A Court of Lost Stars

"It wasn't supposed to end this way…" Feyre murmured as she gazed down at the bundle in her arms. 

The pain of labor was nothing compared to the gut-wrenching agony that tore her soul in two. 

Nova was wrapped in the softest dark blue cloth. Swirled with purple hues and sprinkled with glittering stardust, Feyre had held her universe in her arms for three minutes.

Three minutes of misty eyes and pure bliss as she held her against her bare chest. Silently rocking her as Rhys stroked his fingers gently through her sweat-slicked hair. 

And now she was to say goodbye.

How could she? 

How was it possible to say goodbye to this perfect little thing she held in her arms? 

"I know, Feyre darling…" Rhys murmured, his voice thick with his own grief, "But if we can't say goodbye for a short time now, we'll be forced to say goodbye forever later."

Feyre looked up at him, as salt spilled down her cheeks. 

Screams from the city grew in intensity as the battle raged through Velaris. They wouldn't have long to move Nova somewhere safe. 

Somewhere they wouldn't find her.

Azriel stood in the doorway; his brows lowered with the burden of his task. "Cas can't hold on his own for much longer."

Swallowing the lump that formed in his throat, Rhys slowly nodded and turned. Placing his hands over her chilled ones, he carefully lifted the fragile bundle. Something inside of Feyre forced her to tighten her grip on Nova.

"I can't…" A soft sob caught in the back of her throat as she shook her head.

Rhysand shuddered, his lower lip trembling as he massaged her fingers enough to pry them from Nova's blanket.

"We have to." The crack in his voice sent his own tears spilling. Taking Nova to his chest, he turned from Feyre. Unable to watch her face crumple in despair as he crossed the bedroom to Az.

His body felt detached from himself- as if his actions were not of his own accord. 

Rhys spared one last glance, looking down at Nova and memorizing her sleeping face before looking up. He met Azriel's reddened eyes. 

"Hide her well," Rhys murmured through a clenched jaw.

Nodding, and with extreme care, Azriel took Nova into his arms and disappeared.

Rhys slowly sank to his knees as Feyre's sobs rang in his ears.

The house Azriel chose for Nova's safekeeping looked of minor importance, even in the mortal realm. Ignoring the snow that covered him, Az walked toward a little cabin not far from a sleepy town. Its peaceful slumber promised a safe place for something so precious.

A place he knew of from his many visits through territories- it was a long way away from the wall. That was what mattered most.

As swift and secret as a phantom, Azriel suddenly stood in the cozy home's main living room. Dripping with melting snow.

A woman was in the kitchen, rolling dough, while two children helped her. They were singing something, laughing and giggling. It was a home of love and laughter; he couldn't imagine a more suitable place for the time being.

Gingerly, Azriel placed Nova in the bassinet situated in the room's corner.

"Until we meet again," Az whispered before he disappeared again and reappeared in the large, snow-crested tree just outside the cabin.

Watching and waiting, he silently observed the family's reaction. Would he need to step in and find a new location if they reacted poorly? 

It wasn't until Nova began crying that the mother in the kitchen quickly moved through the cabin.

Azriel watched as she picked her up into her arms, confused but not otherwise upset. Releasing a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxed.

His heart ached as he watched her offer her breast to Nova. 

Having had an infant not long ago and not yet weaned, the family was a perfect match- though it pained him to see Nova latch to another mother and not to Feyre.

Azriel disappeared into the shadows. He left behind peace and entered into a war of violence with Cassian and Rhysand. The streets of Velaris were filled with screams, blood, ash, and pure terror. 

They looked at him with a silent question, and Azriel merely nodded in return.

Though the war looked bleak, their family would be reunited one day.

One day, Velaris' lost star would return.