames ran over it and it turned black. She handed it back to him. He gasped as it lit up with silver flames ‘You made it’ Nesta nodded. She suggested ‘Keep it on you’ He grinned ‘Thankyou’

Natalie pulled a knife out of her boot and handed it to Nesta eagerly. She smiled and did the same thing to Natalies knife. Natalie said eagerly ‘I don’t want to be controlled either’ Eris watched Nesta in awe. He asked incredulously ‘How did you know you could do that?’

Nesta opened her draw and pulled out various weapons. Eris’ jaw dropped. She laughed ‘The first one was an accident; the rest were planned’

Eris burst out ‘You are creating made objects!’ Natalie confided ‘And Nesta made the dorm’ Eris’ eyes locked with hers. She smiled ‘Can we get some tea please?’ A teapot, cups and cookies appeared before them. Eris looked stunned ‘The dorm is sentient?’ Nesta and Natalie nodded.

Natalie confided, ‘The other day it was pouring with rain. Nesta thought it would be a good board game day, so she asked the house for board games. A thousand board games appeared. We ended up declaring a whole dorm board game party’ Eris laughed.

Natalie suggested, ‘Dad you should play chess against Nesta, she’s brilliant’ Eris’ eyes flashed ‘Is that so?’ Natalie nodded ‘She’s the chess champion of this dorm’

Eris grinned ‘I would be honoured to play Nesta’ Nesta smiled ‘I enjoy chess’ Natalie said ‘I do to. Dad taught me’ Eris smiled at his daughter proudly.

Nesta pulled out the chess board and had an intense match against Eris. Natalie eagerly flittered around. Eris looked delighted when Nesta beat him.

Natalie prattled on about their ballroom dancing classes and then about a cute guy in their class. Eris gave Nesta a conspiratorial look. Nesta teased ‘She’s had a crush since they met’ Natalie blushed ‘He’s crush worthy’ Eris asked, ‘What about you Nesta, no crushes?’ Nesta blushed ‘No, I haven’t been distracted by crushes’ Natalie pleaded ‘I can’t help it. He walks into a room I am in, and I melt’

Nesta smirked, ‘At least he’s not a dangerous crush. He seems like a good guy’ Eris asked, ‘What do you mean by dangerous crush?’ Nesta smirked ‘My friend Lana from the Night Court has a crush on Azriel. She is well aware of his profession and is not turned off’ Natalie gasped ‘Why would you crush on a torturer?’ Nesta raised an eyebrow ‘His shadows attract her’ Eris smirked ‘I don’t think Azriel has any trouble finding dates. He’s pretty’ Nesta smiled ‘I guess so’

Eris contemplated her ‘How did the General react to you leaving?’ Nesta shrugged ‘He didn’t say anything at all’ Natalie said ‘Cassian?’ Nesta nodded. She confessed ‘It’s a relief to be away from that one. He’s a bigger stalker than Azriel. Often, he would perch on roofs watching me’ Natalie gasped ‘What a creep’ Nesta nodded.

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CHAPTER 7: SAMHAIN

A few months later, Natalie asked Nesta if she wanted to go home with her for a Samhain festival. Nesta was intrigued to see the Autumn Court, so she went.

Eris came and winnowed them to his private country estate. Nesta was given a lovely guest room. She looked out her window at the beautiful Autumn leaves.

Nesta was stunned to see Eris cooking them dinner that night. Natalie and Nesta helped, and they chatted as they cooked. Nesta watched Eris and Nat interacting. They had a nice repour.

Eris seemed delighted to have Nesta there. They played many games of chess and spoke of many things. Eris was a wealth of knowledge. Natalie too, seemed to know a bit about everything. The smokehounds lay at their feet snoozing.

Nesta reached down and patted Haze who was laying at her feet.

Nesta stood in front of her mirror. For the festival, they wore masks. Nesta wore Autumn red dress that was fitted perfectly, thanks to Eris’ seamstress. Her mask was gold and white with orange and red fire.

Eris stood at the bottom of the stairs and watched both girls come down. He gave them a huge smile. ‘You look lovely ladies’

He winnowed them into the middle of the festival. Natalie quickly found her friends and they stood and chatted, catching up on gossip.

Eris asked Nesta ‘Would you like to dance?’ Nesta smiled and took his offered hand. She quickly copied the other dancers. Eris smiled delightedly and kept up with her. He gazed at her adoringly.

After a few dances they went and had some hot cider. Nesta sipped hers. She explained how she used to be an alcoholic. Eris nodded ‘I have had to ween myself off alcohol before. It's not fun’ Nesta confided ‘I still want to be able to have a glass every now and then. It's about will. Having the will to stop’ she smiled at him ‘We are lucky I wasn’t giving up cake. I don’t think I would have succeeded giving up cake’ Eris laughed ‘Ahh so you have a sweet tooth?’ Nesta nodded.

He took her hand and pulled her over to a booth ‘You have to try a candy apple!’

They got one each and one for Natalie. Natalies eyes lit up when she saw it. She came and got it and then ducked back into her friend group.

Nesta smiled after her. She said, ‘She’s a social butterfly’ Eris nodded fondly ‘Very much like her mother’ Nesta watched him carefully ‘I am sorry you lost her’ Eris nodded and said ‘Amarantha killed her. She didn’t know about my connection to her or Natalie’

Nesta squeezed his hand. She said shakily ‘My best friends family were burned alive and her body never found. I found out not long ago that Feyre gave her name to Rhysand and he brought her to Amarantha to be tortured in Feyre’s place’ Eris gasped. Nesta said ‘Her name was Clair Bedder. Feyre didn’t even have the decency to tell me what she did’

Eris squeezed her hand ‘I am sorry Nesta. What they did to Clair was horrific’ Nesta turned to him ‘Did Rhysand….?’ Eris nodded warily ‘He did some of the torturing. Amarantha ordered him to’ Nesta sighed ‘Then I have to decide how much he was responsible and how much he had to do because he was ordered’ Eris nodded ‘It’s a fine line Nesta. My father often orders horrible things. All I can do is my best’ Nesta nodded. She said ‘Still I wish I could avenge Clair. Amarantha died too quickly’ Eris nodded ‘She really did’

Eris led her through a few more dances. He had her laughing quickly. He watched her reverently. She lit up like a goddess when she danced.

When midnight chimed. The drums started and then the other instruments joined in compelling everyone to dance. Nesta watched Natalie take a males hand and join the circle. She looked up to find Eris gazing at her. She smiled and moved her body up against his. His breath hitched. They moved together staring at each other intensely. Flames burned in his eyes and then in hers. The drums got faster and faster. Nesta felt sudden intense arousal. She smiled, smelling Eris’ arousal. He moved his lips to hers and kissed her passionately. She kissed him back adoringly. All her focus was on his soft lips and her arousal.

