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Chapter Text

Nesta caught his eye from across the well-lit room. Chandeliers dripping with crystals sent lights sparkling across the ballroom dance floor and washed moving figures with rainbow light. It was a beautiful ball. One that her sister had planned well, but Nesta was tired of balls. She agreed to come because Ferye and Elain had dangled the promise of dancing and music and one of the only real joys in Nesta’s life. So Nesta came.

The man across the room lifted his head in acknowledgment of her stare. She did not so much as deign to move her head, but watched carefully as he moved around the edges of the dancefloor to approach her. By the time he arrived, he held two glasses of champagne in his hands. He greeted her with the glass and Nesta’s eyes flicked down to it for a second before she unfolded her arms and took the glass. They faced the dance floor side by side, eyeing each other up through their periphery.

In the silence she drank, swallowing half the glass’s contents before she lowered her eyes to his once again. He was watching her, waiting for her to make the first move. As she assessed him she couldn’t decide if that was because he was a coward or too smart for his own good. As the music swelled and the couples danced, Nesta finally turned, ever so slightly.

With a tilt of her head, making sure to betray no emotion in her voice, Nesta said, ”And to whom do I owe the pleasure of my company?”

The man smiled, flashing his teeth, “Well I’m honestly surprised you haven’t heard of me before. I would have thought my reputation would speak for itself.”

Nesta did not so much as arch her eyebrow, “I have little interest in the semantics of reputation. Gossip is dull, especially without proof”

The man’s smile widened, his amber eyes flashing, “Then it seems we have something in common. My name is Eris. I’d ask your’s but I’m afraid the rumor mills have already filled me in. So may I say, it is a pleasure to be in the presence of such power and grace, Nesta Archeron.”

“Damn right it is.” Nesta mumbled into her glass as she drained the last of the champagne. He smiled as he caught her mumbled response.

Eris raised his glass to try and catch up. As he drank, Nesta took a moment to observe the male in front of her. He was tall, lean, and handsome enough. His red hair was certainly his most eye-catching feature, curled just enough to fall over his head, framing his sharp features. Yes, sharp seemed to be a good way to describe Eris. More than any of that, he seemed familiar. Perhaps she had seen his face on the battlefield, fighting against Hybern. Perhaps he had been one of the males that she had treated in the infirmary after that first battle. Perhaps they had passed each other in these very halls and never known who had walked before them.

He lowered his glass, having finished as well and he reached to take Nesta’s empty glass as well. He turned and placed both on a serving platter passing by and then finally he turned to face Nesta fully. He said nothing as he offered a hand to her, but his eyes seemed to glean with intent.

Nesta knew what he was asking for: a dance, a way to continue their conversation through more than voice. She weighed her options: one the one hand, Eris was not the ideal man to dance with. She had been warned by her sister before the night had begun that a man named Eris would almost certainly seek her out that night, likely inquiring about an alliance to her sister’s court. Surely this dance would come with strings attached and a game of politics to navigate. One wrong word and it could send the night into chaos. On the other hand, Eris was the first person to ask her to dance after almost two hours of standing and excruciatingly mundane conversation. It was really no question what she should do.

Nesta gently placed her hand in Eris’ waiting palm. “Shall we?”

Eris’ smile softened, with success? With relief? “It would be my pleasure.”

His hand was firm as he led her through the crowd. The band was just coming to the end of a piece and there was a momentary pause in the music. They got into position, standing in the heart of the crowd. Eris raised their connected hands and twirled Nesta close, placing his other hand one the back of her hip. His touch was hot where it met the open back of her dress, almost burning.

The musicians raised their instruments and there was a split second, as everyone in the room seemed to take a collective breath. In that frozen moment, Eris leaned forward and whispered to her in the quiet of the room, “Try to keep up.”
And before Nesta could even start to respond the noise of the crowd around them was drowned out as a glorious sympathy filled the room like fresh air. And then they were moving.

