Maybe it was boredom. Maybe it was spite. Or maybe—though she’d never admit it out loud—she was just tired of hearing Cassian yell across the House of Wind every time he wanted to talk to someone.

With a sigh and a flick of her thumb, she opened the message app, narrowed her eyes, and began adding names.

Cassian. Rhys. Feyre. Mor. Azriel. Amren.

She hesitated only for a second before typing the group name:

“So I Don’t Have to Talk to You in Person”

And with a decisive tap, the group chat was born

Group Name: Inner Circle (against my will)

Cassian: HELLOOOO my beautiful people 😎

Azriel: It’s 7 AM, Cassian.

Cassian: So? Time is fake. Love is real. You’re all welcome.

Amren: If you send one more message, I’m going to rip your wings off and use them as bookmarks.

Rhysand: Good morning to you too, Amren.

Feyre: Can we not start the day with violence?

Mor: lol too late 😂

Cassian: I just wanted to say… I made pancakes 😌

Azriel: I swear to the Mother, if you’re using this chat to brag about pancakes again—

Cassian: No, no. I made heart-shaped pancakes. For Nesta. 🥺

Nesta (you): I wouldn’t eat those if I were starving in the Illyrian mountains.

Cassian: 😭 damn okay… guess I’ll give them to Az

Azriel: Touch me with those pancakes and you’ll regret ever learning to cook.

Mor: Okay but real talk—can we have a wine night soon?

Amren: Only if there’s no karaoke this time.

Rhysand: I make no promises.

Feyre: Just no more dancing on the table, Cassian.

Cassian: That’s not fair, the table danced first

Nesta (you): This is why I mute this chat.

Cassian: You wound me, Nes.

Nesta (you): Good. Maybe you’ll finally shut up.

Mor: She is spicy today 👀

Azriel: This is why I never leave the shadows.

Amren: This is why I drink.

Rhysand: This is why I regret giving Cassian admin rights.

Cassian has changed the group name to “Cassian’s Circle of Chaos 😈”

Nesta (you): I’m leaving.

Cassian: NOOO wait I’ll change it back