"Good morning," Ana greeted the table with a polite smile as she entered the dining area wearing a simple gray frock covering her neck to her ankles, her hair in a simple bun. It was just before daybreak, and she was punctual as usual. She sat in a chair across from Nova, who was eating her breakfast of eggs and berries.
A similar breakfast plate suddenly appeared before Ana, making her jump. The only addition was a cup of steaming tea.
"Sorry," Feyre smiled sheepishly, "I'm still getting used to that gift."
Ana let out a small laugh. "Thank you, it's very thoughtful. How was your Solstice?" She asked, glancing around the small collection. Nova, Rhys, and Feyre sat together on one side while Azriel sat on the other, a chair away from Ana.
"Wonderful," Feyre replied as she glanced over at Nova. She wasn't exaggerating; it was the best Solstice she'd ever had, and it was because of Nova. "And yours?"
Smiling, Ana nodded as she sipped her tea. "It was the lovely. I've never experienced such a celebration before."
"No?" Rhys asked with a furrowed brow. "Surely, they have festivities over the wall?"
"They do," Ana corrected, "But in my line of work, it was best to be seen and not heard," Azriel stiffened as Ana continued, "We celebrated ourselves, of course. My mother ensured that but nothing quite like this."
Smiling, Feyre nodded. "I'm glad you had a good ti. Hopefully, you can join us for a while next ti."
Ana parted her lips to speak, but a tiny 'w' caught her attention. Glancing down at her black boots, she watched a kitten amble by and cross under the table to reach Nova's chair. "Oh, I see you have a new friend, Nova?"
A giggle escaped Nova as she picked Potato up from the ground and settled her against her chest before pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head.
"A Solstice gift," Rhys chuckled, "We took your suggestion. She's been in love ever since."
Ana bead a great smile that sent sparkles to her eyes. "Oh, I'm so glad. She does have a soft spot for animals doesn't she?" She turned her attention to Nova, unaware of the steady gaze Azriel kept on her, and asked. "Nova, does she have a na?"
Nova stared at her for a mont, tilting her head. Ana waited a mont to let her process the question before pointing at herself. "I am Ana," she pointed at Nova, "You are Nova," she pointed at the kitten, now purring against Nova's neck, "She is..."
"Potato!" Nova shouted.
Ana raised her brows and smiled with a light laugh. "A fine na, indeed. Though, I don't think Potato will be able to join us for the lessons I have planned for today."
"Elain will be taking care of Potato in the anti," Feyre said, but Nova pouted, slowly sinking further into her chair as if she may sohow turn invisible.
When the sun was crested over the mountains, Rhys offered his hand to Nova. The breakfast plates were cleared, and it was ti for her first day with Ana, but Nova slowly twisted away while keeping Potato nestled against her neck.
Rhys sighed softly and furrowed his brow. He had truly hoped the day wouldn't begin this way, but he also knew, knowing Nova, that it was a possibility.
"Nova," he said gently, "You get to go play with Ana, and she gets to play with Elain." The first sight of her lower lip tremble sent a jolt of despair through Rhys. Pulling back, he glanced at Ana with an apologetic smile.
Ana stood and lifted her bag to the table, which she'd carried with her from her cottage. "Nova, I need help."
The word "help" seed to grab her attention, and she perked up a little, watching Ana with timid curiosity.
"Help?" She asked with a pouting frown.
"Hm," Ana nodded, "Indeed. Can you help make a surprise?"
Nova gazed longingly at the bag set before Ana. Desperate to know what was inside but afraid to let her new little friend go, she was gravely conflicted. It was Azriel who spoke in a gentle voice, "We'll keep her safe, Nova."
She pursed her lips into a thin line before standing to her feet and walking around the table's length to face Azriel.
"Safe?" She whispered. When he nodded, and, with a reluctant sigh, offered Potato to him."Careful."
