A Court of Lost Stars-Chapter 15: Sugar Berries and Holly

"I know you did," Feyre said, sipping hot tea, "The dress you chose can be an option for her, but I want Nova to choose."

Mor, who sat across from Feyre and Nova at a cafe in the Rainbow District, pouted. The place smelled of melted sugar and warm chocolate. Nova, usually not fond of sweets, already sank her teeth into a sticky bun as they talked.

Read 𝓁atest chapters at fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm Only.

"I know," she sighed with a small smile, "I can't believe it's her first ball. There were so many I wanted to attend but wasn't allowed. Does she understand what it is?" Mor asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Not a clue." Feyre smiled tightly.

She glanced over at Nova, who was halfway through her sticky bun, happily watching the other people in the shop. Taking Nova to the Winter Court for the Solictice ball was a worry everyone shared. Indeed, they'd been invited- Nova exclusively included- but that didn't mean their fear of her curiosity ebbed away.

"Any word on a tutor for her?" Mor asked, taking a bite of her cinnamon pastry.

Feyre nodded, "We've gotten a few inquiries since Rhys posted the advertisement. Some of them seem promising. I hoped to have someone before we go to the Winter Court."

"I imagine almost everyone will be there, Feyre. We'll all keep an eye on her." Clapping her hands, she stood to her feet with a broad grin. "Now, let's go shopping."

Nova started to wipe her hands down her jeans, but Feyre quickly caught her wrists with a smile and said, "Let's go wash up first. Then, when we find a dress, we can visit Edith."

The light in Nova's eyes sparkled as she hopped out of her chair. She loved her short visits with Edith. She'd play music for her and let her play, too. Even if it sounded terrible, Edith never seemed to mind.

After washing in the bathroom sink, they walked across the street to the little boutique together. Upon entering, they were met with a busy shop. It seemed Kallias and Viviane had meant what they said; everyone in Velaris had received a formal invitation to the ball, and they were all purchasing dresses and accessories. The place was filled with wild grins and laughter as each party spun and twirled in new, flowy skirts.

"What do you think, Nova?" Mor asked, looking around the place.

With wide eyes, Nova slowly scanned the room—the noise, the colors, the heavy scent of perfumes. Without hesitation, she turned around and walked out of the shop.

Watching after her, Feyre and Mor raised their brows. "We'll return when there are fewer people," Feyre affirmed, biting her lip as she followed Nova outside, finding she was already walking toward Edith's home.

Mor smiled softly, "I suppose so."

Feyre knew it was difficult to want to share a love of something with someone who didn't hold the same interest. While Mor wanted to share her love of dresses and everything she found beautiful, Feyre had tried teaching Nova a little about painting. Nova played with the pain but never wanted to create an image. Simply squishing the paint through her fingers and on the canvas was enough for her. Though what they loved might not be what they could share with her, Nova had found something else of deep interest.

Music.

Melodies of the lute and other instruments were called to her the same way painting was called to Feyre and gardening was called to Elain. It was something special to her, and Feyre wanted her to embrace it as much as possible. They spent the rest of the morning watching Nova be mesmerized by Edith playing her lute.

It was warm and cozy in Edith's home. A fire sizzled in the hearth with a pot of something sitting in its flames. It simmered something delicious—cinnamon and oranges, maybe cloves, too. Holly dressed the room's corners while sugar-frosted berries sat in a glass bowl on the coffee table.

"You know, my dear one," Edith smiled, "Having an ear for music is one thing. Wait until you create your own. The things you give come back to you."

Nova smiled, gazing up at the twinkling lights strung across the ceiling. She breathed the scent of pinecones in and sighed.

Laughing in a crackly voice, Edith fondly said, "This will be your first Solstice, won't it?"

Feyre smiled and lightly stroked her fingers through Nova's hair, releasing a few tangles. "We'll be decorating tonight. Won't we, Nova?"

She tilted her head with a smile and took one of the berries Edith had permitted to taste. Popping the berry on her tongue, a rush of sweet and tart juice flooded her mouth.

"Hm," Edith murmured, "Perhaps then I'll play you another tune." Picking up her loot, she began to strum a merry little tune one might hear, particularly on the day of the Solstice.

Enamored, Nova reached forward and lightly stroked Edith's wrinkled fingers, watching how she played with renewed spirit.

"Music speaks to her." Feyre smiled.

Edith spoke in a soft murmur and said, "As it does to all who listen."

