Chereads / The Nexus Effect / Chapter 10 - Everything Has Changed

Chapter 10 - Everything Has Changed

Hope cringed from the light as she made her way from her room to the main dining area, where she could hear plates scraping. Entering, they looked up, and Cassian grinned. His fork held a massive bite of egg.

"Good morning-"

Before Cas could continue, Feyre held up a mug of something steaming. The smell of coffee called to her soul, and she quickly went over, gingerly taking it from her hands as she sat down.

"Thank you," she nodded awkwardly, sparing a glance at Az, who was watching her calmly but not with judgment. "I'm sorry, I really don't drink."

"We learned that last night, among other things. How are you feeling?" Rhys asked, his voice warm with concern.

Hope took a long drag of coffee. "Hm, I feel like I miss lattes."

Smiling softly, Feyre pursed her lips. "Well, we were curious to know…we wanted to propose…"

Staring at her, with her lips pressed to the mug's rim, Hope slowly raised her brows.

"If you would like to join the Night Court." Feyre finally choked out.

Though the mug was hot, her hands felt cold. They offered this because it was very clear she wouldn't be going back. She knew it- they knew it. It wasn't that she'd never search for answers again, but she Azriel, and dammit, Nesta was right.

She couldn't be stuck in the what-ifs.

Rhys replied carefully." You have gifts we could utilize here, and we all feel you get along quite well here. You don't have to make a decision right-"

"Okay." Hope nodded, taking another drink of coffee, and they all stared at her in silent shock. "If you'd have asked me two days ago, I would have respectfully declined, but…" She swallowed the bile in her throat. "I have to face reality. I'll likely never see them again, and I need to make peace with that."

Somehow.

Rhysand nodded, not dropping her gaze. "We'll perform the oath tonight. It's a magical bind that, when set, will adhere to your loyalty to the Night Court. To Velaris. Feyre and I, your High Lord and High Lady. Taking this oath means you fight with us, for us, but it is your choice to proceed."

Something strangely warm enveloped her; she couldn't explain it, but it was the same sensation she'd had in New Orleans. Sitting with her family at the compound, they all laughed and drank wine.

It was family.

Smiling, Hope nodded. "It would be my honor."

Azriel, to her right, smiled too.

Clapping his hands and rubbing them together, Cassian grinned. "Time to start training."