#flying changes

“Of course. But you already knew that, Summerrook.” Cassian grinned before catching Nesta’s gaze. “How are you, Sweetheart?”

Did he ask a question? Nesta eyed the way that Cassian was no longer hobbling around with a crutch. He went to a follow-up appointment sometime last week where the doctors had cleared him. It would be a lie to say she didn’t care that he was better. The man was so sunshiney sometimes, and sometimes Nesta was a simple plant that needed the light.

Nesta oofed quietly when Cresseida’s elbow dug into her ribs. She glared at her friend who nodded over at the man standing nearby. Flushing, Nesta slipped from the fence gracefully as she nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. You?”

“Always better when I see you.”

She rolled her eyes and pretended to gag. Nesta searched for the ick feeling she would’ve gotten if it was anyone else, but the only emotions she could feel was something didn’t dare speak, not even in her thoughts.

Cassian laughed, the loud voice echoing like Nesta’s own heartbeat. He dipped his head as his laughter faded but not his smile. “Hate to cut this short, but I still have a lot of work to do. I need to find a licensed therapist to work here. And then we’re one step closer to opening.” The hazel eyes glowed like gold in sunlight. Her gut tightened as the warm hue caught her stormy blue. She settled into her resting face that made Cassian shake with laughter. He lingered on Nesta until reaching his office, disappearing from view.

With Cassian gone, Cresseida immediately looked at Nesta. “I’m fine. You?” She groaned. “That’s the best you got, Archeron? Is the romance lover struggling to develop a better way of making conversations?”

Nesta sneered, turning to face her friend. “Shut up. It was a simple question. No need for a long talk.”

“Okay, but the way the both of you were staring at one another as though you both were in a period piece?” Cresseida grinned. “You like him.”

“I do not like Cassian.” Nesta huffed, crossing her arms.”I’m not going to be here for much longer anyway.”

“A warden and a charge, oh I can see the romance girlies eating this up.” Cresseida laughed, ignoring Nesta.

“It’s not going to happen!” She declared, her eyes narrowing. “Like I said, I’m leaving this place, Cress! I’m not going to be staying here for the rest of my life.” Her annoyance grew watching her friend smirk, not backing down. “Can’t you just drop it?”

“When’s the last time you had sex, Nesta?”

She blinked, not expecting the question. Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip. It wasn’t that long ago..right? Nesta shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe a week or two before I came here.”

“So you’ve been in a dry spell ever since?” Cresseida clarified. Nesta looked the other way, her face burning. “Jeez girl. You’ve gotten yourself off though, right?”

In truth, sex had become a tool to Nesta. A way to fight off her demons or to enjoy the stronger alcohol she didn’t like as much. There was hardly a time when Nesta experienced sex for passion. She grew to ignore the feelings that riddled inside her from her days from being by Markus’ side. Nesta wasn’t sure if sex had become uncomfortable for her or not. She had always blacked out by the end of the night or the rise of the sun when the men and women she crawled into bed with fell asleep. They probably dreamt peacefully. While for Nesta, her dreams were empty, there was nothing, and she grew to like it.

“Nesta?” Cresseida’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts, a look of worry on her friend’s face. “Are you okay? I’m sorry if I crossed a line. I was just teasing.”

Centering herself to the ground, Nesta gripped the fence. She resisted the urge to press into the wood hard enough to bleed. “Well I don’t appreciate it. He’s my boss, Cress. I can’t have a relationship like that with him.”

“Remember when I mentioned I called an old friend to help us out?” Nesta gestured to the woman next to her. “She knows her way around a barn. She only asked if we could board her horse here.”

Azriel looked at Cassian, waiting for his input. Cassian shifted on his crutch, looking at Cresseida. “We can give your horse board, but we’re not a bed and breakfast.”

“Not to worry, Jungle man.” She smirked. “My cousin pulled a few strings and I’m staying at the Velaris Seasons.” She made her way to her trailer, bringing her horse out. Standing almost sixteen hands tall was a flea bitten grey Antica Desert Horse. The breed was extremely rare to find up north, and he had only seen them a handful of times. The horse was stunning, with the hot blood running through its body.

“First off, Jungle man?” Cassian asked, wanting to laugh, but tried his best to suppress it. “And secondly, who’s your cousin?”

Cresseida laughed. “Oh you know…” But Cassian didn’t know. He shook his head to imply his answer. “Oh…” She rubbed the back of her head. “Do you know Tarquin Summerrook?”

“Of course. He’s the owner of the Summerrook track down in Adriata. Anyone knows that track since it’s a part of the Seven Jewel Crown. But how does he relate…” He immediately stopped talking as both Nesta and Azriel narrowed their eyes at him. It was a moment before the light bulb went off. “Wait holy fuck are you related to him?”