Bounding into the townhouse, Nova skidded to a stop. Her eyes widened the size of saucers as she took the scene in. On the floor, the tables, and the couches were boxes upon boxes of decorations. The same types of trimmings that lined Edith's house.

Rhys, Az, and Cas glanced over, wearing matching grins, as they set more boxes on the rug in front of the fire.

"How did dress shopping go?" Rhysand asked as Nova practically dove into one of the boxes. She pulled out a freshly trimmed wreath and shoved her face against it, breathing deeply.

Feyre laughed lightly, shaking her head at Nova as she replied, "She took one step in and walked right back out."

Snorting, Cassian grinned. "How does that not surprise me?"

Mor smiled, "We will go back another time when it's less busy. There were so many people inside finding dresses. I hope the Winter Court realizes just how many guests from the Night Court will be in attendance."

"I think they know," Rhys chuckled and turned his attention to Nova, "Nova, would you like to help me string lights?"

Nova grinned, reached into her pocket, and pulled out a fair bit of thread. She held it out to him. "String."

Pure, joyous laughter bubbled out as Rhys shook his head. "Oh, my sweet Nova. Come on," he said, taking her hand and leading her to a box of glass orbs. Rhys placed one of the orbs in her palm and closed his hand over the top of hers. He smiled up at her as she watched their hands curiously, trying to peek through their fingers just before he removed his hand, revealing the surprise inside.

Nova gasped softly, the soft glow of the orb reflecting in the violet of her eyes. "Wow..." She whispered in wonder.

Tears stung Feyre's eyes as she watched the two loves of her life carefully toss the orb into the air and remain in place above them. Nova and Rhys continued creating floating lights to hang in the air as Mor and Feyre looped long ropes of holly along the rafters and posts.

"I think we should let Nova pick the tree," Cassian suggested, bracing his hands against the back of the couch.

"Tree?" Nova asked with sudden interest. "Mine tree?"

Rhys chuckled and glanced out the window as spits of snow began to fall. "We should go before it gets too deep," he said, touching Nova's arm and pointing, "Look, Nova. It's snowing."

She followed his finger and broke into a grin before making a mad dash to look outside more slowly.

"It's snow," Feyre said. She walked to stand next to Nova as she placed her hands against the chilled glass.

Gazing into the white flurries that floated down with more persistence now, Nova tilted her head to the side. "Snow?" She smiled and rested her chin on her arms, watching, entranced. "Mine fox. Snow."

Rhys lowered himself to watch with her. "Did you play with your fox in the snow?"

"It never occurred to me how she'd have stayed warm during the winter months," Mor murmured, "Her affinity for animals, perhaps she relied on them more than we thought."

Rhys pressed a soft kiss against her temple, quiet for a moment before he said, "Let's go find a tree."

Nova squealed with laughter as she slid down the icy slope on her belly. The fluffy snowfall stuck quickly to the frozen ground, making it perfect for gliding. She rolled to her back at the bottom and grinned up at the sky against the flutter of flakes.

"Nova!" Cassian chortled. "Come on, there's trees over here!"

Standing on her feet, she tried to wiggle herself out of the restrictive coat Feyre shoved her in just before they left. She squirmed her arms as she approached them, constantly pulling them back and pushing them forward.

"The quicker you find a tree, the faster you'll be out of the coat." Rhys chuckled, offering his hand to her. She took it without hesitation and, with her mittened hand in his, walked with him to where Az and Cas stood before a massive evergreen.

"What do you think of this one?" Feyre asked her with a smile. Taking her glove off, she reached forward and touched the needles. "They're soft."

"Soft." Nova touched a branch. "Mine squirrel?" She asked, trying to look up into the tree. "Ah, no."

Rhys snorted, "You can't have a tree with a squirrel in it, sorry. " He looked around. "What about that one?" He asked, gesturing to a tree just down the path. It was smaller than the other but full. Glancing down at her, he smiled as she was distracted. Catching snowflakes in her mouth.

"I don't think she understands the concept." Mor bit her lip, running her fingers through her golden hair.

Feyre nodded and touched Nova's shoulder before pointing at Rhys' suggested tree. "We can take one home."

"Home?" Nova asked, tilting her head. "Mine tree?"

Smiling, Feyre nodded. "Yes, go pick one."

Nova's eyes lit with sudden understanding before she took off, slipping twice in the snow but righting herself as she disappeared into the shadows of the thicket.

"I brought the axe." Cassian nodded as they followed after her at a slow pace. He smirked, saying, "But we should probably check it for any special guests before we take it back."

