You perked up from the spot on the bed where to were curled up in a ball, your lower stomach was in bad enough pain you felt like moving would make it worse.  But your mate, High Lord Rhsyand, stood at the opening of your master bedroom with a look like a wounded puppy and a massive tea cup filled with piping hot tea.  Steam evaporated in the air as it rose from the midnight blue Night Court tea cup.  He was sporting his usual black attire, already sitting in one a few meetings with some other HiIgh Lords and the Inner Circle.  

You would be at those meetings as the High Lady of Night Court, as well as the second in command at the Inner Circle.  You loved being in those meetings, helping your Court thrive and flourish as much as it could after winning the battle against Hybern.  But of course, during one of the busiest days in Velaris, your period came with no abandon.

It hurt and slammed you sideways, and you were one tough fae that did in fact go into the Battle fighting alongside Rhysand.  But for some reason, this cycle brought you to your knees and drained your energy to borderline exhaustion and weakness.  You’ve handled this before, having the right snacks and getting plenty of sleep when you needed it the most.

Rhysand most of all knew how to help you.

He had a gentle way of helping you through the pain and cramps, providing plenty of clothes and undergarments when there was a slip-up throughout the night or during one of your naps. Even providing some of the best, let alone expensive snacks, for you when your energy drops.  You felt terrible that he would help you throughout the day, he was always busy running Night Court and making sure it was secure and safe.  So for him to carve out time in his day for you, was a blessing.  Thankfully, the rest of the Inner Circle knew and understood, Mor even sent you small care packages of wine and chocolates when she knew it was going to be a rough cycle.

That morning you were attempting to get dressed and focus on the meetings lined up for the day.  Rhysand could see it on your face as you were trying to mask the pain in your lower stomach and along your backside, you grimacing from the bloating and backaches.  But you simply smiled, saying it was nothing while you were combing out your hair. He was about to question you again when another wave of pain hit you sideways, making you immediately shoot up from your chair at the vanity mirror and rush to the bathroom.  

He knew then that you were in pain and decided to help fix it.  Without you knowing, he canceled his meeting for the afternoon, letting the Inner Circle know that he was going to be busy and occupied and his meetings could be pushed to the following day. 

You finally sat all the way up in your bed, ruffling your hair as Rhysand took that as his cue to come in.  Closing the door behind him, he glided over to perch on the side of the bed to hand you the cup of tea, you feeling the warmth of the water against the porcelain cup.  You breathed in the steam, smelling the strong scent and smiling slightly.

“Madja told me it’s a good tea to drink on your cycle,” Rhysand explained sheepishly as you eyed him with a raised brow, “I…I asked her some other remedies I can do to help you,”

You took a small sip from the tea after blowing off the steam, tasting the bite of the flavor but nonetheless a delicious taste on your tongue.  You sighed in relief, the taste alone was amazing, and seeing your mate in front of you smiling in relief from seeing you happy was better too.  Taking a few more sips, it was almost like the tea itself was laced with magic and you felt some relief already seeping into your bones and along your skin. Even the cramps you had some time before were sinking away to a dull ache, no longer sharp and against your stomach line.

“This is amazing, Rhys,” You hummed at him, realizing that you drank half of the cup before you knew it.  He chuckled and took the cup from your fingers, kissing each knuckle delicately while he kept his violet eyes on you.  

“Only the best for you,” he reassured you, “And after you finish this tea, we’re going to get you into a hot shower for the cramps, and I was thinking of a nice lunch outside in the garden.  Some fresh air will help,” 

“What about your meetings?” You questioned him in worry and curiosity.  He shrugged and laced your hands together, placing the tea on the nightstand.

“I told the others I would be occupied for the day, and I will be helping you,” He reassured you soothingly as you were about to protest.  Yet he held up his hand and pressed a soothing kiss along your cheek, wrapping you in his arms and giving you a loving embrace, “You are my priority today, darling.  I don’t want to be anywhere else but with you, and those meetings were going to be mediocre at best anyway,”

You were grateful to have a mate like him, the pair of you falling in love fast and hard for one another after meeting so long ago.  All of the stories of Rhysand being aloof, cruel, and filled with evilness that you’ve heard from other Courts flew out the window from the moment he smiled at you and took his hand in yours.  He was kind to you, gentle in his nature, and insanely protective of you but not too protective to let you be independent.  He saw you were strong and intuitive, filled to the brim with love and adoration, and he swore he would never let it falter for one second.

“Now, I think we should get into that shower and get yourself feeling ten times better with some of the shower salts we have yet to use from our anniversary,” he said lightly, you looking up at him with a raised brow

“You’re joining me?” You asked sheepishly, thinking that that state you were in would not be appealing to him.  He laughed and traced your nose with his singular finger that had his wedding band on it.

“Don’t think I’m not going to lose an opportunity to bathe with my wife,” He joked, then poking your side to make you laugh before picking you up in his arms and carrying you off to the bathroom with ease.  Having the Night Court as your husband and mate had its setbacks every once in a while. But not in that moment.

Not with him loving you and making sure you felt that love deep in your bones.