Nova and Hollis visited each Court for one week. They explored the land and asked questions, not only directed to those who resided inside the palaces, manors, and castles, but to the people who roamed the villages and called the Court their home.
In this, they gathered information. What they liked as well as what they didn't like. They were starting from the beginning, and with their circle, they'd be creating law. It was a lot to bear so suddenly, but they walked with extra weight, together.
At the end of each week, they and their companions, including Sara and Cyprus, who had immediately accepted their request, met at a neutral location to discuss their thoughts on the Court they'd visited that week.
Nova's cabin on Valkyrie Island.
The others took other respective cabin spaces not in use by the training females. They'd spend a night there, visit with their families the next day, and begin another new week in a new Court. And each new week that greeted them, they saw the world rebuilding itself.
The ocean had tamed itself in the Summer Court, offering only gentle breezes from the tide. The Spring Court was infested with viscous, fae-eating locusts that had disintegrated and given the crops fertile land to grow new crops. The sands of the Day Court drifted away with the wind, and the rotten trees fell away as new, healthy groves grew. Magic was restored to the Autumn Court once again. And though the dead did not rise in the Dawn Court, those who had been afflicted with disease found themselves as healthy and strong as they once were. The Night and Winter Courts were restored to their original glory; they were free from rot and had livable temperatures once again.
It was a pleasant cycle, one that was coming to an end quickly.
"What do you think?" Hollis asked, settling a thoughtful gaze on Nova.
He leaned against the cabin's wall as rain pelted the window outside, his belly full from the roast they'd all shared. They'd just returned from a week with his parents, this time asking questions that would pertain to what they wanted to build.
Kallias and Viviane were brutally honest, Nova had to say, and there was so much they stood for that she agreed with. Pursing her lips, she looked around the room as they waited for her opinion, as she'd been relatively quiet through the night as others shared their findings.
No questions were stupid, and no suggestions were immediately turned down without collective reasoning. Still, she hesitated to answer.
Hollis leaned forward a little and frowned, "Be honest, Nova."
Sighing softly, she nodded, "Does it seem like every Court is rather…elaborate? I understand the necessity of protection." She carefully unwound her braid and let it fall in silky ribbons down her back. "It's just that we cut through the land so easily. We demolish the trees to make room for ourselves. I've always been careful when I roam the forest. So as not to disturb it. If we're meant to make our Court on an undeveloped land, it would mean destroying what already resides there, and I…I don't want that. I know there is always the potential of outside threats, and we will need protection against them, but…" She shrugged and leaned back. "I don't know."
"I understand," Hollis said, rubbing his jaw as he thought it over. "Let's think on it while we visit the Night Court. After a week, we can talk more. The goal with the question would be: How can we protect ourselves while working with the land instead of against it?"
Looking around the room, everyone agreed as Kole raised a finger, "We still don't exactly have land to work with."
Hollis nodded and cringed, "Maybe we might have to think about bargaining treaties and territories. I hate to take up another Court's space, but we might not have another option."
They nodded, and Finch stretched as he stood, "Hm, Night Court tomorrow, then?"
Taking a deep breath, Nova nodded and sighed, "The Court of Dreams…and The Court of Nightmares." Her palms were already sweating at the conversation she intended to have tomorrow with Mor.
Bran smiled softly and nodded, "We're right there with you, both of you. Worst case, they say no. We reconvene and try again when we have a better argument."
This might be the best argument we have, Nova thought, but didn't say. Instead, she nodded and bid everyone goodnight. Everything was changing so fast, but… as the door closed after Sara, she smiled as Hollis kissed her tenderly… but the joy never left. She grinned as he peppered her face with kisses, finally earning a laugh as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.
"Hey," he murmured, resting his forehead against hers, "It'll be okay."
Nova nodded and sighed, hands squeezing his arms. "I know."
Embracing her parents, Nova grinned as they sat at the dining table, eager to eat the breakfast set before them.
"How was your week?" Feyre asked, serving herself a slice of toast, eggs, and sausage.
Nodding, Nova sipped her coffee and glanced at Hollis, whose mouth was full. She smiled, sparing him having to chew faster, and responded, "It was great, we talked about trading reindeer milk and cheese in the future, like they do with the Day Court now. You know, when we have something to trade."