Feyre laughed. "Agreed."

"Mine!" Nova called out to them from the other side of a drifting snow bank.

Climbing over the barrier, Cassian burst into heavy laughter at the tree Nova hugged fervently. It was easily the smallest, most sparse tree they had ever seen. The needles, as few as were there, were sharp and brittle.

"It's a bit...bald." Mor pursed her lips.

"Beautiful," Nova sighed happily, patting it's scrawny top.

Grinning, Rhys elbowed Cas. "I don't think we'll need that axe."

Sure enough, Nova managed to break the thin trunk of the tree off with her boot against the base. They watched her grab the trunk with both hands and walk backward up the snowbank.

"Nova, do you need help?" Feyre asked, biting her lip to hide her grin.

Nova quickly responded with, "I do it!"

After five minutes of effort, they watched her drag the miniature tree over the snow and onto the other side of the drift. She wiped the sweat off her forehead and sighed before looking at Cassian. Out of breath, she said, "You do it."

Everyone grinned as Feyre cleared her throat, "Nova, you need to ask nicely. Say 'please'."

"Do it, please." She said, pointing at the tree already doused in fresh snow.

Cassian bellowed a laugh as he picked up the tree by the trunk with one hand and walked the path back to the townhouse. By the time they arrived, Elain, Lucien, Nesta, and Amren were already there.

Elain had made hot chocolate, which sat in steaming mugs on the table, waiting for them. However, Amren provided a bowl of spiced wine spiked with something a little stronger.

Nova grinned proudly and gestured to the tree Cassian held. "Tree!"

"It's...beautiful..." Elain smiled, failing to hide the shock from her face.

Nesta arched a brow and retorted, "I thought it was the kindling."

Flashing a glare in her direction, Rhys showed Nova where to pull the buttons to take her coat off before she finished the rest and drifted to stand next to Nesta.

With narrowed eyes, Nesta slowly looked over at her niece. "Come to rip more of my books?"

Pulling a sugared berry from her pocket, Nova grinned as she offered it to Nesta. Having taken it from Edith's house hours ago, many of the sugar crystals had come off, and it was more warm and mushed than it should have been.

Nesta almost cringed, but glancing up from her palm, she managed to control her expression. "I...can't take that from you, Nova." She said, her voice more gentle than she'd ever used with her, but Nova insisted, and Nesta finally conceded. She took the berry in her hand, and though she didn't smile, she quietly said, "Thank you."

With a grin, Nova nodded approvingly, "Welcome." She rushed to Cassian and took hold of her tree before dragging it toward her room.

"Wait," Rhys laughed, quickly following her, "Let's put it out here. After you decorate it, everyone will be able to see it." Guiding her to the sitting room, everyone watched him help her set it up in the corner, their grins widening.

"It's so ugly..." Amren cringed through a smile.

Nova, however, beamed at the scraggly little thing as if it were the most precious treasure of all. Feyre joined Rhys on the rug with a box of decorations in their lap while the others sat around the table, enjoying the hot chocolate and wine ladle by ladle. They chatted and laughed as Nova dug through the box and removed decorations piece by piece to garnish the little tree hardly taller than the fireplace. Sometimes, the shiny tinsel would go on a branch; sometimes, it would go into her pocket.

Feyre smiled and glanced over at Rhys. "I have an idea of a gift for her, but I may need help choosing one."

Smiling, he pulled her closer and pressed a tender kiss against her lips as the table erupted with laughter. They grinned and glanced over their shoulder to witness Cassian narrate Nova helping to pick the new Warlord Commander at the camp.

"This is what she should have always had," Feyre murmured, turning her attention to her daughter, who had made the orbs in the box glow all on her own before placing them into the tree with a precise, steady hand.

Rhys snaked his arm a little tighter around her waist and squeezed. He trailed his lips along her jaw and stopped at her ear. "We might not be able to change the past, but we can cherish the present."

Smiling softly, she nodded as she leaned against him, tucking her head under his chin as they watched Nova glow in the iridescent light of the Solstice tree. When she strung the last shimmering tinsel strand, Nova sat back on her heels to admire her work.

She met her parent's loving gaze and grinned before crawling toward them. Sitting between them, they appreciated the decorations and the continuous, gentle snowfall beyond. The table turned to look at the little tree that had seemed so frail and unimportant before, now regally dressed in silver and gold.

Nesta managed a tiny smile and murmured, "It's not so bad, I suppose."