Illyrian Mountains / Dawn Court
Illyrian Mountains
Danika winnowed to the third time at the middle of the camp, some people there already knew her as she stayed in her aunt and uncle’s house for 14 months some years ago, and also was trained during this time.
“Why are you bringing so many packages?” Emerie asked going close to her, the girl showed her a note about the potions that was inside in one of the packages. “Oh…” she said looking at some males and females taking a few packages, while stronger soldiers took the remain ones to the deposit.
“Yes, that is-” Danika winded her eyes, two packages on her hands, she started to walk towards her aunt and uncle’s house, the adult female followed her.
The girl opened the door, Cassian was rocking the crying baby, Nesta at his side, Danika left the packages at the kitchen's balcony, then her aunt walked close to her, Emerie handed the note to Nesta, who carefully read it.
“Here.” the young female said as she opened one package, holding up one of bottles of the potion in hands.
Nesta grabbed the bottle, took a empty one and dosed the amount of potion on it.
“What is it?” Cassian asked looking at the note.
“Instructions about the potion dosage, and how much efficient it is…” Emerie answered, her eyes on Nesta who handed the baby bottle to the male.
“How are the other kids?” Nesta looked at the winged female
“Sick, all of them.”
The gray eyed female tighten her lips in a thin line, her gaze ran to her baby, who was still crying while slipping from the bottle.
Danika took two envelopes from the internal pocket of her jacket, “They told me to give you it.” She held up her hand, getting the attention from her aunt and uncle, “One is from Amren, and the other is from my mother.”
Nesta took the envelopes, sitting in the couch as she opened the first one and started to read the letter.
Cassian sat at the armchair close to him, the baby was still crying, but had calm down a little, “What she said?”
Nesta left Amren's letter at her lap as she took Feyre's one. “She talked about the magic at the Seasonal Courts, and evacuation plans…” She opened Feyre's envelope, reading carefully, until she left the letter fall on her lap as she rubbed her temples.
Cassian held up his arm, looking at Danika, a silent request to bring the bottle to the kitchen, “What is wrong?” he asked to his mate while the girl took the bottle.
“The Cauldron was on Cretea.” She felt a delicate hand, on her shoulder, Emerie's hand.
Cassian's gaze lowed, his jaw tighten, Remiel was sleeping now, “What the Amren's letter?”
Nesta told him what was written, when finished, his eyes became vacant, lost on his thoughts. There was no information about the Cauldron anymore, and the disease… He stared at the odd skin tone of his son, the dry skin in the small wings, the baby's heavy breath, weight lost. Taking him out of Prythian would give him a chance to survive, since this potion would help – slow up the symptoms – but not cure.
The winged male took the potion's note, reading it carefully – it said in the end – there was a possibility that the good effects would vanish with time of usage, and the use on kids with severe symptoms wouldn’t make effect.
Emerie said she had to leave, as it was already late, Danika sat at the kitchen's table chair, while Cassian walked to the upstairs being followed by Nesta.
His legs shaking as he sat in their bed, the baby still on his arms, Nesta sat at his side, a hand on his arm. The mating bond was closed, but she still could feel his feelings, that weren’t different from hers – the sorrow, fear, agony to see someone loved decaying.
“Sending him to the New Lands is a option.” His voice low, hoarse, eyes slightly wet.
“I know.” She said slowly, leaning on him as he covered her with a wing, a form to comfort, her eyes fixed on the baby.
oOoOo
Dawn Court
Thesan checked his nephews, both sleeping after the potion's dose, then his niece, she was still awake. He sat at the corner of her bed, Tarquin's letter in one of his hands, he swallowed.
“Do you want me to read you something?” he asked, the girl nodded, then he took a book that had been left in the nightstand, “This one?” she nodded again, the male read until she slept, when he finally left the room.
The High Fae walked towards his own room, eyes wet, vision blur. His beloved was waiting for him in the bed, the winged male stood up as he saw the face that the slender male had.
Cai walked close to him, without saying a word, involved Thesan on his arms.
“They were better yesterday.” The memory on the High Lord's mind, coming back to his home, going to check the kids – he didn’t even have time to remove his armor – they were playing together.
“I know – I know” Cai ran his fingers on Thesan's hair, his wings bend tightly on his back, he leaded the High Fae to the bed.
Laid, Thesan left the letter in the nightstand before laying on his right side, Cai took the letter, read, then laid in the bed, covering the other male with a wing.
“Are you considering it?” the captain went close to Thesan, who lightly nodded.
“The Spring Court started like this, now several younglings are dying there.” He grabbed his beloved’s hand in a tight grip. “I want you to lead a small legion of Peregryns.” Thesan said whipping his own tears, taking a deep breath to calm down, Cai lifted a brow, “Those ships will be full of people who can’t defend themselves, someone need to protect them.”
Cai putted an arm around Thesan, “What about you?” he whispered.
The High Fae swallowed, resting a hand at the Captain's waist, “I will make sure those ships stay unseen until the arrival, and protect those who will stay.”
The winged male's gaze lowed, he pulled Thesan even closer to him, caressing his face, “I can’t let you-“
“Please. Or the kids will be alone, I am asking you as your loved, not as your High Lord.” Thesan felt the wing tightly around him.
Cai's eyes meet Thesan's gaze, he loved the kids just as the High Fae, and his husband was right, someone would need to stay with them, and protect the ship in case of the glamour fails at some point, and as a High Lord, Thesan had no choice but stay.
“How much time?” the captain asked, his voice hoarse and trembling, breath heavy.
Thesan shook his head, then closed his eyes, the winged male pressed his lips against the High Fae's, kissing him in an attempt to calm his husband and himself.