The kitten curled up in Azriel's warm palms and rested her chin between his thumbs, already beginning to doze as he cradled her. He nodded to Rhys and Feyre. "I'll take her to Elain and return."
Worry creased Nova's brow as she watched Azriel walk past Ana toward the front door. Tears were brimming in her eyes just as Ana offered her hand. With a serene tone said, "I still very much need your help." Without much other choice, Nova took Ana's hand and let herself be guided out of the room.
"I feel terrible leaving." Feyre frowned as they disappeared through the archway, which would lead them to the kitchens.
Taking her hand in his, Rhys rubbed a careful circle to the back of her hand before bringing her knuckles to her lips. "Most of our ti has been spent with Nova here. The reason we brought Ana on was to give us the ability to et with the mbers of our court. Az will be back soon, and Nova will be just fine." The words on his tongue felt like sandpaper. Having unashadly gone through her mind, Rhys trusted Ana. The hardest part was letting go.
In the kitchen, Nova sat on a black stool in front of the middle island and watched Ana open the blinds of a massive window above the sink.
"That's better, I think. We can watch the snow fall as we bake bread." She said with a smile as she turned to face Nova.
"Bread?" Nova asked and then smiled.
"Hmm," Ana humd softly, "I heard you're fond of it, and I think we should get to use our hands for today's lesson. Baking is a science, after all, and an art form. You need an assortnt of skills to complete the task properly."
Nova was hardly listening as she looked around the kitchen, her attention quickly being drawn from one place to the other. Glancing over her shoulder, another sound distracted her, but it was just her uncle Azriel sitting in a chair just outside the kitchen, a heavy to in his lap.
"Which one would you like?" Ana asked, and Nova looked over to see her holding two aprons, one in each hand. "The yellow or the white?"
Grinning, Nova slid off the stool and reached for the white apron, but Ana didn't let go.
"Oh," she smiled, "Tell . I want white, please."
Nova stared at her and frowned before reaching for the apron again, but Ana still didn't relinquish her grip, so she waited for Nova instead. When another long minute passed, Ana nodded with understanding.
"I have an idea." Still holding the aprons, she crossed the kitchen floor and rummaged through her bag before pulling out her journal. She tore out a piece of paper and drew five circles across the page with her always handy quill. Returning to Nova, she set the paper in front of her and touched the first circle to the far left. "I." She said, putting her finger on the circle.
Nova looked down at the circle and back up at Ana with a stubborn pull of her brow, and Ana simply smiled and repeated herself while touching the first circle. "I."
Pursing her lips, Nova looked at the apron, sighed, touched the circle, and said, "I."
Smiling, Ana continued by touching the next circle. "Want."
"Want," Nova repeated, her finger moving to the next circle.
"White."
"White."
"Please."
"Please."
Ana grinned. "Yes, of course, you may have the white apron." She offered it to Nova, who snatched it with a giggle, hugging the fabric to her chest. Smiling, Ana tied the yellow apron around her waist. "I'm fond of yellow," she said, "It's my favorite color—soft yellows like warm sunlight. Do you like white, Nova?"
"White."
"Oh," Ana smiled."If we're going to have a conversation, I need full sentences, please." She demonstrated. "I like white." She said, touching three of the circles on the page.
Nova, without hesitation, reached over and replicated. "I...like...white."
"Very good." Ana smiled. "Now, let's make bread, shall we? Then, tonight at the table, you'll be able to tell everyone you made the bread they're eating. Isn't that wonderful?"
"First, we need a bowl. Where is a bowl?" Ana asked, letting her brow furrow into an expression of curiosity. It was her expression that made Nova look around. "Let's find one."
It took a few minutes, but together, they set all their necessary tools and ingredients onto the center island. "I have a bowl," Ana said as she touched each item. "I have a asuring cup. I have flour. I have water. I have yeast. I have salt."
Nova watched her intently, following her every movent.
"First, we put five cups of flour into the bowl. Would you like to help?"