Ansel, in his quick thinking upon seeing the storms roll in, had taken it upon himself to gather not only the horses, but the reindeer into the arena where he'd layered them all with wool blankets and built fires to keep them warm—sacrificing his own need for food and drink as well as a few fingers to frostbite. No matter, it didn't change his ability to continue training. Before his fellow Illyrian Warriors, he was given a high medal of honor and offered second in command as a Lieutenant General, just beneath Cassian.
Her father smiled crookedly, "Hm, when you have a full stock of the land and what it's capable of growing, it will be easier to make that list, indeed. We have charts of what's been growing well and what hasn't to make adjustments each year. We often alternate, so another Court expecting something won't have to be denied later when they ask where it is and it hasn't grown well."
"Lucien mentioned that," Hollis added, chalking the idea into his mental bank to mention at the cabin later.
Glancing at Mor down at the other end of the table, she pursed her lips nervously. She was talking to Eira, who suddenly tugged hard on Azriel's wings to get his attention, but Ana placed her back in her chair and quietly said, "We only grab someone to get their attention when there's an emergency."
"It is a 'mergency!"
Ana watched her for a long, patient moment before asking, "What is the emergency?"
"I can't reach the jam!"
Nova remembered that type of scolding often from Ana, never harsh, but always firm. She wondered if her lip trembled like the way Eira's did now. Her smile faded a little as she looked at Mor again, then back to her plate, but not before she caught her parents' curious gaze. They knew she had something on her mind, but unwilling to disclose it yet, she smiled tightly and took another sip of her coffee.
By the end of breakfast, they'd learned the process Feyre and Rhysand take to fund Velaris and keep the businesses open, while Eira learned that throwing tantrums didn't get jam either. It wasn't until everyone was finishing and, with puffy eyes, asking Ana, using polite words, if she could have jam on her toast, which she ate obligingly while falling asleep against Azriel's side from the energy she'd spent.
Potato, happy as a clam, claimed whatever dropped on the floor.
Soon, however, it came time for the conversation Nova was most nervous about. Glancing at Hollis, he nodded encouragingly and placed a hand on the small of her back as they stepped away.
He moved close to her ear and quietly said, "I can bring it up first, if you'd like."
Nova pursed her lips, and though the offer was tempting, she shook her head with a smile. It was something she felt she needed to do.
"Mor?" She asked before she could leave to visit her apartment.
Turning, she smirked, "Hm, I had a feeling you might want to talk to me. You should work on your poker face."
Nova smiled sheepishly and nodded, "Noted…"
"Come on," Mor nodded to the back door of the dining area, where the greenhouses still sat that Ana had taken upon herself to bring back to life with Eira's help.
They took a seat among the patio furniture. "We wanted to include my parents in this decision too, but we wanted your input first," Nova said, nodding her head as Mor leaned back and listened, settling an earnest gaze on them.
Curious to know where this was going, she responded, "I'm listening."
Oh, how to begin…
"We want to offer citizenship to select members of the Court of Nightmares."
And there it was.
Mor raised her brows. She wasn't sure what she'd been expecting, but it certainly hadn't been that. Advice, maybe. But not that.
She blinked, confused. "I don't mean to be rude, Nova…Hollis," she glanced between them, "But you understand what you're asking of me, yes?"
"We understand," Hollis said, nodding his head in solidarity with Nova.
Mor was quiet for a long moment, knowing very well that all the others could hear this conversation.
"Why?"
Nova pursed her lips and nodded slowly, "How often do you visit the Hewn City? Walk its streets, I mean…"
The silence between them was palpable before she finally conceded, "Not often."
Never.
She leaned forward now, "You are asking to house Fae that want only destruction. They do not care about the well-being of others. You're attempting to begin your Court with a dark mark, and I think it is ill-advised to do this under the assumption, excuse me for saying, 'I can change them for the better'. Not everyone wants to change, and you need to understand that."
"I am not asking for anyone to change," Nova said, her voice gaining strength. "When I visited, there were Fae in hiding. A human, in hiding."
Mor furrowed her brows and leaned back in surprise.