Nesta didn’t miss a beat as they were swept away with the rhythm but she glowered at Eris who had an insufferable smirk on his too sharp face. Fine. If Eris wanted to see how she could play then she would show him.
The music was fast and dark but Nesta knew it well. She let Eris lead her but every one of her steps and movement was sure and her own. Within a few seconds it seemed to dawn on Eris that he may have been leading the dance, but Nesta was the one with the power. Eyes from all around the room turned to watch them as she rose and dipped and spun and twisted with a grace that few had ever seen and even fewer posses. She glided across the tiled floor, a whisper, a part of the very music itself. As she spared her dancing compaininon a glance he looked at her with awe in his eyes, utterly captivated by the spell she had begun weaving. They locked eyes and Nesta felt Eris press them closer together as the song intensified, letting himself get swept away in her own whirlwind of movement.
They followed the choreography, but they improvised too. A raised arm, an extra spin, even an unexpected lift, all flowed together as naturally as breathing. Nesta had danced with skilled partners before, but never someone who could so easily adapt to her movements, to her very intentions. Eris had told her to keep up, and he seemed keen to take his own advice.

As Nesta stared into Eris’ eyes she thought suddenly, that this felt right. Like she was doing the thing her body was meant to be doing. The only thing that mattered, not the politics of her sister’s court, not meddlesome mothers, not the tug of longing in her heart of a life gone by, but this, this dance was the only thing in the world. The people and whispers of the crowd faded, leaving only the notes that seemed to ring through her entire being and the feeling of her body as it moved in the way it was born to do. For a moment, Nesta felt wild and she let a bit of that wildness show in her gray eyes. Eris picked up on it and smiled to match her in intensity every step of the way.

Even as this moment felt infinite and wonderful, Nesta knew the song was coming to a close soon. The music rose and rose, building towards its crescendo and they rose with it. Moving as one, Eris pulled her close, letting his burning handrail beyond her hip and up the arch of her back, nearly tracing her spine. She would have shivered at the touch if she could spare her concentration. Instead she let herself be pulled close, not breaking eye contact as her chest was pressed against his. They spun and circled and Eris only released her to spin her back to him, closer and closer. In the last seconds of the music, he raised his hand and let her twirl, her black and silver dress spinning with her until finally she ended in his arms as he dipped them both low to the floor, their faces barely a breath away.

Eris was breathing heavily, but Nesta had hardly a hair out of place. This was her element, her playing field. Eris had proven himself to be a worthy opponent, but she had shown him that she wasn’t even playing his game.

As the instruments settled and the last notes of the night fled the room, Eris lifted her up from the dip, but left his hand pressed against her lower back. “I must admit,” he said, “I’d known you were good, but that…”

Nesta stood, but did not take her palm from his or go to move his hand from her back.

“Other people are good.” she said.

Eris raised a brow.

“I was made for this.”

Eris smiled, and the joy behind it seemed to reach his eyes in a way that nothing else had. “Oh that much is very clear.” he said, “Though I wonder…” They straightened and faced each other once more, and Nesta settled herself for another dance, another chance to disappear into something more.
“I wonder, why stay on the sidelines for so long? Especially when you wanted to dance and any male here would fall to their knees at just the chance to dance with you.”

The music began and they stepped together, following the rhythm as Nesta responded, “The people of this court are not shy about their opinions of me. And they shouldn’t be. For as much as they love dear Feyre, they fear me. And it’s a bit hard to find a dance partner who doesn’t spend the entire song stepping on his own feet or staring at my breasts..”

Eris cocked his head as he spun his arm out, keeping their hands connected and then pulling her back to him. “Now the latter I can understand completely, but Nesta I must ask: is it really so bad to be feared?”

Nesta did not respond immediately, instead turning with the music and the sway of the crowd and drinking in her surroundings. Every eye that watched the dancefloor was trained on them. On her. She felt the cold fire in her blood boil up at the sight, felt the steel in her soul strain against the whispers that were traded behind her back. They had no idea. Not one person here knew what she was truly capable of. Hell, she hardly did.

Eris picked up on her silence. “I must admit, Nesta, I didn’t come here tonight to talk philosophy. I’m here to ask you a different question.”

Nesta turned back to face him as the music swelled and his hand tightened around hers. “I came here tonight to invite you to visit my home, the Autumn Court. My father is… unwell and has requested that his Court be left in good hands. He wants to know that we’ve got powerful allies on the table before he goes. I want to offer him that knowledge and bring him a little bit of peace.”

“The Night Court and the Autumn Court alliance has been strongly established for quite some time.” Nesta said.

“No, it hasn’t.”

Nesta raised a brow at that as the song came to a conclusion and their bodies stilled. Eris pulled his hand from hers, but kept his other hand resting on her hip, reluctant to give up all contact. ”The Night Court has had an alliance with me for quite some time. Rhys pledged his support to me overthrowing my father. It seems fate had other plans.”