Couples were sinking down into the grass together making out, even fucking. Nesta straddled Eris and moved her body against his. He gasped and kissed her neck gently. She undid her dress, and he pulled it down, sucking her nipple. He covered her in kisses. She smiled seeing Natalie bouncing up and down on the guy she was with.

Eris lay her down and moved his head under her dress. She felt his warm tongue licking her slit. She opened her legs wider and he dove in. She panted. He pushed a finger into her and then a second one. She came loudly clenching on his fingers. He kissed his way up her body. She kissed him passionately tasting herself on his lips. She felt his hard cock against her. She rubbed up against it. She grinned and lay him down. She undid his pants and his massive cock sprung out at attention. She looked him in the eye and licked him from balls to tip. He watched her reverently as she sucked his cock expertly.

He gasped as she sped up. He spilled down her throat with a moan. She licked it off reverently. He watched her adoringly as she kissed her way up his body. He turned them over and gazed down at her. She grinned ‘Fuck me Eris’ The fire shone in his eyes and then hers matched.

He ran his cock through her folds and then inched it in. When he bottomed out, he kissed her adoringly ‘Can I move?’ She nodded and he pulled almost all the way out before slamming back in. She panted and moved with him. They fucked and fucked. Nesta occasionally looked over at Natalie. She was happily fucking her friend. Nesta couldn’t get enough of Eris. She wanted him again and again.

She was about to cum apart on top of him. She said, ‘Bite me’ He growled and bit her neck. She came in a huge wave, her cunt fluttering around his cock. His tongue moved over the bite and then he kissed her lovingly.

It was almost morning when they got dressed, ready to return home. Natalie grinned at them drunkenly. She purred ‘Well I had a good night’ Nesta laughed ‘I did too’ Natalie giggled. She smirked ‘I knew you two were crushing on each other’ Nesta grinned at Eris. He smiled ‘I am not surprised, you are my daughter after all’ Natalie kissed his cheek ‘For what it’s worth, I approve’ Nesta blushed. Eris smiled ‘I am glad to hear that’ He pulled Nesta into a kiss. He whispered in her ear ‘You drive me to such distraction Nesta Archeron’ She smiled and kissed him again. He picked her up and carried her to his bedroom. They stripped off and got into his bed. He held her tightly and covered her in kisses. She kissed him adoringly. He pushed his cock into her and slowly fucked her watching her face. They came together.

She fell asleep in his arms. He looked at her tearily, not quite believing that she felt the same way for him as he did for her.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 8: COURTING

Nesta woke up in Eris’ bed. She watched him sleep mesmerized. He was almost ethereal. He was the most beautiful fae she had ever seen. If Autumn was a person, that person was Eris Vanserra.

He opened his eyes and smiled at her ‘Good morning my Queen’ She smiled and kissed him again. His heart leaped. He kissed her back reverently.

She moved her body against his. His cock was hard and ready. She positioned it at her entrance and pushed it in. He watched her as she took every inch of his cock. He laid her on her back and then fucked her hard. She smiled and whispered ‘I won’t break Eris’ He groaned and flipped her onto her hands and knees. He then fucked her harder. She moved with him. He pulled her up against him and watched her breasts giggle as he fucked her. She panted as he rubbed her clit. She came hard on his cock and then he followed. He covered her with kisses. She kissed him back lovingly. He stared down at her.

He asked, ‘How would you feel about Courting me?’ She grinned ‘So we go on dates?’ He nodded. She smiled ‘I would love that’ He kissed her adoringly.

Nesta and Eris went down to breakfast hand in hand. Natalie wandered out of her bedroom half asleep and muttered ‘Coffee’ Eris handed her one he had ready. He patted her bed hair. She smirked ‘We can’t all look perfect in the morning’

Nesta grinned at them. Eris did indeed look almost perfect. Unruffled, always a prince.

He whipped up pancakes and they all dug in happily.

Nesta asked ‘Who was the guy you were with last night?’ Natalie said eagerly ‘Bastian. I have told you about him’ Nesta nodded ‘I didn’t realise that was him’ Eris teased ‘Natalie and Basian have been having an on again off again love affair since they were five’ Natalie groaned ‘Here we go’

Eris set the scene ‘It was Summer Solstice; their eyes met from different sides of the sand box. Bastian dropped his icecream cone, so Natalie valiantly shared hers’

Nesta grinned ‘I like it. He tells it much better than you. Very dramatic’

Natalie gasped ‘He didn’t even get the details right! It was Summer Solstice, and it was hotter than usual. I was in the sandpit making sandcastles because I thought it was the thing to do on Summer Solstice. I saw a blonde boy wearing my favourite colour, which was purple at the time. It was his purple tunic that made me instantly want him for a friend. I saw that his castle needed water for the mote, so I filled up my bucket and brought him some. He didn’t trust me at first, but I wore him down. An icecream seller came over and dad bought me an icecream. His mum bought him one. He was distracted by my suggestion to add a baddie lair to the castle and his icecream fell off the cone. I saw him get upset so I offered to share mine’

Nesta grinned ‘A story for your wedding!’ Natalie laughed ‘Yes, I will call it My icecream lover’ Nesta and Eris roared with laughter.

Eris said, ‘Speaking of that’ and pulled out contraceptive tea. He made them all one. Nesta grimaced ‘You should add some blackcurrant leaves; they balance out the taste. Less bitter’ Eris smiled ‘Right, you are a potions wiz’ Nesta smiled ‘Yes, I love making potions and adapting them to make them better’

Eris asked, ‘Can you tell what was in the tea?’ Nesta nodded and listed every ingredient. Eris’ jaw dropped. He said, ‘That is impressive’ Nesta smiled and sipped her tea. Natalie explained ‘It’s like she has a secret understanding of potions and everything in them. She’s intuitive’ Nesta said ‘They make sense to me’

Nesta was sad when it was time to return to school. Eris handed her a diary. He had one the same. If she wrote in hers it would appear in his and vice versa. Nesta kissed him adoringly and Eris winnowed them back to school.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 9: DAWN

Nesta was doing her assigned reading and also doing a healthy amount of daydreaming. She was courting Eris Vanserra. She smiled to herself. She was almost perfectly happy. She had a gorgeous boyfriend (Not that that human term really applied to someone his age) she loved her training in healing and potions. She loved the Dawn Court and her friends and her ballroom dancing classes. She was doing well for the first time ever.

She was surprised to see Lucien Vanserra when she was shadowing her mentor during her rounds. He had a broken jaw.