With an eager nod, Nova reached for the asuring cup but stared blankly at Ana and carefully set it back down, frowning.
Smiling softly, Ana picked up the asuring cup. "Watch first, then you can have a turn." She dipped the cup into the batch of flour and scooped it out. Then, using the edge of a wooden spoon, she scraped the piling excess and plopped the asured flour into the bowl. "One," Ana said with a smile. Now we need four more."
"Two," Ana said as Nova repeated the sa process she did monts earlier. "Three. Four. Five. No more flour." Ana said, pulling the bag away before Nova could get overzealous. Scooting the cup of water toward her, she smiled. "Now, we need three cups of water. Can you help count them?" It didn't take Nova long to fill and drain three cups of water into the bowl.
Smiling, Ana leaned forward. "Now is the fun part," she said as Nova tilted her head, "We use our fingers to mix it all."
"Mix?" Nova asked with a smile, recalling when she'd put different paint colors together, and her mother had said she'd 'mixed' them to make a new color. "Paint?" She asked.
Ana smiled. "Hm, that's an interesting thought. I suppose mixing ingredients is much like mixing paint. Both create sothing new, but when we mix the dough, we'll get to bake it into bread and eat it."
"Ah, yum." Nova grinned.
Laughing, Ana nodded. "Shall we sing a song while we mix?"
Nova suddenly exclaid, "Song!"
"Edith ntioned that music is special to you," Ana smiled, "But I do need a sentence." Pointing to the circles on the paper again, she said, "I want to sing."
Nova imdiately reappeared her actions and words excitedly.
"Very well," Ana laughed, "How about this one? It's one of my favorites, and I know you like trees. Get your fingers ready." She said, pressing down into the squishy water mix. She smiled as Nova quickly followed suit as she sang. Ana's voice was nothing spectacular but calm and tranquil as they worked the mixture into a malleable dough. She sang:
"I see a place where candles burn and lovers rest tonight
The hollow sound inside now keeps telling to write
But songs of love will never leave love's feelings undefiled
The tide has turned, the waves roll in, the waters fill my eyes
The price of lust has risen till the ceiling will not stand
The tears I shed were not in sha, the world was in my hands
If trust was just a simple thing then trusting I would be
But deep within my soul I know it's better to be free"
Nova, still working the flour and water into a dough, listened more intently than ever. It was as though she were under a hypnotic spell as Ana continued.
"The days fly by, the waves roll in, but freedom has not co
I fear my faith will soon give out, my senses co undone
My role is played, the demon dogs co stealing o'er the land
And foolish I would climb once more a tree too weak to stand
I see a place where candles burn and lovers rest tonight
The hollow sound inside now keeps telling to write
But songs of love should not be sung where staying is not planned
And foolish I would climb once more a tree too weak to stand
And foolish I would climb once more a tree too weak to stand"
By the ti they added the yeast and the salt, Nova was hanging onto every word, but it soon ca ti to wash her hands and put the bread into the oven. She frowned as Ana shut the door and turned to her.
"We have so ti for the bread to bake," Ana said with a smile. "Would you like to take a walk? I think so fresh air would do us all so good. Do you think so, Azriel?" Ana asked, looking through the doorway where he still sat, though his book had lay on his lap, forgotten for so ti.
Azriel offered a small smile and nodded before he stood to his feet and stretched his wings. Quickly averting her gaze, Ana offered her hand to Nova before moving through the townhouse to put on suitable clothing to venture outside.
It was still snowing as they walked through the trees, watching Nova try to match Azriels longer strides by placing her feet where his boots left.
"She's very fond of you," Ana said quietly. "Which I'm sure you're aware of."
His eyes danced as he glanced over his shoulder at his niece, a smile playing at the edges of his mouth. "Hm, as I am of her."
The night he'd held her in his arms, taking her from Velaris and across the wall, was the single best and worst night of his life. This little being, Feyre, and Rhys' entire world, had filled him with so much warmth that his love for her radiated into a form of inner healing he wasn't sure he'd ever understand. Then, all too soon, the joy was stripped away.
