After her hour of meditation, Nova stood beneath the spray of cold water for as long as she could handle it. Making quick work of washing her body, she kept her hair up and away from the water. A few days had passed since Peter's ceremony, and though she would always grieve what could have been, she had to look forward. The meeting among High Lords would come all too quickly, and what would they be able to present?
If they only knew of the Winter Courts' struggles with the temperatures dropping, they could at least blame that on the winter months approaching. They couldn't explain away the dead soil in the Night Court. The day after they returned from Velaris, Bran sat with Nova in her room, and he relayed that it wasn't just the trees in the forest that had begun dying. He'd found animals, mad, stumbling about before dropping dead to the ground. Their bodies gave off a powerful stench long before decay could set in. He'd admitted that he'd cut a doe's belly to understand why she was so bloated, having died mere moments before. Her entire cavity was filled with maggots and a stench so foul he'd lost his eggs promptly to the ground.
Nova shut the water off and shuddered, clenching her teeth to keep them from chattering as she stepped out of the tub. She used the handle attached to the wall to keep her balance, but each shower, she found herself needing it less and less. Grabbing for the plush towel that hung from the hook on the back of the door, she dragged it rigorously across her goosebump-trodden skin as she opened the door and entered the room. At least in here, the fire had a chance to warm her.
Shivering, she moved to stand in front of the hearth, careful not to let the back of her calves touch the ornate metal gate. Across from her, above the bed, perched a wide mirror with golden arches and silver accents. It was tall, but not too tall that she couldn't see a large portion of her body. Since she'd begun eating more, she'd gained a bit more weight, but the definition of her muscles was not so evident. The hint of her ribs wasn't as prominent, and her breasts had gained, appearing fuller.
Was this the body she'd wanted before?
Before, while she was on the Island, she wanted Adira's body. Soft with a hint of muscle, but rather lanky. In Velaris, she envied the body Mor presented. Curved and supple, she fit any desirable dress. Her body now resembled theirs. Nova could probably put on a dress and look like all the women she'd wanted to be.
She liked the way she looked, and yet…she didn't like the way she felt.
She missed the burn in her muscles and her frantic heartbeat as she ran as fast as her legs could carry her—the pure adrenaline that came with jumping from one tree to the next and climbing up rock ledges that threatened to crumble.
As much as she wanted to be desired, she missed the happiness that rushed her like a spring breeze when pushing her body to its limit. If the body that came with that feeling was hers, shouldn't she be happy for it?
Would Hollis like this body more?
Why would that even matter? She internally growled at herself. They were friends, nothing more. And even if his opinion mattered, which it didn't, why should I be unhappy to please someone else's ideals?
Why should I indeed…
"Nova, let's go!" Finch's voice echoed down the hall.
Glaring at the door, she scrunched her nose and snatched her clothes from the bedpost. Dressing in black leggings and a matching t-shirt, she released her hair from its hold above her head and let the braid slap against her back. She let the door swing open to find not just Finch, but the whole crew there and waiting.
"We're training in new quarters today." Kole smiled, leaning against the opposite wall.
"New?" Nova asked, slowly bringing her booted foot up to rest on the chaise to tie her shoe. It took a bit of effort to keep herself breathing normally through the task, but she managed at her own pace.
Nieve shrugged, "New to you. The Winter Court soldiers use it for their training."
"The Winter Court has soldiers?" Finch asked with a sly smirk, and Bran set an intense scowl on him—a warning.
"Yes, asshat," Kole retorted, pushing himself off the wall with his foot, intently walking toward the Illyrian with an attitude, but Hollis placed himself between them as he smiled at Nova.
"We're going to eat breakfast first, so don't rush." Hollis glanced over his shoulder at Kole, raising a brow at him.
Kole pointed a finger at Finch, "He's getting on my nerves."
"Fly high, little snowflake," Finch grinned and then, with a snort, said, "Oh, wait…you can't."
