Velaris has been rebuilding for months now, but still buildings were left in shambles and families were left without homes.
Three cloaked figures made their way through the bustling streets of the city of starlight. Their boots kicking up dust as they crept hurriedly through alleys leading toward a particular house high above the city.
The House Of Wind it was called, and it was rumoured that High Lord Rhysand And High Lady Feyre lived there.
The leader of the three figures knocked on the door, waiting a few moments for an answer. The door opened wide revealing a wraith like woman who raised a eyebrow at their presence. The leader slipped of her hood, revealing a young woman with brown hair and striking orange eyes.
"Hello there," the woman said bowing her head slightly, "we have come to request a meeting with the High Lord and Lady, it is of upmost urgency."
The door shut in their faces.
The three figures looked as if they had no clue what to do, shrugging at each other's questioning looks. The door shot open again revealing a young looking man with dark hair and indigo eyes.
"High Lord?" The woman questioned. The man doned a bright and welcoming smile, but it still didn't hide the confusion in his eyes; especially as his eyes strayed to the golden crown nestled in her hair.
"This may seem strange, but we have an awful long story to tell and it's quite cold out here, may we come in?"
Rhys didn't know what he was thinking inviting in three strangers. Watching them as they filed into his living room each removing their cloaks revealing a striking person underneath. Rhys studied each of them in turn. One was a man with long white hair, dark skin, striking orange and gold eyes that looked to have some yellow mixed in. His features and movements were much like a cats, he seemed to prowel across the room. Then there was a young woman with long brown hair tied in a braid or red-orange eyes. She was dressed in fighting leathers, but hers were more charcoal and orange and bronze than the black of the illyrians. And her face was a hard mask of stone, with a determined set to her mouth and strong will in her eyes. And lastly the young woman with flowing light brown hair, bright orange eyes, and a crown atop her head, she too was dressed in fighting leathers, but the crown (or maybe it was just her) made them somehow look regal.
Rhys mindlinked the others, calling them down to the living room as the three took a seat on the plush couch. Amren was the first to arrive, fixing the group with an acusitory glare; if it bothered the group they didn't show it. Mor came next, leaning up against the wall facing them, but looking at Rhys, watching his reaction. Feyre came down last, they had just been discussing the rebuilding happening in other courts when Nuala whispered of company at the door. Cassian was in the Illyrian camps with Nesta and Azriel was surveying in the Court Of Nightmares.
Now that everyone was here, Rhys started, "you said you had a story, tell it."
The woman with the crown began, "I know you would have no memory, no books or maps of us, your ancestors did well on that, but I'll ask anyway. Have you ever heard of the Dusk Court?"
"There's no such thing." Amren accused.
"There is, but it would have been wiped from your memory long ago. Your ancestors threw a hissy fit when we crowned a High Lady, not a Lord. They shut us out, acted as if we never existed, but we do and always have."
"And who are you?" Feyre said in a quiet but strong voice.
"I am Annalise, High Lady of the Dusk Court, and with me is the head general and commander of my armies Lilith," she gestured with her hand toward the stone face woman, " and my second in command, Ezra."
"And why should we believe any of the shit you're spouting." Mor says pushing up from the wall and walking toward the group. The three looked at each other.
"Do you have any old maps?"
Indeed they did, Mor went to the library to find the oldest map they had, dating back over a millennium. Annalise stepped up to the map once it was hung up on the wall, reaching up She delicately pulled at the paper, stretching it until it started to peel. And there it was, of to the side, on the coast of both Night and Day courts was another territory, the Dusk court.
"Any old map has this really, you've just gotta look for the seams," Ezra added walking closer to the dusty map.
"Listen, you don't have to believe us, but we are here to help," Lilith snapped back, staring at Amren with a challenging look.
"We came to offer sanctuary for those misplaced by the war until their are homes for them, we intend to extend this offer to all courts eventually, but yours seemed the most welcoming. The most likely to hear us out." Annalise said facing the to other leaders in the room, looking them both in the eye one by one.
"You don't have to take us up on our offer, but think about it. And here-" The High Lady of the Dusk Court pulled out a piece of paper, a map of her court. A spot was marked by the border of the Dusk and Night Courts, "If you're interested Have someone deliver a message here, I have scouts rotating through there every hour or so. I hope to hear from you."
The High Court Of Dusk stood, and vanished from the house.
Xxxxx
"Do you believe them?" Feyre asked, pacing in front of the fireplace.
"I really don't know," Rhys said, sitting in the armchair diagonal from his anxious wife, "I'll send Az to meet a scout and see if someone is actually there."
"And if they're telling the truth? What then?" Mor asked, addressing Rhys from across the room.
"Then we consider their offer."
Xxxxx
The next day Azriel arrived at the border of the night court and the sea. And no one was there, big shocker. He squinted through the bright sunlight crashing down on his face. He turned his back away from the sun
"You must be from the night court." A voice said from behind him, "I was told to expect you."
