A Court Of Hope And Newness

Chapter One ~ The Commander

Her hair was as stark white as freshly fallen snow that had yet to be tampered from the footsteps of young children running and playing within its mix. Her eyes was the most ethereal blue, like a newly polished sapphire, that shined as a beacon in the darkness that was his world. Her skin was a gorgeous deep bronze, borderline mahogany, that revealed her heritage to stem from the Summer Court.

"Juno," he said her name and she turned to stare at him; her rose colored lips pulled up at the edges in a sincere smile that had him smitten within in moments.

"Hello, Tamlin," her voice was like soft music and in that moment he wanted to bring her to him and kiss her deeply. "How have you been, my friend?" she asked, her eyes scrunching when she spoke.

"I…." he hesitated.

She raised an eyebrow in confusion. "You?"

Ever since Feyre Archeron, High Lady of the Night Court, had decided that she would destroy his home and leave his people at the hands of Hybern, he had not had a second of restful sleep. He understood that she had an issue with him, but his people, innocents, had nothing to do with their petty spite and when she had made that decision - she had knowingly sent thousands to the slaughter.

"I've been better," Tamlin responded, his eyes closing and he released a sigh he did not realize he had been holding. He gestured to the destruction of the Spring Court Manor that had been standing for thousands of years, was now in rubble and she could still see the blood staining the bricks that had been left from the countless victims that Feyre Archeron had taken with the Manor.

Juno felt her blood boil.

"I'm sorry," was all she offered.

"So am I. But it will not bring back those who died in this frivolous attack just because that monster was angry with me. She could left them alone, but she decided that she was a deity and took the matter in her own hands - deciding that she, alone, was the holder of their lives and deaths," he spat, his green eyes glazing with unshed tears at the thought his lost friends and comrades.

"They're deaths on her hands, Tamlin," Juno suddenly said, her face closed off. "She will on day feel the moments of agony that they had experienced as they were crushed to death by her hands. I will personally see to it,"

Juno Ambrosia was a Commander of the Summer Court before Amarantha's reign and had been infamous for her incredible prowess, rivaling that of General Commander Cassian of the Night Court. A woman regarded for her unconquerable bloodshed on the battlefield, Juno was feared by many in the seasonal and solar courts - even High Lords were wary of her.

Deadly with her battleaxe and poisonous tongue, Juno was rumored to at one point as having crossed blades with both Amarantha and Cassian - nearly defeating them both.

With her fierce beauty and haughty attitude, Juno had become a powerful warrior and when she swore her loyalty or fealty, that is what she would live by. A woman of honor, who never betrayed those she trusted, Juno was quick in gaining allies as well as enemies.

Tamlin had been lucky enough to have never been on Juno's bad side and had also gained a friend as well as confidante within the she-devil. She proved to be far more trusting that that of his lost friend, Lucien Vanserra, who had left his home, the home that Tamlin had gifted to him when he had coming seeking refuge with his closest friend.

Loyalty apparently had no place with either Lucien or Feyre.

Ruby red fingernails, just like Amarantha's hair, suddenly snapped in his face and for a brief moment he could've sworn he saw the cruel black eyes of the woman he had killed his lover, only for her to be revived, and caused countless to surfer merely so she could rule a world that see deemed hers' for the taking.

He suddenly gripped the hand in a crushing grip and swore he heard the sound of the bones nearly bend while under his incredible strength. However, before he could go any further, Tamlin felt himself hoisted up into the air and was then deposited onto the ground, where a crater formed beneath the weight.

"No need to be rude," Juno chided as she raised a perfectly arched eyebrow.

"What happened?" Tamlin asked, his voice was shaky and breathing was ragged. When he saw the purple bruising puckering on her oddly shaped wrist. "Are you okay?!"

"Relax, Tamlin." she brushed off his concern. "What happened to you?" Juno questioned, her eyes alight with concern and her mouth pieced, teeth sinking into the delicate skin of her lips; drawing blood from the ripped tissue.

"I...don't know," he admitted, the tears finally seeped from his eyes and streaked down his cheek. " Flashbacks of my time Under The Mountain and when Feyre was...," he couldn't bring himself to say the horrible word.

He had never been able to bring himself to say this to anyone and with Juno it was like everything was spilling like a river.

Tamlin felt gentle hands on his face and his head was guided down to a well muscled shoulder - where he rested his forehead. Careful but sure fingers ran through his tangled blonde hair and something in him had begun to quell deep within his immortal soul and it was like a spell was being placed upon the High Lord in hopes of placing him to sleep.

"Rest, my love," Juno suddenly spoke.

"I'm so tied," he admitted, his eyes slowly drooping in slumber.

"Then sleep, Tamlin," the way his name rolled of his tongue, made Tamlin want to just kiss her and proclaim her as his Lady - the consort of the Spring Court and his queen.

It was in that moment, in that second, that everything would change, and it was then that he felt the mating bond snap into place.