As they began retreating down the hall, Nova exchanged a look with Bran and couldn't stop her smile from curling her lips. "There's two of them…wonderful."
Bran chuckled, "We'll be downstairs." He said, turned, and followed after them.
The audible smack of, likely Kyra smacking Finch on the back of the head, echoed down the hallways, followed by a snorting laugh and an indignant, "Hey!"
Shaking her head, Nova sighed with a smile, took her time to tie her other shoe, and went down for breakfast.
The table was quiet this morning, Hollis noticed as he entered and searched the empty seats. "Where is everyone?" He asked, noting his and Nova's parents were absent.
Azriel looked up over his cup of coffee and nodded, "They…went to the Prison."
Sitting in their seats, Nova was the last to enter and asked, "They're freeing Tamlin?"
"They are," Cassian replied and took a bite of bacon, "They're going to see if Eris can restore his soul."
"Why Eris?" Bran frowned. "I thought Amarantha stole it, not Beron."
"Yes, but Beron kept it. He was its last owner, at least. There's no guarantee it will work, but they're going to try."
Nova furrowed her brow as she stabbed a sausage with her fork and twirled it in front of her. If they did restore his soul, would that mean he'd become a High Lord again? "Will Elain and Lucien remain in power?
Offering a tight smile, Azriel swallowed, "That's the biggest question to which we don't have an answer for."
Nova had never met Tamlin, well, she supposed she had, but it was such a fuzzy memory she didn't recall much more than what she'd been told. She was, however, told different tales by her mother about how he'd locked her in a house, driving her toward madness. Every story has a villain, and in every version, the villain changes, but Nova was already instilled with the knowledge that she would not take kindly to being around him, not even at a High Lord meeting.
Even now, the idea filled her chest with burning rage.
The training center was nothing like any of them expected. In Nova's mind, she imagined something similar to the arena where they trained the horses. Maybe with some added structures, but as they neared what looked to be a piece of the ice-covered mountainside, a steel door came into view. Because of the surrounding ice, it was nearly invisible if you weren't searching for it.
Their boots sank into the ice-encrusted snow with satisfying crunches. Nova, unable to move very quickly, ended up at the end. The guilt of not doing well enough started to settle in her chest again, but as she began to think the thought, Bran and Hollis slowed so they could walk together. She smiled softly and said nothing.
It was Hollis who asked, "How's he doing?" He nodded toward Finch, who seemed to try to outstep Kole toward the door.
Bran pursed his lips into a thin line and nodded, "The ceremony helped…" He breathed out a plume of air.
Frowning, Nova glanced at him. She couldn't be sure, but it seemed like he might have had more to say. It wasn't something she was going to push. Still, it was worrisome not knowing which smiles Finch was faking. She'd done the same, but it always felt different when it was someone you cared about, as though a different perspective had somehow created a new lens for the sorrow. It was harder to see when you were trapped in the eye of the hurricane.
It seemed to take ages, but they finally entered the Winter Court training field. The place itself was like it had been carved into the mountain itself…it appeared it had. Surrounding them like a bowl was chiseled ice. Everything was ice. From wall to wall, ceiling to floor, it was ice. Even the equipment was concocted of the same material.
Winter Court soldiers moved from task to task within the arena. Each focus area worked on a specific skill. While in Windhaven, or even on Valkyrie Island, most of their training was mixed, using different abilities for the same task. It was well-organized, but Nova wondered if they ever applied the skills to other territories.
Finch gave a low whistle as he turned in a slow circle.
"Impressed?" Kole asked with a cheeky grin.
"Oh, please. I'm not afraid of a little ice."
"No?" Cassian asked, arching a brow. "Not even a bit of frozen rain? When your wings are weighed down and you have no choice but to land, given that you don't crash?"
Finch said nothing.
"Don't underestimate what you don't understand." Cassian finished just as a new face approached them.