Azriel turned around to find a girl, only appearing to be thirteen years old, dressed in charcoal and orange coloured leathers. Probably the scout he was instructed to meet.
"Well, follow me," she said smiling and walking in the opposite direction.
Hesitantly, he followed.
Xxxxxx
The streets were buzzing, children were laughing and playing as people were brushing past carrying groceries. Clothes were hung on lines connecting the coloured buildings. Kids stared at him as he walked by, no doubt looking out of place in these crowded streets.
"The High Lady is out right now, but the second in command is in." The young scout called from in front of him, her long braid flicking around as she looked over her shoulder. The pair rounded a corner heading towards a castle. They crossed a bridge over a river, shinning in the sunlight. On the other side of the bridge was a courtyard, full of people and gardens and statues. And just past that courtyard stood A glimmering ivory castle. The scout walked up the guards, talking low. All Azriel could pick out was the words night courts and Ezra.
The guards pulled the gates back and the scout walked through, gesturing for Az to follow.
Xxxxx
"Lord," the scout bowed in front of a man with white hair and dark skin, who was reading from a stack of papers with his feet propped up on the desk. His eyes flicked up, showing a swirl of orange and gold.
"From the Night Court." She straightened her back, standing up.
"Thank you Letha," the man said, dismissing the girl. She dipped her head and left again. The man stood from behind the desk sticking his arm out. "I am Ezra, second in command of the Dusk court." Azriel stuck his hand out and clasped forearms with Ezra. "And you are?"
"Azriel, of the Night Court."
"Ah yes, I suppose you are a messenger?" He asked taking a seat.
"Of sorts." Azriel responded, ignoring Ezra's gesture to sit down. Azriel surveyed the office. Charcoal coloured furniture with burnt orange cushions, books stacked in shelves and on tables,and large windows with sheer curtains.
"I suppose you have come to set up a meeting. Am I correct?" Ezra asked with an eyebrow raised.
Azriel nodded.
"How about tomorrow? Around Midday?"
Az mind linked Rhys to confirm, and at the Yes that rang threw is head, Az nodded again.
"I'll be sure to tell the High Lady when she gets back." Ezra ended the conversation.
Xxxxx
The streets were just as full as they were when Azriel arrived, frequently he had to dodge running and playing kids. He turned down a alley when a tiny body knocked into him.
"Oof," the tiny body spoke, "I'm sorry mister." The tiny body was in fact a child, with long dark hair and big eyes.
Az moved to continue on when the child spoke again, "You aren't from around here are you?"
Az shook his head
"Oh well, come with me, you gotta see this." The child took off in one direction, and Az didn't really know what to do. Not wanting to hurt the kids feelings, Az followed. The kid dodged through people with ease reaching the destination way before he did. "C'mon mister, you'll miss it."
The sky was darkening now, the sun dipping below the horizon. When Az finally caught up the kid was half up a ladder, and continued climbing.
The top of the latter was a rooftop crowded with people, there were lights and music and the people seemed to glow as they danced. It's so much like Velaris Azriel thought.
Xxxxx
The next day, about an hour before midday, the majority of the inner circle was waiting at the same spot Azriel was at yesterday, waiting for a scout to lead them there. Amren was already impatient, picking under her nails and leaning up against a tree. Rhys and Feyre we're discussing something quietly, while He and Mor stood next to each other, in silent peace.
"Hey I remember you," a voice said behind them, causing five pairs of eyes to focus on the source of the noice. It was the same scout as yesterday. "Follow me then." She said spinning around.
Xxxxx
The ivory palace gleamed in the sunlight as the leaders of the Night Court made their way inside. The group entered a room through large glittering doors with a table, large enough to easily fit twenty, in the middle of it and another set of large doors opposite them. The furniture in the room matched the furniture of the room Az was in yesterday.
"Please have a seat. They will be with you shortly." The scout left the room. Rhys sat near the head of the table, to the left of it. Feyre sat beside him, then Amren, then Mor, then Azriel. The doors opposite to where they walked in opened and in walked Ezra and Lillian and another man none of them had seen.
"Oh hello, I am Ezra, second in command. This is Lillian commander of the our Armies, and this is Telen, third in command." He reintroduced them, each of them took a seat. Ezra across from Rhys, Telen across from Feyre and Lillian across from Amren.
"We apologize for the tardiness of the others." Telen said, brushing dark hair off of his forehead. The doors slipped open and a short woman slipped in. Her head was pulled up high as she swaggered over to the seat across from Mor. "This is Blair. She oversees protection of the Dusk court." Ezra added once she sat down. Blair had blonde hair that was tied back and was dressed in charcoal and bronze leathers. Another woman, with dark hair and matching skin, seemingly materialized in the chair next to her. Only Azriel saw how she snuck in through the other door and walked along the walls behind them, sticking to the shadows.