Eris finally pulled his hand away and her skin was warm through her dress in the space left behind. “I only wish to show him that his last years of life weren’t spent with his closest ally scheming behind his back. And Cauldron knows that anyone of Rhy’s little inner circle would rather die than come visit. So I came to you.”

Nesta’s stare hardened “Ah, so you came to me because I’m the only one that Rhys and Feyre wouldn’t mind shipping out.”

He took a step back, and then another. “I came to you because you’re the only one I would want to say yes. You’ve got power Nesta, and I don’t just mean the magical kind. You’ve got it baked into your very being.” He raised a finger and pointed it to his chest, right above his heart. “I know you do because I can see it in you as clearly as I can see it in myself. And you weren’t made to be governed by people who don’t understand you.”

He made to move away and in the split second that she saw him turn, Nesta made a decision. Maybe it was selfish, maybe it was vanity, or maybe it felt like she was talking to someone who finally knew how to play the game as well as she did. Regardless of the reason, Nesta decided to make a decision for herself tonight. She grabbed his hand.

Nesta pulled and spun Eris around, then pulled him to her. He fell into the waltz position she guided him to, a look of patient confusion on his face. She leaned in close and whispered in his ear, barely audible over the beginnings of a new song, “I’m not done with you yet.”

She felt the shiver run through him at the words and allowed herself her first real smile of the evening. Then, with the crash of the drums and the singing of the violins, they were off.

Chapter Text

Feyre was difficult to convince. When Nesta initially brought up the idea of her leaving the Night Court, her answer was a swift and immediate “No.”

“I just don’t understand Nesta. Why would you even want to go to the Autumn Court? I’ve told you what the fae who live there are like, why would you want to experience it for yourself?”

“You don’t need to understand. In fact I shouldn’t even need your blessing to leave this stupid place, but I wanted to at least do the kindness of letting you know I was going.”

Feyre paused in her pacing. They stood in her new art studio, another gift from Rhysand. Nesta had hoped that by meeting her here it would show Feyre that she was serious about this. Feyre’s paint-covered hands moved to push back the hair that had fallen in her face and she turned to Nesta with something that could also be mistaken for pity in her eyes. Nesta couldn’t help the way she bristled at the thought.

“Is this about Cassian?” Feyre asked quietly
Nesta didn’t respond at first. No, she was too busy curling her hands into tight fists to suffocate the cold fire that was brought to her fingertips at that name. Despite the power she could hear whispering to her to be set free, she contained herself. “I don’t see how what happens between me and that oaf is any business of yours. In fact I don’t see how he relates to this conversation at all.”

“Oh come on Nesta don’t lie to me like that. Look I get it, it’s terrifying to almost lose someone you love. But endangering your own life for no reason is a fool's errand! Cassian needs time and space to heal. Rhys had to send him away or he was gonna keep making his injuries worse. He did it because he loves him!”
Nesta nearly barked out a laugh. Oh, Rhys loved him alright. Loved Cassian so much he had to hide him away lest Feyre’s evil sister Nesta got her hands on him. Cauldron forbid he make his own choice in the matter. Cauldron forbid Nesta gets asked her opinion on anything.“Feyre, I came here to tell you when I leave, and nothing more. If you care so much for my future safety, then you’re more than welcome to visit me during my stay with Eris.”

With that Nesta turned her back on Feyre and started for the door.

“He misses you y’know.”

Nesta prided herself that she didn’t falter at Feyre’s cheap shot to the heart. “Then he can come and tell me so himself.”

With her head held high, she marched through the doors of the studio. It was only later, in the cold of her room, that she was finally able to shake the flames from her hands, leaving a cold vacuum that seemed to swallow her whole.

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Eris came two days later, arriving at the Moonstone Palace where Nesta had agreed to meet him. Elain and Feyre were the only ones that had come to see her off.
Eris had winnowed in with a few lesser fae who went to grab the few possessions Nesta had packed. Nesta gripped Elain’s hand tightly by her side as he approached.

“The Archeron sisters.” He bowed shallowly, “Truly a pleasure.”

Feyre’s eyes bore into Eris as she observed him. “Eris. If you have a moment I’d like to speak to you in private before you depart.”

Eris stood from his bow and his eyes went to Nesta, almost as if seeking her approval. She raised an eyebrow at him, just to see what he’d do.