The soldiers continued to move with smooth efficiency as their Captain left to join their group. He was equivalent in size to Azriel. Lean with muscle and scarred from experience, Nova couldn't help but admire the jagged pink lightning strikes that started at his temple and disappeared beneath his slate armor.
"My name is Klaus," he addressed them with a polite nod, "I will happily show you our facility, provided you treat it with respect."
Cassian nodded with a slight bow of his head, "We do appreciate it. We're hoping to learn how we might best help you defend your court should we ever need to."
"This way," Klaus said with a small smile, glanced at Nova and Hollis, then turned to walk toward the first station.
His eyes were more like a haunting gray than blue, matching the long silver hairs that hung well past his shoulders in a neat, twisted braid. He walked as though he were a deer in the forest adorned with great antlers. Regal, almost.
Before them was a sheet of ice so thin and sheer that Nova could see through it, where a bath of ice water sloshed beneath.
"Balance and strategy are our greatest allies," Klaus said, "It takes only one mistake to die on or under the ice. One step could be the difference between life and death. This ice, in particular, has been enchanted to create weak points."
Furrowing her brow, Nova realized the sheer ice expanded further than she thought. It was closer to fifteen feet long and at least eight feet wide. That gave a lot of moments to place your foot on the wrong spot of ice.
"If you step wrong, the ice will break, and you will have to swim to safety. It may seem harmless at first, if you know how to swim, but heavy clothes and frigid temperatures can make even the strongest muscles grow numb."
Nova was still staring at the ice, wondering which sections were weak as they moved to the next station. This one was basic. Sort of. At least, the direction was something she'd done all her life. Pull-ups on a high bar, but this high bar was not made of steel. It was pure ice. She recalled the many times she'd rolled in the mud on purpose to make her grip more challenging to keep, forcing her to engage other muscles. This, though, was different. The mud had been slick, but the ice on bare hands would end up painful after a time simply from the cold.
"We live in a world of ice," Klaus nodded, as if reading their minds, "Our bodies do naturally deflect the cold a little easier than others, but that does not save us from the same risk. It merely prolongs the amount of time we can handle. These trainings are meant to extend that time. If our enemies are numb with cold, but we are not, we have an advantage. Even without other means of attack."
There were other areas of interest, such as a different set of high bars that extended parallel to the ground, but instead of sand beneath, it was more like ice water. Another area where soldiers could push and pull massive slabs of ice across choppy terrain. And another in which their clothing was shed and the belly-crawled across the slick ice under needle-sharp ice above, much like barbed wire.
Klaus gestured to the center of the space. "There is our sparring station. The only rule is that you clean up whatever blood you spill."
Hollis cringed.
Nova smirked.
"What's in there?" Finch asked, nodding to the set of massive steel doors that seemed to be bolted shut.
Raising a brow, Klaus smirked, "Ah, yes. I nearly forgot." He quick-walked across the space, not once slipping on the ice, and hoisted the iron arm that hugged the steel doors' belly into place.
Nova moved a little closer, curiosity burning through her core as she saw what looked to be another winter inside. Yes, it was as if it were outside, yet that couldn't be…could it? The direction he went was opposite to the direction they entered. The only thing beyond this wall of ice would be a mountain, and yet she could see rows upon rows of trees and fresh fallen snow.
"Ice bears," Hollis whispered near her ear, watching Klaus disappear into the hidden ecosystem.
With wide eyes, they all watched as Klaus single-handedly emerged, but it was what followed him that made Finch take an immediate step backward. Hollis was right; they were ice bears, and they were massive. On all four paws, they were taller than Klaus by at least three feet.
"Oh, shit…" Finch swallowed, but stayed still as they neared.
"This is Khione."
Khione neared them, her paws easily the size of large plates, but it was her dagger-like teeth that made Nova stare in complete awe. The black around her mouth sagged, spilling saliva to the ice.
"She's our oldest war bear, but don't mistake her manners for being docile. She can rip your limb off before you have the chance to scream." He tapped the scar on his jaw. "Even as a cub, she was not to be trifled with."