He looked surprised to see Nesta. Nesta said concerned ‘Lucien, who punched you?’ Her mentor said ‘Now Nesta, that isn’t our business’ Nesta frowned ‘I wouldn’t have asked a stranger, but this is my sister’s mate’ Her mentor nodded, and they looked at Lucien. He huffed ‘Azriel’ Nesta frowned ‘Is he here?’ Lucien nodded. Nesta asked ‘Why?’ Lucien shrugged. Her mentor had her heal Lucien’s jaw. A couple of minutes later he sighed in relief.

His golden eye clicked as it narrowed in on her ‘I heard you were doing this. You look well’ Nesta smiled ‘Yes, I love being a healer and the Dawn Court. To be honest, I don’t particularly want to return to Night’ Lucien smiled ‘I don’t blame you’ He frowned ‘You know you don’t have to? Any Court would be proud to have you. Just ask for sanctuary’ Nesta smiled at him.

Natalie bounced in excitedly. She stopped and looked at Lucien. Nesta explained ‘The Shadowsinger punched him’ Natalie gasped ‘Is he here?’ Nesta said ‘Apparently’ Natalie frowned ‘Nesta close your eyes and feel the room’ Nesta did and gasped. They stared at Lucien. He said uncomfortably ‘What?’ Natalie said reverently ‘You have a calming aura. It's beautiful. You are full of light’

Nesta asked ‘Why did he punch you?’ Lucien sighed looking defeated ‘He has set his sights on Elain’ Nesta nodded ‘Is Elain still ignoring you?’ Lucien said sounded exasperated ‘That’s the thing, she isn’t. We have been Courting. Azriel hasn’t taken it well’

He looked at Nesta ‘Cassian has been living in Illyria, he was furious about Feyre’s lies and the treatment you have received from the Inner Circle’ Nesta said ‘Good, I’m glad his eyes have been opened’ Natalie asked, ‘Your stalker?’ Nesta nodded.

Lucien said proudly, ‘Elain has been accepted into a botany degree in the Day Court’ Nesta gasped ‘That is amazing’ Lucien nodded ‘Feyre cracked it and is sooking about being abandoned’ Nesta rolled her eyes ‘It's always all about Feyre. Good on Elain for taking something for herself’ Nesta studied him ‘Will you continue to be the Night Courts emissary?’ Lucien shrugged ‘I am considering leaving’ Nesta nodded ‘I don’t blame you’

A few more patients were brought in and Nesta and Natalie healed them under the guidance of their mentor. Lucien watched closely. He said ‘I can heal, but I have never trained in it’

Natalies eyebrows rose ‘You can heal?’ Lucien shrugged ‘I have always been able to’ Natalie frowned ‘Aren’t you a Vanserra?’ Lucien said ‘I am the youngest son, Lucien’ Natalie bit her lip ‘They have fire’ Lucien said ‘I have fire too’

Nesta put a hand on her shoulder, silently hoping she didn’t push it. Lucien frowned between them. He whispered, ‘What is it?’ Natalie explained ‘I think you must be a product of an Autumn Court and Day Court pairing’ Lucien sat back frowning. He said ‘Not that I have been told but that is the kind of thing that would be kept secret’ Natalie nodded sadly. He studied her ‘You are Autumn Court?’ Natalie said proudly ‘I am, but my mother was a healer from the Day Court’

Lucien stood up ‘Thank you for healing me’ Nesta nodded. She said, ‘Take care of yourself Lucien’ He nodded ‘You as well’

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 10: ELAIN

Nesta was pleased to receive a letter from Elain. She arranged to meet her for tea the next Sunday.

On the day, Nesta put on a red dress in the Dawn Court style. She put her hair in its usual coronet and added ruby earrings.

She walked to the teashop with her friend Jensen. He had to go to the tailors which was right next to the tea shop. They chatted about their last class about pressure points.

Elain was sitting in the window of the teashop. She smiled and waved at Nesta. Jensen gasped ‘Who is that?’ Nesta sighed ‘My sister Elain. She has a mate’ He sighed ‘That’s just my luck’ Nesta laughed and headed into the shop.

Elain stood up and hugged her tightly. She said ‘Nesta you look beautiful’ Nesta smiled ‘Thankyou’ She studied Elain. She looked gaunt. A waitress came and took their orders.

Nesta admitted ‘A saw Lucien a couple of weeks ago’ Elain nodded ‘Yes he said you healed him’ Nesta nodded ‘He said Azriel punched him’ Elain sighed ‘Azriel has been a problem’ Nesta asked ‘So you are Courting Lucien?’ Elain grinned ‘I am. I feel terrible for keeping him at a distance for so long’ Nesta smiled ‘Lucien is a good male’ Elain grinned ‘He really is’

Nesta said eagerly ‘So tell me about your botany course’ Elain smiled ‘It starts in two weeks. Its live in like yours. I am moving to the Day Court’ Nesta smiled ‘I think its amazing Elain’ Elain smiled tearily ‘Feyre has been trying to convince me not to go’ Nesta huffed ‘She’s so selfish’ Elain nodded and sipped her tea.

Nesta said quietly ‘Has Feyre told you what she did to Clair Bedder?’ Elain’s eyes flashed ‘What?’ Nesta said bitterly ‘I found out why Clair’s body wasn’t recovered with her families. Feyre gave Rhysand her name. Rhysand took Clair to Amarantha to be tortured in Feyre’s place’ Elain gasped, and a tear ran down her cheek. Nesta said bitterly ‘Feyre never even told me. Clair was my best friend and because of Feyre and Rhysand, she was tortured horribly’

Elain asked, ‘Did Rhysand…?’ Nesta said bitterly ‘Yes, Amarantha ordered him to do some of the torturing’ Elain looked sick ‘And I have been living in their house’ Nesta said reassuringly ‘You are leaving in two weeks’ Elain wiped a tear away.

She asked coyly ‘Who was that guy you were with?’ Nesta smirked ‘Just a friend and fellow healer in training’ Elain studied her ‘Are you seeing someone?’ Nesta blushed ‘I am’ Elain grinned ‘That’s wonderful Nesta’ Nesta nodded. She confessed ‘I am almost perfectly happy. I feel like I have found my place in the world’

Elain said tearily ‘I want that’ Nesta squeezed her hand ‘The Day Court will be your fresh start’ She smiled at Elain ‘Lucien would follow you anywhere’ Elain grinned ‘Yes, he will like the Day Court’

Elain said bitterly ‘Feyre told everyone that we did nothing in that cabin. I told them the truth. Mor, Amren and Rhys didn’t even care about her lies. Only Azriel and Cassian were furious’

Elain leaned in ‘I overheard Rhys and Amren talking. They were planning on waiting until you were at your lowest and then intervening and forcing you to train as a soldier and live with Cassian in the House of Wind. Rhys is furious that you escaped him’

Nesta gasped. Her heart was thumping, and her face had drained of colour. She said ‘They didn’t give me my inheritance or money from the war until I left. They wanted me reliant on them. They didn’t get me a mind healer on purpose!’

