The Nexus Effect

Before Cassian's training plans could begin, Feyre picked Hope's brain over breakfast, asking about the art techniques she used to make certain effects appear more realistic. 

Hope answered as she ate her cheese and bread meal. It had been a while since she'd had a clever conversation about art. The last one had been with her father.

"And your father, he was an artist?" Mor asked curiously.

Hope nodded, "He put his heart into the work and taught me to do the same. Though he was often a bit theatric with it."

Rhysand chuckled and leaned back in his chair, appearing full. "How so?"

"Well, for starters, he would sometimes use the blood of his enemies in his works and then send the paintings as gifts to people who wronged him as a warning."

Feyre's eyes widened slightly. "That's…creative."

Hope scoffed and nodded. "He always kept his flair for the eccentric but vastly changed after I was born."

A light conversation ensued as everyone cleaned their places and prepared for the day. Cassian seemed to be sizing Hope up as she washed off her plate.

He smirked when she finished. "Let's get started."

Hope would have thought it might just be herself and Cassian, but everyone showed up in the training arena outside. The wind felt pleasant against the bare stretches of skin. She wore an outfit Mor offered, but she suddenly got the impression she'd only suggested it to gain Azriel's attention.

"Alright," Cassian began, his hair pinned up and out of his face. The gear he wore reminded her of the powerful warrior he was, though she'd never seen any of them in action. "Let's begin with the basics."

Hope nodded. "Probably a good place to start." She had training in other aspects of her life: magic and strategy. 

This, however, was a whole new world for her.

Off to the side, Azriel and Rhysand sparred. They wielded blades that were probably as long as she was tall, while Mor and Feyre used hand-to-hand combat.

"Punch me," Cassian ordered, holding up gloved hands with padding on the palms.

Hope's eyes widened. "I really don't think I should."

Chuckling, Cas shook his head and grinned. "I promise I will be just fine."

"Right," Hope nodded and cringed, "No, I get that."

Maybe she was overthinking it- he was an Illyrian Warrior, after all. Of course, he could handle her punch, even with her vampire strength. Hope took her solid stance, placing herself as she'd been taught and using the strength of her whole body, and threw herself into the landing.

A sickening crunch met her tight fist, followed by a strangled gasp as Cas hugged his hand to his chest.

Hope's eyes widened as he took the glove off. His now swollen hand was turning purple and blue. It was definitely broken.

"Oh, my God…I am so sorry…" Hope's gut twisted with guilt as Rhys called over.

"Cas, you alright?"

"Yup!" He called back, shaking out his hand. "I don't think we need to work on throwing a punch." He grinned, though his teeth were gritted tightly.

"I'm-"

"Don't apologize," Cas chuckled, "I should have listened to your warning. That's the vampire's strength?"

Hope nodded slowly, pursing her lips. "It strengthens over time."

"Interesting." Cassian smiled.

"Let me help," she stepped forward and offered her hands to him, gazing down at her skeptically, "Come on, give me your hand."

Cas finally let his hand settle in her palm. The sound of ringing swords ceased as all eyes turned on them. Ignoring their watchful eyes, Hope placed her other hand on top.

His hand was far too large for her to encompass completely, but closing her eyes, she took a slow breath inward and carefully let it go. Pulling her hands away, she smiled.

Cassian held his healed hand up to examine and flexed his fingers. "Thank you," he blinked, "is that something all witches can do?"

"Most have the potential to do it, but healing spells are trickier than others. It takes longer to master them. I'm still working on expanding the skill- right now, my blood is my best defense against serious injury."

"You're blood?"

Hope nodded. "It has healing properties, but it has its limits, too."

Smiling, Cassian said, "Let's move on to something else."

By the end of the hour, Hope was lying on the ground on her back, panting. She'd never felt more exhilarated, though her limbs burned with exhaustion, and she was soaked with sweat. 

Cassian set challenge after challenge, trying to find her limit. As it turned out, she was faster than sight but needed to work on the agility that came with it. She would get tripped up if there was too much in her way—like Azriel suddenly stepping in front of her, sending them both crashing to the ground.

Accuracy was her greatest weakness in hand-to-hand combat, but she excelled in other areas that required precision.

Such as throwing blades.

Wielding a heavy sword wasn't her strength, but throwing knives at a target was as easy as breathing. Of course, it was in her magic she had the most skill, but Cassian was adamant that she would train her physical combat skills, too. She may have to rely on other abilities if there were ever a moment she was without her magic.

Rhys smirked, nudging her boot with his. "I think you broke her, Cas." He, too, dripped with sweat; it was too hot.

"That's the idea," Cas smirked over at Azriel.

Hope couldn't see Az's face, but she had an idea of the expression he wore. 

Gazing up at the sky, she smiled as clouds slowly rolled in. A light rumbled of thunder before a crisp rain released, cooling the pavement below.

The group lifted their face to the gentle drops and blinked before looking at Hope.

"I have more power here," she murmured, "the ancestors always had so many rules and stipulations, even if the power was being put to good use. Here…" She sighed softly. "It's like I don't have the boundary snapping back at me."

It felt amazing, like flexing muscles that had been in one position for too long.

The night came quickly, as did the formal affair of completing the oath and bond. Hope would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous, but Feyre had said it was formally unformal.

Dressed in traditional Night Court apparel, herself included, they stood before Rhys and Feyre. Amren and Mor stood to her left while Cas and Az to her right.

Rhysand spoke, the authority in his voice putting an unearthly calm over the garden space. "Hope, joining the Inner Circle of the Night Court is not something to be taken lightly. Agreeing to the oath is unbreakable. This bond will keep us connected. The circle will know immediately should anyone break this oath. Do you understand?" He asked, his violet eyes patient.

