Valkyriesbooks

“I have no interest in explaining to Rhys and Feyre why you died on my watch. And even less interest in explaining it to Nesta.'

Cassian stared toward the castle. 'You think she's alive?' The question haunted him with every breath these last few days.

'You'd know if she'd died,' Azriel said, pausing his work and looking up at Cassian. He tapped his brother's chest with a scarred hand. 'Right here- you'd know, Cass.'

'There are plenty of other unspeakable things that could be happening to her,' Cassian said, voice thickening. 'To Emerie and Gwyn.'

The shadows deepened around Azriel, his Siphons gleaming like cobalt fire. 'You- we- trained them well, Cassian. Trust in that. It's all we can do.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A ​Court of Silver Flames

“Gwyn threw her arms around Nesta. 'I heard you might need us.' Nesta was so stunned to see the priestess that she returned the hug.

Mor, a step behind, gave her a concerned nod, and then winnowed away.

Emerie was the one to say to Gwyn, 'I can't believe you left the library.'

Gwyn stroked Nesta's head. 'Some things are more important than fear.' She cleared her throat. 'But please don't remind me too much. I'm so nervous I really might vomit.'

Even Nesta smiled at that.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A ​Court of Silver Flames

“Hello, Gwyn,' he said warmly. 'Good to see you again.'

Gwyn blushed, shaking herself out of her stupor and bowed low. 'My lord.'

Nesta rolled her eyes, and found Rhys watching her. That casual smile sharpened as he met her stare. 'Nesta.'

'Rhysand.'

The other two women were glancing between them, the bouncing of their stares almost comical. Cassian just strode to Nesta's side and slung an arm around her shoulders before drawling to Rhys, 'These ladies are going to hand your ass to you in combat soon enough.'

Nesta made to step out from under the heavy, sweaty weight of his arm, but Cassian clamped a too-friendly hand on her shoulder, his grin unfaltering. Rhys's gaze slid between them, little warmth to be found in his eyes. But plenty of wariness.

Little princeling didn't like her with his friend.

Nesta leaned into Cassian. Not much, but enough for a trained warrior like Rhysand to note.

A dark, silken hand brushed inside her mind. A request.

She debated ignoring it, but found herself opening a small door through the steel, spiked barrier she kept around herself day and night. The door was essentially a peephole, and she allowed what she supposed was the equivalent of her mental face to peer through it to the dark, sparkling plane beyond. What?

You are to treat Gwyn with kindness and respect.

The thing that stood beyond the fortress of her mind was a creature of claws, scales and teeth. It was veiled from sight beneath writhing shadows and the occasional passing star glinting in the darkness, but every now and then, a glimpse of a wing or talon shone.

Mind your own business. Nesta slammed the small viewing hole shut.

She blinked, slowly registering Emerie asking Cassian about tomorrow morning's lesson, and what she'd miss today by leaving an hour early.

Rhysand's eyes glimmered.

Cassian's arm remained around Nesta, and his thumb moved over her shoulder in an idle, reassuring caress. Whether he knew of or sensed her silent conversation with his High Lord, he didn't let on.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A ​Court of Silver Flames

“Gwyn asked Az, her teal eyes bright, 'What do we get if we finish the course?'

Az's shadows danced around him. 'Since there's no chance in hell any of you will finish the course, we didn't bother to get a prize.'

Boos sounded. Gwyn lifted her chin in challenge. 'We look forward to proving you wrong.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A ​Court of Silver Flames