Silent and still, the group watched and waited as Klaus led Khione back into her habitat.
"She lives there always?" Nova asked curiously.
Klaus smiled and nodded as he closed the doors. "She is the leader of the rest of the bears of war, but fear not, they have everything they need and more. We're able to control the temperatures within the mountain. If they were subject to the forest, beneath the entirety of the atmosphere, they wouldn't have lasted this long." He let the iron arm drop with a resounding bang, returned, and asked, "Do you have any questions?"
"When can we start?" Nova asked.
Everyone split to try the stations, though Cassian and Azriel observed. Primarily, Nova and Hollis, to ensure neither hurts themselves. The soldiers using the equipment moved to the side and offered their assistance when needed, showing the newcomers the best way to approach the tasks.
Nova hesitated in the center, looking between the different stations. She was sure she couldn't handle the water right now, not just because of the cold… She shoved away the thought and looked at the crawling course that Hollis stood in line for.
He looked nervous, too.
"Would you like any help?" Klaus asked, approaching her calmly.
Nova chewed her lower lip and released a soft sigh, "I'm not really sure where to start. Starting from the beginning with my training, I suppose."
"Well, that isn't entirely true," he chuckled, "You have the mind of a warrior. Of which many don't have. May I make a suggestion?"
Nova nodded and followed the trajectory of his pointed finger. Across the way, in a solitary corner, was a collection of ice towers. The first was a foot tall, the next two feet, and so on, all the way to the tallest tower, standing at least ten feet tall. It then repeated the pattern, losing a foot on its descent back to the ground. It was like a complicated set of stairs, only at the top was a smooth surface with a six-inch diameter.
"Is it meant for children?" Nova asked. It did seem a fair bit trivial compared to the other stations. If you had balance, it was a simple task.
Klaus chuckled, "No. It was designed for those wounded in battle. To offer a challenge with less risk. Believe me, it isn't as easy as you might think."
"I believe you."
Nova moved in the direction of the steps. Even on solid ground, she had more difficulty walking these days, but with the ice, she nearly slipped within her first few steps. Without skipping a beat, Klaus moved to her left, offering a little support.
"It's essential to keep your strides small and your feet close to the ground. Traction is limited…I notice you favor your left leg."
Nodding, Nova cringed as she continued forward, "Yes, it's still tight. I can't seem to loosen it." It was one of the reasons she still struggled with the stairs; she felt sort of…lopsided.
Klaus nodded, "If you'd like, when you're finished today, I have someone who has handled similar injuries. They can be frequent on the ice with slips and missteps, and he has much practice with it."
She had the terrible premonition that it would require some strange male touching her, and she wasn't sure she wanted to be a part of that. "I don't know…"
"If you ever decide to, you only need to ask."
"Thank you." She nodded, though she knew she wouldn't consider it. The thought of it made her skin crawl.
The steps, though from a distance didn't seem very tall, but now that she was in front of them, she wondered if she was ready for it. This was nothing compared to the feats she'd accomplished before. How had she done them before? She just…did it. She didn't think about the fear of falling; she worried about that on the way down.
Setting her jaw, she raised her right leg and put her foot on the first step. Only one foot could fit each ice tower, meaning she'd have to put her weight on her left leg. Would she be capable of that? In her peripheral vision, she noticed Az nearing the ice tower steps. His arms were unfolded, ready to spring toward her should she lose her step. Klaus remained to her left, brow set in concentration as she found the courage to lift her left leg, place her foot on the next step, and push up.
Blinding shock of electricity coursed from the top of her left hip down to her toes, and instead of moving up with her right foot for the next step, her body rocked itself forward, smashing her face against the ice.
She was barely two feet off the ground.
Fuck.
Klaus, despite being beside her, wasn't nearly as fast as Azriel in his quick action. Using his knee, he propped her leg up to give her immediate stability. She straightened her body and blinked as he frowned, focusing on her mouth as he pulled her lower lip down to reveal her gumline.