Elain squeezed her hand ‘They were trying to manipulate and control you’ Nesta shuddered ‘Well now I won’t even be visiting the Night Court’ Elain nodded tearily.

Nesta handed Elain a small dagger. Elain looked at it wide eyed. Nesta whispered ‘Keep it on you. Briallyn cannot control people who have made weapons on them’ Elain’s eyes widened. She took the dagger and put it in a pocket in her dress ‘I overhead them talking about her and her crown’ Nesta gasped ‘So I am right? She is wearing the crown from the Dread Trove and using it to control people?’ Elain nodded.

She whispered ‘They were talking about getting you or me to scry for the other two items, a mask that can control the dead and a harp that can open any door’ Nesta’s eyes flashed ‘I haven’t forgotten what happened the last time I scried’ Elain nodded ‘Its dangerous’ Nesta sat back ‘The Night Court cannot be trusted with either of those items’ Elain nodded solemnly.

Nesta smiled at Elain ‘Would you like to see where I live?’ Elain grinned and stood up. Nesta pointed out many places she frequented as they walked back to the College of Healing Arts campus.

Nesta asked ‘How did you get here?’ Elain smiled ‘Lucien brought me. I just have to send him a note when I am ready to leave’ Nesta asked ‘Can you winnow?’ Elain nodded ‘The priestesses taught me. This is further than I have practiced. I went and signed up for a mind healer and mentors after you told me that is what you did. It was them that organised my botany degree’ Nesta smiled ‘Did you meet Gwyn?’ Elain grinned ‘Yes, she said she was your friend’

Nesta led them through the campus and then into her suite. Elain was fascinated with Nesta’s work room. Nesta explained what she was making, and Elain was fascinated with all the different ingredients.

A knock sounded on Nesta’s suite door. Nesta opened it and Natalie bounced in. Nesta said ‘This is my best friend, Natalie. Natalie this is my sister Elain’ Natalie smiled ‘It’s nice to meet you’ Elain smiled ‘And you’

They sat on the couch together. Nesta asked Natalie ‘What do you know about scrying?’ Natalie frowned ‘Its very dangerous. Your mind and body separate. Sometimes people get lost. It is recommended that you have an anchor when you scry. Someone who can pull you back’ Nesta nodded thoughtfully. Natalie looked concerned ‘Why are you considering scrying?’ Nesta said bluntly ‘The Dread Trove’ Natalie nodded ‘I take it you want to get them before the Night Court’ Elain looked stunned. Nesta smiled at her ‘Natalie is very smart’ Elain confessed ‘They want Nesta or me to scry for them’ Natalie paced and turned to Elain ‘Nesta said you are a seer. It’s very dangerous for a seer to scry’ Nesta nodded ‘It has to be me then’

Natalie bit her lip ‘Dad will want to be here if you are doing something dangerous’ Nesta nodded. She pulled a diary out of her pocket dimension and wrote a quick note. A message appeared underneath.

Nesta looked at Elain ‘So, you know how I told you I was seeing someone?’ Elain nodded. ‘That someone is Natalie’s father’ Elain blushed. Natalie grinned ‘They are so in love. Its adorable’

Nesta pleaded ‘It’s a secret Elain. Please don’t tell anyone. Not even Lucien’ Elain’s eyes widened. Natalie confided ‘I am the secret. My father’s family are a problem’ Elain nodded ‘I won’t say anything’

Half an hour later, a knock sounded at Nesta’s door. She opened it and pulled Eris into the room. She kissed him passionately. He looked over her shoulder wide eyed. ‘Ahh Lady Elain’ Elain smiled. He pulled Natalie into a hug.

Nesta said ‘Elain won’t say anything. She is about to escape the Night Court’ Eris smiled ‘Where are you going?’ Elain said brightly ‘Day. I am starting a botany degree’ Eris smiled ‘Is my brother going too?’ Elain blushed ‘Yes, he is. The Night Court don’t know yet’

Nesta explained ‘The Night Court are looking for the Dread Trove. They want to force Elain or me to scry’ Eris looked worried ‘That is dangerous’ Natalie added ‘Very dangerous, especially for a seer’ Eris looked at Elain and nodded. He squeezed Nesta’s hand ‘So you plan to do it and get the trove before they do’ Nesta grinned ‘You know me so well’ Eris kissed her lovingly.

Elain pulled some stones and bones from her pocket. Nesta smiled ‘You came prepared’ Elain blushed ‘I am a seer’

Nesta put a map of Prythian on the coffee table. Nesta put some music on. She closed her eyes and thought of the mask. Her mind went to the middle, into a body of water. The mask was on a skeleton. A kelpie was guarding it. She let the bones and stones go. The mask was calling to her. She flicked her wrist and summoned it. Suddenly she felt its weight in her hands. She heard Eris’ voice ‘Come back to me Nesta’ His warmth enveloped her, and her mind returned to her body. She looked down at the mask stunned ‘I summoned it!’ Eris grinned ‘That is incredible’ Natalie said sounding scared ‘It has an ominous energy’ They all stared at the mask.

Elain shared, ‘Only a made person could ever remove it’ Nesta looked at it nervously ‘It is talking to me’ Elain nodded ‘I can hear it too’

Eris’ arms wrapped around Nesta. She cuddled him and breathed him in. His cinnamon and woodsmoke scent was soothing.

Elain asked, ‘Are you up for another one?’ Nesta nodded and turned back to the map. She gathered up the bones and stones and then let her mind search for the harp. She found it in the prison. She let the bones and stones go. Again, she summoned the object. A harp dropped into her hands. Eris’ warmth washed over her. He said, ‘Come back to me Nesta’ She returned to her body. They all stared at the harp.

Natalie looked at the map ‘I can’t believe it was in the prison’ Eris said, ‘That prison is older than Prythian’ Elain said coldly, ‘Rhysand likes to lock powerful people in there’ Nesta’s eyes flashed ‘What do you mean?’ Elain explained ‘The god Lanthys is locked in there. He didn’t do anything wrong’ Eris looked stunned ‘Why did Rhysand lock him away then?’ Elain gulped ‘He’s too powerful’ Eris and Nesta looked at each other.