"I understand." 

Feyre smiled and continued where Rhys left off, "Do you swear to defend and protect the people of Velaris with your life? Do you swear your loyalty to the High Lord and High Lady of The Night Court and its secrets?"

"I will," Hope answered, not a hint of doubt in her voice.

Rhys and Feyre held their hands out, his left and her right. They both smiled as Hope rested her hand on theirs. Watching as they closed together, an unmistakable sense of magic coursed through her—a live wire under her skin.

She could taste it on her tongue, like the sweetest fruit.

Hope sensed the others around her slowly bowing, kneeling before Feyre and Rhysand. Looking up at them, she smiled—for the first time in so long, she felt she belonged somewhere. 

The family she gained tonight did not replace the one she'd grown with—the family she desperately loved and missed. In such a short time, she'd never felt more accepted than she did here.

Maybe it was fate or providence that sent her here. Not a punishment but a reward for the hardships and loneliness she'd endured over the years. As painful as it was to admit, she could see herself truly happy here.

And she intended to be.

Hope looked upon her High Lady and High Lord and nodded with a smile.

"Always and forever," she murmured before sinking to a bow that matched her companions.

Feyre's voice came as a soft caress in Hope's mind. Always and forever.

Everyone lingered in the garden for a bit longer after the oath, welcoming Hope officially into the Inner Circle.

"No Faerie Wine for you, sorry," Cas snickered, but Hope just laughed and nodded in agreement.

"That's probably for the best."

It was slow to disperse, and soon, she and Azriel stood alone in the gardens. Hope sat on one of the lounge chairs, smiling up at him as he slowly approached.

"What do you think? The Night Court looks pretty good on me." Hope looked down at her sleek outfit.

Azriel smiled, sitting himself on the stone below. He tucked his wings neatly behind his back.

"It suits you well."

Hope tilted her head to the side, studying him. Those eyes, she wondered how many times he'd gotten himself out of predicaments with just a look.

"I'm proud of you, you know," Az murmured, "for many reasons."

Chewing her lower lip, she nodded. They were quiet for a long moment before she broke the silence.

"What is the Mating Bond for Fae?" She asked, voice soft.

Azriel fixed her with an intense gaze but answered. "It's a bond that connects two souls. Sometimes, it's a perfect match; often, it isn't. It's in the hands of fate, I suppose. It's not something that has to be forced, not here anyway."

"But what does it mean to you?"

He searched her face for a long time before Az moved forward, kneeling before her. "I can't tell you in great detail what it means to me because I will not sway your decision. It isn't right for someone to feel they need to agree to a relationship simply because the universe says it should be so," he paused, swallowing with difficulty, "I want you, Hope. The instinct I have is more intense than I ever thought possible."

"Is it just the bond that tells you how to feel?"

Azriel smiled as he glanced up at her through his dark lashes. "Hope…It took me less than a month to fall madly in love with you."

Blinking, Hope stared down at him. "You love me?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. For the first time in so long, she was speechless. It wasn't just the mating bond that kept his eyes on her?

He…Azriel…loved her?

Az's voice broke her from her trance. "You may do what you like with this information. All I ask is that you do what makes you happiest. Do you promise?" He asked gently.

Her lower lip trembled as she nodded, her voice thick as she said, "I promise."

Azriel smiled softly and squeezed her hand. "You know, you've yet to see Velaris from the sky." He smiled when she perked her brows up with interest, and when he offered her his hand, she took it without hesitation.

Wrapping her up in his arms, she squeezed against his chest as his wings slowly stretched to their full size.

Hope gaped, "Mor mentioned the other day that Wingspan matters. What does that mean, exactly?" She asked curiously. 

Having seen the others today, she could attest that Azriel's wings were the largest.

Azriel shook his head and grinned as he bent his legs before he soared into the night sky. Losing her breath somewhere between the sky and the ground, Hope hugged his neck tightly. Stiff at first, it took her a moment to relax against his chest, take in her surroundings, and breathe in the brisk air.

She broke into a grin as they traveled higher and higher, above the clouds, as though they might touch the stars themselves. Turning to look at Azriel, she found he was already watching her, a soft smile curving his lips.

"Is this alright?" He asked, keeping them above the clouds with slow flaps of his wings.

Hope nodded with a grin. "It's amazing," she looked around them. "How fast can you go?" she asked curiously.

A sly smirk spread over her lips, and she raised a brow at him.

"I don't know if you're ready for that…"

Hope's mouth gaped open. "Is that a challenge?"

Before another word could leave her mouth, Azriel suddenly tightened his grip on her and plummeted.

Through the clouds, they flew faster than the wind toward the City of Starlight.

Hope let out a squeal of rippling laughter, her stomach in her throat as pure adrenaline rushed through her veins. She was still in a fit of giggles as Azriel touched down on the gardens they'd left, grinning down at her.

All at once, she realized their faces were mere inches apart, their lips nearly touching. It would only be too easy to close that gap. To give into everything she'd wanted since she'd arrived.

Hope moved a fraction closer as Azriel's eyes glazed over when Cassian's laughter boomed inside the townhouse.

Pulling her head back immediately, it took a moment for her to realize he was laughing at some game he and Feyre were playing.

With careful movements, Azriel set Hope on the ground, though his hand remained on the small of her back.

"It's been a busy day," Hope said, still a little breathless as she looked up at him, "I'll…see you tomorrow?"

Azriel smiled gently and nodded. 

Not another word was said as they parted ways for the night. As Hope bid everyone goodnight and entered her room, she still felt the electric tingle on her lips.

Hope fell asleep smiling, knowing tomorrow…she would see him again.