"And this is Harlow, she deals with, monitoring outside courts, and even keeping an eyes on internal workings from time to time." She was a spy then. For both outside and within the court. A few minutes had ticked by when the door opened again. At first two guards trickled in, and then a young woman. She had chestnut hair and a crown placed upon it. She was in what appeared to be training leathers, slightly thinner than standard fighting leathers. She came over and sat at the head of the table, her eyes flicking up and addressing the table.
"Well," She started, crossing her hands in front of her, "let's get started."
Xxxxx
(Azriels POV)
The doors opened revealing two guards, who promptly walked in, followed by a beautiful young woman with flowing brown hair, that looked oh so soft. She isn't dressed like a High Lady, in her training leathers, but the crown on her head suggests otherwise. I'm sure my mouth fell open for her entire walk to the table, before closing it as she drew close. My chest stirred like nothing I'd ever felt before.
She pulled her chair out, sitting down. "Well," she said, her voice like a melody, "let's get started."
Xxxxx
I'll admit I barely paid attention in that meeting, only really catching snippets of conversation. I'd have to get Rhys to fill me in later. There was something about the girl, and well, just something about the way she made the room feel. Before it was stiff and dry, like any meeting is. But she walked through that door and it was so full of life and vibrancy.
Home
That's what it felt like.
The meeting came to a close after a few hours but honestly it didn't feel that long. Annalise stood from her chair, it scraping against the polished floor, "Harlow will show you to your rooms, Dinner will be served at six, if you do wish to join us. We'll meet here at 7:30 to begin the tour."
The rest of her court stood, and with a final nod all but one exited the room.
"Well, follow me," she said nodding to them both, her dark braid swinging over her shoulder.
She led us through the palace. There were large long halls, with high curved ceilings. Water fountains and seats were strategically placed as resting areas. Plants climbed up the pillars by the gardens. It was surprisingly stunning.
"All the rooms are in here," She said opening up a door, "enjoy your stay."
I went in first, scanning the room for traps and people, my shadows feeling out the space in the room. With a nod to Rhys, the rest followed inside. Inside was a room with plush chairs and a large glass table; and there were large doors leading out to a balcony over top of a garden. The rooms were claimed quickly, and I left the room to Check the place.
I wandered, but so did the shadows. Searching.
Xxxxx
The weapons room was on the second level, tucked around the back of the building where a staircase could lead them directly to a courtyard. It was large, with white floor and weapons hung across all four walls, and some stuffed in trunks on the floor. A sword and a few daggers were dumped in a heap on the floor a few feet from the door. They were mighty iron blades with a wooden handle. Crouching down I inspect them, and my hand is about to curl around the handle when a voice interrupts, "I wouldn't do that-" I grab it anyway, "-if I were you."
I drop the sword, hissing through my teeth at the all too familiar burning feeling on my hands. Annalise walks farther into the room, emerging from the hidden door behind a row of axes. "Its Ashwood" She states simply, walking over toward me. She bends down and pulls the sword off the floor, I look pointedly at her hands, and the lack of burning. The side of her lips turn up,
"I heard a story, of mortals drinking a little bit of poison each day until they became immune. I wanted to know if we were the same." Her right hand extended toward me, palm toward the sky. A glamor flickered away, unveiling scarred and ruined flesh underneath.
"It took years, but now I have weapons unusable to anyone but me." She turned away, hanging the weapons up and tucking their sheaths beneath them.
"Well come on then," she says, walking to the door pausing on the threshold, "Your spying will be a lot less suspicious if I'm with you."
Xxxxx
How I had ended up here, walking through the halls of an unknown palace in an unknown territory, with the High Lady of said territory, I had no idea. I didn't talk much but she didn't seem to have a problem with that, sometimes talking enough for both of us or us both of us lapsing into comfortable silence.
"Come on," she said turning down a hallway, "The best room in the castle is this way!"
The hallway was long, and her boots clicked fast against the tiled floor.
I squinted, the hallway led to, nothing.
"Do you trust me?" She asked,looking over her shoulder. I said nothing.
"I'll take your silence as a yes." She grabbed onto my arm, and broke into a run. She was strong, strong enough to pull me with her. She kept running and running toward that wall. And didn't stop until we fell through it.
XXXXXXXXXX
A/N
So that was chapter one, I hope you enjoyed.
I wouldn't expect all the chapters to be this long and updates may be a little spotty so this is me, apologizing in advance.
Also I kind of just dropped a bunch of characters on you at once so hers a guide to who they are:
Annalise: High Lady of the Dusk Court, Brown hair, Orange eyes, often seen in fighting leathers.
Ezra: Second in command of the Dusk Court, orange and yellow eyes, Tan skin
Lillith: Head General And Commander of the Dusk Courts armies, Brown hair(often tied in a braid), red-orange eyes.
Telen: Third in command of the Dusk court, Brown hair, Pale skin
Blair: Oversees protection and internal relations of the Dusk Court, Blonde hair
Harlow: Spy is the Dusk Court, Dark hair, Dark skin