"No lost teeth, but…" Blood dripped from her busted lips and gums, trickling onto her coat and to the floor in a bright stain of red. "Maybe you should sit this out."
Nova quickly shook her head, "Let me try just once more."
"Nova…you agreed that we had a say in when you needed to rest."
"Yes, I know," she shook her head and wiped her lip on her sleeve, "Just one more try, and then I'll rest."
Azriel leveled a worried gaze on her and glanced at Cassian, who was eavesdropping from afar.
"Please?" Nova asked, pleaded.
He relinquished a soft sigh and nodded, "One more attempt, then we'll rest."
Grinning, Nova turned her attention back to the narrow steps as Az stepped carefully to the side. Offering support without holding her back. Instead of moving to her feet, Nova's brows settled into a severe scowl of determination at the ice tower ahead.
If she couldn't walk up them, she'd fucking crawl.
She placed her hand on the next step and pulled herself forward, using more of her core and upper-body strength than her lower, dragging her knees to the next step and the next. Despite her hands and knees numbing, sweat gathered at the base of her skull and slithered down her back. When she reached the top, her shoulders and legs shook with exertion, but she didn't stop. Not wanting to lose her momentum, she focused all her energy on the descent, which was surprisingly difficult. Keeping her back rigid, she gritted her teeth through the ache and moved down the steps one at a time until her hands met solid ground, and she plopped down on her belly, dragging her burning face against the ice.
"You are your mother's daughter," Az chuckled as he approached her and offered his hand, which she took, pulling herself up on wobbly legs.
A bench, made of ice, to no surprise, sat against the wall. On it was a cushion, and Nova sighed with relief as the tension of supporting her body eased significantly. She was able to sit back and bask in her victory. She may have had to crawl, but at least it was forward.
Cas chuckled as he met her at the bench and offered a cup of water, which she gratefully took, happy to remove the tinny taste of blood from her mouth. "Good job, kid."
Nova beamed and looked around the room, watching the others train at their stations. She imagined she'd be back often, but she was still concerned about her leg. How would she strengthen the rest of her body if her leg didn't work correctly?
Finch and Kole, seemingly not to be competing at the moment, spotted each other at the high bar that hovered above an ice bath. Kyra and Nieve worked together at the ice crossing station, helping each other listen for the hiss of weaknesses, but it was Nieve who fell in first as she moved too quickly with too much assurance. Off in the corner, to the right, Hollis and Bran stood in line to crawl under the ice wire.
Stripped down to nothing but their underwear, Nova's brows raised as she…examined their… physique. Bran, tall and bold, was layered with thick muscle that moved visibly under his skin. Hollis, while much smaller than Bran in comparison, didn't lack muscle. He was lean, but the soft lines of his muscles were beginning to gain definition, showcasing the progress in his training routines. The feather-like details of his abdomen stretched down to a prominent V leading into his…
"I thought you and Hollis decided to be just friends," Kyra smirked as she plopped next to her, smashing her hands between her thighs to warm them quicker.
Nieve sat on her other side and shared Kyra's smirk.
"What?" Nova glanced between them, furrowing her brow with confusion. "We are."
Kyra laughed and leaned closer, though her eyes were on Bran and Hollis, who had ventured under the tunnel, bracing against the scratches that trailed against their bare backs. "Then why were you staring like you'd lick up every last drop of chocolate on a dessert plate?"
"I don't like chocolate."
Snorting, Kyra shook her head, "Oh, right. I forgot. You're romantically illiterate."
Nova clenched her jaw and looked anywhere but where Hollis and Bran crawled. "I want nothing of the sort, and Hollis knows that. He feels the same. I don't… I can't…" The very idea of someone…anyone touching her sent a cold panic through her chest.
"Okay," Kyra took her arm with a frown, "I'm sorry. I misread your intent."