Natalie said indignantly, ‘He’s abusing his position as the warden of the prison’ Elain nodded solemnly.

Eris smirked ‘All we have to do is tell Lanthys followers where he is. They will kick and scream until he is released’ Elain grinned ‘Good idea. That will also make the other High Lords look into what Rhysand has been doing in the prison’

Nesta squeezed Eris’ hand ‘Should I try for the crown?’ They all looked at each other. Natalie said worriedly ‘Briallyn might see you’ Nesta nodded ‘That only matters if it doesn’t work’

Elain said confidently, ‘It will work’ Nesta grinned and picked up the bones and stones again. Eris folded out the map ‘Its likely to be on the Continent’

Nesta reached her mind out for the crown. She saw Briallyn in a vast throne room. She dropped the bones and then flicked her wrist. She saw Briallyn’s eyes widen as her crown disappeared. Nesta felt its weight in her hands. Eris’ warmth enveloped her. He said, ‘Come back to me Nesta’ She focused on his voice and returned to her body. He put a blanket over her shoulders and hugged her tightly. She grinned at the crown ‘I took it right off her head’ They roared with laughter.

Eris smiled ‘Briallyn just got a whole lot less threatening’ Nesta nodded ‘I wonder if your soldiers are better now?’ Eris nodded. Nesta said ‘If they aren’t, I could put the crown on and try to break their compulsion’ Eris kissed the top of her head ‘Only as a last resort’

Natalie asked, ‘What should we do with the trove?’ They all looked at each other. Nesta said ‘The power it is giving off is strong’ Natalie nodded ‘So it should be separated’

Eris suggested ‘Maybe we should get Thesan to ward one, Helion to ward another….’ Nesta nodded ‘We should keep the crown; we might need it to help your soldiers’ Eris let out a breath. He said, ‘I could ward it on my estate’ Nesta nodded.

Elain suggested ‘Lucien is coming to get me. We could take one to Helion?’ Eris nodded ‘That’s a good idea’ Nesta asked ‘Are you confident of your warding ability?’ Eris smiled ‘Yes I am’ Elain suggested ‘Lucien could always help. He is a spell cleaver’ Silence followed that statement.

Natalie said pointedly ‘I met uncle Lucien the other day. He has a lovely calming aura’ Eris swallowed ‘Ahh you noticed that’

Eris turned to Elain ‘Can you ask Lucien to come?’ She nodded and wrote a quick note that disappeared in front of her. A few minutes later, Lucien knocked on Nesta’s suite door. His eyes widened when he saw Eris. They then fixed on the trove. He gasped and shut the door behind him quickly.

Nesta explained ‘So, I scried and summoned all the trove items’ Lucien laughed still looking stunned. Nesta said ‘We were hoping you and Elain could take one of them to Helion to ward on your way home’ Lucien nodded seriously ‘Good idea, they should be separated’

He looked at them all ‘I take it you did this so the Night Court wouldn’t get their hands on them?’ Nesta nodded. Lucien let out a breath. He looked at Eris ‘And how are you involved?’ Eris put an arm around Nesta. Lucien grinned and said, ‘I see’ He looked at Natalie and raised an eyebrow. Eris let out a breath ‘Natalie this is your uncle Lucien, Lucien my daughter Natalie’ Lucien’s jaw dropped. He grinned ‘I thought you seemed familiar’ Natalie laughed ‘It’s nice to meet you officially uncle Lucien’

Lucien gave Eris a look ‘Of course you have a secret daughter’ Eris said sadly ‘I couldn’t risk Beron finding out’ Lucien nodded sadly at him.

He asked, ‘So one to Day, what of the others?’ Nesta said ‘One to Thesan, the other Eris will ward’ Lucien let out a breath. He looked at Eris ‘I can help ward it if you want?’ Eris nodded gratefully.

Eris and Lucien disappeared with the crown and returned twenty minutes later. Eris pulled Nesta into a hug. She said ‘One down’

Elain and Lucien left with the mask and Eris and Nesta headed to the palace with the harp in her pocket dimension.

Thesan and Tomas greeted them cheerfully. Nesta asked ‘Can we speak privately?’ Thesan raised an eyebrow but quickly brought Nesta, Eris and Tomas into his study.

Nesta pulled the harp out of her pocket dimension and put it on his desk. They all stared at it. Thesan looked astonished ‘What is it?’ Nesta took a breath ‘This is the harp from the Dread Trove’ They gasped.

Nesta explained ‘I was hoping you could take it somewhere safe and ward it?’ Tomas asked incredulously ‘How did you get it?’ Nesta sat down looking tired ‘My sister Elain came to visit. She said the Night Court were going to force one of us to scry for the Dread Trove. I couldn’t allow them to get their hands on it, so I scried for it and summoned each item. This is the harp; it can open any lock. A mask that can control the dead is being handed over to Helion to ward as we speak’

Eris said ‘I have warded the crown. The once human Queen Briallyn has been using it to control people. Unfortunately, my father is in league with her. Many of my soldiers came back from the Continent changed. I don’t know if they have snapped out of it yet, if they don’t we might need the crown to help them’

Tomas said ‘You were right to bring this to us and to split up the trove. It has a strong magical signature’ Nesta said ‘Only people that are made can live if they wield the trove. Elain and I can both hear them talking’

Thesan nodded seriously ‘Okay, thank you. I will take care of the harp’

He studied her ‘Have the Night Court been bothering you?’ Nesta said ‘Not really, but they are about to lose Elain too. She has been accepted into a botany degree in the Day Court’ He smiled ‘You are both scholars’ Nesta nodded. She said, ‘They don’t realise that I have no intension of returning to the Night Court’ Tomas smiled ‘Will you choose Dawn?’ Nesta nodded ‘If you will accept me?’ Tomas and Thesan looked at each other. Thesan said, ‘I grant you Dawn Court citizenship Nesta Archeron’ Something moved over Nesta. She grinned and hugged them both.

Thesan said ‘You are an incredible person Nesta. We are proud to call you a citizen of the Dawn Court’

Thesan looked at Eris ‘Please bring your soldiers to the Dawn Court if they are still under the influence of the crown. Our healers might be able to help’ Eris nodded ‘I will. Thankyou’

He looked at the harp ‘I wouldn’t experiment with that if I were you. I have studied the Dread Trove. This harp can open locks but also doorways to other worlds’ Thesan nodded seriously.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 11: VISIT FROM THE STALKER

A week later, Cassian showed up. Phillis stood awkwardly at the door of Nesta’s suite. She knocked and said through the door ‘Nesta there is an Illyrian here to see you’ Nesta opened her door and frowned at Cassian. His huge body was behind Phillis’ petite frame. He seemed too big to be allowed.

