Hey guys!
Upon high request and my will to write, I have returned with another chapter!
Enjoy!
Within a moment's short notice, Aelionora had gathered some of her best guards, then immediately winnowed to the Spring Court. Had she been any younger or had her father not been killed yet, she would've whined and complained at the absolute atrocity and uselessness of this meeting. But now, her mind had been dulled down to her orders as a High Lady, and she'd rather obey those. They make her seem more powerful and occasionally tend to intimidate people.
From the cold, snowy grounds, the small group appeared in the lush, green fields of the Spring Court. Before them stood the High Lord's manor, in its full glory as it had been peppered with flowers and rose bushes. But as Aelionora squinted, she noticed something beneath that beauty; it looked and had the feel of a prison. It made her sigh, and she finally believed the two people from the Night Court properly. It was comforting to know that she had just defended a greater good.
In quick-paced and regal strides, she began walking towards the gates, to see that Tamlin and Lucien were both standing outside, expecting them. Some surprise flashed over Tamlin's eyes, but it was quickly replaced with a mask of calm Aelionora knew was hiding a storm.
"Welcome to the Spring Court, m'lady," Tamlin began in his usual confident strut. He opened the gates, gesturing for them to pass through. "We are so glad you could make it."
Aelionora didn't particularly feel the same about that situation, but stayed quiet. Instead, she just nodded mutely, a quick jerk of the head, and ignored the lumbering position Lucien was currently upholding. After a pregnant silence, Tamlin gave a warm smile. "Come. Step inside."
She could easily depict the fake smile he gave her, where, underneath the layers or also completely-faked toughness, he oozed of desperation. It partially disgusted her, a High Lord stooping so low. But she did as instructed, her guards following her in single file. She was met with a beautiful and simple hallway, and she turned on her heel with one raised eyebrow.
"Well?" She asked, her tone rather unimpressed in her own ears. Good. Let him feel shame. Shame for not just inviting her on such short notice, but shame for all the bad things that have been rumoured to have been done by Tamlin. Either way. "Is there a reason you called me for this? I'm not a genie, you know. I don't usually arrive on people's commands."
Tamlin looked somewhat taken aback, but then also slipped into his High Lord demeanour. "I wish to know why my bride was in your lands with an uncouth and-"
"Your bride?" Aelionora hissed, blueish-white eyes narrowing deeply in anger. "From what I've heard, you haven't been treating your bride too well, and most in Prythian can guess why."
Now that did take the High Lord of the Spring Court aback, and he looked hesitant as he said, "I- I do not know what you are speaking of-"
"I wasn't finished," she snapped, holding a lithe hand up as she glared a bit at the High Lord. "It is enough to just summon a High Lady into a court rarely dealt with, but it is just rude to think I'll be giving away my business," she stopped to also glower at Lucien, before continuing, "I have no troubles with your court, and you know that. Do not expect me to answer any of these questions."
"I am the High Lord of the Spring Court," Tamlin snarled, mouth raised in a sneer. "Do not command me to answer to you. I brought you here for a reason. Now tell me."
Aelionora stopped, cold rage simmering in her pupils. Her body went taut like a wire, and with slow, and deliberately feline steps, she graced forward until she was face to face with the disgusting man in front of her. Icicles grew on her fingers and frost spread across the cheeks of her skin, so cold that Tamlin could feel it. When she felt she was close enough to truly intimidate the High Lord of the Spring Court, she spoke.
"I will not bow down to the demands of a childish fool who has yet to reign in his emotions," she breathed, voice murderously calm. "I do not need to meddle with your court's idiocy or selfishness."
With that, she quickly paced to the front door, but it slammed shut. That angered her even more. Her head whipped around, eyes locking with Tamlin's. Her guards shifted closer to her, and she reigned herself in.
"Oh, and Tamlin?" She said, fake innocence covering her voice. Then, a small, vicious smirk graced her delicate features. "You should not dare to insult someone working with the most powerful High Lord and mate in Prythian."
And with that final statement, she winnowed away.
And so Aelionora winnowed right to her home court, and halted as she saw both High Lord and Lady from the Night Court. They looked a mix between concerned, angered, and flummoxed, so when she arrived, both their eyes immediately scoured her.
Before she could open her mouth, Feyre beat her to it. "We heard you went to the Spring Court."
Well, that made a lot of sense. They were seeking to know whether she betrayed them. And if she would ever say, she'd admit it was a smart move to have word spread to them. So without missing a beat, she replied, "That I did."
This gained a response of a low growl from Feyre and an arched eyebrow from Rhysand. After a moment of slightly stunned silence, he spoke. "And what seems to be your business in those grounds?"
Aelionora softly rolled her eyes, then said, "I have no business with those scums. Tamlin is a childish, incoherent fool whose greed for power will be the thing that strikes him dead one day. Thank the Cauldron you left that man."
Rhys snorted, while Feyre looked somewhat shocked. "You mean... you didn't tell him you would join his side or something?"
Aelionora shook her head in disagreement, then glanced at them somewhat questioningly. "Is there some specific reason you two have returned to my grounds?"
Rhys nodded, his professionally charming demeanour slipping right in. "Yes," he drawled, tracing circles over Feyre's wrists to calm her somehow. "We have come to invite you to a place treasured very much by the both of us."
The Winter Lady's expression did not change, nor did her posture, but she did glance at both of the people in front of her quickly. But, she stayed still, a clear sign for the two in front of her to continue speaking. Rhys took a small breath, and Feyre tensed a bit. They were communicating down their mental bonds, but Aelionora could obviously not know that. Either way, after quick rushed words of Feyre calling Rhysand an 'oaf', saying things like 'are you sure?' and a streak of curse words that could make a troll feel flustered, Rhysand righted himself again.
"We wish to show you Velaris."
That was it. That was all Rhysand revealed. Feyre also said nothing, and Aelionora arched an eyebrow slightly. But it seemed that Velaris was a big deal, and with them being her new ally, she figured that this was important and she was trusted enough to see said 'Velaris'. So after slight uncharacteristic hesitation, she simply nodded. "Very well," she said. "Show me then. I took the wards down. We can winnow."
Both nodded, and they stepped forward invitingly. Feyre glanced at Aelionora. "Are you sure you have time? I told Rhysand we could come later-"
"I have plenty of time," Aelionora reassured Feyre with care, then nodded as she looked expectantly. "Well, let's go to Velaris, then."
And so, Feyre grasped Aelionora's snow-pale wrist and winnowed them away.
Well, that was it for now!
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