"And you didn't know because they're terrified to speak out," Nova said softly. "I am not here to change anyone. If they enjoy the life they're living and have no need for another, then I have nothing to say about that. But those who didn't choose that life. The people who want to walk out of it, but can't…should be given that option. You rule the Court of Nightmares, and I respect that. We are asking if you would allow us to provide them with a choice. To those who want to stay, by all means, stay. But if there is even one who would decide to leave, we want to offer them a place at the Dusk Court. A new start; a new life."
Mor blinked. "Those who don't want to remain in the Court of Nightmares were already permitted to go to Velaris."
"To visit," Nova corrected with a frown, "and when they do, no matter how kind the City of Starlight is to each other, they spit on those who enter from what they deem to be a lesser place. Why should they leave a place they hate to travel to a place that hates them?"
Rhys and Feyre froze, staring at each other in silence as they listened, unashamedly eavesdropping.
"We don't ask that we force anyone. We ask only for the opportunity to offer another option to them—one with a clean slate. If no one decides to leave, I will make my peace with that, but I made a promise to two people who wanted a new life, and I intend to do everything I can to see it through."
Mor was quiet for a long, long moment, and Nova wasn't sure if she was contemplating the request or something else, but finally, she conceded with a nod and a small smile. "I will send a notice promptly. Those who wish to join the Dusk Court will be granted all access."
Smiling softly, Nova nodded, "Thank you…"
"I need to warn you," Mor said gently, "There are people who will claim they want what sounds pretty on paper, but they're a devil in disguise. I suggest that before you open your doors to them, you have unambiguous laws and punishments that follow, however that may look like for you and your Court."
Hollis nodded, "It's something we've all been discussing in detail."
"Good." She managed a small smile. "Now, what would you say to a sparring match? I heard you took on a Squyla, and I'm getting the feeling you held back last time."
Nova grinned. "You're on."
After a long week of sparring on and off with her family members, being bested a few of those times, and many long night discussions regarding politics, military, and economic strategies, they were ready to return to the cabin on the island tomorrow morning.
Dirt fell away in clumps down the drain as Nova scrubbed herself clean. She couldn't remember the last time she'd trained in rain, and to her surprise, had not felt the inclination to shove her face in the dirty puddles. She was still filthy, but without the self-punishment.
She turned off the water and toweled off, dressing in a quick shirt and leggings, she entered her old bedroom. Her parents had converted it to their room to use when they visited for longer than a day.
Lounging on the bed was Hollis. He leaned back against the wall of the pillows, scribbling notations across a piece of parchment, likely putting his thoughts on paper to bring to the group tomorrow.
With a mischievous grin and a sparkle in her eyes, Nova bounded forward and launched herself onto the bed.
Hollis yelped in surprise as Nova snatched the paper and quill away, setting it carefully on the nightstand next to them. She grinned as he tried to contain his laughter while she cocooned him with her arms and legs. Nestling on top of him, she held his limbs captive, quite pleased with herself as he tried to wriggle in her grip, but to no avail.
"You know, everyone will hear anything and everything you attempt. Do you really want to attend breakfast after that?"
Nova grinned up at him, "I think it's a gamble I'm willing to risk." She said, before pressing her face against his bare stomach.
Smiling fondly, Hollis shook his head and sighed, "Hm." He took a moment, memorizing her, and remembered there had been a moment in time when he thought they might not have this.
Have her.
She turned her head, resting her cheek against his skin as she looked up at his face. "What?"
Hollis smiled, happy when she let one of his arms go so he could cup her cheek and trace the sharp angle of her jaw with the pad of his thumb. "I'm just admiring my High Lady…"
A flush of pink coasted up the entirety of Nova's body and pressed a gentle kiss against his skin. Looking up at him, she let herself be lost among the stars in his eyes.
She rubbed a circle against his hip and murmured, "My High Lord."
Crawling up his torso, but still shielding his body with hers, she kissed his lips and let her tongue slide into his mouth. Moving in sync together as the heat began to build, but she knew he was right. They could wait until they returned to the cabin, right?
Forced to make an executive decision, she pulled away and nestled into his side. Smiling as he pressed his lips against her temple and stroked his fingers against the back of her neck.
After a spell of calm silence, Nova lifted her head to meet his eyes. "I had a thought earlier today. About where we might claim our land."
"What might that be?" Hollis asked as his fingers coasted down to ghost along her ribs.
Nova's smile stretched into a grin. "How would you feel about living in a tree?"