She asked, ‘Can I help you General?’ He blanched at being addressed so formally. Cassian muttered ‘Feyre wants you at the house’ Nesta stared him down ‘My little sister does not get to order me around’ Cassian looked furious. He raised his voice ‘Your High Lady has given you an order’ Nesta said smugly ‘You can tell Feyre that I am officially a citizen of the Dawn Court. I won’t be summoned’ Cassian’s jaw dropped ‘You aren’t coming back?’ Nesta said pointedly ‘No, I was miserable in the Night Court. Dawn is my home’ Cassian stared at her disbelievingly ‘They need you’ Nesta shrugged ‘They will have to rely on members of the Night Court instead’ Cassian’s throat bobbed ‘What about us?’ Nesta frowned ‘What us? There is no us?’ Cassian begged ‘You don’t mean that Ness. I let you come here and study. I gave you time and space’ Nesta frowned ‘Let me? I am not yours, nor will I ever be’ Cassian looked furious ‘Nesta, you are my mate’ Nesta stilled ‘What?’ Cassian said slowly, punching out each word ‘You are my mate’

Nesta glared at him ‘You had better hope that isn’t the case because I would reject you in a second. I have no interest in you or the Night Court. I never want to see you again. Leave Cassian!’

A few peers had gathered around and were listening to the conversation looking stunned.

Cassian begged ‘Please Ness, just give me a chance’ Nesta turned her nose up at him and sneered ‘You have had many chances Cassian. I moved on a long time ago. I don’t want you. I have asked you to leave. Do I need to call security?’ He glared and stormed off. Phillis pulled Nesta into a motherly hug.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 12: REJECTION

Elain listened as Cassian raged over Nesta’s rejection of him. Rhysand was furious to hear that Nesta was a Dawn Court citizen. Feyre looked hurt. She said dejectedly ‘Nesta chose another Court’

Elain spoke up ‘I am not surprised. The Dawn Court suites her. She is happier than I have ever seen her’

They all stared at her. Feyre said as if explaining something to a child ‘Elain, she is rejecting our family’ Elain stared her down ‘How many of the paintings on the wall have Nesta in them? You all rejected her first. Perhaps if you had actually treated her as a member of this family, she would have returned’

Amren narrowed her eyes, ‘You will have to scry girl’ Elain glared at her ‘Scrying is dangerous for seers’ Amren said sternly ‘Only someone made could scry to find the Dread Trove. If we can’t use Nesta, we will have to use you’ Elain stared her down ‘You forget Amren, you are made as well. Stop forcing others to do your dirty work. If you want to scry, you scry. I am not stupid enough to do it for you’ Amren looked stunned and a bit afraid.

Rhysand watched them calculatingly. He said ‘Elain, did you know Nesta had changed her allegiance?’ Elain said with dignity ‘I did not, but I am not surprised to hear that she has. As I said, the Dawn Court suites her. She has built herself a nice life there. After everything she has been through, we should all just want her to be happy’

Cassian exploded ‘She is my mate. I want her here!’ Elain glared at him ‘The cauldron assigns mates. Your bond was given to Nesta after she stole from the cauldron. It was a punishment. Nesta would never have been happy with you’ Cassian looked stunned.

He looked at Rhys pleadingly ‘I want her back’ Rhys put his hands in his pockets and frowned. After a minute he sighed ‘Legally calling her back is tricky. She is a citizen of another Court. Dawn Court law states that you cannot claim a mate that doesn’t want to be claimed. We have no legal leg to stand on’

Amren suggested ‘If we got her back on Night Court soil…’ Rhys nodded ‘If we got her back here, she could be claimed’

Elain gasped ‘Forced into a bond and life she doesn’t want? That is despicable!’ Feyre nodded ‘I agree with Elain. I am sorry Cassian. You need to woo her the old-fashioned way. I will not allow my sister to be kidnapped and forced into a mating bond and life she doesn’t want’

Rhys said ‘Feyre Darling..’ Feyre held up her hand ‘I owe Nesta this. She was forced into this life because of me. I am glad she is finally happy and is building a life. I am sorry that you have lost her Cassian. If she ever returns, it needs to be her choice’ Cassian nodded sadly.

Azriel changed the subject ‘Briallyn has been acting strangely. Many of her soldiers have deserted and the other Queens have left. She hasn’t been seen with the crown in a week’

Feyre suggested ‘Maybe someone stole it’ Azriel nodded ‘Without the crown, she’s not much of a threat’

Cassian rubbed his eyes ‘Some good news I guess’

Rhys said calculatingly ‘Thesan went behind my back. Perhaps I should pay him a visit?’ Mor sighed ‘Is it worth it? Nesta asked to be made a citizen of Dawn. She was never a citizen of Night. She never pledged herself to us’ Rhys grit his teeth ‘She would never bow to me. I wonder if she bows to Thesan?’

Amren said bitterly, ‘Leaving a cauldron born in Thesan’s hands isn’t wise’ Elain glared at her ‘Nesta isn’t her powers, she’s a person. She is allowed to choose her own path’

Amren’ eyes flashed ‘And what of you Elain? Where will your path lead?’ Elain said with dignity ‘By Lucien’s side in the Day Court’ They all gaped at her. Feyre gasped ‘So you are leaving too?’ Elain said quickly ‘Um yes, my botany degree remember?’ Feyre pursed her lips ‘And after?’ Elain said ‘I will support my mate’

Feyre scolded, ‘You can’t trust Lucien, he let me waste away in the Spring Court’ Elain glared at her ‘He sat with you, nagged you to eat and sleep, defended you constantly. He gave up his home for you. You have never treated him as a member of this Court’ Feyre said waspishly ‘You treated him worse’ Elain nodded ‘And I am ashamed of that. It wasn’t him I was rejecting, it was my fae body and life. I wasn’t ready to let go of my humanity. You all thought I should be grateful to be fae, but I just wanted my human body back’

Feyre snapped ‘Being human isn’t so great’ Elain said coldly ‘It wasn’t just my life that I lost that day. The cauldron took my child’ Feyre gasped said tearily ‘I am so sorry Elain’ Elain wiped away a tear. ‘You all just stood there as I was forced into the cauldron. As it murdered me and my child’ Feyre pleaded ‘I am sorry we couldn’t stop it Elain’ Elain said ‘You just stood there’ Feyre sobbed ‘Hybern said if we moved, Azriel would die’ Elain said bitterly ‘So instead Nesta, me and my child died’ Feyre pleaded ‘I am sorry’

Elain frowned at her ‘Nesta told me what you did to Clair Bedder’ Feyre gasped. Elain stared her down ‘Clair was Nesta’s best friend, and you didn’t tell her what happened to her. What you did to her’ Rhys growled ‘That’s enough Elain. I didn’t realise it was the name of a real person’ Elain glared at him ‘You were part of the party that set the Bedders house on fire. You are the one that took Clair to Amarantha. You tortured her’ Rhys closed his eyes ‘I had no choice. I was ordered to. I took away her pain’

Elain looked at Feyre ‘You pushed Nesta away because you knew one day she would find out what you did, and she would hate you for it’ tears ran down Feyre’s face. She said quietly ‘I didn’t realise I was doing that. I wish I had thought to give a false name’ Elain said ‘Rhys would have brought in a random girl to be mutilated instead of you’ Feyre gulped.

