Sorry for the huge delay, lots of stuff going on at the moment that is preventing me from writing.
Due to the upcoming release of the third book in this series, A Court of Wings and Ruin, I have decided to change my original intention of not changing the storyline of the books. From this point on, only the first two books will be cannon for this fanfiction, and I will be developing the storyline that is currently been told. This is because I have a lot of plans for this fanfiction and Katherina, and I feel I can only achieve that by carrying on myself and not adapting to the chances that are sure to come. I hope you will stay tuned for more soon!
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I stepped out of the darkness and into a blinding light. Almost immediately doubling over, I braced my hands on my thighs. Breathing in this new air, scented with fresh grass and blooming flowers, I settled my stomach. I felt the electricity bite at my skin but pretended not to notice, willing the hair on my arms to flatten. It would not surprise me if the High Lord of this Court was already aware of my presence here and I had figured feigning ignorance would be the best way to proceed.
Surrounded again by lush trees I should have been overjoyed, but whispers filtered towards me on the wind: a warning. Trying to ignore the pinch of the corset on my rips, I moved towards the oldest tree I could find. Laying my hands on its thick, rough bark and rustling the leaves above me; its reply was hard to detect, but from within a thick shield, the tree knew of many dangers in this land.
I placed my back against the tree as I heard a snap of a branch. Instinct told me to hide myself in the shadows cast by the large expanse of branches from above, but I willed my magic to disobey; there would be no use hiding from the people I was looking for.
The footsteps came closer, and I narrowed my eyes to make out the shape ahead. A slender woman came forth, unclothed and dripping wet. Staying cautious, I made slow movements towards her. She stopped dead when she saw me approaching, but didn't appear scared. As I continued forward, I noticed she was no ordinary woman: her skin was a shade of grey glistening in the sunlight and her eyes were completely black. A few feet across from each other, I stopped as well.
She cocked her head, examining me as I was her. Her neck had distinctive slits in them, covered mostly by long, black hair that snaked down to her waist. Her ears were pointed, but to three different points with a webbing between them. Her flat feet and large hands were also webbed, a thin piece of light grey skin less mottled than the rest of her body was attached between each digit. I had seen enough of sea creatures to know she did not belong on land. She breathed in the air in quick huffs through two slits where her nose should have been.
Slowly, I raised my hand to the long pin holding part of my hair up. I had been allowed a quick bath, but after had that, I been put through over an hour of being pulled and tugged around. Dressed in a tight, puffy dress that reminded me of a fashion my mother had been into about 400 years ago. I supposed each court had a different cultural fashion and this one was constricting and ridiculous. My long hair had been curled and pinned to my head, causing it to be a heavy weight on the top of my head. I released a long golden pin from my restrained hair and let the front section fall down. Like the woman before me, it fell at my hips; a ginger strand mimicking her dark hair.
She relaxed as she understood my gesture and bowed. I put the pin into my corset and bowed back. She turned away and returned to where she had come from. I felt it wasn't an invitation and watched her walk away. I still have a lot to learn about this world.
Turning my own way, I followed the sun for a while. As it passed noon, I began to feel unsure of my tactic. Surely by now, the Lord of this land should have come to investigate the intruder. Maybe I should have taken Rhysand's instruction and appeared at the front door, although that felt too confrontational to be considered friendly. Thinking back to how he had reacted to me appearing in his house, I couldn't imagine it would be wise to do the same thing twice.
Aside from the woman that appeared earlier, I had seen no sign of life. The forests were silent, a sign that this place has seen much death. It left me feeling unnerved and wanting out.
At last, when I had reached the edge of the treeline, the familiar sound of four hooves echoed across the plain. Pinching my cheeks quickly, I stood there waiting for the person riding the horse to approach. Atop a brown mare with blunt eyes and a white spot on her back leg, there was a high Fae dressed in clothing faintly resembling military uniform. My escort has finally arrived.
"You there, state your intention."
The voice was not as firm as I had expected from the man who had obviously seen combat. His scarred face drew across a false eye and his hair was a similar shade to mine, if not darker and dull, dotting his face in an unshaved stubble. His eye defined his face more than his cheekbones, a metal coloured gold to represent his wealth. Despite his clearly authoritative position and handsome face, I couldn't help feeling his appearance was messy.
"My name is Katherina. I am here to visit the Spring Court," bowing in the process.
"Visit?" His mare slowed to a stop in front of me as he gripped the sword by his hip.
"Yes. Is that not allowed?"
"What court do you come from?" Clearly dismissing my question, his eyes narrowed.
"I belong to no court." I had resolved myself to lie as little as possible, the opposite tactic Azriel had advised me.
"Do you have any weapons on you?"
