"We didn't just lose a citizen of Velaris," Rhysand said, his voice drifting over the freshly turned soil of Peter's final resting place within the gardens of the Inner Circle's personal burial yard. Not many had been placed here, but those that were held deep significance.
Edith's grave was here, Nova noticed, among others. Nisha, her aunt, she remembered, and a name she wasn't sure how to pronounce. Her grandmother? Attention drawn back to her father's words, she listened, fighting back the tears that threatened to unleash again. She'd cried more in the past few days than she had in her entire life. Getting ready this morning had been the worst.
This goodbye was so final.
"We lost someone who is the epitome of what Velaris stands for. Peter was kind. He was loyal. And he saw the goodness in everyone. He was more than the best baker of the Rainbow District," he smiled softly, "He was a leader, a friend…" Rhys met Finch's red eyes. "And a brother. He fought to protect Velaris and its people, and these streets will never forget his name. Peter's memory will live on as a permanent star in our skies."
Another tear rolled down Nova's cheek, but she didn't wipe it away as she glanced to her right, where Kyra leaned against Bran for support, though they both looked liable to crumble. Sara held Cyprus's arm, burying her face against his shoulder as hers shook. Hollis had joined them, along with his parents, Nieve, and Kole. All here to pay their respects. Elain and Lucien stood to the left of Kallias, hands clasped, and heads bowed.
Even the birds were quiet.
As the ceremony concluded, everyone in attendance walked past the churned soil and offered a moment of respect before moving on. Finch's jaw trembled as he moved on, and she watched him be immediately enveloped in a massive hug from Azriel, but she didn't listen to what he said to him. She didn't feel it was her right.
When Nova approached, she released a shaky sigh and knelt in the grass. Silently, she removed a cluster of bluebells from Peter's meadow out of her pocket, she'd picked earlier that morning, and gently laid them against the dirt.
She whispered, "I love you, too."
They stayed the night in Velaris.
Bran and Finch would be traveling to the Winter Court with them tomorrow, so they'd have time to gather what they needed tonight. After a quick trip to the barracks, they all walked through the forest and toward the House of Wind, where they'd be sleeping for the night.
According to Mor, the townhouse had been set on fire during the attack, and it was currently under heavy construction. Luckily, they didn't have to demolish the original structure, but recreating it was taking time.
"Finally," Kole trudged up the last bit of the stairs, pulling at the collar of his shirt to bring a breeze down his torso. "It's too hot here."
Kyra smirked. "Aw, are you a little sweaty? Poor thing."
"Could you both not flirt around me?" Finch asked. "I just ate."
Smirking, Nova pushed the doors open and entered the empty house. All the others had gone to Rita's for dinner, leaving the House of Wind completely to them for a few hours. Well, almost, Nova realized as the soft pad of paws on the carpet raced toward her.
"Potato!" Nova scooped the ball of fur up into her arms and smiled, letting her rub her whiskers against her jaw and neck. "I missed you, too."
Bran turned on the lights as Sara settled into one of the cushions with a sigh that Nova felt through her bones. They were all exhausted after today, physically and emotionally. Yet, she somehow felt lighter. She supposed that was the point of the ceremony…to have a chance to let go.
"Anyone hungry?" Finch asked.
"I thought you said you just ate." Kole retorted.
Finch nodded, "I did." That was all he said before disappearing into the kitchen.
They nestled around the coffee table, centered in the sitting space. Some lounged on the couches, others on the floor, but all together.
"How have things been?" Bran asked, looking between Nova and Hollis, who sat next to each other.
Nova nodded slowly, resting her chin on her knees, "It's been…better than it was." At least for herself, it was. She couldn't speak for Hollis. Still, there was that worry in the back of her mind. "We tied the bond weeks ago, but the Winter Court grows colder." She glanced at Hollis, who frowned.
"It hasn't been much better here," Bran murmured rather reluctantly. "Not much will grow, not even the most well-tilled gardens. It's like the earth is fighting back."
Kyra grimaced and rubbed between her eyebrows, "I don't want to talk about that. You don't go to the meeting for a little bit, right?"
"The end of the month," Hollis nodded.
"So, then we aren't going to talk about that until then. For now, we live for what we have while we have it."
Nova released a breath. She stroked Potato under her chin and smiled, "She's right. Today isn't about what we might lose. It's about what we'll always have. Love…and friendship."
A burning warmth sat at the base of Hollis's throat as he smiled. He glanced at Bran, who met his smile with his own. Friendship. Something he'd had with Kole and Nieve, but missed dearly, and now he had more than he could have asked for.
It was then that the warm, buttery goodness of cinnamon and honey infiltrated the space, and everyone looked to the door that led to the kitchen. Finch walked through with a smile, carrying in his arms a platter of honey-drizzled sticky buns, just as Peter used to make. Tears stung Nova's eyes as Finch passed the platter around, smiling as she took one from its center and nodded in thanks, not trusting her voice.
"You know, these were the first things he made," Finch smiled as he sat on the ground next to Bran. He laughed, "They were hard as a rock when he pulled them out, and then the fucker tried to blame me for it. Said I distracted him from the cook time."
"Did you distract him?" Kyra asked, arching a brow.
"That's hardly the point."
Kyra smiled fondly and shook her head, looking down at the bun in her hands, and nodded. With watery eyes, she held her pastry up and said, "To Peter."
"To Peter…" They mimicked in unity.
That night, they gorged themselves on cinnamon and honey while exchanging stories. Finch had the most to tell. They eagerly listened as they devoured each sweet bite. Their dear friend, though gone from this world, would truly never be forgotten among them.