She asked ‘So Nesta hates me?’ Elain said ‘No Feyre, she doesn’t hate you, but she isn’t just going to get over this. Clair was everything to her’ Feyre nodded; tears ran down her face.

Cassian paced the room ‘I don’t know what to do. Nesta made it clear that I wasn’t welcome. How am I meant to move on knowing my mate is out there. What if she is seeing someone else!’

Rhys looked at Elain calculatingly ‘Elain is Nesta seeing someone?’ Elain looked at him annoyed ‘That is Nesta’s business’ He said, ‘She is then?’ Elain shrugged.

Cassian looked ready to explode. He snarled ‘How could she!’ He paced the room ‘It must be one of her classmates’ He kicked a chair, looking furious.

Azriel said ‘The classmates are from all over Prythian. Her course is prestigious. Only the best of the best are chosen. It’s incredible that she even got in’

Elain said ‘Actually Nesta is so good at potions that changes she has thought of have been added to the textbooks’ They all look stunned. Elain added ‘She made lots of potions when she worked at the Apothecary. She said it's interesting comparing human and fae medicine’

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 13: SUMMER

Nesta completed the year with the highest honours in her grades. She had opted to stay in the dorms over the holidays with a couple of trips away planned. She would be spending some of her time with Eris and Natalie in Autumn and some with Lola and Gwyn. She had organised to visit the Summer Court on a trip with Lola and Gwyn. A girls trip.

Eris often took her out on dates. He often stayed the night in her dorm suite. Phillis was a bit disgruntled, but Eris quickly won her over. Natalie thought it was hilarious whenever she found her father in Nesta’s suite or scented him on Nesta.

Nesta, Gwyn and Lola winnowed to Adriata in the Summer Court and checked into a villa with ocean views. They headed straight down to the beach. Nesta wore a giant straw hat.

They were there for half an hour before they noticed Prince Varian swimming with some of his guards.

He gasped and collapsed on the shore. The guards started yelling. Nesta raced over. She accessed the situation quickly ‘Jellyfish sting. The poison barbs need to come out’ She pulled her medical bag from her pocket dimension and got to work saving him. She spread a paste on the wound and explained ‘This will extract the poison’ Lola nodded ‘Good work Nesta, its working’ The guards looked stunned.

Tarquin and Cressida winnowed behind them. They watched Nesta closely. After a few minutes Prince Varian woke up. He gasped and looked at his shoulder. Nesta said calmly ‘You are okay. You were stung by a Vassalan Jellyfish. I got the barbs full of poison out and then put a paste on to suck out the rest of the poison. We will give it a few more minutes and then I will close up the cuts once I know all the poison is out’ He nodded ‘I thank you Lady Nesta’ Nesta smiled ‘I recognise you to, Prince Varian’

Tarquin said ‘Nesta Archeron, I didn’t realise we had any visitors from the Night Court’ Nesta smiled ‘I am a citizen of the Dawn Court. I moved there a year ago. I am here on a girls holiday. My friends are residents of the Night Court’ Tarquin took in the two priestesses. He smiled ‘Priestesses of the Mother, you are welcome in the Summer Court’

Cressida asked, ‘Why did you leave Night?’ Nesta said ‘I was accepted into a healing program in the Dawn Court. I wasn’t treated very nicely in the Night Court. I like the Dawn Court much better’ Cressida smiled at her.

Nesta wiped off the paste and then healed Varian. He gasped ‘No cut!’ Nesta smiled ‘I wove your flesh back together’ He said astonished ‘That is incredible’

They stood up. Prince Varian asked, ‘Will you and your friends join us for dinner tonight?’ Nesta curtsied ‘We would be honoured’

Nesta looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing a lilac dress in a Dawn Court style. Her hair was in a half braid. Lola and Gwyn wore their fancier priestess robes.

The guards greeted them at the gates of the palace and walked them in. Tarquin greeted them enthusiastically when they joined him in his sitting room. Cressida came and sat with them, followed by Varian.

Nesta asked ‘How are you feeling?’ Varian answered, ‘I slept all afternoon, but I feel fine now’ Nesta nodded ‘The poison put pressure on your lungs and heart, just like if you had been coughing for days’ Varian nodded ‘Yes, that is how it felt’

Tarquin said, ‘You acted so quickly’ Nesta nodded ‘He only had minutes. Luckily, I had been studying venom used in potions. I read about the Vassalan Jellyfish just the other day. I knew it was a death sentence if I didn’t get the poison out. I always keep my medical bag in my pocket dimension. I made that paste that extracts poison just the other day. I wanted it with me just in case’ Tarquin said ‘You saved Prince Varian’s life. We will be forever grateful’ Nesta looked embarrassed ‘I am glad I was there’

Cressida studied her ‘So you are interested in potions?’ Nesta nodded ‘My course is healing and potion making’ Lola said proudly ‘Several changes to the textbooks have been made because of discoveries Nesta has made this year. I can’t wait to see what she does next’ Nesta looked at her tearily.

Cressida said earnestly ‘Thank you for saving my brother. I don’t know what I would do without him’ Varian looked at her sadly and pulled her into a hug.

Tarquin asked, ‘And where did you meet your friends?’ Nesta replied ‘Lola was my healing mentor before I got into the program in the Dawn Court. Gwyn was in my fae magic class’ Tarquin smiled ‘It’s good that you are studying’ Cressida’s eyes widened ‘Good? If Nesta wasn’t, we would have lost Varian’ Tarquin nodded. He squeezed Nesta’s hand ‘You are wonderful Nesta Archeron’ Nesta blushed.