A mont later, Nova tugged on Ana's arm and asked. "Song?"
Smiling, Ana nodded. "Use a full sentence."
Nova bit her lip, trying to form the words she was readily willing to give.
"Can you sing, please?" Ana extended.
Grinning, Nova yanked out the piece of paper she'd snatched from the counter and, touching the dots, repeated. "Can you sing, please?"
Ana laughed. "Very resourceful of you, Nova. Let see, oh yes. You might like this one." She said before singing:
"Over the mountain, over the sea,
Back where my heart is longing to be,
Please let the light that shines on
Shine on the one I love.
I see the moon; the moon sees
Down through the leaves of the old oak tree.
Please let the light that shines on
Shine on the one I love.
I hear the lark; the lark hears ,
Singing a song with a lody.
Please let the lark that sings for
Sing for the one I love.
I kiss a rose; the rose kisses ,
Fragrant as only a rose can be.
Please let the Rose that comforts
Comfort the one I love."
As before, Nova beca entranced by the strings of lyrics and the calming resonance of Ana's voice. "I do love that one. My mother sang it to often." Ana said with a wistful smile and glanced up to et a pair of intense hazel eyes. Though she looked away imdiately, Azriel didn't drop his gaze.
"Is this what they're paying you to do?" Nesta's sharp voice ca through the still-falling snow. "Take walks and sing songs?" She rolled her eyes at Azriel's brooding glare and continued toward the townhouse, the form of Cassian in the sky just above.
Ana smiled as if nothing had been said in their walk and turned to Nova. "We should get back and check on the bread. We wouldn't want it to burn."
It didn't take much more convincing to lead Nova back to the warmth of ho. She took the lead, trying to run as fast as Cassian flew above. If Ana didn't know any better, she would assu he was racing her too. He probably was.
Not a single word was exchanged between herself and Azriel as they soon entered the townhouse, her cheeks more flushed than his as she pulled off her coat and scarf.
"It slls amazing," Cas said, shaking off the last bit of ice from his wings with a relieved sigh.
He was right. The bread was just about finished, filling the rooms with mouthwatering warmth. Nova snatched Ana's hand again and pulled her toward the kitchen with another desperate plea that she sang to her again.
So she did.
It wasn't yet ti for dinner when the bread was finished baking, so Ana busied Nova with cleaning the kitchen before they vacated the area and found themselves sitting on the rug in front of the fireplace, where Nova excitedly showed Ana her lute and the songs she'd been learning from Edith.
'w'.
Nova's head jolted up at the sound, and with a grin, she clambered to her feet, racing to where Elain stood next to Lucien. Smiling, Elain offered the kitten to Nova, who swept Potato into her arms, letting her nestle under her hair. Turning on her heels, she brought her to Ana, letting her pet and hold her.
"The ultimate sign of trust." Rhys chuckled.
Grinning, Nova ran to her parents and slamd into them, nearly knocking them over in the process.
With a laugh, Feyre pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Did you have fun today?"
"Yes!" Nova said as Ana walked over, holding Potato in her arms.
With a calm but proud smile, Ana said, "She has a surprise for everyone."
It took another few minutes for Nova to settle down enough to sit together at the table. Her surprise was on a plate hidden under a dishtowel, waiting to be unveiled. Rhys glanced in Az's direction to ask how the day went, but his eyes were on Ana as she sat across from Nova. A smirk curved his lips as he exchanged a look with Feyre before turning his attention to Nova.
"What surprise do you have for us?" Rhys asked as Nova settled beside Cassian, using his shoulder to get comfortable. Nesta, next to Cassian, watched Ana with a clenched jaw.
Nova slid a gaze to Ana, who smiled encouragingly. Then, without another mont of hesitation, Nova took the towel off. She bead with pride, holding Potato as she held her chin up.