I held up my hands and turned on the spot, showing I was clearly unarmed. I had reluctantly left without even a small dagger strapped to my leg. Azriel had tried to get Rhysand to reconsider, but he failed and had only left me with a sympathetic look of understanding.
"Any weapons I cannot see?"
"Would you like me to lift up my skirts?" I surprised myself with how flirtatious that came out. I held back my own disbelief as he fumbled a cough in response.
Finally, he moved his hand away from his sword and offered an open palm towards me. "Would you like an escort to the main house?"
I bowed slightly, figuring it would be expected, and smiled the kindest smile I could muster. "Yes, if you would be so kind."
I placed much of my weight on him as I climbed onto the horse, feigning an inexperience. I wanted to test his strength, and he didn't waiver. I positioned myself behind him, my multiple skirts causing a relatively large amount of rearranging. Once I had settled into the saddle, I thanked him again.
"Am I allowed a name?"
"Lucien."
It had been hundreds of years since I had ridden a horse, before my mother died, and I pitied the poor girl that had to carry our weight. Every time Lucien kicked her side or pulled the reins, I felt my stomach tighten. Internally, I made a promise to her that I would repay her kindness.
We travelled across fields, only broken by the occasional treeline. Lucien didn't stop for a break despite the horse carrying us for over an hour. I almost requested he stop, until I saw what was undoubtedly our destination. Even from this distance it was clearly classed as a mansion. Its lands were immense and the large building was encased in large stone walls. Between us and that however, was a very large forest. Sighing, I hoped there was a glistering river for the horse below us soon.
"You are very quiet." Lucien spoke as the foliage spanned above us.
There seemed to be more life here, with the odd bird song or branch snap. Maybe it was more protected being so close to the mansion. I noticed however, that every time there was even a slightly strong breeze from the wrong direction, Lucien would flinch; this place was far from safe.
"You haven't invited me into a topic of conversation." I answered, regretting my rather blunt response.
But instead of being put off, the man in front of me laughed. "I guess you are correct. What topic would you like to discuss?"
"I thought you were offering that yourself."
"I guess I was," he considered, "You said you aren't from any court, what exactly does that mean?"
"It means on this visit I am not representing any court. So this visit is more a personal adventure than a political one." It wasn't exactly true but not completely untrue, I was truly interested in learning more about this Court for my own personal reasons. "Is that rare?"
"In the current climate, I am afraid so."
I wanted desperately to ask what 'the current climate' was, but was worried my lack of knowledge on this world's politics would cause more unwanted attention than I should be attracting.
"I refuse to allow unrest to interrupt my plans. I brought this dress especially for this visit." Although he could not see, I gestured down my body and kicked my leg out to show off my skirts.
"It is a very beautiful dress; it becomes you nicely." He said, although it was more of a trained response then an actual compliment.
"Thank you." I said, attempting to cower slightly and nod my head, as if to hide a blush.
The journey passed on with more idle chit chat. Nothing that was too personal or taxing, more like our mutual interest in the trees and rabbits. Time passed slowly, but that may have just been my anticipation of what was to come. I had only brought up the subject of the High Lord of the Spring Court once and Lucien's demeanour became immediately defensive, quickly diverting us to a new topic.
The end of the forest happened almost so gradually it blurred together with the stone walls. The large gates opened as Lucien brought us forward, and I shoved down my fear. I had a debt to pay and I was not one to be intimidated so easily. The stones crunched under the poor horse's hooves beneath us. The gardens were a sight to behold, a mix of flowers that were almost overpowering if not for the greenery scattered throughout. It would have been beautiful, if not for the clearly organised pattern it was laid out in; there was nothing natural here.
We stopped in the centre of the path, the bricks of this huge castle looming over us and casting a shadow that could only be described as foreboding. Lucien got off swiftly, planting his feet firmly on the ground below. He reached for my hips, and I hid my sudden desire to push him away as I swung my leg over the saddle. Quickly ruffling my fingers in the straw mane of the girl that had carried us all this way, I remembered my promise to her as I dismounted. The stones below made more noise than I expected.
"Welcome to the Spring Court, Miss Katherina." Lucien said in a high, proud voice. I couldn't help, however, to detect a crack in his voice he kept muffled.
"Thank you, I am sure I shall enjoy my visit here thoroughly."
A man dressed in a smart suit grabbed the reigns of the horse and guided her away. I allowed myself a silent glance towards her, noting the direction of the stables, before returning to the double doors in front of me. Lucien offered me his arm and I took it gracefully. With the sound of crunching stones underfoot all too loud in my ears, I took a deep breath and prepared to pay off my debt quickly and quietly. Then I could escape this cursed place and be free once again.