Chapter Text
Exhaustion hit her like a stone as they landed in the foyer of the River House. So much had happened since they had left from this foyer, only that morning. Isaac and his family, the repairs, her old cottage…
As both of them had expected, she could already hear the bright chatter of their family coming from the living room down the hall.
It was so typical of everyone to let themselves in that she wasn’t even surprised anymore.
“I guess I don’t have time for a bath,” she said, a tad mournfully.
Rhys ran a hand through his hair – somehow, still nearly perfect – and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“You can run upstairs and get changed. I’ll keep our guests occupied.”
She sent a wave of gratitude down the bond and quickly made for the stairs. Blessedly, Rhys was already making his way into the living room to try and wrangle their family.
--
When she returned downstairs – having taken a speedy bath and changed into leggings and one of Rhys’s old sweaters – the group was already a few bottles deep into the supply of wine, seated around the dining table.
“Feyre!” Cassian called as she padded into the living room. “What took you so long?”
She raised an eyebrow. “The better question is, why are you in my house when I’m not here?”
From his place at the table, with Gwyn at his side, Azriel piped up. “You two leave the door unlocked. You’re practically inviting all sorts of riffraff in.”
She made a show of surveying the room. Next to Gwyn was an open space at the end of the table. On the pair’s other side Cassian and Nesta, Nesta practically in Cassian’s lap. Emerie sat in the chair nearest the other end, Mor across from her. Elain and Lucien sat side by side, with Amren completing the row, a good distance apart from the rest of them, perched delicately on the edge of her chair.
“I can see that. Rhys, we need to invest in some better wards.”
“You said 9,” Amren added pointedly. “It’s 10:15.”
“Cranky because it’s past your bedtime?” Rhys quipped.
Amren bared her teeth. “Careful, High Lord.”
“Another drink, anyone?” Mor piped up.
“Pour me one!” Feyre said, moving to sweep Mor into a tight hug as the months they had been apart crashed together.
Mor squeezed her tight in a bone-crushing hug, pressing Feyre’s face into her golden hair. “We have so much to talk about!” she squealed, rocking her back and forth.
“I missed you,” Feyre said with a grin, pulling away at last and letting Mor pour her a glass of red wine. Distantly, she heard Cassian complain that there had been enough drinking and snacking, because he was starving.
Feyre slid into the remaining open seat on the end next to Gwyn, Rhys sitting at an empty seat between Mor and Lucien.
“It’s good to see you both,” she said, addressing Az and Gwyn, giving Gwyn an especially warm smile. She had just started getting to know her sister’s friend as she gone closer to Az. It was an unfamiliar dynamic, but she liked the priestess.
“How did your trip go?” Gwyn asked, smiling slightly.
“It was…eventful,” Feyre admitted. “I ran into some people I haven’t seen in years. But we made some good progress, and I’m glad we went.”
Gwyn nodded sympathetically. “That must have been difficult – going back after such a long time. I know it would feel strange for me.”
“It was. But it was also cathartic to go back again. Have you ever been to the mortal lands?”
“I haven’t.”
Azriel raised an eyebrow – he had been wordlessly listening to their conversation. “Will I offend the High Lady if I say you’re not missing much?”
Feyre scoffed. “That all depends on what parts you visit.” Somehow, she still hadn’t made it to the continent. “Besides, the same goes for parts of Prythian.”
“I won’t disagree with you there,” Gwyn said, and Feyre raised her drink and took a long sip in agreement. Cassian and Mor had broken out the good bottles for tonight.
“I do want to see the world one day,” she added. “And I’m dragging this one along with me, even if he insists he’s seen it all.” She playfully elbowed Az in the chest.
Az pressed a soft kiss to Gwyn’s forehead, a small smile playing on his face. “So you’ve been saying, love.”
“You should talk to Elain,” Feyre remarked. “I’m sure Lucien has shown her all the best spots to continent has to offer by now.” Recently, Elain had begun joining Lucien in the continent. It had been good for her sister to get out of Velaris, to have a purpose. Across the room, she saw her sister chatting animatedly with Mor.
Elain had once told her that she wanted to see the continent and all the gardens it had to offer. She was glad her sister had finally gotten her wish.
The night wore on as the group caught up on their many adventures and exploits over the past few months. Her family’s adventures had taken them near and far, to all sorts of places. Dinner was served, and by the time they were done with dessert, Feyre found herself stuffed, curled up on a couch in the spacious family room. Big enough for their whole family, and all the antics they might bring.
She tried, and failed, to stifle a yawn. Today had worn her out. Still, today had been good, even if it wasn’t easy. They had made progress in more ways than one.
It was growing late, but she couldn’t bring herself to call it a night yet. Not when her family was together like this, all of them warm and joyous and laughing.
A wave of gratitude washed over her as she looked around the room once more. Who would have thought it would all turn out like this? All of them were alive, despite the war and everything that had come after. Her sisters were happy and no longer had that haunted, dead look in their eyes. Mor had finally felt safe enough to let her secret free, and grew closer to Emerie by the day. Even shadowed, scarred Azriel had found someone who saw him for who he was.
All of it was such a gift. In those other lifetimes, had things turned out as blessedly as this? There were still wounds that needed tending, both in the human lands and Prythian. But she wouldn’t complain about where they were now. Not one bit.
Exhaustion continued to creep up on her, like a wave lapping at the shore, and Feyre let her head fall against Rhys’s shoulder as he joked with Az.
In those long years of unforgiving darkness in her family’s little cottage, never had she let herself dream of happiness like this.
And Feyre knew she wouldn’t change a thing.