"I..." She started and stopped. Everyone, except Ana and Az, stared at her with wide eyes. Grinning, Ana nodded again to urge her on. Nova hesitated before pulling the paper from her pocket and setting it on the table. She touched the first circle. "I..."
She frowned at Ana for guidance and softly responded, "Made."
With a confident smile, Nova touched the three circles. "I made bread."
Rhys and Feyre's jaws hit the table, staring at their daughter with wide eyes, who had just spoken in a complete sentence. Their reactions sent a tizzy of glee through Nova, and adoring their praise, she repeated more sentences she'd used today. Touching the circles with every word.
"I want white.", "I mix dough."
"Oh, that's amazing, Nova!" Feyre grinned before turning to Ana. "I...don't even know what to say."
Nesta rolled her eyes...Azriel's jaw clenched.
Pink flushed Ana's cheeks and shook her head. "We had a wonderful day."
"Is the bread edible?" Nesta asked, casting a look of disdain on the loaf.
Pursing her lips, Ana nodded. "Yes, and Nova put a lot of effort into it." She didn't hold Nesta's gaze for long before returning her attention to Nova. "Would you like to give everyone a piece?"
Eagerly, Nova nodded and handed Potato to Cassian before using the serving spatula. With a smile, Nova set a single slice of freshly baked bread on everyone's plate. She counted as she went, making sure everyone had a piece. She hesitated as she moved to her plate and glanced at Ana for the following number.
"Eleven." Ana supplied with a smile.
Nova slapped the slice to her plate and proudly shouted, "Eleven!"
Grins were shared around the table, except for Nesta, who drank from her wine glass. Rhys leaned over and squeezed Nova's hand. "It looks delicious," he said, pressing a kiss to her temple, making her giggle. "I'm so proud of you."
Enthralled by the attention, Nova settled into her seat and took Potato back into her lap before biting into her bread. A casual conversation ensued after that, mostly about what court mbers had said during the eting in the city's center.
"Most are worried about the dwindling fish supply," Feyre nodded after swallowing a bite of pasta, "We might send a ssage to Tarquin. He ntioned having an issue like this in the past."
The conversation drifted here and there before Nesta settled a gaze on Ana.
"You weren't married before you left the mortal world?" She asked, swirling her glass of red in her stemless glass.
Ana raised her gaze from her half-eaten plate and t Nesta's unfeeling stare. Sothing icy chilled her spine, but she kept her chin high as she shook her head.
"No."
"Hm," Nesta smirked before she said, "That's too bad. It'll be difficult for you to find anyone here."
Ana's mouth was suddenly parched as if soone had stuffed dry cotton into her mouth as Azriel lifted a dark gaze in Nesta's direction.
Just as Rhys opened his mouth to respond, Ana said, in a voice that did not shake. "What a cruel, needless thing to say."
Nesta's sharp gaze t Ana's, and the table fell silent. Even Nova stiffened, sensing the tone in the group had changed.
"You think I'm wrong?" Nesta asked, arching a brow.
Where Ana would have liked to drop the conversation, she straightened her shoulders and stared into the eyes of Lady Death herself. "You are wrong to insult soone who does not deserve it. And I do not deserve it."
Ana already knew what Nesta was trying to dig at her with; she'd heard it all her life. Any suitor who had shown her interest always said so rendition of the sa thing. Neither ugly nor pretty. Pleasing for a mother, but not a wife.
Not a lover.
"I am happy," Ana said, willing her voice not to crack, "And I wish the sa of you." With that, she turned her attention from a seething Nesta to Nova, who stared at Ana with worry and confusion. Forcing a smile, Ana asked Nova. "Would you like to make sothing new tomorrow?" Ignoring Nesta, who glowered at her with a curled lip and a hiss behind her teeth.
Nova tilted her head and frowned. "Sing?"
Smiling softly, Ana nodded. "Yes, we can sing."
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