An awkward silence fell over them as Nova stared blankly ahead. She wasn't sure if she was more upset by her insinuation or that she'd gotten caught staring for far too long. Of course, it was harmless. She was merely interested in his training regimen. He'd made progress, and she was happy for him. That was it—nothing more and nothing less.
The walk back felt so much longer than the walk there, and when Nova entered the palace on shaking knees. Everyone stiffly removed their heavy winter clothes, hung them to dry, and retreated into the drawing room with the hopes of a warm fire and hot chocolate.
Nova's limp was more noticeable than usual, and Bran moved himself to stand a little closer, should she need some support. Her parents and Hollis's were already lounging on the couches, along with Ana and Mor.
"How did it go?" Feyre asked, looking down, and frowned at the way Nova walked. She glanced up as her heart skipped an erratic beat. "Did you get hurt?"
"She just used her muscles," Cassian assured with a small smile, "But…Klaus was concerned about her leg prior. He mentioned Wolfe could help?"
Vivivane nodded, "Oh, yes. Wolfe does wonderfully as a healer. He helped me during my pregnancy, even. As terrified as I was, I've never trusted another healer as much as I trust him."
Scrunching her nose, Nova lowered herself into a chair and shook her head, "I already declined."
Feyre and Rhys met Cas and Az's eyes before returning to her. "Well, if he might be able to help you."
"No, thank you."
Pursing her lips, Feyre nodded. "Okay." She smiled, despite the worry, but she wouldn't force her into something she was so against. She couldn't be sure of the reason, but she did have a theory, and it was one she wouldn't address. Not here. Not with others listening.
Perhaps Madja would have the ability to do the task in place of Wolfe.
As everyone settled, Azriel asked, while holding Ana's spool, "What was decided?"
Viviane nodded and pursed her lips, "Tamlin is currently recuperating under Lucien and Elain's rule in the Spring Court. He'll be permitted to attend upcoming meetings, but will not have a say in final decisions."
"It worked then?" Nova asked. "His soul was restored?"
Feyre took a deep breath and forced a small smile. "We hope so."
Nova emerged from her second shower of the day, refrained from groaning, and padded across the room where she flopped onto the plump mattress. She cringed, perhaps that hadn't been a good idea, but now that she was lying there, she lacked the energy to move again.
This time, she let out her groan freely as a knock came at the door. "Come in…" She didn't move, she just lay there, staring up at the ceiling.
Hollis smiled softly as he crept in and looked her over. "You look exhausted."
"I am exhausted…" She slowly turned her head and watched him cross the room to sit next to her.
"I watched you at the ice towers," Hollis said gently, "You did amazing, you know."
Nova couldn't stop her grin from stretching across her sore cheeks, "I know."
Laughing, Hollis nodded, "I wanted to give you this." He said, reaching into his deep pocket, and removed a small brown leather scabbard complete with a dagger.
Nova's instinct was to take a closer look, but all she could do was stare at the object in his hands with confused curiosity. "Our birthday has passed, Hollis."
"I know," he offered it to her, "I just thought you might like it. It's spelled to keep an ice dagger from melting. When it strikes your opponent, ice will enter their heart, freezing them from the inside out. They're not always practical, as each dagger is good for one use, but I thought you might like it in your arsenal."
Nova frowned as the soft well of something sour twisted her stomach. It wasn't that she didn't like it; in fact, it was terrific, but she didn't want something she couldn't return for a favor. Making him a cup of coffee certainly wasn't worthy of such a gift. Unless…he wanted more than a cup of coffee.
Nonsense.
She quickly brushed the thought away and forced a small smile. Hollis meant what he said. They both agreed they were to be friends, bound by marriage, but friends nonetheless. He wouldn't go back on his word by trying to buy his way into her giving him something so sacred. Something she'd already sworn never to relinquish again.
Herself.
"Thank you, it's lovely…" Nova murmured, taking the scabbard and shakily removing the dagger, admiring its glint.
"So, what did you think of the ice bear?"
Nova grinned and sat up just a little bit to emphatically gush her approval.