Varian said sounding amused, ‘I heard the Night Court weren’t very happy that you left’ Nesta smirked ‘They don’t get to control my life’ Varian smiled. He added ‘Elain left too’ Nesta smiled ‘Elain is studying botany in the Day Court’ Varian grinned ‘They didn’t like that either’ Nesta shrugged ‘They don’t get to control her life either’

Varian asked, ‘Will you ever go back?’ Nesta shook her head ‘Not even to visit’ Varian looked stunned ‘What about your sister?’ Nesta said coldly ‘Feyre got my best friend killed. Amarantha tortured her in Feyre’s place’ Tarquin gasped ‘Clair Bedder?’ Nesta nodded sadly ‘Feyre didn’t even have the decency to tell me what she had done. I had no idea what had happened to Clair’ Tarquin nodded tearily.

He said ‘You are all welcome here in the Summer Court any time. I thank you for saving Prince Varian’s life. Who are you studying under?’ Nesta said ‘The healer Danika’ They looked stunned. Tarquin smiled ‘I will be sure to commend you’

They had a seafood buffet for dinner. Tarquin took them on a tour of Adriata and recommended various activities and eating establishments. His people greeted him happily. Nesta smiled ‘Your people love you’ He said ‘I love them too’

Cressida asked Nesta ‘Are you seeing anyone?’ Nesta blushed ‘Yes, I am’ Varian asked ‘Who?’ Nesta said ‘I would prefer it didn’t get back to the Night Court’ Varian nodded.

Cressida said, ‘Now I have to know’ Nesta laughed. Lola said ‘She hasn’t even told us’ Gwyn nodded ‘I have been dying to know who he is’

Varian said, ‘It is obviously someone the Night Court know’ Nesta nodded ‘Know and don’t like much, not that who they like and don’t like should be taken into account’

Cressida narrowed her eyes ‘I haven’t liked them since they stole from us’ Nesta nodded ‘I still find it hard to believe that Feyre did that. As a human she would never steal. It was out of character for her’ Tarquin said sadly, ‘Rhysand’s influence’ Nesta nodded.

Cressida said, ‘So you love the guy you are seeing?’ Nesta smiled ‘I do’ Cressida said ‘Lucky you’

Varian said, ‘I heard General Cassian is your mate’ Nesta gave him a look ‘He says that’s the case. I feel nothing for him. I told him to stay away from me’ Varian nodded ‘It would be awfully convenient for the Night Court if he was your mate’ Nesta nodded ‘Most likely a manipulation. Even if he is, I don’t want him. I have no intension of returning to the Night Court’

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 14: RIVER HOUSE

Prince Varian sat with Amren in River House. Amren was all over him, as usual. He kissed her and hugged her tightly. She said ‘You are so handsy lately.’ Varian said, ‘I almost died’ Amren gasped ‘What?’ Varian said ‘Nesta saved my life’ There was silence. Amren snapped ‘What do you mean Nesta saved your life?’ Varian explained ‘I was swimming and was stung by a Vassalan Jellyfish’ Amren gasped ‘And Nesta was there?’ Varian nodded ‘She was on a holiday with some friends. She got the barbs full of poison out and put a paste on to draw the poison out and then she wove my flesh back together. I would have been dead within a few minutes. If she hadn’t been there, and known what she was doing, I would be dead. So yes, I am more huggy than usual’ Amren hugged him tearily.

Feyre said, ‘I am glad she was there’ Cassian demanded ‘Which friends was she holidaying with?’ Varian said ‘She said it was a girls holiday. It was two priestesses, Lola and Gwyn’ Azriel said ‘Ahh, they live under the House of Wind’

Feyre said angrily ‘So Nesta isn’t freezing out all Night Courtians, just us’ Rhys hugged her looking annoyed. Feyre whined ‘She won’t even come to Solstice but she’ll go on a girls holiday in the Summer Court!’

Varian asked, ‘How is Elain going with her studies?’ Feyre spat ‘Apparently well. At least Elain writes’

Rhys said ‘The trade summit in the Dawn Court is in a few weeks. We will visit Nesta then’

Mor said waspishly ‘I wonder if Lucien will show his face?’ Feyre sighed ‘I understand why Lucien followed Elain’

Rhys said ‘Lucien now has insider knowledge of four Courts. That is dangerous’

Varian said ‘Lucien doesn’t have a nasty bone in his body. I doubt he would cause trouble’

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 15: UNINVITED

Nesta was working on sleeping draughts in her workroom when she heard a knock at her door. She took the potion off the heat and opened her suite door. Her jaw dropped when she saw Feyre, Azriel, Rhys and Cassian. Nesta frowned at Cassian ‘I told you I never wanted to see you again’ Cassian looked at her pleadingly.

Feyre said, ‘That’s not very nice Nesta’ Nesta looked at her ‘Why are you here?’ Feyre huffed ‘Trade Summit. I thought it was a good opportunity to visit’

Natalie came up behind them ‘Alright Nesta?’ Nesta smiled at her ‘Yes, just some visitors’ Natalie glared at Cassian ‘Isn’t that your stalker?’ Nesta smiled ‘Yes, it is’ Natalie stared him down.

She looked at Azriel ‘Are your shadows sentient?’ Azriel looked stunned to be questioned. He said ‘Yes they are’ Natalie reached out and touched one. She giggled when it tickled her.

Feyre looked impatient ‘So can we come in?’ Nesta said ‘No’ and stepped out of her door. She led them down the hall to a sitting room. Natalie hooked Nesta’s arm and went with them.

Many students stared as they passed.

Nesta asked out loud ‘Can we have some tea?’ Tea and cake appeared in front of them.

Azriel asked ‘How are your studies going?’ Nesta smiled ‘Well thank you’ Azriel said ‘Varian told us you saved his life’ Nesta nodded ‘He was lucky I was there’

Nesta smiled at him ‘Have you met a fae named Lana?’ He shook his head. Nesta said ‘She lives in Velaris. She has a huge crush on you’ Azriel blushed.

Feyre asked, ‘Are you seeing someone?’ Nesta smiled and nodded. Cassian looked furious. Feyre asked ‘Who?’ Nesta said ‘None of your business’ Feyre narrowed her eyes.

She said ‘You became a citizen of the Dawn Court without even speaking to us’ Nesta stared her down. She said ‘Elain told me what you were planning on doing to me. I have no interest in being a Night Court soldier. I like the Dawn Court. This is my home. I won’t be manipulated for your own selfish ends’

Feyre said bitterly ‘You won't even visit!’ Nesta nodded ‘I don’t want to visit’ Feyre stood up ‘Fine. Have a nice life Nesta’ Nesta said nonchalantly ‘You too Feyre’

Cassian growled threateningly. Nesta stared him down.

Rhys sighed and stood up. Azriel gave Nesta a smile as they left. Natalie said ‘Wow, I thought you were exaggerating when you said they were the worst family ever!’ Nesta looked at her and they roared with laughter.