The floor began to sway again but I kept upright. I was not about to seem like a weak, helpless child in front of them. In protest to me not allowing my body to crumple to the floor, my stomach decided to imitate the mating call of a whale. The elves raised their eyebrows as blood rushed to my face once again.
"You must be hungry." I turned to see that Elain had returned. With food. "Honestly, I thought that you two had more manners than to question our guest while she is almost fainting with hunger." She scolded. "Come and sit down, dear." She smiled to me, pulling out a chair at a large wooden table. I didn't move.
"Sorry, that was so inconsiderate of us. Let's eat, and then we'll continue." Feyre gushed, giving me an apologetic look. She walked to the table and casually took a seat. Rhysand followed.
I shuffled to the chair Elain had pulled out for me and sat myself in it without trying to look awkward. That was difficult. It was also difficult to restrain myself from launching head first into the spread Elain had laid out on the table. There were tiny muffins still steaming from the oven, peeled fruits all colours of the rainbow that shone like gems and toast dripping with honey. It looked like food made for gods; smelt like it too.
"Thank you." I said stiffly. I didn't think I could manage anymore words than that.
"You're welcome." Elain replied, breezily helping herself to a muffin and some ruby red berries. "I know it's the afternoon, but I thought I'd make some breakfast." Rhysand and Feyre also started to eat, and without more than a second of hesitation, so did I.
It was like nothing I've ever tasted before. A million flavours blended into perfect harmony. I popped a green berry into my mouth, where it burst and covered every inch of my tongue in sweet, zingy juice. Eyes wide, I bit into a piece of crispy brown toast glazed in the sweet-smelling honey. It felt like my mouth had woken up. Every inch where the food touched felt hyper aware. Savouring the sensation, I chewed slowly. Feyre noticed.
"It took me a while to get used to it." She said softly, smiling at my probably ridiculous face. What did she mean get used to it?
"My sister and I weren't born Fae." Elain chimed in, noticing my confusion. "It's a long story and not a happy one." I thought I saw her hand absentmindedly twist something on her finger under the table. I wouldn't pry. Not yet. And of course they were sisters, they looked so alike.
"Fae?" I asked. "Like a fairy?" A huge guffaw came from the stairs.
"Rhysie, Rhysie the little fairy." A loud voice rumbled, as heavy footsteps made their way towards us. I turned round in my chair to see another dark haired male enter the room. His hair was longer and untamed, scraped back into a man-bun with strands falling loose. His skin was golden like someone who spent a lot of time outdoors, and he was dressed in rough leather clothes. Well-muscled and handsome, he looked like he knew it. Swaggering into the room, he grinned at everyone (including me). I noticed everything and then promptly forgot it when I saw the huge wings he had tucked behind his back. They were bat-like and smooth – like their other winged friend. He also had three stones like the other one, but his were a deep, blood red.
I glanced at Rhysand who was trying to keep his face straight- and failing. His lips tugged upwards in a smirk.
"That is no way to address your High Lord, Cassian." He chided.
"Sorry," The male replied, helping himself to the muffins, "I'll start again. Hi stupid prick. Better?"
"Much." He turned to me. "And to answer your question, there are many types of Fae. We are High Fae, the ones that humans often refer to as...fairies. There are other kinds too though, some of which you may encounter here in Velaris. They look less human than we do, so try not to stare."
"Velaris?"
"The city." Cassian said with a mouth full of food. I looked at him. Hard.
"What about you? Are you...High Fae?"
"Cauldron no." Cassian laughed. "I'm a pure-bred Illyrian." He puffed out his chest.
"A pure-bred Illyrian asshole."
"Shut up, Feyre."
Their banter was so easy. It reminded me of my friends and I swallowed. Did they realise I had gone? Were they looking for me? I didn't want to cry in front of these strangers so I decided to ask another question instead.
"Do all Illyrians have wings?"
"Yes, it's part of us." Rhysand replied; ignoring the faces Feyre and Cassian were pulling at each other.
"Now I'm confused. You're Illyrian? But you don't have wings."
"I'm a half-breed. My father was High Fae, my mother Illyrian. I have wings but I can hide them if I want."
"Rhysie here is embarrassed of his tiny wingspan." Cassian beamed, earning a goodhearted glare from his High Lord.
"Wingspan?" I asked, taking another bite into my toast. It was Feyre, who replied with,
"The size of...uh...certain parts are thought to be related to...um...wingspan."
I almost spat out my food but managed to compose myself at the last second. Elain coughed daintily and excused herself, muttering about a garden or something.
"Lexis, meet Cassian. Seeing as he hasn't bothered to introduce himself, I will act like a parent and do it for him. He is the general of my armies and a member of my court, even though he doesn't act like it." Rhysand said coolly. Cassian gave me two fingered salute and a grin.
"What about the other one?" I blurted suddenly. "The one from the woods."
"He's busy at the moment but I'm sure he will drop by." Rhysand replied. "For the moment, let's see about finding out where you've come from."