“Of course High Lady. I’m sure you have plenty you want to say to me.” He gestured an arm to one of the alcoves in the great hall they found themselves in and Feyre walked towards it without another glance in his direction. Eris pulled his eyes from Nesta’s and went to follow after her.

Elain’s grip on her hand pulled tighter and Nesta turned to face her sister who had gone pale in the moments of Eris’ arrival. “Elain what’s wrong?” Nesta asked.

“I… I’m gonna miss you Nesta. I know you can handle yourself but I don’t understand why you can’t just stay here with us. With me?”

Nesta turned to face Elain and used her free hand to gently cup her cheek “I’m going to miss you too Elain. But…” words failed her for a moment as she tried to find a way to say she was cracking apart without scaring her sister more,”...But I need to do this. I need to do something for myself with this eternity or I think I’d lose my mind.”

Elain closed her eyes and leaned into Nesta’s hand, sadness was written plain across her face. That was something Nesta always admired about Elain; that she wore her emotions like they were her armor, while Nesta hid hers like a weakness. Nesta sighed and pressed their foreheads together, “Look after Feyre while I’m gone okay? And you’d better write to me every day you can because I’ll be writing to you.”

Elain nodded and pulled Nesta into her embrace. Nesta fell into it tightly, winding her arms around her sister like she was the greatest treasure in the world. She felt tears stain the shoulder of her dress where Elain had pressed her face, “I will.” Elain said fiercely. “I-I don’t understand why but…but if this is what you need to do then you have my love. Just please don’t forget about m-us while you're gone.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Nesta whispered tightly back.

As they pulled apart Nesta turned and saw Feyre and Eris walking back to the center of the hall. Feyre seemed calmer than she had since Nesta first mentioned the name of the Autumn Court though Eris seemed to carry new shadows in his fiery eyes. Nesta turned to give Feyre her own goodbye.

While they hugged Feyre whispered fast into her ear,” You say the word and I’ll be there. Anytime, anyplace.”

Nesta almost laughed at that,” I should say the same for you Feyre. And… thank you.”

When Feyre pulled away she held Nesta at arm’s length for a moment, considering her. Her eyes had always seemed to pick up on even the slight cracks in the mask Nesta wore. It seemed like she was reading those cracks now and had begun to understand. Nesta had been trying to hold it together for so long, for the sake of her sisters and the new family Feyre had carved out for them. But she couldn’t hold on forever. she needed to do something for herself for once. To start, she needed space and this was the easiest way for her to ask for it.

Feyre squeezed her arms and finally let go, leaving Nesta to face Eris. He seemed to have fought back some of the darkness that clouded his mind because the smirk he gave her read of nothing but confidence. He held a calloused hand out to her, waiting for Nesta to make the next move. These were the games she could play. The games that had rules and made sense and didn’t involve accidentally hurting the ones she loved. She lifted her own graceful hand and placed it in his. She was flooded by his warmth and her own cold flames seemed to sing in response, burning a hole in her stomach as he pulled her forward. “Shall we?” she asked.

“It would be an honor.” he smiled as he pulled her closer than necessary for this next part. Nesta turned to Elain and Feyre one last time and offered them a rare smile. Neither commented that it was strained. Then between one breath and the next her sisters’ faces disappeared and Nesta felt her body seem to shrink and invert itself before she felt her feet on solid ground again. She opened her eyes and let out a gasp as she took in the great rolling valley that Eris Had brought her to.

Sunlight peeked through clouds and rained down upon a forest of jewels. Every leaf on every tree seemed to be painted with it’s own gorgeous sunset. The forest weaved around them and up a great hill where she could see what must be the Forest House of the Vansera’s. The wind whispered against her skin and she swore she could hear the twinkling of wind chimes in the air around her. As the wind carried through the forest she saw golden leaves fly from trees and take to the sky, almost like they were waving in greeting. A long jade river seemed to run through the heart of it all, spreading out like veins through the cover of trees. The pulsing lifeblood of a land that screamed of prosperity and riches.

“Beautiful,” Eris whispered at her side, suddenly reminding Nesta that she was still holding his hands.

She pulled her hand away from his own and the warmth she had been filled with seemed to go with it. “Yes” she breathed, “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”

Eris smiled at her, his face glowing with warmth like the sun. He gestured upwards towards the Forest House she would call home for the next however long “And this is only the beginning.”

He offered her his arm and Nesta took it gently, her eyes moving from the view of the valley to rest fully on Eris. As they began to ascend she whispered, more to herself than to him, “I want to see it all.”